Hobby Thread - October 24, 2026 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. For this week, the Wheel of Hobbies (TM) is feeling adventurous and decided on a geocaching theme for this Hobby Thread.

Geocaching? What is that? Read on, fellow hobbyists...

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Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game that uses GPS. Players hide small waterproof containers (called caches) in public places and post the coordinates online.

Other players use a smartphone app or GPS device to find them. Each cache usually holds a logbook and sometimes small trinkets. When you find one, you sign the log, trade an item if you want for equal or greater value, and record the find online. You can also hide your own caches for others to discover.

The hobby combines hiking, problem-solving, and exploration. Caches range from easy urban spots to challenging mountain trails. Some are tiny and hard to spot. Others are larger and easier to find. It takes participants to places they ordinarily wouldn't go and incorporates the challenge of figuring out where the treasure would be stored.

As far as I know, there are no costs involved other than access to a phone or GPS, access to the internet, and the ability to travel outdoors. The global nature of the hobby means you can do it almost anywhere. Like any other hobby, I presume there are casual participants and more enthusiastic and dedicated participants.

The locations are one thing but the containers themselves are another. Some containers are basic weather tight plastic containers or ammo box type containers. They are easy to identify. Others are more difficult to spot, are disguised or are hidden inside fences or trees.

Are any among the Horde geocachers? If not now, have you done it or tried it in the past? If so, please share. Interested in hearing about your adventures, interesting places you found a cache and unexpected hiding places.

What kind of items have you found or traded? Was geocaching a great hobby with friends or kids? Does anyone host a cache on their property or hide/place caches?

Anyone have recommendations about online websites or apps that are good for geocachers?

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The content may not be your favorite but give it a chance before you judge and bail out. More importantly, what are you hobbying? Jump in with your hobbying, interests, stories and questions.

Anything (legal) you are hobbying is welcome. If nothing resonates, offer something else relating to hobbying or just check in and say hello.

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. Leave politics and religion to threads elsewhere (unless your hobby is building or restoring churches). Pants? Nope. As always, puns are welcome and encouraged.

Play nice and do not be rude. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

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Disclaimer - I had a difficult time finding YouTube videos that don't feel overdramatic. There is a natural inclination/temptation to highlight videos like "you won't believe this crazy hiding place!" or "we went to the most amazing hiding location." There are also people that have strong feelings about how it should be done or not done. The videos in the content below are illustrative but there might be better ones out there. Ace of Spades also does not endorse trespassing or otherwise breaking the laws in pursuit of hidden bounty. Caveat emptor.

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The beginning seems like a good place to start:

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Seems like good advice for more advanced participants:

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Some geocaching items are trackables or travel bugs - they are moved around the world by geocachers and logged in as they go. For example, someone might set up a trinket with a goal of traveling to certain countries or cities. A geocacher finds the trinket, identifies the instruction and carries it with them if they are headed in a direction that can help accomplish the goal. Think of it like a flat stanley type group project.

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As if regular caches weren't challenging enough, some caches require solving a puzzle to access the logbook - here's a good example:

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In memoriam

You may not know Tom Daniel's name, but you're likely familiar with his work.

Tom's art and model designs affected and entire generation, and many of us have carried it with us throughout our lives as artists and model builders.
Tom was an industrial artist. He did many designs for industry and the automotive world. He also did console designs for NASA back in the 60's.
In the late 60's and early 70's he began designing model vehicles for Monogram Models and later Revell Corporation. Having designed over 70 goofy and wild model kits. He was also a fine art painter, He painted mostly landscapes and railroad art.
Although uncredited he designed the "Munster Coach" and "Dragula" cars for the hit show "The Munsters." George Barris built these cars but they were originally Tom's design.

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Not a hobby, but skill that hobbyists would respect:

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You had me at "4.5 meter dragon head." Interesting creation process video:

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In light of the comments last week about spinning wheels, thought the Horde might be interested in a little cotton content. We snapped these photos in Mississippi en route to the Place for the Thing last week. The cotton harvest was underway!

How does a cotton harvester and baler work? Glad you asked!

Farming terminology nugget: a cotton harvester is not called a combine. The term "combine" is reserved for machines that "combines" reaping, threshing, and cleaning into one machine. It is used mainly for grain crops such as wheat, corn, soybeans, barley, rice, and similar crops. A cotton harvester just strips the cotton off the stalk.

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The stores are full of large scale outdoor Christmas decorations. Anyone shopping?

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Horde Hobbying: sea glass work by IrishEi -

20261022-Sea Glass Art 8 pc-3.jpg

20261022-Sea Glass Art 8 pc-4.jpg

I finally started doing something with all the sea glass that I've collected over the years. It's relaxing and fun, and believe it or not, people are paying ridiculous amounts of money for the stuff. I don't have the time to go to craft shows or set up an online business, but a neighbor who makes great goat milk soap takes some of my stuff� to local shows and has successfully sold quite a bit for me.

Outstanding! Thank you!

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did a hobby scrapple (MoMe edition) theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

Notable comments from last week:

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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Reminder: if you put links in the comments, use a URL shortener and describe what you're linking to. Failing to do either or both makes you barrel-eligible. Don't make people click to find out what you're linking.

Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Or just email to say hello. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Saw the ammo can, thought it was shootin.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 24, 2026 05:30 PM (1Ff7Z)

2 Geocaching is kind of cool. I've always wanted to do it. I've seen some where they take a page from the old Lara Croft Tomb Raider game and not only make it difficult to identify at the location, but ALSO, they will create a puzzle of how to secure the find.

Posted by: Orson at October 24, 2026 05:35 PM (dIske)

3 Large scale outdoor Christmas decor?

The good stuff is too expensive. You could make a whole Rudolph display from Lowe's, but it would cost you over a grand.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 24, 2026 05:37 PM (1Ff7Z)

4 Still working my way through Lord of the Rings Online.

I've made it to the Battle of Helm's Deep. I'm now searching for Gimli within the Glittering Caves.

LOTRO (and other MMOs) have their own form of "geocaching." There are often secret treasure chests hidden in very out of the way locations. You can find exceptional loot in them.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 24, 2026 05:38 PM (FZ29D)

5 I suppose next week will have a Halloween theme?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 24, 2026 05:40 PM (1Ff7Z)

6 Cotton story.
Cousin was on a rugby team that traveled to Australia. He decided to cash in his return ticket and explore. after a bit money was getting short and as he had graded cotton near Hanford CA he went to a cotton farm and asked if they needed an experienced cotton grader. The guy behind the desk asked his name and entered it into his computer , looked up and said 'Well you had good reviews when you worked for us in CA. When can you start." Same company in AU. He was able to extend his stay quite a bit.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 24, 2026 05:41 PM (NnhvP)

7 'Well you had good reviews when you worked for us in CA. When can you start." Same company in AU. He was able to extend his stay quite a bit.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 24, 2026 05:41 PM (NnhvP)

So, you're saying he was in tall cotton?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 24, 2026 05:43 PM (1Ff7Z)

8 That's pretty cool. Thanks TRex.

Wasn't there a similar mobile phone Pokemon game that was the most popular thing in the world for about 2 weeks? I seem to recall that. And then people started setting traps and ambushes...

Posted by: Stateless - Ralphy - 106 years old! Puppy at heart! at October 24, 2026 05:47 PM (Sco7b)

9 5 I suppose next week will have a Halloween theme?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 24, 2026 05:40 PM
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Unlikely. We did a Halloween/fall theme earlier in the month. I try to do holiday hobbying themes in advance of the holiday to facilitate advance preparation and planning.

Posted by: TRex- spooky dino at October 24, 2026 05:47 PM (XfIK1)

10 Unlikely. We did a Halloween/fall theme earlier in the month. I try to do holiday hobbying themes in advance of the holiday to facilitate advance preparation and planning.
Posted by: TRex- spooky dino at October 24, 2026 05:47 PM (XfIK1)

So, it's a trick, not a treat?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 24, 2026 05:48 PM (1Ff7Z)

11 Unlikely. We did a Halloween/fall theme earlier in the month. I try to do holiday hobbying themes in advance of the holiday to facilitate advance preparation and planning.
Posted by: TRex- spooky dino at October 24, 2026 05:47 PM (XfIK1)
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Easter is right around the corner!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 24, 2026 05:49 PM (FZ29D)

12 Easter is right around the corner!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 24, 2026 05:49 PM
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No joke. Every time I'm in Hobby Lobby, they're already looking past the next holiday to the one after.

Posted by: TRex- calendar management dino at October 24, 2026 05:51 PM (XfIK1)

13 'We geocached this Andromeda Strain! Let's see who finds it!'

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 24, 2026 05:52 PM (Y/06r)

14 Although uncredited he designed the "Munster Coach" and "Dragula" cars for the hit show "The Munsters." George Barris built these cars but they were originally Tom's design./i]

I didn't know that.
All you ever heard or saw was George Barris.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at October 24, 2026 05:54 PM (6ydKt)

15 A word to the wise before Halloween.

God Rejects Cain’s Offering Of Candy Corn

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 05:55 PM (ndZc7)

16 'We geocached this Andromeda Strain! Let's see who finds it!'
Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 24, 2026 05:52 PM (Y/06r)
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All I found was a cursed amulet. Some people have all the luck.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 24, 2026 05:57 PM (FZ29D)

17 Got my daughter another step along the way finishing her first gemstone. Faceting a 10mm Brilliant cut on a piece of clear Cubic Zirconia. She finished the pavillion yesterday so she could take it to show her coworkers. Kinda fun passing on a skill like that to the fourth generation.

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 05:59 PM (MI2Xn)

18 4 Still working my way through Lord of the Rings Online.

I've made it to the Battle of Helm's Deep. I'm now searching for Gimli within the Glittering Caves.

LOTRO (and other MMOs) have their own form of "geocaching." There are often secret treasure chests hidden in very out of the way locations. You can find exceptional loot in them.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 24, 2026 05:38 PM (FZ29D)
___________________________

I used to play that game quite a bit. Very enjoyable, and surprisingly pretty solid in keeping the lore intact. What annoyed me is that you had to create new characters all the time to make sure you covered all the gear crafting. I played Warden and Beorning most of the time.

