I will be honest: My writing productivity hasn’t been the best this year. At times, I stressed over my mute muse and felt like I was not creating anything, but then I realized I had, just not for the public eye.

This summer, my focus was on building a new backyard deck and creating an area for wildlife. It was a welcome distraction after losing my brother. We removed trees, built a privacy fence, tore down the old deck, and purchased a new pergola. I used the steel bars from the old pergola to hang the bird feeders, making Ts on the stumps we had the tree removal crew leave. I hung multiple feeders for seed, suet, and peanuts. We even added a feeder with a camera. The bird bath was moved, and I added a small tub for other critters to have an easy water source.

This project took months of work. I am proud to say I built the deck part completely by myself. Due to headaches, I couldn’t work every day, but it slowly came together, and I am delighted with the results.

I have gotten so much enjoyment out of watching all the birds and critters who come to visit now that I wish I had done something like this years ago. I sit outside every day and watch who comes and goes. A little jolt of happiness fills me when I see a bluebird fly past with a peanut in its beak, followed by tapping sounds as it lands in a tree and breaks into the peanut shell. Watching the black squirrels grab a peanut and run around the yard to find a place to bury it, only to search for it later when the “Nut Bar” has run out. The smile I can’t stop when the goldfinches and chickadees decide to grace me with their songs. The grunting of the grackles when they decide to come in droves. I think we have had a few dozen at times around the feeders.

Months ago, when we started this project, a lone female turkey would visit and peck around under the trees. Edna (I felt she needed a name, so I wasn’t just saying, “Hey Turkey, how’s it going?”) disappeared for a while, and I thought perhaps she found somewhere new to go and didn’t think much of it. When she reappeared with not only a friend (Agatha) but also with a slew of little ones between the two of them (Fourteen to be exact). The turkeys have been showing up daily for a drink of water and poke at the seed that has fallen from the feeders. Eventually, the gaggle moves into the trees and shade, some lowering to the ground for rest, others pecking for more food. Edna, Agatha, and their broods will hang out for a while, perusing the yard before venturing out. I know turkeys aren’t smart and are only here because of food and water. But I like to think that Edna remembered the comfort level and brought her little ones and a friend to enjoy it as well.

So you see, I have been creating. My husband and I created a new environment for not only us but also for the feathered and furry. My favorite spot is sitting on the new patio, watching the action, especially after filling the feeders. I still plan to paint murals on the fence, but that will wait until next spring. I recently purchased some native flora to plant, hoping to bring more bees and butterflies around next year.

Creativity is about doing something that makes you feel good, whether anyone else sees it or not. It is about doing something that makes you smile when no one else is around. Anything that you accomplish that brings that kind of smile is priceless. I often think if people had more time to do these little things for themselves instead of being consumed with work and making money, our world would be much more emotionally healthier.

Unfortunately, not everything ends well, even when life starts feeling substantially better. Penelope disappeared. We suspect coyotes. She has never wandered far from the backyard for the past seven years. Visiting the neighbors behind us was a regular occurrence, and they didn’t mind. We searched our property and surrounding area and found nothing, not even a body. Our hearts have been heavy without her sashaying around the house, announcing her presence in every room she entered with her tiny mewl. Even though Cooper seemed only to tolerate her presence, his behavior shows that he misses her too. She left a big hole inside the house and in our hearts.