HOBBIES AND INTERESTS (691 views)
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Post by Catbatty on May 29, 2023 11:29:05 GMT -5
Decades ago I went through a period (when I was very broke) of down-ness (I guess). I clearly remember telling my friend that I had come to some odd point in life where I had ZERO hobbies. I could find nothing to interest me (except, of course, books, which I didn't count as a hobby for some reason). That was a real thud for me. I'd never, EVER, been without interests and hobbies. I guess I felt like I'd hit rock bottom. I finally hit on a cheap hobby, at the time all the rage, label and coupon collecting. It filled a need. I traded with other people via snail mail (this was before computer times)...and eventually got myself over that stage. TODAY, at a ripe old age, I find that hobbies and interests are saving my bacon (to say in a foodie way, LOL). I can't do some of the things I used to do. I don't take hikes. We sold the RV's. I'm not willing to camp and sleep on the ground anymore. SO, I *remember* all those joys...and relive them. (I sure miss them.) I can travel all over in my mind. (I now suspect that vacant looking old people who seldom move or appear aware, are probably somewhere in THEIR past...reliving and remembering...) Anyway: today I am so thrilled to have my interests. I still LOVE learning! I study art mostly...watercolors AND drawing. I buy art supplies, too many. I *love* watching art videos!! I am learning so much. EVERYDAY!! A whole world of SEEING opened up to me when I began my adventures with art, decades ago...and it's still all NEW to me. It's a study and interest that never seems to die out. Why? I think it's because we can never know it all. I swear I am constantly saying things like: OMG! I never knew that!! Or: OMG, I never thought of doing that. OR: OH, how simple...but that 'thing'...whatever tip...has never entered my mind!! And of course, there is always my RECIPE collecting, computer stuff, Mastercook use, recipe groups that I belong to (several mailing lists where folks input recipes, many already formatted to bring right over into my huge Mastercook software collection. AND, there is YOU ALL!! I have always adored our old CLBB and GFF people and their many posts.  And reading, always a love, both on computer and on Kindles. (Real books are harder...magnifier needed much of the time.) Love that electronic reads let us UP THE FONT so we can read more easily as our eyes grow weaker!) I even enjoy...gasp: HOUSE CLEANING. SO, what about YOU all? What are YOUR LOVES?? What are YOUR reasons for living? YOUR DELIGHTS? What would you LOVE to know or do or collect or....  ?? |
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Post by wallycat on May 30, 2023 11:40:20 GMT -5
I enjoy reading, a lot. Exercise (yoga, walking, etc.) have been a part of my life since I hit 21 and read Dr. Cooper's aerobics book.
Dh introduced me to target shooting, hunting and fishing. I love fishing more than I ever imagined since I tend not to be an outdoor gal...who knew.
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traildoggie
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Post by traildoggie on May 30, 2023 14:37:34 GMT -5
I still have a lot of activities like mt biking and road riding. still enjoy hiking although shorter than the marathons I used to do. xc skiing. birdwatching. gardening. enjoying taking college courses on dvd. like cooking but not as adventurous as I used to be. I can't afford the calories,lower activity levels mean not many indulgences. I'm basically on WW for life. DH doesnt like spiciness. I do. instant conflicts. I dislike travel especially air travel and would rather not go than deal with planes hotels and restaurants. the older I get the less I want to deal with people and its hard to travel and avoid people. for quiet time I like puzzles and word games.
what is going on here to cause such a drop off in participation? I've been sidelined with some medical issues and havent been here that often but what the heck? where is everyone, not that there were millions but ??
