When Marion Beatty mentioned to a fellow birdwatcher that she was considering a vacation concentrated on their mutual interest, her friend suggested that she check out the Road Scholar tour company. Marion found hundreds of “Learning Adventures listed on its website, including 14 specifically for birders. Then came the biggest challenge: deciding whether to train…

Making things by hand can boost your mood and benefit others. The act of producing useful or beautiful things—especially by hand, and especially for others—provides a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Once a project is complete, the satisfaction of seeing what you’ve made in your home, on a plate, or in the hands of a…

Perhaps you have been thinking about earning some extra income, or maybe turning a hobby into a full-time gig; whatever you want, Amazon could be the route to take. In 2021, Amazon’s sales revenue was almost $470 billion. And you can be part of that. Amazon has programs that let anyone make money. From handmade…

If you’re a Type A competitive person, the word “hobby” may give you hives. And you probably don’t like the word “pastime,” either. But as we get older—especially after our children are out of the house and we’re either retired or considering retirement—we all need engaging pursuits to keep us happy and healthy. The best…

Filling out various questionnaires and applications in life, there is often this one nagging question: Hobbies? ____________________________________________________ I never had real hobbies, so I when I came across that annoying question, I would write in something nondescript like reading or decorating. I’ve always wanted to make lovely things but that is a vague concept that can…

Graham Young, a 45-year-old Cobh, Ireland, local, has spent the last six years building a Lego empire of extraordinary scope and scale. Driven by passion for the colorful, interchangeable, textured blocks, Young has spent over 15,000 euros (approx. US$18,250) on Lego, focusing on fulfilling a dream of making it his career. Young’s fascination with Lego started…

Mindfulness meditation may help ease stress and promote a healthier heart, but it’s not always easy to do. Stopping everything you’re doing and sitting in silence is a learned skill. I’m sure you can relate. It’s easy for your mind to start racing once you’re alone with your thoughts. Sitting in a comfortable, quiet space…