Monday was Veterans Day, and there is not a better group of men and women to honor than veterans. America would not be the country it is without them.
I have seen a few young boys that were rebellious, without a lot of respect for others, who came back of the military and were not the same. One young man came back on leave and did not speak until spoken to. A friend of mine and I both noticed and said he doesn’t even seem like the same boy, and he wasn’t. He became a young man.
The preacher Sunday spoke of being in the military. He, too, was not on a good path when he first enlisted. He said in Advanced Infantry Training, if someone screwed up, the whole platoon would be reprimanded. He said, “So when they got back to the barracks, we helped encourage that person who messed up.” In other words, I took it that the kid who screwed up might have had a knot on his head after their encouragement. Anyway, I salute all you veterans, and I know the words “thank you” are not enough.
I heard a quote that I think all preachers should consider. It said, “When Godful leaders go silent, then Godless cultures rise up.” I saw where there was a rally with people protesting Trump becoming president-elect. A gal was holding a sign that said, “Hatred will not make America great again.” I’m curious if she was talking about Trump or the one holding the sign.
Thank the Lord for the great rains we received. How many times in November do we get that much rain? And thank the Lord it wasn’t in the form of snow or by now I would have invented some new cuss words.
A friend who buys calves for wheat texted and said, “If you hear of any good deals, let me know.” I said, “I doubt there will be a lot of good deals around now.”
A bad attitude is like a flat tire. You won’t go anywhere until you change it. I heard my Dad say many times to me when I was acting up, “I’m going to clean your plow.” That plow should have been sparkling clean.
A great Thanksgiving is all about getting your entire dysfunctional family under the same roof for a whole day and no one calling the police.
I remember my Dad saying, “If you kids don’t straighten up, don’t make me turn this car around.” That was an empty threat we all fell for.
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.
