Yadkin Yard in Spring 2013

Wow, the Yard really showed off this Spring.  Here are the blooms on the old peach tree.  It blooms really gorgeous, did last year too, a dark pink all over the tree.

                                                   

  Yes, this is the same peach tree Farmer Lynn put crutches on once last year before the peaches came.

Sadly the peaches, though plentiful were only about the size of a half dollar. Farmer Lynn pruned the "old guy" back last spring, and again this spring.

 Next years peaches will come from the new growth of last year's pruning so we will see if the tree is past its prime and more ornamental now.


Other show-offs

 A Redbud

This is the fancy Weeping Laceleaf Japanese Red Maple. It stays low to the ground. I didn't think I liked it at first but I really do now. It's a pretty little tree. There are actually several varieties of Maples out here.  A Bloodgood Japanese Maple brought from my mother's yard, regular red Maples and green Maples that were already here, this fancy one, and Farmer Lynn has bonsai'd either one or two downstairs.

The adolescent Bloodgood from my mother's yard and one of the bonsai'd ones:

Here's one of the beautiful Encore Azaleas Farmer Lynn brought from the city, just beginning to bloom.  There are several azalea colors -- this pretty creamy purple, red, dark pink....  The previous owner clearly loved azaleas and they're so pretty this time of year. There are a few Rhododendrons also, in the south border.  I didn't notice what color they were last year and they haven't bloomed yet.

 

Beautiful iris, one of several that are a dark purple on the bottom and golden on the top. Gorgeous. Farmer Lynn had carried these around with him in pots for several years. They finally got back into ground and showed their appreciation for that --

This is tradescantia. This variety has regular green foliage and purple and blue flowers. I have the 'Sweet Kate' variety that I want to transplant from the condo over here and put just to the right of these. 'Sweet Kate' has bright lime foliage and will add nicely to this grouping.

and beautiful daylilies also --

 

The Yadkin Yard has been a very happy yard this Spring.  We look forward to the Summer now and the garden.

Beautiful Bird Nests Made From Gourds

In last year's August 18 post, "The Yadkin Yard is a Good Garden Yard - Part 2", we showed how well the gourds (among other plants) were growing all over the place.

So now after storing them during the winter, Farmer Lynn has made birdhouses out of a lot of them.

He sands the gourds smooth by hand with a medium sandpaper. Then he cuts a hole in them to scrape the seeds out and to  have a door for the future tenets. Then he hangs the gourds up and spray paints them with an outdoor clear paint.

They're just the coolest things!  The birds are really enjoying them.

Downstairs Cat is, of course, fascinated with this whole bird nest / bird activity process! From nest building by Farmer Lynn, and nest building by birds just outside his door and window. Spring brought new wonder to this curious little fellow...

Another of these is over in eastern NC at my daughter's (blogger TallGirl) house now -- I'll be going there soon and will check on any occupants!

Farmer Lynn hung up several of the bird houses around the north and east sides of the house.  They look nice and blend in with the natural area there. They get lots of welcome visitors. But the one that got the
the most interest was a bird so inspired by the gourd house design, it didn't wait for completion before it chose its gourd. A cracked gourd on the table Farmer Lynn was doing his gourd thing on. A wren built a nest and three baby birds was hatched, fed, raised, and flew from that gourd and it stayed on the table (much to the delight and interest of Downstairs Cat, whose window onto the baby birds is on the upper left of this picture!) Farmer Lynn didn't want to tear up the nest or move it when he spotted it, so he  "worked around" it until the family was out...

Pets and Vets and Animal Orgs

This post is about Nimbus, the 15-year-old kitty cat, about his vet, the Animal Ark in Elkin NC, and about the Yadkin County Humane Society and Yadkin County Animal Shelter.

