As I get older, it gets harder to remember what it was like to be a child. Watching the goat kids reminds me of the joy of being young.

Adult goats and I are alike in some ways. There are serious matters to attend to.

For the goats those matters are mostly eating and raising their kids. For me they include eating, although I do less of that each year, taking care of my livestock which is family, writing, taking pictures and walking.

Kids aren’t burdened with these serious matters so much. Eating is important. The rest of life is exploring and playing. Everything is new. Everything has the potential for play.

Walking out to pasture the herd passes an old, broken sycamore log. We adults tromp by. Kids stop to nibble on the crumbling wood, jump on top and race along in their joy of being young.

The south pasture is a long walk. We adults set a steady pace, stick to the path and focus on our destination.

Kids stop to check out every plant, rock, fallen branch and blowing leaf along the way. When they get left behind, they race up leaping, bucking and kicking in their joy of being young and filled with energy.

Out in the pasture the adult does get to work eating grass and weeds. This early in the season the grass, even the fescue is lush and tender. The only sound is the tearing grass blades.

Kids nibble on this plant and that. They sprawl out to sleep. They run up the hill and descend kicking up their heels.

By the end of the afternoon the herd approaches the bridge on the way back to the pasture gate. The kids sometimes lead, sometimes follow. The does walk onto the bridge, cross and start toward the gate.

Kids check out the creek banks, the bridge planks, the water below, the rock slope beside the bridge. Inside the barn lot the gym is waiting for more chances for the kids to play.
The does take this as the way things are. I feel memories stir reminding me of the joy of being young.
Goat kids are part of the action in “Capri Capers“.