SUNDAY FUNDAY - JULY 31, 2022

 SUNDAY FUNDAY JULY 31, 2022

IT’S THE LAST DAY OF JULY

Every day moves us closer to fall.  (And, winter …)

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I like to find offbeat things to put into Sunday blogs - how about these?

UNUSUAL HOBBIES

(largely from: 23+ Strange, Unusual & Weird Hobbies You Won't Believe 2022 (skillscouter.com))

1. Collecting Navel Fluff

Though we don’t know exactly how many people are taking part in this hobby on a regular basis, there are people who dedicate a lot of time to it!

One Australian man, Graham Barker, has been collecting his own navel fluff since 1984. His stored collection weighs about one ounce.

2. Extreme Ironing

Yep. You heard it correctly. This is one of the more weird hobbies on our list, which is essentially where people will iron something whilst undertaking an extreme sport.

It started in 1997 and has included adventures like climbing a mountain, riding a helicopter, and mid-air skydiving while ironing. There has even been an Extreme Ironing World Championship.

3. MOOING

It’s what it sounds like – literally. This hobby is based on the competitive ‘sport’ of doing the best impression of a cow.

The interesting hobby started in the USA, and the most recent winner of the competition was a 10-year-old boy in Wisconsin, USA.

I read “Mr. Jones can Moo, can you” to my grandchildren when they were younger!!!  

4. Beetle Fighting

Now not all of these weird hobbies we suggest actually taking up, like beetle fighting, for instance. This is what it sounds like – people putting insects against one another in small arenas.

 

It’s more than just some people playing with bugs when they’re bored. They film the matches and post them online, take bets, and some even breed the best fight-worthy beetles for the competition.  (I think I’ll pass on this one!!)

5. Collecting In-Flight Sick Bags

This definitely makes it in the top 5 weird hobbies of all. It’s quite simple to do – so long as you travel by air often. Simply collect the sick bags from every flight you’ve taken.  (Sounds a little stupid to me - but hey, each to their own!!!)

6. Toy voyaging

Did you know that your toys can have wacky wonderful adventures on their own? Toy voyaging is a hobby where you can send your toy off on a vacation somewhere around the world. 

 

 

You can even host another hobbyist’s toy on vacation too. People take photos of their toy, see the sights and participate in activities, and fill out travel journals.

 

(I’ve done this.  A friend in Sweden had a little stuffed animal and we took it on vacation and took pictures of the animal at different sights.  If you see a picture of a stuffed teddy bear at Mount Rushmore - it could be my picture!)

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NATIONAL TODAY

UNCOMMON INSTRUMENT AWARENESS DAY - July 31, 2022 - National Today

Okay, time to be creative.  There are cigar boxes that you can make into instruments (see: https://www.mightyexpert.com/cigar-box-guitar-kits/).  

I’ve told myself that my next instrument will be the bagpipes!!!  Here is a link to a homemade bagpipe with a garbage bag and recorders!!!

https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Make-Bagpipes-out-of-a-Garbage-Bag-and-Reco/

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SPIDER-MAN DAY - August 1, 2022 - National Today

Hey - even Spiderman gets a National Day.  Did you ever want to be a superhero?  Could you fly like Superman, spin spider webs, super speed like Flash, or super strong? 

I had a guest speaker in class once who started his presentation with “If you had a superpower, what one would you pick?”  What would be your superpower?

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NATIONAL COLORING BOOK DAY - August 2, 2022 - National Today

I bought a set of 64 colored pencils a few years back and I do coloring.  Last week when I sat with a friend who was to have a medical procedure, I colored.  There are online pages and books for adult coloring. (And, it is fun and relaxing!!!)

I have a bias that sometimes education takes the creativity out of the curriculum.  We tell our children that purple trees are wrong and to make sure you color within the lines.  Give them a sheet of paper (or you can take a sheet of paper) and doodle and color as you see fit.  I make motivational posters for myself - like “Love Wins”, and “Be Transformed by the Renewing of your Mind”.

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NATIONAL WATERMELON DAY - August 3, 2022 - National Today

I’ve written about watermelon.  Now is a good day to eat a watermelon.

I was looking for suggestions on how to pick out a good watermelon.  The website suggested dull color (sharp/bright colors aren’t quite ripe), heavy for its size (more water weight), and yellow spot yellow or creamy.

I looked for watermelons at three grocery stores this past week (the last one I had was so good) - and there weren’t any full-size melons (just the prepackaged ones)

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NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DAY - August 4, 2022 - National Today

Okay - here is a day we can sink our teeth into!!!  There are lots of varieties of chocolate chips - nuts, soft and chewy, hard, chunks of chips, semi-sweet chips, and mint-chocolate chips.  Which option do you like?

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NATIONAL WATER BALLOON DAY - August 5, 2022 - National Today

Oh My!!! “A staple of pool parties, playgrounds, and the summertime, water balloons exude so much joy for those playing with them. There is a certain thrill and excitement that one feels whenever they chuck a jiggly orb of water and see it explode in a burst of wetness and rubber flakes. For many, the action of throwing balloons back and forth ignites an excitement that is unmatched by any other.”

SENIOR DANCE AT THE BACA SENIOR CENTER IN ROUND ROCK

The first Friday of the month is the dance at the Round Rock senior center.  It is a fun night - bring your own beverage and snacks - you can request your favorite songs - and get out on the floor and move!!!  (Starts at 7:00 until 9:00 - a fee is charged)

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NATIONAL DISC GOLF DAY - August 6, 2022 - National Today

Okay, I have played disc golf (not very well).  There is a disc golf course on the San Gabriel trail and I’ve seen disc golfers (almost professionals) on the course.  They have a box filled with all kinds of discs - like a golfer with drivers down to putters.  It seems to be good exercise and good fun.  Have you played?  (I’d probably lose my discs in the water and bushes)

ALSO - AUGUST 6th!!

The San Gabriel Brass Quintet is playing at the Viscaya Development (off University Blvd east of 1460.  We’ll be playing at 11:00.  Some of our music - Rubber Ducky (tuba solo), Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, Lone Ranger theme, The Entertainer Rag (by Scott Joplin - from The Sting movie from years ago), Oklahoma and Yeller Rose of Texas, and more).  We’ll be at the HOA swimming pool.  (Yes, you can “sneak” in to listen)

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WRAP-UP

Enjoy the last day of July!!  August is coming - and it is still hot in Texas - but fall is coming too!!!

Some of us have vacation plans coming up - do relax and enjoy the last month of summer 2022!!!

LOVE WINS!!!

Karen