Bovid Ungulates, & the Sus Domesticus
Friday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
As mentioned yesterday, Our Lady of the Pentacle announced that she wanted to hug a cow and that she had purchased tickets for an AirBNB experience to do that very thing. We drove about 45 minutes to the Clark Farm, where the cows awaited. They host small groups of ten at the farm, and have a waiting list. It’s a ‘thing.’
As is the case with any ‘tour,’ a liability waiver needed to be signed and a safety talk given. When our host warned that cows often step on people’s feet, my eyes grew wide in horror.
At no point subsequently was I closer than ten feet to one of them. Not ankle safe, cows, is the message I ‘grokked.’
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This critter is a member of a special breed, the Scottish Highland. Our host handed out large metal combs to all the attendants, excepting myself. I had no intention of putting my still gamey ankle anywhere near these literal beasts, and I had the camera in my hand. Zoom lens, zoom lens.
Everybody else seemed to be enjoying themselves, so I decided it would be appropriate to wear a smile. I had to stop smiling because there were a lot of flies.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This cow was – apparently – incredibly pregnant, and would be dropping her calf soon. That made me even more ‘ankle nervous.’ This was difficult ground to walk around on as well, muddy with hidden cow pies and deep holes where the cows had left footprints. I was being ‘ultra’ careful.
Glad I wore an old pair of Merrells though, I tell’s ya. Straight into the trash when I got home, and we both brought a clean pair of shoes with us for the ride home after anticipating the poop walk. Yuck.
Nature is gross. There’s a reason our ancestors paved over everything.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This one was a baby cow. Everybody loved petting the baby cow.
I loved taking a picture of people petting the baby cow.
I tried grinning again, but it scared the baby cow.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
There were other, adult but not incredibly pregnant, cows hanging around in a patch of shade offered by their barn, and they were busy yelling about something. Mooing, and such. ‘Not ankle safe’ thought I.
I’m not joking, I actually think like this now.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Just as we were gathering around the gift shop and preparing to leave, a pig (the Sus Domesticus mentioned in the title) appeared and seemed quite unhappy about the general situation.
Back next week.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
The Newtown Pentacle 
Cow-hugging, eh? OK, to cover this we have the subtly update adage: “To each their own.” As for the late-appearing pig, do you suppose this was a call for PIG-hugging? “To each &c,” but I think this could be one step too far. Cheers, Ken
furiek
August 23, 2025 at 2:59 pm