OPINION: How do you get rid of trash from the farm?

"Will you boys take the trash with you after dinner?" was what made me think of the darn trash again.

What did she think we could do with it when we take it out? We can't burn it, can't put it in the bar ditch and I don't suppose we can sell it to a passerby for a quarter! The dumpster we were using was sent back to the company with my blessing a month ago.

We kept it as long as I could see it was necessary to pay the bill and it was handy. We filled it pretty full between the times it was hauled off in a huge trash truck. I mean one of the trucks that dumped the trash by itself and was streamlined and probably set the company back several hundred thousand dollars when they bought it.

But the economy changed, the price of gas went into orbit and the trash truck kept right on drinking it. The trash hauling is very expensive to operate and it was as cheap as the completion could go, and we all did the sensible thing with ours, hired it hauled to a place we never saw and did not want to know about. The man in charge had been busy buying other trash businesses out in the county, so we are hurting now!

Pappy took the burning barrel to the dump on the back 40 when my sainted mother asked him, about three or four times! He dumped the broken dishes, the stuff that we couldn't burn and lots of the farm stuff he had to throw away. It was common and we did not think anything about it other than it was beginning to stop a wash in the pasture.

The dire straits of the economy are bad! There are millions of people who live on what Social Security sends them monthly. They mostly don't have a garden or any dirt at all, living in the concrete cities. They are in a world of hurt compared to us trying to figure out what to do with the trash!

I sent the boys to the only dump I knew of and it cost another tank of gas. Sure counting on the fellers there to accept it this time. They did and I will have to figure out something for the entire family to use in the future. We will have at least two garbage bags for each household and that makes four of us each week.

I start thinking of the household trash and it occurs to me that the trash from the farm is always a problem to contend with. There is a feed sack or ten a day and miles of baler twine, oil cans, parts that are replaced, and millions of other things to dump each week. Yes, I think we might have a small problem.

I suggested the most industrious of the herd might pick up a route in his pickup for the long evening hours he has from supper until about 11 or later. He could probably get fifty or sixty takers pretty quick since everyone makes trash. My close relative made me hush on that one and leave her babies alone.

The cattle are doing well on the new place, although they have grazed it for years. The offspring think they are healthier and fatter than two years ago. We have no proof, but it seems better if it is yours!

The hay season is still one of the hatefulest things in my life. Thistles grow, and so do all the lovely other weeds we have to mow or spray and we never have enough spray or time! I still have trouble buying the exact amount I need. Did I mention that everything was sky high and that includes all our petroleum-based needs? Don't let me start on that right now!

I can tell you that raising cattle, kids and grandkids is still the best and most wonderful job on earth! I can also tell you that living where you know your neighbors and have friends who are ready to help in any emergency is wonderful. We are blessed and, even if I gripe, the Lord understands my frustration and still is in the forgiving business!

Families attending services and praying with others are the answer to our problems and it sure won't hurt anything to remember the Alamo!

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