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Quote of the Day

April 26th, 2009

There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.”

–Author Unknown

bees-on-gloves
I had to laugh when I read this. I do have people tell me I’m weird because I like to grow some of my own food, keep bees and want to have pet chickens. I have to wonder though, with some of the hobbies people have, am I the weird one?

What do you think, hobby or mental illness?

14 Comments to “Quote of the Day”
  1. Mangochild on April 26, 2009 at 6:40 am

    I have to ask, where do you find these quotes? They almost always make me smile, laugh, nod knowingly, or shake my head in amazement.
    Even though I am new at this, I have heard similar things about my own gardening and local life. But, hey, we all have our quirks, right? Some just different than others…. and maybe there is something to be learned from quirkiness that can spread? I say neither hobby nor mental illness – a different worldview maybe, but really at root one that almost everyone can relate to in some way, in some presentation of how it is.

    Mangochild’s last blog post.. A New Series: Growing Pleasures

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    • Susy on April 26, 2009 at 8:29 am

      Oh, in books, on-line, various places. I always have a notebook and pen with me so I can write them down whenever I hear or see them. I’m a bit of a quote junky, I’ve always had them plastered about my living spaces.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  2. Dave on April 26, 2009 at 7:29 am

    Hobby, Definitely a hobby. To call it a mental illness I would have to admit I have one as well!

    Reply to Dave's comment

  3. kristin on April 26, 2009 at 7:32 am

    Eh, all a matter of opinion, I guess. I don’t understand a lot of other people’s hobbies (video games? I don’t get the appeal), but whatever makes you happy, you know?

    And just so you don’t feel so alone, when I first told my family I wanted to get chickens, they laughed at me. I’m pretty sure they still laugh at me, but at least they do it behind my back now. Good enough.

    kristin’s last blog post.. Sneaking Some Summer into Spring

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    • Susy on April 26, 2009 at 8:31 am

      I’m quite comfortable being the town “crazy”. I just found out that I was being talked about at the beauty parlor, you know you’re a real town crazy when they’re talking about you at the beauty parlor.

      Reply to Susy's comment

      • DeeDee on April 27, 2009 at 9:27 am

        i love it!

        to DeeDee's comment

  4. Chicago Mike on April 26, 2009 at 8:32 am

    Its a fine mellow blend of both, with a great after dinner mint flavor.

    Actually I will consider it a mental illness when I start eating dirt to test its quality and the seed companies report me as a capital asset on their annual reports.

    Reply to Chicago Mike's comment

  5. Judy on April 26, 2009 at 8:33 am

    Well, I have to agree with the other comments — definitely not a mental illness because if I said that, I would be calling myself crazy too LOL

    My family (especially my daughter and son) were thinking I had “dropped my basket” when I said I wanted chickens this year.
    Daughter has definitely warmed up to them and helps me feed and water them. She loves to pick them up and pet them too (she’s 14). But Son is afraid of them and I know he thinks I’ve lost my mind — why have chickens when you can just go to the store and buy eggs, right? LOL

    Judy’s last blog post.. A Busy Saturday – April 25, 2009

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  6. Judy on April 26, 2009 at 8:43 am

    As one who works my day job in mental health, I would have to say that it’s a matter of perspective. We have had extensive conversations about the definition of ‘NORMAL’ and as far as I can tell, it is either a setting on my washing machine or a city in Illinois.
    Our friends and family definitely think we’ve gone off the deep end, but that’s okay, they’re being supportive while we dive in. That always helps.

    Judy’s last blog post.. House- Day 6: A quiet day

    Reply to Judy's comment

  7. keewee on April 26, 2009 at 9:31 am

    That is debatable. I do get “looks, and why don’t you set your bed up out there” when I say I will be in the garden if they need me. Hmmmm! are they telling me something? *chuckle*

    Reply to keewee's comment

  8. Daphne on April 26, 2009 at 12:32 pm

    I think anyone who is passionate about their hobby is a little crazy, me included. People entertain themselves with all sorts of things. Take model railroad building. I saw a beautiful set up about a year ago and all I could think was that someone put an awful lot of time and effort into a train in the basement. I’m sure there are people that think the same thing about me but at least my obsession makes me eat more healthfully, lets me get tons of exercise and gets me outside not to mention the environmental benefits. At least I’m crazy in a healthy way.

    Daphne’s last blog post.. A Change in the Weather

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  9. janet on April 27, 2009 at 8:17 am

    If you could have seen the look on our builder’s face when I said I didn’t need a garbage disposal because I had worms….priceless! Hobby or mental illness…does it matter? Keeps us happy. :-D

    Reply to janet's comment

  10. ChristyACB on April 27, 2009 at 11:15 am

    LOL…ChicagoMike said it all!

    ChristyACB’s last blog post.. Squirrels and Cabbage Worms…Oh My!

    Reply to ChristyACB's comment

  11. Kelly Butler on April 28, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    You are not weird – I admire all of thise things about you!

    Kelly Butler’s last blog post..

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About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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