Back Yard Pond 

Dear Reader, Have you any idea how much pleasure a back-yard pond can give you? I have a small one that I enjoy all year round. My oldest grandson built it for me one summer when he was too young to have a regular job. He was able to do this by reading instruction books. Not only am I enjoying it, but the birds are too. In the summertime when I am sitting outside reading, or writing letters, or doing handicraft quietly and listening to the splashing of the fountain, the birds will come for a drink or a bath and never pay any attention to me. This is a real thrill. When winter comes, my daughter-in-law removes the fountain pump and installs a heater. This way the birds can use it all year. The water attracts them and they stay for the birdseed as well. It's fun to see all the varieties that come. This past winter was an exception however, because there weren't many birds. Having my pond makes me feel quite smug as I watch my neighbors continually adding water to their birdbaths and consequently doing more cleaning. I buy water plants that keep my pond clean. My daughter-in-law has a larger pond so that she even grows gorgeous water lilies and has goldfish sharing the water. Now doesn't this make you wish that you had a pond too? Grandma