Chick Chat, Group Post

Chick Chat: What hobby brings you joy?

What do we do when we’re not solving murders on paper? Some of us are artsy-craftsy, some of us are active types, and unsurprisingly, a lot of us are readers, too! Read on to hear what things the Chicks love to do just for fun — and tell us yours in the comments!

 Ellen Byron

I love/live to dance and read, so I’ll classify them as essentials. My pure hobby is needlepoint. I started as a teen but veered into other crafting directions. Then in the 1990s, the script supervisor of WINGS, where I was a writer, opened a needlepoint shop in Studio City, which renewed my interest in the craft. The store didn’t last but my passion for it did. Still, finances and parenthood meant taking a break for a decade or so. Then I befriended Ruth Behling, a reader who lives in the L.A. area. On Saturdays, she works at Needle Hearts, a nearby needlepoint shop, so I began dropping by. Ruth and Needle Hearts reinforced my love of stitching canvases and now I’m a regular at the shop. It feeds my soul and my passion for color. I’ve even created a separate Instagram account, “Here’s My Point,” where I share projects and related posts.

A friend once went to a Native American retreat. Attendees weren’t allowed to bring books, but they were allowed to bring handcrafts, which were considered meditative rather than distracting. I couldn’t agree more.

Jennifer Chow

I’ve taken up going to the beach more often. I find that it’s my happy place, especially with the calming ocean waves. What I loved to do as a kid—and what I’ve since rediscovered—is beachcombing. I like picking up treasures like this sand dollar. Recently, I also found a teeny tiny piece of polished sea glass.

Leslie Karst

Since I rarely end up making much of an actual profit at the end of the day on my books (given all I spend on marketing, publicity, and attending conventions), I guess my author career could technically be called a “hobby” (but don’t tell the IRS!) And that is certainly the occupation that gives me the most joy–as well as angst–these days.

But let’s talk “hobby” hobbies. For me, that would be cooking and gardening. I love planning dinner parties shopping for the event, preparing the food, watching other people enjoy the meal (and eating it myself!). And with gardening, even though pulling weeds, mowing the lawn, and whacking back the jungle that grows here in Hilo are all hard work and generally result in aching muscles the next day, there’s nothing like sitting back and enjoying the beautiful scene when the garden and yard are finally in pristine shape. Sometimes aching muscles are the best thing ever. Especially when you can enjoy a gin and tonic as you survey your hard work.

Lisa Q. Mathews

I don’t focus on one special hobby, to be honest. I sort of dabble in multiple “mini-hobbies.” I used to be a figure skater, so every once in a blue moon I lace up and hit the rink. I also love to see movies in an actual theater, with popcorn. On occasion, I attend paint nights, which I find super relaxing. (The teacher says my work is…”painterly.”) And I’m always up for an opportunity to swim, preferably in a heated pool. Every Thursday night, though, you can find me playing in hotly contested trivia contests with our team The Inquizatorz. (Ask me about our champion mystery team Whatever Lola Wants.)

Patricia Sargeant

Aside from reading, I love going on walks with my husband. That’s one of the many reasons I really look forward to warmer weather. The exercise is great and he’s great company. But I especially appreciate the opportunity to get away from my computer and spend some time in the sun. I also enjoy jogging, especially outside. I make sure to pay attention to my surroundings. One can never be too careful. But the time alone allows me to clear my mind.

Cynthia Kuhn

Also reading and going on walks with my husband (high five, Patricia!). We have a lovely open space near our house where the dogs can run free and they get super tired out. I only wish we lived near a beach where we could walk on the sand and the dogs could frolic. Maybe someday. Also: I just bought 20 packets of seeds and have plans for raised gardens this summer. Wish me luck.

Vickie Fee

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit in this space that my only true hobby is reading. I’m sure many of you read more books than I do each year. I have had many years where I’ve read 50-plus books (or averaging one a week). But, it has been several years since I’ve read at that level. I hope to get much closer to that point this year. I have read all 66 novels by Agatha Christie and her 14 short story collections, except one. I will correct that omission this year! I have read all the books in the Bible, but I don’t claim to be a scholar on them. If I get back into the habit of writing and releasing novels regularly again, I plan to try to read many of the so-called classics I always meant to read and never got around to.

