9/30/09  I have never enjoyed playing games–except "Old Maid" (cards) when I first learned it–and a little bit of Monopoly when I was older; some bridge when I was a young married.  This is probably because I've never been good at games.

 A writer friend in California completes the daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper every morning BEFORE she allows herself to eat breakfast.  She claims it keeps her mind sharp.  I would fail the crossword puzzle test and, under her schedule,  would starve to death. 

 My mind wanders.  However, my son and daughter-in-law have persuaded me to try Scrabble with them and a neighbor once a week.  I find that I am enjoying this, and it does wake my tired mind up in the early evenings when they play.  So far I'm sticking to two and three-letter words so as not to hold up the game while I ponder.  If I ever win from my genius stepson, I will announce it here.  –Willma