OPINION: Appreciate what you have; it can all be lost in many ways

The tease of halfway-decent weather was a good one and then it was minus temps again!

I can tell anyone who asks that the "Romantic Life of the Cowboy" is a straight-up fairy tale! We hauled hay, broke ice and fed cattle some high dollar grain, got warm at lunch and again at bedtime.

Now we are happy and slightly warm again and enjoying the wonderful life provided to us. That is us who work!

I can vouch for the sunrise on most mornings and sometimes the sunsets. The wonderful quality of our air and doing what we love for labor. I think building cars in Detroit is on the opposite end of our list!

As I write this, the old year is passing away and the new year is almost here. Kids born in this passing year will graduate in the year 2040. Does that take your breath away? I just am too old for that to make sense but our newest grandchild is one of the many that will be looking forward to that year.

I guess we should think about the old habits we have been determined to keep, the new habits we want to cultivate and how to do both things. I have a habit of saying thanks only sometimes and I don't like that. I find excuses to miss church once a month. No one likes that, not even me. I eat too much because I want it; that is so hard on my body and I want to stop it. No, I don't gain weight, but it causes a growling, rumbling stomach! I wish I could cultivate a dashing cowboy picture on Saturday when we go buy groceries. I wish my hair would stop falling out and not get so gray but I can't do anything about it!

I probably know of some things I would suggest for my family but I feel it might be dangerous to my health! My close relative is almost downright perfect. I know that to be a fact but I might suggest an attitude of greater defense of me. She really seems to enjoy laughing when the offspring pull one over on me. The rest of the family is fairly good. They need to be on time and always do things like they have been taught. But I am not gonna tell them that! The grandchildren are smart, comely to look upon and stand up straight! They make the grade, for my two cents worth. Our in-laws are excellent, and we couldn't have done better with a Sears catalog. So now, to protect myself, I will not dissect my friends or neighbors!

As I have been known to rant and rave about our beautiful area a few times, you are blessed to live here or even visit our little piece of paradise. I realize we have drought, freezing weather and sometimes it rains for thirty days, but we do not have many volcanoes or earthquakes. The factory smoke or smog doesn't block our sky and you have your choice of churches, five to the mile. Good schools, community activities and hunting are ours! I am glad to be an inhabitant of paradise!

That is the lesson for the week! Appreciate what you have; it can all be lost in many ways. Trust America to put his shoulder to the wheel and pull us out of the quagmire! Pray often. Clean your long arms, 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.