Renewal and enjoying the rest of winter

Kathleen Anderson

The new year always brings new beginnings, and this year is no different. I have a new puppy, Bella Rose, so I am dealing with new puppy things like potty training and puppy roughhousing with the dogs that were here when she arrived.

I have yet to raise a dog that came when he/she was called, so I am not sure this one will be any different, but hope springs eternal.

My grandkids, who live next door, just adopted a puppy also, so she and Bella are having a great time playing and exploring together, running, tumbling, growling and squealing indoors and out.

Willow, my great-grandson, has started toddlering. In case you have forgotten, this is the stage where the babies begin to stand and walk on their own. I call it toddlering because they bob and weave while deciding if they will take a step or return to their hands and knees.

It has been my observation that babies never really walk. They always seem to go straight from toddlering to running. If there is anything better than a baby running toward you with a huge grin on their face, I have yet to see it.

That being said, when you put a toddlering baby together with puppies racing around underfoot, you definitely have to watch your step when in their vicinity.

Our chickens are not impressed with the recent additions to our families. For one thing, Bella is part Heeler and loves to try to herd the chickens back to their coop. Our chickens are free-range and were here before the puppies, so you can see the problem.

The good news is, so far, the eggs keep coming and with the price they are listed at in the stores, we consider ourselves pretty lucky.

We also have a new batch of baby squirrels, which I found surprising. I always thought of springtime for birthing, but apparently, they are born whenever they please throughout the year.

Prairie, my great-granddaughter, and I have been up to our elbows making bird feeders by rolling pine cones in peanut butter and bird seed and then choosing which tree to hang them in.

Both of the great-grands have started swimming lessons, so videos help share the experience with those of us who don’t attend the sessions.

The rainy weather may keep some of us indoors, but the puppies and little ones love it. Rain gear, boots and hats protect the kids and I spend an enormous amount of time drying the puppy off with towels.

Games, coloring books, artwork and playing dress-up also fill our days, while we build memories, share laughter and snacks and applaud new feats for everyone involved.

I have nine grandchildren, eleven great-grands and one great-great-grandchild, and I adore them all. But for me, the best times are when they are little, and everything is new to them…reminding me of the joy of discovering life all over again. It’s almost like I am seeing it all through their eyes for the first time.

They remind me of the importance of playing, of watching, listening, and learning new things. And through them, I am young again.

The quieter times are the best. Winter, for me, is a time of renewal and rest. And planning and gentle playing…something I have time to do now. And with any luck at all, I will never run out of grandbabies to do it with.

Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia.  Contact her at  kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below.