Friday

While we were milking this morning, Melissa left the parlor. A moment later the herdsman came into the parlor and started talking to me about duct tape. The herdsman doesn't usually come in w/o a purpose so I was a little surprised ... and suspicious. This morning it was cold - temps hovering around zero. I'd seen this same scenario twice before - only on very cold days. Melissa would leave, the herdsman would come in. Melissa would return, the herdsman would leave. Today, after the same thing happened, I went to verify my hunch. I removed one latex glove as if it had a rip and headed for the utility room to get another. There I was met w/ the scent of air freshener - not something (surprisingly enough) commonly used at a dairy - plus the hint of smoke. I deduced that, in inclement weather, Melissa was taking her smoking breaks in the utility room's bathroom. The herdsman, who knew her from a previous working relationship, was keeping me occupied so I wouldn't find out. I was irked. Not that Melissa was breaking a rule (as long as it doesn't harm a cow, I mind my own business), nor that they considered me a stoolie who would rat to the owners. No. I was upset that they thought I would be fooled by such a transparent ruse.