With the onset of winter, I plan my time differently. The long, dark evenings and nights prevent my desire to garden or walk in the neighborhood. Restlessness, melancholy, and depression stand behind each door waiting for me to open it. I continually challenge myself to keep those "bad boys" at bay.

You may ask how, and it may be different for you, but I my answer is to keep my hands busy with lots of activities in the house. I don't want to spend money or go out at night. Instead, I focus on enjoying my home. This is particularly good as I've fit so much into it in the other seasons.

Each year I make a list of tasks to be done: weeding out and organizing rooms, drawers, closets, collections, and books. I make myself a schedule and plan for where discards will be go. Letting go of things is a goal, not because of aging but because of clutter. My mantra is that if I get rid of something, I can bring a new treasure into my surroundings. I know that is counter-productive, but it works for me.

"Busy hands are happy hands" has always been my motto. Doing a crossword puzzle starts my day. As soon as November comes, the jigsaw puzzle table goes up. A puzzle is constantly in the works. My favorites are 1,000 piece puzzles but every once in a while, I will take a break and do a 350 or 500 piece puzzle. I don't glue them together at the end but give the task of tearing a puzzle apart to the person who puts the last piece in place. I have found that if I have a puzzle out, anyone in the room usually tries to find a piece and add to the picture.

Knitting, crocheting, crafting, reading, and mending all become part of my long winter days and evenings. Playing board games join the mix when we have company. From Yahtzee or Scrabble to Dominoes (Mexican Train), I can usually match a game to our visitors. I try to shut off the TV unless a sport game claims the evening.

I hope you can find your winter's pleasure. You don't have to sit in front of the TV screen or wonder what the rest of the world is doing. By the way, the State Fair entry book is posted online in January. Check the categories and make a plan to enter the Fair in 2016. Write a letter. Try a new hobby. Sort through old photos and make an album. Take a class. Invite a neighbor for coffee or tea. You don't have to be trapped in your four walls. Look at your home as a creative playground. Enjoy it and keep warm.