When I was growing up in the 1960s I often spent much of my holiday
time with Nana. She lived in town and
life was very different to what we experienced on the farm.
One of my enduring memories is of the burnt toast she always
had at breakfast, followed by an apple and a game of Patience.
 |
| Playing the card game of Patience (I lost!) |
Nana was the one who taught me to play this one-person card
game and I have never forgotten how.
Recently I unearthed our little box containing two packs of cards and I remembered
that hubby and I often used to play the game after a weekend brunch (this was
around twenty years ago).
So now, after eating breakfast, I sit at the table and play
a game – or two, or three! It stops me
from rushing my meal and suits the slower pace of life that I now lead.
 |
| The back corner of a friend's garden |
We have typical spring weather today – a blustery wind, a
sun that alternates between shining and hiding, and a threat of rain in the
air. At least it is not cold!
I have been filling my time this weekend doing little odd jobs
around the home – things like cleaning the back-porch and polishing the living
room furniture.
It must be spring-cleaning time 😊
Margaret.
That reminded me of my late brother-in-law (actually my sister-in-law's husband) she was in hospital care and he used to stand at the kitchen bench playing solitaire while having his breakfast.
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to play patience until she lost her eyesight. I've not gone down that "rabbit hole" yet although slowing down over meals does appeal :-)
ReplyDeleteYour Nana and mine must have been cast in the same mold. Identical even to the apple. Mine also taught me to play cribbage when i was very young - I guess it helped me learn addition. Fond memories.
ReplyDeleteMy father taught me cribbage but I have forgotten it now.
DeleteOur family used to play patience as a group! Four of us at a time would put up our cards while others would be waiting to pounce with their cards. Of course, all the decks had to be different for sorting later but we had such fun back then!
ReplyDeleteThose were the days. I had small travel patience cards too. We always played cards at my Nana's on a Saturday night. Did you ever play Clock Patience?
ReplyDeleteNo, Graham, I didn't although my husband used to try and teach me - I never could get my head around it LOL
DeleteNow we all play patience on our telephones. Or I prefer freecell.
ReplyDeleteFond memories of your Nana. Got lots of my nana too
Hubby used to spend hours playing Freecell on his laptop :)
DeleteWe are expecting the same weather as you, but our's is late summer weather.
ReplyDeleteYou sure made me laugh - with the burned toast and the cards, too!
ReplyDeleteWhen we travelled Australia for months we used to play Mau-Mau and 80% I won! Hubby was quite frustrated, LOL!
I also love a game of patience, but of late I have them on my phone, and generally find myself playing a game or three most meals when I am on my own!! My parents used to play a game of 'double' patience (2 players) called Block - that was a game where you really had to keep your wits about you! I have never know anyone else to play that.
ReplyDeleteStay safe
Blessings
Maxine
I live in NY State. We call this game Solitaire. I play it often. I never heard it being called Patience. You learn something new everyday. We are just coming out of summer into fall here. It is still a little warm during the day but the nights are very cool. It is my favorite time of year. I really dislike winter, we get a lot of snow here.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Mary. I have heard people here call it Solitaire as well, but we grew up always calling it Patience. Same game, different name :)
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI remember playing many card games with grandmother. I assume the card game patience is what I call Solitaire? Take care, enjoy your day! Have a happy new week ahead!
I believe it is the same game, Eileen :)
DeleteI haven't played cards in years and I suspect many who do now play on their tablets.
ReplyDeleteMy parents played cards and loved it. My in-laws played all the time, a reason for a social gathering. My MIL, at 88, still plays and has missed get together for cards because of Covid. Cards are a great way to pass the time.
ReplyDeleteMy parents also used to get together with friends on a regular basis to play cards - usually Bridge or Five Hundred.
DeleteMy dad taught me to play Patience... here in Canada it's called Solitaire. Yes to Graham.... I loved to play Clock Patience. I have tried to teach my grandies but they don't have enough.... er.. um... "patience"!
ReplyDeleteAs a way of relaxing at breakfast I often have a Sudoku book open, at the very hard page.
Sudoku for breakfast doesn't sound that relaxing to me LOL - I always have to concentrate too much, especially on the hard ones :)
DeleteWhat good memories to have...I always wish I had had a grandparent I was close to. I had one grandmother that I seen about twice a year, and she just was not close. Roger's grandmother was good to me, though...always fun to be with and be around.
ReplyDeleteI need to do some fall cleaning, but so far it is not happening.
My nana was a widow so I never knew my father's father (he actually died when my dad was 4 months old). My maternal grandparents lived in the South Island so I never met with them more than a dozen times in my entire life. How wonderful that Roger's grandmother was there for you. Good luck with the fall cleaning :)
DeleteSo interesting... Your spring and our Fall. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnything which slows us down, is a good thing. Life wants to rush us, at a *zillion miles an hour.* Even we older ones. ~sigh~
The world sometimes seems crazy with all its rushing around and I have to simply stop and take a deep breath and deliberately slow down. I find I get quite 'antsy' otherwise.
DeleteI was shown how to play patience by my Great Aunt Flo. She also liked boiled sweets:-). I loved clock patience but it took up more room than the simple seven patience she showed me first. I still play when I'm stressed and can't concentrate.
ReplyDeleteMy nana also loved boiled sweets! She always had a stash of Barley Sugars on hand to offer any visiting children :)
DeleteI like to read while I eat but I only do that when I eat by myself. I can make a simple sandwich last a while. LOL
ReplyDelete