I was born into a large, busy family, the fourth of eight children. Each one of us was very different than the next but we all enjoyed laughing, playing, sipping tea, and munching on Mom’s homemade oatmeal raisin cookies. Everyone was welcome at our table.
My siblings and I and any number of neighborhood kids played Scrabble, kickball, SPUD, flashlight tag, jump rope, Around the World, and marbles. I’ve collected these for many years and have some made from clay that are from the 1860s.
Mom and Dad were excellent Bridge players and they taught me how. I play two or three times a month mostly for fun. Dad played a mean game of chess. He never “let” us win but said that we ought to have the chance to be proud of ourselves when we did.
Dad took us to the library every single week. We were each allowed to check out three books. He also took us to the neighborhood pool. We played “Shark”. I still go swimming 3 or 4 times a week or I get very cranky.
I haven’t changed much over the years. Whenever I can, I read, write, play, and plan to travel somewhere I’ve never been before.