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Post by Catbatty on May 31, 2023 17:45:20 GMT -5
Yeah, Traildoggie, I've been wondering the same. I know we have lost a few people due to health. But, you would think others would check in once in a while. Go figure. I plan to send those who are active here still a private email with names of recipe mailing lists that I belong to. That way, IF we die out, we will still have places to meet up and keep in touch. Interesting stuff you and Wallycat wrote. Aren't we all SO darned different? Wallycat, who isn't an outdoor kind of gal, has come to enjoy things she never thought she would. (I LOVE THAT!!) Life, to me, is so much more enjoyable when we can learn and enjoy! I think it's pretty much over for us when we stop that.  (I have a friend who has come to that point. It breaks my heart. Part of her problem is isolation and part is health. Her eyesight is almost completely gone and that makes for all KINDS of problems. She lives far from humanity and she is elderly. Almost every alternative that either of us has been able to think of meets up with severe stumbling blocks. Frustrating.) But your not flying really struck me...and the reason is: I am same...no flying for me...however for completely different reasons. (I would enjoy destinations...and RESTAURANTS! (I love restaurants. I just finished listening to Anthony Bourdain's 'Restaurant Secrets' and gee. He makes it sound like they hate their customers. I just can't believe that. It doesn't jive with all the stuff I read in cookbooks, etc ARE we all that boorish and self-important?) So, it's the people...the crushes of people...or just people in general? (I am a hermit...but an extrovert...which confuses everyone I know. I love holing up...being left by myself...indoors mostly. ALONE feels so good to me. I grew up that way. (Folks both worked full-time...brother was long out ot the house...him being 14 years older.) I spent most of my youth alone...not many kids around and often, I didn't want to play with those that were. My next door neighbor here, in over-55 community, is a hermit. She thinks I am more of one than SHE is. But I love getting out and seeing all my friends...out and about...the workers in the thrift shops and markets I frequent. I love watching and meeting people. I'm a real people person--WHEN I AM OUT THERE! (I should mention that I have spent many hours/years in public...civic activities, leading groups, CAR SALESPERSON, secretary and clerk (both at diff times) at Intel, some modeling, even some freelance writing/interviewing. Not afraid of public speaking, etc. SO, it's not like I can't. I suspect I've worn lots of that JUST OUT. I revert to fav way I like life--choosing who I want to be around and who I don't..for one thing AND, JUST BEING ALONE OFTEN.) I would like to hear more about your take on all this, Traildoggie. Your answers are intriguing so far. INTERESTING. Some (I can't think of the word)...ying and yangs (for lack of any better word...I'm stuck).that don't seem to go together. Like the ww and yet exercise lots.) Like not enjoying travel..when most people seem to crave it. And for such interesting reasons! Catbatty |
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Post by Catbatty on May 31, 2023 18:05:05 GMT -5
HEY, EVERBODY ----- COME ON IN...AND JOIN THE CONVERSATION! WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? HAVE YOU CHANGED FROM WHERE YOU STARTED OUT? HAVE YOU LEARNED? ARE YOU ADVENTUROUS? DO YOU DREAM OF TAKING ON SOME NEW HOBBIE OR INTEREST? BTW: I have found out, by lots of researching and studying, that most things in life are EXPOSURE. If you don't expose yourself to things, you can't be expected to know about them or even have much interest in them. AND ESPECIALLY: NO faith in yourself that you can DO them, etc. Case in point, art. I think we all grow up comparing ourselves to 'real artists'...and figure we just don't have the talent. BUT IT'S NOT TRUE. Very few people are BORN to art. What you most often see in a painting or work of art represents someones HOURS AND HOURS of practice and thought. EVERYBODY makes awful looking mistakes. That's how we learn. Mistakes or goofs or silly messes are GOOD THINGS. So, please don't shrink away, if you think you want to play with art...do NOT say: I can't draw a straight line! WHO CAN? NOBODY. |
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Post by Catbatty on Jun 6, 2023 16:39:41 GMT -5
Traildoggie: I forgot to say -- why I don't fly. TERRIFIED. I love, adore, watching planes, in real life, on tv...almost to the point of weird. YET, I am a wreck about flying and it makes zero sense. I know all about the odds, etc...the safety of flying over driving. But I also know that I have little control when flying and that feeling of helplessness doesn't help me. On the way to Hawaii, but isle seat husband stood up a bit and loomed over me...leaning towards my window and pointing out of it...and TO ME, it was like the plane would ROCK towards the window and go down. I begged him to JUST SIT DOWN...NOW! I AM TERRIFIED!!! He had had no idea that I would react that way (honeymoon). We got me some booze. Lots of it. (I think I was hungover for one week of the trip. Could barely eat. Everything tasted bad.) DO NOT ROCK MY BOAT! (BTW: right after our trip that Aloha plane had the top come off and that poor stewardess sucked out. THAT DID IT FOR ME!!!) (AND, they had to FLY that way...completely exposed, no top on plane...all the way and to landing. OMG)
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Cher
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Post by Cher on Aug 11, 2023 14:04:24 GMT -5
I'll join you in this. Interesting because I am looking at retiring this December, and I was thinking the same thing. I need some hobbies. I do love to read..and have many books on my kindle, but I don't look at that as a hobby. PLUS lately my DH has been hating me reading. (You know...it takes my attention OFF him)~ I think that just living my life....raising my kids while working fulltime was just so encompassing~it left little time for myself. I lost 'myself''. Then later after my kids were older, my father moved in (Grampi)~and that added a whole nother dimension. Dh retired...and 3 years later came down with colon cancer. Last year was 3 operations, and at this point he's cancer free~but the last 2 years have been really tuff. I was supposed to retire earlier, but with him on my health insurance that wasn't in the cards. I agree that learning is so much fun. I just took an acrylic painting class at our local art center. It was FUN~and while I'm not a professional, I thought it looked damn good~! I had been painting before my Dad moved in, and I had so many prints I donated them to an assisted living place and told them to use them for Bingo prizes...and pitch the rest. I'm NOT good at crocheting, nor knitting, so that's out. So that's where I am....looking for hobbies. |
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Post by wallycat on Aug 11, 2023 17:46:24 GMT -5
I'm going to start a tai chi class in September. Not sure how long I'll go but it would be something I can do at home. I've been doing yoga for decades and really like it. I wouldn't call it a hobby, but it is time to center, benefit from stretching, and slow the mind (when I do it with intention).
