Monkeys in the Mail

My friend Jan (blogs at Little Pink Houses) sent me MONKEYS.

Look at the packaging of these little guys. Is this not the most wonderful package to receive in the mail?
The artistic drawing of Banana Liqueur came with a warning...
"Keep your banana liqueur bottled up and those monkeys should be just fine." Ha! I have it in writing so if anything happens, my lawyers will know who to contact. I don't have any banana liqueur but I've got Adult Chocolate Milk (Have you heard of this?) I will have to watch these little monkeys. You never know what  they might get into.
Jan found the see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil monkeys at a garage sale because they reminded her of herself, my sister and me. She says she's the one who can't hear... but, according to the Prospector, I would have that honor. He thinks I should have my hearing checked. He doesn't know that I just have selective hearing.

 The last monkeys that Jan sent were monkey slippers and they are safely put away in a shoebox, in the closet, because Carl wouldn't leave them alone.
You have to understand that Jan and I have had a long standing debate on the subject of monkeys... their endearing qualities and their perceived similarities to humans. I have always been afraid of monkeys so I'm guessing that, in Jan's mind, I need to face my fears. I thought that I had "Faced my fears" when I watched all the Planet of the Apes movies. It was no help at all.
 I won't go into all the details but we have had this monkey discussion many times and I think that she believes exposure is the answer. Like giving someone who hates snakes a rubber boa or holding a real spider close to an arachnophobic. Yes, she's THAT kind of friend.
It's ALWAYS about monkeys! She must be a relative of Jane Goodall.

However..... These cute versions, of what I refer to as "Jan's Obsession", are something I can live with.
So... I asked them where there would be comfortable in my house.

They didn't like being on the edge of the begonia planter. Too precarious. 

They really didn't like sitting on the edge of the computer either. Too precarious... and  too much computer radiation. They ARE like the three of us. Worry, worry, worry...

This house plant was better. The view was good but that serpent made them nervous.

They felt overwhelmed by the big rabbit towering above them and they thought they might slip off of that rock.

So finally, after a lot of discussion and many opinions about which would be the "best" place to settle into, They chose this spot.

 They said that they could see me at the computer and were high enough that the dogs couldn't get to them.
I think that they liked the fragrance of the felted soap and the bear was something warm and comforting in their new home. It was the place that soothed their little monkey minds.
"Buddha described the human mind as being filled with drunken monkeys, jumping around, screeching, chattering, carrying on endlessly. We all have monkey minds, Buddha said, with dozens of monkeys all clamoring for attention. Fear is an especially loud monkey, sounding the alarm incessantly, pointing out all the things we should be wary of and everything that could go wrong."
 ( see the credit for this quote here. Good article!)
Maybe they will settle down MY monkey mind and remind me to speak with kindness, see clearly and hear others with compassion and understanding.
Thank you Jan. See you soon.

Conversation With a Goat

"Hey Dude! How are you" What's that? Something's hanging from your horn."
"Don't go there Farmlady."
What? It's just leftovers from where they cut the rest of the horn. I can get my scissors and snip it off. It looks a little ragged."

"Will I have to go for a long ride again?"
"No Brownie, The scissors are in the house. It's not a big deal. I just think it would look better if I snip that leathery stuff off ."
"Easy for you to say. How do I know it won't hurt? How do I know you won't try to cut the rest of my horn off?"
" I wouldn't do that, Brownie. You worry too much. Don't you trust me?"
( No answer)
"OK lets just leave it alone. It's better than before. I'm sorry I mentioned it."

"Farmlady?"
"Brownie, I have to go feed the chickens and get started on cleaning the garage."
"Farmlady?"
"What Brownie?"
"Thank you for fixing my horn. I can see things better now."
"Your welcome sweetie. I know you didn't like going so far away from home. You were a good goat and we were proud of you."
"I know. I really tried to be brave."
"You were sweetie."
"Farmlady?"
"What is it Brownie?"
"Can I have some extra grain tonight?"
"Well, what about the other goats? They might not like that."
"They didn't have to have to go for a long ride and have to go to sleep and wake up without part of their horn."
"Brownie, they don't have horns."
"Oh,.., yea..., well, it was very hard. I think that I deserve something extra for being so brave."
" I will ask the Prospector about it but I don't think we can give you something extra and not give the others some too."
"But they didn't have to be BRAVE. I deserve extra."
" I said I will ask the Prospector. You can only have grain when you get your trace mineral stuff. Extra grain isn't really good for you."
"Oh. I didn't know that."
" Well, now ya know, Brownie. Maybe, later, when the other goats aren't around I will bring you a cookie. Just one. Just for you."
"Just for me"
"Yes , just for you."
"Farmlady?"
"What, big guy?"
"Can I have two cookies?"
" Oh, Brownie...."