Marla Cooper

I love creating things, but what those things are comes and goes with the seasons. I’ve knitted lumpy, oversized sweaters (sorry, mom!), made a quilt with cats on it because of course I did, tried to learn calligraphy, and have collected enough collage supplies to stock a small craft store. I’m not great at any of them, but it’s more about playing than mastery. My newest obsession? Book bedazzling! I know I’ve mentioned it here already, but it’s fairly easy to get good results, and it’s fun dressing up a book you wrote with sparkles.

Readers, it’s your turn! What do you like to do for fun?

 

97 thoughts on “Chick Chat: What hobby brings you joy?”

  2. I like to quilt and in my new home, I don’t have the space to have a quilting nook.

    Right now my hobby is doing puzzles. It’s a family affair but since I have so much time I tend to complete half of the puzzle and struggle to let them do the rest. shh, don’t tell them, but I do sneak in a piece or two.

    I did take a paint class and that was fun. I tried knitting, crocheting,

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  3. This will be not a surprise to my Chicks foodie twin Leslie, but my hobbies are also cooking and gardening!

    We have had a prolonged long winter this year (November to this week), so my edible veggie and herb garden on my balcony has not been set up. In warmer winters, I would already by harvesting some lettuces, leafy greens such as Swiss chard and bok choy + hardy herbs. SIGH.

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      1. HA HA, true I did forget to mention I like to travel!

        FYI, my next foodie adventure is to Reykjavik, iceland & Copenhagen, Denmark in less than 3 weeks.

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    2. HA HA, yes I do like to travel!

      FYI, my next foodie adventure is going back to Reykjavik, Iceland and then off to Copenhagen, Denmark at the end of this month/early May! Stay tuned for tasty travlogue photos.

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        1. It’s the bane of our Chickie existence, Grace! Can’t wait to hear about Iceland–I’ve wanted to go ever since I saw Trapped.

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          1. I am only there for a 2-day stopover since it’s my 4th time visiting Iceland. But I have not been in Reykjavik during the late spring so I hope to see PUFFINS for the first time. And I want to go on that 3-hour walking food tour that I missed last November.

          2. Puffins! They’re so cute! I’d love to see them out in the wild. Here’s hoping you do! (Oh, and I forgot to tell you that the first time I ever ate shrimp where you shelled it yourself out of a big bucket was in Copenhagen when I was 15, and I still remember how amazing it was.)

  4. I love attending concerts and theater productions with my wife. In fact, we’re attending a 3-day blues festival that starts tonight. 🎸

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      1. It is! Miramar Beach on the Panhandle. This is the place where the idea for my Elmo mysteries was hatched.

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    2. J. C., I’d love to be going to a blues concert. We haven’t been to one in a while. But, we are going to see Eric Clapton in September.

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    5. I like going to see theater, as well, JC. Don’t be jealous but I’m actually going to go see a community theater production of Rent tonight. (They actually do surprisingly good productions…)

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      1. LOOOVE community theater! A few weeks ago, we saw Funny Girl at our favorite community theater. The young woman who played Fanny Brice was incredible!

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  5. Does amassing books count as a hobby? No real theme or pattern to them, just lovely books that someday I will read! I used to love cooking, but am bored to death cooking for myself. Still love to cook for company though. I have tried knitting, crochet, card-making, wreath-making and hundreds of other things, but so far, it appears my best hobby is appreciating the crafting and artistic talents of others!

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  6. I love to garden, and used to make art quilts. Now I think about art quilt designs. That counts, right? All of my hobbies seem to involve patterns in some way. My favorite part of gardening is planning the layout of hard scapes and the color design of the year’s annuals. Think I’m going with blue and white this year.

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  7. I guess I’m flighty! Going through your lists, I ice skated many years ago, used to do a lot of needlework, took painting classes and have some of my own work on my walls, and I’ve played violin since I was a child. I would LOVE to be cooking and gardening much more now, but my back is a huge problem. I’m having a procedure on Monday which I hope will let me stand and walk for much longer. My current hobbies are reading and, as soon as I’m able, a lot more walking.

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      1. My daughter, who knows piano, clarinet, and recorder, bravely took up the violin during Covid! A dead relative had left it to her IF she would learn it, years and years ago. Now she’s playing vioin, viola, and cello. You can do it, Ellen! It’s not easy, as an adult, but it can be done.

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  8. Aww, Ellen. I’m so glad needlepoint found you again. Stitching while chatting books is a hobby unto itself 🙂 and getting to do it most Saturdays with you is an honor.

