Ye Ole Billy Goat!

When I was about 9 years old ALL I wanted for my birthday was a goat! I have NO idea why but I wanted a goat and nothing else would satisfy me! I begged and pleaded but it wasn't looking good for me. At least that's what I thought! The day came and I couldn't wait for daddy to get home to see if he bought me my goat. He drove up and parked just outside of the carport. He got out of the car, brought his lunchbox in and put it on the table and looked at me as if to say, "WHAT?!?" I said, "Well?" Hesitantly, he escorted me out to the car and opened the trunk! There was the most beautiful goat I'd ever laid eyes on! OH DADDY! You got me a goat!!! I was overjoyed! His name would be Billy! WOW! How original was that! As I write this I can't help but wonder, what on earth was I thinking? Anyway, I had my goat and we tied him up outside so he wouldn't get away. Later that night, he chewed through the rope and was on top of the car glaring through the kitchen window at us eating supper. I thought it was the coolest thing ever but my daddy was NOT so happy with Bill! He didn't implode right then but it would happen later! My little brother, Lance, was about 6 years old and still in diapers! (NOT REALLY) I guess he must have been about 2. Anyway, mama used cloth diapers so the clothes line was always a sea of white, whipping in the wind. Well, this was just too much temptation for Ole Billy and he ate about a dozen of them. HOLY COW! This could be a problem! Well, a few days later, daddy decided to fence off a corner of the barn to make a pen for Ole Billy and I helped. We got it finished and put Ole Bill inside. I'm sure I gave him a big hug and then me and daddy headed down the hill to the house. Well, before we got to the road, Ole Bill came running up beside us! OH MY! Daddy looked a bit flushed! He turned a color I had never seen before! This didn't look like his happy face! Oh well, once again I thought it was the coolest thing ever because I realized I had an EXTRA SPECIAL goat! One that could escape from anything my daddy built, AND DID! I also had a little dog named Yippy (who everyone loved) and he followed daddy everywhere he went......very soon, Ole Billy would tag right along with them. My daddy really tried to feel something special for Billy but it just never happened. No matter how hard he tried, in the end, he loathed that goat! Unfortunately, I didn't get to keep Billy for long. It seems he was meant to roam the planet and no matter what we did, we couldn't manage to make him stay in a pen. So......daddy sold him to a band of gypsies! HA! Not really! But I'm pretty sure he would have if they they'd happened by! Years later, as a tribute to me and my daddy, Alfred Burt would buy me a goat for my birthday! OH YES HE DID! This time I was NOT amused! I had long ago grown out of that stage and didn't think it was a very nice present. My daddy, however, thought it was hilarious! All he knew was that goat was going home with us and he didn't have to worry about it. After about a month, I started speaking to Ferd again!

God bless you all and don't forget to laugh! It'll keep you healthy!