From the Publisher of The Cattleman's Advocate
|
Jan 2009 07/24/09 5:06:41 PM
Page 3 from January's Cattleman's Advocate
I hope that this issue finds all of you well. I especially hope that you were able as I to take the slack time over Christmas and enjoy friends, family and a break from the routine as the holidays always brings. I know that we are well into the 2009, but with everything going on allow me the liberty to linger in my thoughts of the “most wonderful time of the year.” On Christmas I of course received much more than I deserve on the big day. I am well supplied with both books from my “wish” list and underwear and socks so as that I have no further excuses for saving back the old ones worn thin and holey. It struck me as funny how these particular items wouldn’t have stirred much excitement in me in my youth. It truly does take some maturity think crisp new underwear is a wonderful Santa gift. Yes I said Santa gift. What did some of you not get a gift from the big guy? You have to believe and keep believing and you too could have be touting the joys of new underwear. My girls (8 yrs and 10 yrs) are of a wonderful age. The oldest isn’t quite the believer that Dad is but the youngest sure is. On Christmas morning one of the girls presents was too large to fit in the sleigh, and was to be delivered special later by Santa’s helpers; at least that’s what the note on the tree said. In a couple of days I met the truck in town and in a couple of brown boxes in the back of my truck was the last Santa gift. Into my office walks my youngest, Bekah. “Daddy, were the delivery people elves?” “I don’t know dear, they wore hats, and I couldn’t see if their ears were pointie.” “Were they knit hats?” “I don’t think so, no, why do you ask?” “Well, you were the only one to see them, how tall were they?” “Well, I not real tall, maybe my height…maybe less.” I said. Then she turned and as serious as could be she walked away saying, “from what I’ve seen on TV, they sound too tall to be elves.” I can say the whole conversation made me feel great about the magic of Christmas. I may have even “felt” a bit taller. I could clearly see that given a strict set of circumstances, even I could be a big guy in the eyes of my children. Reflections of Time This month’s feature is a reprinted story from our friends at Livestock Weekly. As a subscriber it caught my attention, it also caught Dad’s as he sent word for me to look for it. Additionally in my own local paper, The Centralia Fireside Guard, they made note of the passing of Della Maude Libby at 107 years. She was formally of Vandalia and known to several readers. To be blessed with a century of living is something to be celebrated and possibly something to reflect upon. Wow, just think of it. I think back at the changes I have seen with 42 percent of that perspective. When these folks can look back and see both the advancements and demise of so much, it makes my perspective so weak. One of my more recent prize gifts, by way of my mother-in-law, is a comprehensive compilation of history’s greatest analogies, metaphors, and similes. In her wisdom she thought not only would I enjoy the reading but that it might be of use among these pages. How right she was on both accounts. The feature of Mrs. Johnson brought to mind several quotes from the book, “I Never Metaphor I Didn’t Like.” I can’t help but admit that part of my thoughts of celebrating these century accomplishments is contained in the following quote. A man over ninety is a great comfort to all his elderly neighbors: He is a picket-guard at the extreme outpost: And the young folks of sixty and seventy feel that the enemy Must get by him before he can come near their camp. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
|
|
