Work can be. Tell me about it. Took me a lifetime to grasp that it isn't worth it, unfortunately; I wish it were. Hobby? Obsession? What's the difference? I guess the difference - for me - is that, I spend too much money, way beyond our means, on plants (not only on roses) so gardening has become an obsession, not a hobby any more. Gardening and rose forums I am obsessed with despite the fact that I should not lift, carry heavy stuff or band a lot nor should I spend too much time sitting in front of the computer. Or, when I was in high school and got money from my parents for a pair of shoes I spent on a book instead. Hobby is, in my interpretation, that enriches your life or makes it more interesting but does not destroy your health or make you financially bankrupt.

hi, i am pondering designing (as a hobby) some simple environmental controllers for use by indoor growers. but i am new to growing indoors, and have no experience using other similar commercial devices so basically i am asking what you would like to see in an simple indoor env. controller. or what useful features you have seen in open or closed loop controllers you have used that I might want to include some ideas are: 1) a cycle timer, that would switch an AC outlet based on a predefined 'On' and cycle time 2) a day/night thermostat for regulating temps (soil or air) day and night (duh). let me know what you think and want, gimme some some ideas. Thanks Folks, Lain

Audrey, I'm so glad you reposted your waxed linen basket and expanded on your skills and accomplishments. I'd love to see more of your work. Do you have a link?(Audrey is the name of the recipient of the beanie I am knitting right now. She is a long time friend of Alice and her roommate.) I knit and crochet skillfully enough but am not very ambitious about what I do. I stick with simple projects and uncomplicated stitches. I joke that if I can't knit with a glass of wine on the table while I carry on a conversation, I shouldn't be doing it. I haven't bothered with a pattern in a while. Reading them has become a chore with failing eyesight. Tricia, Alice is in her third year at Cal Poly. She will need an extra quarter to graduate because she changed majors after the first quarter from Agriculture Communications to Winemaking & Viticulture. She loves Cal Poly and college life in general. She doesn't just burn the candle at both ends, she snaps it in two and burns all four ends. She needs the warm things because she is on the board of the local ski club and she heads for snow every weekend. Pam, writing for grants is a highly regarded skill from what I hear. Have you done it professionally? Eileen

I would be hard pressed to describe my sewing machine (new and plastic) as a piece of junk. It can out sew anything grandma used...and I know my granny...she'd have one of these puppies too if she were still around and sewing. We'll I'll give you my "took up sewing at 40" perspective (I'm 45 now). I would suggest you spend at least $500 on a new machine (or gently used one even better) either a Bernina, Viking/Husquvarna, Babylock. I started taking a basic piecing (quilting) class with my stupid $199 brother and put it and the fabric away, swearing never to sew again. It totally sucks to learn to sew on a crappy machine. Rent one, or take lessons on someone elses machine (ie at the bernina shop) and learn how fun it is to sew on a real machine!!! Honestly, I wouldnt be the proud owner of a rediclous machine now :oP If I hadn't been convinced by a friend to take some private lessons through a local quilt shop connection. I HATED sewing on that cheap thing I had, but one hour with a middle of the road Bernina...and I was hooked. Its amazing what a great machine can do, and for housewares, it's a wonder to have a quality machine that can handle the stitches and tension involved in sewing a duvet or tapestry drapes. I purchased a Babylock deal ($999) sewing and embroidery as my second and long lasting machine. I recently sold that lovely thing(a year ago) for about $450, which was a good deal and about what they go for...but such a great machine. I upgraded to a better embroidery machine (esante I think....it's out in the car I have to take it out of the box LOL) because I now love sewing so much and enjoy using the many features of this machine. I also suggest you not try to learn with cheap fabric from Joanne's. Buy some lovely silk dupioni or good quality quilt shop cottons and be sure to invest in quality thread and accessories (bobbins and needles). Its kind of like learning to carve with a butter knife or an artists carving tool set. Perhaps you're not much of a carver...but you'll produce a better lump of funky wood with the artists set, and have more fun doing it, than you will with the butter knife..which will just leave you cursing and wanting to give up on the hobby alltogether. One thing to keep in mind though...I started with my first "real" machine as a baby lock. Even though I only make "big square things" (pillows, curtains, silk quilts) I have purchased some of the wonderful accessories (feet that work magic for you) that go with my machine. While I love Husquvarna and Bernina, I alreay had an investment in Babylock feet, and so I went with a Babylock that used the same style accessories. My sewing machine can be plugged into the lap top and I can upload/download...whatever....great embroidery patterns. My last project I added a 1700's lace embroidery reproduction to the edge of a pillow I was making with antique silk ribbons and a piece of tapestry I had found at an antique store. My grandma would have KILLED to be able to do that!! Always,for any project, buy the best tools you can afford. Buying a high quality machine will make this more fun, and if that's a new one, or a used one (us freak upgrade all the time) it's worth it, verses buying a horrible old metal thing that only goes forward and backward and gives tension...to you that you never wanted! Oh and don't drink red wine and use scissors at the same time....just a little hint...