From time to time my husband and I have been known to indulge in our Scrabble addiction in public places — restaurants, coffee shops, hotel lobbies, park benches. Unlike conversing or reading a book in public, a Scrabble game seems to be everybody’s business, always calling to mind the old joke, “How do you contact civilization if stranded on a deserted island? Start playing solitaire, and soon someone will come along and instruct you to move that six on top of that seven over there.”
The same works for Scrabble. Countless passersby invariably stop to ask who’s winning. Any women present will root for me, while any men will roll their eyes in sympathy or find some other way to silently encourage my husband. (They rarely support him out loud lest they receive a sharp elbow in the stomach from their wives.) Without fail, some stickler will stop to inform us snootily that we are not to use the dictionary when playing Scrabble, that it’s against the rules. Another kinder, gentler meddler will give us hints which would earn half the points of the plays we end up using. We thank them all for their concern, smile politely, and go back to our game.
Despite our propensity for playing in public, we never break out the board at home. It simply never occurs to us, and even if it did there are far too many distractions.
And then this evening, the following note dropped into my lap. I looked up to see my husband waiting hopefully for a response. In a flashback to middle school, he had folded it into a cute little shape (then gave up and taped it closed when the folds wouldn’t hold).
Note: If you have trouble reading it, click the note for a closeup version.
I ask you, how could I say no? Game’s on in T minus seventeen minutes.
Now you know one of our obsessions. What do you do for fun?
Update: People are already asking, so here’s the lowdown. Hubby won, 445 to 334. He rocked the board with three bingos (words that use all the letters in the rack). Go hubbs!
Holy Cow! I’ve never entered the 400 point range! Wow!
My beloved and I also like to play Scrabble. In fact, while we are apart we indulge in Scrabulous on FaceBook.
I’m enjoying your blog!
Caryn, Scrabble is a wonderful, sociable game. I have played with a group of ladies aged 80 and over and we not only had great games, but also great conversation between turns. This is a “traveling” game as we go house to house among our mutual friends who are not well or need cheering up. This includes trips to AMH. As for those who show an interest in games in public places, occassionally a super word is contriubted.
Favorite Scrabble Spin-Off: Take 2. No board, double the letter blocks, each person makes their own, personal, scrabbleness. Start with 7 tiles, and when someone runs out you tell “take 2” and everyone else has to pick up 2 more tiles. Rinse & repeat until all tiles are gone. Then add up your word points and congratulate the winner. Favorite Part: You can rearrange your words however you see fit (i.e. however will make you The Winner!)
xox
Susan, check your e-mail! 🙂
Great to hear from you, Sonja! What a great idea, to take games over and play with those who are sick or otherwise housebound. I’d love to play Scrabble with other people, and so would hubbs. Unfortunately, word has gotten out that we’ve studied some techniques, so no one wants to play with us!
Heidikins, I’ve just recently been introduced to Take 2, and although I haven’t had a chance to play it, I’m greatly intrigued and want to give it a try soon. Thanks for the suggestion!
How adorable!!!! You and your hubby are such a cute couple.
I’m addicted to scrabble on facebook, have you ever tried it. I love the note too thats what great romantic movies are made of. I’ll try not to steal it.
Awww. Thanks, 77free. What you call ‘adorable’, though, others have dubbed ‘sickening’. I prefer your word choice. 😀
Oh, this is too cute! What a fun idea!