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I descended from my porch perch atop the goat yard yesterday to seek the sacred path of my enigmatical creatures, to explore, to go where no man has gone before, to unearth secrets that might–or might not–shed light on the mysteries of animal behavior, solve world hunger, and/or end all war.
What would it take, besides a mascara emergency, to lead these hoofed beings off the path? What might I learn from them in this quest? I had no idea how long my intrepid mission might take to complete. Putting emergency supplies in my pocket, I set off, inspired by the courage of Ferdinand Magellan, Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus! I am Lewis with no Clark!
Here before you lies the sacred path via aerial satellite imagery from the porch.
I arrive at the location to find the creatures eager to greet me, but not so eager as to leave the path. I wade through the snow until I reach the furthest point of the path, where the creatures replenish themselves with hay. I follow the path from there to find the creatures’ leader.
She is eager to show me the path! So far, so good!
We walk the path to the sacred tree. Birds share their delicious manna from the feeders above. This is the most holy of holies along the path.
Everyone follows.
There is a slight holdup when one of the creatures stops, grooming herself before entering the holy place.
You can see the awe on the creatures’ faces.
Mr. Pibb: “May the Path be with you.”
The path takes a circle around the tree.
A few of the creatures have not yet arrived, but impatience bursts inside me.
There is more for me to see. “Turn!” I implore them. “We must go on!”
The others follow from behind, eager to stay with us.
Another of the creatures takes the lead now.
We are drawn as one along the path.
We reach the creatures’ shelter and they ask, “Why are we here?”
I KNOW. These creatures are so profound. Why are we here? The greatest question in life. I forge onward and outward, determined to finally find answers–to everything!
The answers that are….. Out there! Somewhere!
I STEP OFF THE PATH.
I look back. There is great hesitation. The path, it is very strong. Perhaps it runs along the Earth’s magnetic lines? Could that be the secret pulling these creatures unwaveringly along its trail? Are we all, simply, inexorably, held by inexplicable powers beyond our control?
Or is there something far more powerful, something that could allow us to forge our own destinies? Something like….
A COOKIE. I reach for my emergency supplies.
The creatures have left the path! The creatures have left the path!
I have found the answer to all of mankind’s questions!
The creatures surround me, recognizing me as their new leader.
I’m Ferdinand Magellan!
Marco Polo!
Christopher Columbus!
Lewis with no–
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!
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What can I say, I’m a follower. I like following your blog. Another great post!!
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This weekend, other than taking photographs for GDP and going to the store, I vowed to stay home. A couple of times it went through my head “If Suzanne can be happy on a farm in WV, going NOWHERE, I can be happy at home too.” And so it went, some of the piles became files!!!
Happy March 1st– PATHWAY Day!
Jan
GDP
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Thanks Suzanne!!
Hugs Granny Trace
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But, throughout, she still has cookies!`
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One thing I want to share with you is that each time I see any of the “animals on the path” pictures I think of how it would be neat if at the end of the path was a nativity scene (either a serious one or one made out scare crow type people). I think all the animals marching in line to the nativity would make an awesome Christmas card from your farm (plus if you had some printed up or available to download you could sell them, and I know I would order some).
Hope you don’t think I am silly but these are the kinds of things I think of at times, and I just wanted to share the idea with you.
Have a wonderful day on the farm!
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I do not like to be cold and wet, so I would be flinging those cookies off the porch like frisbees until spring.
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I tried offering my cat a cookie but I’m afraid it doesn’t have the same affect! She just lay there looking strangely at me.
Thank you again for your heartwarming posts. I’m SO glad I found the path to this site.
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Why don’t they go straight from the barn over to their destination?
They sure take the long way!
Thanks for the laugh, Suzanne.
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A couple of suggestions for Kelly’s manger idea. PhotoShop is a marvelous invention. Find a teenage geek near you. They’ll be able to hook you up. If that’s too technical, build a Nativity stable, use real people for the characters and sprinkle birdseed in the area where you want to pose the animals. Just not on the Baby Jesus, we don’t want any goats on His head.
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Susan
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You are surly my hero for the day going off the beaten path to the GREAT BEYOND all the while I’m screaming snow shoes! snow shoes!
Aerial shot alone had my DH coming into the room with puzzled look on his face all he could hear was chicken, road, goats, that was enough for him to retreat back to his domain.
have a good one Ann.
LMAO
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I have to remember to make sure no one is within earshot before I start reading your blog. I’ve noticed uncontrolled laughter breaks up the flow of the office.
Thanks for exploring the “path” you ol’ pathfinder.
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I was reminded or your animals’ path on Saturday morning when I walked up to feed the barn kitties. Sheba, one of the clan, waits by the back door and walks ahead of me to the barn. She followed her own tracks precisely as she lead the way.
We ended up with over 2 ft of snow on Sunday. Today is our first clear day without snowfall since early last week.
Love your photos and story! Thanks for the chuckles
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Sissy
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You may be a victim of a psychic goat reprisal!!! Are you SURE your goat herd has not been “infiltrated” recently? Behaving strangely in any way, hmm? It only takes one rogue to sow dissent, and ruin your day!!! If they try to chew up your scarf, you are indeed dealing with cloven-hoof subversives. Eternal vigilance on your part will halt the invasion, so stay frosty!!! :-D
http://www.movies-links.tv/movies/the_men_who_stare_at_goats/
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“Come to the dark side, we have cookies,” indeed!
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