Ellen - I keep my critter mix up on the deck outside the porch, near the bird feeders. I definitely don't want the deer to get me back on their radar, it becomes to hard to get rid of them in the Spring. We have a wildlife corridor just a short walk from our back door that supports a very large herd, and I know there is someone along there feeding corn. As long as they continue, the deer stay in the woods. Our bigger concern is the coyotes and fox - people with small pets have to keep a very close watch. My daughter's neighbor (on the other side of the creek) lost a tiny dog last winter from her fenced in yard.
I have been watching the perching birds enjoy the coneflower and rudbeckia seeds in the snow on the flowers I left standing this year. The blue jay is too heavy and bends the plants to the ground - boy does he get mad.

No walk today - a fine snow is falling on top of the ice left from the last storm. Will go help my daughter pack her dishes and books instead.
Sue