Life, Laughter… and the Occasional Sneezing Fit

My Favorite Pastime?

When people ask me about my favorite hobby or pastime, most expect something like fishing, reading, or collecting antiques. And yes, I have plenty of hobbies I love—but my life is full of small joys that make me smile every day, and some are a little quirky.

Take, for example, sneezing after a meal. It’s a tradition in my family. My father had a unique way of judging a meal: the more sneezes he did after finishing, the better the meal. One sneeze? Decent. Two? Pretty good. Three or four? That meal was a masterpiece. And, as luck would have it, I inherited this quirky trait. Now, after a big plate of pasta or a spicy dish, my nose joins in the celebration, often firing off multiple sneezes in a row.

It’s actually called gustatory rhinitis, a harmless reflex where certain foods—or just eating a large meal—stimulate the nerves in your nose and sinuses. Basically, your nose decides to do a little happy dance. And if you’re like me, that “dance” can happen two, three, or even four times, turning a simple meal into a tiny, personal spectacle.

But sneezing isn’t my only pastime. I also love playing with my grandkids, watching their endless energy and curiosity, and feeling lucky to be a part of their lives. Then there’s photographing my three cats—Bonnie, Clyde, and Bingly—whose personalities range from mischievous to utterly regal. Gardening is another joy; there’s something incredibly satisfying about planting seeds, watching them grow, and knowing I helped create that little patch of life.

Of course, I also dedicate time to diet, nutrition, and exercise, because staying active and healthy is a hobby in itself. Walking, mild weight training, and keeping my body in shape has become just as rewarding as any creative or playful pursuit.

What I love about all of these hobbies is how they connect family, curiosity, and simple pleasures. Sneezing after a good meal, snapping a perfect photo of Bingly’s triumphant pose, seeing a tomato blossom in my garden, or feeling the joy of a grandchild’s laughter—each of these moments reminds me that life is full of small celebrations.

So yes, while some people think of hobbies as stamps, fishing trips, or woodworking, my favorite pastimes are a mix of laughter, love, curiosity, and health, with the occasional sneeze thrown in for good measure. Life is better when your body, your mind, and your heart all get to participate—and if you ever see someone sneezing after dinner, give them a knowing smile—they’re just enjoying life one sneeze at a time.

Fun thought: Maybe I should start keeping a “sneeze scoreboard” for each meal… after all, it’s the only hobby where your body participates so enthusiastically!

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