Spatter

Humane Society Fair

Yesterday was the Floyd County Humane Society fair.  Their timing was perfect...the first day in a long while without rain.   Off we went to see what it was about. 

One of our first stops was to get a pencil sketch made of Shaynee.  The artist really captured her essence well.  See her trademark visor?  You can't tell here, but the artist even got Shaynee's crooked little mouth just right. 

Next stop was to watch some dog games.  All the pooches were having a blast.

Other goings-ons included dog bathing...

Nail clipping...ain't Shaynee adorable!

Bubble blowing...

and just some hanging around...

Shaynee approved of the whole affair.  She took a moment to reflect...

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and then, soon after, we left. When we arrived home, we found our hay had been cut. Fluffing and baling will follow.  There should be plenty...all the rain produced a lush field. 

Camera Critters - Perplexed Pooch

 

bydamanti 


More Camera Critters found here

Photo Hunt - Books

bydamanti 

This kid was studying the baseball program book so intently that he reminded me of my grandfather who used to do the same.  It was nice to find that everything hasn't gone electronic!

More Photo Hunters found here

Flashback Friday - Birthday Celebration

Yesterday was my birthday...number 57.  Lordy!  I had a lovely day...working with the earth and a nice lunch at a local cantina.  Quite a different sort of day than the birthday I had when turning 50.  It seems like only yesterday that I was celebrating with golfing buddies:

It's almost odd looking at this.  One woman has since passed away and another is in advance stages of cancer.  While we mostly keep in touch, we're no longer the tight-knit group presented here.  Ages and stages.  I recently read a quote I thought was worth remembering:  don't be upset because something good has ended...instead...be glad that it happened. 

Strutting Along

bydamanti 

It's great to be back in Floyd.  Lots of rain, but everything is so lush from it.  There has been a bit of a break, so I went for a walk and planted some wildflowers.  Not a bad way to spend a birthday!

First Full Day

My first full day back in Virginia is coming to a close.  The past day and a half have been filled with catching up and putting away.  I threw in a massage too...just for good measure!

I'm happy to report that Blackberry Ridge looks good!  The wet winter/spring  here has made for lots of green and healthy flora.  I arrived just in time for a break in the weather, but then, almost as soon as I got my car unloaded, the rains returned…clouds  came blowing through the sky outside our windows and the wind made its way through our hay.  It was very pretty to watch.  We spent most of the rest of the day in a cloud...perfect for keeping me inside and keeping my nose to the tasks at hand.

While still cloudy, the weather today has been less wet...just periodic showers.  As a result, I was able to make some initial observations about Blackberry Ridge:

• The irises are over...I'm just seeing them as they fade on the vine
• One of our dogwoods is about to bloom.  Judy reminded me that when we got the two dogwoods, we purposely got one that was a late-bloomer so we would be sure to get to enjoy
• All the trees look healthy except for one Japanese Maple and our oak.  I'm very thankful for that given the deer damage we had last fall.  Interestingly enough, the oak was one of the trees not hit, and that's the  one looking bad. We've called our landscaper out to take a look and see what she thinks.  If not good, hopefully we'll be able to get it replaced at no cost.  We had a year's warranty, but I think that technically was over last month.  
• Our road's in pretty darn good shape. The overnight rains finally created a couple of wash outs, but all in all, it held up well over the winter. I'm thinking I won't have to put much money into it this year.  Hot dog!
• There are just a few hummers so far, but the other birds are plentiful. Already I've seen a cardinal, an indigo bunting, goldfinches, and house finches at our feeders.  Judy thinks she saw a red-shouldered hawk today too.

Tomorrow, if the weather breaks some, I hope to get outside and do a walk about.  I definitely need to start getting in shape!

 

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Back In Floyd

Arrived in Floyd yesterday afternoon to wind and rain.  The place looks good and green and I've already seen an indigo bunting, cardinal, and of course...our hummingbirds.  It's good to be here! 

I don't think I mentioned it before, but a week or so ago Shaynee had a set back...couldn't walk.  Another dose of sulfur got her going again, but she's not gotten back to the place she was when she first got up here.  I could tell she had regressed some yesterday...she was all excited to see me, but after that initial spurt, she was quiet the rest of the day. Judy and I are both very sad and concerned...but we're still not without hope.  In the meantime, we give her all the love we have.

I've still got lots of settling in to do and calls to make, so save other thoughts for another time. 

Wordless Wednesday - Backyard Hummingbird

bydamanti 


 

Hitting The Road

I'll be incommunicado for the next week or so as I make my way up to Virginia.  I might be able to check in, but I doubt it...and if I do, it'd more likely be for a visit and not a post.   

Rain!

The good news: steady rain has come to Florida and is forecast to stay for several days.  God knows we need it.  The bad news: steady rain has come to Florida and is forecast to stay for several days.  I need to load the car.  And it's also throwing a curve in my plans to stop for a photo hunt at Viera Wetlands in Melbourne as I head north.  Guess I'll play that one by ear.  As for the loading...well, that's got to get done...one way or the other.