Posted by: Orson at October 24, 2026 05:59 PM (dIske)

19 Geocaching sounds like it would be fun for a father & son(s).

They'd learn they could use that computer in their pocket for more than just social media and games.

I would have enjoyed that as a kid.
It's like a little treasure hunt.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at October 24, 2026 05:59 PM (6ydKt)

20 All I found was a cursed amulet. Some people have all the luck.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 24, 2026 05:57 PM (FZ29D)

That damn tiki necklace!

Posted by: Greg Brady at October 24, 2026 06:00 PM (1Ff7Z)

21 I used to play that game quite a bit. Very enjoyable, and surprisingly pretty solid in keeping the lore intact. What annoyed me is that you had to create new characters all the time to make sure you covered all the gear crafting. I played Warden and Beorning most of the time.
Posted by: Orson at October 24, 2026 05:59 PM (dIske)
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They've modified the gear crafting so that you can pick and choose what skills you want to level up instead of being locked into a skill bundle. You can even unlock additional skills beyond the standard three so one character to do most of the crafting solo if you like.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 24, 2026 06:01 PM (FZ29D)

22 17 Got my daughter another step along the way finishing her first gemstone.

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 05:59 PM
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Congrats! I was *this* close to doing a gem cutting theme, but thought it might be too narrow for hobby thread purposes. Maybe I'll give it further consideration...

Posted by: TRex - shiny dino at October 24, 2026 06:01 PM (XfIK1)

23 Geocaching looks like a lot of fun.

TRex and Grateful, it was good seeing you both last weekend.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 06:05 PM (ua/lL)

24 TRex and Grateful, it was good seeing you both last weekend.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 06:05 PM
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Likewise! Best wishes for the upcoming competitions!

Posted by: TRex - equestrian dino at October 24, 2026 06:07 PM (XfIK1)

25 IrishEi, your work has joy all over it. I don't think I have seen anything that say HAPPY so wonderfully.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 06:09 PM (ua/lL)

26 gem cutting theme
_-_
That would be fun. In my youth we went to many gem and mineral shows where my grandfather would do gemstone faceting demonstrations and my father would do silverwork next to him. Very good crowd to grow up in. Great hobby for those who do technical work - can't be thinking about writing software when you're cutting a gemstone.

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 06:11 PM (T+bt9)

27 I am curious about goat milk soap.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at October 24, 2026 06:11 PM (6ydKt)

28 No joke. Every time I'm in Hobby Lobby, they're already looking past the next holiday to the one after.
Posted by: TRex- calendar management dino at October 24, 2026 05:51 PM (XfIK1)

My friends brought over Pumpkins and Squash for the porch outside.

Inside, the undecorated 7ft Costco tree is upstairs waiting for my friends kids to decorate it which they love. Our 5th annual "Christmas in October" party. 3 hours. The kids decorate the tree. A bit of food. Open their gifts. And done...

Posted by: Stateless - Ralphy - 106 years old! Puppy at heart! at October 24, 2026 06:12 PM (Sco7b)

29 Working on getting home from comedy club, long train to get past

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 06:13 PM (F93eu)

30 They've modified the gear crafting so that you can pick and choose what skills you want to level up instead of being locked into a skill bundle. You can even unlock additional skills beyond the standard three so one character to do most of the crafting solo if you like.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 24, 2026 06:01 PM (FZ29D)

__________________________

Have you tried Final Fantasy Online? I jump on there every once in a while to keep in touch with my grand-niece (who loves it). The first three expansions and the original are free to play. It's surprisingly a very very good story, and the community is one of the few online games where there is little toxicity. Other players are extremely helpful and actually look out for new players. It's been going on for over 10 years. They set it up so that you can create one character and do all the different "jobs/ rolls" on the same character.

Posted by: Orson at October 24, 2026 06:14 PM (dIske)

31 Cool pics of the cotton harvest. Opposite my buddy's hayfield in TX was a large field of cotton that had already been harvested. Must be that time of year.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 24, 2026 06:15 PM (RmySe)

32 getting home from comedy club
_-_
Were you the nervous guy on stage, or relaxing at a table?

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 06:16 PM (MI2Xn)

33 17 Got my daughter another step along the way finishing her first gemstone. Faceting a 10mm Brilliant cut on a piece of clear Cubic Zirconia. She finished the pavillion yesterday so she could take it to show her coworkers. Kinda fun passing on a skill like that to the fourth generation.

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 05:59 PM

Brilliant! I hope her project doesn't go pear shaped.

Is she doing cut facets or lapped facets?

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at October 24, 2026 06:17 PM (HlyYF)

34 There is a cotton gin just up the road from my house. The sides of the road are lined with cotton bolls.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 06:17 PM (ua/lL)

35 I used to work for the U.S. Geodesic Survey (USGS) not be confused with the golf folks. The Geocaching thing.... was a gimmick to get people to use GPS.

