Awwwww.... the poor creatures. I've always heard that goats are loaded with personality and unfair cuteness, plus that having them graze hillsides to bring down the fuel load works for everybody.

Except some Marin joggers from the Eighties, who objected to unsightly animal poop on their trails.

I hope that this batch of goats will be succeeded by another herd who gets to fulfill all your charming plans.

Oh, that's so sad, Juliebird.

I am eating an unnecessary amount of chocolate, trying to get myself psyched up to do some work.

That's the plan, Katerina. To raise enough money to get Larry and Ann a new herd and a new barn.

In the meantime, the poop they shared will fertilize our daffodils and wildflowers. Not Larry and Ann's poop. The goat's poop.

Sorry, I have to get crass or I'll start crying again.

Juliebird, My heartbgoes out to all who loved those goats. On the off chance it might be of service, petloss.com does a "Monday Night Candle Ceremony" [link] to help people grieving for animals.

8-12 inches is nothing to apologize for. That's pretty significant snowfall. Be careful out there.

Nora, I know, you're right. I just feel guilty because people north of here have had to out up with so much. But I will be careful. And by careful I mean stay inside and drink.

tommy, I'm sorry about your brother. That's so hard.

Juliebird, that's really sad.

Definitely stay inside with 8-12 inches of snow! I'm still mad at our HR lady who sent out the "the office is open, you know your commute best" messages and then stayed home.

I kind of really love the Cadillac Dare Greatly commercial. Like, a lot.

Julie, I'm so sorry. I couldn't comment earlier because I really couldn't think about it and my market goats and gah. Completely awful sad.

I was kind of useless when I got into work on Tuesday and heard the news. At first, when I saw the email titled "our goats are gone" I thought they'd been sold, and that was sad enough.

Last night I found a video that helped me with not only this weeks sad news, but just general sadness and depression, and it's a year old, so you internet savvy people might have already seen it, but I think it's good stuff, so here's the very hot JGL's hitRECord "You're Not The Only One" [link]

Now I am wondering... how much does it cost to buy a goat? The only reference I've got is Heifer Project and of course I disremember the number.

Also remembering that when "Witness" was the biggest movie in town, every city dweller I knew was fantasizing about getting to go to a barn raising. Wouldn't it be nice if there could be a weekend work party and a team of carpenters would troop in with all the tools and supplies and muscles and raise the barn and build a treehouse while they're at it.