This time of year, I do most of my chores in the dark.  It is dark at 5:30 am and 6 pm, so I do most everything by barn light, flash light or gator light.  Two things that I can tell you that goats won’t do in the dark–1–You can’t herd them and 2–You can’t get them to take a drink.  

     Everything is frozen.  I made sure everything got a good drink last night.  This morning, it is dark.  I put out fresh water, but they won’t drink it at this time.  I filled troughs that are literally two feet away from does standing inside a shed.  Did they drink?  No.  Stand there and stare with that stupid doe look.  Did they drink after I walked off?  No.  Ten minutes later, the water is changing forms and they are still standing there with that same stupid doe look.  They will wait till the sun comes up but by then the water will be called ICE.  I’m sure it has something to do with a predator/prey protection instinct.  But, it just further proof of the retardation level of a doe goat.

     Speaking of beings with their heads up their butts,

 The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is proud to be distributing this year the greatest amount of free Meals and Food Stamps ever, to 46 million people.

Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, asks us “Please Do Not Feed the Animals.” Their stated reason for the policy is because “The animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves.”