Gone are the days of ânot having timeâ to pick up a new hobby. The pandemic has given us the gift of time to pick up activities that not only pass the time but also provide an escape from the tumultuous reality. These hobbies come in many forms and some with many quirks. They range from woodworking to learning to DJ vinyl polka records to taking long, virtual walks around a city 5,500 miles away, but each provides comfort and intrigue despite the endless uncertainty of the pandemic. A gift from the basement of a friendâs grandmother led me to learn how to sew. Sitting down at the 1941 but new-to-me sewing machine and using a foot pedal to stitch together face masks, tote bags and other garments provides a few minutes, or hours, of calm.