Although she probably wouldn't describe it as such, Cora Jenkins Ironton back yard is a menagerie.

A walk around her home reveals dozens of geese, roosters, rabbits, a few deer and a dog named Odie. It's not only a collection of real and porcelain animals, but a living tribute to her family.

Jenkins has been without her parents for almost a decade, but she's never far from a reminder of them, and more than 50 years of history that they shared in the home.

At the center of it all is a 6-foot-tall windmill that looks as if it would be just as at home in a miniature golf course as in a leaf-covered back yard.

&#8220It came from Columbus, it was for mom and dad's wedding anniversary, but I don't know which one is was,” Jenkins said. &#8220After we first went and got it, that's where it landed, and it's been there ever since.”

The windmill has plenty of decorative company. Jenkins yard is lined with her mother's collections of wind chimes and wooden geese. One of her benches is kept warm by two wooden dolls whose faces have been painted on flower pots. They are charmingly named &#8220pot heads.”

Soon, the plethora of collectables will be joined by the annual holiday decorations.

&#8220We decorate every year, they'd been decorating for years and years and years,” Jenkins said. &#8220Before she passed away, we tried to add something new every time.”

Jenkins won't have to do the work alone, she'll soon be joined at the house by her sister, niece and her niece's children.

&#8220They love to come down here,” she said of the young ones. &#8220They don't get to come down here often.”

Once they've arrived, Jenkins said, they'll all adopt an animal for the duration of the trip – and they'll have plenty to choose from. Jenkins cares not only for rabbits, geese and chickens but also three to four cats (depending on the day) that occasionally stop by.

Jenkins said that after they retire, more of her brothers and sisters are planning to move back to the area, and Jenkins can't wait to share her menagerie with even more family.

&#8220I've lived here since I was six years old,” Jenkins said. &#8220This is my home place.”

The Dart is a weekly feature in which a reporter throws a dart at a map of Lawrence County and finds a story where it hits.

(Editor's note: The Dart normally appears every Monday. Technical problems delayed the publication this week.)