We live on a golf course, and over the years Bubba has filled at least four big biscotti containers to the brim with golf balls.

He has decided to start his own business.

In the wilderness between our yard and the golf course, we have carved out a tiny trail to a couple of stumps. Bubba likes to sit on his wooded hill where nobody can see him, watching the golfers, communing with nature. He searches daily for new errant golf balls.

Yesterday during his search he found one. He yelled up to me at the house to tell me, and a golfer heard him. The golfer offered him a dollar for a ball. Bubba happily agreed and completed the transaction.

Today, we marked the trail a little further down toward the golf course, Bubba made a bright pink sign (Golf balls for sale $1), and he brought out one of his containers of golf balls. He is open for business.

I was out there with him checking things out, and I realized that all the golf carts stop right there at the base of our yard. They don't see us unless we call to them. But they do see the sign.

I make sure the dogs are out there with him, especially Ruthie, who guards her boy with the ferocity of ten hungry wolves. And I can hear and see everything he does from the back of the house.

He can only go out there if an adult knows, and the windows are open. And he can't initiate conversations or go on the golf course.

Already he's back inside. It kinda boring out there, and really buggy. But he made $2 this morning.

My little magnate.

EDIT: He's up to $8 now. One golfer gave him an extra dollar so he could 'work on his location.' I guess Bubba scared him when he called from the bushes.