Goat

     Looking after a tiny goat kid is more work than you might imagine. It's also more rewarding than you could possibly think. Our little friend was about a month old and her mum had rejected her so things weren't great and to top it off she had a heart murmur. Our daughter and I figured that we were her only chance for survival so we decided to give it a whirl. Here's what I learned from our little cloven-hoofed friend Misty:

1. Communicate, communicate, communicate. And volume is key here. Don't whisper when loudness is so much more effective. If you're hungry, let everyone know about it. Heck, let the neighbours know....everyone needs to know.

2. Strolling is overrated. When at all possible run, spin, leap at full speed. Slowness is for sissies.

3. Everything is a potential snack. Chair cushions (especially the green ones with cute little ties), coffee tables, jacket zipper pulls, house plants....everything has some nutritional value. You just don't know until you try....

4. Every place has what it takes to be a toilet. We are not fussy; towels are good, mats are nice, dog beds are awesome even just the plain old floor. Even grass. We're not fussy--- why should you be?

5. Pushing things with your head is underrated. There is no end to fun when you are applying your forehead to any imaginable surface: fireplaces, furniture, doors. Anywhere has possible pushing possibilities. Also it feels good on those little horns that we are growing. You should try it! 

6. Neatness is not a thing. Whenever possible, drip your milk, spit out your hay, knock over your water and jump at the slightest noise. It keeps life interesting and let's face it, Martha Stewart is not coming over anytime soon. Also see #4.

7. Goats are people too. Sure you may not give us the best names or dress us in the highest fashion clothes but we like the attention so we don't really care. As long as you are into the same kind of fun that we are, we like you. And if that includes racing around a field like an idiot then we love you! 

8. You never know how long you have on earth so it's best to live your best life every day that you can. Make friends, sing, dance, enjoy the outdoors as much as you can and just know that every day is another chance to make someone smile....

Rest in peace Misty!

Recycling 2

     Our eldest daughter has been kept busy lately by one of her jobs---  her recycling job. Over the years she has recycled almost 30,000 containers with the help of family, friends and neighbours. A new job maintaining a local strip mall has also added to this bounty, making those $100.00 cheques come a little faster than they used to do. The mall maintenance has been an eye-opening one for her with cigarette smokers leading the ranks of the worst offenders for littering followed closely by folks not willing to recycle or even throw away their alcoholic cans and bottles and just leaving them wherever. I find it sad to see that so many students from the nearby high school can't be bothered to throw their pizza boxes away. I remember being in Europe many years ago and being horrified by the litter there. It seems like we are headed in the same direction. This is me being a grumpy old lady.

    Anyway the new Return-it Express service through Encorp Pacific makes it so much easier to simply bag, label and scan those clear garbage bags full of returns and have your account automatically credited. No sorting required! Our daughter enjoys being busy, likes to make money and is encouraged by all the folks who make sure that she gets their empties either by bringing them to us or asking us for a pick-up. People like you. So thank you for those bags and bags of recyclable containers. Every can, bottle, jug and tetra pack is another ten cents in our daughter's pocket and for that, she is thrilled! Thanks!