What do you guys like to do for fun?

I like drawing, painting watercolor and acrylic, making tack for my model horses, playing computer games, cross-stitching and herping.

I play mountain dulcimer and have recently been learning to play piano. What is "herping?"

That's awesome, both of you! Stephanie, can we see some of your cross stitches? Diana, what song are you learning on the piano if you don't mind saying. My brother is also learning how to play.

I haven't done cross-stitch in a long time. Many years ago, but I do like it and want to get back into it.

Herping is the keeping of reptiles.

Oh, well if you do get back into it, be sure to post pics!!



How did you know I didn't know what the meant?

Dianne asked.

I will, but I am more into painting at the moment.

Oh. When I first read her post that question wasn't there. She probably edited it. I like your art. I remember you drew people's birds before. What do you like painting. In art class, I paint flowers because that's the only think I could paint without it looking like a 1st grader drew it. I'm going to start painting about my feelings. It will help me start expressing how I feel on the inside and let people know the real me. Not the fake me that hides everything inside.

I draw and paint birds and horses. Here's a concept for my next painting:

I'm in advanced art so we have to do a 2 page demonstration of what we plan to do, jot down ideas, add pictures, play with shading, poses.

You'll be sorry you asked. For craft work I make jewelry, and since July I've been taking an ongoing class in making metal jewelry which involves soldering, sawing and other heavy duty techniques. For the session starting in January I'm going to take enameling - putting permanent color on metal. I do a variety of needlework - cross stitch, quilting, occasional embroidery. A little needle felting sometimes too, but that's more like figure modeling than needlework. I've done a bit of carpentry too, making bird equipment. When it comes to drawing I can barely make a stick figure. Stephanie's work is BEAUTIFUL.

I do a variety of conservation-related volunteering, including helping with bird banding (hummingbirds and passerines), weed whacking (aka invasive plant removal or habitat restoration), assorted tasks for Tucson Audubon (IBA surveys, data entry, and helping out with events). I joined a gym about a year ago and have been having fun with Zumba since then. Also yoga and barre sculpt, but Zumba is definitely the main event. For a few weeks I also had fun with hula, but it's been about a month since they had the class on the schedule. Either the instructor is taking a LONG vacation or they've canceled the class because there weren't enough participants. It's probably the latter.

I'm treasurer of the local bird club and help out with the grooming service at the meetings, which involves a lot of macaw wrestling lol. I play clarinet in a community orchestra. The most interesting thing we're doing this semester is the William Tell Overture. I breed a few cockatiels every now and then.