New Year!

I'm somewhat embarrassed that I didn't go to the party at Tupelo for New Year's. My friends put a lot of energy into decorating it, and I had been looking forward to going and dancing a lot. First I had a date with Keenan, and, well, Keenan and I kept saying to each other, we need to go, and then we didn't go. Finally I went to sleep at 10:30, and then Rowan woke us up just before midnight, outraged that we didn't stay up. But the four of us sat in the living room and waited for the exact stroke of midnight (give or take a second -- I don't know what our clock did with the extra second tacked on to 2008), and yelled Happy New Year to each other. We opened the door, briefly, to see if there was any noise from outside, but no.

I milked cows both New Year's Eve morning, and New Year's morning, so that also contributed to my less-than-party mood. I had a good time milking, as always. I don't get tired of the routine, and the cows are very good company. I believe they like me, too. They're pretty good about pooing before they get into the barn, and I always say thank you. I talk to them the whole time they're in the barn, too. They don't say much, but they have very expressive eyes and tails.

Poor Katy is still very unhappy with us messing with her udder, and is still kicking. She always swishes her tail first, so you have some warning. Rusty came down and showed me how to tie the belly rope to be more effective. That does seem to help. I'm sure she'll grow out of it.

We have another new calf, too, and so now there are two! And soon there'll be three. That's a lot of milk! The new calf got sick, and so Rusty gave him some medicine, and fed him himself. New Year's Eve morning, the calf wouldn't get up, and, more alarming, wouldn't suck and just let the milk fall out of his mouth when I put the nipple of the bottle in his mouth, poor guy. He was better the next day.

There was an illness at the Tupelo party, too, with one of the guests having a seizure. Fortunately everyone helped and the rescue squad came and the young man was taken to the hospital, where he still is. We're waiting to hear more. It seems like the seizure was not party-related.

All-in-all, the reports are of a very satisfactory party, and I've heard no complaints at all. Sounds like a good new year's was had by all!
much love,
Kelpie