Colehaus backyard, July 2018 © Colehauscats.com
On the backside of summer here at Colehaus, things are hot and dry, as expected. A lot dry, actually, and that’s the problem. We’re setting temperature and dryness records in our area for the third year in a row and personally, we’re toying with the idea that, perhaps, we should give up watering the rhododendrons and ferns and moss that used to grow everywhere naturally on its own, and allow the backyard to transition from a cool, forest-y zone to one reminiscent of a high, dry meadow.
Last month, a neighbor removed six overgrown (and messy) trees from his backyard, thus eliminating all early morning shade in our backyard. We loved the burgundy color of the trees, but hated how those leaves clogged our fountain filter every year. The lighting is different back there now. Our backyard is much sunnier than it has been in nearly two decades, and drier, and we have view of a fir and maple-covered hill we hadn’t seen since 2003. Pretty and very open, and we do love neighbors who finally take interest in upping their property conditions. The openness and seeing that neighbor’s house will take some getting used to. Can you see the difference in the photos?
Colehaus backyard, August 2018 © Colehauscats.com
Neighbor cat J © Colehauscats.com
Elsewhere, neighbor cat J went from not caring one whit about people to being a real lovebug. We think Rose Ears and her three babies scarfing down J’s food over at his house morning and night have something to do with that behavior change. And gee, look! These neighbor’s will put out good food just for me! *purr purr purrrrr*
Speaking of Rose Ears . . .
Well, hello Rose Ears © Colehauscats.com
Well, hello there, Rose Ears! You’re looking chipper this morning. Babies still sleeping?
Here’s a 70-piece online jigsaw puzzle of Rose Ears photo above, courtesy of JigsawPlanet.com.
Rose Ears at the squirrel nut box © Colehauscats.com
Don’t mind me. I’ve got a nut box to raid. *crunch crunch*
Colehaus side yard growing in 2018 © Colehauscats.com
The last part of our property to be landscaped is finally growing in. Remember what it looked like back in 2016 when Mom physically removed about 70 yards of dirt and had to rerun sprinklers from being tangled in cedar tree stumps that Dad took out with his trusty Saws-all? It’s unfortunate that Dad can’t add that skill to his resume. Sadly, there’s not much call for urban lumberjacks in the software quality tech industry.
Colehaus side yard during work, 2016 © Colehauscats.com
Ugh! Are we ever glad that three-year project is over!
Mystery Cat © Colehauscats.com
Mystery Cat still visits occasionally. Mom sees him some mornings when she’s out deadheading flowers. We’re pretty sure he lives around the corner behind us and looks very well taken care of. He won’t have anything to do with us; he takes off like a shot if we make a single move or sound, and that’s just fine with us.
Winston Wally Olly © Colehauscats.com
Wally Olly/Winston shows up nearly every evening for a snack, but only if the temperature is reasonable. He’s got a good sleeping spot somewhere because his fur always feels cool to the touch.
Lastly, here’s some flowers around our yard, including a first ever sunflower we allowed to grow and mature. Our soil has always been too shady and wet for any to grow well before.
First sunflower, 2018 © Colehauscats.com
Here’s a 70-piece online jigsaw puzzle of our sunflower, courtesy of JigawPlanet.com.
Sunset Echinacea, 2018 © Colehauscats.com
Lilies, 2018 © Colehauscats.com
Bumblebee on Chive flower, 2018 © Colehauscats.com
Finally, tomatoes, 2018 © Colehauscats.com
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A Colehaus Cats flashback:
2017 – No post
2016 – MultiCat Monday
2015 – No post
2014 – Farewell to a Legend
2013 – No post
2012 – Pia’s Spay Day!
Looks like everything is going well with the yard. And we agree, Mystery Cat looks pretty darn chunky to us.
OH MY CATS this is a fun packed post.
You have a zoo and a botanical garden within a stone’s throw
Hugs madi and mom
Your yard is so lovely.
Maybe it’s time to think up some other bush/tree planting that would again screen the view of your neighbors, plus get a bit more shade again. Our backyard neighbors cut down a plethora of weed trees, that screened their yard from our view too. I’ve ordered Quint art!
Our property over there is sloped and not terribly tree friendly, however, the neighbor is in process of planting about 30 arborvitae trees along his fence line, which should block his house view in about four years. Plus, the extra light our star magnolia receives since he took down his overgrown trees ought to help it fill out even more. Thank you so much for ordering a Quint art!
wavez two everee one two day frum de land oh trout….
guyz….yur gardin iz total lee amazing….quint, dood, we can see why ya like strollin out ther N why de naybor catz N crew stop bye….total lee kewl witha cap a tull Z ….we due hope ya get sum rainz coz frank lee, we think see in all thiz iz way better N a dry meadowz…ya noe…
pee ezz…tell dad ta putz lumberjack on his resume; it will make it stand out frum de rest 😉 ♥♥
The garden is looking awesome! Although it does sound like some changes are in order to adapt with the current landscaping and climate.
Your backyard is amazingly wonderful and so are your visitors!
What a lovely gardent ! It’s been hot and dry here too, and it looks like we’ll have to get used to this in the future… Purrs
That’s what we’ve heard here, too. This hot, drought weather may well become the norm every summer.
I kinda like the yard before the neighbors came into view….
Your yard looks so great! We can see why all the neighborhood cats and raccoons like to visit.
Things are looking good in the Colehaus Garden! And so are your visitors!
Thanks for taking us around to see all your visitors and residents! I wish we could have given you some of our rain. – Tom x
Purrty flowers and with those trees gone you can see your naybors too!
The garden looks beautiful. Thanks for the puzzles.
We have a sudden fence arrive here. The upside the rottweiler on the other side isn’t likely to visit. The fence is a lovely pale pine (yuk).
We are so late for Wednesday’s hop can you believe it!
The Dash Kitten Crew