I'm still thankful for the beef business even on days when I'm undecided on business matters

Did you ever hear a coyote howl like portrayed in the movies? I am a man who has to listen to the yapping of the freeloaders almost every night. I almost get to sleep and they start in, and never in a million years will you hear a howl like a wolf might make. Now, I personally don't know about wolves because I don't live in wolf country. I just know I wish the movie producers would actually tape some real coyote music for the western shows! There's my rant for the day.

As you can tell, I don't have any real problems on my mind today. I did watch some TV the last week and was devastated by the new program that came on. I just knew I was gonna like a new western even if it was set in this day and time. Horses, cattle and cowboys are all favorites of mine, and so I was waiting with bated breath. It came on a new channel for me and on a church night, so I recorded it.

Nasty, just nasty language and actions. Sure enough, it was not filmed in our area, but I do not believe people talk like that anywhere. I sure was shocked right down to my boots by the actions going on. I don't mean the killings and the dirty business; we are used to that. I mean the things the folks making the show thought they should show that should never be shown anywhere! OK, second rant.

Have one old hide in the sick pen. She seems to have hardware or just internal damages of some sort. I will haul her to town tomorrow if she isn't eating by morning. She is droopy and sorta humped up. She has been dry since we weaned in the spring. Maybe my idea of treatment is old fashioned and I might have hurt instead of helping, but I dropped a magnet in her just in case! Yep, I am found guilty of lots of just-in-case stuff!

The cattle business is never still and it is always a guess when it comes to deciding to buy or sell. The market is not like last week and won't stay like today very long. I want to cull some heifers and a few steers, but I don't want to give them away. Should have sold sooner or maybe wait until later. My close relative is not very helpful in this matter. She agrees with whatever I say, even if I say it wrong! Well, I sorta know it will not matter in the long run, 20 years from now, more or less!

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, I am thankful I am in the beef business even on days when I am unsettled about the business end of the deal. I still have all the pleasure of seeing calves growing, cows grazing and fences that need repairs. I appreciate the fact that I can make a decision later on, not a time clock or boss demanding I should do it in the next hour. I like the deal of early morning coffee on the porch, still evenings in the yard relaxing with family and many other things that this life affords. Thank God for all we have and pray we will continue to make what we need!

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

Editorial on 07/04/2018