OPINION: I like pies but not cherry pie

I enjoy the grands, and that's a fact, but the most fun is taking them all to the ice cream store and sitting in the big round table and watching and talking as we all eat our chosen flavors! We can't fit properly in my close relative's auto so it takes a caravan of autos to get us there.

Mind you, I am not griping, but I remember taking the little herd of precious children and not one parent, other grandparent, girlfriend, boyfriend or dog would go along! I had them all to myself, smears of ice cream and all! It was a wonderful time for all of us with the attention directed on the interaction of the brothers and sisters with me. I was not aware that the time would arrive when it would still be in the same seat with the same kids but so very different. Time moves along and I lament loud and long but only to my close relative!

The welcomed rains and plentiful mud brought us another time of good harvesting of hay. The storage barns are filling and the first cutting is done. I will not build more barns, we will store outside and it will be not as good as protected hay but still good. Here I am, counting my chicks before they hatch again, but I pray for no armyworms, hot dry weather that bakes the grass into straw and other disasters that we know could happen.

We had a long talk about buying the place next to us that we have leased for years. The offspring feel we are about to lose it due to it being up for sale and they would like to put Bermuda on it. A good 40 acres that are flat and treeless except for the fence lines. We have used it for 12 years and it is in good shape but do you struggle to believe the price of land as I do? And we will have to make a decision quickly because it is such a good place and folks are buying anything they can in the country.

Raising the family in the country is a great idea for the working family. It isn't a long way to town, considering the road is paved and easy to navigate. I have seen this several times before -- never seen one work out well -- and yet people want to raise kids in the country. I will explain what I mean. Kids of working parents usually stay indoors when they get home from school or the babysitters so they can be with their parents. Then, as they grow, the teens are busy with school activities, dating and, if home, are playing video games. But the urge goes on and that 40 acres will sell in a hurry. I suspect I will have to visit the man at the bank again soon.

The cattle are belly deep in grass but it is hot and we need rain. I am still loving summer but I realize how many past summers I have seen! Seems like my steps are slower and therefore I try to saddle a horse instead of walking when possible. Did you realize you can boss while sitting tall in the saddle? I believe it is even more impressive!

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, many fruits make wonderful pies. Peaches, blackberries, apples and sometimes cream pies full of pineapple or bananas are just the grandest sort of eating. I am easy to please, but I do have one or two favorites and one I do not like. I do not like cherry pie! There I said it and you can believe it! I hope I never see another cherry pie on our table again!

So that is my opinion and it is in writing, but if you have any kind of compassion for your fellow man you will not tell my close relative I said that! It will stir up a storm because she likes to make cherry pies for church dinners as some fellers continually brag on them and beg for more! Just keep it to yourself and spare me the pain!

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