Parky-land or Darky-land?
Parky-land or Darky-land www.my-thirdlife.com/parky-land
Living in a retirement community requires a different set of rules. I’m not a rule breaker, but I’m also not a conformist. We have 200 units in this walled, over 55 retirement park. It’s an older park, but our homes (manufactured trailers) have big lots, wide streets, palm trees, a pool and hot tub (essential), and a clubhouse. We are in the middle of Yuma and close to all the amenities.
I must like it here because this is my tenth season, having purchased it in 2014. I’ve noticed these past couple of years, the dwindling numbers at social events and also for cards in the evenings. We sometimes have to call around quite a bit to find a replacement for someone who had to cancel. We used to have three or four tables for pinochle (I call it the American anti-card game) now the usual is two tables (eight people). There is a real Bingo once a week and also a card bingo, on Saturday afternoons.
I used to like bingo until I discovered slot machines. Now, I find bingo tedious as hell. I’d much sooner lose my money in a slot machine and call it a day, exciting but alas too pricey in my retirement years. My partner likes to play bingo so I go to spend time with him. He’s also still in the workforce and works the graveyard shift, so my evenings are free and I play cards up at the clubhouse a lot, but not on his days off.
Anyways… I sat down here this morning to write about myself being ostracized (not the first time this has happened btw). When we play card bingo we lay our hands face up in rows on the table. When the caller calls a card we take it from our hand and lay it in the middle of the table. There are usually four people for one deck of cards. To keep from falling asleep I find ways to amuse myself. I’ll keep my cards in my hand and lay them down when they are called. This annoys my partner somewhat and it keeps me entertained.
I sometimes make faces at him or put the called card facedown in the middle, to entertain him even more. I should mention that this costs us 3.00 in quarters for 12 games. If we win we usually recoup our money or half, if we need to split it. Our caller sometimes gets confused and calls the card shown an ace or a spade when it is a queen of hearts and I particularly find this funny. I love her calling and she is what makes it worthwhile for me to attend card bingo.
Remember in school when there were cliques of certain people and if you weren’t in with the ‘in crowd’ you were out? Well, guess what, this is alive and well in this park. I don’t know if other parks have the same problems but omg… here we are. Saving places for certain people when we go for potlucks or celebration meals at the clubhouse or restaurants is a biggie. I’ve personally seen this at cards as well. It is supposed to be first come sit where you want, but not so, now.
I have personally talked to others in the park who will no longer attend any of these functions because of this. Oh… and one other thing: SMILE once in a while! So many here walk around with frowns. Geeze, would it hurt you to crack a smile? We’re not in prison here, but occasionally, when I leave the park for whatever reason, it feels like a breath of fresh air. I wish I was kidding, but I’m not.
So I’ve said it and got it off my chest, will I put this up on my blog? Probably, because I seldom keep stuff in, it just needs to get out… lol. Anyway, this is not a first-world problem but damn, I feel good already. If you don’t like the way I hold my cards at freaking card bingo then screw you or to be more polite “suck it up buttercup” don’t you have anything better to complain about? Btw if you think I’m cheating, then you need to get a life.
I’m here supporting this little closed community which btw, is adamantly opposed to including outsiders entering into our inner sanctum. It’s time to get real and quit with the disapproving looks, the sneers the huffing and puffing, and reserving and saving seats for ‘special’ people. Start including everyone, make them feel welcome, and please smile once in a while, your face will be happier for it.
PS: and lastly, if you have a problem with me then tell it to my face, not behind my back. I will not hurt you but beware, my boyfriend is a retired Marine so be careful… lol.
footnote: As you can see by the picture, I’m in my happy place, writing outside here on my patio and I’m very grateful for what I have, while I have it. This was just something I needed to get off my chest and POOF… it is gone : )
copyright
December 8th 20204