Had fun with the goats yesterday. I was sitting in the fold with them when the hatch suddenly opened and a female voice called them in. It was Pia and Sara, playground staffers. And I call them Pia and Sara because I think that’s their names but I’m not sure. One of them is Pia at least. It’s hard to remember names when you can’t attach them to faces. Visual memory is important. I experience that a lot when I watch TV shows. I can recognise characters a lot better if they have distinct voices that I can match to faces. Otherwise I can’t really put names to the faces. Anyway, the point is that Pia and Sara were taking the goats out to the grassy hills. They asked me if I wanted to help. So I got Mio on a leash while they took Magnethe and Kamel. And then we walked them out to the little hills in the back of the playground. It’s always hard walking a goat on a leash. Not least when spring has newly sprung and there’s fresh greenery all over the place. It’s like having a kid on a leash in a store full of candy. You get dragged round a lot. But we managed. And it was nice to see the goats go to town on all the juicy grass. They do enjoy being taken out for dinner. And Bob and the buck were allowed to run around freely. So they had their pick of the place.

Now I’m looking forward to the temperatures rising again shortly. That will be nice.

Meanwhile, here is a video from my last entry. youtube.com/watch?v=sB_6ZMjqAok. When the goats were in the sheep fold. Except for Kamel and the buck at the beginning. Nothing too interesting though. I like Magnethe’s loud baahing. The way their tongue stick out, it reminds me of Simpsons cartoons almost. There was a guy refilling sand at the swings. He was riding a little mini-tractor type thing. The first time he unloaded a tractorful of sand the goats all jumped away. Nervous nellies! Good thing they aren’t fainting goats.

So there you go.

Remember my foot therapist? And how he stopped? I haven’t had foot therapy since December because after he left the place was pretty much empty, the person who owned it was impossible to get a hold of for a long time. But my dad found the new place where my old therapist works now. The problem is that it’s a bit farther away. The old place was very easy for me to get to. Just 10 minutes by bus, a bus route that I have taken probably thousands of times. So I know it and feel comfortable with it. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to find my way to the new place, so on Monday my dad and I went on a little reconnaisance trip. To find out whether it was realistic that I could go there on my own in the future. It so happened that the bus line 3A that goes out there is the old number 14, a bus that I have taken a fair number of times in the past when I have gone to the big Bilka shopping center. I could still remember most of it so that made everything much easier.

The office of the foot therapist is in the back of a sewing machine store, so that was sort of peculiar. He wasn’t in when we were there but the sewing machine store owner showed us in and was quite helpful. All in all it was a good trip and I think I should be able to go there by myself. The first few times my dad will probably take me, just until I’m sure I can do it by myself. I got an appointment in a couple of weeks. So that will be nice. I’m glad I can keep using the same therapist. He’s a good guy and I feel comfortable with him.

After that was all done with I went to the playground and spent some time with the goats. They weren’t in the goat fold. They were in the sheep fold, as I call it. Mio and Bob were tied down but the others were walking around freely. And in fact someone had left the gate to the fold open so when I got there I was greeted by Kamel and the buck who had both left the fold and were just walking around outside. They seemed to enjoy it.

It was a little sad to see Bob tied down, for the first time I think. But he didn’t seem unhappy with it. As long as there is fresh new grass and bushes within reach it’s really not too bad. Makes it harder to escape from the buck though!

I missed the sunshine. It was overcast and a bit chilly. I would like summer to kick in again soon. But goats are good in all kinds of weather.

After that I went back to my parents’ place for a nice little dinner. So that was a good day all round.

Yesterday was quite nice too. Mainly because I got a completely brilliant package in the mail. From my Facebook friend Lynne. It was supposed to be a birthday package but it was just a little late. Haha. That’s okay though, because I didn’t expect anything at all. And certainly not all the nice stuff I found in the package. There was a Darth Vader plushie. You probably have to have read our FB chats to understand what that’s all about. And a goat beanie. You probably just have to have known me for a day or two to know what that’s all about. Also a goat magnet which is now on my fridge. There was also a couple of nice cards. And Scottish treats. Yes. Lynne is from Scotland. There was something called “Scottish tablet” and I have no idea what it was but it tasted like a little slice of heaven. Amongst the other treats there were also toffee. Now I have only had Danish toffee before and that has been some soft, chocolatey sorts. But this stuff was hard like wood. Never tried that before. I have probably lost a tooth or two, but it was worth it. All those treats probably weren’t good for me, but ah I can indulge once or twice a year. It’s not every day you get treats from Scotland! Lynne is a great friend. We have long, silly talks. She loves pygmy hippos the way I love goats. We’re planning to make a zoo together. Although I think we’re going to keep the humans in cages and let the animals be free.

