Games, Are We All Crazy

Games, Are We All Crazy...
from Go Fish to Farmville 2

I waked from my nap today, popped out of the bed to rush to my computer.  I almost missed the time! My sunflowers should be mature, I could pick them and have enough food to feed the sheep which have the last piece of wool that I need to make a blanket.  If I have one more blanket, I can get a bonus.  Now if this is not crazy, please tell me what is?

I started thinking about games and gaming. I was amazed what a role that gaming plays in my life. How about yours? 

I tried to do something of a time line of my personal gaming history.  I had fun remembering sitting at the dining room table on Sunday playing  Monopoly with grandmother trying to keep me occupied because we lived so far away from friends. When I visited my other grandmother, MeMe, we would play Chinese checkers for hours on end.  I can remember her laughter.  Actually, outside games were another issue.  Every single day, outside or in, school was a wonderful place to play games.  I so looked to recess and the challenges of Hop Scotch, Red Rover, Dodge Ball, and later softball. When not in school when I had a friend over it was Jane and Tarzan or other alone imaginary games.

College brought to me an awareness of Bridge.  We would have a constant game that lasted for weeks  Yes a table for four. We kept it going.  And then there was golf and tennis that were required courses.  Such fun on dates. I don't think they are required any more.
I learned to play Cribbage after I got married and met my father-in-law who was avid.  I soon graduated to penny poker and even a few games of strip poker in those early years of marriage. Canasta with the girls was a special time.

Then along came video games..oh my goodness!!! I have played games every since we bought our first ATARI system. Pong was the game that everyone had to have. The rush we got from watching the one ball, then more ....what was the objective?  Pac-Man was soon to come on the scene.  I would come home and play to get rid of the stress.  For just a few minutes I was transported to another world. 

Then I really got busy.  No time for frivolity. But I began using games as soon as I started teaching. In the beginning it was simple scavenger hunts and moved on up to complicated day long games to teach management and cross cultural issues. People told me that men, and especially doctors just would not participate. But they loved the games. Men love competition. BaFaBaFa is particularly great and very complicated.

I do not remember any game playing except golf, which I miss to this day...when I was married to Ralph. Especially playing with the kids when they were little. But when I retired, I found myself with time on my hands.  It was not long before my nieces Nancy and Suzie introduced me to Ultima Online.  The fantasy began.  I could be anyone I wanted to be.  I took on the persona of a little five foot tall, chestnut haired WoodNymph.  I played so many hours that I will never admit how many.  I took a time with StarWars and a few other games, but my Ultima account stayed active for over 12 years.  As Facebook became part of my life, I quickly signed on to the games available.  I spend a few minutes a day playing Bejeweled but lots of minutes playing Farmville2.

Daily, I shall not mention where, I pick up my Sudoku book and do a game or two.  Not so long ago, I was given my first Kindle and now I can play anywhere I go and do not need to rely on my iPhone for Solitaire, and a bunch of others.  Bubble games are such fun to play before I read at night.

I feel somewhat vindicated in that prestigious institutions of higher education are teaching gaming. I took a Coursera https://www.coursera.org/#courses course recently on Gamificaton taught by Wharton Business School at University of Pa. I am taking another beginning in a couple of days. Game Theory taught at Berkley.Yes they have a courses at the graduate level. They are all free. If you don't know about them, I think they are well worth your time. From higher math to who knows what else. All Free.

The question is... Am I addicted to just any game?

Oh I forgot to tell you about my memory games from Lumonsity.com. Gotta keep your mind exercised!

And I do eat, bathe, sleep, paint and have wonderful conversations with my friends.  Isn't life one Big Game?

2013 WHAT WILL YOU BRING?

HAPPY NEW YEAR  2013

Writing this Blog has been so erratic.  I want to apologize to you.  I am not near so disciplined as my nephew Jim, Hawksbill's Cabin, and  envy that dedication.  The blogs I write are important to me, so I am intending to do it this year.  I want to write down the doings of two ladies of the 1880's.. if I cannot do this, I cannot do that.  I need to know you are reading, enjoying, and supporting me....so here goes.

Most of my writing will be done looking out my window.  I use this window as a view into the outer world.  This year it begins as do most Cleveland winters with snow and more snow. It never ceases to amaze me that life just goes right along as if nothing had happened when we are seeing 16 inches, like this fresh first day of the new year.

This year I will focus on the past and the future and in no real order, just as it happens or as it occurs to me. I have sent out a letter to some of you and want to repeat it here. If you didn't see it, I want to make sure you do have an option.  It gives kinda an overview with so many people and things left out.  I have added other notes for blog purposes, in red.  Written on New Year's Eve.

