Hobbies

Sewing
Little 5 year old Donna had a favorite dress, and dolly needed one just like it.  Donna found Mommy's scissors and cut a piece of material our of her dress in order to make a dress for dolly.  Mommy wasn't particularly happy about the ruined dress.  After all, it was brand new.  But she told little Donna to wait until Daddy came home and they would talk about it and decide what would happen.  Daddy decided that if Donna wanted to make dresses, he would feed that desire.  Donna got her first sewing machine, fabric, thread, and loving support doing what came naturally to her.  How could Donna's life not revolve around family and sewing? 

While in Junior High, Donna dreamed of becoming a fashion designer.  She continued to set the standard in every sewing class she took.  This eventually led to  formal training as a seamstress.  There was always enough work to keep her busy, but after a divorce and derelict child support, it didn't pay the bills of a single mother of four children.  Sewing was put aside in order to get professional training in Respiratory Therapy.

Donna's passion for sewing was rekindled when she received a sewing machine for Christmas in 1998.   

Quilting
What began as a duty to her mother-in-law upon her passing in 2004 has grown into Donna's everlasting legacy.  It is not unusual for Donna to have as many as 5 quilting projects in process at any one time. These projects range from small crib-sized blankets to King-sized heirloom quality quilts. Not satisfied with creations that are beyond those of typical home quilter, Donna enters her creations in judged competitions in order to get professional analysis and critical feedback.  Thus, there is a continual improvement process employed, even with choice of recreation.

Canoeing
We have three canoes with which we explore the more than 3500 named Adirondack lakes and ponds. 

Our big canoe is a We-no-nah 18 foot Jensen.  It comfortably holds the two of us, our dog, and supplies for several days of primitive camping, although at our age, we are typically day-trippers.  The Jensen tracks very well and is built for speed. 

The other two canoes are Horbeck pond boats.  Donna has a "Black Jack" which weighs under 12 pounds.  Gordon's is a little larger and a couple pounds heavier, but they are both great for carrying into lakes and ponds that do not have roadside access points. 

Hiking 
The Adirondacks have hundreds of miles of marked and State maintained hiking trails.  Several wilderness areas provide remote hiking and primitive camping in lean-tos.   Mountains, lakes, streams, and wilderness combine to make the Adirondacks an ourdoor-person's paradise.  

Chip Carving
This is a variation of geometric relief carving that is appropriate for decorating wooden boxes, small decorative objects, and various pieces of furniture.  Gordon has taken this up as therapy for his arthritic hands.

Scroll Saw
The art of using a scroll saw is giving way to the use of laser engravers for creating pieces of art from wood.  This, also, is a way Gordon fills otherwise idle time and keeps his hands out of trouble.