Cards

My family were card players. Not for money, just to pass the time. Euchre and 500 the games of choice, two pairs of players, bidding, scores. Occasionally Michigan Rummy, with an oatmeal tub full of rubber washers to bet with, so that a dozen people could play the same game. Later, after I was in high school and kept out of the cards, they learned either canasta or Pinochle, not sure which. I got out of that phase.

I played cards as soon as I could hold a hand, taught to shuffle and deal. Usually, I wanted to join the adults. Although when I got tired - as kids will - I had to finish the game before being allowed to stop. When I was the forth person present, not even that, and I played to lose. Which meant my father would be shouting at me all the way home in the car.

I loved playing with good players, the ones who payed attention, the ones who laughed at mistakes, didn't take it too seriously - but did well. Loved a fast game, the complexities, the strategy. Hated playing with my father or most of his side of the family. Uncle Milton either didn't pay attention, or really couldn't grasp the simplest rules. My mother's side were pretty sharp, although Granny had lost that by the time I came along - given that she was 72 years older than me.

Have not played since, and sometimes I miss not using those skills. But it takes a larger group of people than we regularly have around, who all know the rules well, for it to be any fun. I don't think I'd want to teach D's parents these games, especially since I'd also have to teach D.

All in all, this form of group entertainment made family gathering tolerable. Enjoyable, even, when the extended family got together.

To this day, I will use solitaire as a stress reduction technique. I find the cards and the patterns soothing. I have no problem stopping a game if I'm tired, fudging if I feel like it. It's just a game.