One Of The Good Days
It’s been a lovely day today. Let me tell you it, deer reader. Rest your antlers, and keep your pants on you anteaters.
Beautiful, sunny day. I’d wager the temperatures passed 25C quite possibly. Thereabouts. Beautiful blue skies and sunshine. And a slight breeze to afford the occasional relief from the warmth. Perfect.
I was getting ready to go to the playground when my phone rang. It was Bodil. I thought she was calling to invite me to come visit at the summer house, but she’s taking Sif, the little doggie, to the vet tomorrow. So I’m not sure if the visit is called off completely or not. But hopefully Sif will be getting better and there’ll still be time to visit them before the house is sold. We talked a little. I wished her a happy birthday since that is today. We talked about Kurt too. We had talked about him the other day and I’d asked how he was since I haven’t seen him for so long. And Bodil had told me that he he was still coming to the playground once a week with bread. I didn’t know that. I haven’t seen him much since he stopped as manager of the playground. But Bodil had promised to find out on what days he was doing the bread deliveries. So that’s what she called to tell me. Mondays, as it turns out. She also said that she had invited Kurt to her birthday party and if that mde me change my mind about going (she’s not holding it today). I told her it didn’t and she wasn’t expecting it to, she told me. She understands. But I still hope I can go see her house and yard soon.
It was good to talk to her a little. And then I went on my way to the playground. Feeling good in the wonderful weather. It’s always so nice to spend time with the goats when it’s warm and sunny. It’s like a little slice of heaven on pie. My transformation from winter person to summer person seems almost complete.
Bob and Preben had gone up in the residential block again. So I went to get them and bring them back down so I could sit with all the goats on my wooden throne on the hill. When we were going down the hill Preben got all excited and started jumping. You know when they jump in the air and twist their head one way and their body the other way? I’ve only seen kids do that before I think, but Preben bounced down the hill. And when Bob saw it he started running down after him. Adorable. With my limited vision I thought I probably shouldn’t run down the hill myself. And definitely not bounce around. When I got down the hill the buck came over to me and he was all panting like he’d run a marathon. They always pant in the heat. I just love sitting around with lazy goats when it’s this warm. Especially once they’ve gotten their bellies full and they just want to chill.
I mentioned that there’s been some platforms built and things built in the back hills of the playground? Mio found a sweet spot under one of the platforms. Nice in the shade. Bob went in and sat next to her. Even Preben followed in. There wasn’t that much room to move down there, but it was a nice break from the blazing sun. A couple of times Bob was rolling his head around and he rolled it back so much that he literally rolled his entire body around. Like a little puppy. It made me laugh out loud both times.
Those sweet, tired snoring sounds. Lazy, hazy, maybe baby.
And then Kurt came by! That was a nice surprise. I guess he’d talked to Bodil and that’s why he came looking for me. I was sitting on my wooden throne when he came over. It was really good to see him again. And we talked for a while. About how things are going. My vision. Magnethe’s passing. Preben. Preben came from Kurt’s place. And it actually looks like we might be keeping him. Kurt has another buck, so he can’t really take Preben back. He might be loaned out to other playgrounds still, but I think the plan is for him to stay with us mostly. An intact buck, we’ve never had one stay permanently at the playground before. I’m still a little conficted over that, because it makes it harder for me to get alone time with Bob. But on the other hand Preben is SO sweet. He’s such a good boy. And he seems to like me. He likes spending time with me. Sometimes I have to push him away a little and try to direct his attention at something else so I can go sit with Bob. But he’s a big sweetheart, Preben, and I’m sure we’ll have many good times.
Kurt also brought news of Soft-Ice, the kid that Vanilje had when she died. I was really glad to hear that she’s still doing well at Kurt’s place. And she had kids! How wonderful. It makes me really happy that the family line of Vanilje and Magnethe and Mathilde still goes on. Kurt said that Soft-Ice didn’t want to feed her little boy at first. So kurt had to bottle feed him. And so the boy always got very excited when he heard Kurt coming because he knew it was feeding time. And then gradually Kurt started noticing that the boy was less excited to see him and he seemed less hungry. And it turned out that Soft-Ice had started accepting him and letting him drink her milk. What a sweet story. And Kurt was all smiles telling it. I think Kurt likes that I remember Soft-Ice and ask about her. I’m not sure there are anyone else thinking about Vanilje and her kid anymore, but I do. I’d still like to go see her some day. Kurt says she looks just like her mother. Sweet Vanilje, I still miss her too.
But it was great talking to Kurt again. And now that I know he’ll be around on Mondays maybe I’ll get to see him more often.
Lovely, lovely day.
Oh and I’ve noticed that Mio does something a little similar to what Magnethe used to do when she wanted me to scratch her. Magnethe loved having her neck scratched so she’d present her neck and start nudging against me when she wanted scratchies. Mio’s sweet spot is at the base of her horns, underneath them where it’s hard even for me to get at. So I’ll scratch her there. And then when I stop I bring my hands down. And then if she wants more she’ll lower her head and start nudging her horns against my fingers to get me to keep doing it. It’s nice to feel that your attention is appreciated like that.
I think Preben’s sweet spot might be his feet. He put his foot on my leg the other day and I scratched him around the hoof. And now a couple of times today he’d put his feet up on me again like he’s expecting a foot massage. Massage therapist for goats, I wonder if I should pursue that career?
I should have photos and video from this lovely day soon, but in the meantime here is a video from Monday of the goats eating grass. And eating more grass. And then I interrupt them with a sneeze. And then they eat more grass. And more grass. And then the REAL lawn mower arrives and they run away
I do love the sound of goats grassing.