The nature of mankind is not always the best at being good

There was a terrible tragedy in our neighborhood this last week. We heard the crash and so did folks in town, and we all knew it was a devastating and fatal wreck from the resounding echo and shaking of the earth! The county sheriff and deputies and several community ambulances arrived amid screaming sirens and flashing lights.

I instructed my close relative to stay home as I pulled on my boots to help rescue whatever was still alive and headed to the scene. The men stood quietly in a circle around the crash site, hats removed and heads bowed. I finally saw it, a head-on collision of two brooms in midair and all that was left was half of one handle and a pointy hat. I am here to tell you I am proud Halloween is once again past!

We have a bull, one of the purchased ones, of course, that was puny. I penned him on Sunday afternoon and hauled him to the clinic on Monday. He was humped-up, ears drooping and did not come to the feed bunk, sure signs of a problem. He was getting riled when I finally got him loaded and, by the time we got to town, he was downright mad.

The vet figured a stomach bug -- didn't say which stomach -- and gave that big old boy about a gallon of liquid meds and three injections. He said to watch him closely and, if he died, I should call him so the bull could be posted. Well, that did not make me feel very happy, but then a bovine can't tell you much except that they are sick. I hauled him home, dumped him in a sick stall and prayed.

Tuesday morning the bull was better, ears were up and he ate his grain. The vet was on a call close by so came to check on the sickly. He guessed right, the meds had evidently taken care of the cause and produced a cure. I breathed a big sigh of relief and my heart settled down to a normal rhythm. Some old fellers might pay a little too much for a bull and then, if that bull just up and dies, the pain is severe!

Still have grass growing and it is getting way down into fall. We are sure blessed with moisture and sunshine and feed for the herds. All the calves are doing well and the steers ship next week. I am more than anxious to get them there and will be tied in a knot until they sell. But what a big deal it is to see what you raise to the very end! I sure like to see them get big and beautiful.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, the nature of mankind is not always the best at being good. We want too much and sometimes we want what belongs to someone else. The season of giving thanks is upon us and my hope and prayer are that we should be pretty satisfied with what we have and share with others who have not. I have a reason for asking you all to share. I did not get a deer and I sure would like to have some venison burger for chili!

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

Editorial on 11/07/2018