Coffee and a Cow

I'm an early riser as a rule, normally getting up and around well before the rest of the folks in the house. I cherish my "quiet time," and I have for years. Woe be unto the child who asks a question requiring an answer, let alone action before I have my coffee quota. I make no apologies for that, but I do try to make sure that my time doesn't take away from the needs of anyone else first thing in the morning.

This morning started as usual. I was up doing my thing at 5:30, and I was feeling pretty doggone productive. Shortly before 7:00 I remembered I had left some groceries in my vehicle last night, so out I went in my jammies, my fuzzy gray robe, and my oh-my-dear-god-dayglow green crocs.

Because we had inventory at the grocery where I work last night, I got home rather late. I tell you that because as I approached my vehicle, I noticed something big and black parked behind my husband's vehicle. "What the hell is attached to the back of the van, and who put it there?", came out of my mouth. Then the big, black thing moved. I thought I was muttering to myself. Turns out I was talking to a cow.

I hadn't quite ingested a half a pot of coffee yet, so I wasn't REAL sure that I was really seeing what I thought I was seeing. A quick double take confirmed it though. We had company - a heifer from next door.

Bless her heart, she was munching along the edge of my garden, minding her own business until I showed up. I slowed a bit, trying not to make any sudden moves, and I went about chatting with her and opening my trunk. Shortly after I grabbed my groceries, she decided to move along as well. To my shrubs.

I watched her out the window for a bit until my 9 year-old woke up. I mentioned that we had a cow in the yard, and asked that she please stay calm and quiet. Of course that request went in one ear and out the other. She went straight out the front door to see the cow for herself. When I got my daughter back inside, I again requested that she be very quiet and not open any doors. Bless her heart, she listened. She opened a window instead, and scared the crap right out of our visitor. Literally. Crap... In. My. Mulch. (Actually it was just fluke timing, as I've never actually seen anyone scare the crap out of a cow. They are usually too busy running like hell to stop and ....you know)

The saga continued for quite awhile until I called our elderly neighbor to let him know he had a cow out, and she was happily munching on the round bales out back. He came to fetch her a bit later with a bucket of feed, and the drama was soon over.

The best part of this whole ordeal(and believe me there is a best part) was watching my daughter take in the scene. She perched herself on the back deck, still wearing her pajamas, wrapped in an antique quilt, paper in hand, and camera at the ready. She recorded the entire event. I'm not sure why, but she decided it was the thing to do. She sat there in the stillness of the morning, writing an unsolicited report in her newly learned italic print and capturing moments with a camera. I haven't read the entire report, but looking over her shoulder I was able to see,


"When we first spotted the cow, it was..."

I dig that kid. I really do.