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.
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.
Many of us enjoy sharing various bits and pieces of our daily lives to the world on social media. Apps such as Instagram and Facebook make it easy to feel like you’re connected to friends a world away. However, sometimes with this amazing ability to share your life with others, there is pressure to only share the very best parts! Just remember, when you see someone living it up and feeling fantastic, those posts are carefully chosen to showcase the best. Don’t let a bit of bad lighting get you down – you do you, you share you, and let them be them.
Perhaps one day I will take a photography course.
Miniature goat breeds include pygmy, Nigerian dwarf and pygora. These goats have been bred to be smaller than other goat breeds and as such are a popular choice for urban farms and homesteads as well as for pets. They are typically quite friendly and require less space than other goat breeds. They are social creatures, so it is recommended that you get at least two.
Great things can come in small packages.
It is easy to skim things over sometimes or try to finish tasks and obligations quickly. Take a closer look, you might have missed an important detail or realize something new about something that may seem ordinary and everyday.
Details, details, details.
One of the many reasons why I find goats to be such inspiring creatures is that they always appear to be thinking about something. What do goats think about? Do they think about the welfare of other goats? Do they think about climate change? Do they think about geopolitical mishaps and troublesome election results? Do they concern themselves with human affairs at all? Is there some kind of caprine realpolitik that they are all carrying out; or rather, a moral ethical code each goat is compelled to fulfill? Are they just contemplating which plant is would be the delicious? Are they plotting an eventual global goat liberation moment where they will collectively free themselves of their pens and fences and break free from human bondage? It is unlikely that humans will ever discover the answer to these and other questions about goat thought and goat behavior.
What are you thinking about, sir?
Most (not all) of the goats I have shared on this blog, so far, have been goats I have actually met. I met this goat about a month ago at Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats. She (I think, I did not go to great lengths to confirm, and as gender is a human social construct, I think goats are beyond that sort of thing) had the most luxurious, softest coat. Clearly, she was well aware that she was one fabulous looking goat and trotted across the grass with amazing confidence. The weekend is a great time to break out and do things that make you feel fabulous, whether it’s going out dancing, strutting across the greens or pampering yourself with the comforts of home on a staycation.
A confident caprine at Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats
Goat of the Day 