Mr. Tumnis

Goats have a different type of hoof than horses. 

This is apparant in several ways but the most striking

is watching them run the course of rocks surrounding my perennial garden.

Oh, and climb on the VAN, which they can now manage.

Not that I allow it.

It takes a minute though when every day they manage

to advance to new heights, directions and feats.

I wish some of my children were as open to trying new foods and these kids.

I was home gardening (weeding) by myself this weekend.

It was such a lovely night. The day itself was close to blissful in many ways.

What a serene way to spend the last hours of sunlight

I walked out with Lily to spray the horses.

The frogs began their symphony as I lit a campfire.

Lily ran to the goat pen so I let them out and they all followed me

to the garden and proceeded to remind me of The Toddler years.

I felt like I was running a daycare between yelling at Lily to STOP DIGGING

and concocting a prison wall around the perennials that I know the goats will eat.

Another interesting facts about goats

is that they do not have top teeth.

They do have a row of fishlike bottom teeth that get sharper toward the back.

Their teeth are harmless to fingers, etc. but can become irritating

when used on human hair and clothing. My tankini top to be specific.

I buy one piece or tankini tops to wear with shorts while gardening

and I buy them in volume from resale stores.

I do NOT try them on first and I do wash them with bleach before wearing.

I believe that everything is machine washable, yes even shoes, rollerblades,

purses, backpacks, anything that is bought resale.

That is what the delicate cycle is for. And bleach of course.

 I take seriously that talk from the Dr. about getting my vitamin D

and wearing my tankini is my way showing patient compliency

and teaching my girls modesty.

At several points during the evening Goat A, shall we call him,

would wander up behind me and begin nibbling on my nylon/spandex

tankini top which didn't concern me since I buy them in bulk and all.

 On a hot pre-summer evening though, with limited alone time,

even I have limits on my patience. 

Mine ran out when said goat came out of nowhere

and lurched himself onto my back, clingling as if he has

Larryboy suction cups on his goat hooves.

Suddenly I was not the owner of lovely animals on a fantastic weekend eve,

but the frantic helper of a preschool class, whose teacher just called in sick.

 I used my Love and Logic knowledge,

fed them their bottles, herded them to their stall,

and said "GOOD NIGHT"

then went back to enjoy my garden, illuminated by solar lights,

until Lily ate another toad.

I'm not sure if she eats them or just touches them with her mouth

but the first time she presented with foaming mouth

I was certain we should have her tested for rabies

and call poison control immediately. That is what happens when I Google something.

Any possibilities become ALL of my possibilities.

We have learned to spray her mouth out or give her a bath to stop

the wretching, foaming, salivating cough that is the by product

of whatever toads emit when frightened.

Oh, what a night.