This past weekend Bossy attended her annual block party, where she made a sport out of the buffet table while others wrapped their minds around more challenging things.
What is it about summer that makes Bossy want to recommit to games? In Bossy’s childhood, summer was a time for doing puzzles and playing marathon games of monopoly, but in Bossy’s adult life, it’s all about the cards.
Bossy can sum up her summer games experience this way: Does a flush beat a straight and pass the wine.
Which is what today’s Ten-Word Challenge is all about. In exactly ten words, can you tell Bossy about a game you equate with summer?
And be sure to check back later today for the gamest comments on the web.
Click here to see last week’s ten-word challenge where Bossy’s council shared ten-word facts about the history of the house or town where they live.
bobbie says
July 7, 2009 at 8:38 amDo physical games count? If so, it’s “hit the bat”.
Michele P says
July 7, 2009 at 8:46 amKick the Can until the fireflies came out to play.
Jenni D says
July 7, 2009 at 8:46 amGhost in the Graveyard. But now I pee my pants.
David says
July 7, 2009 at 8:48 amNot until college. Oh, you said “gamest”. Never mind.
Regina Verow says
July 7, 2009 at 8:48 amCribbage and Yahtzee marathons at camp in the Maine woods.
David says
July 7, 2009 at 8:49 amAnd hello, squatting man in gray t-shirt playing chess! Will you be my friend?
Madness says
July 7, 2009 at 8:56 ama flush beats a straight .. even though in MY opinion a straight should beat a flush .. or the other way around.
please dont talk about cards between the hours of 8-5 mon-fri .. because if you do .. Madness will walk out on her job and drive straight to the nearest casino .. because she has PROBLEMS like that.
julie says
July 7, 2009 at 9:00 amBackyard kick-the-can while our parents talked on the porch swings.
Doug says
July 7, 2009 at 9:09 amMarathon softball in a lot full of boulders and shrubs.
Poker on a picnic table, a jug full of pennies.
Audubon Ron says
July 7, 2009 at 9:09 am“While you’re up game.” Honey, while you’re up, would you?”
Jamie says
July 7, 2009 at 9:11 am5-card stud poker, with potato “chips”, grandpa taught us.
Jamie says
July 7, 2009 at 9:12 amGhosts in the graveyard, the source of many scabby knees.
Jamie says
July 7, 2009 at 9:12 amanything outside with neighborhood kids, until mom rang the cowbell
Philly says
July 7, 2009 at 9:15 amI love Backgammon, summer, fall , winter and spring.
BOSSY says
July 7, 2009 at 9:16 amPlease please please please please please please please play Clue?
BOSSY says
July 7, 2009 at 9:16 amPerpetually wondering if maybe there aren’t some missing puzzle pieces.
BOSSY says
July 7, 2009 at 9:18 amHow’s it possible that game of War lasted that long?
Z. Mulls says
July 7, 2009 at 9:21 amWell, not summer, but extreme leisure. I remember very, very, very long marathon sessions of Cosmic Encounter at the frat house. And we were playing with the original Eon edition of the game, with all the expansion sets — not the inferior West End edition, the fairly celebrated Mayfair edition or the misbegotten Avalon Hill edition. I have not seen the recently released Fantasy Flight version.
Z. Mulls says
July 7, 2009 at 9:21 amClue?
Bossy’s Husband, in the Kitchen, with a Knife….
Jamie says
July 7, 2009 at 9:23 amImpossible to play Spoons with friends and not hurt hands.
Jamie says
July 7, 2009 at 9:24 am20Q on road trips – i always won with object “sawhorse”
dgm says
July 7, 2009 at 9:24 amMarco! Polo! Marco! Polo! Marco! Polo! Marco! Polo! Marco! Polo!…
Debby says
July 7, 2009 at 9:25 amPuzzles are usually completed, currently hiking miles and miles instead
sherry says
July 7, 2009 at 9:34 amCousins playing Chinese checkers
BOSSY says
July 7, 2009 at 9:41 amBossy could be bad at sports but Great at frisbee.
zidia says
July 7, 2009 at 9:41 amTriangle ball on the beach until waves destroy playing field.
Little Miss Sunshine State says
July 7, 2009 at 9:53 amAfter dark Hide and Seek with strictly defined neighborhood boundaries.
Shelley says
July 7, 2009 at 9:57 amArizona summers, too hot for anything but swimming pool games.
