For those who have never done it, snowshoes have no learning curve, and they're really great for beginners. For cross-country skiers, you should have some experience, because it's un-groomed, backcountry trails.

We look for signs of wildlife, like coyote or squirrel tracks, and if it's a clear day, we'll see some birds. It's so very quiet, and we might even be breaking trail.

Before this learning experience, I had assumed that with regard to programs that sought to help people out of poverty, the political world was essentially divided into two camps: conservatives who opposed these for a variety of reasons, and liberals who supported them.

Learning is as much an attitude as it is an activity.

We must master many subjects in order to implement our dreams. Our personal journey begins by gathering appropriate learning experiences and awakening our minds to observe, evaluate, and recall what we experience.

But on those occasions when I do strongly disagree with the Democrats and I don't say anything, I think I forfeit my right to have people pay attention to me when I say the things that I don't like about what Republicans are saying.