Let the Games Begin

Two years ago, while we were still living in DeKalb, I received news from my in-laws that the basement of our IN home had flooded. We had many things already in storage there and my efficient, organized hubby had taken time during our spring break visit to put all of his books on the bookshelves. I left my stuff in boxes and as a result lost many precious books and games. Because the things had been in storage for a while and because my in-laws were the ones sorting through the mess, I wasn't really sure what all was lost.

In the past six months, I've been worried that two of my favorite card games had been lost in that flood. I tried finding replacements on e-bay. The first game, called "Authors" was easily found, but I didn't buy another set because the old one held such nostalgic value (it was the deck I grew up playing with my siblings and mother) and I still hoped to find it. The second game, was impossible. I had purchased it at the Tate Gallery in London over twenty years ago. I didn't remember the name, but even searching the Tate's site didn't bring any results.

This past Sunday, my MS brought me a book called Out for the Count and asked me to read it to him. My ES had always loved this book (it was one we purchased from the discard shelf at the library in DeKalb) and we used to play the game on the inside cover and we called it "The Game at the End of the Book." I had a small baggie with extra game pieces and dice, which I kept near the games. When we moved, my husband packed up all the games and toys from my ES's room and then unpacked them when he arrived at our IN house (the boys and I remained in DeKalb and then went to CBLI - how's that for getting out of the work of unpacking!).

On Sunday, in searching for the baggie with extra game pieces, I discovered a box labeled "card games." Makes sense, right? Well, there were my two beloved card games. I had always kept them separate. Thanks to my hubby's organizational skills and my searching, these two lost games are now FOUND!





The authors game has always been one of my favorites. The deck contains four books from 11 authors and the goal is to collect complete sets of authors by asking other players if they hold the cards you require. The Tate Gallery card game is similar and is called "Quartet." This deck contains four paintings from 13 artists. My ES had loved playing "Quartet" with me because some of the paintings had names and images he felt were risque. He enjoyed asking "Do you have David Hockney's Man in Shower in Beverly Hills?" or "Do you have Pablo Picasso's Reclining Nude with Necklace? "

When my ES discovered my MS and I playing the game at the end of the book, he wanted to play too! So, he joined us mid-way and when I won, he asked if we could play again without MS. I think we played three or four games that night and I won every one. OWNED! ES tried to say it was merely "Mother's Day Luck." So, he appealed for a re-match the following night. Again, I won each game played. Finally, on Wednesday night, after several games, he won. I'm glad I can beat him in some games anyway.

I have left the three games on the kitchen table (yes, clutter, I know) this whole week. We have continued to play them. I grew up playing games with my siblings, so I am looking forward to more opportunities to play games with these boys!

Before I close, ES begged me to share his recent stats from Guitar Hero (O.K., he is very good at that game, and he does love to boast about it!). So here are some photos of his 100% endeavors. He wanted me to post video, but I'll spare you that (it takes too long to upload).