Well, we know you like 'chids, but...

[Hedge]

My hobbies have changed as I've got older. I love reading and watching detective fiction of most types from Agatha Christie to James Ellroy.

I love films and will always watch certain stars. I read science fiction, but less than I did. I also love 14th century British history and read both fact and fiction in this period. That's the books...

I used to do cross stitch but I developed a pain in the neck, so that got curtailed. I can do most needle related handicrafts. I like to bake when I have time and catering large parties for the family is always fun.

I used to play flute but have lost my embouchere since my teeth got old.. I'd like to learn the clarinet but find it hard to make the time. I love music of the late 70's and 80's, and can play by ear on the wind instruments, but am hopeless on keyboards (can't get my head to make my hands play two things at once..... I think it's cos I learnt the recorder at 8 and it dominated how I thought about music.

I also grow cacti and small succulents, keep a garden in order and try and expand my knowledge of gardening whenever possible, by attending a gardening club and going to shows etc.

I try and keep nature notes of my locality by either photographs or notes especially at this time of year, and I love watching birds.

I also like quiz shows and general knowledge and crosswords and sudoku..........

[bdublyou]

Originally Posted by jrodpad

BW,

I have to ask, what is "handstripping terriers"?

Well, handstripping terriers is a type of dog grooming (not exclusive to terriers btw, also done on spaniels, setters, and some broken-coated dogs) mostly a dying art now.

Basically, instead of taking your scottie (lets say) to the groomer and having it buzzed down to 1/4" or shorter on the saddle (the back part that is normally short on a scottie pattern) with clippers, instead, you pull out the extra long, dead wire hair, thus, allowing new fresh wire hair to grow in.

What? Why would you do that? you say. Well, if you handstrip them instead of clipping them the hair retains its true coarse texture, retains its true color, is more weatherproof, more insulative, matts less/easier to combout, is cleaner, looks more natural, and in some dogs seems to be better for their skin. When you see a show dog like a terrier, or spaniel save for some specific body parts, they are almost exclusively handstripped.

Unfortunately, I don't get to do it much anymore, as most people don't even know about it to ask and my little Westie died some years back so I can't even do it on my own dog. Though I think I may be getting another puppy within the year-which should satisfy the itch.

[jrodpad]

That is so cool! You can add me to the list of folks who've never hear of this before, and I grew up with airdale terriers, so I have no excuse. One more question, where on earth did you acquire such a talent?

Amazing!

-J

[cday2inflorida]

I collect pottery, mainly California. I have a backyard full of fish sculptures, I grow terrarium begonias and gesneriads, aquatic plants in an aquarium, aroids mainly philodendrons and species caladiums, I bred and have shown Great Danes for years, just put my last one down. She was the "thumper" inflorida. I did hunter-jumping eventing with Arabian horses. The economy forced the sale of my last horse. I dabble in watercolor painting. I have a purse and shoe "thing" and lastly, harleys.
I guess I should mention work...I sell industrial supplies from one of the major players and I handle a national account.

[Hedge]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Frogs, Salamanders, Tropical Blueberries, Birding,
Anyone considered cloud collecting?? have not done it yet, but am curious.

Is that where you look at the sky to collect all the different types of cloud,or just photographing ones which are striking to you? I must admit I live in a great location for cloud watching,as we are in a village on a ridge over looking a plain from the Trent to the Peak district/Pennines, the skies are huge. Tell me more, Tindo!

[bdublyou]

J-
Basically, having a terrier got me started, but in short, lots and lots of reading, practice, and a few workshops along the way. Airedales! Cool! I actually really like airedales, was considering one for awhile, but my living situation caters more towards a smaller dog.

Yes, what is cloud collecting? I was wondering the same thing!