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General Category => Grab Bag => Topic started by: Lillycache on July 03, 2012, 03:14:57 PM

Title: What interests you?
Post by: Lillycache on July 03, 2012, 03:14:57 PM
So much is said on this site about living our lives, separate from our ACs and GKs and finding happiness in ourselves.   I am curious about all of you.  What is it that captures your interest?   What is it thay you would love to do if you had the time or money?  I'll start..

I have two major interests.  One is animal rights and welfare.... the other is politics.

I donate money and products to my local animal shelter.  I am always combing my basement and garage, as well as garage sales for items that can be used for the care of these poor helpless creatures.  Last weekend, I put together 6 cages that were stored in my garage (left over from my parrot breeding days) and brought them to the shelter to help them house small animals, birds and kittens.   They were thrilled to get them!!!    It made my heart happy.  If I had more money, I would send regular donations.  If I had the time I would volunteer there as a caretaker and perhaps a foster mom for needy and abused animals.  As an RN, I believe I could use my skills to help injured animals heal.

My other interest is politics, particularly on the Federal level, but I have some interest in my State's politics.   In deference to the culture of this board, I will NOT devulge my political views.  But suffice it to say, I am a total ideolog and donate to my party. I stay up on what is going on in Washington, and I regularly call my representatives and my Senators to express my views and how I would like them to vote on issues.   If I had the time I would run for local office to try to make a difference.  Sometimes I am outspoken, but try to be gentle... lol!!   It's not easy.

OK... Your turn... what interests you?
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: Lillycache on July 03, 2012, 03:19:14 PM
Oh... I forgot to mention that I am an online Scrabble freak.  I have games going with partners all over the world.  It helps improve my vocabulary

On the lightest of notes... I am addicted ton Computer  hidden object games and solving mysteries.  It keeps my mind sharp and it is a pleasant diversion.  It passes the time and puts me another world... when I need to be.
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: pam1 on July 03, 2012, 04:35:23 PM
Good idea for a thread, Lilly!

I am also interesting in animal rights/welfare.  We have four dogs and shelter/foster dogs.  Our family is very big into this.

I'm also back in school now for a second degree!  Working on my third career field.  I love to learn and love studying any new theories and debating them. 
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: Lillycache on July 03, 2012, 04:58:12 PM
Quote from: pam1 on July 03, 2012, 04:35:23 PM
Good idea for a thread, Lilly!

I am also interesting in animal rights/welfare.  We have four dogs and shelter/foster dogs.  Our family is very big into this.

I'm also back in school now for a second degree!  Working on my third career field.  I love to learn and love studying any new theories and debating them.

I also have four dogs!  Three rescue and one Stray.  I have a Beagle named Homer.  A Beagle/Aussie mix named Peter.  Then there's Izzy my Goldendoodle and Monroe my Shitzu...   However I have Four cats too!   This time three strays and 1 rescue.   Belle... the leader of all things 4 and 2 legged..   Mitzi, Jack and Carl.   

How wonderful to be back in school.  I have been pondering going back to be a Vet Tech.  So far it's just in the pondering stage
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: luise.volta on July 03, 2012, 06:41:10 PM
I thought I would share about our Wildlife Care Center here that saved a little bird that broke its wing hitting my window.:

www.sarveywildlife.org

More later...but you all know that my three Websites are one of my main interests: www.MomResponds.com  :D
www.AgingWithWisdom.com  :D and of course, www.Wise WomenUnite.com  :D
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: Begonia on July 04, 2012, 06:37:35 AM
I work on hiking trails around the country and locally.  Tomorrow I will go out with a crew to clear a section of trail that is completely blocked from a recent storm. 

I would encourage everyone to check out the American Hiking Society  website for trail opportunities around you, or work with your local park and rec folks.  It is very fulfilling to make accessible trails and to help ensure that trails are safe for hiking.

http://www.americanhiking.org/ (http://www.americanhiking.org/)
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: luise.volta on July 04, 2012, 11:01:51 AM
B - Fascinating! Good work and thanks!  :)
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: Pooh on July 05, 2012, 11:56:53 AM
Right now my favorite thing to do is jump on the back of our motorcycle and hit the backroads for several hours.  We have more fun stopping and talking to complete strangers in Mom and Pop stores.

