A Place For All My Books Is Fun & Challenging

 

A Place For All My Books is a fairly light game that is easy to teach but yet challenging.  Each player starts in their apartment and tries to complete little projects that involve resorting their books.  Each action they take, read a book, sort, gather, rest, admire gets allows them to charge up their "social battery" to get enough energy to go to town to get more books and other neat stuff that gives end game points.  Every trip to town brings the game closer to the end.  There are also three major accomplishment projects that all players race to finish first for more points.  Each completed little project is two points and each book in the apartment is worth one point.

So far I have taught 5 people to play this game and all have liked it.  A few even wanted to play it again right away.  This game can be for gamers as well as casual board gamers.  It's theme of being a book nerd is very well done, and the mechanics are fairly simple.  Yet, there is strategy involved such as how can I complete more projects and a time to make my admire action most efficient?  Should I go to town now or wait a bit longer to get more social battery energy?  Should I make that last trip to town to get more books or neat stuff to end the game, or just stay home and do more little projects?  Which project should I do next?  Should I focus on the major accomplishments, or just my little projects?  Can I manage both somehow?  Is the neat stuff card showing worth the cost, or should I just pick one from off the pile sight unseen for less?

This game also has a solo mode that I enjoyed playing.  It's a good way to learn the game and there are 5 levels that each get a bit more difficult.  

I highly recommend this game.  I like the artwork, the ease of learning, the quick set up and the challenge in this game.  I also like the opportunity to collect board games for lots of points and get cats to help get extra end game points as well.

So, who wants to come play this with me?  If you have played it, what did you think of it?  

  

Today Is Parma Pink Day

In honor of Parma Pink day, I am wearing my bright pink shirt and making Ambrosia salad using strawberry Jello instead of the usual pistachio.  What an adventurer I am!  Ha!  I mixed in a whole tub of cool whip, a bunch of marshallows, crushed pineapple and even some cherries.  It's very pink--success.  Am considering adding some almonds to help cut down on the super sweetness.  What do you think?  Add them--yes?  No?

"Through the Desert" Is a Short, Fun, Strategic Game

For those who like games to be done in less than an hour that are easy to learn and play, Through the Desert would be a good one for you.  It plays up to 5 players, is a quick setup, easy to teach, easy to play.  All you have to do is take turns placing two camels on the board wherever you wish as long as they are next to your other camel of that color.  The object of the game is to get the most points by (1) having the longest caravan in a color; (2) Acquiring watering hole points; (3) by sealing off a territory from other players; and (4) getting 5 pts. for putting a different color camel next to a palm tree.  The game ends as soon as all the camels of one color have been placed on the board.

Here are a few tips for winning that I have picked up by playing the game:

1.    Have your caravans break off in different directions to avoid getting blocked in.

2.    Try to block out other players.

3.    Try to get at least one camel next to every tree.

4.    Try to get a few territories blocked off.

5.    Try to get the longest caravan for several colors.

Believe me, this game is harder than it looks!

So Excited!

I always get a thrill when I get a bargain on a new game by winning the auction on Ebay for it!  My latest game acquisition is Great Western Trail and it is on the heavy side.  It's always fun to punch out the pieces and get it set up for the first time.  This is one I heard good things about and appealed to me when watching the reviews of it on YouTube, so I took the plunge and bought it.  It took me two days to get everything punched out, set up and get through the rules.  There's a lot to it but think it will be a great game once me and my friends learn it.  There seems to be lots of ways to get points and lots of options along the way. I am excited to learn how to play it and be able to teach it to others soon!

If you know how to play this, please give me some tips in the comments.  Also, if you would like to play this with me, let me know!

