[Emerald U.]

General Discussion Thread 07.09.2025​

How are you doing, dear GrayViners? I hope you are staying safe and healthy.

I’ve been feeling the creative itch lately, so I’ve spent the last few days blissfully holed up at my desk, painting away. Surrounded by art materials, toy figures, and stacks of journals, it feels like I’m in my own perfect world, tucked into the corner of the room. I could literally spend hours there without a care in the world.

Do you also have a favorite spot in your home where time just slips away? Maybe it’s a sun-drenched porch, a kitchen corner, or even a recliner by the window. Tell me all about it in the comments—I'd love to hear your stories and imagine what your tiny space of solace looks like.

Image source: project RDNE Stock/Pexels

 

[mmarple]

I have a room in my house that is all mine. It is decorated with my favorite things. Plus I have my Xbox X console in there. It is definitely my space. At 67 years old, I deserve it!

 

[Grayling55]

I lose all track of time in my den in front of my computer. If I'm not playing a game or doing crosswords, I am immersed in a class that I am taking. I love to learn so I usually take classes on different subjects - right now it is one on robotics and artificial intelligence.

 

[NIBOR0]

My bedroom is also my craft room. I have my card table in there and kind of listen to shows on my tablet while I diamond paint. Time just gets away from me. I'll look at the clock and 2 hours have passed without me realizing it.

 

[GaryBlake]

Yeah, it's my spare bedroom I have turned into a media center. PC, flatbed scanner, printer, VCR both VHS and Beta, and a Bluetooth speaker I connect to my phone to play music. I have been into Ancestry.com World Explorer since 2016 and I have almost 1800 people in my family tree. I also have a ton of pictures, literally hundreds, if not thousands. I am scanning them onto digital media for preservation. I absolutely lose myself in here!!

 

[Arkie98]

I have my computer in my bedroom. Tucked away in a corner, I get so involved with various games, puzzles etc and time just slip[s by.

 

[kiki]

I use the second bedroom as my Kiki Cave. Kiki is my nickname. I read, do jigsaw puzzles etc. It's my little world

 

[Tcsgizmo]

My bedroom is also my craft room. I have my card table in there and kind of listen to shows on my tablet while I diamond paint. Time just gets away from me. I'll look at the clock and 2 hours have passed without me realizing it.

 

[Emerald U.]

I have a room in my house that is all mine. It is decorated with my favorite things. Plus I have my Xbox X console in there. It is definitely my space. At 67 years old, I deserve it!

You most certainly deserve it, @mmarple ! And I love that you’ve filled the space with your favorite things — it sounds like the ultimate retreat. Do you still get into video games often?

 

[Emerald U.]

I lose all track of time in my den in front of my computer. If I'm not playing a game or doing crosswords, I am immersed in a class that I am taking. I love to learn so I usually take classes on different subjects - right now it is one on robotics and artificial intelligence.

That’s so cool, @Grayling55! What made you interested in robotics and AI? I admire your hunger for learning — it’s such a great reminder that curiosity doesn’t fade with age. Any specific class or topic that you loved lately? And how fo you find out about these classes? Your fellow GrayViners might be interested, too!

 

[Emerald U.]

My bedroom is also my craft room. I have my card table in there and kind of listen to shows on my tablet while I diamond paint. Time just gets away from me. I'll look at the clock and 2 hours have passed without me realizing it.

I do that too, @NIBOR0! I put on a movie to play in the background while I paint, or sometimes I play music to set the mood. I haven't tried diamond painting. Do you have a favorite piece you’ve made recently?

 

[Emerald U.]

Yeah, it's my spare bedroom I have turned into a media center. PC, flatbed scanner, printer, VCR both VHS and Beta, and a Bluetooth speaker I connect to my phone to play music. I have been into Ancestry.com World Explorer since 2016 and I have almost 1800 people in my family tree. I also have a ton of pictures, literally hundreds, if not thousands. I am scanning them onto digital media for preservation. I absolutely lose myself in here!!

Okay, I am blown away, @GaryBlake! That’s not just a hobby, I feel like it's a full-on archive project! And 1800 people in your family tree? That's amazing! Have you come across any surprises?

And I wish I have an art room separate from my bedroom, my art materials are piling up and I really need the space.

 

[Emerald U.]

I have my computer in my bedroom. Tucked away in a corner, I get so involved with various games, puzzles etc and time just slip[s by.

Ah, a kindred spirit! Sounds like your corner is the perfect escape, @Arkie98 . Got a go-to puzzle or game you always come back to? TGV's Trivia perhaps?

 

[Emerald U.]

I use the second bedroom as my Kiki Cave. Kiki is my nickname. I read, do jigsaw puzzles etc. It's my little world

The “Kiki Cave” — now that’s got a ring to it! I love that you gave it a name. It sounds like a cozy sanctuary full of quiet joys. What are you reading right now, if you don’t mind sharing?

 

[GaryBlake]

Okay, I am blown away, @GaryBlake! That’s not just a hobby, I feel like it's a full-on archive project! And 1800 people in your family tree? That's amazing! Have you come across any surprises?

And I wish I have an art room separate from my bedroom, my art materials are piling up and I really need the space.

It really is a full time project!! Surprises? Yes! My 17th Great Grandfather was King Gustav l of Sweden! Ancestry showed me the progression from him to me...17 generations. Simply amazing, Emerald!!!

 

[Grayling55]

That’s so cool, @Grayling55! What made you interested in robotics and AI? I admire your hunger for learning — it’s such a great reminder that curiosity doesn’t fade with age. Any specific class or topic that you loved lately? And how fo you find out about these classes? Your fellow GrayViners might be interested, too!

It all started when I bought a kit on Amazon. I was hooked on learning more and increasing my kniwledge. Whenever I see a free class on AI, I usually investigate it. There are many places you can find free classes. This is the site for Harvard - https://pll.harvard.edu/catalog/free. You can also just search for free classes. Udemy and Coursera are also good sites to check. My county library offers Udemy courses for free so also check out sites from your library.

 

[Emerald U.]

It really is a full time project!! Surprises? Yes! My 17th Great Grandfather was King Gustav l of Sweden! Ancestry showed me the progression from him to me...17 generations. Simply amazing, Emerald!!!

Oh, I didn't know we have royalty among our members! That's so cool, @GaryBlake. I'm sure your future generations will thank you for taking on this massive project!

 

[Emerald U.]

It all started when I bought a kit on Amazon. I was hooked on learning more and increasing my kniwledge. Whenever I see a free class on AI, I usually investigate it. There are many places you can find free classes. This is the site for Harvard - https://pll.harvard.edu/catalog/free. You can also just search for free classes. Udemy and Coursera are also good sites to check. My county library offers Udemy courses for free so also check out sites from your library.

Thank you for sharing this, @Grayling55! I completely forgot about Coursera—I took free language courses a couple of years ago. Sadly, I'm still not fluent. I guess it's time to take those classes again!

 

[Arkie98]

Wish i knew where our family tree went. Our ancestors go back to Queen Victoria. I would love to have had it. My Sister had a book i loaned her to read on my Dad's side and it went way back. Most originated from Wales. Sadly she passed away and i have no clue where the book went.