Alias Mother says
July 7, 2009 at 10:07 amNighttime badminton in Grandma’s yard. Glowstick in the birdie. Oops.
Catriona says
July 7, 2009 at 10:12 amBadminton played badly in the backyard with all my cousins
Beth says
July 7, 2009 at 10:21 amEndless games of hearts, booze for parents, cookies for kids.
rockle says
July 7, 2009 at 10:25 amCards, cards, cards!: pinochle, spades, canasta, war, slapjack, gin rummy.
Hokie Deb (www.WebSavyMom.com) says
July 7, 2009 at 10:28 am–>As kid in the pool shouting MARCO, waiting for POLO!
http://www.WebSavyMom.com
Dr. Liz says
July 7, 2009 at 10:40 amLawn darts when young, but now golf or car racing.
BOSSY says
July 7, 2009 at 10:53 amFreddie the Frog gets a lawn dart in the ass.
(not really In the ass, but near. Freddie the Frog was an annoying neighbor kid.)
Vicki says
July 7, 2009 at 11:00 amBeating the pants off my boyfriend in horseshoes. EVERY TIME.
Melissa says
July 7, 2009 at 11:04 amswimming, never-ending bike rides, inside with the street lights.
And I’m with David… I want the man in the gray t-shirt to be my friend too! lol
Kathy from NJ says
July 7, 2009 at 11:04 amCanasta! Hours of it daily, while tending the neighbor’s farmstand.
Luann says
July 7, 2009 at 11:07 amJarts are totally illegal now but back then they weren’t.
Black Hockey Jesus says
July 7, 2009 at 11:16 amSmear The Queer in my brutal childhood lacking in sensitivity.
Dorene says
July 7, 2009 at 11:17 amDefinitely Uno, with crackers and Cheez Wiz in Seaside Heights.
Cindy says
July 7, 2009 at 11:17 am“Bloody Murder” screaming, night, mosquitoes, hide, don’t breathe, RUN!
RuthWells says
July 7, 2009 at 11:19 amLearning gin rummy from my dad while down the shore.
RuthWells says
July 7, 2009 at 11:20 amKick the can was played in the cul de sac.
RuthWells says
July 7, 2009 at 11:20 amHours and hours and hours and hours at the pool.
Have the T-shirt says
July 7, 2009 at 11:22 amFarkel at the lake, roll the dice, cross your fingers!
BT says
July 7, 2009 at 11:24 amMichigan rummy or hearts for hours and hours every evening.
Jean says
July 7, 2009 at 11:24 amCribbage at cottage, nighttime Kick the Can, top bunk Clue.
Reeb says
July 7, 2009 at 11:25 amNapping — sounds of baseball on radio, lawnmower droning. That count?
bdaiss says
July 7, 2009 at 11:29 amHide’n’seek. Catching fireflies. 10 rows into cornfield limit. Ah childhood!
JenC says
July 7, 2009 at 11:30 amRoll the dice
Yahtzee!
Gloat, run victory lap
Win game!
Bri says
July 7, 2009 at 11:31 amSpeed. Kick husband’s ass. Best two out of three wins.
Lisa says
July 7, 2009 at 11:32 amKick the can on balming Virginia evening with my cousins!
Reeb says
July 7, 2009 at 11:34 amSweaty neighbor kids running. Lightning bugs. Dark. Not yet, Mom!
Kelly H says
July 7, 2009 at 11:35 amBeing young & kissing boys in the dark (Kick the Can)
Reeb says
July 7, 2009 at 11:35 amBossy, why no chairs at most of those game tables?
Ranger says
July 7, 2009 at 11:40 amGames played in the middle of the street. Every. night.
Franca Bollo says
July 7, 2009 at 11:42 amMille Bourne poolside on 100°+ days in the Sacramento Valley.
The Domestic Goddess says
July 7, 2009 at 11:45 amWhiffle ball until the mean skeeters bite us to death!
Debby says
July 7, 2009 at 11:51 amCertainly tanning by the pool reading a book counts?
chocolatechic says
July 7, 2009 at 11:53 amMarco Polo in the pool with my sister and my mom.
Trenches of Mommyhood says
July 7, 2009 at 12:03 pmPlaying Pitch (card game) at the Cape while enjoying beers.
confused says
July 7, 2009 at 12:09 pmHit the crochet ball into the window well., I win!
