The pride condemned is not the pride we have in our work or our families

I missed the boat again! The pumpkins are selling at high prices this year and people are buying at a steady pace. I haven't seen a line at the meat market like the ones at the pumpkin displays and, so I assume, the bell has rung again and left me in the poor house!

Growing things from the ground up has to be a satisfying and pleasing experience. The tender care and concern for each plant and the fun and satisfaction of using the product of one's labor is an obvious reward. I have witnessed men hoeing and sweating over a patch of okra or cabbage and they are usually doing it voluntarily -- never have seen anyone holding a gun on a feller to get the job done. I thank the Lord for my job and cattle.

Not to say that producing beef is always a joy and never a sweaty or backbreaking deal. We do have nasty ordeals to handle, dangerous days dealing with mad animals weighing over a ton with fire in their eyes and blowing snot. We have losses to grieve over and sliding markets, but we don't have to hoe weeds!

There is an old adage that states that every old cow thinks her calf is the blackest, and that is a truth you can depend on. You better believe the rural postman would not trade jobs with you or you with him. Folks are funny that way. I do not want to work on motors or even be around an oily-part-filled garage, but our offspring delight in oiling and greasing all the equipment.

I am going to admit that my favorite job, actually it is a position, is boss. I can saddle Snip and ride around the place pretending to have important details to deal with; or, in a cold wind, I drive around very slowly in a heated truck looking at cattle. It does not take half a day to check the old herd, but I enjoy just looking at them! But that is subject to a higher power, too.

There are decisions to be made that only the head of the corporation can make -- hard ones, concerning the welfare of the business and the family. Those days are the ones I would like to be a hired flunky, stacking feed or cleaning our sheds. So I am pretty sure even the pumpkin producers in good market years have their own set of problems!

I know I am proud to be an American, producing food for Americans, and have raised a family on the land. I am proud to be a man of concern for my neighbors and community, a dedicated God-fearing Christian and a grandpa.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, the pride condemned is not the pride we have in our work or our families. I think it is that strutting pride that produces envy and enemies. I believe all of us need to take pride in our country, our families and our little bit of productivity for the good of all mankind. So, fellers, if you want to grow beans or cucumbers, do it proudly. I recommend you should save a corner of your garden for pumpkins in case of another year of sky-high markets!

Bill is the pen name used by the Gravette-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.