SPIT – a card game – a game that is fast and a lot of fun. All you need is a deck of cards and go SPIT. So simple.
I hadn’t played SPIT since I was a kid. So when my granddaughter asked me to play ,SPIT, I was at a loss. Loss of memory. I had forgotten how the game was played.
But just like riding a bike, which I don’t know how to ride, she quickly refreshed my memory. The game rules came flooding back. Except, some rules had changed. I think they were her rules. Then the SPIT game began, we played for hours. I also forgot how long the game can go on, and on, and on. Of course I beat her like 3 times. Sorry, no mercy from Mercy. All’s fair in card games.
We did have one problem. The SPIT game only allows two people to play at one time. Which meant my grandson could not play. However, the truth is my granddaughter didn’t want him to play. Why? She didn’t want to teach him the card game. Little stinker.
He was a good sport. He found other things to keep him occupied. He had lost his i-pad privilege due to being naughty.
What a nice afternoon we had together. No i-phones, no i-pads, no outside distractions. Our attention was on the game and each other.
We just had good old fashion fun with a deck of cards. Can’t wait till she learns how to play GO FISH.
The history of World War II always interested me. I have watched many documentaries regarding the horrors of the Nazi camps, the Blitz, D-Day, Pearl Harbor, etc, etc. Always thankful that God was on our side and the good guys defeated Nazi Germany.
However, I viewed WWII as someone else’s history. Until I saw the movie, Malta Story.
The Malta Story told the story of how Malta was incessantly bombed by Germany and Italy. As I watched the live footage of the bombings, it suddenly hit me, my parents are there! Suffering through the onslaught of these attacks. When that light switch went on in my head, I went from a history lesson, to a family experience story. When I woke up to this I began to find it uneasy, watching the fighter planes drop their bombs on to Malta. The incessant bombings that were done, from the fighter planes, were highly damaging to the small island, as it was meant to be.
The island of Malta was critical in keeping Allied supply lines open. Hitler and Mussolini know this and needed to capture this island. The Allied troops did their military best to halt this capture as they fought back with the little they had. The bombing of Malta began on June 10, 1940 and continued until November 20, 1942. Over 2 years of bombing gave Malta the title of ” most heavily bombed place on earth.”
Luqa, Malta is where the island’s only airport is located. This meant that the village of Luqa had to be bombed with vicious intensity. The village of Luqa, is where my parents resided and the village of my birth. During WWII Malta depended heavily on Great Britain, for Malta was a commonwealth of the British Empire, at the time. When Mussolini declared war on Britain, he immediately sent his bombers to attack Malta. Italy was 60 miles away from Malta, and it was a close and easy target for the Italians. The Maltese were left to defend the island solely on their own because the British were fighting the Germans on their own shores.
My favorite war story was how Malta had only three planes to thwart the early attacks by the enemy. These Gloster Sea Gladiator biplanes were christened, by the Maltese, Faith, Hope and Charity,
and were flown into combat by inexperienced RAF fighters, John Water, George Burgess, and Timber Woods. And for 17 days Faith, Hope and Charity went up against trained Italian fighters and bombers.
The Italians did not succeed in their attacks on Malta, so the German forces were sent in. The German bombings were even more intense then the Italians. However, Britain realized that losing Malta to the Germans would have been a terrible set back in the war and air power was quickly sent to the aid of Malta.
My parents were children at the time of WWII. They experienced daily air raids. Food was scarce. It is said that when the Maltese saw the first bomber planes flying over Malta, they just stood and watched them. The Maltese had no idea what was about to happen to them, and their island. Their innocence was quickly dissolved.
Yes, watching the Malta Story brought the war home for me. The Malta Story, is a Maltese history story. A story that would make any Maltese proud. Through all the horrors they endured the Maltese persevered, with the help of their Christian faith. Today the island of Malta is considered one of the best vacation spots in the world. Malta has picked up the ruins of stones, the enemy left behind, and built a new island. An island based on Faith, Hope and Charity.
The best part of jewelry is that it always fits and if you are like me you can never have enough jewelry. I am so crazy for the versatile Riad Layering Necklace from Stella & Dot
I can wear all the strands together or apart, have fun mixing and matching. When my daughter saw my necklace she said “Oh, Ma you have to give that to me”. Ha, did I have a choice, I can never say no to my sweetie. My granddaughter was quick to say “Oh Mom, can I have the choker” I guess it runs in the family. Made a quick call to my Stella and Dot stylist Mary Geraghty to schedule a FaceBook party and get me another necklace and much more. It’s that easy.
You don’t have to be rich to sparkle. For more information on how to buy some groovy jewelry and accessories, meet Mary or set up your own FaceBook Party click here
Easter is a time to rejoice and be thankful for the gifts of love, joy and life. We were again grateful to be together for another Easter. We always got new clothes and new hats, shoes and bags as you can see from this Easter long ago. Merci, me, my sister Marianne and Merci sister Marlene. As you can see Merci tried to cut herself out of the photo, but you see I am the Flash in the family and I came to the photos’ rescue quickly and reserved it forever and ever.
Blessed this year to have our parents with us again and my friend and neighbor Nina who had a house fire last year and finally came back home around 5 weeks ago. With us were her daughter Pauline and her son Charlie. My daughter and her family were in Disney for the holiday and Mercis’ son Damian worked, he is NYPD and always on the job. So it was a small crowd but a happy one. Next door Nina made the best lasagna and we had Prosecco (thank you Erica) chilling and of course, Maltese Rabbit Stew and spaghetti to start.
Being a part of a family is being part of something wonderful. Friends are family too. Marlene brought Peter and Dana brought Juan. Friends who become family the moment they stepped in the door.
I have to say I have a standard meal I like to serve and so I did because I find it so easy. Ham, Filet Mignon (you can’t mess it up) and Baked Shrimp. I love a salad and asparagus. I sometimes make baked potatoes but this time I bought some store made potato salad and everyone gobbled it up. (no photo)
We did a little dancing and lots of laughing and story telling, just enjoying the afternoon together after a long cold winter.
Marlene made her delicious Tangerine Trifle and we enjoyed cookies and dessert, which to some is the best part of the day. (that would be me) 🙂
Sometimes we act a little crazy and sometimes we get loud and argue over anything and everything but it is all covered in love and so it’s okay because tomorrow is another day. God willing. Time is non-refundable and we do our best to use it wisely. Umm, that’s my Grand Uncle Joe behind us on the wall.
Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter from our Family. Love & Peace, Merci & Liz
The more that you read the more things you will know, the more that you learn the more places you will go!! The whole family is enjoying the journey with BigFoot.
BigFoot is enjoying his holiday in ten different ways, from deep sea diving and joining a balloon festival to taking a cruise, going to the beach, visiting Yellowstone National Park, and more. This handsome hardcover book presents each getaway as an immense two-page visual puzzle, full of teeming people and creatures.
Sharpen your search and find skills by locating BigFoot at his favorite metropolis. It won’t be easy! BigFoot is visiting ten major cosmopolitan destinations, from the Big Apple and London to Paris, Athens, Tokyo, Toronto, and more.
These new seek and find books feature friendly and adventurous BigFoot. Here, BigFoot travels around the world and the challenge is to find him in the sea of activity. Along the way, fun facts are included about the special places BigFoot visits. Children of all ages will be entertained and educated with BigFoot! Today is a great day to learn something new.