Something that I have always wanted to do, Lol...I would love to be a tattoo artist!
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: constantmargaret on July 05, 2012, 05:15:12 PM
I am into bicycles. Always have been. My DH and I are preparing to sell our house and take off on our recumbent bikes on a year long tour. If that goes well, we'll do Europe. We participate in an online reciprocal hospitality group in which touring bikers stay at our home overnight during their trips. We're hoping to do the same while we're on tour.

I am also into music. Right now I'm in love with the ukulele and spend time listening to and learning old nostalgic tunes to serenade my husband, who is a rock  drummer. hahahah, what a pair.

I have an upholstery shop and love tearing into an old piece and figuring out how to make it clean and new. I also love to knit hats. I love reading and watching old reruns of good shows like Dick Van Dyke, All in the Family and Frasier. I like my hot tub and spend a lot of time out there looking at stars in the light of the tiki lamps. I read forums too, probably to my detriment.  :-X
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: pam1 on July 06, 2012, 03:57:30 PM
Quote from: Lillycache on July 03, 2012, 04:58:12 PM
Quote from: pam1 on July 03, 2012, 04:35:23 PM
Good idea for a thread, Lilly!

I am also interesting in animal rights/welfare.  We have four dogs and shelter/foster dogs.  Our family is very big into this.

I'm also back in school now for a second degree!  Working on my third career field.  I love to learn and love studying any new theories and debating them.

I also have four dogs!  Three rescue and one Stray.  I have a Beagle named Homer.  A Beagle/Aussie mix named Peter.  Then there's Izzy my Goldendoodle and Monroe my Shitzu...   However I have Four cats too!   This time three strays and 1 rescue.   Belle... the leader of all things 4 and 2 legged..   Mitzi, Jack and Carl.   

How wonderful to be back in school.  I have been pondering going back to be a Vet Tech.  So far it's just in the pondering stage

Well, dang.  I thought I had a lot of animals.  Shooo, I don't know how you're dealing with two beagles!  I have one that is part beagle and she is insane :)  I'm hoping she'll settle down with some age but she is showing no signs of it.
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: constantmargaret on July 06, 2012, 04:35:34 PM
Beagles...GAH!!

I had a beagle pup who loved to eat underwear.

One day he left 2, count 'em, 2, thongs on the front lawn. As in pooped them out. At once! Explained why he was moaning and groaning the entire night long.....
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: pam1 on July 06, 2012, 06:21:53 PM
LOL constantmargaret!  I can relate.  This beagle loves to eat anything.  We've went to the er vet 5 times in her first year.  The worst part?  She keeps going back for the same things that makes her sick every time.
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: Lillycache on July 07, 2012, 05:28:42 AM
I have more trouble with my Beagle mix rather than my full blooded Beagle.  Homer the pure bread is now 8 years old.... overweight, although I have gotten him down from 60 to 46 pounds, but he is still lazy.  He really is just one step above a doorstop.  Pete, my Beagle/Australian Shepard mix is crazy...  I've never had a dog with so much energy.  He is impossible to walk as he is insane about wanting to chase cars, birds, rabbits, leaves, and even lawn ornaments...  He is a incessant barker.  Thankfully, he did not inherit the Beagle howl... he has the Shepard bark.  But we love him and since he is only 3, we are hopeful he calms down as he gets older.
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: SCW on July 07, 2012, 11:13:55 AM
I live in an apartment so too many animals is out of the question.  We just moved and there is an animal rescue organization just around the corner from us.  My YS and I have been discussing volunteering there to get the puppy love we desire.  :)    We do have out two beloved cats, Mo and Lisa.

Besides that, well, I am disabled and cannot sit, stand or walk very long and I do not have a scooter, (which would help me keep up with my DH and YS.)  I used to love to go hiking with DH and loved it!  Actually I am most comfortable laying down, which can be frustrating.

