The weeds are glorious! They are sprouting up in every conceivable bit of dirt they can find, cracks in rocks and even one in the bark of the old tree. The weed and feed that has been applied to our yard for at least the past 10 years is feeding the things just great! The grass is not showing due to the heavy cover of weeds, henbit is the very worse! OK, that rant was caused by the discovery of hemlock about to take over on the back side of the horse trap. I can't get ahead of it, or at least I haven't yet.
It is still cold out here on the rock pile. I am warm enough when working but, if I stop, I get those little chilly bumps all over myself! I was replacing a bent post early this morning. The sun was shining and I got to sweating pretty good. Took off my jacket and enjoyed the warmth of the sun. By the time I finished tamping in the dirt, I was damp on my top half and, before I got back into the truck, I was shivering.
We had to pen the steers and cut out three of them to doctor. One limping pretty bad, one had a snotty nose and coughing, and the last one had something wrong with his eye. We dug out a big thorn in the first one's hoof, poured in lots of medication and gave him a big shot of antibiotic. The next one was snorty and stupid when we tried to get him up the alley into the chute. He must have remembered a trip through here before. Anyway, he was gently coaxed into the chute and given some good antibiotic too.
The calf with the bad eye is a mystery. I couldn't find any reason for him to be in misery. It didn't look like anything was in the eye, not any injury I could see, and so we cleaned it out with normal saline water and used some pinkeye powder. We found an old eye patch left from years ago in the med box and glued that over the eye. I suspect he will be fine, just have to wait and see. Turned them back out and hauled another bale to them. Wish it would turn warm and grow some grass.
Speaking of hay, it is getting pretty valuable around here. I talked to some of the beef producers at the coffee emporium this afternoon and several are plumb slick out of hay. Others added they were down to the end of their stacks too. I guess we had to feed early last fall due to the dry weather and are still feeding long into spring, used more than we figured on. That is why we never stop even when the barns are full. I can always find another place to stack hay, and having it outside is better than not having any at all.
I bought some feed to be delivered, and I hope I did the right thing. I usually depend on buying sacked feed, all the same kind and mixed pretty exact. This new feed will be augured into the old grain bin in the feed room. I saved some money if the rats and varmints don't eat it all before we can use it. I will be antsy until we get it in the barn and I can see and feel it.
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, work on the place is sure pleasant, even the kind that makes a man sweat. We work steady, not in a big hurry, and sometimes we have to stop for a breather. I do not like the dirty work of cleaning out stalls and water tanks, but most of it is sure nice. What better could a man wish for? Fresh air, exercise and knowing everything he does is making it better for his family and himself is sure a good incentive. I am thankful for the way we live in this country, and I thank the Lord for our many blessings!
Say howdy to a stranger today, open the door for a struggling lady at the grocery store, pay for a friend's coffee or do any good deed for someone. Makes the world a little nicer!
Bill is the pen name used by the Gravette-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 04/11/2018