Cher, I'm so sorry about your DH's cancer and I hope he remains in remission. My DH has metastatic prostate cancer and we're on a second treatment and watching/waiting. SO hard. We are able to fish again this summer/fall, so that makes us both happy. We each caught 2 fish the last 2 days. Pink salmon. Delicious!
We also put down our last cat--I guess that means I can bring out the yarn and start my knitting from years ago, LOL.
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Post by mcgee on Aug 11, 2023 17:48:34 GMT -5
I will be retiring next year as well and have been thinking I need some hobbies too but don't know where to start. DH and I used to golf a lot but I quit because it became so expensive and DH finally gave ,it up due to his bad back and knees. I'm thinking of doing some type of volunteer work but I don't want to have to get on the freeway to get there so that limits me . |
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traildoggie
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Post by traildoggie on Aug 12, 2023 23:18:25 GMT -5
Catbatty would you believe I never saw your post and from last may?. no idea how I missed it.
I dont think our interests are much alike. I used to travel all the time for work, was in sales and technical training for a medical company. so I flew and I flew and flew some more. and stayed in hotels, motels, and drove all over the place. ate in restaurants. Um mostly vegetarian so that was a challenge. travel wore me out! I got thoroughly sick of the general public. when I see pics of the crowds in europe lined up in masses, swarming over the attractions like ants at a picnic, lined up to see machu piccu, I absolutely gag. I hate that kind of thing. if we cant go to a place and be pretty much alone, I dont want to be there. even national parks are workable if you get out early in the morning. even if the "place" is not as famous, if its peaceful and not buckingham palace, I prefer it. I can see pics of those famous places and take a pass on actually going there. w
I love food but restaurants , not much. I have a bad grass allergy so golf was never a thing although I tried it and did fine but could not stop sneezing. I did yoga for quite a few years, liked it but I kind of topped out and wasnt improving. DH and I like to road ride and mt bike. I'm a decent hiker but a lower back problem right now that needs fixing surgically, so hiking much is on the back burner for a while. our main vacation time when I was younger was backpacking or day hiking in mountains all over the west but that has gotten too popular to enjoy a lot of places now. used to be a wonderful private vacation but not anymore. damn internet ruined most lovely spots by broadcasting locations that used to be obscure. we try to avoid mobs by going early and off season but had to add new activities too. we will fly if we have to but prefer driving/camper so we can eat decent food and sleep in quiet conditions. we xc ski and snowshoe. not a big fan of water/ fishing, or water sports but will do them in the right conditions. we mt bike and find that a good way to get away from crowds and it makes destinations that arent worth hiking to but good to ride to. I like taking college courses on how the planet and the world work, like geology and other earth sciences. Im a fan of wildlife watching and birdwatching. we have a vacation house in MT where its still possible to get away from crowds in the mountains if you choose carefully. in my relaxing time I like word puzzles, crosswords, sudoku that kind of thing. I still like to cook but cant enjoy desserts, cheesey things much anymore I work hard at maintaining a decent weight for my short stature and that doesnt allow for a lot of indulgences. its not fun doing sports if you are lugging a lot of extra pounds, so I stay in the 130 range.
my worst nightmare of a vacation? a cruise and/or forced to spend a week in some city looking at old buildings and quaint little shops. OMG no.
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Post by wallycat on Aug 13, 2023 9:29:32 GMT -5
Forgot to mention, our little community started a wine tasting club. I may join. I've not attended a lot of indoor stuff because of covid and my DH's immune system, but maybe I can start going.
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(I have a friend who has come to that point. It breaks my heart. Part of her problem is isolation and part is health. Her eyesight is almost completely gone and that makes for all KINDS of problems. She lives far from humanity and she is elderly. Almost every alternative that either of us has been able to think of meets up with severe stumbling blocks. Frustrating.)
