How I Inherited a Love for Hobbies & Insouciance

We all come from generations of people who worked hard and then had lots of interests so that they could live abundant lives. They did not wait until they had all the knowledge or watch all the YouTube videos. They just tried stuff. When I think about all that my grandparents were able to do I am inspired to try hard things. To fail and then get up and do it again.

I learned about trying new hobbies when I was young. Each of my grandparents had a variety of hobbies that they have taken on and tried throughout the years. I have watched them try new things, fail, do them well, and sometimes do them badly. Often the result did not seem to matter as much as the process of trying.

Each Grandparent has had a unique perspective and stories that have made a positive impact on my life. I am still learning from them and the legacy they have left behind.

I hope that in sharing some of these unique hobby “experiments” with you that you are inspired to try something that you enjoy. To stretch yourself in a new way. It is never too late to be a beginner.

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Granddad Seaman – When I think of organization, being strategic, planning, and trying new things I picture Granddad. He is the very definition of a trailblazer. The list of accomplishments is too long to put here so I will choose those unique to him. My Granddad Seaman is still making things, writing, and practicing new skills even though he is close to 90.

• Writing – He has published books, put together dictionaries, and continues to write books. His newest book is on its 4th edition and was published last year. (here is the Amazon link)
• Travel – Granddad has traveled all over the world. He even moved his family to Greece for 2 years in the 70’s. He speaks several languages and is always learning about new cultures.
• Archeology – His worked as a professor in Linguistics but also spent a lot of time learning about other cultures and the history of different people groups. He collected artifacts and information and shared stories over dinner conversations.
• Chopping wood – Granddad made chopping firewood into an art. In his Flagstaff home he had a firewood shed where he kept enough wood for several winter seasons. He chopped down massive ponderosa pine trees on his own property and turned then into organized stacks.
• Chess and Strategy games – Granddad taught us how to play chess and a variety of games to keep our minds sharp and to apply strategic thinking.
• Croquet & horse shoe games – Relaxing was an important part of our summer time visits at Granddad’s house. He made a croquet lawn (rivaling a putting green) where games with intense competition would take place among the adults.
• Skiing – Until a double knee replacement ended this hobby. Apparently he was a great at skiing in his 60’s and could keep up with my uncles. He is still physically active at 89 and can stride past most middle aged people.
• Piano – Granddad decided to take piano lessons in his 50’s. I remember him practicing scales and teaching me the basic cords. Watching him learn piano taught me the value of practice and showing up every day to a task no matter what.

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Grandma Seaman – Grandma Mary was always ready to support her family with their dreams. She often put her needs to the side and served other people without complaint. Her hobbies were smaller and often something she could do in the snippets of time she had to herself. I think of her often and wear her wedding ring as a reminder to slow down, listen well to others, and be kind.

• Reading – She always had several books she was enjoying. Mysteries and historical fiction were her favorites.
• Volunteering – She helped at church and worked at the elementary school library helping struggling readers.
• Painting – occasionally she would do some small painting projects or take a class with a friend.
• Crossword puzzles – She loved the crossword puzzle in the newspaper and she had stacks of them around the house.
• Jigsaw puzzles – Grandma would get out a favorite puzzle and then listen to all my childhood fears and troubles while we worked on the pieces.
• Cooking – When I think of Grandma’s cooking I remember seasonal meals with a variety of dishes. Nothing to complicated. She was a good cook but I think she did it to serve her family, not as something she loved to do.

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Grandpa Agan – I miss Grandpa. He was a storyteller and a collector. He would see value in things that others had discarded and always had something taken apart in his workshop. He had a generous nature and was friends with many people in the small town where he lived. 

