Glory be, I believe that is the weakest sunshine I have ever in my life witnessed! It is not even thick enough to talk about, and the heat from it is long lost somewhere in cyberspace. It is cold here, the calves are humped up and the cows are bawling for more hay and cubes. Snip was pawing the ground when I got to the barn, hurried up and put out feed for all of them and the barn cats!
Glad to say the old hay truck is a running Jessie now. I do not know how long but today we even had heat in the cab. Old Dog and I sure appreciate a little warm air during our rounds. He is getting older and sits in the truck when I get out to move a hay ring or check on something. He would have bounded out and run a rabbit a few years ago. We got to the west pond and discovered it was necessary to chop a little hole in it. I hate this method of watering cattle, but poor folks have poor ways!
I intend to put automatic waterers in this pasture next summer. That will take care of all the pastures. I know it is bad business for cattle to consume the polluted muddy water, stand in it and develop mastitis and all kinds of nasty things. We fenced ponds several years ago and I was sure it improved the health of the herd. Take a sample of your pond water to the vet to have it looked at and you will want to change watering facilities too.
The yearling bull with a sore hoof is doing all the good. He acted like he enjoyed his incarceration and special feeding as he got to stay a couple of days for another round of meds. Now he bawls every time he sees me, stands at the fence and waits, expecting some extra attention in the order of feed! They all get grain, but eating with a greedy bunch is different than your very own plate!
Big dinner planned for Sunday. Some birthdays to celebrate and I sure admire a big gathering at our home. We will enjoy all the offspring and grands, eat too much and tell my close relative what a fabulous cook she is!
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, blessings are abundant around us. We still struggle to pay the electric bill on some months, the banker is sometimes tight-lipped when we approach him, but we sure have a good life. I think we could consider almost every meal to be a Thanksgiving meal we are so blessed! We know how to get down on our knees and we do often, and the bounty continues to grow. As the parson says, God is good!
Stay warm; it's not time to hang up the long johns yet!
Bill is the pen name of the Gravette area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 02/13/2019