OPINION: It was really a short roar, and close!

Another cloudy day and cool, but it is spring and we have to expect some rain and I am thankful for it. I have had plenty of the other and pray we stay moist out here. Oklahoma reported 2/10 of an inch and folks there were thrilled!

The cattle are doing well even if I can't keep flies off and all the poison weeds pulled! I hope we have eliminated most of the big weeds but I saw a very healthy thistle yesterday and drove on by. I was on my way to a job that I had put off too long already. The bulls are still shoving each other around but the fence is holding. I almost sold a young one but decided he wasn't going where they would give him any grain and turn him in with about thirty cows and do it now. That would be poor advertisement for this place!

I have enjoyed my new pickup lately. Yes, a feller can put up with a lot, but it sure is nice to have a dependable ride! I don't say I won't four-wheel but I sure don't like to. There are times I figure I just got to and then I will.

The boys left one out of the shop for me this morning and expect me over the fear and to show up now! There is no road and lots of trees in the bottom of the old south pasture. We fenced that section years ago and now we need it. I'd say it is about 18 acres wide and I know it is 40 acres long. Here I go, and I sure don't rev it up and make it stand on the back wheels like they do!

I got there in time to see about a million trees the offspring had driven through before stopping at the fence line. I was surprised to find the fence still standing and knew we would have to replace the wooden posts the fence was holding up. Otherwise, it was just as it was when I came down here 30 or so years ago.

We stood around and discussed the plan, as it was, and started toward the corner to start on the job when we all stopped instantly and froze. The sound of the roar was about ten minutes long in my brain but it was really a short roar, and close! We stood quiet and still for several minutes and, finally, the youngest took off afoot! He ran about 12 yards before he realized he had a machine to take him out of the woods!

We all mounted the four-wheelers but a warning roar was louder than the first and we did rev up and skedaddle!

I could stay up with the boys, but just barely, and I did not want them to know how dry my throat was anyway. We missed the trees by a tiny margin and that was almost hair-raising on this feller too! My horse, my horse, my kingdom for a horse!

We made it to the gate and I wished we could just jump it but we stopped and listened. They were speechless and there were no more roars. We got out of that pasture and headed slowly to headquarters. I stopped and changed direction for the shop and wanted it to appear that I was calm and off to another job.

The offspring went to their mother. It was an hour too early for dinner and they both knew it was; but I think they weren't hungry, just plain wanted in the house! It was a scare for them and a little unnerving for me. I sure did not want to show any signs of fear to the close relative.

I have said we learn lessons every day and today's was a good one and it was not meant to be forgotten! We knew a cat might be around but we don't pay much attention to rumors from high school boys out rabbit hunting. They reported tracks and haven't been back. I am going back but on horseback and carrying iron!

Hay season has been productive but, since neighbors sometimes don't spray, we have some very weedy meadows. It is time for me to take a couple of hours checking out the ammo and arsenal since it is too misty to cut or rake hay! You guys, remember the Alamo!

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