Wyoming Breezes

Nearly every Thursday afternoon I join a group of friends at the local senior center to play Mexican Train dominoes. The center was closed for much of the pandemic and only opened full time a year ago. Gradually, each week more seniors come to play. Last week fourteen individuals played together (two tables of seven). Before the pandemic, we had two full tables playing every week. Have people in your community returned to pre-pandemic activities? Have you?

Mexican Train Domino players (bottom photo) photo from Eppson Center April newsletter (Gayle, Kathleen, Tania, Nancy, Bunny, Darlene, Marilyn, Paula) November 2021 Every week, you will find me at the Eppson Center playing Mexican Train Dominos with a fun group. We've been playing together since 2018 with some time off when the Center was closed during the pandemic. Before the pandemic, we always had a full table (eight players), and some weeks we had enough players for two full tables. We enjoy playing so much that we don't even keep score.  Last week the Center was closed for the installation of new carpeting, but the group decided to play at another location. We went to O'Dwyer's Restaurant/Pub and had a great time playing and enjoying a delicious meal afterward. playing at O'Dwyer's  (Pat, Bunny, Tania, Marilyn, Linda, Gary, Kathleen) March 2022 The Eppson Center still requires masks, but masks are no longer required around town. We felt safe meeting without ...

carrom board in a flea market Laramie, WY A couple of years ago, I spotted this carrom board  at a local flea market, and it brought back memories of the board that occasionally was brought out when I was young. The board we had used wooden rings — a set of red rings and a set of green rings. A black ring was also included as well as bare wooden rings.  I remember playing a game similar to pool on the board, and of course checkers could also be played as well as backgammon. I don’t remember ever playing with the backside of the board, but it had circles painted on it with pegs attached at various intervals. It was fun to flick the rings and try to capture the opponent’s rings before mine were captured.  Did your family have a carrom board or have you ever played the game? 

Nancy & Brenda playing Battleship Denver, CO approx. 1977 Judy (Stitch Along with Me) posted a photo last week of her grandchildren playing Battleship , and the photo triggered some good memories of playing the same game with my niece and nephew over 40 years ago. I found a photo in my computer files - Brenda and me playing Battleship. From the photo you can see that Brenda was a worthy opponent, as it appears she had found two of my ships and I'd found two/three of hers. Based on Judy's photo, it looks like technology has changed the game a bit, but the concept is still the same. Some games I've enjoyed playing over the years include:     Battleship     Aggravation     Sequence     Kismet     Farkle     Mill     Canasta     Dominos, especially Mexican Train What are some of your favorite games?