Hobbies, interests, R and R, call it what you want, come in many and varied forms.

Do we need them and why?

For most of us looking after the house, caring for pets, working and keeping the family entertained is more than enough, and often too much at times, to occupy our days. Retirement seems an age away and having an abundance of spare time is unimaginable. This is true but all of a sudden the realisation becomes a reality or a very close one.

Not having to work may appeal to start with but I am sure (as I can only imagine at present as I still have to work being only 50yrs of age) it becomes monotonous and boring once the novelty has worn off and all the little jobs have been completed.

I think it is so important to have something to do in life as it keeps the mind and body healthy for longer and can lead to some very productive and rewarding results, even a new lease of life.

However, the biggest set-back is finding what is best. A massive amount of issues will influence what hobby one takes up.

Money (the rot and root of most evil), space, ability, location and interest being some of the biggest factors.

There are those who will disagree but I cannot contemplate getting up, watching television, tootling off for a lunch time pint, sleeping for the remainder of the afternoon, pubbing it again for the evening and then repeating seven days a week.

The problem is that apart from cycling, walking and reading I am finding it hard to be drawn towards any other hobbies and my fear is that through age and fitness things like cycling and walking will become painful and less enjoyable.

It’s a very similar situation when one is faced with a career choice on leaving school. I still have no idea about that so settle with being a postie.

I don’t want my retirement to be that way though so I feel it important to think of how to fill my latter years. Why I hear some of you cry, you may be dead before then? Well the short answer is that it won’t matter then but the chances are I may not so being prepared is the better option.

So what do I choose?

I hate fishing. I’m no daredevil. I have very little room and lack pots of cash.

Mmmmm…… I see a big pull towards having to learn something new. Drawing, writing, a history degree, playing an instrument properly, bird-watching or photography. Maybe collecting “stuff” but small enough “stuff” to fit in my small abode. I’d say cooking and baking but for me that would be a very dangerous endeavour as I would eat it all and become a bloater like “Monty Python’s Mr. Creosote”.

The thing is thinking about it now is fraught with problems and the main ones are time and energy. What I mean is that trying to engage in a hobby now is difficult due to working full-time and being constantly drained from doing that and all the daily chores incurred in day-to-day living. Yes, yes, yes I know that’s a feeble excuse but trying to research and learn for a history degree when tired is not what I would call fun and that is exactly what a hobby should be.

My original questions were do we need a hobby and why and the simple response is yes we do for reasons of sanity and enjoyment as the majority of people have spent years doing work they hate or find too demanding.

The other question I have yet to ask is when to embark or take up a hobby and there is no right or wrong time. Fill your spare time doing what you like and if you get into a position where work becomes less or a thing of the past then increase in the areas that take your interests.

Speak to any doctor and they will say that retirement without an interest or hobby will be short-lived.

 

 

I’m not like many people. No, honestly, I’m not. I know this is hard to imagine but it is true. What I mean is that most folk I am acquainted with take holidays but I tend not to as they are a lot of hassle.

However, this year has proved different and I have experienced new things I wouldn’t have entertained a few years ago or until now. There are a number of reasons for this and I shall be happy to tell you even if you don’t want to hear or read them.

Women. They can be a pain but in fact they are very good most of the time. Mad? Well of course and they do things strangely but they compliment men (who are normal and do things strangely too) and help iron out the conscious mind.

Am I mad, eccentric, strange or just misunderstood? I have no idea but I have been in a dark place for some considerable time and Lucy (my long-suffering partner) has helped me out by drip feeding me concerns and paths to find a way out of the pit of despair. Jony was my first port of call and then the doctor and finally drugs and self help.

A massive weight has begun to lift (it’s still there but gradually becoming lighter as though gravity has a less stronger pull downwards) and there is such a thing as fun. so this has been the first factor.

The second is my new little car which I can’t stop banging on about but believe me when I say its been a brilliant discovery and a massive bag of joy. I so love it that trips are now becoming an excuse to do not ones to avoid.

I guess my third enlightenment has been that friends and family have stood by and waited for me to get better which is an enormous gift; so thanks to all involved there.

Finally, being able to set unimportant crap free from the mind has also got me thinking that certain things don’t matter and does one have to give a flying …. about them?

So armed with this, seemingly, new outlook on life I was pleased to accept two invitations. One to visit my Bruv, Sis, Mivver and Bonnie at their new home in Bawdrip and the second to attend a gathering for my old friend Duncan, Charlie, Blades, Curnow at Chelwood House also in Somerset. To top the cake with cream was travelling down in my new little car.

Both visits were brilliant in their own ways even though they were totally different.

I saw old and vintage cars at Haynes Museum, listened to birds and relaxed in a beautiful garden and drank beer and ate sumptuous food with my brother. Did a bit of work, walked and helped mantle a flat pack chair. I even received Two Easter Eggs; fantastic.

Next came my biggest fear. Crowds of people and the dreaded children….How wrong and unfounded those thoughts were. The complete opposite and I don’t think I would have changed a thing. Everthing was balanced perfectly. The most astonishing aspect was that it was more saddening to return home not to have the kids and folk about. I shall adjust though. But write to me those who read this, please especially you kids.

