I spent the day working in the yard today. I accomplished a lot; filled one compost heap full, built 2 new ones, took down an old one and sorted out what was viable to go into the flower beds, pruned several big roses and transplanted some plants.

One of the things that is important in my garden is having a safe, healthy habitat for all the critters that come around. For years now I've fed the birds and squirrels on my front deck. My grandkids like to feed them when they come to see me and then watch the animals come. They take turns getting myriad pictures of birds and squirrels that come to eat. I get a trade off with the animals. They eat things I don't want here and they help my plants by nesting and hiding in them, and they are such a pleasure to watch.