We got another little shower yesterday, and the grass is growing enough to keep us from worrying ourselves sick. My close relative has yard grass that would feed a herd, and the pastures are just making it! I shouldn't complain at all about the weather; it is good right now -- cool this morning as I had my coffee on the porch. The mockingbirds sang me a dilly of a tune to go along with the sweet smell of the earth.
Seems like bugs of all shapes and sizes have found us. I have seen some I don't think have ever been here before. Beetles are pretty common, but they come in many colors and sizes this year. We saw a toad sitting under the light pole at the south end of the driveway that was actually huge. I am proud to know something is getting some good out of the invasion of insects. Yes, the flies are still a problem and, yes, I am still working on it daily.
I have the need to buy a dump truck. You remember a couple of years ago I got the urge to do some dirt work to level off a knoll and seed it down in Bermuda? I still want to do that and I could use a dump truck in many ways around here. I think I found one in the want ads of yesterday's paper. It is only a 1964 model and has been well taken care of. The ad said you could test drive it and the price was reasonable. Before it gets cold and we start hauling out hay, I want to go take a look at it. Sounds like a bargain to me. Of course, I will need to buy a small dozer before I can clear any dirt off the hill!
The fall calving cows are looking good and springing now. I am hoping we can control some of the fly problems before the calves hit the ground. I have had some trouble with keeping the calves clean enough to prevent the fly eggs from hatching, and I'm doing a terrible job on the calves. All the cows are in good shape. The dry part of the year kept them from putting on too much fat, and the grass is enough to keep them at a medium weight. Body conditions are about the best we have ever had. I am still in mild shock due to the speed this summer has passed but happy to see a new crop of beef due so soon.
An old friend from another part of the world lost his close relative a couple of days ago. He won't last long by himself; they had been partners for 60 years, and I was always sure he would go first due to his bouts with cancer. Now he has the disease that will kill him for sure, loss of the other half of himself. He is 87 years old and lives 20 miles from town. I am not sure he even has any family near. Life is always unpleasant during some periods of time. Prayers for him are plentiful and folks around will help, but when it is time to check out, we sure know it!
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, a feller can never be too good to a neighbor. I have been on the getting end of kindness so many times, and what a blessing it is to have help when needed! I sure thank my neighbors for putting up with a lot of our needs over the years, you know, bulls out, kids pulling pranks, hospital stays that required chore help and a multitude of other instances. Today, I am going to help one of my neighbors load calves as he has a broken arm and needs me. It is a pleasure to be needed!
Keep the Deet handy, mosquitoes are hungry.
Bill is the pen name used by the Gravette-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 08/22/2018