Day 2161 Mahjong

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Another fun Mahjong night at my house. In just three short weeks, my friends have really picked up the game and are now playing with only a bit of help here and there. I even sat in on a couple of games at the end of the night, jumping back and forth from my table to the other table to help out.

Everyone arrived promptly at 5:30, ready to play, and then leave by 8:00 p.m., as per my rules… after all, it is a weeknight! Tim thought I was mean for telling everyone they had to leave by 8:00, but hey, 4:00 a.m. comes early, and if we’re going to play every week, I need to set sustainable time limits.

The last two games we played were with my new “Big Card,” and it was the first time I’d ever played it and we all loved it! The Big Card is a made-up card that predicts what the next card might be like, and it’s just plain fun to play. Of course, everyone at the table has to play with the same card, so I had to buy four of them in order to play with anyone!

My daughter has been coming to learn the game with her friend, and then they’ve gone home and taught their husbands, who are loving it just as much as the gals. I seem to be building my own little Mahjong crew, and I’m really looking forward to some great game nights ahead.

In other news… Jackie has laid her second egg, so the eagle egg hatch watch is back on! I’m hoping to see another successful hatching, although it’s hard to watch at times, especially when winter winds hit and snowstorms cover the nest. Nature isn’t easy; it’s a tough life out there.

No wonder my poor cat is still hiding in the basement. She’s probably detoxing after a rough life fending for herself outside, then being thrown into a cage for almost a year. At least now she’s safe, warm, fed and talked to nicely every day. She’ll come out someday… I’m sure of it.

We’re expecting another weekend storm, so my storm-prep kit will stay at the ready. I bought enough chicken feed to last a few weeks and even picked up a bale of straw for the inside run so they have some entertainment during the dreary days. They love scratching and spreading it around as if they’re searching for hidden treasure.

At least there won’t be football on this weekend, so if we’re snowed in, Tim won’t be glued to the television. We might even get in a game or two ourselves instead of him watching other people play games! Heck, I might even teach him how to play Mahjong with just two players.

All in all, winter isn't so bad, tiles shuffled, animals cared for, storms weathered, and a house full of small joys. Winter may be unpredictable, but for now, life feels cozy and full. 

“Wherever you are, be all there.” ~ Jim Elliot