Over the years I have been involved in various hobbies and interests, and even now, I consider myself lucky to have had a job which in reality was as much a hobby as anything. I've done a little bit of radio, television (pre-digital junk), model railways, electronics, choral singing, and now model engineering. I do find it interesting, well funny actually, when people ask "Well, what do you actually do with it?" My answer is: "Self-education by experimentation, and if I happen to be able to repair or make something of use along the way, then that's all to the good." But the comment I liked best, was when my neighbour came round, saw what I was doing, (can't remember what it was) and then went home and said to his wife: "He's a genius"!
Seriously though, there is another consideration. My maternal grandfather left work at (presumably 65), had no outside interests, and was dead at 70 having developed Alzheimer's or something similar. (Described to me as "He's lost his memory."
I'm now well past that age, and on two occasions over the last three years I've been told by the medical staff at the GP surgery that I'm showing no signs of mental deterioration. I'd like to think it is because of all the interests I have.
So, do I care about what others think? Do I heck, I just give mental thanks that I can still do it.
Modestly yours,
Peter G. Shaw