We had to say farewell to Nimbus.  His arthritis had gotten too bad and then he developed a thyroid tumor and his heart began to give out.  He was still a very sweet loving kitty, but this was all too much and it was finally very clearly  t-i-m-e.  He was no longer responding at all to the vet's medicines.  If you live in or near Yadkin County, know that the Animal Ark in Elkin is the place to go for your house and farm animals.  They are just wonderful there.  They let me stay with Nimbus and kiss on him until his heart stopped beating.  He was a great, great companion kitty and is and will be missed terribly.  The other cat in our house, the feral cat Shadow, can't figure out how to act without Nimbus around to interact with.  She's trying hard to let herself get close to us in response to his absence.  This could be a turning point for her.  You can see her trying hard not to be so afraid, on the other hand it's part of her, being feral.  I've had her for almost ten years now, in the house but definitely still feral. That part will be interesting as it develops (or doesn't develop).

Nimbus Alyosius

The Animal Ark staff 

and two of their other patients. 

We are currently fostering Farmer Lynn's older son's almost-8-months-old kitten, Prince. Five is enough total mammals around here for me!  So although we'll probably end up with an additional cat (or dog), I always do, I'm not ready yet.

The local humane society is having a Pet Memorial Balloon Release on June 9.  I think that would help me to do that.  It would also sneak me in sideways at meeting the area animal folks. 



In addition, the Shelter is having an event at the end of this month -- 

  Whiskers & Wine 2013 is a Summer Social Event to raise money for the Yadkin County Animal Shelter in Yadkin County, North Carolina. This event will be held on Friday, August 30, 2013 from 6:00p to 10:30p at THE STUDIO located at the beautiful Hanover Park Vineyard in Yadkinville, NC. Make plans now to attend this spectacular event. Come and enjoy great food, great wine, live music, dancing, fabulous silent auction items and door prizes. For more information, please contact Alice Singh at 336.406.0965. Tickets will be limited, so please call for your tickets now.

Animal organizations, especially the rescue orgs, are near and dear to my heart.  My daughter works for the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina, a wonderful no-kill shelter.  I have not yet "gotten into" the orgs here in Yadkin County (other than to follow them on Facebook!), but here is some information on them.  Both the Humane Society and the Shelter have adoptable animals and hard workers.  I'm sure they would all love donations, volunteers, fostering and adopting folks.  

Yadkin County Humane Society,
Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yadkin-County-Humane-Society 
Adopt-a-Pet at http://www.adoptapet.com/adoption_rescue/72112.html 

Yadkin County is rural – rabies is more prevalent, and fewer companion animals are vaccinated and altered than in more urban areas. In order to combat these problems, we work diligently to see that low-cost spay/neuter and rabies clinics are available, and our members provide foster care to animals that would otherwise be euthanized until they can be adopted into loving, responsible homes. YCHS is a volunteer organization. We do not have a shelter or office space. All animals available for adoption are in foster homes with our members. Since we do not have staff or a building, our administrative costs are very low. This means more of the funds raised and donated go to the care of the animals. Hundreds of dogs and cats are rescued and adopted through Yadkin County Humane Society each year. Adoptable animals may stay in foster care with us weeks, months, even years before they find their forever home. With your help, through adopting, fostering, and donations, more animals can be saved.

Their phone# is (336) 463-4990.

Yadkin County has Animal Shelter & Control Services as part of its county government. Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yadkin-County-Animal-Shelter
Petfinder at http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC451.html

The Animal Control Section is responsible for enforcing State Laws and County ordinances pertaining to animals. The primary goals of the Animal Control Program are to:- Enforce animal control laws- Provide informational services to the public concerning animal control- Prevent the spread of Rabies

Animal Control is located at 1149 Landfill Rd in Yadkinville and their phone# is (336) 677-2500. The Animal Shelter has pets ready for adoption. The shelter is located at 1027 Speaks Street, in Yadkinville, NC, and is open to the public Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 12 noon to 5 pm as well as Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon. Their phone#s are (336) 677-2500 and (336) 849-7788.