Our different ways of thinking make the world an interesting place

The sun comes up in the east every morning, the same way it did during the settling of this country. The pioneers faced the west and headed out, not knowing if the next day would be theirs or not. That is not the exact way we live but, brother, we don't know either! A bad wreck on the highway, a heart attack, stroke or the revenge of a cow when you grab her new calf to tag are all potentially fatal. So, when I saw the sun come up this morning, I was sure tickled!

October is the month of cooling, colored leaves, new aromas in the air and an awaking of the sure knowledge of winter coming. We have been hot, not hot enough to crisp up but just enough to sweat on the hat band and if doing any work -- you would be pretty damp. The need of rain for our grass and ponds is a common saying at the coffee emporium. My efforts to keep pastures seeded and growing are in jeopardy during a dry spell and, yes, I worry a little. I am old enough to remember some years that were so dry you could hardly spit.

My close relative and I are going to a bred-cow sale this week. I don't think I want to buy anything, but we need to go look and enjoy a day. I sure like to see good cattle, and I probably stare at folks that can buy a cow for four figures and let some cow jockey haul her home for them! Bulls are 50 percent of my herd, so I have done a little of that high dollar business and might again if it rains! Not gonna bet on a calf that is not on the ground and a cow that could die before I could get her home. My close relative enjoys the atmosphere and the cattle too, so we are looking forward to a good time.

Now, speaking of the time away from the place, we will consider it a mini-vacation. We will be back home to our own home, sleep in our own bed and be ready for another day when the sun comes up. I find myself feeling a little guilty when folks talk about the fine vacations they have provided for their families, two weeks in the mountains or on the beach, running wild and resting. We never have, never will, I suppose, take off on that sort of adventure.

Our offspring take real trips, take their families to resorts and play in the sun and surf or ski the snow-covered trails in the mountains. We are happy for them to be able to do that, but I don't want to go. My close relative has gone with them a few times and now turns down the invitations. It is a fact that we like it here on the rock pile, listen to birds, cows bawling, and all the comforts we have been able to gather up for ourselves. Yep, a blessed pair, beyond belief, and aware of it!

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, we humans are each programmed to be individuals in our ways, and I'm thinking that it makes the world an interesting place. Wouldn't be much fun for us all to be just clones, all wanting the exact same thing and acting the precise same way! No smart inventions, no good books were written, no art- or business-skilled folks if you were all like me! What a deal that would be! Think about that and be thankful!

A prayer or two for rain sure won't hurt, and it sure might help!

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

Editorial on 10/11/2017