Radically Retired

Happiness Is … Brain Health

Written by

Terry

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I’m thankful that, at my age, I can play (and win) complex thinking games like bridge and mahjong.

In the summer, female family members gather each Friday for a summer fam-jam mahjong league.

We play four games and share lots of laughs and good-natured teasing.

Three of our past players have dropped off for various reasons, one being that the game was too complex.

Each week, we do “I’ll make you famous” photos of the winners. The photos are given this name, because the winners’ pics are posted to Facebook.

If anyone wins more than one game, she holds up the number of fingers to indicate how many wins that day.

This was a very good day for yours truly

Comments

14 responses to “Happiness Is … Brain Health”

  1. explorenewness Avatar
    explorenewness

    How fun! I’ve never played mahjong. I have a good friend that wants to learn. Maybe we should learn together. Could it be a 2-person game??? You look very happy – and it’s obvious why. Congratulations for a winner of a day!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      Thanks! Mahjong can be played with 2 to 4 players. I must tell you though that the 2-handed game is extremely tough at first, Lenore. I’d suggest putting out feelers in your area to see if there’s a league going that’s willing to teach.

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  2. A Creative Spirit Avatar
    A Creative Spirit

    Well done on winning three games! Is it easy to learn how to play? I googled and apparently it is banned in China?

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      Thank you! The issue in China was that they used their version as a gambling game (which we don’t), and had illegal gambling parlours for the game, Carole. It’s not easy to learn, but once learned, it’s pretty addictive.

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  3. Forestwood Avatar
    Forestwood

    Congratulations on winning three games! Well done! Mahjong takes concentration – yeah? I learnt to play a few years ago but the group played for four hours on a Friday afternoon. After two hours, my brain felt exhausted so after almost a year I gave it away. It was fun though and did challenge my concentration.

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    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      We play four games and that usually takes the better part of two hours, Amanda. We all agreed that two hours of that kind of concentration was plenty. Another “twinnie” thing with you and me, because we also play on Fridays.

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      1. Forestwood Avatar
        Forestwood

        Haha. The coincidences keep on coming!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Bernie Avatar
    Bernie

    What a great connection time! And great for your brain indeed.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      It truly is both, Bernie. Happy Monday!

      Liked by 1 person

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  5. annemariedemyen Avatar
    annemariedemyen

    I am glad you have such an enjoyable past time and that you obviously excel at it. My mother likewise had her Sunday group of card players, but HER game was Scrabble. All of the grandkids remember playing Scrabble with Grandma.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      My mom is also an excellent Scrabble player, Anne. A score under 300 doesn’t exist for her. Mom has always loved any kind of game – cards, board games – you name it. She even learned mahjong at the age of 88. She decided to stop mahjong this year because the long hours of sitting is too hard on her back now. Have a great day!

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      1. annemariedemyen Avatar
        annemariedemyen

        Our mothers lived through the years before television. They found better things to do than waste their time watching imaginary people live imaginary lives. Those games kept them sharper and more engaged than many younger people today.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Betty Avatar
    Betty

    Congratulations! A very good day for you! I have never played mahjong! It sounds like it is really fun for you! Good luck this week when you play!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      Thanks, Betty. It’s a game of strategy and logic. I love everything about it! Have a fab Monday!

      Liked by 1 person

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Thanks for stopping by to read and comment!

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