kuranamann: Goodbye Sun, Hello Fun

শনিবার, ৩ নভেম্বর, ২০১২

Goodbye Sun, Hello Fun | Young By Name

?Sunset? ? also known as ?Retreat? (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(A post about one of the virtues of dark winter nights ? the excuse for the family to play board games and cards.)

Make the most of any late autumn sunshine, because now the clocks have gone back, we?re on the slippery slope towards the dark nights of the festive season.

?Sunshine ? what sunshine?? I hear you cry. Optimist that I am, even I?ve given up on it this year. With uncharacteristic pessimism, I put my summer clothes into hibernation before the end of September. My cotton Union Jack maxi-dress, an investment in 2012?s patriotic occasions, never even made it out of the wardrobe over the summer. It was just too cold.

But I?m not letting our disappointing summer weather get me down. I know a way to ensure that no matter how sunless and cold the winter is, it will be a happy one in our household: I?ll hit the games cupboard.

A ?whimsy? from a wooden puzzle by Wentworth Wooden Jigsaws (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Situated next to the wood-burner in the middle of our living room is a huge stash of old-fashioned board games, playing cards and jigsaws. I have fond memories of learning such games from my beloved grandmother, so just the thought of a round of Scrabble gives me a warm glow, even if the wood-burner?s not alight. I love losing myself in a jigsaw (preferably a children?s one so it?s not too hard). I?m always astonished how, mid-puzzle, my subconscious takes over and I find myself slotting a piece into place before I?ve consciously realised that I?ve found the right place for it. Weird, but magical ly meditative.

My playing card collection is also a source of happy memories. I bring back packs with scenic views from places I?ve been on holiday, so sitting by my fireside, a game of Patience transports me to New York or Greece or Hong Kong. And sun.

So forget the wonders of the Wii . Never mind the excitement of the X-Box. Give me old ?fashioned game technology any day and I?m happy. Cosy winter evenings, here I come!

This post was originally written for the Hawkesbury Parish News, October 2012.