Growing up in a house without a television encouraged one to find other types of entertainment. This time of year, a good portion of the evening was spent in the garden, a labor that my parents honestly believed would directly translate into enjoyment.
During the cool season of the year, my first task was to gather the fuel for the next twenty-four hours and after the preparation of splitting it, haul it to the house and put it in the wood box. This task didn’t take long and was always finished well before suppertime. No matter the season there always remained hours each day that would be filled with some type of entertainment.
Board games were common, but my favorite was to engage in some type of card game. The only cards in my parents’ home was a deck of Rook cards. Later on, Uno showed up, but for years the game was Rook.
Board games were common, but my favorite was to engage in some type of card game. The only cards in my parents’ home was a deck of Rook cards. Later on, Uno showed up, but for years the game was Rook.
When I went to college, I quickly was introduced to and became proficient at several card games. The first game and always a college student favorite was Spades. The game was so similar to Rook, that I quickly became quite competent and soon found the game to be less of a challenge than desired.
Spades was soon followed by Hearts and then Bridge. Since I was in college, I even paid for some education in a range of poker games. It was not totally disappointing, but some of the folks involved were way too serious about the outcome.
Rummy and Gin Rummy were both favorites of mine and upon meeting the good wife, I discovered that she was a Rummy aficionado. Her roots in the game of Rummy began with her Granny Palmer, who was quite the Rummy hustler. Over the years a variety of Pitch games have been played as well as Euchre and Cribbage.
Rummy and Gin Rummy were both favorites of mine and upon meeting the good wife, I discovered that she was a Rummy aficionado. Her roots in the game of Rummy began with her Granny Palmer, who was quite the Rummy hustler. Over the years a variety of Pitch games have been played as well as Euchre and Cribbage.
A plethora of other card games have been tried and then dropped by the wayside as their entertainment value did not meet the social requirements of the group.
The social requirements of the group were always of great importance. Therefore, the game must be of a nature that it is competitive but does not require so much concentration as to impede the conversation and especially the “trash” talk. There remain some couples, as there has been many over the years, that we continue to engage in games of Pitch on a regular frequency. It has been requested that I not reveal at least one of the couples so identifying factors may have been changed in order to appease the not so innocent.
The social requirements of the group were always of great importance. Therefore, the game must be of a nature that it is competitive but does not require so much concentration as to impede the conversation and especially the “trash” talk. There remain some couples, as there has been many over the years, that we continue to engage in games of Pitch on a regular frequency. It has been requested that I not reveal at least one of the couples so identifying factors may have been changed in order to appease the not so innocent.
During any game, the good wife and I can never be partners. It just doesn’t work. Because of this condition, I always have Pitch partners consisting of one of the members of the other household.
Partners are always the same and have been for years, so we are well versed in playing styles and methods. The good wife would probably refer to this as our skill at cheating, which we never do!
During our most recent engagement, my partner and I won quite decisively. Upon seeing them the next day at another event, it was church, I suggested that we begin the practice of awarding a jacket much like the ones given at golf championships. Our jacket, however, would be worn by those being shamed so they could share their demise with the world. This would help them solicit pity.
What seemed like a novel idea to me was met with great opposition. The good wife just ignored me as usual, but her partner seemed a little put off. I guess we won’t be getting jackets!
My partners and I don’t always win, but when we do, we rub it in. Before you get to critical, our opposition has been known to make some pretty bold displays of plumage! They also take drastic steps to destroy the evidence when the winds blow in the opposite direction. My partners and I have never been permitted to display the scores on the refrigerator door. It is my belief that the rejection of this small request is what led to the desire to begin the practice of awarding the jacket of shame.
With the current nature of the programing I have seen on the television, this just might be a good time to take up the skill required for card games. It’s a great pastime and seems to be coupled with great conversation. Since our card partners escaped with their secret identities intact, they can continue on their superhero quest.
Who knows, maybe some new card playing teams will emerge from this rant. So, pull up a chair and let me give this deck a shuffle. The name of the game is……..I win!
My partners and I don’t always win, but when we do, we rub it in. Before you get to critical, our opposition has been known to make some pretty bold displays of plumage! They also take drastic steps to destroy the evidence when the winds blow in the opposite direction. My partners and I have never been permitted to display the scores on the refrigerator door. It is my belief that the rejection of this small request is what led to the desire to begin the practice of awarding the jacket of shame.
With the current nature of the programing I have seen on the television, this just might be a good time to take up the skill required for card games. It’s a great pastime and seems to be coupled with great conversation. Since our card partners escaped with their secret identities intact, they can continue on their superhero quest.
Who knows, maybe some new card playing teams will emerge from this rant. So, pull up a chair and let me give this deck a shuffle. The name of the game is……..I win!
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