OPINION: This comes to you from the frozen tundra

I think the cows are all through delivering cold, practically frozen babies. We really did not lose them all, just four head and, of course, they might have died or not in good weather. I have had my say about that and, if the offspring were not blood relatives, they might be looking for another paymaster! But they are and so goes life.

I suppose one of the things that bothers me most is that I made the worse mistake by allowing them to make the mistake. I knew better. I am still able to say no and I didn't. If I had refused, you can imagine how two grown men might feel when they have spent their lives working on this job.

I have read so many accounts of farms passing through the auction because the old man couldn't allow any of his power to be usurped. I have seen it, in my lifetime, right around here. My Pappy was pretty much the boss and I cannot imagine going against any of his ways. I left home for him and my sainted mother to fend for themselves. Not totally, my sister married a flashlight salesman and they stayed close to the folks. But, I left to be on my own.

I don't want that to ever happen. I am trying to be ready to drop the reins and let them learn. They are learning, the hard way sometimes. I have a solid close relative beside me every step of the way, and we have done fairly well, so we will continue on, praying and letting them pick up more slack every year. We still meet on Monday mornings to discuss, and we need to do that! They aren't always right!

We lost more than calves through this storm. The well house on the leased place was flooded as the air heated up and thawed out the well works. The old pipes were rusted through and that was a mess. I got a plumber crew out to take care of that one. We also lost a cow that had a big fall calf on her. She was in good shape but we will never know what kills them at times.

All the family seems to be recovering and it was never as bad as some folks had it. We all had heat and electricity and plenty of food. It was the outdoor work that was so terrible at below zero and the body does not stand that temperature very well. But we managed to pray and make it right along! Thank the good Lord!

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, the person who complains about the heat is the first one to get a kick in the britches around here! I look forward to hay season with great anticipation, the heat and awful aroma of the diesel, the sweat-soaked shirts and the ice water jugs with a nice dirty cap. Some drive cab tractors, but I drive the old hay truck with windows down and sometimes a fresh breeze happens to pass through it! I am gonna use my fingers to wrap around the steering wheel and marvel at the dexterity of warm knuckles!

Get your Covid shots and be a member of the herd so we can stop this nasty thing. Buy a new gun, ammo for the ones you have, and "Remember The Alamo!"

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