I'm sure your landscape lures more birds into your yard and makes them feel safer when they are visiting your feeders, Gary-. It's great to hear that you have so many wonderful species coming by. I get quite a few goldfinches at a time, too. They seem happiest in flocks, like the chipping sparrows do. But mine LOVE the thistle sock. They will eat sunflower seeds, etc, from the tray feeder, too, but the sock will sometimes be completely covered by clinging birds. Last year they emptied several completely. And they stayed until they were almost in full breeding plumage. It was fun to watch them go from grayish brown and black to brilliant yellow and black. Yep, they are cheerful little birds that brighten the yard, and I'm always sorry to see them go. But when they have buntings with them, both painted and indigo, it's even better. I noticed last year, btw, that the indigo buntings spent as much time picking through the grass as they did on the feeder tray. They were down there with the chipping sparrows an awful lot. Have you seen that, too? Marcia

Brush the soil and mulch away from the base of the plant and then put collars around the plant. Here is a link that might be useful: Win Free Garden Stuff

ROFLOL, you are tooo funny, though in general I agree with the premise. I had 4 hunting dogs (labs and lab golden crosses) who kept a several acre critter free zone around the house and gardens (with the cats keeping the rodent population under some semblance of control) . Unfortunately my last dog died a year ago Oct, and the wildlife has started to move in close. A raccoon attacked one of my kittens the other day (a dispute over a sleeping spot near the front door of the house) so I spent that evening hunting the raccoon. I didn't find the raccoon, but when I went out to the shed where we feed the cats, there was a big skunk eating from the cat feeder. The skunk looked up at me wondering why I was interfering with its meal, as I stood there debating if I should shoot it or not. A cat walked up to the skunk and started eating from the feeder, so I figured as long as we had peaceful coexistence, the skunk could remain. I knew I had a skunk around - the slight smell and every so often it would dig in a potted plant, and lots of places in the grassy areas, but I figured since they eat lots of grubs I could live with it. I have seen a possum drinking out of the water bucket at the hydrant behind the house. I have a lots of land and all the critters, and insects are welcome to make full use of that land, but I don't really want them around the house and gardens. The raccoons are the most problematical since they are most prone to violence, and cause coon hound disease, in addition to the rabies flare ups, so I tend to shoot them when I see them. So I guess it is time to replenish my dog supply.... I can sympathize with the folks being overrun by critters due no natural controls in place, but then they should be willing to put up with the predators who control those populations (I don't allow coyote hunting on my land, protect my sheep with electric fence). I was hoping to hold off getting dogs for a few years so we could do a little traveling, but I guess the wild critters are not going to allow it. -Rosalinda

STAYING IN MY PJ'S, ALL DAY! I love my flannels, and do this mostly in the winter months. Getting all 'gussied up' and going out to dinner at a 'fancy' restaurant with DD or friends. Talking with my best friend long distance for 1 1/2 hours!!! Bidding on a few of the internet auctions. Cruising the blogs! Having a Coke!!!(I never buy soda!!) Eating more than one Market Pantry(Target)cranberry/orange scones with my morning coffee OR a piece of chocolate cake! Making iced coffee in the middle of the afternoon and topping it off with whipped cream! Eating the chocolate cake in bed! Taking a nap on a rainy day. Driving down to the Quik Mart and getting an ice cream Drumstick. Making chicken/dressing or chicken/dumplings for myself. And of course watching ALL the Housewives shows, Bethanny's Getting Married!, Hoarders(and other Bravo reality TV!!), Hoarders~Buried Alive!, Kendra, The Kardashians, and other shows on E! Life is good! ;o)