Friends are never too many and are mostly a valuable asset

We had a great surprise yesterday morning, visitors from the past! Don and Darlene Holden were going together when my close relative and I were stepping out, and we spent lots of time double dating. That was at least a century ago! But no matter the years, Don looked the same except for the gray in his hair. I believe Darlene was just as lovely as she had been as a sweet-sixteen child. Yes, child; of course we sure didn't think so back then, we were pretty sure we were grown and very smart!

The rock pile was not prepared for a visitor dinner, so we loaded up and went to the nearest steak house. We got a table in the back and talked for two hours before going back home. I called the offspring in, and they all met our wonderful friends from the past and told about some of the stories they had heard concerning the four of us. My close relative always has pie or cake at the ready, so we snacked until we were stuffed again and Don said they had to make their next stop by dark. I tried to convince them to stay, but they had a plan.

It was a magical day. A trip to the years of youth is a valuable thing to me now. I was almost giddy feeling for the rest of the day, recalling many things we didn't even have time to bring up. I guess that said it right, bring up, because the past is buried deep in our hearts so we can live each day fully in the present. I am sure glad to get to sneak back for a few hours.

What do you suppose would make some cattle hang on to the old winter hair? I just cringe when I see the hairy ones and I know they are healthy -- not wormy -- and well fed. Do they need vitamin A or what? I am not going to put them in the chute and do a clip job. That could be a dangerous little maneuver on steers weighing seven to eight hundred and feeling their oats!

We are thankful for the little showers that have kept the grass growing and green this summer. The garden is about to produce tomatoes and not a minute too soon! We have been eating some things but waiting on the "maters" with high hopes of bushels of them. The haying has wrapped up for now, another shot will come soon and we will cut all we can. Yep, greedy as we can be, but we learned years ago to be prepared for the worst that can happen.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, friends are never too many and are mostly a valuable asset! Even the word friend has a welcoming quality about it, rolls off the tongue real easy. True, we all have some friends that are better taken in small doses but, nonetheless, they are important and we are blessed by them. I am sure we all know the way to have friends is to be one, but we sometimes need a little grooming on that particular activity.

While you sip your tea tonight or your coffee in the morning, think about it. I have experienced such a blessing that I am ready to continue making friends over and over! You might find me on the corner shaking hands with any and all who pass; it is like putting money in your bank account!

Kaching!

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