So Many Dishes

When I retired from teaching, I never thought that I’d have as many things to occupy my time as it’s turned out. There’s no way I can name a single favorite hobby or pastime, so I’m going to talk about several.

I no longer teach music, now I make music for fun. I love that it’s something I do with Ken, who’s a drummer. We’re part of a wonderful music ministry group. As members of a Unitarian Universalist congregation, we’re doing music that’s not traditional “church music.” So I might channel Billie Holiday one week, Billy Joel the next, and sing some Mozart the following Sunday. I enjoy being stretched as a musician, and am thrilled that my voice has lost very little at an age at which I expected to no longer be singing in public.

Then there’s my love of photography. My last cellphone upgrade was entirely because I wanted a better camera. Most of my photos are of plants and flowers that I take on our walks. But I go crazy taking pictures when we travel.

For the past year or so, I have enjoyed the hobby of diamond painting. It’s a craft that I find very relaxing. Of course it’s fun to see a design to completion, but I enjoy the process, so I’m not in a hurry to finish paintings. For me, it’s a meditative practice. I listen to relaxing music and enjoy the quiet time by myself.

I hope your hobbies and pastimes are just as enjoyable!