I like cows

Have you ever been driving through the country and noticed a herd of cows lying down? Did you ever wonder why they were lying down because usually they're not?

I like cows. Oh, don't get me wrong. I don't want to own one. Nor do I want to be in a barn or fence with one. I just like to look at them. They seem so serene and peaceful and, yes, content when they're grazing. It makes me feel calm and relaxed just watching them out in a pasture. I think it's a beautiful, rather artistic scene.

When I worked in Crawfordsville a few years ago, the daily round trip, two-hour drive was rather pleasant because of the frequent farms with cattle along the way. My husband didn't share my enthusiasm for cows. Once when we were driving together and passed a farm with cows he sarcastically comments, "There's your buddies. Since you're such good friends, do they talk to you?"

I told him, "No, they don't talk to me, but we communicate. They let me know what's going on in their world."

Then I jokingly said they talk to each other though, like, "Oh look, there goes one of those boxes on wheels with the two-legged creatures inside. They're always in such a hurry to get somewhere. They look so frazzled and unhappy. Don't you feel sorry for them?"

He just shook his head at me and told me I was weird.

I shared this story with a friend of mine. We were driving together one day when we passed a herd of cows grazing in a pasture. She announced, "Cows! There's some of your buddies."

I said, "Yeah, aren't they so peaceful looking? Doesn't it make you feel relaxed and happy just watching them?"

"Not so much," she replied. Then she noticed something. "Look," she said. "They're all lying down except for two over there by that tree. Why do you think they're lying down? You communicate with them," she said facetiously. "Ask them why."

"I already have," I responded. "They were at a wild cow party last night. They're lying down because they have hangovers and they don't feel good."

"Oookay," she mused. "Then, why aren't those other two lying down?"

"They were the designated drivers."

Keep smiling.

Linda Messmer can be reached at 812-448-8725.