Tag: Board Games

Posted on

Goodbye Leaves, Hello New Year: A Cozy Countdown to 2025

Written December 31, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

It seems like our front yard tree had a wardrobe malfunction—it shed almost all its autumn attire during the windy weather this past week. Now, the yard looks like it’s hosting a fall leaf convention, and I’ve been playing the reluctant clean-up crew. My strategy has been to tackle the mess in short bursts whenever I can squeeze in the time. Today, I managed a good round of leaf collection and made noticeable progress. However, the leaves were a bit damp, thanks to rain earlier in the week, which made the process more of a wrestling match than a quick rake-and-dump. Despite my best efforts, there’s still a good chunk of the yard that needs attention. Looks like Thursday is going to be round two in the Great Leaf Battle.

The weather has been acting downright strange lately. Late December has felt more like an extended autumn—almost as if Demeter momentarily forgot to mourn for Persephone. My wife, ever the opportunist when it comes to cardio, has been taking full advantage of the unseasonal warmth. She’s been out there pounding the pavement, determined to make the most of these rare, mild days before 2025 inevitably brings the frost. Rest days? Not in her vocabulary. I’m pretty sure she considers them some kind of mythical creature—like unicorns or guilt-free dessert.

When we first met, I used to worry about her nonstop energy. Would she burn out? Would she ever just… relax? But over the years, I’ve realized that being busy is her happy place. Whether she’s running, planning, or tackling a new project, she thrives on momentum. Watching her in action is like watching a perfectly balanced storm—it’s chaos, but it works.

Meanwhile, today is New Year’s Eve, and things at our house have been a flurry of activity. My wife has been knee-deep in business prep, so I’ve taken on the role of house manager, running around to get everything in order. Between tidying up and ticking off the to-do list, I’ve been keeping the domestic ship afloat.

Even with all the busyness, we always make time to chat. Our conversations are mostly about books, ideas, and the occasional “what if” scenario. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite things about our relationship. We’re both a little nerdy and endlessly curious, so we never run out of things to talk about. Whether it’s debating the symbolism in a classic novel or brainstorming the next big idea, our conversations are as energizing as they are entertaining.

Tonight, though, we’re hitting pause on all the hustle to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Our plan? A cozy night with Irish coffee—a tradition we’ve lovingly adopted—and maybe, if I can convince her, a game night. I got a new board game for Christmas that I’m dying to try, but I should probably read the rules first. No one wants to start the new year by looking like they don’t know how to play their own game.

Here’s to a fun-filled evening and an even better 2025!

Posted on

A Heartwarming Mother’s Day Gathering: Games and Family Joy

Written May 13, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Yesterday turned out to be a remarkably successful day, far surpassing the achievements of the day before. The credit goes largely to setting more realistic goals. The highlight was our visit to my mother’s house for a delightful Mother’s Day celebration with her and my sister. It’s a day that had been in the works for months, planned by my sister and my wife. In fact, she had selected her gift for my mother three months in advance, coordinating the details with my sister to ensure everything went well.

Mother’s Day is a special occasion in our family, not just for celebrating our mothers but also as a time for family bonding over games, a tradition we all cherish. Our family adores gaming together—it’s our way of connecting and creating memories. Whether it’s board games or card games like Bridge when the extended family joins, these playful competitions are a core part of our gatherings.

This time, we played “Shadows Over Camelot,” a board game that’s a favorite at many of our family events. My niece, who has recently begun to join in on the board game fun, chose me as her partner. She was adamant about playing King Arthur, embracing the role with enthusiastic determination. Peeking at my wife’s character choice, I saw she had picked Sir Percival. Despite her claim of never having played this board game before, her excitement was palpable. She has always been enamored with the Arthurian legends, and her eyes lit up as she spoke about the characters. “If I could, I’d choose to be Sir. Lancelot,” she confessed, her fascination with the knight’s tale evident in her voice. The cooperative game was filled with laughter and strategic collaboration, making it all the more enjoyable.

Gatherings like these remind me of the importance of family. Seeing my mother’s joyful expression as she spent time with us reminded me of the simple pleasures in life. The ease of laughter, the shared strategies over game boards, and the warmth of being surrounded by loved ones all came together to create a memorable day.

Such occasions are precious, not just for the fun we have but also for the opportunity they provide to reaffirm our bonds. As we delve into adventures on a game board, we also strengthen our connections with each other, making each game not just a play for victory but a celebration of our family’s unity and love.

Ultimately, what makes days like these genuinely remarkable isn’t just the games we play or the food we enjoy but the company we keep. The joy of being together, sharing stories, and supporting one another is what Mother’s Day—and indeed every family gathering—is all about. We cherish these moments, filled with laughter and companionship, long after the day is over, and they remind us of the enduring power of family ties.