 

Soon I will be settling in to spend an exiting New Year's Eve watching Anderson and Kathy battle. I will dream of Eve's past and future.

I didn't get cards out, as usual. So thought I would brief you about the year past and the year to come. My activities have been and will be varied, rewarding and challenging.

• I continued to paint and to watch my mentors' career grow as she opened her gallery in North Olmsted. CONGRATULATIONS! Please visit either in person or on line.. http://www.joanndepolo.net/
• Volunteering has been an important part of my life and at Cleveland Clinic I continue to put in a few hours a month and love to watch the funny funny dynamics of management, and to lend a hand to those in need. The front desk is not saving lives but it makes them better. I plan to volunteer at the gallery, maybe just to hang out more than anything.  It is like a warm wonderful home. 
• Education is still fascinating and I am not talking about politics. I attend classes at Baldwin Wallace college and the local community college. They have "older adult" classes. I have learned to play the recorder, among other things. I am taking FREE classes on Coursera. Wonderful concept from Duke and other top layer universities. Check it out. https://www.coursera.org/  I have Alyce doing it too, she is much better at doing all the classes.  You can take as few or as many as you wish.
• I had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Crofton MD and Raleigh and Eden. The family met for turkey day and I saw all the clan. We have a wonderful crop. Only Sterling was not there. He had to work. :-( NANCY amazes me and Mary and Jim are OUTSTANDING hosts. I spent time in Raleigh with Alyce and doing things with my friends. Thanks Maggi! Our time is precious, and Ann!old memories are fun and Nancy and Barbara! Gail I so loved our time together. I celebrated Christmas in Raleigh early with such thoughtfulness from JEFF AND ALYCE. I learned that air travel and train travel is great for us oldies. I plan to do more, Florida and NC are on my list for 2013. Its my 60th high school reunion omg did I admit that?
• I plan to be conducting a collage course, called YOUR LIFE,WELL-LIVED. I will be glad to go into detail, if you are interested.  I plan to go into detail on the blog as time goes on.
• I am still not done with two big projects. My genealogy and the novel about two ladies born in 1982...Georgianna Hallock and Alice Boone. More later. I spent some wonderful time with my cousin in Eden, Frances Cox, we scoured the hills of Southwestern Virginia and sources and Rockingham County and Basset Virginia. She is my kind of people schedule and all. Thanks! We found such treasures.
• I still use my TV to keep me company and have moved my studio, in part, into my living room and can watch and paint. Days of my Lives continues to stay on. BookTV is wonderful and makes the slow weekends move faster. My kindle is taking over on some days.
• My letter writing project is on hold, but expect your special letter this year.

I really thought I was bored but now I feel tired and am ready for a nap before the festivities begin. Snow has started again to add to our personal 16 inches. I have such affection and love for each of you. Please keep the emails ad letters coming. Rusti

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2013

That is my start, restart of my blog.  Help me by giving me feedback.  How am I doing?

 

Rusti Craddock Moore-Greenlaw
440-836-4444
7205 Timber Lane
Olmsted Falls, Ohio 44138

COUNTING BLESSINGS

BRING COLOR INTO LIFE

I cant stop thinking about color.  It is another great puzzle in my life.  Yesterday I went to buy a set of cubes to sit beside my chair.  I am painting a lot of little things, for miniatures,sitting in my living room chair at night.  I found myself in a red space. Sorta.  After some time I did find a set of cubes.  I had a choice: dark brown, black, or white.  I looked for the boxes that go into the cubes.  I found black, tan, soft lime, soft aqua and pink. The colors were muted. I then spent the next hour in Target looking for color. My living space is made of yellows and I wanted more perky.  Everywhere I went women's clothes, towels, curtains, rugs..... shades of diaper brown, white, cream, black and gray. 

I stopped an unsuspecting clerk and chatted about my observation.  She was about nineteen and decided to explain it to me.  I was, of course on my borrowed target scooter, my hair all white, no tattoos(yet), and  no piercings except in my ears properly.  She had decided that I could not hear, needed a very loud voice, and that I only came out of my haunt when i could be let out by my caretakers.  I do like to open a dialog with unsuspecting people and watch them walk away shaking their heads.  I have plenty of time and I know they must listen to me.  Gives me great sport.

