Archives
Three Days, and Goats
I didn't stop to smell the roses, but I did stop to look at the goats. I'll get to that part, but first....
Today was different from the previous days of preparing for VBS. Until today, I've been working on the props alone. I drove to another church this morning to talk about our mutual plans, and soon found myself working with them on their props.
You see, we're going to share our VBS props, which includes the desert scene panels I painted, the tunnel I'm building, the fabric I've bought to use to create various story environments, and the props they made or are making: the styrofoam 8 foot cactii, a colorful seven foot styrofoam direction sign, and various styrofoam pottery to decorate as needed. Also, they loaned me some store bought decorations.
Since our VBS is the 16th, and theirs begins on the 23rd, well, it made common sense to help each other, then share with each other. What a brilliant idea! Several churches did that this year, and I much prefer doing it this way then working on it alone.
I didn't know I'd be helping them paint when I set out in my non-air conditioned van for their church. It happened quite by surprise, because I was only planning on showing them a few things they could use, give them some idea of where to put them, how big they were, etc.
When I got there, three ladies stood outside painting props made of styrofoam (so much lighter than plywood).
They were thrilled to see what I had brought (one finished desert panel and piece of tunnel frame), and we talked about how they could use the props I had made. Then they showed me what they were doing. I was pretty excited about what I saw, indeed.
When it's all put together, I'll take pictures, then you'll know why I've spent so much time preparing.
I offered to help them finish the painting. Two hours later, my old Chevy van was loaded with two painted styrofoam giant cactii, the tall styrofoam sign, a plywood burro (very heavy, recycled from last year's zebra for Serengeti VBS), and the beautifully detailed Mexican "pottery."
I made a quick run into town to another church which is finished with their VBS, and borrowed some flagpoles their folks had made out of PVC to hold up our Daily Challenge flags. Then I drove around the corner to the hardware store, bought four mousetraps, drove back to my church and dropped everything (except the mouse traps) off.
Now the goat story:
On the way home at last, I drove past a familiar sight: goats in a wooded lot, fenced in of course. I'd always thought about stopping and taking their picture, and every time I think of it, I don't do it. Usually I don't have the camera with me, or I don't have the time, or it's just not on my mind because I'm distracted and don't notice them.
But I had noticed them, I did have the camera, and amazingly, the time to stop. I pulled into a (coincidence) church parking lot just across the street from the fenced in goats, and walked slowly toward them. I didn't want to startle them from their mid-day siesta and grazing.
I took several pictures, but not as many as I'd like. The Big Daddy Goat stood up when he saw me (I took his picture), he snorted (which I took as a warning), and when I turned away from the little billy goat to see what Daddy Goat was doing, I backed away.
Despite the four-foot high barbed wire fence that separated us, I did not hesitate to leave. The male goat had lowered his head and was staring at me. I did not wait for a second snort. I thanked him very much and said good-bye.
There was an uneventful trip to the landfill, and by the time I got home, answered a few phone calls, made a few of my own, it was almost 5:30 pm... it had been a productive day.
Any goat experts out there who can tell me what kind of goats they are? They're quite a handsome herd.
bgilmore725 at 12:20:00 AM EDT Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | 
digg this
-
I hope all your props turn out sturdy enough for the long haul. You never know what will happen around a bunch of kids. LOL If Terrie, Grahamfarmga, doesn't know your goats, I don't know who would. - BArbara
http://journals.aol.com/bhbner2him/LifeFaithinCaneyhead/ -
I get tired just reading the amount of things you accomplish in a day! Great pics, they look more like zoo animals than somebody's goats. <grin>
Patrick http://journals.aol.com/daddyleer/CaregivinglyYours/ -
We had goats when I was married to the kids' dad - but they sure weren't as nice looking as the ones you saw. But I did like our goats - they were really interesting to watch and (like Jackie mentioned) they helped us keep our field cut down.
Can't wait to see your VBS pictures. I think it's great that the different churches are sharing props & supplies - that's just the way it ought to be. :)
Hugs,
Gwynn -
Hi Bea! :)
Those are some beautiful goats... as goats go! lol We have so many of them in the area I live. You always see them grazing in peoples yards! lol Yes, I live out in the country/desert and people use them to mow their lawn, I think...? What else would you want a goat for? Thier milk, maybe? :/ I haven't got a clue.. lol
Nice pics! :)
Hugs,
Jackie
http://journals.aol.com/siennastarr/Hopefloats/
7/17/06 12:25 AM
great going Bea! awesome work!
love you
natalie