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  9. Reading, of course. Although I don’t really think of it as a hobby, just something I do and enjoy. Decorative/tole painting. Counted cross-stitch. I recently learned to crochet so now the house is full of Amigurumi creatures.

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      1. You can do it. I started with a Woobles kit which gives you videos and everything you need. I’ve since branched out to pattern books. It brings me joy.

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  10. Cynthia, high five right back at you for the walks with our husbands. This was a fun post. I’m so appreciative of everyone who’s shared their hobbies. It’s wonderful to see such a wide range of interests.

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  11. Writing and painting take up most of my time, but often I take a break to add to my collections of ancient coins and jewelry. Most of my coins are Roman and Greek, mostly silver—Caesars, Emperors, and my current collection is of goddesses. I also collect ancient glass and even wear earrings from the 1st Century AD, even though my husband said they were probably found in a dead woman’s tomb!

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  12. My hobby is golfing in the spring, summer and fall. The clubs stay in the basement during the Chicagoland winter. BRRR – too cold!

    I’ve played for fun for many years, with no dreams of being on the LPGA tour. Although I’m still hoping for that elusive hole in one.

    That famous quote attributed to many people, from Mark Twain to Winston Churchill, “Golf is a good walk spoiled” is the opposite of how I feel. The comradery of being with friends, laughing and cheering each other on, is what drives me to stay on course (couldn’t resist the pun).

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    2. Someone wrote a short story with a title that was a play on that quote… Can’t remember the name of the author, but let’s just say it was an amazing title that was a little bit unseemly to be repeated by a cozy mystery author. 😄

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    3. Ha! I’ve tried golfing a couple times and know that I am the opposite of a natural–I couldn’t even hit the ball off the tee. But I have lots of friends who are fanatics, so I understand. I hope it’s warm enough for you to be golfing now, Debra!

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  14. I’ve often called my blog my full time, second, unpaid job. It takes up A LOT of my time. It is a hobby, but there are days it is work, too.

    Mud runs were a big hobby for a while, but those died down, unfortunately.

    I’ve started playing games more, thanks for some friends who host a monthly game day, which is tomorrow.

    I’ve stopped playing ultimate Frisbee sadly. I do miss it, but I’m not sure I was adding anything on the field. Too old and slow.

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    1. I’m so sorry that the mud runs dried up (pun intended, because it’s you, Mark). I know how much you loved them. But glad you’ve found a fun game day to take part in!

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  15. Leslie,

    Let’s just start by saying your secret is safe with me. But, I would say anyone with any experience would not consider it a hobby, even though you might be consistently in the red. If they do, they will have to answer to me.

    These are all great hobbies everyone has. I have way too many, which cuts into my writing time. At least until the end of the year when I retire.

    Piano playing, refurbishing/remaking antique furniture, small home repairs, crocheting, junk journaling, creating swag designs, researching the unknown places in cities I’d love to visit, shall I continue?

    But my favorite hobby? Trying to think of a movie quote for inconsequential life events.

    “It’s not about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” -Rocky Balboa

    ”The things you own end up owning you.” Fight Club.

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  16. While I love reading, concerts, plays, and museums, the hobby that brings me the most joy is knitting. In May I will be having carpal tunnel surgery & don’t know how long I won’t be able to knit, so will have to focus on books for a bit!

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  18. I think that I am the only non-writer that comments in this group, but then maybe not as I have been writing articles about my father, mother, myself, paternal grandmother, a best friend’s father, and so on for an online newsletter called RGV Memories. It originated in my hometown of Harlingen, Texas in the Magic Rio Grande Valley first on the Valley Morning Star local newspaper by a now friend, John Bourg. Then when the paper quit printing, he went to publishing online. Anyway, I digress. Now, what is the difference in having a hobby and collecting? I collect everything it seems mostly vintage items, and it is a long list. I used to sew and crochet things for gifts, do crewel needlework, draw, paint, travel, and so on. I have always read since I was a child. Read 202 books in 1st grade and got the award for it. Now I do genealogy, jigsaw puzzles read, research, and still collect. I average about 34 1000-piece puzzles a year and about 35 books. My best was 59 books and 35 puzzles a couple of years ago. Trying to match that this year. 15 books, 1 novella and 1 eBook on my kindle so far and 10 puzzles. I enjoyed all of your hobbies and have read so many of your books. Good luck with the books and hobbies. Keep writing the books we love. “So many books, so little time.”

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