Frosted Shredded Wheat

LD has always had trouble staying “on task.”  David needed the boys help outside, so the three manly men were out working for awhile.  And then I saw this out the window . . .

LD and Charlie leaping across haybales.

Auntie Datenut says they look like giant pieces Frosted Shredded Wheat cereal.

I agree.

Charlie has been doing so much better around cows lately.  Before, she would go after them and try to “herd” them.  It used to bug her if they were near the house, so she would go and chase them all into the back 40 and then come back to us, extremely proud of herself.

It was nice that she was proud of herself.  But it drove us nuts and caused anger amongst the moody cows.

Now, she walks with me and listens and does not go after them.

Let the records show:  the cows still hate her somethig fierce.  But they are learning to live together in peace and harmony.

Me:  David, I feel like Matilda has been limping lately.

David:  Yup.  I have been meaning to tell you.  It’s not good.

Me:  Oh, shoot.

Few minutes later . . .

Me:  YOU ARE NOT KILLING MATILDA.

David:  I didn’t say I was.  I just said it wasn’t good.

Sheesh.  My heart cannot take any more animal sadness.  I could go back and count all the creatures who have sadly passed from our lives this year, but that would be so depressing.

2020.  It’s been a bummer.

Matilda has been laying down in the same spot often.  And I don’t know how to fix a limping cow.  I feel like instead of a teacher, I should have become a veterinarean.  Is it too late to switch careers?

***

Well.  Yesterday we came home with these two:

Meet Norman and Niko.

Norman is HD’s Christmas present and Niko is Kate’s.

They are brothers and they are the quite sweet.  Norman is a solid guy.  He feels about five pounds heavier than Niko.

Yesterday, we fed him for the first time and he literally went hog wild.  And he actually makes piglet grunting noises.  And we know what piglet grunting noises sound like.  Because 2020 brought us 350 piglets.  But that is neither here nor there.

I was in charge of holding Norman and keeping him entertained so his much slimmer brother, Niko, could get a few bites in.

This was a challenge.

Here’s what we know:  Norman loves food.

Norman lept out of my arms and ran over to “help” Niko eat.

Charlie is doing well being a big sister.  The boy pups are good at eliminating their bladders outside instead of on the carpet.

So far, so good.