Fixing fence is the one of the hardest jobs on a ranch. I no longer live on a ranch, but I do know what hard work is. Fences are everyone's concern, but nowadays,the "hole" is always your neighbor's side not your own. It used to be that you would respect your neighbor and mend the fence together. If their cows got in your field, a simple phone call resolved the problem. You might even saddle up your own horse and help them gather them up. We need more people who are willing to roll their sleeves up and fix the fence regardless of who your neighbor is. There are people in this country who need to be reminded that a fence is like the way you should conduct your life. Your posts should be straight and neat. The wire needs to be stretched tight and your gate might be closed, but can still be easily opened. And most of all, we can all saddle up together and ride the range, it won't matter if you have an Appaloosa, Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred. The cows still have to be gathered, fences have to be fixed, and the range is a wide open space of opportunity for us all.

Standing on the Ant Hill

Posted Saturday, February 19, 2011, at 3:01 AM

Have you ever inadvertently stood on an ant hill? When we were growing up, there were the easy- to- spot ant hills and the more subtle and dangerous ones where the ground looked undisturbed.

The ant is one of the most industrious creatures on earth. They toil tirelessly gathering food and building homes. Given their minuscule size, you would think they would be in constant danger of being crushed or eaten. But as we all know, a few well placed bites by a dozen ants can cause a grown person to dance and scream in agony.

Sometimes, I think that we should be like the ants. We need to choose our moments in making ourselves known to the biggest of our enemies. An ant's battles are not fought in the highest hills, but the low flat ground that looks unoccupied.

The ant is not deterred by the size of their burdens, they simply heft the load onto their backs and begin the trek back to their home. They do not rush nor they do not hesitate. Their lives are well-organized and everyone works toward the common good of the colony.

We have forgotten what it is like to live simply. The term, "for the common good" has become tarnished by greedy and selfish individuals who bombard our every day lives with their empty promises and moral superiority

Given the state of our lives today, our mindset should be similar to that of an ant colony. Their society consists of willing workers and a recognizable level of authority in their leader . An ant's purpose in life is not to bite the unsuspecting trespasser, but to maintain the safety and well-being of their abode.

But are we willing to choose a new lifestyle that requires self-discipline and sacrifice? Is it possible to get the attention of the "giants" who have violated our territory with a few well-chosen bites?

Being an American is not a trivial thing. We have been richly blessed with vast resources and brilliant minds. What has weakened us in this world today is the hunger for power on all levels and an insatiable greed for all the "fine" things that life can offer.

If one of tiniest creatures in the universe can shoulder a burden; protect his territory and work willingly for the common good of his entire colony. How can we as a nation expect anything less of our own selves?

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Bonnie: Good blog, as usual. I understand the reasons that you chose the ants, however there will be many who read this and think that you are advocating socialism. Some will look at the ants and see that "Brave New World" where you are born into a "job" or "class" and there is no way that you can be anything other than what you are born to be. There are no ambitious ants who are born "worker" or "Army" ant that will reject that lot in life and revolt in order to strive to be something more. Ants accept by nature that they are who they are and no amount of dreaming or revolting will change that. If that did happen, unfortunately the anthill would collapse in chaos with anarchy. The worker ants would no longer be unified in bringing the food to the queen who in turn could no longer continue to produce offspring. The army ants who want to be something else would no longer defend the hill which would cause the hill to be destroyed by enemies. It would be a disaster.

The one thing that I really like about the ants is how they show the importance of every ant's position in the community. In order for the "anthill" to thrive and survive, all ants from every level have their assigned duties which all work towards the same goal of having a safe and productive communtiy. I have always viewed people that way. Each of us have a place in this world that will make the whole complete.

-- Posted by kimkovac on Mon, Feb 21, 2011, at 7:43 AM
Well, I am not advocating socialism. What I am advocating that everyone does have a role to play in this world. I have seen that everyone has a different interpretation of my blog, which is good, that was my purpose.

You may have missed the reference that the tiny any can get the attention of the giant with one simple bite.

There are giants out there who think that the ants have no purpose or say. And I am saying that we do and in the past few months, we have seen examples of those "bites".

It is all well and good to present statistics and facts. However, there are times when a gentler, less direct approach makes the horse a little more willing to drag the cart out of the mud.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Mon, Feb 21, 2011, at 10:59 AM
Sorry, one typo, it should be ant, intead of any on my reply.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Mon, Feb 21, 2011, at 11:11 AM
Nice Story

Ant's have always fascinated me... They are amazing especially when they can carry objects 25 times their weight

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Feb 21, 2011, at 12:18 PM
Another good one. Shows that no matter how daunting the tast, rather than say "I can't do it" Just put your back into it, and make a difference. Yes, everyone has a job, let's get it done, and sometimes, a sharp bite is a good thing

Jessie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Tue, Feb 22, 2011, at 10:06 AM
You got the gist of the story Jessie. It should be a cautionary tale to some of our elected officials.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Tue, Feb 22, 2011, at 12:31 PM

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