My job on the rock pile requires some replacement parts

It amazes me how things just hang around and wear out. I saddled Snip for a turn on the place and, let me tell you, that saddle is, or was, a very important piece of equipment which I have enjoyed for years. I bought that particular saddle back in 1966 at the saddle shop next to the Fort Worth Stockyard. I have had it longer than most of you are old, and it is just the exact thing a feller needs — except it is now in need of help.

The first thing that happened when I settled it on Snip was a lost concho on the front fender. How it happened is a mystery, but it left the perfect imprint. I went on with the business of cinching up. The business was curtailed by a latigo that broke right off the ring! Then I was sick. A concho is not a big deal, can easily be replaced, but what in the world is happening to my world when the second calamity in a few seconds occurs to my saddle?

When I finally stopped staring at the latigo in my hand, I jerked the saddle and blanket off Snip and led him back to the lot. He was thrilled and winked up a couple of times to prove it. I was devastated as I walked to the truck to make my rounds. The scenery is much better if seen between the ears of a trusty mount.

So a trip to a saddle shop is on the list for must-do chores. I didn’t even know where to go to find one but, as I growled and fumed and drove along, a plan started forming in my excellent brain! I began to sorta enjoy myself, counted the steers and checked the fence and noted the water tanks were all full. The pair pasture was beginning to look like a maternity ward, filling up with bouncing and shining black baby calves. Cows hurried to each little babe they had left as the calf slept in a curl. These sights are like salve to a beef producer’s eyes and better than biscuits and gravy to his disposition. I surely began to feel better and even grinned a little at the bucking pair of calves who were in a duel to the death.

Spring is coming, lots of work to be done and most of it makes for 12- to 14-hour days. My time is spoken for by the occupation I chose many years ago, and for that I am grateful.

I suspect it will be a hot, dry day in August before I can take my close relative for a little day trip because she will be about through with her canning by then. The only time off for me will be trips for parts.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, a farm or ranch has many parts to keep it rolling. We have to have rake teeth, grease buckets, baling twine and tires repaired. Bolts break and belts blow up, sometimes hydraulic pumps go bad at just the worst time and require a fast trip to a repair shop. Things do happen and I sure do not intend to spend the whole spring and summer not taking an early morning ride! I will be on the Internet searching for the nearest, or sort of nearest, leather shop by the time the sun comes up tomorrow! Can’t ground a cowboy!

Watch where you step; you know why!

Bill is the pen name used by the Gravette-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.