Brass Birmingham Grew on Me

The first time I played Brass Birmingham was with Tim and Brad and Tim was teaching it to us but hadn't played it much himself. I was completely in left field and didn't have a clue what I was doing.  It seemed like work instead of play because of the complexity of taking certain actions.  I even watched the YouTube video that explained how to play but I still felt lost.  The only thing I really understood was that it's good to take loans early.  I think it took us about 4.5 to 5 hours to play.  I lost to Tim won but Brad and I weren't way behind.  Tim focused on selling pottery and was successful at that which made the difference.  Plus the fact he got way more points for his network of boats and trains than I did.  This game was on my mind days later, and I wanted to give it another try knowing I could do better now that I grasped the rules.

There are cards that allow you to place goods in certain cities.  It's one of those games where you have a limited number of turns and you actually get to use other players canals, railways, iron, coal and beer.  It took me the whole first game to understand that concept.  It's to your benefit to be in or near other players cities and I was playing just the opposite along the lines of Ticket to Ride where it's better to be away from everyone else. The goal is to make the most money which translates to victory points.  It's straightforward in that sense because there are only two ways of making money:  either sell your goods and resources, or connect boats and trains to cities where goods and resources were sold.  There is much to remember in this game which at times can be frustrating.   Especially the part where after the first canal era ends (all the cards have been used up), all the boats and level 1 goods/resources are removed from the board and you basically have to start all over for the train era.  Plus, to lay track in the second era, the cost goes up!  After playing it again, I really liked it and bought it.  I liked it so much that I had a tournament among all the different industrialists (player tokens) over several weeks!  Doing that also helped me to learn the game better and try different strategies.

After each round when all players have had a turn, we get money based on our income level which goes up when you sell something and down if you take out a loan.  The best thing about loans is that you never have to pay them back.  It's truly free money to use.  You can't sell anything unless there is a line of boats or trains going from the city your goods are in to the market that will buy what you are selling.  These markets are placed around the edge of the board randomly each game.  The other requirement is that to sell goods (linen, pottery, or manufactured goods) you must also pay a beer (for the workers to enjoy).  On the other hand, resources (iron, coal, beer) are either used by yourself or other players, or if there are open spots in the coal and iron markets on the board, these resources are sold to the market.  Here's another rule that took me awhile to understand:  In order to use player's coal, there must be a line of boats or trains from the coal to the trains you are adding or the city in which you are placing a product.  Plus, you must use the closest coal supply--a player's coal or from the coal market.  On the other hand, iron is available to be used by all players on their turn without them being connected to it.  A player may use their own beer on their turn whether they are connected to it by boats or trains or not.  However, to use someone else's beer, the player must be connected to it.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about this game if you have played it.  My friend, Nan, says she thinks it's easier than Ark Nova but I disagree.  

Watch this short video that explains it in a nutshell and gives you a better idea of how cool it looks:

 

Castle Panic is a fun co-op Game for the Whole Family

In Castle Panic, all players work together to kill off monsters before they destroy the castle in the middle of the board.  It's very easy to learn and play, but difficult to win!  Last Saturday we had six players and I thought for sure we would win, but sadly we did not.  

I think this game would work really well for families with children of all ages.  I think all six of us adults had fun playing it as well though.  There is a variation where one player actually controls the monsters.  I think it would be great fun for that one player, but don't see how he would ever lose.

This is the only co-op game I have. It's a very light game, but pretty fun.  Below is a short video explaining how to play.

Takenoko is Game About Caring for a Panda

Takenoko was one of the first games I bought when I first discovered the world of euro games.  It is very pretty and cute.  It's a game I really enjoy playing even if I lose.  Here is my list of good things I like about it:

1. 1.  Players create a garden by laying tiles throughout the game.
2. 2.  Each turn, players roll one die that designates one action they can take and then they get to choose two other actions from 5 different options:  place a garden tile, get a card, grow bamboo, have panda eat bamboo or take an irrigation stick.
3. 3.  Scoring is very straight forward.  Points shown on task cards are added up and players with the most wins.
4. 4.  Players lay down cards that they have completed so everyone can see how many tasks each has done and what their points are along the way.
5. 5.  Game goes fairly quickly when players are familiar with it.
6. 6.  There are lots of options on a turn so luck is minimal.  Of course, whenever cards are involved, there is always some luck; however, it is easy enough to get cards.
7. 7.  The set up is very easy and quick.
8. 8.  It's a pretty easy game to teach.

