Milkmaid

Milkmaid has a much nicer sound to it than, say, goat girl.  Which is what I’ve been doing all week.  Since Rick is gone, and he’s the one that normally feeds them (that’s what he gets for being an early bird), it falls to me this week.  We supplement their grazing with grain so they get all the nutrients they need.  Only it makes them lazy and they start demanding, quite loudly, as soon as they suspect someone is up. 

This sweet little face is Antoinette.  I think she is my favorite but don’t tell the others.  She has become the most vocal but she’s also the most shy of the four.

Other than the early morning foray out to the goat pen I’ve been kind of housebound.  It’s gorgeous out and the garden beckons, only there is a temporary, seasonal danger lurking out there.  One that I am no match for.

The butterflies are back. 

I have an absolute phobia about moths and butterflies.  Butterflies are really just moths in drag.  I can’t explain it, really.  People look at me with a perplexed look on their face when they hear of this and say "You realize, of course, they can’t HURT you."   Yeah yeah – whatever.  They are still evil.

And the ones out now are BLACK!  The devil’s own butterflies.  I went out to get the mail today and two of them fluttered by me and I had to run back into the house.  It’s pathetic.  I have an actual physical reaction – my entire body gets icy cold and I get goosebumps all over.  Not to mention my brain seizes up and my eyes bug out of my head.  I’ve actually jumped out of a moving car when a moth flew up in my face.  That was 23 years ago and my friend is STILL mad at me about that.  Sheesh, it’s not like I was driving or anything.

I do have everyone trained – if a moth flies into the house everyone leaps to their feet to get rid of it and then pull me out from under the couch.  And no one who loves me will ever buy anything with a butterfly motif. 

All righty then.  Enough of that topic.

I did actually get out super early this morning and finally planted something in my hanging basket.  I have had a shepherd’s hook and an empty hanging basket for a year now and I finally trimmed the coco mat and planted some bacopa and I forget what the other plant is – does fabulously around here. 

Oh before I forget – Thank you for all the feedback on Photoshop and the offers of help.  I’m kind of glad I’m not the only one that is overwhelmed by it.  I think I’m going to try out the Elements version and see if it has all the features I need.

And…. last day to put your name in for the Blue Moon Giveaway – I have added a couple of surprise items.  I will draw a name at 9:00pm (West Coast time) on Friday.  Just leave a comment on this post and I’ll add you to the list.