Today I led Julia all the way from the barn to the milking parlor without the nose tongs. I held my breath most of the way. Twice she stopped, so I patted her head, rubbed under her chin and told her how smart and beautiful she was. Each time she walked companionably beside me until we reached the stanchion. Then, out came the nose tongs and in was dragged the cow.
And …
Today was the last day of the school year.
What more can I say?
Freedom.
Waiting for Thoreau 