The phone call at 9 p.m. woke me up from that serene nap I take before the rigors of going to sleep for the night. The Deputy said the cattle had our brand and were grazing peacefully along the highway, not far from the driveway.
Thankfully, they had not caused an accident of dire consequence. I said I'd be right there. Boots, hat, and I was out the door. My close relative was with me to block the northbound side of the highway. She was still up and doing things in the kitchen when the phone rang.
I let her out and got around them, pushed a little and they loped back down the drive. It was the cows that had been bred AI and were being watched for a standing cycle again. They were following the oldest cow in the bunch and she has known how to escape since she was a calf, taught well by her dam.
We agree, don't we, that every creature has its own personality and if you have a dog or cat, you know what I mean. We think they are so smart and it isn't brains; it is that God-given personality! Cows, horses and probably goats (no personal experience) are all given the proper dose of all things as they are created. Horses might be brainer, and a dog or two, but they all are the only copy made in that mold.
The pen was open and the bunch filed in like they had planned to return all along! Now we knew that was not their preference, but we were tickled they chose to behave.
Gates closed and back to the house for the evening, we sat in the kitchen over a cup of hot coffee and visited. That was the silver lining to this particular cloud!
We are into the third season of the year and I am enjoying the cooling off as much as the next feller but also wishing we could stretch out the summer just a little. The longer daylight days are now gone and soon we will move into the man-made artificial time again. It will take about a week to train your belly to expect dinner at eleven and your head to wake up at five instead of six!
I have not seen the Old Farmer's Almanac, so I don't know what to expect. I do know some of the old Indian signs to observe, such as clouds, lightning and thunder mean a possible rain. After living all the years, a feller should know more about the weather. I guess I will know the facts when I step outside!
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, we would lead a boring life if there were no upsets, breakouts, or events of the day. I am still watching for the bobcat to come back, riding pastures on a good horse and eating pie even if I didn't get it all done -- whatever it was that needed doing! Daily thinking of how blessed we are in this country and asking our Lord to straighten out the messes our politicians so carefully pile up!
I have three sacks of surprises to deliver today to three neighbors! Life is sure wonderful and I am blessed. Check your arms for rust, keep your powder dry and Remember the Alamo!
Bill is the pen name used by the Gravette-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.