Games have always been a part of my life. When my Grandma Hazel would come to visit, we would play endless games of Dominoes, Chinese Checkers, Old Maid or Crazy 8’s. When my cousin Donny and I would play War, we always needed an adult in the vicinity to stop any serious disagreements that may or may not have included blood.
I learned Battleship on a piece of grid paper. You would mark off a 100 grid square, number and letter 2 sides, and put your ships in position. This was long before the game was put on the market. We would play it for hours.
My dad was the game master. We played poker and cribbage and gin rummy and Pinochle and 500 Rummy. If you could play it with a deck of cards, we would play it. I think Dad’s fascination with games started with his fascination with numbers. I learned to add playing Cribbage.
At every holiday dinner, when the kids started to get bored and cranky, he would bring out a deck of cards and we would start a game of Skit. All you needed was a 15 cent buy-in and you might win a Dollar or more! You could be 4 or 84; you would have fun. Sometimes there would be so many of us, he would need two decks.
To this day I’m still my most relaxed with a deck of cards in my hand. I’ve been known to say games are something you do with your hands while you’re talking, but it’s so much more than that. We all love games. We’ve added Tile Rummy, Sorry, Candy Land. I will play any game, yes, even Candy Land, as long as I get to play games.
Greg and I went through an intense period of Pinochle. I still miss those card parties. We would have 3 to 5 tables of players. It’s hard to find players now. I want those simpler times back.
Dominoes and Cribbage remain my go-to’s. The old ways may be the best ways. As new games come on the scene, I may enjoy a passing dalliance (hello, Trivial Pursuit, hello, Risk), but I always return to my favorites.
Games will always be a part of my life. For years, G and I have had an ongoing Cribbage competition which I am currently leading by 3 games. Just F.Y.I. Yes, G, I had to share that I’m ahead. We’d be happy to deal you in.
and remember: When you find people who not only tolerate your quirks, but celebrate them with glad cries of, “Me, too!” be sure to cherish them, because those weirdos are your tribe. Big kiss, Lynn
From the Recipe Box 