HAVING HOBBIES, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PERIOD OF STAYING HOME, KEEPS THE MIND OCCUPIED !

All way too many times I have been asked this very question. " What are you going to do with all of your time now that you're retired."
My first response is usually a puzzled look, followed by an awkward period of silence, as I contemplate my answer.

I feel bad for the people asking this question, knowing that their life has been totally consumed by that four-letter word, WORK.
Without getting too excited by the pure joy retirement has brought my way so far, I let them know about some of my hobbies.
Therein lies the key to a HAPPY retirement, having things to do that bring you enjoyment.

There is something about hobbies that I find unique.
Hobbies tend to be carried over from earlier good times.
They need time to develop, and as we become more proficient at them, our interest peaks.

I'm not saying that one can't pick up something brand new in their GOLDEN YEARS, HahA, and run with the ball.
But, if that were par for the course, then why are so many people wondering what are they are going to do when they finally have TIME!

A hobby of mine, nurtured by my Dad, is woodworking.

These are some pieces of wood I milled.
I will be making some signs for a Woodworker's Fair that is held in Norwich NY. The fair takes place the last weekend in August, by then I hope things can return somewhat back to normal.
If it is canceled, the great thing about wood is that it will not spoil, and I will just keep them in storage!

I'll be making the signs using three different species of wood, Red Cedar, Spalted Maple, and White Pine.
After lettering the signs we use a plunge router to cut out the letters.

A plunge router will let you route out the letters freehand. Using this tool requires some practice, but it can be mastered over time.

Different plunge router bits can be used, and in this case, the router bit will be cutting a V groove into the wood.
The bit will not make contact with the surface of the wood until the handles on the router are pulled down.

Transcribing the letters onto the wood takes longer than cutting them out with the router.

With the routing complete it is time to paint the letters.

The paint I use is a Milk Paint which works great for this job, but a little difficult to find.

Painting complete, the next step is to do the final sanding, this time with a 180 grit paper.

As you can see from this closeup, the paint will absorb into the grain of the wood.

That is what I like about the Milk Paint, a little fine sanding and the letters will have a perfect outline.

With the first coat of polyurethane on this sign, the colors in the Red Cedar become richer.

After about 13 hours of hobbitizing the signs are complete, along with the picture wire installed, and ready to be hung.

Like most everything we do, there is some cost.
The mill in this picture was purchased several years ago and is used for business, and in my case now, is used strictly for pleasure.

Here are just a few of the projects that retirement has offered me the time to do.
Some of the pieces are sold, and others furnish our home.

A Book Matched, Black Cherry coffee table, with a magazine rack below.

A Black Walnut slab,

supplied some beautiful material for a coffee table and a couple of end tables.

A variety of cutting boards being fabricated for market, as well as gifts.

Cherry crouch wood base, with a 3" Red Oak top, coffee table.

Along the journey to being retired, I have been fortunate enough to have found things I'm passionate about.
Having these passions, coupled with TIME, has not left me wondering what I'm going to do in retirement.
We can only work for so long, the question is, will you be one of those people with that query?

Hope you enjoyed. thebigsweed