I do the grocery shopping in my family, and most of the cooking. Maria does most of the farm chores, especially in the bitter cold. I have fallen down too much on the ice, I get distracted taking pictures and don’t look where I am going. There is a slick coating of ice just under the snow – dangerous to walk on.

I like to shop, I’ve gotten good at planning our meals and working within a food budget.  I know the supermarket inside and out, I’m on good terms with the fish man. In the winter, I always bring Maria some flowers for her studio from the market, she always ends up bringing them into the farmhouse so I can see them too.

I got her some tulips last week, and today, as a read cold wave hit us – high winds, – 10 wind chill – they tulips opened, just in time to bring us some color and light.They seemed to be waiting for the afternoon sun, I was happy to see them.