YMMV

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 24, 2026 06:17 PM (RORbl)

36 There is a similar thing to geocaching for ham radio. It's called fox hunting. A low powered radio is hidden (or at least not obvious) and sends out a signal. That's the fox. The hunters would use direction finding loops to try to locate the fox. The most devilish hiding place I heard about was the transmitter inside a car on a garage lift. Didn't hear if it was found.

Posted by: JTB at October 24, 2026 06:19 PM (yTvNw)

37 Have you tried Final Fantasy Online? I jump on there every once in a while to keep in touch with my grand-niece (who loves it). The first three expansions and the original are free to play. It's surprisingly a very very good story, and the community is one of the few online games where there is little toxicity. Other players are extremely helpful and actually look out for new players. It's been going on for over 10 years. They set it up so that you can create one character and do all the different "jobs/ rolls" on the same character.
Posted by: Orson at October 24, 2026 06:14 PM (dIske)
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No, I haven't played that one. May have to give it a try someday.

One thing I've noticed about MMOs is that NPCs are very lazy. Merry sent me to fetch him some pipeweed in Isengard, even though he's perfectly capable of fetching it himself. Lazy git.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 24, 2026 06:24 PM (FZ29D)

38 Amazing colors in the sea glass

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 24, 2026 06:24 PM (RIvkX)

39
Brilliant! I hope her project doesn't go pear shaped.
_-_
Ha! Pear-shaped is bit more difficult...will save that for later.

Is she doing cut facets or lapped facets
_-_
Using a Fac-ette Gem Master 2 machine. Yesterday she was finishing polishing the pavillion facets using a phenolic resin lap and diamond slurry.

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 06:26 PM (T+bt9)

40 Home now

Wa t to do some lead melting soon, should have this morning
Still air, no rain,.

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 06:26 PM (Ia/+0)

41 Boys and I were into geo caching 15 years ago.

So much fun. Learning. Reading topo maps. Riddles. Clues. Compass points.

They loved to leave little green army men.

*eyes well up*

Posted by: nurse ratched at October 24, 2026 06:28 PM (21WNI)

42 sides of the road are lined with cotton bolls.
_-_
Spent a lot of time on the South Plains of Texas...makes you wonder this time of year "Have they had snow here already? Oh, ...no, ...cotton."

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 06:29 PM (MI2Xn)

43
You ain't gonna make a cottn picker out a me!

https://youtu.be/K2qruKxGMpg

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 24, 2026 06:31 PM (Cqx++)

44 34 There is a cotton gin just up the road from my house. The sides of the road are lined with cotton bolls.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 06:17 PM

Noticed the exact same thing here, and was trying to figure out what had spilled from some truck?

Light bulb went off over my head when I reached the new cotton gin.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at October 24, 2026 06:32 PM (HlyYF)

45 Using a Fac-ette Gem Master 2 machine. Yesterday she was finishing polishing the pavillion facets using a phenolic resin lap and diamond slurry.

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 06:26 PM

What a great father/daughter project.

Have fun!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at October 24, 2026 06:34 PM (HlyYF)

46 Went back and caught up on the spinning wheel stuff. Most spinners have a strick or two of flax they plan to spin, but it winds up in their estate sale. I got a couple of distaffs to use with spindles, from Bulgaria.

But,,,I now have three electric spinning wheels from Dreaming Robots. I like his stuff a lot. Don't know that I need all three, but trying to figure what they can do. The EEW Nano is the price of a high end spindle. Seems easier to make even yarn with the electric, although I can do pretty well with my Country Craftsman. And that's what I should have said last week!

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 24, 2026 06:35 PM (JNr/z)

47 Good to see a cotton picker picking tall cotton, which picks cleaner than a cotton stripper stripping short cotton. The video made me lonesome for farming.

Posted by: Eromero at October 24, 2026 06:35 PM (LHPAg)

48 Pillage Idiot, hugs to both of you.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 06:35 PM (ua/lL)

49 Roy Clark on the topic:
youtube.com/watch?v=mRNze9Lkgbo

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 06:37 PM (T+bt9)

50 Day one of my wife visiting relatives.

I'm currently looking at a "to do" list. I can't read it.

*Goes back to drinking Bourbon and smoking cigars*

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 24, 2026 06:38 PM (RORbl)

51 Geo caching with kiddos is an incredible experience. There is so much learning to be done. You’re outside. You are collaborating and reading maps and using a compass and solving riddles.

If y’all have grandkids, try it out. I did it with my boys when they were little. Super fun. And they get a ick out of trading a little army guy for a marble.

Posted by: nurse ratched at October 24, 2026 06:41 PM (yEz+x)

52 looking at a "to do" list. I can't read it
_-_
Everybody needs some time to think their own thoughts in the quiet(or your favorite noise) now and then.

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 06:42 PM (T+bt9)

53 What I like in the way of video games is large, bright, colorful, beautiful open world maps. I'm currently playing Way of the Hunter 2. I haven't hunted in years and will never do so again, in part because I don't want to kill anything (but I do eat meat which makes me a hypocrite but I'm OK with that), but I am willing to shoot pixel deer. Strolling through the mountains and plains seeking game is very pleasant although also frustrating.

