Being a perfectionist, I want to do things perfectly, the first time. But that’s not the way it works—for me at least. I usually need help. Critiques have become very dear to me. I look forward to hearing how I can improve upon what I have written or done. Critiques are an invaluable part of becoming better at what I do. Kind and gentle critique inspires me to try harder in whatever I attempt. Even an unkind criticism can move me to grow if I accept it as a critique of my performance and not of my personhood. There’s the rub. Sometimes I let it get to me. Maybe some day I will be able to accept criticism perfectly…all the time. For now I accept the self-criticism that I do not do it perfectly. But I do know that criticism is a very positive force in my life and has made me a better person.

I learned something new today: how to add pictures to my posts. Here are a couple of our grapes almost ready to be harvested. It’s been a great year. It promises to be very good wine.

nest in the grapes

pinot grigio