School is out and the street is swarming with high school boys, big, strapping and football tough. They all need a job, a hay hauling job or cleaning barns or working in the local auto garage or feed store. They are strong and smart, step lively and are keen of eye. If you want proof of all the aforementioned abilities, just offer one a job and try to keep from choking on his dust!
I drove to the county seat looking for a handyman to help around the headquarters. Went to the employment office and found they had not even one person that would consider farm work for the week. So, that means the grands are hired for the measly wages and all the food they can eat. They are fed and watered, made over by their doting Memaw and Pa and made to do the easier work on the place.
The hay is down in three fields and, because of that, the clouds have surrounded the place. At noon today the dew was like a light shower on the grass, so I think someone got in a hurry to mow. Don't blame me. I said you had better just do one and see if it will dry. So, and for all that information was worth, they cut two more! This is just one of many reasons the older generation quickly loses their minds when the next generation starts thinking!
The cattle are my easy living place. I left the offspring in the shop and took myself to the daily job of checking and counting cattle. The bull pens are the start and they are mostly fun to check. The boys are looking good, have not torn down any fences and just pushed three sides of the barn off the foundation. They go out the gate on June 1st and begin their work. By the time you read this, they will be in pastures with females.
The early calving in February is not my idea, but for several years it has worked. The weather can be gruesome and unforgiving, ice and snow, knee-deep, or it can be dry with only a little shower and some frost. We, like all beef producers, try to get a jump on the crop to make enough cash to keep the banker from stroking out! Regardless of all the unknowns in this business, the cattle keep me sane and happy. I am not saying they aren't ever problems. You know I suffer just like everyone with tragedies and miseries, but I like cattle.
My close relative has mentioned we are going to need to go see her relatives down south in a week or two. She got a note from one of the older kids inviting us to come down, so she knows they are becoming pretty needy. The cost of the stamp is not paid for with food stamps. So we will go, and I am gonna pray about my attitude from now until then!
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, we are a nation of freedom bought and paid for with the blood of those who have gone before us! They are the only reason we are still able to make a living any way we want to and as good a living as we are willing to work for. I know some are disabled and I know some aren't so disabled they can't work. I hope you fellers who are able will share what you have with those who aren't able and pray for them. Then pray for me as I share with some who are able but won't work because their Uncle Sam is so generous, as is their older second cousin. If I complain in your presence, step on my toes to remind me how fortunate I am!
Stop cutting until it clears off!
Bill is the pen name used by the Gravette-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 06/07/2017