I love this story and especially the non-competitive softball games. At Pymosa #4 we played softball workup (non-competitive). We had as few as 5 students at times. It was the only way.
It was the same with extended family games.
I'm always looking for a non-competitive approach focused on the process, the fun, the social interaction. When my young self visited my older cousin in Council Bluffs, we played with her Monopoly set. The Monopoly game went on for days. We loaned money from the bank or to each other when our account ran low. The fun was in the playing and being together.
As a faculty member, my focus was on cooperation and mutual support. It had it's challenges in a competitive environment.
Another beautiful story. We have connected with a wonderful Amish family near LaFarge WI, the Millers and have visited them several times. Joe is the patriarch.
Great sense of place in your writing. I could almost smell the leather of the mitt. Was Autocorrect rearing its ugly head with “fungoes” and the “shiny crochet set” in a tightly knit society? “Shady Grove” brought Ricky Skaggs to mind; a great song to dance to on that old bridge:
What a great ending!
Thanks, Russ.
Mary,
I love this story and especially the non-competitive softball games. At Pymosa #4 we played softball workup (non-competitive). We had as few as 5 students at times. It was the only way.
It was the same with extended family games.
I'm always looking for a non-competitive approach focused on the process, the fun, the social interaction. When my young self visited my older cousin in Council Bluffs, we played with her Monopoly set. The Monopoly game went on for days. We loaned money from the bank or to each other when our account ran low. The fun was in the playing and being together.
As a faculty member, my focus was on cooperation and mutual support. It had it's challenges in a competitive environment.
Ardy
Terrific non-competitive stories from your life, Ardy. Thanks for sharing.
Really so nice. Sometimes, most of the time out here, it’s hard to remember the good bits, the wonderful bits of life back there.
Beautiful, Mary! I needed this story today. Thank you!
I am old enough that this brings back scattered memories even though I'm "English." What will nostalgia look like fifty years from now?
Maybe we will be pining for cell phones and iPads. Remember the fax machine? Ha-ha.
So unromantic. :-)
Video games? There’s something I could leave behind.. .
Another beautiful story. We have connected with a wonderful Amish family near LaFarge WI, the Millers and have visited them several times. Joe is the patriarch.
Dennis Keeney
Nice, Dennis.
You knocked that one out of the park, Mary!
Thanks, Denny. Glad you enjoyed it. Did you play softball as a kid?
Great story!
Thank you.
Great sense of place in your writing. I could almost smell the leather of the mitt. Was Autocorrect rearing its ugly head with “fungoes” and the “shiny crochet set” in a tightly knit society? “Shady Grove” brought Ricky Skaggs to mind; a great song to dance to on that old bridge:
https://youtu.be/PE3F_qUcnrc?si=rdxTwl4CZ_V8Esc7