My Dorky New Hobby

My Internet friend Cup of Jo
Always brightens my day don’tcha know
Her two little boys
Are her greatest of joys
And Alex, the coolest dude-bro.

There once was a zoo gnu named Hugh
Who threatened to sue the zoo crew.
Hugh was lonely, you see,
But now Hugh’s filled with glee
‘Cause the zoo crew’s new zoo gnu’s named Sue!

My new random COVID hobby has been researching the genealogy of my and my husband’s families on Ancestry. They could not be more different. And I’ve made so many surprising discoveries. The biggest blessing has been learning about my grandmother’s family and reconciling that some long held beliefs I had about her were misplaced.

In Crete, they are called mantinades! (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantinada)

You inspired me! I have 11 written up for Christmas! I used a little poetic license — thank you all for some of the lines I ‘borrowed’.

Cheers to all the funny poets!

Are jigsaw puzzles a hobby? We did a couple at the beginning of this GD pandemic and I wasn’t that into it. But in October we started doing a puzzle while listening to ghost stories on podcasts. Over Thanksgiving, we did a puzzle while listening to an audiobook about the royals (we had just finished the crown). Over Christmas, I think we’ll listen to some of Ira Glass’ favorite episodes of This American Life (he just published his list!) while putting together a new winter-themed puzzle. I’m a bit tired of tv but still really love stories. So this has been a really fun way to be carried away by a story when my brain is too tired for a book.

There once was a shopper named Larry
Who in grocery store lots liked to tarry
He wished folks of all ages
Would use those nice cages
To return carts that accost folks unwary

In quarantine, I took up crochet
Even if it’ll never pay
Although there is a perk
It kills time while I work
And helps get me through the day

These are amazing!!!!! Also what a great gift idea to gather up a bunch of limericks for someone!

I haven’t seen my mom since quarantine started. It was her birthday recently so I bought us both the same paint by numbers. I am obsessed now! It is actually really relaxing and takes my mind off work and Covid.

I think of Larry all the time. I’ve told so many friends about that little story, and every time I’m in a store parking lot and I’m tempted to abandon my cart somewhere, I always think better of it and put it back.

Ha! I think of Larry every time I’m in the Wegmans parking lot, separating the small carts from the big carts in the cart hut. How difficult is it to follow the clearly marked signs and return the carts accordingly? Even in Covid times, I can’t help myself!

Love your limericks! One of my music theory teachers would give us credit for writing content relevant haiku on our exams. I loved it!
I started podcasting over isolation, and I’m a woman obsessed. I have TWO now, one of which is solo and the other with three lifelong friends. I never imagined I would be happy spending 6 hours a week refining audio and writing scripts/outlines, but I love producing this content SO much! It’s making me feel more connected in a time where I really need that.
Best to you and your family!

This is adorable and I am dying of cuteness. Thank you for sharing Jo! I’m definitely going to try this.

this is so funny and cute and random :)

I’ve started reading poetry regularly… Is that a hobby? (I’m counting it.) It all started with your rec of Kate Baer’s What Kind of Woman, which led me to Mary Oliver and Margaret Atwood and Billy Collins… I keep the books down by our fireplace and read them in the evenings while my sons play around me. It’s hard to read other material while they are around because of… well because they are children and they are around, but a poem or two fit perfectly and even make me feel recreational+ly productive with that weird time after the dishes are done but before bedtime. And now, I regularly text the poems to family and friends… so your recommendation is a gift that keeps on giving.

Oh my gosh I felt compelled to do one!

There once was a boy who wore dreadlocks
Who married a girl who loves rocks
The moved to the land of mountain rocks
And had three lovie kids with dirty socks

stop it.

This summer, we literally drove through Limerick, in Ireland (where we are living right now), on my husband’s birthday. The kids had some epic birthday poetry battles in the car and our family to took part too, texting limericks back and forth across the world. It made the car ride feel more like a family hang out in our living room! x

Crossword puzzles! I subscribed to the NY Times Crossword app and I can’t stop!!! I don’t think I ever completed a crossword puzzle before a couple months ago and now I can’t go to bed if I haven’t finished the daily.

This is so weird. I LOVE IT!!

I’m not sure that this counts as a hobby but I’ve started using way too much soap in the shower and it is MAGICAL. Sometimes I mix whatever random bottles we have laying around together – it’s all just stuff from the drugstore. But it’s an excess that’s cheap, easy, fun… it really brightens my day to feel so clean and smell so great.

I love this so much!! I used to be into writing limericks in high school (that was decades ago – ha!) you’ve inspired me to begin again…

I wrote these for my family. I think I’ll read them aloud on christmas morning. :)

there once was an urbanite from b-town
who liked to read books (like notes from the underground)
to keep his boys cheery
he walked them ‘til weary
my love for this man is profound
***
oh, teddy: you’re so funny and smart
you play restaurant, watch snoopy, like crafting and art
you keep us in stitches
with all the personas and sing-songy pitches
your excitement for life fills with joy our home & hearts
***
little leo: your stormy blue eyes
seem to say you are loving and wise
it’s so cute how you shake your head no
(which mirrors my feelings on the speed that you grow)
I’m not sure how we survived before your cute, chubby thighs
***
happy christmas to my sweet crew of four
you are all of my dreams for a family and more
you bring joy to my days,
accept all my ways
hours of laughing leave my cheeks oh so sore
so much love overflowing out my heart it does pour
… i am grateful this holiday, even more than before

Love it! And I literally think of Larry EVERY time I return my shopping cart. Just when I think it’s cold and my car is too far from the store, that little voice inside of me says… but you have to do it, for Larry!

Also, I called to inquire about Jason Suran this past weekend and told his booking agent I heard about him on CoJ, had they ever heard of it? And he said oh yes, Joanna put us on the map! After the first CoJ post when he was mentioned, he got over 500 inquiries in 3 days. The power of this community is strong!

I have been working on my very own “millow” as my pandemic hobby, inspired by your grandmother’s beautiful and prolific collection. It’s slow going in my hands.

Dear Joanna,
I love your limericks!
This year was my 70th birthday.
My oldest daughter and her husband, (they have 3 kids) teased me upon receiving it, telling me I had too much time on my hands. I burst into laughter!
The following is the limerick I sent to my two daughters.Be my guest
Be my guest
Put my service to the test
Tie your mask around your face, cherie
And I’ll provide the rest

Turning seventy
With integrity
How? I live with lots of levity!
Even though I’m hard of hearing
And my thoughts, keep disappearing!

Quarantined
Type to enter text
We’re a pod
And for that we can applaud

And a dinner here is never second best
Go on unfold your menu
Take a glance and then you’ll
Be my guest
Oui, my guest
Be my guest

Lots of food
A soiree
Cake and candles en flambe
I’ll prepare and serve with flair
A culinary cabaret

Driving far
Or close by
We will gather and fly high
No one’s gloomy or complaining
Why? We’re all so entertaining!

We’ll eat knish
No whitefish!
Blow the candles, make a wish
And its all in perfect taste that you can bet

Come on and lift your glass
You’ve got a family pass
To be my guest
If you are stressed
Its fine dining I suggest
Be my guest
Be my guest
Be my guest!