The greatest gift to give an old friend at 50.

To top my week off was to see the faces, on the motorway, of the people (mostly men and their big car egos) who saw my little car burble passed with ease and to watch the shock and horror of being left standing at lights and junctions when I decided to give my stead it’s head and put my foot down (all within the confines of the law officer, I asure you).

Home now seems happier and more relaxed and I even partook in a couple of beers in the garden at home which I haven’t done in decades and bought some mixed nuts and dried fruits.

I’m even listening to music now thanks to The Amazon Echo Speaker and have discovered bands, tracks and styles I never knew existed. What fun.

None of what I have written would have been or seemed possible without Lucy insisting on getting help and the support of Jack the dog and the trip would have just been an academic thought if not for the kind sacrifice Lucy made in staying at home to look after Jack the Spack dog.

SO THANK YOU LUCY.

Possessions and things come in all shapes and sizes but sometimes the most basic are our favourites.

Yes I love my bicycles, computer tech and such but a small stone, a shaped piece of wood or a model of Mr. Bump is far more pleasing and sits in the hand in a very comforting way.

Through archaeology  one can see that small trinkets or crude shapes have been very important to those who lived in ancient times. They are so loved and cherished because they are portable, tactile, represent influences in life or were gifts. Hands often need using and having something that sits nicely in them is just what they need.

I think that is what makes good design for me. I love small, compact and functional things. Maybe it’s because I am small and chunky myself that things of a similar shape appeal or it could be that it’s just economical.

Tactile object stir our senses and make one feel safe. Babies love touch and texture and the mouth is their default place to get maximum stimulus. It’s this childhood way of exploring what is around that is probably the reasoning behind why comfortable shapes are so important to us as we grow and become adults.

So the way forward is small and chunky.

 

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Many, many, many people look after animals at home for whatever reasons. This is not news to most but why we do it is quite a complex science.

They can cause huge amounts of expense what with food, insurance, vets bills, toys and general care. Our lives are compromised by having to find carers to step in if holidays or days out are desired. Don’t mention the mess and endless cleaning one has to endure and the ruination and destruction of carpets, furniture and possessions.

Dogs need walking, cats a place to sleep and all the other demands put on humans from all the other creatures we keep as home companions.

So why do we do it?

Companionship, fun, an excuse to exercise, a common bond, its something always that is done, responsibility, kindness or to be socially accepted or keep up with the Jones?

Maybe its a bit of all.

I know that my little chap (a 12ish year old Jack Russell-Patterdale cross in brown) brings me friendship, company, laughter, love and an excuse to be silly. He is just there when I leave the house and when I return and I get the same sense of welcome whether it be a few minutes of a number of hours. He is a good boy but a total DICK when out and about if other animals are within nose, ear or eye shot. Most of the time a lead and a watchful eye from me is enough coupled with finding suitable places to go at the right time.

It’s hard to have guests or strangers to sit him as he would eat them so time away is very limited.

Would I trade him in? No. We have grown to love each other and I have the proud feeling that I saved him from either a short or painfully bad life as he was a rescue dog with a very sad and harsh few years start.

Animals are unpredictable and that is what makes the so vital to our lives. What is natural for them to do is funny to us humans and learning how to interpret these actions is also part of the good experience.

Yes there are bad owners or keepers and they should be ashamed of themselves and it really upsets me to think about the hardships put on animals at their cruel hands. However, there are folk who mistreat other humans, children and themselves so it is hardly a surprise. I just hope they are becoming less and less.

Jack, my terrorist pet, is much a part of the family as anyone and he has the same value and integrity as any member too. It this that I think puts us apart. Okay he is not a human in a little furry suit but he is almost that but treated with that little bit of respect that has to be given as an unpredictable animal.

I just hope that he is happy as he makes me happy and shares my all.

 

I guess I am not alone in fantasising about being granted three wishes and I can imagine most would be quite similar. Money, good looks and life longevity.

But there are so many things to choose from that the list is endless. Being rich doesn’t necessarily bring friends, companionship or pleasant personality traits. Good looks are only in the eye of the beholder. Living forever is a mighty long time and one would become hardened to death and frailty of friends who lived a normal life span.

I would love to be able to speak, read, write and understand every language, whether it be human or animal, modern or ancient and be understood by all in return.

Being able to read faster, understand what I have read and retain all the information could be another wish.

I think having the ability to be accomplished in all art forms including music, drawing, writing, singing, magic and acting would bring great joy so maybe would choose that as my third wish.

However, wishes are a fantasy for most but one can still have them. Sometimes hard work, determination and being in the right place at the right  time will realise some of those aspirations so all is not lost.

For many though the wish to be pain-free or be able to get up in the morning and lead a normal life is a dream come true. Seeing loved ones happy and well is more rewarding than money or power.

So what would you wish for?

Nothing? As life is okay as it is?

Dreaming of what could be is fine as a carrot and stick approach but try staying in the here and now and be satisfied with your lot is far more beneficial. You know the old saying about the grass and it being greener; or the frying pan and fire situation.

Since self helping through depression these thoughts that clogged my mind have now been given another aspect in which to look at them and it is surprising to know there is a different angle to every situation in life however good or bad.

Dream but keep real.