Carroll says
July 7, 2009 at 12:12 pm“Relievo” A hiding game. “All ye all ye in free!”
TanyaK says
July 7, 2009 at 12:18 pmBarbies. Sitting in the grass. 5 girls. Clothes all over.
rebekah says
July 7, 2009 at 12:33 pmSummer in Oregon: Finally stops raining; time to start weeding.
kathy in b.c. canada says
July 7, 2009 at 12:37 pmSardines-darkness,single hider,friends find, join,last one Freaks!
BOSSY says
July 7, 2009 at 12:37 pmCard game Spit and Bossy always wins. (Take THAT, son.)
BOSSY says
July 7, 2009 at 12:38 pmCard game Gin and Bossy always wins. (And THAT, son.)
BOSSY says
July 7, 2009 at 12:39 pmBossy’s son won’t go camping so Bossy talks card trash.
BOSSY says
July 7, 2009 at 12:40 pmPaddle ball at beach, just keep the rally going, please.
BossysMom says
July 7, 2009 at 12:44 pmvolleyball with gang in Germantown. 1-3 am. kind neighbors!
BossysMom says
July 7, 2009 at 12:45 pmPlaying bandits on horses, hiding in cave up in mountains.
Dandy says
July 7, 2009 at 12:55 pmWho can finish puzzle? Hide the last piece to win.
BOSSY says
July 7, 2009 at 12:58 pmBossy and dad always played Gin, now they drink it.
Sofia says
July 7, 2009 at 1:03 pmGoal isn’t wining, it’s keeping up with the word game.
JennC says
July 7, 2009 at 1:17 pmHand-held Yahtzee. Poolside at mom and dad’s with Yuengling.
Cactus Petunia says
July 7, 2009 at 1:31 pmFreeze Tag. Lawn Darts. Hide and Seek in the dark.
Cactus Petunia says
July 7, 2009 at 1:33 pmOooh. Just remembered: Star Trek (my short hair = Mr.Spock)
21st Century Housewife says
July 7, 2009 at 1:51 pmChildhood memories of canasta and Yatzee. Now — Avalon Hill’s “Civilization.”
Jeanette says
July 7, 2009 at 1:53 pmKick the stick, run the bases, tons of neighborhood kids.
Amelia says
July 7, 2009 at 1:53 pmTAG, YOU’RE IT! Tree is base – ollie ollie oxen free!
Jane says
July 7, 2009 at 2:29 pmWhiffle ball in street. Chasing fireflies. Miss my childhiood.
Caroline says
July 7, 2009 at 2:42 pmYou get 50 extra points for a “Bingo” in Scrabble.
Gette says
July 7, 2009 at 2:50 pmHomemade golfball/ladder toss; scoff at fools who bought same.
Caroline/Aerocline says
July 7, 2009 at 3:05 pmNaked tricycle races around Grandma’s driveway in a soft summer rain. (When we got older, we put on some clothes and played badminton all summer!)
Mr Farty says
July 7, 2009 at 3:18 pmScrumping apples in the orchard by the railway line, ace!
jp says
July 7, 2009 at 3:28 pmCorn Hole, Sun, Beach, Beer, with extended family always near!
Teriboberry says
July 7, 2009 at 3:39 pmCribbage with Mom. Perry Mason on tv in the background.
Jill says
July 7, 2009 at 4:03 pmScrabble on the screened porch while roasting. I always win.
Birdie23 says
July 7, 2009 at 4:05 pmSkee ball on the boardwalk
sugarpie says
July 7, 2009 at 4:05 pmMonopoly at night. TV sucked back then. Actually, still sucks.
sugarpie says
July 7, 2009 at 4:07 pmKickball, kick the can, time spent mostly exploring woods, pool.
sugarpie says
July 7, 2009 at 4:09 pmTorturing brother was favorit-est, till he grew bigger than me.
Deedle says
July 7, 2009 at 4:14 pmLate night backgammon, the tiles black, white, clicking and clacking.
rory says
July 7, 2009 at 4:14 pmI don’t really play games unless surfing counts as one.
ScottsdaleGirl says
July 7, 2009 at 4:30 pmCribbage with Dad, Nickels with Aunt, OH Shit with friends. Definitely card games and alcohol
Karin Gallagher says
July 7, 2009 at 4:41 pmBaseball: they’re not called The Boys of Summer for nothing.
deana says
July 7, 2009 at 4:42 pmCatching fireflies not a game? Someone should tell the ‘catchers.