P.S. I'm not anti-hunting and think it is kinder than allowing overpopulation and starvation. I just don't want to do it myself. Similarly, I approve of indoor plumbing but don't want to slosh through the sewers myself. And don't even get me started on proctology!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 06:43 PM (ndZc7)

54 Thank you, Ben Had! Glad you enjoyed.
-------------------

>>> Amazing colors in the sea glass
~~~~~

Been collecting it for mumblety years. White, green and brown is plentiful. Red and blue much less so. I should note that the small red and green glass pebbles were purchased. I think they're used in aquariums. But the red cardinal is real--and I can't part with him.

Posted by: IrishEi ?! at October 24, 2026 06:44 PM (3ImbR)

55 Thanks, PI. I will! This kid is probably the one most like me. We laugh at the same unspoken words while everyone else is saying, "What?"

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 06:45 PM (T+bt9)

56 go pear shaped

-
I know what people mean when they say to go pear shaped but I haven't understood the allusion. I saw Brit say it refers to when you're kneading bread or some such and drop it on the floor. It goes pear shaped.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 06:50 PM (ndZc7)

57 Sea glass art is very creative

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 06:53 PM (Ia/+0)

58 Perfessor, if you haven't yet, go to Michel Delving and seek out Bingo Boffin. His house is near the center of town. He offers a quest line that is quite involved and is, in my opinion, one of the best in the game.

Posted by: Flint Hills at October 24, 2026 06:53 PM (5gcTS)

59 I know what people mean when they say to go pear shaped but I haven't understood the allusion.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 06:50 PM
***
I *think* it relates to someone trying to make a circle or loop, but falling short at the bottom and ending up with a pear shape instead. Not sure though... could have many origin stories.

Posted by: TRex - word historian dino at October 24, 2026 06:57 PM (XfIK1)

60 kneading bread or some such and drop it on the floor. It goes pear shaped
_-_
Heh. My wife just finished kneading bread. She didn't think much of "pear-shaped". I made some last week with only whole wheat flour, and it was a little dense. Now she is showing me the right way to do it!

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 07:00 PM (T+bt9)

61 Love harvesting machines, combines, any and all sophisticated amazingly productive ag or industrial machines.

Posted by: rhomboid at October 24, 2026 07:01 PM (U/Byj)

62 >>Been collecting it for mumblety years. White, green and brown is plentiful. Red and blue much less so. I should note that the small red and green glass pebbles were purchased. I think they're used in aquariums. But the red cardinal is real--and I can't part with him.

No blue? That's a shame.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 24, 2026 07:01 PM (viF8m)

63 Perfessor, if you haven't yet, go to Michel Delving and seek out Bingo Boffin. His house is near the center of town. He offers a quest line that is quite involved and is, in my opinion, one of the best in the game.
Posted by: Flint Hills at October 24, 2026 06:53 PM (5gcTS)
---
I guess I'll have to give it try. I've never done that quest line. I always suspected it would be a waste of time.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 24, 2026 07:02 PM (FZ29D)

64 So sea glass is glass flotsam you pick up at the beach? Interesting, and great work there IrishEi.

Niece does amazing dried seaweed displays, framed under glass just like IrishEi's art (it is art). Background in marine science, lives near the beach, still dives and surfs, so a natural for her.

Posted by: rhomboid at October 24, 2026 07:04 PM (U/Byj)

65 Seems like at least the possibility of an explosive booby trap at the geocaching sites would liven up the whole thing a bit. Guess that could be called "extreme geocaching" or something.

Posted by: rhomboid at October 24, 2026 07:06 PM (U/Byj)

66 Love harvesting machines, combines, any and all sophisticated amazingly productive ag or industrial machines.
Posted by: rhomboid

I had a friend who collected old tractors but not just any tractors. No John Deere for him, just Ferguson. Or, as he put it, "If it ain't red, put it in the shed."

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 07:06 PM (ndZc7)

67 But pear-shaped is when...
_-_
Yeah, I think PI was making a faceting pun there. A Brilliant cut is typically mostly round, but there us such a thing as a pear cut - often done for a pendant or necklace.

This cut is my favorite at the moment (though it is not the easiest to mount):
https://tinyurl.com/LoneStarCut

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 07:07 PM (T+bt9)

68 Saw a Santa at Home Depot the other day...the mischievous part of me wanted to take him and some talking ghoul display and switch the voices for Halloween...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 24, 2026 07:07 PM (l3cgK)

69 Seems like at least the possibility of an explosive booby trap at the geocaching sites would liven up the whole thing a bit. Guess that could be called "extreme geocaching" or something.
Posted by: rhomboid at October 24, 2026 07:06 PM (U/Byj)
---
I don't think I'll be doing any geocaching in the Middle East any time soon....

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 24, 2026 07:08 PM (FZ29D)

70 Sea glass needs to get edges ground but can't be terribly old, .
Sharks teeth I am told can be thousands of years old.

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 07:08 PM (Ia/+0)

71 Anything I hide I don't want fount. Nosir.

Posted by: Eromero at October 24, 2026 07:08 PM (LHPAg)

72 >>>No blue? That's a shame.
~~~~~

Can you not see, man?!!! There's a blue crab.

