Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: HARMONY (11/03/22)
-
TITLE: Shmoozing | Previous Challenge Entry
By Judith Gayle Smith-Owens Vitouswykegardinerclark
11/10/22 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Bingo. The activity room is buzzing with low murmurs as eager players await the start. When the unfashionable latecomers arrive, those who love their faces play their cards for them. During his call, our amiable caller watches my sister's two cards while one of my sweet friends plays my four cards with her four cards.
Bingo follows dinner and begins at 6 pm sharp. Erik Estrada thrills these old bones on "Chips" from 4 pm - 5 pm. With a dining room crowded with fifty tables for two to four people each, I usually run up to Bingo, leaving sis Barb to carry our dinners upstairs in to-go boxes. We need more servers. (Skip hunky Erik Estrada to eat early? No way.)
Bingo. The very word zings. It alternates every other day with Hand and Foot - a Canasta-like card game played in groups of four - and with whom? The same folks who play bingo.
I never thought I'd become a little old lady who obsessively plays these games. It didn't take long. Assisted living offers a nice variety of group gatherings, but I cannot stand Farkle anymore. I cannot afford to pay for a ceramics class. I am a poor groupie, I admit.
I am addicted to these games. My partner in Hand and Foot is so much like me that she can start a song and I will harmonize the rest of the stanza. The other players laugh, but do not encourage us to "take our show on the road."
G-54 generates "Car Fifty-Four Where Are You?" G-55 blasts out "double nickel." I-22 has us all "two-two-ing in unison. Yes, there are more. B-11 gets multiple responses: "two hockey sticks", "double toothpicks" and once I offered "two Betty Grable legs." O-66 brings out "Get your kicks on Route 66" - we do have fun. How can I forget B-8 "we could have had a V8" -?
Sometimes a novice player comes in and we help him or her to understand the particular game we are playing. That will prompt the hard of hearing to mumble and grouse about all the noise. Understandable. You cannot please all of the people some of the time
And the snacks. Blackout winners should bring in pastries or candy for the next game, with plenty of napkins. Everybody keeps an eye on their neighbors' coffee or soda to prevent spills.
Sigh. Some players start hoarding cards long before the game starts. Lots of negative comments when those players win multiple times. Are some cards luckier than others? Who knows? Who really cares? Where else can you get to spend two hours with friends for only five cents a card?
We have a faithful banker always prepared to change bills into dimes, nickels, and quarters. She is always prepared to play my cards for me when I show up unforgivably late. She also handles my coinage, as I am not the brightest bulb in the chandelier.
An unstable power chair meant I had to give up the joy of collecting coins for games. A kind soul took over, and I am most grateful. I have run into too many tables. I empathize with her when multiple players shout "Bingo!" and she has to divide the spoils.
Lest you think I am focusing too much on Bingo and losing sight of Hand and Foot - you weren't concerned at all, were you? We enjoy schmoozing as these two games intertwine somewhat harmoniously. For additional musical enchantment, one player brings her adorable Chihuahua. My sis, who observes but does not play sits by her and they both fall asleep, snoring in the same key.
Please pray that Covid-19 will not keep us locked in our apartments, preventing our delightful get-togethers.
We need each other.
Shmoozing.
true story
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
