Jessie and Owens are not MIA. Two days after the last post, i was whining about missing the ducks, and Jed told me to quit fussin' 'cause they were out in the pond. I ran out into the darkness in flip flops and a night gown, and sure enough, there they were, happy and healthy, snuggled in their little nest. Turns out they are leaving shortly after sun-up and returning right at dusk, spending their days at a pond in the cow pasture across the road, south of our property. But they are taking a circuitous route to get there, which is why i have been missing it. This morning, i heard them and raced out there with treats. The little buggers just looked at the bread, pecked at it a bit, and turned their beaks up. I sat down to watch them for a while, and they forgot about me, or perhaps they never really cared. Shortly, Jessie and Owens left by the back side of the pond, heading in a north-westerly direction before dropping down south to the bovine hot tub, a stroll that included navigating through several sets of cow legs, finally disappearing into the rushes around the tub. I guess the frogs are always juicier on the other side of the fence. I am delighted that they are still with us, even if it is only for the evenings.
So THAT is good news.
Maud the Amazing Flying Goat and i played Goat Volleyball again the other day. Same spot, same scenario as before, only this time, it was continuous motion, a loop if you will, of jump, volley, rechamber, jump, volley, rechamber, about ten times in a row. When she quit (notice i did not say gave up) she stood back and gave me a look of disbelief that said, "You mean you don't WANT me with you?" She then stepped around the corner to munch a bit from the kid's hay bag. I, possessing superior Mama Skills and the advanced powers of deduction that accompany years of observation and high estrogen levels, could plainly see that the exercise was not over, so i stepped behind the barn door. Sure enough, in a few moments, a pendulous ear could be seen, followed by one eye peering around the corner. Not seeing an impediment to escape, Maud took a running start...and jumped...I popped out from behind the barn door and volleyed her to the ground again. This time her actions were a little slower, as Maud stopped and looked thoughtfully at me between each loop. Each pause, the look on her face became a little more mournful. Finally, she stood, regarding me with utter sadness, turned, and jumped back into the doe yard.
SO far, she has not jumped out again. We'll just see how long THAT lasts.
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