Over the next little while, I’ll be weaving in pages from our real-time move diary, just as they were written, dusty boots, surprise animals, tender moments and all. Think of this as a living chronicle of becoming, a way to capture the messy magic of landing in a new place and learning its rhythms day by day. I’m sharing it as a series so you can walk it with me, one entry at a time. Settle in, grab something warm to drink, and welcome to the beginning of this chapter. 🌿☕️
The movers got quite a show along with their day job yesterday. Things were going beautifully, even with the sweet surprise of arriving to find a donkey and two extra goats alongside the two goats and pig I’d been expecting.
The extras are staying with us for a week or so while the old owners wrangle their move to NY. Moving is hard, y’all.
After feeding everyone their dinner to the best of my ability, instructions would have been lovely and helpful, we were cozied up inside unpacking and directing the movers when I heard an enormous metal crash.
Our new friend Gary the pig had decided to jailbreak. He broke the gate clean down, sending me running full speed, in sandals, naturally, towards the 600 lb pig. I chased him, trying to lure him with peaches, did I mention we have the most abundant peach tree at the new house? Brian dashed to get a bowl of feed.
Somehow we got him back in and the gate semi-secured, which was the exact moment our new neighbors came over to check on us. Shocked to hear that Gary broke out, they were equally shocked to watch him do it again. Except this time Churro the donkey also escaped.
I’m bear-hugging the donkey to keep him from wandering off, Brian is scrambling to find any kind of rope or lead, none left, of course, Little B, 5 years old, runs to grab the one apple we have, and we do manage to coax Churro back into the fenced area. Meanwhile John, our new hero neighbor, runs home for tools to fix the gate.
I dash off to find A, aged 7, helping Donna, the other half of our wonderful new neighbor team, trying to steer Gary back home. Honestly, he just decided to turn back on his own, I don’t think there’s anything we could have done to convince him.
He meandered back towards his pasture, vaguely tempted by a bowl of feed, some tossed peaches, and a banana.
Eventually, everyone was secured and settled.
The gates seem sturdy now, at least as I check every hour or so to make sure everyone is still tucked in where they should be.
And that’s day 1.
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