Despite valiant efforts to contain them, goats cannot always be contained. Miss Lucky Nickel is a very high jumping goat, and she is no match for the average, or even above average, fence. She is therefore very tricky to contain. This means that she often just runs around the property, eating a bit here and there, and generally causing mayhem. She gets in the way of outdoor projects and eats the flowers. Now, she has instructed Inigo and Westley how to get out with her!
One of her more nefarious deeds lately has been her discovery of a beautiful garden bench that my Dad refurbished for us, and which we placed on the front porch. The porch is still under construction, but it was complete enough that we could put the bench out and enjoy sitting on it and taking in the views of the hills and fields around the area. Miss Nickel decided that the bench was also her throne, and she has taken to sitting on it whenever she likes. Particularly in the heat of a sunny day, she will go there to retire in the shade and chew her cud, while contemplating other troublesome things she can do. Lately, she has taken to holding court while sitting in her throne and instructing the other goats to lay at her feet.
Can't you hear her now? "Westley, bring me my crown."
"As you wish, your highness."
Unfortunately, she has decided that the arms of the bench are good for chewing on, probably somewhat absentmindedly. This made me very upset and also upset my Dad, who had put so much work into the bench for us. We did try new methods of keeping Miss Nickel in place, all to no avail. The bench arms will need to be refinished again, but Richard will do that just as soon as we can keep Nickel contained. Either that, or when the colder weather comes, we shall bring the bench inside where she cannot reach it. The intention is to screen in the porch with a low wall around the sides, such that we can sit out there and not be bothered by the swarms of mosquitoes. When we put in the low wall, Miss Nickel's reign on the porch shall end, and the bench will be off limits.
So what do you think - are these two planning a revolt?
Stay tuned for a new blog post soon on some new additions to the farm!
