Write From the Soul 14

Who let the goats out? Maaa- maaaaa- maaaa Who let the goats out........

Yep, the city girl went to the farm today. My friend Pam and I went to visit former colleague and still friend, Kay and her son, Glen. And about 20 goats....big ones, small ones, sweet ones, and some obnoxious ones too. We were told to wear old clothes and shoes because : goats like to jump up on you, there's goat poop around, and  you will get dirty. Old clothes I have. Old, crappy shoes? Not so much. But I went to DSW and found some great, rubber boots. They remind me of the galoshes we wore as kids. Never heard of galoshes??? That's just because you didn't grow up in the 50s! These are glammed up a little; instead of short, red,  rubber boots check out what they look like now.  Okay, so I'm all prepared with old clothes, snazzy boots and my camera.

We all head out to the barn, it's raining outside and apparently these goats have diva tendencies and don't like to be outside in the rain (these were all females, except for a few baby  boys who do whatever mom does). We walk in and get greeted with some cute baby "maaaa-maaaas" at which point Pam and I turn into munchy snacks.

Now I know many animals like to sniff people in rather delicate places, but these goats decided sniffing wasn't enough. One big mama stood up, put her front feet on my back and proceeded to try to nibble on my jacket, right around my butt. (Getting a little personal, aren't you girl?!!) Other baby goats tried munching on a pant leg, a jacket sleeve, and of course, the ever favorie fingers, up to the second knuckle. I was covered in so much goat slobber, it was pathetic! The only thing that saved me from being the muchy snack du jour were the bales of hay put out to eat. Check out these goats....and don't let the cuteness or smiles fool you, they can be ruthless!

As if I hadn't been abused enough by nosey goats, Kay suggested we give them a cookie snack- animal crackers. Now, offer cookies to human kids and you'll get cheers and outstretched hands. Offer cookies to goat kids (and mamas) and you'll get 6 goats nibbling on your fingers all at once. Three of the big mams pushed me against a fence, stood up and put front legs on MY SHOULDERS and did a staring contest to get me to cough up the goods. I sharted shouting to my friends: "Help! I'm being manhandled over here by goats!!!!" After they stopped laughing,

 

Kay and Glen came to my rescue and beat off the exuberant snackers! Sorry, no picture of that; they were laughing too hard! So here's what I learned on the farm today:

• Boer goats are meat goats. People buy them as pets or as a food source.
• They do not produce much milk so they aren't good for goat's milk or goat cheese. There's only enough milk for the kids.
• They can be very cute as babies....before their horns grow in!
• Even females have horns.
• Never extend your hand with outstretched fingers to goats. You might bring it back missing a digit or two.
• If you want to offer cookies to goats, throw the cookies away from yourself and run like hell!

On the way home, we passed the exit for the Pendegras Flea Market. I asked  Pam if she'd been there and she told me it wasn't just crafty stuff. It had a very diverse and ethnic flair to it. She said one could buy live chickens there, as well as chihuahuas, and guinea hens. I was trying to imagine a day filled with goats, chickens,and chihuahuas. Too much for one blog post. The chickens and chihuahuas will have to wait!

Pam, Kay, goat, and me.

                                                                             Glen and Mocha.