Far Guy’s Dad played Solitaire all winter long. I often wonder what he would have done with a computer.
He marked the cards..he marked the aces with his thumb nail. He had special marks all over his personal deck of cards. He played Solitaire for hours…and he usually won.
He got his coffee and settled into his chair, he played on one of those fancy tri fold table protectors that graced the dining room table on days when dinner was served in there. The linen tablecloths were never put on the table until the table protectors were in place. They made a excellent temporary tabletop for endless games of Solitaire in the winter.
Here he is in his spot. The lampshade still has the plastic shield. No doubt because he was a Tiparillo/ Pipe Smoker. He didn’t smoke while he was playing cards.
This photo must have been taken right around 1965. It is a Polaroid snapshot. He always wore flannel shirts in the winter, every shirt must have pockets..room for Tiparillos and Pipe Tobacco…and a pen. He was a connoisseur of GOOD pens. Only the finest pen made it’s way into his front pocket. No regular Bic pens for him.
He liked to play cards. We would often play 31 for nickels or Whist. If we played Whist we learned to play opposite couples..because he could remember every card played. If he was partnered with Far Guy’s Mom..she would be visiting away and forget all about the cards..she would miss a play.. he would tell her and she would cry..so I was a much better card partner for him.. because I did not cry easily over cards:)
I love the inventive way to use the table protector for his own private card table on the chair there. So many people never took those protective films off the lamp shades. Maybe because so many more people smoked back then--true!
ReplyDeleteSome people play cards like it is life or death. I never cared that much if I lost...at anything. Not enough competitor in me, I guess.
Love your old photos and recollections, Connie. :)
Great photo and post !
ReplyDeleteI used to play Solitaire a lot with a deck of cards then computer Solitaire came out and now I play that ! My dad always had to have a shirt with a pocket for his pen and pack of smokes. Have a good day !
I am like Far Side's mom. Not into the heavy minded card games. I used to get so upset with Sheepshead. Now I just don't play. If its a silly no minded card game count me in. Otherwise, life is my game!!!
ReplyDeleteHmm....where are our cards? We used to have several sets, Pinochle as well - and I don't even know where they are now. The boys used to get cards in their stockings at Christmas, too. I guess the computer has made a difference for our family in that way. Bothy hubby and I will play solitaire, hearts, spades, whatever, on the computer. I like that you can actually play 'with' someone - but I do miss the social gabbing. Sure, you can 'chat' but I'm too busy playing the cards and thinking. But, I'm not like Far Guy's dad, remembering what cards have been played. I forget, all of the time. That must have been good mental exercise for him!
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it with us, Far Side. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a great photograph - and a great stream of memories too. There is something about solitaire which means that you can occupy enough of your brain with the mechanics of the game in order to relax.
ReplyDeleteI like to play solitaire, too. If I have a deck of cards, they automatically go to that game. Of course, it's partly because you don't need a partner. Years ago I played pinochle, now I'm not sure I even remember how to play that game. Use it or lose it, they say.
ReplyDeleteHow funny he would mark his cards. What great memories and photo.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great picture of your sweet FIL, plastic lampshade cover and all!!! Heeehehehe!
ReplyDeleteWe still bring out the old deck every now and again. They're always fun 'round the grandkiddos. Shhhh, I won't tell ya what Farm Boy and I usually end up doin' with 'em...it's a secret!!! :o)
I love readin' the stories behind the pictures sweetie.
God bless and have yourself an extraordinary day my sweet friend! :o)
We used to play Crib with my dad, but I can't even remember how to play that. I was never big on card games.
ReplyDeleteWe had the plastic protector on a lampshade too, and no one smoked in our house. A friend came over who was more 'well to do' than our family. He was an artist, and was all about style, and he made fun of the plastic protector, to me at least. I got my mother to take it off after that:)
My dad played solitaire all of the time too. He usually had a piece of plywood that fit across his lap. He would keep score too, but not like the regular way of keeping score. He had his own way of keeping score. A few years before he died, my husband made him a lap table just for playing solitaire. I've often wondered what he would have thought of playing on the computer...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great memory except for your MIL crying. I love the picture of the old chair too. I remember those and they were great except a bit scratchy on bare legs. Those arms were low so you could do needlework but nice and wide so you could lay stuff on them or even sit on them. They were a great design!
ReplyDeleteI am not a game player at all and even when I was a kid I didn't enjoy it. I couldn't sit still long enough and I don't have a competitive bone in my body. If I was a child in this day and age they would probably label me as attention deficit.
What a great picture for all of us! Thanks for sharing!
My grandpa was huge into playing Pitch and Cribbage. Whenever I see someone playing either of those games, I think about him.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post. I must confess that I take cards seriously and there are two card games that I take VERY seriously...Hearts and Bid Whist.
ReplyDeleteI love that. Played crazy eight with my dad.
ReplyDeleteToday Far Guys Dad would have gone crazy with all the computer games. However nothing beats playing cards with other people.Interesting the different games in various areas.
ReplyDeleteI love that photo!
ReplyDeleteGram lived alone for many years...she played a lot of solitaire...went through many decks of cards...wonder what I'll do when I get there (if I get there)...
ReplyDeleteI don't think I ever saw my dad play cards. He did like crossword puzzles.
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