Family fun and frivolity

So I will be away over the New Year holiday, with one notable upcoming exception later today.  And no, it won't be about Governor DeWine's embrace of transgenderism with knife placed gratuitously in the back of common sense and morality.  By now, if you are surprised when Republicans stab conservatives, the nation and its values in the back, you haven't been paying attention.

No, it will be about something else.  Meanwhile, after that post, I'll be gone until next week.  In the meantime, yesterday was a fun one.  Through much wrangling, my sons will at least have New Year's Eve off, and my married son will be coming over along with our daughter-in-law.  It is a custom for us to cap off the week following Christmas proper with what we call a 'Spread.'  That is, an expanded charcuterie board before they were a thing.

That comes from my mom BTW.  When she was growing up, her mom - who I swear always wore an apron - would spend Christmas day cooking an elaborate feast.  Following the presents (which, given the Depression, was likely a speedy affair) she would retire to their tiny, narrow kitchen and that's where she would be for most of the day.  My mom said no way.  She would not do that on Christmas Day.  So it was sandwiches, chips, perhaps leftovers from Christmas Eve. 

We inherited that and it was a tradition my wife warmed up to quickly.  We've added to it over the years.  And for New Year's Eve, we bring back the spread, with extra goodies such as cooked meatballs and those little cocktail wieners dunked in a tangy sauce.  Veggies, chips, sandwich makings, leftovers from the previous dinners, drinks and sweet snacks abound.  

Then it's a rousing game of Scrabble as we await the new year. That's one of those traditions with a definite starting point. I first went out with my wife right before New Year's Eve in 1991.  I was alone in Florida, having just moved there.  Truth be told, she didn't seem particularly taken with me when I dropped her off at the end of our date.  I wasn't sure what my prospects were when I went home.  But she called the next day.  Apparently her mom - not the milquetoast type by any stretch - discovered I just moved to Florida and was by myself.  She would have none of it.  She insisted my wife invite me to their house, where their family from out of town had gathered for a big celebration.

Now, sitting down at a long table with an entire family of strangers is one thing.  When your future wife suddenly comes down with a  migraine and has to excuse herself, leaving you all alone with the room full of strangers, that's another.  Thank goodness for her grandmother.  And her sort of black sheep uncle, both of whom made me feel quite welcome.

They made me feel so welcome that when my wife was better, she joined the family Scrabble game, and invited me along.  The first time I ever played.  It wasn't a great performance on my part, but it set the stage for a tradition that has endured ever since.  It's not my favorite game, but traditions are traditions.  

Speaking of games: 

That's a biggie.  It's called Twilight Imperium.  It is like a game based on every game that has ever been published.  One of the anchor gifts for our board-game-guru third oldest, he has wanted to sit down and play through this game for the longest time.  Since his brother got married, it just hasn't been practical.  That's because in the best of days, you don't get through that game with less than 2/3 of a day at your disposal. 

But it was arranged well in advance.  The two with their bookstore have found various ways of getting the store's name out and increasing revenue.  One is a monthly 'board game night.'  It's been fairly popular.  It takes place on the last Friday of each month.  So this time, the boys make sure they all had this Friday off.  We met long before the store opened to set up (itself quite a task), and began playing before the business day proper.  We then played through the day, watching the store and giving our daughter-in-law a day off to run about and relax and have fun.  

Meanwhile we played, and played, and played.  It was about eleven hours later when the last turn ended and my third oldest barely squeaked by his next older brother for the win.  The two other brothers weren't in bad spots and, with another turn or two, might have clenched the win.  Nobody had any illusions about their old man, who was never a contender for victory.  It was the first time I played after all.  It isn't my cup of tea, but the chance to spend an entire day with the boys like olden days was not going to be passed up by me. I actually watched tutorial videos ahead of time.  

Ages ago, when we first moved to Ohio, our third was just born.  The older brothers were two and going on five.  We rented a duplex just north of town.  Next to our home was a retirement home.  In the home's grounds was a small gazebo.  One day we went over there with the boys, the youngest still in his carrier.  As my wife and I sat there, the two older playing on the rather unforgiving concrete, and the third watching from his carrier seat, I couldn't have asked for better time.  I told my wife then that if I could describe heaven, this would be it.  The only thing missing was our youngest, even if we didn't know it yet.

Yesterday, getting to spend the whole day with the brothers, was one of those 'all is right with the world' moments.  My wife busied herself around the home. Our daughter-in-law stopped by and helped bake cookies.  Even my mom asked to be part of the festivities.  Even if Ohio State lost, it was a fine time.  There was family, fun, and the boys.   Again, all was right with the world. 

Patiently waiting, contemplating, actively playing, 'what the heck are you doing!'