We’ll see!

OH and guess what? I took pictures at the playground. I haven’t done that in a long while. Since losing my eyesight and all. But it was nice to do again. Remember when I used to post a billion pictures of goats? I’ll limit myself to just one this time. Here’s Mio:

youtube.com/watch?v=KW1lHgJ_kfg

You can see how Bob is really panting in the heat. And it was only 20ish degrees. When summer hits and we get up to the 30s he’s going to be burning in his black fur. He’s going to need plenty of water I think.

But a good time in the sunshine with the goats. That’s how I roll.

I seem to be talking a lot about the weather, don’t I? When there isn’t anything else to talk about you can always do a weather report.

But I do so enjoy when it gets like this. Upwards of 20 degrees Celsius and sparkly sunshine. It makes me happy and comfortable. And it does wonders for my exercising. Unfortunately it’s going to get colder again now. But hopefully it won’t be long before we get permanent 20s. Fingers crossed.

On Monday I went to the eye doctor. For my six monthly checkup. It was standard procedure pretty much. Got the “blow air in the eye” pressure test. Eye drops and photos. And things are stable, nothing new really. In fact the doctor actually said he thought it might have gotten a little better. I shrugged that off because I didn’t really feel there had been any improvement. Stable, which is good, but not better.

But then the day after I realised that there are a couple of little improvements. I went to the playground and spent time with the goats. In the beautiful, beautiful weather. And I walked home, to enjoy the sparklingness. Which meant I had to cross the big road. And it occured to me that I can see the traffic lights. Even from a distance before I get to the crossing. Last summer I couldn’t see the traffic lights on bright, sunny days. The filter glasses helped, but I still didn’t like to cross the road when it was bright out. So that’s quite nice. It makes crossing the road feel like less of a hazard.

And then I went to the supermarket and bought some tomatoes. Been a while since I bought tomatoes on my own. Because I have had trouble seeing the sign behind them. It varies how many tomatoes are on sale. It’s usually 6-8 for 20 kroners. But I don’t like when I can’t tell if it’s 6 or it’s 8 or it’s some other number. And I don’t like asking. So I’ve just skipped tomatoes, only getting them when my dad did some shopping for me. But I tried looking at the sign this time and I could read it. So I got myself tomatoes.

It’s not because I feel like there has been a big improvement in my eyesight. I’m guessing I’m still around 20% on the left eye. And definitely still 0% on the right. But the little things count for a lot. Being able to buy tomatoes on my own and being able to cross the road safely when the sun is shining. Those are the little things you learn to appreciate when you have lost a lot.

Also the goats of course. Appreciated. I love sitting around in the sunshine with them. Especially when one of them comes up to me and sits down against me. It’s one of the best feelings of being accepted. Part of the flock. Like when the little goat kids lie down all close to each other. You feel like you’re part of the family. The warm sunshine and the lazy goats, it’s just a sweet time. I dare you not to smile when you’re in a position like that. Mission Impossible: Goat Protocol.

While I was there the Danish emergency sirens suddenly went off. No, we weren’t being invaded by marauding goats. It was just the yearly test. The goats seemed a little curious at first, but to their credit they remained calm and didn’t panic at all. When you’re dozing off in the sunshine it takes a little more than a siren to get you to move! And here’s a video of it: youtube.com/watch?v=voCR9XbPYnQ.

They get a lot more alarmed when they hear a dog barking!

To end on a sadder note, I just heard that Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys died. I had no idea that he had cancer. I guess that happened while I was off going blind and not really knowing what was going on in the world. He was only 47. That is really sad. I can’t say I was a huge fan of the Beastie Boys, but I always enjoyed their music when I heard it. Especially when I watched their videos on MTV and later on on youtube. Theirs was the kind of hip hop that I could actually like. It was fun and creative and cool. And not all about beating up women or making lots of money or how important they were. I loved them on Futurama too. They always seemed to be full of integrity and coolness and like they didn’t let their success go to their heads. With the charity work too. I had a lot of respect and fondness for the Beastie Boys, still do of course. It’s always sad when the good die young. There’s a party in hip hop heaven tonight.

It almost feels like summer now. And that feels good. There’s nothing like a siesta in the sun with goats. youtube.com/watch?v=GhCTEs_oEws.