We are all very active with Scouts.  I do the sitting at fundraisers and at home stuff, while they do the physical activities.  YS is First Class while  DH is and always will be an Eagle. 

I used to be (well I still am) very good at fundraising and designing brochures and signs and stuff.  So I still play around with that.  I am always looking for things that interest me, sometimes they last for awhile, sometimes it's a craft that lasts for one season.  I guess I am a bit ADHD...Canning one summer, making wreaths one Christmas...my life goes kinda like that  lol

Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: luise.volta on July 07, 2012, 03:12:25 PM
I don't call that ADHD...I think of it as being open and willing to learn and grow...contribute and play. (Sounds better, since I am like that, too.)  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: firelight on July 13, 2012, 09:59:23 AM
I am a motorcycle momma as well Pooh.  I have a Honda and DH rides a Harley.  Love it!!  We also have very soft spots for animals.  If it weren't for my DH, I'd probably be a foster but I'd fail miserably as I would end up adopting them all!  We have 2 dogs (had 4 at once....that's a handful) and 3 cats.  kitties live outdoor and DH built them a heated kitty condo....it's adorable w radiant heat for winter.  They love it.  Like to do lots of things.  Politics though, I used to write my Senator and Congressperson but I gave up on it.  I got tired of getting "generic" letters and felt unheard.  Politics I avoid with most folks because they tend to cause heated debates.  ha!
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: firelight on July 13, 2012, 10:08:42 AM
I shared one of my helmet sticker sayings on  my motorcycle helmet under another topic, but I also have this one: 
"I'm not completely useless, I can be used as a bad example!"  all in good humor.  I have lots of different ones.....maybe I'll find one as a tribute to my WW fam....but it has to be positive and really good.  If I find one, I'll share.  Much love ladies!
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: Elise on July 13, 2012, 11:08:40 AM
If I could do anything I wanted, I would go to Barnes and Noble and buy everybook I want - that would be a lot.  I would also get myself to Africa, rent an open jeep and drive across the Serengeti at high speed with opera blaring on the sound system.  I would see lot of animals in their natural habitat.  Then I would spend the winter in India and stop for a few weeks in Turkey on the way home to see the excavations at Ephesus, see the Hague Sophia church in Istanbul and the markets and see whirling dervishes somewhere there.  Hmmm - haven't thought of all that in a long time.  Feels good to remember a few of my own dreams for a change.
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: Pooh on July 17, 2012, 11:16:20 AM
Firelight, our favorite ride is the Cherohala Skyway and the Tail of the Dragon. 318 curves in 11 miles on the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway goes one mile high in 15 miles, then you descend for 21 miles.  My favs and on my helmet is two things.  One is a silver dragon after we completed the Dragon for the first time, and the second is a sticker that says, "I only look sweet and innocent".     :D

We bought a 2011 Arlen Ness Victory Vision last year. We actually were just looking at the regular Vision and they made us a deal to buy the limited edition one.  This is our actual bike.  I took a pic of it before they got it down off the stage.

(http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l514/VelcroPooh/282004_2151238856750_4254732_n.jpg)
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: Lillycache on July 17, 2012, 11:37:16 AM
I like to cook.  Not bake.  I can't bake for the life of me.  It requires too much discipline.   Cooking is different.  You can experiment and not totally ruin things.  You can go by how something feels... or how it looks..  it's very subjective.   Anyway, I decided a few years ago to attempt to master a different cuisine every year.   Last year was Indian.   I have just about every spice known to man.  Once you get the hang of the basic flavorings in the Indian cuisine, you can begin to experiment a little and not measure so precisely.   I also temper it to our palate.  DH and I like a little zing, but some of the Indian food is off the charts spicy.  I cut way back on the hot stuff.

After that I did some Thai experimentation.  It's surprisingly like Indian except more fishy stuff (paste and sauces)  and coconut.  I wasn't that into it. 