His name is JackStraw.

Posted by: IrishEi ?! at October 24, 2026 07:09 PM (3ImbR)

73 >> So sea glass is glass flotsam you pick up at the beach?

Sea glass is shards of glass that have been weathered by the ocean into beautiful treasures. Before the days of plastic many things only came in glass bottles and people weren't all that ecologically concerned. Lots of stuff ended up in the ocean. It's always fun to find a beautifully weathered piece of sea glass while walking a beach although it is becoming increasingly rare to find.

Very lovely stuff, Irish.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 24, 2026 07:10 PM (viF8m)

74 No water cannons, tear gas, rioters, looting, or police battles on my street. Just a perfect fall day and the hum of the freeway.

Posted by: rhomboid at October 24, 2026 07:10 PM (U/Byj)

75 extreme geocaching
_-_
The Horde produces the best ideas...

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 07:10 PM (T+bt9)

76 We have lots of Ag machines here, plus a dealer in town. No cotton, but they must grow it somewhere in the state. It's restricted to grow for home use.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 24, 2026 07:12 PM (JNr/z)

77 I have some sea glass. My grandpa called them sea jewels.

Blue and yellow are amazing. Pure red is rare.

I have a small jar full. I would love to donate them
To someone who could use them. Of course, I’d want a piece.

Posted by: nurse ratched at October 24, 2026 07:13 PM (yEz+x)

78 My kid's house an hour from Charlotte is surrounded by cotton fields. Baling is interesting to see.

Posted by: NCKate at October 24, 2026 07:14 PM (enNUy)

79 I've started using top quality pencils (Blackwing, Mitsubishi Uni, Faber-Castell 9000, etc.) for writing and drawing. The difference in feel and results over regular pencils is startling. Even the lightest touch allows for control. To my surprise, these high quality pencils have improved my handwriting. Only my good fountain pens have the same result. I assume it's the light, smooth touch that glides across the paper that makes the difference. Anyway, it's encouraging me to start sketching and writing again.

Top quality pencils aren't cheap compared to the Amazon Basics pencil, 12 cents each, while Blackwings cost almost 3 bucks each and Mitsubishi cost about 85 cents apiece. The results justify the expense for a hobby. It's like using a good knife for whittling compared to some cheap jackknife.

Another part of using the pencils is maintaining the appropriate point. Finding and using a good hand sharpener has been fun.

Posted by: JTB at October 24, 2026 07:14 PM (yTvNw)

80 Evening, TRex, and Hobby Horde.

Well, I am full tilt in to Hobby Mode, right now. Took trash to the dump, and sitting right beside the e-waste bins was a little Honda EU2000 generator. I asked the dump attendant if I could snag it, and he said "sure, looked at it myself, and decided it was more than I wanted to tackle". Poor thing looks like it has been dragged down the road on a chain. The control panel is half abraded away. But I am putting new parts in it, like outlet socket, and circuit breakers. Engine has compression, but no spark, but I wont condemn that until the inverter and associated wiring is back in place. Plastic fuel tank is slashed, but maybe can be plastic-welded.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 24, 2026 07:15 PM (n7Dzq)

81 Sharks teeth I am told can be thousands of years old.
_-_
There is a rock layer around here that has the occasional shark tooth in it. (Probably quite a few just only occasionally on the surface).

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 07:15 PM (T+bt9)

82 more than I wanted to tackle
_-_
Good find. Those Hondas are worth a bit of work!

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 07:18 PM (T+bt9)

83 IrishEi, do you take requests?

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 07:18 PM (ua/lL)

84 I would totally trade a jar of sea glass for sharks teeth. Holy cow. My marine would
Go nuts.

Posted by: nurse ratched at October 24, 2026 07:18 PM (uMSMA)

85 Sharks teeth I am told can be thousands of years old.
Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 07:08 PM (Ia/+0)
~~~~~

Best spot in NJ for shark teeth is Big Brook Park up in Marlboro.

Most glass is probably a few hundred years old, at most. Some of the best glass I found was in Bermuda, literally picked up by the fistful, and lots of beautiful colors. They've finally passed laws and you can't take the glass anymore.

Posted by: IrishEi ?! at October 24, 2026 07:20 PM (3ImbR)

86 >>There is a rock layer around here that has the occasional shark tooth in it. (Probably quite a few just only occasionally on the surface).

Not uncommon for fossilized shark teeth to be found around here, particularly around the Narragansett beaches.

Last year was a bonanza for some reason. 7 fossilized shark teeth were found not far from each other. Great Whites. They dated them at over 10,000 years old.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 24, 2026 07:21 PM (viF8m)

87 Time to say thank you before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. Thanks for reading, lurking, and contributing.

We'll do another thread next week with a different theme.

You're welcome to hang out here for a while but don't forget to stop by Club ONT later.

Posted by: TRex - cotton eye dino at October 24, 2026 07:22 PM (XfIK1)

88 IrishEi, do you take requests?
~~~~~

I'd be happy to, Ben. Just let me know what you'd like.

