How a farmer shovels snow

I love being married to a farmer. He has a no nonsense approach to snow removal. Notice how he piles it up on the garden area. Next summer, the potatoes will have extra subsoil moisture. Yesterday we spent indoors watching the snow and pretending we were at Big Sky. We didn't go skiing this year, since Mike chose not to miss more school. Believe it or not, he graduates in four months. He plans to go to college at UND.

My latest surge of interest is in the art of long arm quilting. When I saw how much beauty the

quilting itself added to the project, I was hooked. I researched long arm quilting machines and found a website that is a forum for long arm quilters. Such beautiful projects. The equipment to do it costs a lot, and takes space as well. Most people who do it are in business, getting paid to do quilts for others. I don't need another job. Can I justify it just for myself? I told myself I wouldn't decide until fall. It gives me time to make a good decision, not a spur of the moment whim. Me, impulsive?

The Power of Speech

I was impressed by the speech Obama gave at the memorial in Arizona yesterday. Carefully chosen words delivered with conviction and sincerity brought comfort and challenge to a sad and confusing tragedy. I am not a political person but I have great respect for my current president, and his wife and family. If you did not get to hear the speech, find it and read it.

I made the decision to join weight watchers online this past weekend. I got tired of listening to the voice in my head criticize me every time I look in the mirror. Enough. The program is simple to understand, and has clear guidelines. I signed up for a three month period. Time will tell. Part of me is selfish, thinking if I want to retire before 65, I will need to pay for health insurance, and I don't want my weight to be an issue on the pre-insurance physical. I just can't see being a doctor until I am 65. It is interesting, but so are a lot of other things. It is a profession suited to the young, energetic ones with passion and intellectual curiosity. I am more about contentment and creativity. That being said, I have to go take my vitamins and make rounds. Just saying, I have a dream too!

We have snow falling, adding a new layer of white over some slippery streets. I did buy winter boots last week, but my favorite snow activity is quilting. I took home some spring fabric to make napkins for a quilt shop blog. I used the scraps to play around with a "basket" pattern. The green baskets show up well, but the other sample is so scrappy that the pattern gets lost. I am learning.

It is quiet after the holidays and the house is plain after the tree and lights are gone. We are planning some serious spring cleaning and de-cluttering.

Of course, trying to sort the sewing stuff is hopeless. I can't resist the impulse to sew.