• Gardening – He had 2 acre garden that always had a variety of trees, vines, fruits, and heirloom vegetables. One of his favorite times of the year was when fruit and vegetables would ripen and he could give bags of homegrown produce away to friends and neighbors.
• Building things – He enjoyed making things that were useful and practical. But he also had fun with special projects. When my sister and I were little, Grandpa and my dad built a tree house for us in a huge tree in the backyard.
• Fishing – He loved going fishing, watching fishing on TV and telling stories about the fish he caught.
• Reading & Storytelling – Grandpa taught me how to browse a used bookstore and find the good stuff. He was a prolific reader and would buy crates of western novels to read. When his eyesight gave out he watched westerns on TV. He would retell stories from his own life and from the westerns. Sometimes mixing them together.
• Geology – He taught me all about “rock hunting” and driving around in the middle of nowhere. Geological facts were shared about the layers of the earth, the properties of rocks, and how geodes were made.
• Garage Sales – I’m not sure if garage sale shopping is a hobby but Grandpa and Grandma sure made it seem like one. He could tell by the sign if it was a good sale and if he could find some antique tools or good books. We spent many mornings looking for card tables full of treasures.

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Grandma Agan – My Grandma Agan is a hardworking farm wife. She has had to work hard, be creative, and solve problems with whatever she had. She has the ability to fix almost anything, or know what needs to be done. She often says that she has enough hobbies planned and supplies to keep her busy until she is 120. I am always fascinated to see what she has made. I will list a few of her unique hobbies here for you. (The real list would not fit in this article.)

• Furniture repair and woodworking – She made most of the furniture that was needed for her family when the kids were young and they had a family farm.
• Kitting and crochet – She made each grandkid and entire twin size knitted quilt for high school graduation. Her creations often include complicated patterns and color schemes.
• Painting – Grandma took painting lessons in her 60’s and has become an accomplished painter. She enjoys painting landscape scenes that remind her of places she has been. She gives away her art and enjoys choosing just the right frame to make for the canvas.
• Sewing – She used to make her own clothing, doll dresses, costumes, curtains, and anything else needed.
• Tulips & Roses – She had special spots on their property for her flower gardens. Specialty heirloom flowers that she would grow with unique colors and vibrant smells.
• Canning & Preserving – Pickles, veggies, stews, jellies, apricots, peaches, and jams. She made amazing creations from the garden my grandpa grew. The sweet pickles were always my favorite.
• Baking – Grandma is a self taught cook and a recipe connoisseur. She is always collecting and trying new recipes for the enjoyment of creating something new. Anytime you show up at Grandma’s home there is something homemade that tastes and smells amazing. 

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Approaching hobbies in this new way came from the book Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. She gave me a new perspective and some new vocabulary to see trying something new as a way of life.

Definition of insouciance: lighthearted unconcern : relaxed and calm in a way that shows that you do not care or are not worried about anything :  NONCHALANCE

As discussed by Gilbert as “practicing creative living”. Seeing the world as an opportunity to explore art and make things. Not asking for permission or acceptance but just doing what sounds exciting.

Try new hobbies and shape the world the way that makes sense to you.

“He [my father] didn’t quit his day job to follow his dream; he just folded his dream into his everyday life… When my father grew curious about things, he pursued them. He had solid faith in his own capabilities.”

“Look a little further back in your family’s history. Look at your grandparents: Odds are pretty good they were makers… you will find people who were not consumers, people who were not sitting around passively waiting for stuff to happen to them. You will find people who spent their lives making things.””That is where you come from… Human beings have been creative beings for a really long time”

– from Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert – p.82-90

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Questions:

• When you look at the generations before you, what do you see?
• How can you follow the path that your family has taken?
• What are some good qualities about your relatives and what they do with their resources and ingenuity?
• When you were young, who did you see living out a vibrant life?
• What older adults do you know who are fascinating and full of ideas?
• When you look through the list of hobbies from my grandparents, which one stands out to you? How can you try that this next week?

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Writing this list has been a great exercise for me. It has given me time to think about the people who have influenced my life.

Sometimes in an effort to avoid unhealthy family patterns, we throw out all the good as well. There are parenting ideas I will not repeat with my own kids. My grandparents had ways of communicating with each other that I do not want to copy. But, each has a unique perspective that can make a positive impact on my life. I am still learning from them.

We all come from generations of people who worked hard and chose to live abundant lives. They did not wait until they knew everything. They just tried stuff. They made mistakes. Their examples inspire me to do new things. To fail and then get up, brush myself off, and try again.

I hope this does the same for you.

Best wishes! – April

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Need some ideas to get started on developing hobbies?

Click here for some help and encouragement.

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