The Games Afoot

by Julie, ringing in 2024

I don’t love the idea of “resolutions” per se, but I do enjoy thinking about how I’d like to feel about 2024 on December 31, 2024, and what I can do to get there.

One thing I’d like more of in 2024? Fun.

I work full time and also write. Balancing the two is always challenging, and I’ve found that “doing nothing” time is difficult for me. As a writer, reading is seldom a relief from my writing brain, though I do enjoy reading or listening to books every day. And then thinking about how the author did what they did, why and how it worked (or didn’t), and what I could use for my own writing. Even taking a walk means that characters and plot points visit. I can’t stop working.

So I’ve set a challenge for myself in 2024. How can I have more fun? I’ve come up with a list.

Puzzles

A friend gave me an Agatha Christie puzzle. I also have a Jane Austen puzzle. Both are large, so during the holidays making space was challenging. But the plan for the new year is to make the space, and work on the puzzles.

Cribbage

My grandfather taught me how to play cribbage, and my sister and I have started playing when we see each other. She also suggested an app for my phone, which has been helpful at getting rid of counting cobwebs. There are other games that are fun, but cribbage is active while also social.

Painting

I’ve written about my forays into painting before. Fun, but I’m not great at it. How about if I let go of perfectionism, and paint for fun? What a concept.

Knitting/Needlework

I love to knit. While it doesn’t shut my writing brain down, combined with listening to a book or music, I find it very relaxing. I’m knitting afghans for folks, so the projects are bulky but satisfying.

Evidoozle

Friend of the Wickeds and fellow author Sharon Daynard and her husband developed an online game during the pandemic, Evidoozle. According to Sharon, “Basically, it’s an evidence board that’s solved in reverse. Instead of seemingly random collage of media on an evidence board and the items are linked together with string to mark connections, in Evidoozle the strings are different colored lines on the evidence board and the player has to place playing cards in the correct spaces along those lines based on relationship they have to the line. For example, pink lines join card pairs, green lines connects sequential cards of the same suit, etc.”

Every day they feature a book cover from a different crime novel, giving authors a unique opportunity to promote their book. Again, from Sharon: “the idea was to provide a fun and challenging game for players and a venue other than the traditional social media, blog, book signings to promote their books.”

You can play the game at evidoozle.com. Happily, there are tutorials and practice boards.

Physical Activity

My days of running are over. My knees are wonky, and I have some residual Covid fatigue. That said, getting out and about is a tonic. Walks alone, or with friends. I went axe throwing with friends recently–a surprisingly fun way to spend an evening. I haven’t bowled in years, but am going soon. Yoga classes are in the offing. Dance breaks during the day. Pickleball intrigues me. I don’t take being able to do things lightly, and plan on enjoying moving this year.

Readers, are you good at having fun?