Goat Song

I read my wife to sleep every night, and our selection of books has varied considerably over the years. Humorous and non-humorous murder mysteries, science, sex (non-fiction. Like Bonk, which I recommend. I'm not willing to read porn or profanity. Some of the murder mysteries get edited as I read.), self-improvement and relationships, sci-fi, even some Marcus Aurelius. Some books I've read the equivalent of three times, re-reading where she has fallen asleep and from having read ahead on my own.

Anyway.

Right now we're reading Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, A Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese by Brad Kessler. My brother and I had a pet goat when we were kids (no pun intended).

We're kind of Mother Earth News types what with our garden, hens, sheds, and two fenced acres that used to contain a couple goats, so the book attracted me, and the library had it. I picked up the book for myself, but after reading the preface, I had to include Val in the reading. 


The first night she was still awake after an hour, and it was getting late, so I pulled out Marcus Aurelius' Meditations and she conked out in two minutes. 


I can't recommend the book enough. If you have any interest in linguistics, living close to the earth, goats, cheese, or getting out of the rat race, you have to read this book. These two New York City professionals found a vacant farm in VT and moved there, deciding to raise some goats and make cheese. He's a professional writer and she's a photographer. No pictures in the book, but he did his research, and the book is full of insights into our culture's roots in pastoralism, both linguistic and social. Their day-to-day adventures and community connections are informative and touching. For the first time, today, she wanted me to read to her in the morning before we got up.


You have to read this book. Read it to your spouse.