Board Games, Hidden Rocks, and the Oxford Comma

I heard a podcast this week in which the two hosts (ages 24 and 30, I believe) were wondering whether the next generation would know or understand how to play the game of chess. It sounded like they believed it wouldn't.

I'm not really concerned about any certain game surviving (except for UNO because UNO rules!) as much as I am about the time we spend around those games with each other. 

Board games and card games make you think about the other person, trying to anticipate his or her next move. Is the person a gambler? He or she might take risks other players wouldn't. Is the person more reserved? He or she might be content to not go for broke. Does the person have a lot of head knowledge or does he or she have more limited interests? 

Some games, like Scruples, actually help us to understand our friends and family better. No matter the game, though, we usually end up bonding over the experience. 

Of course, board and card games aren't the only way to do that, but they are a good way. That's why I hope they stick around for awhile. 

Do you have a board or card game bonding experience story you'd like to share? I'd love to hear it. Just hit the reply button.

Let's get to this week's thoughts about slowing down and living deeper. 
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• Photographer Pat Mingarelli has a ministry called The Creation Speaks. One facet of this ministry is a fantastic Facebook page in which he posts some of his breathtaking photos with Bible verses. If you're looking for a mini-break in your schedule today, visit his page. And like it while you are there.  


• Goodreads put together this listicle that I thought you might find interesting: 20 Problems Only Book Lovers Understand. 


• Literary Hub published this article about how many books you will read from this point on until you die. I fall between the average reader (12 books per year) and the voracious reader (50 books per year), which puts me in the neighborhood of reading 768 more books. Sounds like a lot, but it does make me want to choose more wisely.


• I'm sucker for animal stories. That's why this one moved me so much. It's about a man who adopted an 18-year-old dog after its owner passed away. "I couldn't let her spend one more night in the shelter," said her new owner, who had also lost a dog recently. "She's saving me as much as I'm helping her."


• Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr made headlines this week when he pulled over to help a stranded motorist who had run out of gas. After taking him to get gas, he prayed with the man, leaving quite an impression.


• In his article, Your Desk Will Not Attend Your Funeral, writer Todd Brison explains why his father kept a rock for many years after someone used to to smash a window in his home and steal many of his possessions. His father's rationale is spot on. 


• The Oxford comma is in the news: An Oxford comma changed this court case completely. Personally, I prefer the use of the Oxford comma, but as a writer, I'm bound by certain style guides. Book publishers use "The Chicago Manual of Style" and it recommends using one. Newspapers use the "AP Stylebook" and it says to not use one. So, there you have it. 

If you or someone you know is never-married, I could use your help. I released an e-book awhile back called Flying Solo: 30 Devotions to Encourage the Never-Married. I'm proud of the book, but it's a small niche and I've had a hard time finding readers for it. Here's a link to a free copy that you can download to any device for the next week. If you download a copy, I'd appreciate it if you would review it on Amazon. Thanks!

If you like what you're reading here and want to support it, then join my email list, or consider buying a book or becoming a patron (all patrons receive free copies of my e-books as they are released as a thank you for the support).

Have a great weekend!