Posted by: IrishEi ?! at October 24, 2026 07:22 PM (3ImbR)

89 Glass, colored at best isn't a natural material.

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 07:22 PM (Ia/+0)

90 Thanks Dino

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 24, 2026 07:22 PM (RIvkX)

91 Ben Had did Weasel deliver a small item that comes from my small semi-hobby? Edible.

Posted by: rhomboid at October 24, 2026 07:23 PM (U/Byj)

92 They've finally passed laws and you can't take the glass anymore.
Posted by: IrishEi ?! at October 24, 2026 07:20 PM (3ImbR)

They passed a law against cleaning up garbage from the beach? That's what "sea glass" really is, after all.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 24, 2026 07:23 PM (n7Dzq)

93 When we stay at Cumberland island off Georgia, we find tons of shark teeth.

Posted by: NCKate at October 24, 2026 07:24 PM (enNUy)

94 They've finally passed laws and you can't take the glass anymore.

-
Are they afraid of a broken glass shortage?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 07:25 PM (ndZc7)

95 TRex,
Thanks for the hobby thread, as always. Seeing the talent across the Horde is great.

Posted by: JTB at October 24, 2026 07:26 PM (yTvNw)

96 Last year was a bonanza for some reason. 7 fossilized shark teeth were found not far from each other. Great Whites. They dated them at over 10,000 years old.
Posted by: JackStraw at October 24, 2026 07:21 PM (viF8m)

That young, the teeth are probably still made of the original material grown by the shark. Not all fossils are mere molds or impressions, or replaced by other minerals. Some are still critter stuff.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 24, 2026 07:27 PM (n7Dzq)

97 Some of the prettiest beaches you'll ever see are in Bermuda. The locals are pretty protective of them and want to keep them that way.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 24, 2026 07:28 PM (viF8m)

98 >>>Last year was a bonanza for some reason. 7 fossilized shark teeth were found not far from each other. Great Whites. They dated them at over 10,000 years old.
~~~~~

All the big teeth at Big Brook are gone, but there are still thousands of smaller ones--about the size of a penny. There are Cub Scout outings there all the time.

I found a very large molar looking type tooth once on the beach. Turned out to be from a horse. Never found a shark tooth.

Posted by: IrishEi ?! at October 24, 2026 07:29 PM (3ImbR)

99 TRex, Thanks for the hobby thread. You are the best.

Posted by: Ronster at October 24, 2026 07:29 PM (QQf1O)

100 99 TRex, Thanks for the hobby thread. You are the best.

Posted by: Ronster at October 24, 2026 07:29 PM
***
You are quite welcome. Thanks for checking in.

Posted by: TRex - glassy dino at October 24, 2026 07:31 PM (XfIK1)

101 TRex great job, has to be hard coming up with hobbies
Great job week after week

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 07:31 PM (Ia/+0)

102 Some of the prettiest beaches you'll ever see are in Bermuda. The locals are pretty protective of them and want to keep them that way.
Posted by: JackStraw at October 24, 2026 07:28 PM (viF8m)

Point being, the glass is not a natural feature. It is literally trash, carried in by the tide.

Now I would not endorse literally plowing up the sand, and sifting out the sea glass, but there is literally nothing wrong with picking up a stray piece found on the surface.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 24, 2026 07:32 PM (n7Dzq)

103 Really enjoyed the cotton harvester video.

Posted by: Ronster at October 24, 2026 07:32 PM (QQf1O)

104 >>All the big teeth at Big Brook are gone, but there are still thousands of smaller ones--about the size of a penny. There are Cub Scout outings there all the time.

A young boy found a Great White tooth last year on a Narragansett beach. It was a big larger.

https://tinyurl.com/mshm5ex5

Posted by: JackStraw at October 24, 2026 07:34 PM (viF8m)

105 101 TRex great job, has to be hard coming up with hobbies
Great job week after week

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 07:31 PM
***
Thanks Skip. All credit to the Wheel of Hobbies.

Posted by: TRex - overtime dino at October 24, 2026 07:34 PM (XfIK1)

106 Best spot in NJ for shark teeth is Big Brook Park up in Marlboro.

Posted by: IrishEi ?! at October 24, 2026 07:20 PM (3ImbR)

Not far from my neck of the woods.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at October 24, 2026 07:34 PM (vzuC7)

107 rhomboid, the delightful stuff that came in lemon flavor?

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 07:34 PM (ua/lL)

108 TRex, thank you for an always interesting hobby thread. Much appreciated.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 07:36 PM (ua/lL)

109 Fall Inn minature games ate in two weeks, can't wait
Its my hobby weekend

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 07:36 PM (Ia/+0)

110 Another great and mighty hobby thread, T Rex!

Geocaching sounds interesting. Never heard of it before, but it seems an updated twist on hide and seek. Fun!

Posted by: Legally Sufficient at October 24, 2026 07:37 PM (D/6p1)

111 >>Point being, the glass is not a natural feature. It is literally trash, carried in by the tide.

I know. But for those of us who live along the coast it's long been considered a treasure. Bermuda is famous for it's beaches and they are very protective of them.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 24, 2026 07:38 PM (viF8m)

112 108 TRex, thank you for an always interesting hobby thread. Much appreciated.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 07:36 PM
***
You're welcome. Thanks for being here!

Posted by: TRex - giddy up dino at October 24, 2026 07:38 PM (XfIK1)

113 110 Geocaching sounds interesting. Never heard of it before, but it seems an updated twist on hide and seek. Fun!

Posted by: Legally Sufficient at October 24, 2026 07:37 PM
***
I'll bet your broader neighborhood and area has lots of caches hidden around!

Posted by: TRex - GPS dino at October 24, 2026 07:39 PM (XfIK1)

114 I suppose cutting firewood is as much a hobby as anything else. That was my accomplishment so far today.

I am also now making cinnamon rolls, but with persimmon filling.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 24, 2026 07:41 PM (rbvCR)

115 Made forty-one HF contacts today. Not the worst QSB I've ever dealt with, but annoying.

Posted by: gp at October 24, 2026 07:41 PM (Jr5Lq)

116 Persimmon, mmmmmmm. Not available here yet

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 07:43 PM (ua/lL)

117 A young boy found a Great White tooth last year on a Narragansett beach. It was a big larger.
~~~~~