I can't think of anything I don't like about this one, just that sometimes I feel like playing something heavier that involves more planning.

Have you ever played this one?  If so, what do you think of it?

Here is a short video explaining how to play:  

My Current Favorite Game Is Ark Nova

Normally, I do not purchase games until I have played them first; however, I made an exception for Ark Nova.  I found it on Amazon for $58 after using my cashback bonus of $16 and ordered it for my husband to give it to my for my birthday.  After getting to play it at a library game day, I couldn't wait and asked him to give it to me for sweetest day instead.  My birthday wasn't until December so this way I got it two months earlier and have been playing it ever since!  

I like the theme of building a zoo with animals, buildings, conservation projects and sponsors.  It has a very unique scoring system with two scoring tracks:  conservation points and appeal points.  When the first player whose marker on the appeal track passes their marker on the conservation track, the end of game is triggered.  The other players get one last turn and whoever has the biggest difference between their markers that passed each other wins.

Players have five action cards (Association, Sponsors, Animals, Building, Cards) and can choose to play any of them when it is their turn.  Forming associations with zoos in other countries gives you discounts when placing animals from that country as well as giving opportunities to advance on the conservation track.  The Association action also helps players meat research requirements necessary to play certain cards and can give allow a player to hold 5 cards instead of only 3 at the end of rounds.  Sponsors give various benefits that can help players advance on both tracks.  Animals primarily give appeal points (more animals and different bigger animals attract more people to come to your zoo).  Acquiring animals to fulfill conservation projects is another way to get conservation points.  Players build enclosures based on animal sizes before they can place animals.  The cards action gives players more cards in their hand.  At the beginning, all players get two secret objective cards that give opportunity to earn conservation points at the end of the game but must discard one when any player reaches 10 conservation points.

When playing with beginners, they get an easier map that gives bigger benefits than some others.  Everyone can play with the same map or advanced players can choose from 9 other different maps that give different benefits.  This game works best with 2 or 3 players but I also enjoy playing the solo version if I have no one to play against.  The game lasts between 2-3 hours depending on the number of players.  

There are lots of decision to make along the way and players must manage their money to build enclosures and play the animals they want to put into their zoos.  I love playing this because it's fun to see your zoo develop.  Even if I don't win, this is a game I enjoy.  It's a challenge to make your turns count and be efficient.  It takes some planning ahead and is a race to get the conservation projects done ahead of your opponents if possible to get a choice of additional bonuses.

This is a game I play a lot.  I certainly got my money's worth from this one!  It can be a bit intimidating at the beginning because there are a lot of rules; however, they all make sense and it's worth sticking with it.  My one friend said "I really like this game!  I wish I had learned it sooner so  I could have been playing it all this time."

Check out this video to learn to play and get some tips:

So, have you played Ark Nova?  What do you think of it?  What is currently your favorite game?

10 Reasons Why I Like Playing Board Games

I enjoy playing board games.  There are so many more now than when I was a kid.  Pictured here is my collection but it is small compared to others I've seen posted on Facebook board gamer groups.  Growing up, my mom would encourage us to play board games at least once a week.  She loved Scrabble but we also played Rook, Canasta, Monopoly, poker, Pig, I Doubt It, Life, Chess and more.  There were four of us kids and every Christmas, each of us would get a new game for about five or six Christmases.  

I gave some of those old ones away to make room for my new ones.  I plan on blogging about different games in upcoming weeks because now that I am retired and have lots of free time, I invite people to come and play several days a week!

