I suppose it was 240 years ago that we were freed from the rule of those Red Coats and now are under the rule of the cattle and the hogs! Don't forget the banker, as he also has a finger on the rudder. We are free to rise before the sun, work and slave till after the sun goes down and what do we get, bony fingers? No, we get the most wonderful life the world has to afford and freedom to worship the God of the universe!
I am happy to report that the ponds are looking pretty good and the grass has perked up considerably. It is almost time to wean and I have a keen desire to see the old mammies give as much milk as possible the last few weeks to add pounds to the babies. I like fat calves and the ones that change milk to cash are my favorite breed!
My close relative had the best celebration this year for the Independence festivity. We ate, we played, we drank tea and lemonade, we laughed and I sat as proud and as pleased as the old daddy does on such occasions. The pride in our offspring and grands is sure to show on my close relative and me as we sorta swell up and grin a lot.
Some of the families around here that moved off after the death of their parents and selling the land, came in for a family reunion and, of course, the whole area went. We spent happy hours listening to and telling stories. Old Jim showed up. He had aged some, but looked better than I had ever seen him.
Jim telling the story about his one-eyed dog was good but, as life goes, the dog finally died. Beings as a feller like Jim needs a good dog, and the fact that he lived in town and did not own a truck anymore didn't slow him down; he decided to get one. The animal shelter was full of prospects and Jim picked out a grey hound. That was perfection in motion. They are both tall, skinny as a rail and not too graceful. They fit together in the car seat, take up half a space in any line and no one complains about the two going in the store together. God Bless America, we are free!
The last check on the steers was sorta sad. I found two with pinkeye and another one with that sick, hang-dog look. We got them up, doctored the eyes and I filled the sickly one with mineral oil. I don't know if he will live but, dad gum it, he needs to! I pushed two bottles of pure oil down him, so something has to give!
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, hot weather is sure better than cold! I have lost about 2 inches around my middle, but that is OK since my close relative has stopped feeding me rabbit food. I have ruined my new straw hat with sweat rings, and my boots are damp every evening when I pull them off. So, I love the summer, no freezing pipes and no frost-bit fingers. I hope you fellers are watching for ticks and keeping the fly rubs full.
Keep your powder dry and do good deeds!
Bill is the pen name used by the Gravette-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 07/13/2016