She told me that , today, most people didn't use color in their house.  They simply used the "neutrals"  and only occasionally put in a splash of muted color. She seemed so assured.  I asked her why?   It took a few minutes because I do believe that critical thinking was way above her pay grade. I knew I should move on.  I had already said enough. I had caused enough psychological damage.  I could sense that she couldn't wait for break to describe this long encounter with the old gray fool.  I do not act in this way when my family is with me. Their embarrassment is quite severe.

I left still in a quandary.  It brought me back to my move from my condo in Raleigh when the realtor told me that the place would never sell with my beautiful brass fixtures (they needed to be brushed metal of a grayish color) and the beautiful yellow walls must take on a neutral color and my carpets should be removed and off white or neutral be put in.  I could never make a point that my house was furnished in colonial hence the brass, and yellow made me happy.

I decided to search and find out why we are so much in a colorless/muted place.  I found one source gave these enlightenment's.  It seems to simply come down to political correctness .  Seems we need to make sure when we wish to sell our places, entertain in them, or have our children or guests feel comfortable, we need to maintain NEUTRALITY. We try not to be offensive.  I guess I did lie to you when I said I was not being political today. 

Help me understand why.... Why we are leaning toward neutrality.

Let me share some color with you....

Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions. - Pablo Picasso

While perceptions of color are somewhat subjective, there are some color effects that have universal meaning. Colors in the red area of the color spectrum are known as warm colors and include red, orange and yellow. These warm colors evoke emotions ranging from feelings of warmth and comfort to feelings of anger and hostility. Colors on the blue side of the spectrum are known as cool colors and include blue, purple and green. These colors are often described as calm, but can also call to mind feelings of sadness or indifference.

 Lets whoop up on the color in our lives.  Lets feel the emotions of color.  Lets take chances.   We may end up poor,and not emotionally safe. That is what gives us a vital life.

The Blog is Back

The Blog is Back !!!

Today is April 9, 2012.  I have not posted in many months and find it is time again to begin again.  My journals and other projects seem to come and go.  It is an election year and I think I will document my thoughts about this process. I do feel an obligation to say a few things about myself.  There are some of you who do not know that I am and old lady of years, 1935 was a good year. I am older than most trees and younger than almost all rocks.

 I have had some life experiences that will color what I say.  I grew up with my grandparents and learned the values of the depression and old time religion.  I lived in a time that men were drafted and came back ready to face life.  I marched with Martin Luther King in the fifties, I demonstrated in the seventies for women's rights, and I worked on electing Obama.  I spent three years in Saudi Arabia and traveling to ten countries most were Islamic. I taught cross cultural survival, Shari'a law as it applies to health care, and management in a multi cultural setting.  I traveled in all states surveying or consulting in over 700 hospitals.  My thoughts and beliefs, politically, are based on my experiences.  We are all prisoners of our own experiences.  I will remain a prisioner unless you help me escape.

I am quite distressed that many people, even most people, cannot discuss politics without it being arguing.  I learned very early in my educational life (in high school in Louise Smith's senior English class and virtually ever class at Duke), that healthy exchange of ideas and beliefs is one of the things that made this country great.  It was the one thing that made us so different from many other civilizations. Being able to hear someone else in intellectual exchange is what makes me great. We do not seem to be able to do this anymore.  We have become so POLITICALLY CORRECT that we cannot even talk to our own folks about the issues.  Seems people are so afraid that they will offend they remain silent.  Now here comes my favorite quote....

“The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crises maintain their neutrality”. Dante

This quote has been paraphrased by many.  Substituting the word SILENCE for neutrality.  But you get the point.  Most of the silence is based on fear.  That others will take it out on us.  They wont continue to be our friend.  The list goes on.  It is a sad time when there are those who are actually afraid for their life.  To me the scariest thing in the world is limiting my freedom of speech.

Of course, we must all be responsible when we hold forth with our opinions.  We must to the best of our ability search for truth and talk in truths as we know them.  Being responsible in regard to our facts, to me,  means that if you watch Fox you must also watch MSNBC.  If you listen to Rush you must also listen to Michael Moore.  If you think that a certain person would be a good president, then you have knowledge of their values and abilities. You must seek out the news  on PBS, Al Jazeera ,BBC, as well as the ones we know so well.  You must have read the Bible and the Koran if you want to tell others what either of them teach.

My blog has turned the corner to seriousness, controversy and generally stirring shit.  It will hopefully be enjoyed by folks of all ages.  I would love to see the set-in-their-ways people to get un-sot.  I will promise to offend all of you and every politician.  Every post will not be political, some may just be nonsense.

