I think in this busy, hectic life we live it is important for all of us to strive to be happy. We have no idea how fortunate we are to live in the greatest land of all. Even with all the problems America has, and more all the time, people are doing their best to get to America. The older we get, our priorities often change as we realize money doesn’t buy happiness, but like the song says, “But it can buy me a boat and a truck to pull it.”
The feel of fall is getting closer as our temperatures are lower, and this morning I went back in the house to get a jacket. My friends tell me that I am a wimp as I get cold easily. I tell them that I wouldn’t get cold if I had those three layers of clothes under that shirt, meaning added weight they are carrying.
Some are planting wheat in our area, with most of the region needing a rain. One area not far from me had gotten a lot more rain two weeks ago than we did but said it was too dry now to plant. I thought how can that be? Another farmer said, “Well, most farmers in that area have those big air seeders that only put the wheat barely in the ground, so they probably are too dry.” He then said, “If they were still using those hoe drills, I’m sure they could put the seed where moisture is.” Others were waiting to kill more cheat one more time before they drill. If I waited to kill all the foreign plants in my fields, it would be too late for any hope of pasture for cattle. I’ve never been accused of being a farmer because if it’s green it looks good to me.
Cattle finally bounced back some on Monday with live cattle futures gaining $1.77 to $2.47 per hundredweight and feeder cattle gaining $3.40 to $4.05 per hundredweight. Most of us love it when the funds push our market higher but cuss them when they take it lower, which seems to be what happened in the last couple of weeks.
I was getting coffee this morning when a woman was quoting another gal, and she said, “I can’t because I am pregnant.” The woman talking was about 55 years old. Naturally, I said, “Well, congratulations.” She said, “Lord, no, not me.”
Editor’s note: The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not represent the view of High Plains Journal. Jerry Nine, Woodward, Oklahoma, is a lifetime cattleman who grew up on his family’s ranch near Slapout, Oklahoma.
