Goats in rare repose

March 11, 2008 – Life is, by nature,  stressful, pressured. It’s easy to be pulled along by chores, tasks, problems, worries.
 The long and challenging winter is finally loosening its grip. It was a long winter, in many ways. The sun is higher, the days longer, the ice finally showing signs of melting away. The animals all sense this – the cows are grazing out in the pasture, the sheep are going up to the top of the hill at night, I see the donkeys off gnawing at the buds. Even the voluble and complaining goats seem playful, more settled. So I had a sweet hour at dusk.

  First, I brought carrots to the donkeys. They brayed softly and appreciatively, and nuzzled me. I scratched Lulu’s ears, which she loves. Then I brought Winston the rooster some corn. Then I gave each of the jeering goats a cookie. They actually sat quietly soaking up the late afternoon sun. I walked the dogs in the woods. I brought Elvis an apple, which he inhaled gratefully, slobbering and he lowered his nose for scratching. I brushed Rose, who needed it, but hates it, and sat with Izzy on the porch, until it got too cold. Lenore threw up on my foot.
  Then I made some tea, brought some popcorn over to Maria, who was making art in her barn.

  I took out the camera and walked around a bit, but decided to put it away, give it and me a rest. I’ve got a good novel, and will sit by the wood stove and read it, using Lenore the Light as a footrest. Izzy is on the sofa next to me. I am appreciative of this quiet, sweet hour, and am reminded to have more like it. Food for the soul.
  Tomorrow morning, life resumes. To Granville to work with the writers there on our book, “Tales of Granville High” And then a Hospice visit to Helen and Warren. And a meeting with the dryer appliance people. And a call for more firewood.