Changing of the season is the Master’s plan
We are here, and that is sure good news to me! I don’t want to be on any other ground because, regardless of the wind, grasshoppers and arid spells, I don’t have landslides, sea swells and hurricanes! We are prone to have some tornados, and low places might flood a little, but our rock pile is only muddy when that happens. I grow purple mint, poison hemlock and sticker weeds like a pro, but I am still thankful we live here!
No news is good news when it comes to contagious bovine illnesses. My vet has sent off some samples of the last sickness we had and said he would call if it was anything we should worry about. He has not called and it has been a couple of weeks. All the ones who had it — bad colds I think — are over it and doing fine.
My close relative is preparing for the trick or treaters to come. She had me digging up sassafras roots yesterday so she could make some sassafras candy suckers. That is a good smelling endeavor, made the whole yard smell good! The cookies, popcorn balls, and suckers will be ready, and only a few will drive out here for treats; but the grands will have some friends and they will take care of a bunch of the treats! No, I ain’t dressing up and, no, I won’t dress up for anything, so just don’t try to bribe me!
Cold weather is right around the corner. I scraped ice off the windshield this morning and then it got plumb hot during the day. I was working on the shed in the west pasture and got my shirt wet even if the thermometer was only in the mid-70s. That shed is handy for feeding cubes to bulls if it will hold together another year. Patching it up works but the sidewalls are spraddled out somewhat now, due to bulls pushing each other around. I dread the winter winds more every year and hope the shed stands up again this year.
Old Dog has put on his winter coat and looks like a big old teddy bear. He isn’t really old, just in his prime, and he is always glad for cooler weather. He bounces along when we go to the truck in the mornings and then pants as soon as I start getting about half warm, begging for his window to be opened a little. I open it a crack and he sticks his nose right up there sucking in the cold wind.
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, the changing of the season is the Master’s plan, and He knows what is good for us even when we don’t. I may not like the cold, and yet I know the cattle do better gaining and feel good when it is 55 degrees. The old earth replenishes when the winter lets it all rest and repair itself. The daylight is so much less that even mankind gets a little more rest. Not considering the electricity in barns where milking takes place by the clock, but us beef producers try to be through by dark. Supper at six doesn’t bother me at all!
Hope my long johns are patched and ready, and I hope maybe yours are too!