Obsessions

Webster defines an obsession as a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling.  I have had many obsessions throughout my life, but I don’t think that any of them were disturbing!  The unreasonableness of many of them is debatable.

My earliest obsessions were documented by daughter Amy when she was about ten years old and really into poetry.  She has always been an honest, accurate observer.  She wrote two poems about me.  The first was called “My Mom the Dairy Queen Freak.”  I don’t think that one needs any explanation.  The second poem was called “My Mom and Superman.”  This one needs a little background.  I have to admit that I was obsessed with Superman II when it came out — it had something to do with the boots and the cape, but I think it was mostly the romance between Lois Lane and Superman that hooked me.  The obsession didn’t extend to Clark Kent or the other Superman movies.  I saw the movie five times in one month — this was about 1982, before VCRs and DVDs.  I actually went to the movie theater five times by myself ($2 a pop at the matinees).

I think obsessions run in my family.  My brother Mark confessed to me years ago that his obsession with ice cream was so strong that if he had any in his freezer at home he thought about it all day at work until it (the ice cream) was gone.

A very young Mark (about 17)

In May of 1995 I became obsessed with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice — especially Mr. Darcy.  It all started when I borrowed the videotape that my high school AV department had made of the A&E production (thanks Sue H.).  During Memorial Day weekend I must have watched it 4 times (at 5 1/2 hours each time).  As soon as I went back to school on Tuesday, I checked out the book and read it several times in succession.  After about two weeks of total immersion in the culture and language of upper society England in the early 1800′s, I found it very disturbing to be back in modern Orchard Park — it seemed like even my way of speaking had changed (I found I was taking “turns” around the school).  That summer I read the rest of Jane Austen’s novels and watched as many of the productions as I could find.  I now own the whole collection, both the books and the DVDs.  I don’t think I am obsessed anymore, but I do still enjoy them.  If you ever want to watch or read one, you know how to find me …

There have been other smaller obsessions over the years, but my most recent ones are crocheting and the flute.  I have always had some needlework project going on, but since I retired I have become very prolific.  One of the first ways that I got connected with Reno last summer was when I joined the Crochet Circle at the nearby Community Center.  It is a group of 8-12 women over 55 who get together every Monday (and sometimes Thursday) morning to work on crochet projects.

We can work on our own thing or we can make things for different shelters and groups that we support.  Last year over 100 afghans and numerous hats and scarves were donated to the homeless and to a shelter for unwed mothers.  We share patterns and techniques and talk about all kinds of things.  The Monday morning sessions have become one of the must-do events in my new life in Reno.  I think I have made at least 6 afghans since September.  I am always eager to try a new pattern.  Once I start it, I am eager to finish it.  And once I finish it, I can’t wait to start another.  Here are some of the things I have made in the past few months:

I have recently taken up quilting and have signed up for four 6-hour classes this spring.  I’m not obsessed yet, but who knows…

I’ll talk about the flute in my next blog.