Mike Tussey: If you’re like millions of us, you have a hobby — no wonder you’re smiling

A hobby is a regular activity we do because of the enjoyment it brings during our leisure hours. Many times, a hobby is practiced on a regular basis with some worthwhile purpose. It gives us an avenue of relief from stress, a great feeling of accomplishment and a strong feeling of creativity and self esteem.

Let’s take a look at the litany of hobbies that millions over the years have practiced and possibly still do today: Collecting stamps and model cars, arts and crafts, gardening, painting, puzzles, writing, hiking, fishing, basket weaving, restoring vintage vehicles, bike riding, and baseball cards just to mention a few.

Or course, participation in hobbies encourages acquiring substantial skills and knowledge. Be assured, that any success you may gain will give you a great appetite to continue on to even greater heights.

Hobbyists like many other things of our culture, are identified in three categories such as:

• Casual Leisure which is very rewarding and pleasurable activity requiring little or no preparation,

• Serious Leisure which is the pursuit of an amateur, hobbyist, or volunteer that is substantially rewarding with a great sense of accomplishment,

• Project Based Leisure which is short term, often on and off with focus on a rewarding finish.

From time to time, hobbies follow a trend such as stamp collecting during the 19th and 20th Centuries because the postal service was the main means of communication.

Fast forward to the 21st century where we have the internet and several means of communication even with our smart phones.

Hobbies are often pursued with increased interest by retired people because they have the time and seek the intellectual and physical stimulation a hobby provides.

Hobbies are a diverse set of activities such as:

• Collecting includes seeking, locating, organizing items such as stamps, coins, firearms, model trains, labels and bird watching,

• Making and tinkering involves working on self motivated projects for the feeling of fulfillment,

• Tinkering is actually “dabbing” in the creation of objects and the restoration of items such as antique cars, furniture, dressmaking and cooking.

In fact, dressmaking has been a major hobby until the mid 20th century when the focus was on creating cheap clothing. As for cooking, truly a hobby with a challenge and satisfaction, but brings with it – a duty, chores, and clean up. Cooking got a media boost as a hobby via the high popularity of television cooking programs.

It should be noted that hobbies also include the hobbyist getting involved in singing, acting, juggling, magic acts, dancing, playing a musical instrument, martial arts and the list goes on.

For several years, I became a writer and wrote three books: YOU’RE ON THE AIR!, TOUCHDOWN SAINTS! and “Baseball and Me – the Echoes of the Game.” Over that decade of writing, I am sure I could have been identified as a very active hobbyist. I felt a great sense of pride and fulfillment that resonated within because of the great deal of work and effort that was involved to make the three books a reality.

Steve Hoffman of Florence shares his thoughts of his hobby of Bike riding: “Cycling is my hobby because it gives me physical exercise; while riding gives me a sense of freedom and adventure. I have been riding bikes since I was a kid. I began with longer rides and bike touring in the ‘90’s when I purchased my first higher end road bike.

æThrough my membership with the Cincinnati Cycle Club, I can participate with rides throughout the week. I love the camaraderie with friends while exploring small towns especially the mom and pop restaurants along the way. Simply put, I love it!”

After all, Albert Einstein once stated: “Life is like riding a bicycle – to keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

Becky Mantle Starks of Punta Gorda, Florida, has been at her hobby for quite awhile and loves every minute of it all: “My hobby is genealogy because I really find it fascinating with the twists and turns, the hidden secrets and the surprising discoveries all become part of the fun!  My interest began 25 years ago when I discovered my quests of information which involved days and hours of reviewing material in libraries, churches and of course digitally. The dividends of my efforts became very helpful in researching relatives of past generations and discovering they were in fact still alive.

“Certainly, searching family history is very challenging, rewarding and an exciting activity. In fact, I have provided my children and grandchildren with their family heritage and have even developed relationships with distant cousins I didn’t know existed!  I have come to love genealogy because of its exciting benefits within a wonderful world of wandering!”

Over our many years, my wife Jo has excelled with her hobby choice of crafts. She seemingly gets motivated during the holiday seasons. Her thoughts about the hobby she loves so much: “I spend lots of time with my creations that turn out just fine which makes it all worthwhile. It all began 40 years ago when I was looking for a hobby to keep occupied and pass the time of day. I began making Raggedy Ann dolls, then onto quilt tops, sewing and crafts.

“Here in September, my latest creation was for our front porch with a colorful Fall theme, complete with a scarecrow, ghost, hay and mums. When I get busy with a creation; the time seems to fly right on by. In a week’s time I usually spend 5-6 hours. The benefits for sure are the feelings of accomplishment and creativity that comes from imagination. With Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas on the way, I’ll be busy for sure. It’s my hobby and I love every minute doing what I enjoy so much and that’s creating!”

Funny thing about hobbies – once you begin, something pushes your button and you’re on your way to success and enjoyment.

Linda Thompson of Longwood, Florida, began her hobby of creating greeting cards when she received a “starter kit” from a friend: “I really didn’t begin my hobby until after I retired. I found I had plenty of time and one of my dear friends gave me a starter kit and I was captured.

“It’s been 15 years now and I am still creating Birthday, Anniversary and Christmas cards which I send annually to my two granddaughters. I learned a lot from my mom’s tips that I still use even today. As far as how many hours I spend – it varies because each card I create sometimes takes longer that it should. However, when I sit down and begin, it becomes fun and I get into my own world of actually connecting with others through art!”

Years ago, I remember a phrase I have never forgotten. It was simple: “Put some fun in your life, try dancing!”

Well, now you know there is another door of opportunity that can have you smiling all while you’re having fun. That door that you will encounter has a name on it: “HOBBIES.”

Come on in, you’ll be glad you did!

Mike Tussey has “retired” from a 60-plus-year career as a legendary play-by-play announcer for over 2000 football, baseball, and basketball games, including most recently for ESPN+. His career also includes a stint in law enforcement, teaching and coaching, and writing books, including the “Touchdown Saints.” He grew up in Eastern Kentucky and now lives in Florence with his wife, Jo. He has opened another “Door of Opportunity” and is now a regular columnist for the NKyTribune.

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