Dave Cesari’s focused interest in the birds of our great country constantly inspires me – click here to see his new views of NY Humming Birds.

Reading is a hobby of mine – been reading about hobbies of our presidents – More than one President used canvas and  paint brush when pressure did get to them? – I read about Ike being disturbed with a call from the Oval Office while he was relaxing at his easel. He got so angry that he threw the brush and paints across the room – but the white house did have a staff to do the clean up!!

Ike, after a hard day and long long evening with an early morning start in the Oval Office.

Jim (Me) wrote:   Hobbies provide an outlet from daily stresses that can keep us from getting burned out in our jobs. They also provide numerous health benefits from lower blood pressure, to better physical function, and higher positive psychological states, and less memory loss. AND, they provide a lot of fun in our, free of stress, retirement years.

Here are some I have tried over the years:

Reading, Family Time, Fishing, Gardening, Walking, Hunting, Team Sports, Sewing, Leather work, Wood carving, Golf, Bicycling, Boat, Canoe, Windsurf, Playing Cards, Hiking, Swimming, Camping,  RV’ing, Skiing, Animal care, Dog training, Painting, Dancing, Tennis, Racing stock cars, Volunteering Church Activities, Horseback Riding, flying….

Digital painting is fun too:

Photo of last nights dinner

After coffee this morning I relaxed with one of my hobbies – Digital art. Here is a quick digital abstract photo of last nights dinner after I played around with it in photoShop

As you swing through life, enjoy your hobbies after your days work or when you retire