Meg says
July 7, 2009 at 4:47 pmGin rummy with my grandparents.
Whiffle ball with my cousins.
Catherine McP says
July 7, 2009 at 5:09 pmDitch, sardines at night, kickball on the 4 corners daily.
Sven says
July 7, 2009 at 5:30 pmPlastic boules set for the beach. Every Brit has one.
suzi says
July 7, 2009 at 5:37 pmHave to go in when the street light goes on.
delilah says
July 7, 2009 at 5:46 pmKeep the kids alive and try to nap whenever possible.
I also enjoy Scrabble, but that requires brains and partners.
Gail Kimball says
July 7, 2009 at 5:51 pmCanasta in the cool depths of basement. Now, no clue.
anne marie in philly says
July 7, 2009 at 6:15 pmquoits downashore, croquet, scrabble, monopoly, mouse trap, checkers, backgammon – FUN!
vuboq says
July 7, 2009 at 6:22 pmDeath Croquet. Who put the wicket in the tree trunk?
Jennifer says
July 7, 2009 at 6:34 pmJumping rope and Mrs. Mary Mack, all dressed in black.
BOSSY says
July 7, 2009 at 6:49 pmDefinitely skeeball in arcades so loud you couldn’t think. 100!
Sallie says
July 7, 2009 at 8:25 pmOne game of monopoly all summer. Board stored under bed.
Ree (The Other One) says
July 7, 2009 at 8:59 pmLadder Golf with the neighbors and lots of cold beer!
Cupcake Murphy says
July 7, 2009 at 9:46 pmCatch Phrase until daybreak despite dirty rotten scoundrel cheater opponents.
Laura says
July 7, 2009 at 9:46 pmWar, spit, slapjack…solitaire 24/7 the summer I was grounded 🙁
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
July 7, 2009 at 9:56 pmSetting a New World Standard? Bossy has a new subtitle.
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
July 7, 2009 at 9:57 pmRegarding games, my parents convinced me cutting grass was fun.
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
July 7, 2009 at 9:59 pmBesides cutting grass, I spent my time at the pool.
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
July 7, 2009 at 10:02 pmI ran around barefoot and I rode my pony bareback.
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
July 7, 2009 at 10:08 pmI roller skated in the same rink my grandmother did.
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
July 7, 2009 at 10:09 pmI’d go up the creek in a rowboat for hours.
Melizzard says
July 7, 2009 at 10:13 pmHide and Seek after dark until midnight
islaygirl says
July 7, 2009 at 10:17 pmbadminton in my grandmother’s backyard. (watch out for the clothesline!)
Briget says
July 7, 2009 at 11:15 pmDouble Monopoly. One board. Two sets of money. Total avarice.
Jenn @ Juggling Life says
July 8, 2009 at 12:57 amIt’s all about the Rummy, baby. And sometimes the spoons.
Meg at the Members Lounge says
July 8, 2009 at 10:18 amTook stuff from parents house, turned into museum, charged admission!
Jen says
July 8, 2009 at 4:26 pmWomen’s softball church league – we always lose but have fun!
APeetsMom says
July 8, 2009 at 5:22 pmSlap Jack and double solitaire will get you red hands!
lauren says
July 8, 2009 at 5:27 pmhalf ball. capisca? then you must be from the city.
Susanne Hill says
July 9, 2009 at 9:46 amneighborhood baseball; Dad pitches Suzy hits bully between beady eyes.
Dharmamama says
July 9, 2009 at 11:11 amSlapjack, speed, go fish – cards so old they were soft
Andu says
July 9, 2009 at 1:48 pmKicking Gramma’s & GrandDad’s butt in canasta @Lake Texoma.
kay says
July 9, 2009 at 2:15 pmBaseball: Sunflower seeds + Mountain Dew = breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner.
Stacy Morrison says
July 9, 2009 at 4:42 pmIntense Capture the Flag Till I Barfed Dinner Through My Nose.
leslie says
July 9, 2009 at 10:14 pmshame of being last pick for softball because I threw like a girl (hello—I am a girl, duh)
Bossy's Daughter says
July 10, 2009 at 10:06 amfrisbee at the beach, mancala after a long day camping
Bossy's Daughter says
July 10, 2009 at 10:07 amAnd don’t forget gin rummy and crazy eights while camping!