Every so often, Jim and I are invited to go spend a week with our granddaughters, caring for them while the parents are away.  This is something we look forward to every time.  It is something that we never take for granted, because you see, these little people are very special to us, and always will be.

However. . .  what we didn’t realize the first time we came to “visit” was that along with the grandgirls, there were a few other “creatures” who needed caring for too!  Oh my goodness, life on the farm is quite exciting at times, to be sure.

The chickens must be let out in the morning for their, uhummm, constitutional. . .  but it doesn’t end there!  Come dark-thirty, they must be put back in their little house, and the door fastened tightly to keep the o’possum and coyote from getting in.  And of course they must be fed, and watered too!  Now watering them is quite interesting since the water has a propensity to freeze up in this northern countryside!

Then there are the cats.  These range in number from ahhhhh, shall we take a guess and say maybe twelve to twenty?  The funny thing is that with these particular cats, they are all orange and white!  Well, except for the one who is an odd black and orange combination.  They come running any time the back door opens and wind around your ankles like yarn for a scarf.  More than a time or two, I’ve been tripped up and had to take a running leap to right myself before I fell flat on my face!

Ahhhhhhh, but then there are the grandgirls.  .  .  now this is what makes it all worthwhile.  They rise with the dawn with eager smiles on their faces, ready to take on each new day.  One goes to school and must be gathered and fashioned to make a splash in her own special way.  The other loves having jammy days and keeps us all on our toes with her wit and fun.  Then of course, night time arrives and it is time for baths, bedtime stories and snuggles.  The end of a perfect day is to rock a sweet smelling little girl as she giggles and tries to find ways to keep her lids from closing. . .

And then there is the Grandoc, who for the life of himself can’t seem to decide if he is here to work, to play, to hunt, to eat, or just to enjoy life.  I think he has decided most recently that with a little bit of all of the above, this is what makes up the joy of life!!!

The Grandi just keeps things going along as smoothly as she can, and finds ways to bring smiles and happiness on the face of all.  It might be a good meal, a batch of fresh cookies, or a fun movie and a pan of popcorn.  Altogether, the time in the country ~ with the parents gone ~ is like a breath of fresh air for all.   We likely break a few rules, but hey, who’s keeping a record?

You really should try it sometime!!