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Timothy pellets.   They used to get Alfalfa pellets.   But the two wethers became two years old and it is no longer safe to feed Alfalfa as it can cause urinary tract issues in wethers and bucks.   And since they run with the Doe s……      The first day or two of the switch there was hesitation but as it turned out,   it's the SOUND of the pellets tinkling into their food bowls that they love.  They have 3 bowls in the corridor.  Evening feed i close off the corridor until i get the pellets into the bowls to avoid being run over by exhuberent Goats.  Open the gate and they flood in.   Pushing, shoving,  maneuvering for position.   Every day.  7 qts.  Each bag of pellets is 50lbs.   6 bags fills this bin.  

 

 

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three string bale of Timothy Hay.  Also used to be Alfalfa.    each bale 100 lbs.   We used to use Old Cowboy's truck for these and get at least 4 at a time.   No longer can,  is not Emissions compliant in California.    Alyssia can bring 2 bales at a time in the back of her SUV.  More frequent,  less convient.   This,  both morning and evening.   Mornings the most,  evening to compliment the pellets.   Like clockwork,  well…actually,   ClockWork.   Between 9 and 10 am  then between 5 and 6  pm.  Every day.

E v e r y    D a y.   They browse this Hill,   6 acres of vegetation,  dried leaves,  twigs,   seasonal,  this time of year being more scarce.   In spring and early summer,  their hay lightenes up.   But the times never change.   They are Here.   Right outside here. Staring,  talking,   waiting.   Relying.   Relying for a sense of All is Well.   Every day.   No matter where on this planet you live.  This is how it is.   Goats, Chickens.   Every day.   Same time,  same station.   Except during war.

 

 

 

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6 responses to “war and no war”

  1. Marti Avatar
    Marti

    On this very cold morning, I continue to sit with Neruda’s words: in particular, these words:
    “perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness of never understanding ourselves and of threatening ourselves with death.”
    I think back to Aug 8th, the devastation in Maui, the emotions that rose up in me, the words I wrote to try to explain to myself and others, how I felt. Oct 7th, the destruction of life in Israel, is so very hard to take in, the emotions that rise up do not lend themselves in any coherent way of explanation.
    We humans did not cause the devastation in Maui; of course there are some who finger point and question what I have just written but no. Hatred and terrorism played no part in the Maui devastation. They were front and center on Oct 7th in Israel and words simply falter for how can they explain the joy of living a good life, enjoying a festivity, families going about their daily lives, children bringing such joy and then in a blink of an eye, destroyed with such heinous, callous, heartless acts…and the retribution, which is a given human response has it’s own sorrow. Still, I try to put down a few words words because for me, to enter into that huge collective silence, I must use a few words for I know that it is filled with prayers, with the deep4est respect for the lives lost, it is filled with solidarity in whatever form each of us chooses to display…
    WAR, a small three letter word that permeates every aspect of life when it is engaged.

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  2. susan Avatar
    susan

    Dear Grace
    What a wonderful photo of Minnow,just being there. I’m so glad you have each other.
    Love from Bowen Island
    Susan

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  3. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    MInnow is smart, and will adjust.
    Minnow might need to hear a joke. Or play a game with new mom.

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  4. grace Forrest Avatar

    permeates and ripples out

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  5. grace Forrest Avatar

    Bowen Island Susan…
    SOOOOO happy to find you here!
    Love and love to you

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  6. grace Forrest Avatar

    that made me laugh the first time i read it and does again tonight a couple days later
    a joke…
    she would love a new game. am trying to imagine what
    that could be

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