Things to Think Upon...for today.

http://www.linktv.org/  

SARASOTA WARMTH

We start out as a simple human being.
We have a very small circle, very few knots have been tied. Then as life moves on we weave our maze of relationships. Family, friends, aquaintences.... they make us who we are and we make them who they are.


I have not posted much in the last month or so.  My discipline left me for a while.  Traveling, visiting my sister and friends in Raleigh, traveling on to  Florida to visit my neice  Susan and her partner, and I fall into bed each night with a sense of warmth and love from so many people.  As I was falling asleep last night I was thinking about the people in my life and how much they mean to me.  I am limiting my comments to Sarasota.

The Household Rulers

To little time with Auntie

When we arrived in Sarasota, the home of my Suze (neice), I added to my complex maze of people a wonderful new person AND HERS.  She is Suze's partner.  I felt very included and was brought into their circle with warmth and love.  Then we had a family dinner and I met her mother, her Aunt,KIDS, Dad... her past ..... All I could do was to think of how blessed we are each day. We never know how that new person will enhance our life whether it be for a second or two, or for the rest of your life.

Melissa and Dad

I was also drawn to think about people who dread family things.  Dread having to spend time with parents and other relatives.  It made me so sad that so many folks find that the time they spend with family is a duty, boring or worse yet tedious and paintful.  How wonderful it is to be able to enjoy fully FAMILY as individuals and as a group.

Laney gives us Inspiraton



Melissa is Hiding her Mom

 Each time you are together you learn new things about people you know so well.  My sister is with me on the trip and I have learned more about her after all these years. She takes care of my needs and is so attentative.  This morning she woke me to let me know food was on the table, demonstrating caring. That is such a simple thing, but caring is shown in simple ways.  My neice provided food.  I didn't know she was such a good cook.  Yesterday and today I was made aware of her caring for us all.

Josh

When you enter a new home and take a deep breath as you are automatically faced with impressions.  Here there is a feeling of comfort, acceptance and love.  You can feel it.  Some places you go, into some homes, there is a sense of uneasiness.  Will you break something, do all the things you should, and will you meet all the expectations.  Not so here.  You are accepted, with all your faults, disabilities, and unique personality.  Thanks Suze for choosing a wonderful partner.

Laneys' Wonderful Smile

In this new home there are children.  You can tell so much by watching and interacting with the children.  The openess, participation and concern that are reflected through the honesty of children cannot be faked.  Thanks Suze for sharing this wonderful little folks with me.

Molly says, "Is this toxic>"

Mother Melissa and Son Josh 



Mother Suze and Son Jamie



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Extended Family Relaxing



SPRINGTIME TRIP SOUTH

Leaving Snowy 7205 Timber Lane , Olmsted Falls Ohio

I am told that one of the most important things to any Blog writer, or any writer.... is to sit down every day and write.  Discipline they call it.  Since I have very little of the D word I have not been engaged in my Blog activity for over a month.  I am back.  I hope to do more writing .  Just a refresher.  I am writing this blog to allow my daughter and my grandson, and anyone else that is interested, to jump into my life.  My past, my present and what I am dreaming about for the future.  It is a political commentary.  It tells of my bias.  I hope you enjoy the strange thoughts of a old crone.

I left cold,icy, slippery and grey Olmsted Falls on February 17, 2011.  I was lucky and drove all the way to Raleigh with no misadventures.  I could feel the warming every mile I drove.  It seems kinda risky as I look back, I had had major surgery on the 7th.  But it was by laproscope and nada issues , so why not?   Alyce was off on Friday and the weekend was upon us.  The very first thing was a meeting at Jason's Deli with the Kindle Girls.  It was so good to see both Nancy and Barbara.  We didn't talk a lot about books, but did manage to report of a few we had read.   My visit with Jane Brown, friends since 1960, was so deeply wonderful that there will be more of it later.

Two Craddock Women...Jean (right) and daughter Lynn

I was able  to have a long visit with the Thompsons --Jean and  Bill. Lynn and her son joined us at Wilburs Barbecue.  I was treated to a great meal as usual.  It was wonderful to be with them and hear about family.  Wish she and Lynn could have been with us in Raleigh at the family Craddock Women of NC..get together at Gail Craddocks.

Bill, Jean's hubby,looking like Kenny Rogers...at Wilburs




NORTH CAROLINA BARBCUE..OMG

 I rested and spent the next week warming up and catching up in Raleigh.  I know why one should write every day ... the details of those two weeks before we started to Florida are very sketchy.    We packed the car and started or trip on March 5.  We drove straight through to Sarasota and it was a very pleasant day.  Alyce and I took turns.  She didn't use to help drive, but does now.  That was terrific. My nephew Jeff was the backbone of the trip.  He helped and helped and helped.  His presence as a traveling companion cannot be touted enough.  Jeff, THANK YOU.

