Crappy to Happy

First of all, thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has poured out their support to us after hearing about Michael's job. It's so imperitive to be reminded of just how not alone we are. I'm sorry to hear about all of you who have been down this road, too. Some of you mentioned that more family time was one happy result of this crappy situation. I have been feeling quite crappy about all of this. So we sought out happy today and went to the zoo.

We visit the zoo every few weeks, and usually end up spending most of our time indoors- sometimes because it's too hot, but most of the time because we've taken so long to get out the door that we arrive about 45 minutes until closing. So we rush through the Tropics and Minnesota Trails, where the animals are particularly frisky, waiting for mealtime. Mostly we see their butts, as they're clamoring at their little animal doors waiting for their entrees of mealworms or freeze-dried rats or whatever they eat.

But today, we got to the zoo right in the middle of the day. Today none of us had to be anywhere. Today it was 75 degrees and breezey. So today was special, and for the first time in about five years of membership, we visited the Family Farm. We hopped on a little train pulled by majestic horses and rode up the path to see the cows, goats, sheep, pigs and the garden with ginormous pumpkins and sunflowers.

Oliver loved it:

After calming him down and barely convincing him that goats do not eat little boys, (though they do eat the pockets of your jean skirt), we got him to at least tolerate being within five feet of a goat.

We then walked to where the animals were safely behind cages and glass. We ate crackers and cheese, made fish lips in front of the aquarium, and left for home when we were ready.

It was a great day. I am happy.