In all likelihood, most of the good habits and traits that my kids acquired in their youth, and subsequently developed in their adult lives, most likely came from the bottom side of their pedigree.

Summer was upon us. I was sure of it. There were several telltale signs: the sweat running into my eyes from under my hat, the worn-out little roan gelding under my saddle and the cantankerous, uncooperative cows that were now very much under my skin.

The Christmas season has a feel. Springtime has a feel. You know, like Saturday or Sunday carry a certain vibe with them? I suppose every unique season or day has its own feel. Generally speaking, when I consider the feel that a time of year puts out, it’s mostly a good feel.

My home state is known worldwide for its contribution to feeding the world with its famous potatoes. Perhaps to a lesser extent, the torch of Idaho’s fame has been proudly carried into the pop culture lexicon by the ultra-low budget 2004 independent film, Napoleon Dynamite.

It’s been a pretty good stretch of time since I’ve had much to do with anything on the grade school level. It was a joyous day in the Marchant household when the last of our kids finished his last day at Oakley Elementary School.

I’ve been blessed, or cursed, depending on how you may look at it, to judge dozens of youth livestock shows over the years. In theory, I’ll have an image in my head of the perfect critter, and that’s the one I’m looking for in each class.