Arrival in Sarasota was so warm and wonderful.  Meeting Susans' new family was a treat.  Melissa is warm, loving and really a great person.  Her children  Laney and Josh were a positive force in the house.  They are terrific kids.  Whoever said that the younger generation is going downhill just don't know what they are really like.  These two are so bright and loving.   Well, they take after their Mom, what can I say.  The hospitality was outstanding.  I did not know that Susan was such a good cook!! More Later.

Melissa and Son, Josh  So Handsome!

Laney...Girls are Wonderful!

Special Art by Laney

I took off for places even further south.  Visiting my long time friend Alice Parrish is always wonderful and this visit was no different.  She entertained me grandly.  I envy her lovely house so much.  It boasts a guest house where I got so much rest!  I really guess I may have traveled a little earlier than I should have after the surgery so by the time I got there I was really exhausted.  I slept late every day.  When I pulled myself off the most comfortable bed I have slept in in years, I was served the most yummy  grapefruit juice ever. Much more later about this wonderful friend and visit.

  Alice brings in grapefruit from the tree (she planted the tree when she first moved in, it had been a houseplant for years.)   She puts it into the refrigerator a few days before using and squeezes the fruit right before serving.  Yummmmm   We spent time with Stel and Ed.  Each have lost a mate in the two weeks prior to my getting there.  I felt so sad for them.  But we laughed and ate together.  It is fun to get to see the real part of Florida and not the tourist part. I have a blog dedicated to Alice and will post it soon.

Back to Sarasota for a few days.  More good food, outings to include picnicking and quilt showing, was next on the agenda.  Meeting Melissa's mom and Aunt was a treat as well as spending time with them.  I just regret that it was such a short time.  I really enjoyed them and feel like I have made new friends.   We left early in the morning of the 12th and had a long tedious trip.  We decided to go through Atlanta and that made our trip a two day one.  All three of us were zombies when we pulled into Raleigh. 

Seaside Club, Wilmington A Very old Vintage Place

Dermas beloved Wilmington Home

I took off again for Wilmington and a visit with my friend Derma.  She has a lovely home with a carriage house.  Again, I was treated like royalty.  Her home is the most comfortable place you can imagine.  We talked nonstop and ran here and there.  She shared with me her friends and I feel that I have made some friendships of my own that will last a long time.  These women, Marie, Vivian, and Carol were so knowledgeable and engaged.  I so wish I had friends like that in Ohio.  Derma is a really lucky woman and deservedly so.  Marie and Carol are nurses, Vivian a teacher and Meredith graduate.  I wanted to talk all night.

Vicki and Carol   Two Craddock Ladies... More Later

Back to Raleigh for a a weeks rest before starting back.  I have had the pleasure of meeting again my relative, Gary Hayden (one of the Grands of the Craddock brothers).  Gail Craddock, my cousin, is the best organizer.  She did the first family get to gather when I first got to Raleigh.  Craddock Ladies of North Carolina.  We were the granddaughters of the Craddock Brothers.  Her North Hills  house has been the site of our gettogethes.  We were missing the two Jeans.  Jean Craddock the granddaughter of Bernie and Jean Craddock Thompson., the granddaughter of Versa. We were also missing Betty Ray Hankins the granddaughter of Cecil.  Her hubby, Clarence, (I was in her wedding) died just a few weeks ago.

This week will find me having dinner with Gail and Nancy, , attending an event at Christ Church on Wednesday, doing a workshop with Sharon at Jerry's on Thursday, and going Chicky looking at the feed store in Pittsboro on Friday.  On Sunday, I will   travel to Salem Virginia to spend a yet undetermined amount of time with Betty Ray, my.cousin.  I hope to have lunch and visit with another cousin, Betsy Ray Wrenn Groseclose, and a college friend while I am there. 

This may become a yearly thing.  No one wants to come to Cleveland, so I guess the only alternative is to come south.  Not that I am complaining. 

I did not get to see or spend time with special special people.  That is my sadness.  Time takes away our freedom by impairing our body or our mind.  This is so painful to me.  The people who have meant so much to me in my life are so missed.  When it is impossible to touch them, to hold them, and to tell them how much I love and miss them. my sadness is almost overwhelming.  No one told me that it would hurt so much.