These are the good times, when the sun shines,

The buck is still there, and seems to have taken his place at the top of the hierarchy. Not letting anyone push him around anymore. And you can tell that him and Bob don’t get along too well. Even though Bob isn’t a competition in the wooing of the ladies, the buck still won’t tolerate him being near. And Bob has learned this, he clearly keeps his distance from the buck. Runs away when the buck comes near. He’s getting bigger but he’s not strong enough to take on a more or less full grown buck. You have to pick your battles.

You can tell spring is here because the goats sat down and enjoyed the sunshine. They never sit down when it’s cold. Not during the times I’m there anyway. I imagine later on in the day when they get tired they’ll sit down. But if it’s cold or raining and they aren’t tired then they never sit. When the sun comes out they’ll sit down and chill out and that’s always a good time.

Enjoying the sunshine with goats. That’s where I like to be.

youtube.com/watch?v=ekuRc3g5XiY. A short one of Bob. The handsome young fellow.

youtube.com/watch?v=SuCWmCibaUo. And 12 minutes of Easter goats. As described in the last entry. With kids and Pia bringing the goats hay and other fun. Good times.

And also today is my father’s birthday. So happy birthday dad. In regards to his health he’s still doing better, although there are still tests and stuff to come. But today is just a happy birth day.

Thend.

At the playground everyone was happy and healthy and running around. The buck is starting to get that really buckly smell to him. And acting more confident. He wasn’t really letting anyone chase him around. Although he wasn’t doing much chasing of his own either. But he seems to be settled in nicely, I’m sure there will be sweet music playing soon.

I had a really good time. I got to spend a little time with humans too. I saw a girl, Sara, who I’ve known there for years now I guess. When she saw me I heard her say to her friend “no, I want to go over where Lasse is”. And then she came over to the fence and said “hiii Lasse!”. That was really sweet. Later on they came into the goat fold and sat on the bench with me for a while. It seems the new goat girl is the new favourite with the kids. Because she’s so calm and sweet. And not nearly as threatening as Magnethe.

And speaking of the new goat girl, she finally has a name. She is called Kamel now. That is the Danish word for “camel”. But the girls didn’t pronounce it the way we would pronounce the word for camel. Instead of kamél they said more like kamèl. Which sounds like caramel in Danish. So at first I thought they were calling here Caramel. But it is just Kamel. Pia was there and she said the name like Kamél. So our new goat is a camel, apparently! She’s sweet anyhow. And she still likes sniffing at my face much more than the other goats.

And Bob is getting so big. It just occured to me that he must have just had his first birthday. Like a couple of weeks ago I guess. He’s a big boy now. He’s still just a big baby, though. He always jumps up on the bench and stands next to me when I sit on it. And he always jumps up with his front legs on me when I’m walking around. And I can still pick him up and sit with him in my lap, he’s not too big for that. Not quite yet. He’s just so handsome with that dark colour and the white tip of his tail. And white socks. I’m so glad we got to keep him. I love that little guy.

I can’t believe it’s already April. I just hope the warmth will come back soon. We’re going to have freezing nights again now. That’s not to my liking. Let spring back.

Now I’m going to go look for easter eggs.

youtube.com/watch?v=2ESRzNWqK4A. Horse and pony grooming. Each other. Good looking out.

youtube.com/watch?v=A5kzAIzeIWc. The goats. A video from my birthday. Nothing too interesting, but just my good birthday times.

youtube.com/watch?v=StoUWJIeJiI. The buck and Mio. The buck seemed to take an interest in Mio. And Mio had no interest in that whatsoever. Much amusing chasing ensued.

Other than that, the weather has been splendid. Sunny and warm, mostly. Unfortunately it looks like we’ll be back to freezing nights again soon. But at least there’s a little spring in the air. And a lot of spring in the goats. So we March forwards.

My birthday was Thursday. 34. I know, I can’t hardly believe it either etc. Time flies when you’re doing the stuff I’m doing. Like a river it flows, where it goes nobody knows.

I had a really nice birthday. I went up to the playground and spent time with the goats. Five goats, that’s literally a handful. The new buck still doesn’t really seem to be taking charge of things. I did see him sniffing a little at the new girl, but other than that it was just mostly a whole lot of everyone chasing everyone around. I don’t know how we’re going to get any goat babies out of that, but it sure is fun for me to sit and watch. Time spent with goats is always time well spent.

Afterwards I went to the old house and had dinner with the parents. Mama made soup, and you know that makes me happy. Last soup of the winter season. A perfect present for my tummy. I still have enough leftovers in the fridge for one more dinnertime. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

The company of goats and family and then friends on Facebook. That’s enough to make me happy. I’m a simple man with simple needs. To put it simply.

Beware the ides of me.