Genealogists and family historians get a lot of
satisfaction from chasing their ancestors’ stories. Finding a diary, a message
on a postcard, or a photo with a name attached is like the sun coming out after
a storm. One day we will be somebody’s ancestor. We need to leave our
descendants a little bit of sunshine too. So here is my story told
alphabetically, not chronologically: Growing Up in Cradock.
is for Games.
For someone who had so many potential playmates in the
neighborhood, I was just as content playing alone. I would play Solitaire until
I won. If I won too soon, I would go ahead and play again.
Pick-up Sticks is actually a competitive game. Momma
would sometimes sit and play with me, but if she were busy, I challenged
myself. It’s a simple game, but critical thinking and hand-eye coordination were
crucial to success. Trying to pick up a stick without moving any of the others was
just as much fun alone as with a competitor.
 |
| Image from wikimedia commons |
 |
| Image from wikimedia commons |
Learning to entertain myself was certainly a benefit of
growing up in the 1960s. I am still content to be alone never at a loss for
something to do. My new game? Find the Ancestor.
Gee, can’t get enough?
Then gallop over to A to Z April Challenge for a glimpse at more
glorious grins and giggles.
© 2016, Wendy Mathias. All rights reserved.
I loved playing solitaire and I'm sure we had other versions of it as well - I remember we called it Patience and we used to play Clock Patience as well.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard that name before. Fitting though.
DeleteWe weren't big on board games on my family of origin though we played snakes and ladders occasionally. My family all love their board games..and aren't the tiniest bit competitive....not!!
ReplyDeleteBeing able to amuse oneself and stay focused is a great attribute fr research :)
@cassmob from
Family History Across The Seas
As a family we didn't do much with board games. I had silly board games like the Barbie Date and Mystery Date. Of course, we had Monopoly and Scrabble which are just timeless.
DeleteI played all these games too and usually by myself as we got older. Many a summer day I would play solitaire and jacks :) These brought back wonderful memories!
ReplyDeletebetty
Sometimes I wish I had my jacks back! I bet I could still do the rotation.
DeleteJ here, stopping by from the #atozchallenge - where I am part of Arlee Bird's A to Z Ambassador Team.
ReplyDeleteHow has the first week of the challenge been for you so far? Are you meeting your goals of posting and hopping to other blogs?
My blog still has a giveaway with bonus a to z challenges to encourage people to visit more stops. Thanks for your visit.
http://jlennidornerblog.what-are-they.com
I remember playing Kurplunk (sp?). Looks like pick up sticks, but there were marbles. Similar to Jenga.
Going well, thank-you! My kids liked Jenga.
DeleteMy mother taught me patience, including clock Patience, then taught my daughter, and I have been teaching my granddaughter - so four generations involved! I enjoyed enjoyed playing jacks and pick up sticks, which you don't hear much about now. The pleasure now comes in introducing our granddaughter to Snakes & Ladders, Ludo, Tiddlywinks and Snap.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to Google Clock Patience. My girls had Candyland and Snakes and Ladders too.
DeleteWe sometimes played those games, and one where you bounce a little ball against the wall to a chant. Mostly we played outside and on rainy or extra-cold days I liked to read. I had 2 brothers so I was also glad to escape to my room and play by myself.
ReplyDeleteWhen we went to my grandmothers for birthdays or New Year, we played Rummoli, I loved that game and the only place I ever played it.
I enjoy solitude, can find lots to do - probably a gift from my Mother - if you whined that you had nothing to do, she would find you something to do - I passed on the favour to my kids haha.
I'm suddenly remembering some chant games but most were hand-clapping. I don't remember a ball and wall though.
DeleteThe ball was a small rubber one, red white and blue. You had to throw the ball against the wall and to some gestures before you caught it, while chanting the song..
Delete"Plainsies, clappsies, turn about, tabapsies (touch shoulders), right hand, left hand, touch your heel, touch your toe, touch your knee, and away we go (last was throw the ball under your leg from behind)
I loved that game, we played most every recess except winter.
Love the find an ancestor game! You are really good!
ReplyDeleteIt's very competitive and I think the ancestors are winning!
DeleteWe played a rousing game of "pick-up sticks" during the Christmas Holidays. I forgot how hard it was! Growing up we played a variety of board games, especially around Christmas when we always got a new game. We still play card games and board games with the kids and grandkids and even with each other. Finding Eliza
ReplyDeleteWe had several board games but the only classics were Monopoly and Scrabble. Remember Mouse Trap? That was fun.
DeleteFlashback to some very fun games! I played by myself often too, and I agree it was just as fun. We sure used our imaginations back in our day!
ReplyDeleteUsing one's imagination has so many benefits.
DeleteIt is interesting to look back and realize how well you knew yourself back in the day. Neat to read your self analyses and thoughts on playing games. Yikes, I'm sooooo COMPETITIVE that nobody likes to play cards with me. I do play Spider on the computer and don't quit until I WIN. I am a BALL game player with a 'Killer Instinct' that is tempered by good sportsmanship.
ReplyDeleteSue at CollectInTexas Gal
Can you just imagine me and 'Pick Up Sticks'? LOL!!!
DeleteI imagine if you had pick up sticks, you'd use them to knit a sweater!
DeleteOh I LOVED jacks as well! Sad because I don't think kids even play that game anymore. I also loved to play hopscotch and marbles.
ReplyDeleteI loved hopscotch too. Marbles was not a favorite - it hurt my thumb. I might have put up with some pain if I understood the game better or enjoyed it more.
DeleteI loved all of the games you mentioned. Plus another favorite was Chinese Jump Rope - at least I think that's what it was called. We played a lot of hop scotch and even fashioned a "board" out of the stone in the entry hall so we could play indoors. It was a sad day when we sold the house a few years ago and I had to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteMy mother played a TON of solitaire and had so many games that I can't remember now. She spent a lot of time sitting at the kitchen table with a deck of cards and that's usually where I found her when I got home from school.