Saturday, May 26, 2012
Old Time Fun?
When I was little, my mother's parents had a real live slot machine. Other relatives had juke boxes and pool tables. There was even a dining house in my grandparent's back yard. Emphasis on having fun. Bridge and dominos. Cribbage and other card games.I'm pretty sure we Americans are all working a little too hard to have enough time for that much fun. The little time off my friends have is spent resting up for another round of corporate game playing. And for the self employed, there's even less leisure. Croquet, anyone?
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You are so right, people are far too obsessed with work. I appreciate that the economy has everyone worried about losing their jobs, but I also think that we fall into the habit of thinking that money buys happiness. I'm intrigued by the concept of a 'dining house' in the back yard. Was it a shed? A gazebo? A tent?
ReplyDeleteHi Shelley - It was as if you'd taken one of those long, narrow dining rooms that were in grand houses, and stuck a small kitchen on the end. Then detached it from the house and shingled it just like the main house. Not a made over garage, but the same type of harmonious building. My grandparents called it the Whoopie House, (I think that's how it would have been spelled), because it's sole purpose was as a place for parties.
ReplyDeleteAmericans have been the hardest working labor force in the world since WWII, and still have an inferiority complex about it. I hate hearing any of us rave about the workers in other countries, while ignoring the amazing number of hours worked per week here and our productivity.
(Thanks for your book series suggestion!)
Hi Beryl, yes you are right. I think Americans don't know how to slow down and have fun, enjoy life. It's all about the race for the almighty dollar. Always wanting more "stuff." I want to slow down and have a bit of un. A game of croquet sounds like so much fun. Haven't played that in years. Your grandparents sound like really neat people!
ReplyDeleteWe have game nights during the winter time at home...but not with folks other than family. It's interesting to read about this "dining" house.
ReplyDeleteHi Sanda - And some Americans have to work that hard to keep their jobs in competition with the other workers. Do you have room for Croquet? I wish I had one of the old beautiful sets. (I actually don't have a set at all.) But no matter what the set you use, it is such a fun game.
ReplyDeleteHi Terri - I almost wish I had kept having chldren so I had a few more to play games with now. I think I'll write a little more about that party house. I forgot that everyone's grandparents didn't have one.
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