We are sure the favored people of the world here in this little portion of cow country! We must note to all that our winter has been much nicer than it could have been, with days in the high 60s and even creeping into the 70s a few days. Yes, I remember the sleet and ice storm, but I am sure tomorrow is just gonna be better!
The cows have really been paying for their keep the past week. We have all but two babies expected on the ground and no problems other than a few regular and often little incidents. The cleanup bulls are obvious in the white faces of their calves, but it looks like we had at least 85% AI calves. The average AI is only 80%, so I am more than proud of the boys, and most of the white-faced calves are bulls. See why the perky mood?
I wish the entire herd was so well today. We have a cow down in the dry herd that is not gonna be easy to deal with. She is a retired queen of the arena, and the oldest offspring is not going to let her go easy. I have called the vet, and he will be as kind as possible, but how can you let a prized part of your life slip away easily?
We talked about the call to let her know her favorite show cow was probably on the way out. My close relative finally decided to make the call after the morning was almost over so the female's whole day would not be shot! Her momma has a gentle way of breaking bad news to the kids. I can't seem to manage the same. We did get the cow up, loaded, and moved to the big barn. Water tub and lots of hay for her and a feed pan. At least, and that is all we can do until the vet gets here.
I counted the other cattle and stopped at the coffee emporium for a quick check on the local news. The wind has been acting up, and some of the buildings are older than me that make up our little community. The residents are about the same. All is well, some old windmills are not what they were but not really needed anyway, and no one is willing to climb a tower to try to repair them. Sally, the waitress, told of a policeman sitting at the only side street all morning and not stopping anyone. He must have been resting!
The female offspring came. I went to the barn after lunch to check on the cow and she was there brushing an old, probably dying cow and quietly crying. My heart kicked up a big lump in my chest at the sight, and yet I had to be the sensible one and not be so sorrowful! This was bad, and the vet let us know an angry tumor was in control of the fate of the queen cow. Oh, what a farm kid learns dealing with life and death, so we will just handle the result and hope she does too.
Lessons learned and relearned are common around here. We might have a foot of snow in the morning, or the entire bovine population could come down with some strange malady that we have never heard of, drop like flies, and ruin the banker! We know how to face the worst and pray for the best! That is the thing to do, Pray!
Squirrel season is on and lots of youngsters are hunting. Watch for them and allow the intrusions so we can raise another generation of good decent hunters! My long arms are clean and oiled, and I got my fishing equipment out last Sunday afternoon. Take time to remember to pray, for the world in great need, our politicians in D.C., 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.