My latest cuisine is Greek.  I found the most spectacular Greek market not far from me... SO MUCH STUFF.... I didn't know where to start,  but settled for some oil pack olives, pita and Taramosalada (fish roe in potatos)  I'm determined to try the fresh octopus, but it looks so icky.  I love to eat it, but not sure I want to deal with it raw.  lol!
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: Grammie on July 25, 2012, 10:50:17 PM
I also have a Beagle mix that I rescued from a shelter in Sept. of 97.  He's pretty rough looking but hanging in there.  He was an adult dog when I got him so I'm guessing his age is about 16 1/2 people years.  He has never eaten clothing but our first Beagle ate a good chunk of a sheet.  This one used to kill mice and just about anything he could catch. Now he prefers his dinner cooked and served in a bowl.

I am interested in politics and currently hold an elected office.  I keep busy around elections for sure.  My regular job is a school bus driver.  I took a few years off when we relocated in 2001 but have driven since 1988.  Before that I was a nurse.  I enjoy sharing Internet games with friends and staying in touch with extended family. 
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: luise.volta on July 25, 2012, 11:16:55 PM
I have always been interested in the inner processes of personal growth; mine of course...but also those I meet. I love observing the paths we all take...and where they take us. I was an avid reader of self-help books and seminars years ago. My interests have been reflected in many career paths...wife and mother, registered nurse, interior decorator, nursery school owner, real estate sales person, and dairy herd tester. My longest job, 13 years, was supervisor of the disability claims department at Aetna Life and Casualty in Seattle. In the last 7 years it has all boiled down to my counseling Website, www.MomResponds.com for which I won the Foss Foundation Award for Senior Volunteerism and this Web-forum, www.WiseWomenUnite.com for which I won the Bank of America Award, also for Senior Volunteerism. My third Web-Forum, www.AgingWithWisdom.com is still in it's infancy. My partnership in all of these has been my son, Kirk., which has brought me deep joy. I didn't start using a computer until I was in my 70s and am self-taught. I love to write and have had my work published locally. For several years, I interviewed the new residents in the retirement cente where I live and published their stories after introducing them to the community. I also enjoy public speaking and have respresented this community on many speaking engagements. My toughest job...and yes, interest, has been care giving my husband over the last 12 years. He will be 101 years old, in two months. Today was a highpoint in my life when one of our members at WWU who lives a long way away...surprised me with a visit! We are also cyber-partners on www.MyFitness.com. For me, I think life began at 60. What came before that was a dress rehearsal. :-)
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: Scoop on July 26, 2012, 09:07:19 AM
I'm an engineer, so I like to know how stuff works, or why it doesn't work.  I love the internet, because it answers most of my (and DD's) "why?" and "how?" questions.  We don't 'wonder' about anything for long, we just look it up as soon as we can.

For hobbies, I like to do scrapbooking and some sewing.  But I don't so-much like patterns, I like to think of something and design (engineer!) a solution.  I can knit and crochet, but they're more pattern based and so, less enjoyable for me.

We have 4 pets now.  A dog, a cat and 2 guinea pigs (they're new-to-us).  Tell me if this doesn't sound like the BEST Idea ever?  I think we should get a couple of families and do a time-share on the piggies.  By 2 months in, I'm pretty sure the honeymoon will be over (that's how we got them after all).  But after a 2 or 4 month 'rest', I would be willing to take them for another 2 months!  (That being said, I would never do that with a pet that actually gets attached to you, like a dog or cat.)
Title: Re: What interests you?
Post by: elsieshaye on July 26, 2012, 09:51:27 AM
Scoop, I crochet, and my tendency is to make it up as I go along, so it's only pattern-based if you follow patterns. 

I like math, and have started taking classes at the community college to refresh myself.  I've got a several-year plan for going back to grad school, but need to take refreshers in some things and also decide the degree path I'm interested in.  Oh, yeah, and I need to figure out how to pay for it, lol.

My hobbies are reading and crafts (cross stitch, jewelry making, crochet), and I have two tuxedo kitties that love to "help" when I craft.  (Their hobbies are sleeping, talking to themselves, boxes, and chasing each other through the house.  My thundering herd of two!)