Odds and ends about my life here in Olympia

Kathleen Anderson

I read with interest a recent Thurston Pets Project column by Trish Lynn and Thom Donitz, in The JOLT, of course, about popular pet names and to my delight I found our dog family was in the top five for the state of Washington. Luna is the number one choice and the name of my great-granddaughter’s pup.

Bella was number two and as you should know by now, if you are a regular reader of this column, the name of the smartest dog in my world. My great-granddaughter was very impressed with this information as well, since she named her dog and helped me name mine.

Once again, we have been clever – by accident.

For some reason, this information led me to another discovery. Ever since I was informed that we have redwood trees on our property, I have felt sure I was living in a redwood forest—long a dream of mine. So, I decided to take the plunge and ask Google if my assumption was correct.

This is what I found:

“Our Nation’s Forestry Inventory and Analysis program defines forest land to be at least one acre in size, have at least 10% tree cover or formerly had such cover, and be capable of regrowing trees”.

We live on three acres with a bazillion trees, so I feel I have met this definition. Okay, maybe only 50 trees, but I am still in the ballpark. Thanks to the creek behind our home, which occasionally runs in the winter, we were also told we are considered “wetlands.”

I am having the best day ever.

I believe I have also mentioned previously we are down to two chickens from twelve. I am reduced to buying eggs and I am not pleased with this turn of events. Our neighborhood owls, hawks, and raccoons, on the other hand, are fat and sassy.

There is a tree growing through the chicken coop roof, so this was the obvious place to safeguard. Thanks to the dedication of my son-in-law’s detective work, we believe we have plugged every hole, nook, and cranny in the two-room chandeliered chicken coop that came with this place, so it is now safe to bring in the next batch of chickens.

Squeals of delight now accompany the non-stop chick chirping every time the great-grands pop in to check on their well-being, which is several times a day.

The chicks currently reside in the family room. “The Six,” as they are currently known, live in a dog crate and will remain there until they grow enough feathers to go into the coop. They will then have their own room until the hens and chicks become comfortable with each other.

By the time they move outside they will all have names, thanks again to the great-grands. I will never remember who is who and they will patiently identify them for me a few times, after which they will give up all hope and ignore my mistakes.

Google once again enlightened me, this time about chicken coops with chandeliers. They are defined as “Designer Coops”

Now that I live in such a magical place it feels like I should reevaluate my fashion style.  Maybe I should invest in designer jeans with rips already in place. And hats – definitely more hats.

Well, truth be told I already have ripped jeans. And I have an egg apron with twelve egg pockets. I have boots and gloves, hats and sweatshirts, and bandanas. Really everything I need to live in a redwood forest with wetlands, a designer coop, and the number one and two of the most popular dog names in the state.

Home at last…

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