Today on Mr. Roger’s neighborhood, Mr. Rogers went to a dairy farm to learn about milking cows. The girls were oooing and ahhing about it and the sun was starting to peek out from behind the clouds, so I came up with the grand idea of visiting the farm that is right off Bells Hill Road. We packed some snacks and hiked up the hill out our subdivision. It has always amazed me that there is an old farm right between I-95 and Route 1 and today seemed like the perfect day to have a hands-on learning experience about farm life. If nothing else I thought it would be a good chance to meet our “neighbors.” We walked up the gravel road that I had passed hundreds of times and bravely went up to the farm house where we met the hired hand, Sherman. He explained that they don’t milk their cows but just raise them to be slaughtered. I just stood there, looking down at my two small children as dreams of milking cows danced through their heads, not sure what to say next.
There must have been some sort of miscommunication because before I knew it he was leading us through a small hen house to the other side of the fence where he gave us permission to look for the cows. He mentioned something about being cautious of the goats, then left us to roam around the back pasture and explore by ourselves. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I said thanks and kept going.
We walked down a very steep hill to a whole new world…there was a huge meadow full of buttercups, a stream lining the woods, and the buzz of I-95 in the background. It was such a different experience to be minutes from our house in this serene pasture. However, things started to go downhill fast. I was enjoying exploring, but the whole time Haley was complaining about the mud and cow pies that were interrupting her every step. “Mom, this is not good! There is poop EVERYwhere…We have to get out of here. I have to take a bath….it is TOO DiRTY here!” Darcy starts to whine and complain too.
All of a sudden in the distance I noticed two goats. In an effort to distract my kids from their poopy shoes, I pointed at the nice animals. The goats caught our eye and began to make their way toward us. “Hi, Goat!” Darcy began calling to them. They began to pick up speed and soon the goats began RUNNING toward us. I remembered Sherman’s casual warning and began to feel panicky. I didn’t know what to do and the girls began to whimper as they got closer and closer. “Mom…we have to get out of HERE!”
I held their hands and began to run the other way as the goats caught up to us. I grabbed Darcy as they jumped up and knocked their faces to ours. They knocked Haley over and began licking her face. You cannot even imagine the chaos that broke out. At that moment, Sherman came down to rescue us and tried to corral the goats. I wish I could tell you that the story ended there…I was trying to play it cool so the girls would settle down. “Wow.. those goats sure liked you! They were pretty excited to see you…” The girls were absolutely ballistic. “Bach home…bach hooooome!” cried Darcy.
I was attempting to take Darcy’s advice , but as we made our way back up the steep hill the stinkin’ goats escaped from Sherman and began chasing us again. The entire scenario was repeated. This time, With Darcy on one hip, I picked up Haley on my other hip and, carrying a total of 70 pounds, began to hike the slippery, muddy, poopy, steep hill to the hen house. The whole time I was praying in the name of Jesus to help me not fall backwards. Talk about adrenaline rush…I felt like I was in one of those stories where a Mom picks up a car to rescue her child who is trapped underneath.
Okay, so at this point I carry the girls through the hen house to the other side of the fence where we are safe from the wild goats. As I was panting and trying to catch my breath, I was in absolute bewilderment as to how this had all transpired. Sherman came up through the house, completely unfazed by the attack. I was trying to appear calm myself as I tried to get Haley to stop screaming and converse with the mother who appeared in the window with the children she was home schooling. They learned that I was from Wisconsin and I love farms, and I came to realize that I was on the MONCURE farm. I was mortified. THE MONCURES? I could not believe that I had just knocked on the door of a family WHO HAS A SCHOOL AND A NEW SUBDIVISION NAMED AFTER THEM.
I thanked them for their time, apologized for the interruption, and was warned of their loose dog who has biting problem. We waved goodbye and I sprinted the double stroller down the driveway across the street back to our safe subdivision, the whole way home thinking,”Why can’t I just be a normal person who does normal things?”
Pelt Family says
Annie, I feel your pain. What a great memory maker.
Nancy Fauth says
Annie,
I just got to read this. No wonder you were hungry!!!!!!!!!
Please put a little butter on your bread and regular dressing on your salad if you are going to do this stuff.
Personally, I hope you don’t become a “normal mother”.
Josh & Jadey says
Oh, my goodness.. As I am reading this I am imagining the scene of this event. I am laughing with tears running down, my face. However, then of course feeling horrible for laughing, because this had to be scary. My favorite part had to be Haley Jane’s “we have to get out of here” comments. I hope you stay just the way you are!
Riss! says
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh Lord Annie, the funny thing is that I have a sneaking suspicion that one day when Jón and I decided to bless the world, I will somehow find myself in the same predicaments! hehe
MelissaSnider says
Annie!
Only you! Somehow this reminds me of when you wanted to take a run in Costa Rica and got totally lost. He.He. Good intentions. I love it.You are such a good story teller.