Ode to the House Finch.

It's snowing outside. The thermometer reads well below freezing. And the little birds with the brightly-colored chests are filling up on seeds and grains just outside the glass that divides their world from ours.

For a wintry day in February, when it seems like the entire world is suffering from a dramatic economic hangover, it's more than a pleasant surprise to walk to the window and find the house finch - with all his siblings - eating his share at our feeder.

It's like that for me. There's a heaviness in the air. You feel it. I feel it. But underneath it all, there are still signs of hope and joy and beauty. And most of the time, they're under your own roof, or just outside your window, waiting to catch your eye.

Kiss me, Kate!

This past week, Devin has had a fun role in the play, "The taming of the shrew," playing the wild woman Kate. Here are a few snapshots from the event.

If I Were Mitt Romney.

(Editior's note: Politics are still driving me crazy. Only now, they are becoming much more dangerous. Mitt Romney has been showing up on the news channels and it just doesn't feel right. Since I'm a Mitt supporter, here's what I would do if I were wearing his shoes - or if I ever had a second to whisper in his ear.)

• I would stay away from the news show circuit. When Mitt shows up on the news stations, it looks like he is either posturing for the next presidency - which no one is emotionally ready for anyone to do at this point - or it looks like he's ready to condemn the current administration - which is already in need of condemnation, but it's too early for him to do that too.

The point is this: Anyone who shows up on the scene right now risks looking all too anxious.

• If I did make on-air comments, I would mark my words. Thank the president for his hard work. Tell the public you have great hope in the American people, the American dream and the new administration. Candidly say you have a few doubts, but sprinkle the conversation with optimism.

• Go do something really spectacular. Save another Olympic games. Put millions back to work with a few strokes of brilliant corporate maneuvering. Just stay out of the lime light when your are making great things happen for the working people of America. And keep your PR people from spreading the word that you've done something remarkable, or you'll seem disingenuous.

• Let the public find out for themselves over the next few years that you're working miracles again. There aren't many things more contrived than sounding your own horn. When the government plans that are currently in the works begin to fall hard, the public will call you back to Washington, and that's when you'll have your best shot at winning the big prize.

• Forget about politics. You lost the race because you tried to sound like everyone else - and you failed at that. Work your magic like you do in a board room and let America respond.

• When the time is right, show us how wise you are. We're all looking for someone to guide us, someone with the wisdom of John Adams. I'd take a wise president over a smart one any day. We've had some really smart presidents in my lifetime who have caused a whole lot of problems for our country.