Being social is one of the most important things in life

The weatherman had been predicting storms all month and I had carried my slicker behind the seat of my pickup for the entire time. I knew he, the predictor, was pretty good and on the scale of weathermen, he was about tops. I have our fraidy hole well stocked with water and other essentials like hard and dried-out snack bars. Some folks are brave and don't think it is wise to get alarmed by storms. They are welcome to stay up on ground level but not this old feller!

I hurried to count the cows and calves, hurried past the heifers and counted the steers. They were all unsettled and walking, a sure sign of high or low pressure, I am not sure which. The heifers were milling and I was sure we had one missing, so counted three times to be absolutely sure they were all there. The bulls were bowed up at each other; all the penned ones were a threat to the fellers they had been dining with for months.

I made it back to headquarters pretty early and parked in the shed by the shop. The shed should have been torn down, maybe 10 years ago, and I had it on my mind to do that this spring; but building chicken coops took precedence. As I walked away from the truck, I noticed how shaky the shed looked. Hard wind coming, hard rain and maybe hail, but I just kept on walking.

My close relative needed some groceries, so I agreed to go pick them up because she would have had to leave the kitchen while she was making a cake. I kindly rescued her because I am a kindly person and I love chocolate cake! She gave me a list and I took off in her car, as it was in the garage right out the back door.

The trucks were thick around the coffee emporium and I decided to have a cup with them. I knew I had at least an hour before the needed items on the list were gonna be used to ice the cake. The round table was crowded and they all moved closer, so I could pull up a chair. We visited and I had a few cups of coffee and then realized it was time to head to the grocery store.

The thunder rolled as I stepped out the door and heard the first hard drops of rain hit the street and me. I made it to the store, parked near the door and dashed in to grab the items needed. There was George Akins leaning against the line of buggies, smiling big and ready to shake my hand!

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, being social is one of the most important things in life. Friends are priceless, necessary and precious. You cannot replace people like you can things, cars and such. The monetary worth of friends and a social life is never countable! It is so important to be friendly that I hold it next to cleanliness!

Looks like the insurance will pay to repair the hail damage on my close relative's car after I pay the $750 deduction. The cake went to the neighbors. The truck was fine in the shed.

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

Editorial on 05/08/2019