Now, way back down on the farm...

Today I spent the afternoon at the home of Bob & Don. This was the place AJ was staying at when he shot himself. At any rate, They were having a small dinner party, which included both of them, they're other housemate, Janet, myself, and James and Rich, a couple that's a friend of theirs.

I got there at about 12:45 and didn't leave until 8:00. We had a pork roast, scalloped potatos, green bean casserole, and sweet corn. Then we talked. Some of them went out to get ice cream, brownie mix, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. the other three of us sat on the front porch and talked. When the errand boys returned, we talked while they made the desserts and then we ate them. Indescribably delicious everything was. And then we talked some more. James and Rich left. Bob went to bed. Then I left, having had a very enjoyable and entertaining afternoon. And now, apparently, if I have enough leave and money, I'll be accompanying them on vacation to the Outer Banks in NC in September. How sweet THAT will be, if I can do it.

Behind their house, they have a vertiable zoo full of animals. Don took me back to see them. And of course I got some photos.




This is one of the baby goats they have there. They have such a highpitched, crack glass type of scream when they're held. It wasn't at all pleasant.




This is the white alpaca.




This is the peacock bought by AJ for them. He named it Shrader...his last name.




These are some more of the peacocks. The white one is another male named Petey. the rather plain one is a female, one of three there, called the Shrader-ettes, cause they belong to Shrader...or some such thing, what do I know about birds?




This is a pair of ducks that kept hissing at me. I asked Don why they were hissing at me. He said it was because they were mean, or they didn't like me, one or the other. How comforting.




This is the black alpaca they have, with the white alpaca behind him and a baby goat.




This is a large flock of guineas they have. I thought the only guineas in the animal kingdom were the ones that were pigs. Apparently, guineas are also some sort of chicken like, skwaulking like bird. Not terribly pleasant.




This my feet in the barnyard, standing amidst various kinds of animal shit: goat, alpaca, guinea, chicken, rooster, baby goat, pheasant, peacock, duck, I've no idea. I initially tried to avoid stepping on anything, but that quickly became impossible.




The black alpaca again. I don't know if it can be seen, but his face it white, and looks vaguely skull like. It freaked me the fuck out.




A bunch (flock, herd, horde?) of goats, grownup goats and baby goats.




This is Simba and Cody, watching us intently from outside the fence.




This is Beau and Sam, more of the dogpack, watching us as well.




Even more of the pack, Lady and Gracie. All the dog wanted inside to 'play' with the other animals.

I then decided I chase the flock of guineas into the corner and watch them the scramble around me, and film it.




As you can see from the end of it...I didn't intend them to jump up on and over the fence! I worried that my be a bad thing, but Don says they do it all the time and they'll come back inside. I was concerned, cause it was only my second time to their house, and I didn't want to be forever known as "That Guy That Chased Our Guineas Out Of The Yard And Into The Road Where They Were Slaughtered By Traffic" or some other such flattering name.

But despite the guinea chasing debacle, I had a great time. And i can't wait to do it again!

POLT Listening to "Destination Unknown" by Missing Persons

I'm saying this is the South. And we're proud of our crazy people. We don't hide them up in the attic, we bring them right down to the living room and show them off. -Julia, Designing Women