Fun and Games

January 10, 2013

Looking through some of the books and game boards displayed on one of our branch displays this month reminded me of fun times playing Monopoly with my dad and friends when I was a young tween/teen. I was a "twentieth anniversary/surprise baby," born to parents who were in their late 30s and early 40s and had already raised three daughters, two of whom were married and the last a senior in high school. Since my dad was retired, he had time on Saturdays to play games with me and my friends. We would get the Monopoly game set up on the living room floor, get snacks ready, and begin the game. As it seems many people do, we made up our own rules about borrowing money from the bank. We allowed each other to land on our property with hotels rent free a certain amount of times to avoid going bankrupt when we landed on one another’s properties, and we put the money from Chance and Community Chest fees in Free Parking, among other made up guidelines. This of course made our game last a very long time, often into the next day after Church. My dad was a good sport; he didn’t care if he won or lost, but he never just let one of us win to end the game. I still have the game board, playing pieces, and some of the money from that monopoly set. Dad ALWAYS chose the hat for his playing piece, and now that is the piece I choose to use.

My husband and I chose not to have a television for several years when our two children were young and into their early tween years. So, we played A LOT of games together. Monopoly was a favorite, but we also enjoyed Cranium, Clue, Scrabble, Risk, Dominos, Checkers, and a variety of card games like UNO, Phase 10, Rummy, and Tripoloy. Puzzles were also a fun challenge, especially during the long winter months.

MCPL has several good books about games, game rule books, and the history of games. Hope you have FUN making memories with your family and friends!

• Card Games for Smart Kids
• The Complete Book of card games
• Libraries Got Game
• The Ultimate Trivial Pursuit Question & Answer Books
• The Book of Games: Strategy, Tactics and History

Susan D.
Lone Jack Branch