Goats are really fantastic. I’m not sure what else there is to say today!
goats
The twenty seventh of December 2018
goatsBetwixt and between – do you ever feel as though you are in between stages of your life? The term “liminality” comes from the Latin word limen for threshold, and is used by anthropologists to describe transitional periods in life, the beginning of changing from one status or state to another. These transitions are characterised by three parts: separation, the liminal period and re-assimilation. For example, being engaged is a liminal period between when an individual is no longer single, but not yet married. Another liminal period in many people’s lives is when they are studying at university – they are no longer a child living at home with the family, but are not quite yet full adults in society. Both of these transitional periods are ended by a large ritual, such as a wedding or graduation. In some ways, the week between Christmas and the New Year is a liminal period, between one year and preparing for the next. Typical daily routines are often suspended, many people are removed from their workplaces or offices, and different foods are consumed, only to be punctuated by a large, festive ritual on New Year’s Eve to welcome the New Year.
Be patient, the new year and new promises are coming soon!
Boxing Day 2018
goatsNow that Christmas is over, enjoy some time to relax. It is Boxing Day in the UK and its Commonwealth countries. Boxing Day may have originated during the Middle Ages when people would collect charity for the poor in the form of alms boxes that would be opened every 26 of December in honor of Saint Stephen. An alternative origin claims that Boxing Day originated from aristocrats boxing up their leftovers to give to their staff as a holiday bonus the day after their own Christmas celebrations. Boxing Day has been a day off from the beginning of bank holidays in 1871. Although its original meaning has faded into the late-twentieth century post-Christmas shopping frenzy, people all over enjoy a day off. I hope that you had a lovely day off, snagged a deal, or enjoyed some delicious leftovers with loved ones.
In the UK and its Commonwealths, Boxing Day is a celebrated day off after Christmas.
Christmas 2018
goatsWhew the big day is here! All of the preparation, decoration, wrapping each gift, mailing each card, frosting each cookie (biscuit if you will), carefully warming the pudding, it all leads up to now! Enjoy the fruits of your labors, enjoy your family and friends, and I wish you all a very, merry Christmas, thank you for supporting Goat of the Day!
I wish you and your family a most wonderful Christmas.
The twenty fourth of December 2018
goatsTwas the night before Christmas
And all through the house
All the goats were hanging
Not one had a grouse
Merry Christmas!!!
The twenty third of December 2018
goatsDo you ever feel as though it is hard to slow down? Our to-do lists and schedules can get so jam-packed sometimes it’s hard to sit back and enjoy. During the next few days, make sure that you take some time to sit back and enjoy the holiday and those around you.
If you slow down it’s easier to enjoy all the wonderful details of the holiday season.
The twenty second of December 2018
goatsWhew, only three days to go! Did you wait until the last minute? Don’t stress, everything has suddenly gone on sale, you can still nab a great deal on gifts for your friends and loved ones. Remember to breathe and take some time for yourself.
The twenty-first of December 2018
goatsThe steady march towards winter can feel…a bit dark. Today marks the official first day of winter with the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Where I am writing, there will be less than eight hours of sunshine today. Many cultures choose to celebrate the shortest day of the year, perhaps because starting tomorrow the days will gradually get longer and longer as the Earth’s axis rotates towards, instead of away from, the sun. In ancient times, this time of year was celebrated for the Egyptian god Osiris, Apollo and Sol Invictus, all deities with links to the sun. The Yule Log may be a delicious chocolate cake now, but thousands of years ago it was a part of the Juul festival of northern Europe and Scandinavia, where families would cut down a large tree and light it on fire for twelve days to bring good harvest and fertility for the new year in part of worship to the god Odin. In fact, some retellings of Norse mythology even have Odin delivering gifts and sweets to children during this time, centuries before Santa Claus and his reindeer. At any rate, if you are anything like me, and perhaps goats, you long for the sunshine. In that case, today is a day of hope as every day for the next six months, there will be a smidgen more sunshine to enjoy.
Don’t worry, more sunshine is on its way!
The nineteenth of December 2018
goatsHey did you know that there are only six more shopping days left until Christmas? Actually, that means there are only six more days left until Christmas. Don’t worry about getting it all done, focus on connecting with others and spreading positive holiday cheer. If there are some bows left untied, no one will notice or care. Sometimes it feels like the holidays are a marathon between school performances, social obligations, holiday parties and ongoing work deadlines. Just remember to take care of yourself and remember what is most important when all is said and done.
All ready for the holiday yet? You probably are more ready than you realize.
The eighteenth of December 2018
goatsA very dear (but sadly not so near) friend of mine photographed this goat in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She reported that the goat was making a lot of noise as though to get her attention. The goat is tied to a twig, but clearly you can tell from the mischievous smirk on the goat’s face that she could easily escape. It’s good to have a playful attitude as well as an easy exit.
She could easily liberate herself, if needed.
Goat of the Day 