[TriciaR]

Masking quilts

That sounds great—there’s something so calming and creative about quilting. Thank you for sharing @armyslin ! If you enjoy chatting about your projects or seeing what others are making, be sure to visit our Craft Corner forum! Are you working on any particular pattern or theme right now?

 

[TriciaR]

I have enjoyed Senior Line Dancing. I started at my local Senior Center about 3-4 years ago. I love the exercise of it because it is fun. I also just started bowling with my 16 yoa grandson. He has Cerebral Palsy on one side. He got started last summer. Doing great that he is in 2 leagues. I call him my “Coach”. He got me interested and is helpful to me. I try and do 4 games with him but, then I get pooped.. It is worth every minute with him no matter the aches and pain later.

This absolutely warmed my heart—thank you so much for sharing @Abbode ! Senior line dancing sounds like such a fun way to stay active, and I love that you're now bowling with your grandson. What a beautiful bond you two have—and how inspiring that he’s in two leagues! Calling him your “Coach” is just the sweetest thing. Has he taught you any bowling tricks yet, or do you have a little friendly competition going?

 

[TriciaR]

You asked about exercise. When I retired a year and a half ago my cholesterol was up. My weight was over 200 and on a 5 foot one frame that is horrible. I decided then in there that I would make the necessary changes and as a retired nurse practitioner, I knew what they had to be. I had been attending a Gym with a semi personal training program for several years. And that’s where I started. I go three times a week and I asked my trainer to up my game. In between I do 30 minutes on the treadmill and 30 minutes on the bike and after some consideration of core and back weakness, I do a total of three minutes of planks per day, sometimes one minute at a time sometimes a minute and a half but yesterday I was able to do a full two minutes at one time. Come gardening season my walking and weightlifting will be more outside, but my other hobbies which include reading knitting crocheting and Crosstitch tend to be sedentary and so I’m happy that I can offset that with workouts.

Wow, thank you so much for sharing your journey @Fnpmaf —it’s incredibly inspiring! You’ve clearly put in so much hard work and thought into your routine, and it’s paying off. A two-minute plank is no small feat—congratulations! It’s wonderful that you’ve found a way to balance your active lifestyle with hobbies like reading, knitting, and cross-stitch. When gardening season starts, what do you usually grow? We’d love to hear more about your green thumb, too!

 

[TriciaR]

Ive been crocheting afghans for all my grandkids. 6 down 6 to go

That’s such a beautiful and heartfelt project—thank you for sharing @rdenomie ! Six afghans is already an amazing accomplishment, and I’m sure your grandkids absolutely treasure them. How’s it coming along now—are you getting close to finishing the next six? If you ever feel like sharing your progress or seeing what others are creating, we’d love to have you in our Craft Corner forum!

 

[TriciaR]

I'm 68 years young and have my routine. I complete 10,000+ steps by doing daily virtual walks in the winter on my treadmill all over the globe. I follow up by going to a fit body boot camp for a 30 minute full body workout (best part of my day). Having forged many new friendships that continue outside of the gym, supporting each other and enjoying lots of laughter and outside walks. My husband is my biggest fan and supporter. He and I are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary later this year. So blessed to be living my best life.

You are such an inspiration—thank you so much for sharing @eav2556 ! 10,000+ steps and a full body workout? That’s incredible, and I love that you’ve made new friendships along the way. It’s amazing how fitness can bring people together in such meaningful ways. And how wonderful to have your husband cheering you on—congratulations on your upcoming 50th wedding anniversary! Do you have anything special planned for the big celebration? We’d love to hear about it!

 

[TriciaR]

I go to a Planet Fitness 3 - 5 days a week and work out for a minimum of 2 hours.

That’s seriously impressive—thank you for sharing @PhilBurns ! Going to Planet Fitness several times a week and staying active for two hours at a time takes real commitment. Do you have a favorite type of workout while you're there—cardio, weights, something else? We’d love to know what keeps you going strong!

 

[TriciaR]

I’ve really gotten addicted to my 10,000 steps a day. I wake up, throw on clothes and am out the door before I have the chance to think about it. Now it’s my favorite activity! I usually listen to Hawaiian music or favorite podcasts while walking.View attachment 58376

What a great habit—and such a positive way to start the day! Thank you for sharing @KJS ! Getting hooked on 10,000 steps a day is the best kind of addiction, and I love that you head out before your brain can talk you out of it. Hawaiian music sounds like such a peaceful walking soundtrack too! Do you have a favorite podcast you’d recommend? We’re always looking for something new to listen to!

