Can y’all believe there is only one month left in 2018? The time can go by so fast sometimes, and this time of year is especially easy to feel over-booked. Take some time to think and reflect about the year before it slips away, there is still time to accomplish many things before 2019 rolls in!
Don’t let time get away from you!
Do you ever worry about fitting in and belonging with a group, squad or tribe? Sometimes there can be a lot of pressure to finding the right fit or going along with the flow. Many famous writers have remarked that the true path to belonging is to just be your most authentic self. It is difficult sometimes to find the balance between being your most authentic self and fitting in with others, but realizing that belonging is kind of an illusion, and happiness, belonging and less alienation happens when you just let that need for belonging go. Maya Angelou sums it up better:
You only are free when you realize you belong no place — you belong every place — no place at all
Find your own path, your own place to stand, and the rest will follow.
“Be courageous, but not foolhardy.” -the wise Maya Angelou.
Don’t let anything or anyone hold you back. Sometimes, the most limiting cages are the ones we create for ourselves. Break free of your assumptions, of your self-critique and go for it – whatever it is. Press on, even when obstacles appear in your way. You never know, what you might first perceive to be a prohibitive boundary might be an opportunity in disguise.
The most confining spaces are the ones we create ourselves.
Even goats get itchy sometimes. Itches are scientifically known as pruritus, basically a general neurological response to irritants that come in contact with the skin. Most of the time, itches are just momentary nuisances; however, sometimes an itch is the body’s response to exposure to harmful things like urushiol. Goats are lucky that they do not get the same painful, itchy rash from the urushiol found on poison ivy and other plants. However, goats may get itchy from itch mites and lice, and even excessively dry skin. Horns and hooves make good tools for satisfying the occasional itch, and most of the time an itch is just an itch.
Everyone gets itchy sometimes.
Everyone always says Thank God it’s Friday (TGIF) but why not Thank God it’s Monday (TGIM)? Although Mondays are usually the day people return to work after the weekend, that doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily a bad thing. Mondays are also great days to reset, set new goals and write up a to-do list. Find motivation in the beginning of a new week and you can accomplish amazing things!
Maybe Mondays aren’t so bad?
My friend Chloe Ashley sent me a photograph of this sassy black goat who resides at Hackney City Farm in London. I am quite keen on the concept of the urban farm, a refuge in the middle of a city where food is grown and farm animals can thrive. I will definitely have to visit Hackney sometime soon.
One of the residents of Hackney City Farm.
Time snuck up on me today! Sometimes the weekends can be so busy and fun you nearly forget to do some important things, but don’t worry y’all – I did not forget! I hope that you are all having some lovely weekend adventures, please enjoy this amazing caprine from Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats.
Whatever you are up to this weekend, I hope that it is wonderful.
It is getting cold out there, I strongly suggest dressing in layers. Angora goats are known for their distinctive, soft and luxurious coat that is processed to make mohair. Mohair is often a popular choice for winter clothing because it is very easy to dye as it is naturally white or silver. However, in recent years, it has come to light that Angora goats exploited for their wonderful coats are heinously and cruelly abused, leading some major clothing companies to ban mohair altogether. Although mohair knits can be snuggly and warm, there are plenty of perfectly suitable synthetic options that don’t involve cruelty towards the Angora goats.
Fantastic and functional winter style should not use cruelly procured Angora goat wool.
Today, in the United States, is Thanksgiving. There is a lot of problematic mythology surrounding Thanksgiving in the United States. It did not originate as a peaceful gathering between American Indians sharing their bounty with English settlers, although that is the story most American school-children get growing up and is still purported by most sources. However, feasting in society serves an important purpose amalgamating social ties, familial ties, religious observances, and economic relationships. Sharing a large meal amongst a group of individuals can re-affirm social and familial ties as well as redistribute and share resources. Thanksgiving menus are special and many dishes are usually only served once or twice a year. Many Americans see Thanksgiving as the official start of the festive season leading up to Christmas and the New Year. Some (not all) may use the Thanksgiving feast as a means to fuel-up for another problematic American tradition – the violent Black Friday shopping spree. Whether you buy into the white-washed American mythology of Thanksgiving or not, gratitude is really important, and if you are reading this you at least have something to be grateful for. I’m grateful for my family, my warm flat, and the opportunity to share a goat with y’all everyday. Have a wonderful holiday y’all.
I’m grateful for my goats and supporters of goat of the day. Enjoy y’all!
Aren’t the horns on this goat beautiful? Contrary to popular belief, both male and female goats can have horns. Horns are bony protrusions stemming from the head of goats and other hoofed creatures that are covered in keratin, much like human hair and nails. Goats use their horns in a variety of creative ways, including to fend off potential predators, to communicate with one another and establish dominance in a group, to trim the bark off of trees for food, and even to attract sexual partners. There is a process called disbudding, in which the goats horns are removed shortly after birth, assumably to prevent potential problems like getting stuck in a fence or having a scuffle; however, there is a lot of debate over whether this practice is harmful or beneficial to goats. Sadly, I do not own any goats and by no means am a goat expert, so I really can’t weigh in; however, in general, I think goat horns are pretty amazing.
If I had a pair of horns like that, I would show them off too.
Goat of the Day 