It is cold outside. Pumpkin couldn't handle more than a few minutes at a time, Carita never asked to be let out. Somehow she knew she should stay inside. I plan to stay indoor for the rest of the year (mostly) and plan my gardening year. I see myself as a micro-farmer and next year I will prove it. It has been so dry this year that I am crossing my fingers hoping that my fruit trees and bushes make it through the winter. It's their first year. I moved her from Minneapolis, leaving behind my fruit trees, bushes and flower. I've been her for 11 months now and I like it. The people are friendlier and the crime rate is nothing compared to that of Minneapolis. Anyway, I have to also plan how to generate income until I can live of my micro farm (1/6 of an acre). Yep, it is really tiny but there is more than enough space to grow a lot for myself and to sell at the Farmer's Market. I will probably not make enough to cover all my expenses this next year. Hopefully in a few years it will cover them all. I don't want to work for anyone anymore. Will I make it?

I had a hard time signing in. My user name would not work, my password would not work and I wasn't receiving the e-mail with the information. Then I tried reporting the problem and couldn't doing it because I could not sign in to add additional information. Round and round she goes in a loop. Finally after the third attempt, I got an e-mail with the information I needed to sign in. Not that I'm complaining (only a bit), free can't be beat. Also, I have worked with Beta versions of programs so I know things will not always go smooth. Except, that is, when you are a very well-known company that will remain nameless, then things will never go smooth. By the time things are getting better, they have a new Beta version to be tested by their worldwide customer base. Rip-off I say. Back to Google, I love my blog. Setting it up was so easy. Eventually, I will have photos--well maybe not of me, I don't like how I photograph. (What woman does.)
Last night, I attended the Great River Writer's group meeting. (I kind of, think of myself as a rookie writer.) I wasn't sure I would be attending until 12 minutes before the meeting. I have some self-doubt issues. Lucky, Little Falls, Minnesota is small because I had to program the recording of 'Prison Break', feed my cats, get my coat, gloves, etc and get there. I made it there at 6:29 with a whole minute to spare. As you can see, when it comes to TV viewing I am not a girly, girl. I better get going. Today, I woke up to rain and decided to stay in bed late with my cat, Pumpkin. No snow yet. I can't believe I am saying this, I want snow. Don't ask me in May if I still want more, I'd hate to hear myself swearing. I'm starting today's creative journey as soon as I post this. Wish me luck.

Finally! I now have my own blog. I ran into it by chance while trying to send a comment to a blogger about his wonderful art work. Surprise, surprise. I was wondering how I could set one up, without letting my kids know that I was this ignorant. Thanks Google. Who am I? I am a frustated artist. Frustated because I don't do much to create art, not that I don't have the ability but, rather, because I am too critical of myself. As a result, I don't do much, that way there is nothing to criticize. This last week I forced myself to do a watercolor. I call it 'She's so lovely'. I really think she is. Incredibly so does my daughter. How did I manage? I went to a web site that is mostly Dada art and suddenly it clicked. Art doesn't have to be perfect. So, I painted Lovely to look strange, not like any girl you see in real life. Guess what?--she had me fix her portrait. She was happy with the way she looked, except the lips. She asked me to raise the tip a bit into a smile. I did and there she was. A very pretty (in her own way) happy girl. Of course, she was so cute a guy who was watching TV just had to stop and look out his window. He was smitten. Lovely didn't even notice since she was walking her cats (on a leash) and waving at friends. This is the first piece of art I have created that I truly love. So the lesson is: Find a way to be less critical of yourself and things will work out.