Hi Gary,
I'm sure that it's very frustrating to have someone you love not understand where you're at.
Perhaps you should tell your wife, that however silly it may seem to her, you are working on being the best person you can be. You could be doing worse things.
Surely such a goal is beyond ridicule!
Let her know that it's hurtful and that you would appreciate her support. Maybe she doesn't realize that you're serious and are enjoying what you're learning. If you tell her how you feel, I'm sure she'll realize that ridiculing you when you're pursuing a worthy goal is what's "weird and idiotic".