Each believes his job is the hardest
All the school buses stirred up a cloud of dust on every dirt road this morning. Kids were jerked out of their warm beds, washed, fed and dressed and given the lecture one more time: be kind, study hard and mind your manners! Our grands are back to their grindstones. It is a job much more intense than when I worked at General Education a century ago!
The cooler weather in August has me smiling and the cattle are sure enjoying it. It was chilly early this morning as I went to the barn. I thought maybe I was coming down with some malady when goose bumps sprang up, but it was just the unusual temperature. No cattle in the sick pen and I was quick to feed the cats and Snip so I could go back for a second round of coffee.
My close relative has baked more cookies than Mrs. Keebler this week. She is ready to go to the first meeting of the minds at school where our youngest grand is interred. That is the word she used, like the kid had a prison term to complete. Maybe to grandmothers it is like that, cell lock-up and out for good behavior on weekends! She will take the cookies, hoping to impress her image and phone number on the teacher so she, perhaps, could be called on to help in case of need so she can be with the grand — bribery in the first degree! I ate some of the cowboy cookies and they were fittin’!
The fall producers are heavy and getting ready to become pairs. They are so loaded with calves that they waddle instead of walk. I have enjoyed these cows through the year as they are so calm and easy to handle. I have cheated a little, a cube now and then is sure a great tool for calling them in. I moved them into a smaller pasture yesterday evening and now the babies will be easy to find. It is easier to calve older cows, all these are five- and six-year olds and experienced. There are always problems that could occur, so we will be alert.
The new magazine that came this last week had an article about anaplasmosis and the spread of it into our area. If you aren’t aware of the problems and symptoms, you should check with your vet. It is a costly disease and we could all be affected by it. Cattle producers are about number one on the list for big problems. Well, I guess if we were all wheat farmers, we would think the same thing!
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, each professional believes his job is the hardest and the most likely to be hit with tragedy. Oil producers are concerned with overproduc- tion, grocery store operators are anxious about frosts in the Rio Grande valley, wheat farmers fight rust and Wall Street fellers worry about their stock. No, their stock does not have four legs and eat, but it can die! We are all gonna have to keep on keeping on to make it and what a great plan that is. Sit on your back side for a week and see how tired and unhappy you become!
Grin this week, makes the world a better place!