I like to listen to the radio when I am in my pickup truck, tuned to the local news station and then to some country music. I like those things, simple little things to my way of thinking. I don't require much to make me happy.
I also like sweet tea and pies, hot coffee and my family. See how simple it is to make me happy? It is about over, what makes me happy, that is. It could be draped in black and prayed over. I have not ever seen in all my born days such nonsense that passes for music, let alone country music!
Our offspring went through some spells of downright stupidity but they lived over the worst of it and are now pretty decent law-abiding citizens. They agree that some of the stuff was tuned in just to bother their parents and they didn't really enjoy it. The oldest of the male offspring said he would listen to a good country station while using the pickup and then change it to a heavy metal station before he got home. Go figure! I know that somewhere George Strait is on the radio; I just haven't found him yet.
The sunshine has brought on the grass. Yes, I am still putting out hay because it is needed, but the sun and moisture are working. I am just about out of hay, and it is high dollar if you can find it. Gonna be alright. I don't foresee feeding very far down in May. Never hurts to pray about things such as this. I am not the only one hurting, and some have had to buy semi-loads of hay for a bucketful of cash.
We have been roping almost every evening around here. I said we, but all I do is saddle up and run calves back to the east-end gate. How on earth we were ever so fortunate to spawn these grands only the good Lord knows! They are enjoying riding, taking care of their mounts and are getting better at every turn. My close relative has hinted that we may have to start looking for faster and younger horses. All of the parents of these grands are willing to travel with the contestants to different playday events, but we wonder what will happen when it gets to be so ingrained that every weekend is a rodeo somewhere. I guess we will cross that bridge when we get to it!
It is almost time to turn in bulls or AI the cows for spring calves. We have been looking at the sire books and I sure am impressed with the EPDs of the breed. A poor feller like me cannot afford to own a bull of the caliber we could use for $25 per head. We will decide pretty quick, considering we have some very nice bulls of our own but are always wanting to improve. I figure we can't breed the whole herd AI because of the cost, but some of the better cows and heifers might be nice!
Had a lot of fence line to check since the wind has been so strong. Trees fall over and limbs fall on it so often that I am almost ready to clean up fencerows. Then I think maybe quail will come back someday, and even cottontail rabbits. It sure would be nice to hear a Bob White whistle.
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, grinning is much easier during spring than in the winter! One of the best things about smiling at folks is that it causes a chain reaction most of the time. Just about all who get one will give one back. Now, that is a good deal, helps relieve high blood pressure and acid stomach. Probably helps relieve acid personality, too!
I need new gloves, I am needed to dig up some flower beds because her offspring did not suit her.
Bill is the pen name used by the Gravette-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 05/09/2018