There is a poem by Mark Nepo called Adrift that sometimes visits me when I am dealing with a day that both punches me in the face with sorrow and simultaneously embraces me with wonder.
I really love this piece, Spike! I'm happy you could help Lisa and that she could lend some comfort to you as well. Also, your mention of Dr. T reminded me of the Robert Altman film "Dr. T and the Women." I think it's from the early 2000s? If you haven't seen it, the film is about a Dallas gynecologist (played by Richard Gere) whose life is pulled in a million different directions by the women in his life — his patients, his daughters, his institutionalized wife, his love interest. No goats, but it's a film that is very much rooted in the stuff of life (without taking itself too seriously) in a very specific Texas setting! The film's screenwriter, Ann Rapp, is also from Austin.
Oh! I’m a fan of Altman but didn’t know about this movie. I will check it out. Truly an amazing experience to get to be present for Lisa. She continues to let me pet her—just a little but that’s way more than before our bonding experience.
Oh, and ps… if you scroll up you’ll see a comment from Placental Mammal. As I was reading the latest installment I was thinking I need to introduce you two! Here’s that article: https://placentalmammal.substack.com/p/mere-medicine
I connected so hard to this edition of the Crone Poems, Spike. I read it in bed with my freshly born daughter, for whose birth I also had a shoulder dystocia with on 2/20. as I read this I cried some very cathartic and releasing tears. I am sorry we are bonded in sisterhood over that shitty and deeply scary delivery experience but am grateful that you were able to have (and share with me, devoted reader!) some healing through being present with your animals and writing about it. Thank you. X
Katy!! You had a baby?!!! Oh my goodness! Congratulations!! Uncle Spike will gladly knit anything you desire for your daughter. Taking requests so don’t be shy. I am so so sorry you had to deal with shoulder dystocia, too. As I mentioned, it truly was the greatest trauma in my life and that’s saying something. I hope you are able to fully heal emotionally and dedicate no time to remembering all that and all of your time in awe of your baby. Babies are THE BEST!! I want you to know I’m very weepy just typing this. I am so grateful you are both okay. What a relief. Big love to you. Kiss that baby for me. ♥️
Amen! Beautiful post. I love that helping Lisa gave you the gift of self-compassion, and a little time travel. So healing. When I read about Bobby Jo's loss and her fellow cows coming to circle around her, I cried. Earlier this year I read the delightful memoir "The Wisdom of Sheep" by Rosamund Young, which had so many similarly touching stories about animals communicating and showing care and emotions. Highly recommend. Thanks for writing and sharing with us!
I was also a goat girl back in my tween years. My favorite was a Nubian named Mandy (H/T Barry Manilow). Her favorite shenanigan was to get up on the barn roof and forget how to come down. I recall many and evening sitting out with a flashlight and a banana trying to lure her down. The peel was the best part.
It was bananas.
I remember that boat ad because I, too, am a crone.
Hat tip also to Hilton, from whom we are now receiving a small monthly pension, thanks to my husband‘s seven years as a desk and night clerk back in the 80s and 90s.
I really love this piece, Spike! I'm happy you could help Lisa and that she could lend some comfort to you as well. Also, your mention of Dr. T reminded me of the Robert Altman film "Dr. T and the Women." I think it's from the early 2000s? If you haven't seen it, the film is about a Dallas gynecologist (played by Richard Gere) whose life is pulled in a million different directions by the women in his life — his patients, his daughters, his institutionalized wife, his love interest. No goats, but it's a film that is very much rooted in the stuff of life (without taking itself too seriously) in a very specific Texas setting! The film's screenwriter, Ann Rapp, is also from Austin.
Oh! I’m a fan of Altman but didn’t know about this movie. I will check it out. Truly an amazing experience to get to be present for Lisa. She continues to let me pet her—just a little but that’s way more than before our bonding experience.
I know Ann Rapp! She's the coolest. Now I have to watch the movie.
I love all of this and your resilience and how, if we let them, animals remind us that we are stronger than we think we are.
I'm also excited about the writing workshop at the ranch because I think I can actually make it!!
Living with so many animals has profoundly changed my life for the better. It will be SO GREAT to see you for writing workshop day!
Oh, and ps… if you scroll up you’ll see a comment from Placental Mammal. As I was reading the latest installment I was thinking I need to introduce you two! Here’s that article: https://placentalmammal.substack.com/p/mere-medicine
I connected so hard to this edition of the Crone Poems, Spike. I read it in bed with my freshly born daughter, for whose birth I also had a shoulder dystocia with on 2/20. as I read this I cried some very cathartic and releasing tears. I am sorry we are bonded in sisterhood over that shitty and deeply scary delivery experience but am grateful that you were able to have (and share with me, devoted reader!) some healing through being present with your animals and writing about it. Thank you. X
Katy!! You had a baby?!!! Oh my goodness! Congratulations!! Uncle Spike will gladly knit anything you desire for your daughter. Taking requests so don’t be shy. I am so so sorry you had to deal with shoulder dystocia, too. As I mentioned, it truly was the greatest trauma in my life and that’s saying something. I hope you are able to fully heal emotionally and dedicate no time to remembering all that and all of your time in awe of your baby. Babies are THE BEST!! I want you to know I’m very weepy just typing this. I am so grateful you are both okay. What a relief. Big love to you. Kiss that baby for me. ♥️
How I look forward to reading your writing! These stories are so human (or goat) as in life is sometimes hard and beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Amen! Beautiful post. I love that helping Lisa gave you the gift of self-compassion, and a little time travel. So healing. When I read about Bobby Jo's loss and her fellow cows coming to circle around her, I cried. Earlier this year I read the delightful memoir "The Wisdom of Sheep" by Rosamund Young, which had so many similarly touching stories about animals communicating and showing care and emotions. Highly recommend. Thanks for writing and sharing with us!
Was it this ad? https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/benetton-migrant-rescue-photos-advertising-twitter-sos-mediterranee-a8408666.html
Not that one. But thanks for helping me try to track it down.
Yeah I figured that one was way too easy for me to find
I was also a goat girl back in my tween years. My favorite was a Nubian named Mandy (H/T Barry Manilow). Her favorite shenanigan was to get up on the barn roof and forget how to come down. I recall many and evening sitting out with a flashlight and a banana trying to lure her down. The peel was the best part.
It was bananas.
I remember that boat ad because I, too, am a crone.
Hat tip also to Hilton, from whom we are now receiving a small monthly pension, thanks to my husband‘s seven years as a desk and night clerk back in the 80s and 90s.
I love every word of this comment. Bananas!! Hahaha.
I’m so glad someone else remembers that ad.