Growing up, I always knew that part of being a Whitt was being able to hold your own in a game of cards. My family is huge into games and this tradition goes back generations. When I was a kid my grandparents used to live 15 minutes from us and a lot of my Dad's family would come in town for various holidays. All us grand kids knew what it meant when my Dad, Grandpa, and his brothers would gather down at the large oak table and break out the dominos. We would disperse and leave them be as they all engaged in the much anticipated and competitive, father-son domino games. The kind of dominos they play is not the "Mexican train" kind - but rather the real game of dominos, that takes quite awhile to get a grasp on.
From a very young age my parents taught my brothers and I how to play cards. Nate and I are heading back east for Thanksgiving this year and playing Spades, Pinochle, and Up and Down with my family is something I always look forward too. When we were little my parents started us out playing Hearts. Hearts can get old quick so they then taught us more complicated games like Spades. It may take an afternoon to learn how to play Spades, but it definitely takes a lifetime to master. The family dynamics of these games are so familiar and fun.
In addition to counting cards and studying the nuances of the game my Dad would always be teach us "card etiquette" about proper shuffling, dealing, and playing cards. It's ironic because I feel like I learned how to play cards properly, but have never met anyone outside my family who would actually notice. Card playing in general is becoming kind of a lost art. I remember at indoor recess in Elementary school some of my friends had cards and suggested we play Egyptian Rats. I remember saying we should play Pinochle and having everyone stare and not know what I was talking about. I didn't realize how rare it was to play real card games! Every once and awhile I'll sign onto Yahoo games and join in an online game of Spades. But its usually boring and slightly disappointing. Getting to play with my family is the real treat! It's been funny introducing Nate into this aspect of my family because his family didn't play a lot of games growing up. Nate likes Up and Down best but tells me he secretly feels stressed during Spades. I think he does great! It's all just for fun. In addition to playing cards, all my cousins and extended family love playing other games like Settlers of Catan, Risk, etc.
We are excited for Thanksgiving this year and, amongst other things, are looking forward to playing some games!
1 comment:
I'm just catching up on your blog and I love this post. My dad and his brothers and uncles are huge into games, especially cards, and my memories are of camp-out family reunions in the mountains with all the dads and old guys playing late outside in the camp kitchen. My dad would love it if I'd been as good a learner as you! I always forget the rules and feel way out of my league with the uncles. Way to be a card sharp. Or shark. Apparently either works. Also, you're a darling pregnant lady!
Post a Comment