So many things didn’t get done over last winter. All spring and summer I’ve been trying to get caught up. It’s left me too busy for some good goat time.
What is Goat Time?
That depends on whether you are a goat or a person. For a goat this is a day spent out eating, relaxing, cud chewing and horsefly avoidance.
For a person, me especially, it’s time to wander out in the pastures with the goats. They may be interested in plants for eating. I’m interested in plants for pictures.
Many of the goats want to come over for petting. All of the goats expect me to lead them to better grazing, then stand guard while they gorge themselves.
Leading the Herd
Being the leader somehow indicates being the one in front, leading the way. My goats don’t think much of this idea.
I lead the goats out to the bridge, or try to. Some days the herd follows eagerly. Other days I, as the leader, am in the rear urging the herd to get moving.
When we finally get across the bridge, I take off. The herd stands by the bridge. I try a different direction. If this is acceptable, the herd follows.
That is, the herd follows until they catch up to me, pass me, crowd into the trail and stop. They are waiting for me to thread my way back to the front to lead them off again.
Horseflies and Heat
Over the summer, the goats spent much of their time laying around in the old cow barn. Horseflies don’t like shade. If you’ve ever been bitten by one of these bloodthirsty insects, you know why the goats avoid them.
The shade and open barn sides are cooler than being out in the sun. The Ozarks didn’t have lots of really hot days this past summer, but the humidity made the ones we did have, miserable. I hid in the house much of the day.
Ozark Fall
There is a yellow tint in the green tree leaves. Days are warm, nights are cool. Fall has started in the Ozarks.
My busy schedule hasn’t eased up much. However, I am finding some goat time now before the cold settles in.
The goats enjoy the company. I get the impression they also enjoy being annoying.
