What We've Learned So Far

Well, you know you can't go on a journey such as this one and not learn a few things in the process.  As a matter of fact, I suspect by the time all is said and done we'll have learned quite a number of things.  It's really good the Goatmother isn't a Nubian.  I'm just sayin' ...  Anyway, this week is going to be quite a busy one.  The first three days are already filled with appointments.  What a popular gal that Goatmother is, eh? So, who the hay knows when I might get back here to post.  And now that I think of it, let me just say that I am trying to keep up with reading and commenting on blogs, but if, per chance, I miss it somewhere along the way,
please know that I'm still with you in spirit.

Now then, allow me to get on with the title of this post because, after all, it is getting on in the day and soon it will be time for Peanuts.  One simply does NOT miss Peanut time.  It just isn't done.  So, okay.  Things we've learned so far:

1)  People and goats are friggin' AMAZING!   Please pardon my verbiage, although I suppose technically friggin' isn't a bad word.  It's just that nothing else even comes close to fitting.  You see one reads the newspaper and listens to the news, and all that is presented is the negative stuff.  Mostly.  Someone robbed a bank, some goat ate the neighbor's topiary, someone murdered someone, some goat butted the postman.  It is enough to make one lose faith in the existence of goodness.  But let me tell you, those news agencies do everyone an injustice.  They sensationalize the few bad Alpine... uh, err ... apples out there until we begin to think that is all that exists.  But it isn't true.  The truth is that people and goats are kind, generous and giving.  Always ready to lend a hand and a good butt.  They are willing to go the extra mile, and yes, even give the extra Peanut.  Yes, there are a few exceptions, but honestly, contrary to what we are 'fed', those few are just that.  The few.  The minority.  No. 1 is the most awesome of the things we have learned thus far and will likely remain so.   I think most of us already know this, we just get duped into forgetting and need to be reminded every once in awhile.  Let's hope it doesn't take a ball bat.

2)  Life is what happens while you are waiting for your email program to actually send your mail.  This one is major.  I mean do you actually know how many things you could get done if you weren't waiting on your email to get sent?  Or even for your email to get downloaded?  Entire corporate take-overs have happened in less time.  Grass grows faster.  Oy.

3)  Imagination can be like fine art on drugs.  I mean think about it.  Imagination can be a good thing.  It can lead you to dream impossible dreams, which in turn can help you achieve impossible tasks.  But it can also lead you impossibly astray.  Left to its own devices, imagination can paint impossibly horrid scenes worthy of Rodin's Gates of  Hell.  But most of the time, what it paints is far worse than reality ever thought about being.  So why doesn't it ever work the other way?  Why doesn't it ever paint you pictures of Wonderland, or Oz, or Peanuts?  Oh, wait.  Maybe that last one wasn't a very good example, but you understand where I'm going with this, right?  Given any 'Problem A' , it soon becomes a case of  'This is your imagination on drugs'.  Curb it.

4)  Healing is like breathing ... you can't just breathe out.  Someone told the Goatmother this a long time ago.  Trouble is it has taken her all these years to actually understand what it means.  (Did I say, before, it's a good thing the Goatmother isn't a Nubian?  Maybe I ought to reconsider that statement.)  The Goatmother has always been one to give to others.  It's how she is.  But when it came to herself, well, I suppose she was often not as kind to herself as she was to others.  Plus, somehow, she always seemed to feel as though accepting help was some sort of sign of weakness. Well, you know what?  It ain't.  And that is how healing is like breathing.  If you just keep giving, eventually you run out of air.  Life is about balance.  It is about giving AND receiving.  Breathing in.  Anything one-sided is, well, lop-sided.  There is no shame or weakness in doing both.  It is what keeps life flowing through all things.

5) (And this is likely THE most important thing learned so far)  ALWAYS be sure you have at least one presentable pair of underwear.  Being a goat, I'm not all that familiar with the reasoning here, but the Goatmother assures me this is highly important.  One just never knows.  My question is this - why is underwear a 'pair'?

So, okay.  We're off and running.  Who knows where the road shall lead?  But wherever it does, thanks ever so much for coming along.  You may be far away and scattered to the ends of the earth, but your presence is felt like a massive stronghold.   Thank you.