During my off time I often play Solitaire. Recently I have discovered several new types. My Kindle has many types of Solitaire on one of the programs.

Playing Solitaire reminds me of our trip to Alaska. We stayed in a small apartment. That apartment was quite well stocked with movies, but we could not figure out how to make the system work. When we went back to the house at night, I usually read my book and let Don take my Kindle to play Solitaire. At that time, it only had the simple kind.

When I say the place was well stocked, I mean except for mugs. Melanie, Don’s daughter knew that we liked our morning coffee so she made sure there was a coffee maker and coffee – the kind her dad preferred. The first morning I got up and made our coffee. I started to open cupboard doors looking for mugs to drink our coffee out of. Surprise – there were no mugs. All I found in the cupboards was a couple small pans. I asked Don if he could drink his coffee out of a pan. That day when we visited Melanie and her family, we made sure we brought back a couple mugs so the next morning we could drink our coffee easier.

Don often played Free Cell on his computer. I watched him play, but never did well on my own. I saw him win several times. I have that on my machine, but even though I recently tried it, I could not get to the end.

I discovered Pyramid Solitaire – the cards must add up to thirteen to remove them. I found that I especially like that one. I have also played Golf Solitaire and Tri-Peaks. They are done similarly. Spider Solitaire is another favorite. Of course, I play the standard type, too. There is also Kings on the Corners, but that is definitely harder to play. At least it gives me something to do while I watch television since I am not good at just sitting and watching.

While I play on my Kindle, I remember my Great-grandfather playing with a deck of cards. He sat in his chair by a small table and played a lot of Solitaire. (Incidentally, I have both the chair and the table. I think of him when I use them.) He liked to smoke cigars while he played. He put his cigar into his pipe and smoked it that way. I think by then he was to feeble to hold the cigar. I remember every time we visited him our clothes smelled when we got home! Grandma often put them out on the back porch. I think he only played the standard type of Solitaire.

On our trip by train across Canada a group of the women had brought cards with them. They played cards while we rode along. They tried to teach me to play some different types of Solitaire. I really do not remember the games they taught me, but I enjoyed playing cards with them.

We frequently took cards along with us. It was something for us to do when we spent time in the hotels. I remember playing Kings on the Corner with playing cards but I cannot remember that either.

Going through college we played a lot of Pinochle. Most days when we went to the Hub for lunch, we ate and played cards. That was a break for us and we enjoyed it. In the dorm we often played Canasta. I thought about that this week when I fixed a hot dog with cheese – the lunch of choice most days at the Hub.

I did not marry into a card playing family. My husband did not really like to play games. He got better in his old age – playing Trivial Pursuit with the neighbors. We would play and snack – usually on veggies and dip. We never knew when the neighbors were going to appear, but that was okay. We were always home so enjoyed the company.

The other game I like to play on my Kindle is Scrabble. I just play against the computer and do well. I think it has only beat me once. It is a challenge to make words with the letters you draw. I am overjoyed when I can use all of my letters because that triggers a bonus. This afternoon I was ready to play one word but I saw a better word before I played. In the end I was able to use all of my letters. It netted me over eighty points.

Don used to do the Crossword Puzzles and the Word Scramble in the newspapers. He did them every day – to keep his mind active he said. Well, his mind stayed active and he was able to do those puzzles right up to the last week of his life.

I hope that I can keep my mind active with all of the things that I do. My cousin asked me if I remembered when she got lost coming over for a visit. I told her I not only remembered that but I also remembered that her sun roof leaked during the rain we encountered. She told me I had a very good memory and I hope to keep it that way!

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell, Pa. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.