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How many hours did I spend in that barn, keeping my distance from hooves and swishing tails as my story-telling, lovable grandfather worked ~ while the kittens were allowed up close to the action? He said more than one kitten lost it's life risking a drink of milk straight from the source ~ that was his reason. And cats are quick, and they have nine lives. (But mostly, I think he loved watching them while he did it, and there was only one me.)

I was allowed to get close to the cows on the other side of the manger, however. They didn't mind at all when I stroked their smooth faces while they ate. They would watch me gently with their soft brown eyes with their envious long eyelashes and then use their tongues as a hanky.

Farm girls develop a thick skin.