Nice one!

Posted by: IrishEi ?! at October 24, 2026 07:44 PM (3ImbR)

118 This girl found something on the beach.

https://tinyurl.com/48umvx5r

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 07:44 PM (ndZc7)

119 Kindltot I will be right over

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 07:45 PM (Ia/+0)

120 IrishEi, I put your email in a secure location and it is so secure I can't find it. Do you still have mine?

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 07:45 PM (ua/lL)

121 Wa t to do some lead melting soon, should have this morning
Still air, no rain,.
Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 06:26 PM (Ia/+0)

Skip, you were talking about making charcoal. Here is a video on it, it is in Spanish but there is an AI translation that goes with it. Apparently they consider there are two types of charcoal burns.

youtu.be/lbJ_3bcstYk

Posted by: Kindltot at October 24, 2026 07:46 PM (rbvCR)

122 114 I suppose cutting firewood is as much a hobby as anything else. That was my accomplishment so far today.
_-_
A full woodshed is tangible wealth. Just cleaned the stoves and stovepipes here earlier today. Now it is rainy and cooling down a bit. Might be time for the first fire of the season.

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 07:47 PM (T+bt9)

123 What a find

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 07:48 PM (Ia/+0)

124 I am also now making cinnamon rolls

Posted by: Kindltot at October 24, 2026 07:41 PM
***
Mmmmm....cinnamon rolls...

Posted by: TRex - Homer S. Dino at October 24, 2026 07:49 PM (XfIK1)

125 I found a very large molar looking type tooth once on the beach. Turned out to be from a horse. Never found a shark tooth.

Posted by: IrishEi ?! at October 24, 2026 07:29 PM (3ImbR)

I found a horse tooth in the woods by my old house. I didn't know what it was at first until somebody else identified it. It looked old. I knew there were farms around here, but this was in the woods about 100 yards off the road. I started walking around and found an old, ancient looking, mostly buried foundation from something long gone out there. Who knows what the hell went on in those woods.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at October 24, 2026 07:49 PM (vzuC7)

126
So, you're saying he was in tall cotton?
Posted by: OrangeEnt

indeed!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 24, 2026 07:50 PM (NnhvP)

127 Made forty-one HF contacts
_-_
Still at zero here. Got the General license, bought a base station(ICOM 7100), but still procrastinating on setting it up.

Posted by: Don in SoCo at October 24, 2026 07:50 PM (T+bt9)

128 This is a truly fascinating li'l column this week - esp. the part about Waterford crystal. They're all good, but Waterford … ? Dat's da bomb …

Posted by: Dr_No at October 24, 2026 07:51 PM (ayRl+)

129 There are videos how this area made charcoal hundreds of years old like that only way bigger piles

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 07:53 PM (Ia/+0)

130 Used the charcoal I made a few times this year. A few times I had branches to burn this summer and thought I should loadca paint can and make more.
The preparation should do a day before i think will be needed.

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 07:55 PM (Ia/+0)

131 just give me an 8 digit grid coordinate and I can put artillery on anything

Posted by: what the cat drug in at October 24, 2026 07:59 PM (jrgJz)

132 "still procrastinating on setting it up."

Have you decided on antenna(s)?

Posted by: gp at October 24, 2026 07:59 PM (Jr5Lq)

133 IrishEi, I put your email in a secure location and it is so secure I can't find it. Do you still have mine?
Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 07:45 PM (ua/lL)
~~~~~

I've just asked a mutual friend to send it to you.

Posted by: IrishEi ?! at October 24, 2026 08:00 PM (3ImbR)

134 You know have always been fascinated how artillery grid works. My artillery doesn't work that way. Its in line of sight and in range

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 08:01 PM (Ia/+0)

135 IrishEi, thank you.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 08:01 PM (ua/lL)

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