My manager let us off early because we're moving to a new building at work, so I took the afternoon to go shopping for garden supplies and bird/squirrel feed.

The previous owners left bird suet containers, a bird bath and two bird feeders. I'm sure the birds have been wondering where their food supply went when the previous owners moved out last November.

Today, while working, I saw a squirrel in my back yard for the first time. So, in addition to the birds, I thought it would be fun to feed the squirrels. I know the squirrels will be helping themselves to the birdfood, but maybe if I provide something more substantial, they'll leave it alone. Of course, the deer in the back yard will be helping themselves to my plants. They're on their own- I'm not providing them any additional food!

While at the hardware store picking up bird food, I saw a contraption that holds corn on the cob. It's on a spin-wheel type of device that looked like it would be entertaining (for me!) when squirrels try to eat from it. So, of course, I bought it.

I got home tonight and screwed the squirrel feeder to one of the trees, so that will be in plain sight from where I work during the day, and then I filled the bird feeders.

I can't begin to say how happy that made me.

I just saw my first bird eat out of the bird feeder, so of course I had to call BJ in to see it. That was 10 minutes after telling him to come look at the deer.

I think eventually he's going to get tired of answering to every beck and call.

I still feel like pinching myself when I think about this beautiful place. I can hardly wait to dig into the dirt tomorrow.