Table Games

Games are one of the simpler and more important joys in life. They provide a medium in which stories may be shared at leisure, points may be debated (even when it's not over the rules), and three family members may gang up on the one who married into the family. Games keep the business parts of a person (reason, hands, eyes, etc) occupied so that the identity may come out--to play.

Whenever Sara's parents come over, we usually devote time to playing games. Our favorite strategy table game is Settlers of Catan, a German game that has won awards on the international scene. It has enough complexity to keep us coming back for more, but can be played in a couple of hours (unlike, say, Monopoly, which is really a game about growing old gracefully).

Hand and Foot (or, when you're losing, "Fist and Boot"), is a variation on Canasta, played with four decks of cards for four people. Opponents are split in teams, and deciding who will play with whom establishes the first basis for friendly harrassment and goading. The game requires little skill except the abilities to needle and look really perturbed when your team has lost a hand. (Note the optional equipment featured below: wooden card boards that little hands can use for card games.)

Ah, the hours of fun that can be had with a six-foot round table, four decks of cards, and coffee! What a wonderful way to rest from the rigors of life.

~emrys