I am home! I got in early this morning, pitched all the critters some food and water, and made it to church-on time! Then I came back home to give everyone a proper "hello." They were all in good condition and oh-so-excited to see me.
The chickens ran around snatching up the sunflower seeds I tossed to them. Well, all of them except the mama on the nest-she was "busy."
The rabbits thumped the news that I was home to all the neighborhood.
And the goats-they ran circles around my feet making it impossible to take a step without tripping over them. It took them a little while to settle down. And even when they did, they were still begging for hugs and kisses. Yes, my goats like kisses. So I doled out some love to them! And as I bent down to rub Ronnie's neck, I got a tap on the rear end from Archie. OK, maybe a little bit more than a pat. It took a minute for my brain to acknowledge that I had just got butted-about the same amount of time as it took to stop the forward progress I was making after that "tap." And as soon as I realized that I had been butted by my own goat, an old familiar conversation I used to have with myself started playing itself out in my head. It goes like this:
"Are you going to let him get away with that?"
"It wasn't a big deal."
"He's challenging your authority."
"He's just a little boy."
"Hitler's mom probably said "he's just a little boy" at some point in time!"
"Ok, Ok, I've got to show him who's boss."
"Just don't scar him for life. You want him to grow up normal, don't you?"
"I got it, I got it. Discipline with a cool head."
"He is only a little boy, you know."
(There is nothing more exasperating than being the mom of a little boy. They can make you laugh, cry, and cuss all in the same moment!)
So Archie and I had a little tumble. Wiped that goatie smile right off his little guy face. Of course we both might be walking a little funny tomorrow. I think he got the message, though. Hope I didn't scar him for life!
