In a message dated 1/15/2003 5:05:52 PM Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:

<< includes tape measures...the metal ones. >>

I've had more than a nodding acquaintance with cows this fall, since my work
has mainly involved recording historic Pennsylvania German buildings for the
Vernacular Architecture Forum conference.  A significant number of those
buildings include barns, and many of them have been working barns, complete
with the whole range of farm animals.

I must have been a good girl this year-- I didn't have to measure in the cow
muck. I pulled spider-man detail measuring hay lofts. My poor friend
Rochelle, though, didn't get quite so lucky. She had to measure ankle deep in
cow sludge-- really tiresome when you drop 50' of measuring tape in it.

Now.... measuring a chicken house while the chickens are in residence is one
thing-- at least the chickens tend to keep to themselves. But the cows are a
different story. Apparently Bessie thought the measuring tape looked really
tasty, and bit straight through a 25' metal tape while Rochelle's team was
measuring. With no ill effects.

-Heidi

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