you can tell when it's around 4 oclock.
Jenny and her man came...as they do, on Saturday. Brought pellets and a replacement hose for B. We opened the Kidding House, the Curry House door and Caroline and the 2 kids popped out. Tay was on her leash....whinning and all beside herself. i started to put her in the Box House, but thought...no....she needs to learn. and Jenny's man said....I'll do it. He did. as i transferred the leash to him, and we began to set out, i heard him say...behind me a ways.... I AM IN CHARGE HERE! and so we went. Him and Tay at the behind. The babies zipping everywhere, jumping on all the Goats backs with no regard. Zipping ahead, zipping over, Black getting lost a little, but figuring out how to find his way. We walked through the forest again, along the paths that are from the repetition of their hooves, following Their Paths, through and down again to the meadow, stopping many times along the way. Then....sitting. in SUN and somehow the meadow smells like cucumber. The Herd grazed, babies moving confidently among them...no commotion....because of either them or Caroline, no tension. None. How so great this is. the little ones gravitate to Onday which is interesting...she is the Eldest, the Boss. Snow Bunnys daughter. it was She, who watched them all slitty eyed from behind the tree. She who has been known to have ZERO patience with kid goats, her own or any other, but with these....she just goes. Nothing. She just goes. They like her. Tay sat or layed next to Jenny's man and once, the babies came zipping back from across the meadow and Black jumped and landed on Tay.....who didn't flinch, just turned her head and looked. At some point...Caroline decided and we began coming back, she and the little ones directly to their door and in. Everyone else just wherever, Tay off her leash. Practice.
I don't know if i've said this? Jenny works at Enloe Hospital in Chico. She is day supervisor of Central Supply....which now means gloves, masks, gowns, gauze, intubators, respirators, on and on. They keep it coming to the patient units. They are required to take their temperatures twice a day...by honor. It's been a while since Alyssia and the kids have been here on weekends when Jenny comes. Somehow i'd thought it was just coincidence, but i suddenly realized. And asked. Yes. Alyssia is not bringing them. Not coming. Because Emrie wouldn't be able to understand Social Distance from her New Nana. Which is true. She would not. She would insist on her New Nana's lap. so they don't come. We sat quietly after exchanging this reality. We are sad.
Alyssia still brings the kids here. Brings her Self here. It's been 2 weeks since i've left the Hill. She brought groceries a few days ago. i was suddenly aware of my position in all of this....remaining a Safe Person for the kids, for Alyssia. How critical my attention to protocol is when i leave the Hill. That it might change as this all wears on and on.
So many questions. So much unknown. In ....still......a world of Goats and Goodness. ???????????????????????