 

[TriciaR]

I've been keeping busy with two hobbies. One is my genealogy research. My wife and I have been researching our roots for almost 30 years. I have written a 280-page book with our results so far, and I'm constantly digging to see if I can find additional information.

I also received a 5-string banjo for my last birthday from my son and his boys. Being a retired band director, I have learned how to play almost every instrument, but the banjo has always been on my bucket list. I am going through a self-guided course in learning how to play 3-finger Bluegrass banjo. What fun!

Wow—thank you so much for sharing @OldDoc ! Both of your hobbies sound incredibly meaningful and full of passion. Thirty years of genealogy research and a 280-page book? That’s an incredible achievement—what a legacy to pass down. Have you uncovered any surprising or memorable stories along the way? And learning the 5-string banjo? That’s fantastic! Bluegrass has such a joyful, toe-tapping sound. How are you finding the 3-finger style so far? Is it living up to the bucket list dream?

 

[TriciaR]

I'm not sure if I'm doing this right but...
I would love to take a walk outside but it is 26° and sleeting. That will change over to snow and when it's finished we will have 4 to 6 inches on the ground. I'm absolutely glad I am retired and don't have to go out. Kind of boring huh? Have a nice day.

You’re definitely doing it right—thank you for sharing @MsRusty ! That kind of weather sounds like the perfect excuse to stay warm and cozy indoors. I don’t blame you one bit for being glad to be retired during that kind of storm! That was back in February—has the weather warmed up any since then? Have you had a chance to enjoy that walk yet?

 

[TriciaR]

I’m taking a reach out to friends day, one more to go. Had to leave a message on that one.
Crouios as to where tihs Grey Vine is to start. Had no I idea when I signed up yesterday. I did see your weather report this morning. I think it said it was 29. I knew then you weren’t near me. I woke up to 65 and sunny. Last month I moved from Virginia to Honolulu, hopefully for the rest of my days.
I’m waiting for my trike to arrive witch should be any day now, then I’ll get to explore this wondrous place.
In. my byo I put art nature motorsports, all kinds of t and most days I switch from on to the next. Today was excersize and the rest phone call to the friends in Pennsylvania where I lived for most of my life. I only moved to Virginia back in October to be with my daughter and her husband, an army engineer. why and how I got to Hawaii. In short I just got unpacked when my daughter told me to start packing up, we’r moving to Hawaii.
I think I’m going to like it here, glad I found you, or you found me I don’t remember,it was only yesterday
Take care
KENIZLA

Thank you so much for sharing @KENIZLA —it sounds like you’ve had quite the journey lately! Moving from Virginia to Honolulu on such short notice must have been a whirlwind, but what a beautiful place to land! I hope your trike has arrived by now—have you had the chance to go exploring yet? Also, it’s lovely that you dedicated a day to reconnecting with friends. Those kinds of calls can lift everyone’s spirits. As for The GrayVine—you’ve landed in the right place! It’s our friendly little corner for chats, stories, and connection. We’re so glad you’re here, and we can’t wait to hear more about your adventures in Hawaii, your art, and maybe even a bit of motorsports talk!

 

[TriciaR]

I'm a painter, acrylics on canvas.

That’s wonderful—thank you for sharing @mollmae ! Acrylic painting on canvas is such a vibrant and expressive medium. What kind of subjects do you enjoy painting most—landscapes, portraits, abstracts?
If you ever feel like sharing your work or chatting with fellow creatives, we’d love to see you in our Craft Corner forum!

 

[TriciaR]

A little more than a year ago a friend introduced me to Japanese ink painting, sumi-e. I fel in love with it. I’m working i water color a lot now. I like the proses of art. I ‘m enjoing all sorts, multi media, collage. Not sure on the spelling of some of that. Another friend past along a passell of both acrylics and oils, haven't gone there yet.

Thank you so much for sharing @KENIZLA —it sounds like you’ve really embraced the joy of exploring different art forms! Sumi-e is such a graceful and meditative style—what a lovely introduction to the art world. And now you’re diving into watercolor, mixed media, and collage too? That’s fantastic! The process of creating truly is just as rewarding as the finished piece. How exciting to have a whole new set of acrylics and oils waiting for you! Do you think you’ll give them a try soon? We’d love to hear what you’re inspired to create next. And if you ever feel like sharing your work, our Craft Corner forum is always open!