Solitary Pastimes

[digitS']

@Larissa brought this to mind when her garden humor post made reference to a video game. Then she tells us she only engages in "riddles and puzzles." With her language skills, they would probably be too tough for me even in English (& I don't know sign )!

I'm kind of proud that a local public TV station has Fly Tying. The Angler's Art. I hope you folks who enjoy "off-garden season" fishing have tried fly fishing and consider fly tying a pastime worth exploring and I hope you have that show - link.

Me? I've got a new computer ... and it doesn't have a good Solitaire game on it!

When I was a kid, my grandfather taught me to play dominoes and Dad taught me to play cards. I've all but forgotten how to play dominoes ... most of the card games too! You see, I liked card games too well. After a few years, Dad told Mom to hide the cards. Yep. I've said this before: I'm not very happy with myself in competitive situations. Dad must not have been very happy with me either. I've been "good" - believe it or not, the only time I was gambling in a casino was when I was 13. I got in a little trouble for that from management! The only lottery ticket I ever bought was when it first came out here-abouts. A friend wanted to stop at a 7-eleven ... I gave him a $1 to buy me one, too.

I didn't join my brother in his high school athletic career - deliberately. But, I did play cards with the neighbors when I was in my lawless 20's ... Fortunately, they didn't have much money to spare. My brother gave up challenging me to games. I would sweat bullets trying to best him! My son wondered why I quit an online scrabble game after I beat the tar out of him for weeks and then he won a game. He didn't understand much energy I invested in that win streak! Like I say, I don't like myself in competitive games.

I found the place where Mom hid the cards . I played Solitaire. What do you do for Solitary Pastimes?

Steve

 

[Beekissed]

Read mostly...have always loved reading and usually take a book with me everywhere I go. Listen to good sermons by great theologians so as to increase my understanding of the Bible. Talk on this PC to folks on forums. We don't have a TV and I don't like online computer games, much preferring games one plays by hand with others. When the family gets together we always play Spades and Rummy, sometimes Scrabble if I'm lucky.

I also like to work, especially little projects that involve mild construction and solving a problem around the homestead. When I'm working alone on a project is when I'm most content, as getting it done gives such a sense of satisfaction...and that doesn't really go away, as each time I use that particular project I get the same feeling. And then I smile from inside to out.

I also get to have great conversations with the Lord when I'm working on projects and that's the best blessing of all in that endeavor. That time is very special to me, but not exactly a solitary pastime, I guess, so that may not qualify.

 

[aftermidnight]

Every winter out come the jigsaw puzzles, always have one set one up on the coffee table in front of the fireplace. Thomas Kinkade puzzles are my favorite. I set them up on cafeteria trays, with the pieces sorted by shape on two more trays, easy to stack and move when needed.
Reading something light and fun, books by Des Kennedy , a good mystery or a period novel and this winter watching episodes of All Creatures Great and Small.

Annette

 

[w_r_ranch]

My wife & I do puzzles here during the winter too... the bigger, the better.

For solitary entertainment I play Chess, Mahjongg & Backgammon against the computer.

 

[Larisa]

In addition to puzzles, I read before going to bed. When I'm home alone, I laid out the runes.
Sometimes, I draw. In the summer I shoot a bow. I made the bow itself from hazel. My husband asked me to stand where the neighbors do not see me. But I do not see any problem in my hobby.

 

[digitS']

Ha! That's (just a little) like me walking the Indoor Mile - close curtains! My neighbors may be questioning my mental health, otherwise! You make and grow things to play with, @Larisa .

I'm finally reading that Anthony Doerr book, "All the Light We Cannot See." Funny how I read 2 other of his books before I could get to the one intended . This, however, is likely to be my only novel for the winter. Maybe one more ...

@w_r_ranch , I haven't played those games against the computer. Soon after I had a computer, I tried playing poker against it. I'd last about 5 minutes and become so sleepy I couldn't stay awake! It was like a sedative for me. But, that was poker.

My good buddy in high school used to enjoy chess. He was a couple years older than me and lived across the street. Mom said that she knew who had lost the game because the loser would soon be walking back across the street to challenge the other guy again. I was always hanging around with the chess club in school and anyone who didn't have a partner, I'd play. I went to high school in a small college town and the professors' children were in my school. I was somewhat intimidated by these perspicacious kids. My college roommate played chess and I always felt that he was smarter than I was ... but kind of lazy. When we once played 3 games and he won 2 out of 3, I complained that he must be out for blood. He said, "Okay, okay." I could tell that he was moving more quickly and not giving our next game as much thought. Ruined it for me! I never asked him to play another game ...

@aftermidnight , I watched an episode of Great & Small the other night.

At one time, I spent way too much time in the hospital family rooms. Both that I frequented and at various times would have jigsaw puzzles laid out on a table. There I'd be in the small hours of the morning trying not to allow myself to get so caught up in them that I'd finish before daylight and leave nothing for some other visitor. I did enjoy an online puzzle program for a time. I wonder if I dropped that after a computer change ...

digitS'

 

[ninnymary]

I like to read, play sudoku on the computer, and do puzzles.

Mary

 

[Gardening with Rabbits]

DB, DS and I play Rummy 500 at night on weekends. I used to play spider solitaire on the computer and listen to Bible studies, but I have Windows 7 now and it does not have solitaire. I have taken up crocheting and make dishrags, and made DS, DB and future son-in-law each a blanket and working on one for DH. We have jigsaw puzzle on table for anybody to work on. I like to watch old Gunsmoke shows and crochet by the fire. I also like Pinterest and look for garden ideas, recipes, crochet ideas. Adding, DB bought some old episodes of All Creatures Great and Small for DS. Very relaxing to watch those too.

 

[aftermidnight]

Online puzzles http://www.jigzone.com/

Annette

 

[Beekissed]

Today I did the solitary pastime of cleaning my room from top to bottom. It's not a big room and I don't possess a lot of things, so it wasn't too hard a task but fun all the same. Decluttering, eliminating things and clothing, washing down furniture and walls, sorting drawers, etc. are all things I enjoy.

Feels good to minimize once again...things just sort of sneak up on ya and pretty soon you have too much stuff. Winter time is a great time to dig into such projects, to declutter, throw away, give away, and basically remove excess items from your life.

Now I'm back to only 2 ft. of clothing hanging in the closet, drawers that open and close easily, flashlights with fresh batteries, a catch all basin that has only a few things in it and an entire dust bunny warren that has been rehomed to the trash.

I'll sleep good tonight!