In my family, my parents played regularly with my aunt and uncle. Bridge was one of the only arenas where my father had more power than my mother and he reveled in it. Every time they sat down to play, they all put money in the kitty which they later used to take vacations together. A lost culture.
Bridge ran through the veins of my mother, her sisters, and my grandmother. So much good fun. I’ve tried to pick it up and have a lot of respect for bridge players.
I too have a soft spot for bridge. My immigrant father was a champion bridge player. I asked him why he gave it up. He told me that he couldn't leave my mother at home with three small children on weekends to play in tournaments.
Lovely! I well remember similar evenings at my house - down to the detail of sending us to my sister’s room to watch tv. I never became a bridge player, so my memories don’t include that aspect, but I sure do remember the beautiful crystal bowls filled with pastel mints and mixed nuts Mom set on every table! I actually had them out over Thanksgiving! Thanks for the memories, Joan!
Smiling. It was Canasta my maternal grandma (z”l) taught me. I was enamored of the shuffler - first hand crank, then battery with the push of a button - and then the game. Alas, like the chicken-cutting-up skills learned from my uncles who’d learned it from their grand, my great-grandfather who made his way to America with the only skills he had, I’ve forgotten how to do both. Maybe I should try again at an age that exceeds the one at which Grandma Gustie left us.
This reminds me of sitting at the card table with grandpa and dad learning to play a card game called Tonk. I was 6 or 7 years old. We gambled beads until my mother found out and said we couldn't gamble. My grandmother taught me Solitaire at around 7 or 8. By 12 I was playing hearts, gin, and euchre. At 21 years old I started dealing blackjack for a living and that evolved into dealing dice and led a life-long career in casino gaming. At 62 I learned to deal and play poker. Funny how that simple game of Tonk started a love affair with cards and games that never really quit, I still play games for entertainment and socialization today.
Good story, Ginny! Did anyone watch the Plouffe Family?
We should prize similarities and differences; without differences there is nothing
wonderful story, beautifully written.
Thank you!
In my family, my parents played regularly with my aunt and uncle. Bridge was one of the only arenas where my father had more power than my mother and he reveled in it. Every time they sat down to play, they all put money in the kitty which they later used to take vacations together. A lost culture.
Bridge ran through the veins of my mother, her sisters, and my grandmother. So much good fun. I’ve tried to pick it up and have a lot of respect for bridge players.
I too have a soft spot for bridge. My immigrant father was a champion bridge player. I asked him why he gave it up. He told me that he couldn't leave my mother at home with three small children on weekends to play in tournaments.
I never knew this about your Dad, Alice.
Lovely! I well remember similar evenings at my house - down to the detail of sending us to my sister’s room to watch tv. I never became a bridge player, so my memories don’t include that aspect, but I sure do remember the beautiful crystal bowls filled with pastel mints and mixed nuts Mom set on every table! I actually had them out over Thanksgiving! Thanks for the memories, Joan!
Smiling. It was Canasta my maternal grandma (z”l) taught me. I was enamored of the shuffler - first hand crank, then battery with the push of a button - and then the game. Alas, like the chicken-cutting-up skills learned from my uncles who’d learned it from their grand, my great-grandfather who made his way to America with the only skills he had, I’ve forgotten how to do both. Maybe I should try again at an age that exceeds the one at which Grandma Gustie left us.
Lovely memories of family togetherness and of the great game of bridge!
Great story, Virginia. I loved your ending. And yes, you do shine.
Ginny, only you could make bridge sound remotely enticing. A story evocative of an era and a rich, warm hospitality. 🫶
Great memory of a game that consumes many of us. 50 points for an insult ? Never heard of that one!
In rubber bridge if a doubled contract is made, you get 50 extra points for the insult of the double.
Oh thanks !
This reminds me of sitting at the card table with grandpa and dad learning to play a card game called Tonk. I was 6 or 7 years old. We gambled beads until my mother found out and said we couldn't gamble. My grandmother taught me Solitaire at around 7 or 8. By 12 I was playing hearts, gin, and euchre. At 21 years old I started dealing blackjack for a living and that evolved into dealing dice and led a life-long career in casino gaming. At 62 I learned to deal and play poker. Funny how that simple game of Tonk started a love affair with cards and games that never really quit, I still play games for entertainment and socialization today.
Sweet story. It’s all coming back to me.