January and February at Keppers

Like the two - faced Roman god Janus, We look back at the year behind and forward to the year ahead. After briefly celebrating our successes, we focus on the on the areas we could improve, and set out to change, tweak, refine - to move ahead.

This year we are analyzing and deciding which areas of the business are sustainable and which are not. Some of this became apparent while doing tax preparation. As we shift direction, we need to zero in on not only working dilligently, but also effectively. As Ken says. we need to get real.

After tax prep, there is the seed inventory and deciding what we should order and from whom. Each year we try some new experimental varieties,and we abandon things that just don't work for us. We have tried artichokes and okra in past years. Stay tuned for for new items in 2010.

Ken continues to tackle things that he didn't have time to do during the busy growing season. It takes time to organize before starting new projects.

Once the seed order and taxes are done, I have a small window of time and energy to reclaim work areas from projects I have set aside - mending, witing, reading and projects I want to get to do like weaving and making gourd shakers and other percussion instruments.

The winter is a time for quiet, internal growth. Like the seed in the ground, growth and movement may not be obvious, but it is about to become so!