Here are several reasons why I love to play games:

1.  I am competitive.

2.  It builds friendships, it's very social.

3.  There are a lot of different types so I don't get bored.

4.  I like to share what I have with others so they can have fun too.

5.  I feel a sense of accomplishment if I build something like a zoo in Sanctuary or Ark Nova, like an estate in Obsession, like a cool forest in Forest Shuffle, like a city in Foundations of Metropolis or Foundations of Rome, like a vineyard business in Viticulture or a city in Everdell or Akropolis.

6.  It helps keep my mind active.  Some games involve planning ahead or thinking of words.  Learning new games helps fight against Dementia and Alzheimers.

7.  Sometimes, I just want to relax and have some fun with games of luck like Quacks, Paper World, Pit or UNO.

8.  Sometimes, if I don't feel like watching TV or going to bed, I'll play a solo version of a game.  Games I have that have solo versions included are First in Flight, Ark Nova, Sanctuary, Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Dune Imperium, Wyrmspan, Everdell and Viticulture.

9.  I like a challenge.  

10.  It is cheap entertainment.  My most expensive game is Obsession incl. expansions for $170 but most are in the $40 or less range.  Some games can last from 1-4 hours depending on the game and number of players.  If you compare the cost of eating out, going to the theatre or movies, attending a professional sporting event, or golfing or bowling, I get more for my buck in hours of entertainment with board games.

So, let me know if you like playing board games and which ones or why in the comments.

Happy 2-Year Gotcha Day to Bear!

 

The picture above is Bear on the first day I got him.  I am so glad I took him in and made him part of our family.  He is a great companion, pretty much following me everywhere and laying on my lap when I read or watch TV.  I never once regretted getting him!  I am pleased to report that he and I have adjusted to our new routine to handle his Diabetes.  He is now eating all his new food within 1/2 an hour (or even less) and he lays nice for me to give him his Insulin.  He doesn't try to hide or run away when I pull out the needle and the bottle.  I am amazed at how cooperative he is.  I will go play pickleball this morning, but then will spend the rest of the day with Bear to celebrate his second gotcha day.  Unfortunately, he can't have treats extra food and is not big on toys so just being together is the best gift I can give him.  He is now 6 years old.

Now sooner had I finished writing this about how good a cat he is, I went upstairs and found a big hole in his window screen.  Must have tried to get at a bird or squirrel.  UGH!  Got it patched up right away with old reliable duck tape.  Never fear, I still love you, Bear!

Ever Play Spots?

Last night I met up with four other game lovers at Panera Bread to play some games.  I play three different new games I never heard of.  My favorite was Spots.  It's a doggie game where you try to match numbers on the dog cards to numbers you roll on dice.  The winner is the first to complete six dog cards.  Each player also gets a backyard where you have to bury dice you can't play.  If you get a total of more than 7, you go bust and have to start over.  You can also acquire bones which are good for being able to reroll if you get a number you can't use and don't want to bury.  There are cards to choose from on your turn that give different options as to how many dice to roll or how to get more bones or dog cards.  It was easy to learn and fun to play.  I was so close to winning the first game but took a chance that got me stuck and didn't pay off.  The second game I played with a different strategy and won in one long last turn just before we had to quit!

Bear is Eating but . . .

 

Well, I've got Bear on a schedule for eating and his Insulin but it requires me changing my normal routines.  In order to still feed him after my shower and my early pill, I need to get up 15 minutes earlier at 4:45 now.  Furthermore, to keep him on schedule so I can give him Insulin at 6:05 - 6:10, I need to watch him eat and cheer him on.  If I leave him to eat alone, he loses focus.  If I leave him to eat while I get dressed, pretty soon he's downstairs with me! 

 So, this morning I decided to just wait until he's all done eating to get dressed and pray and read my Bible as I hold up his dish for him and cheer him on.  The Insulin should be given every 12 hours so if I want to go anywhere in the evening, I need to be done giving him the Insulin early enough for me to leave to get there on time.  If left on his own, it takes him about an hour or more to eat but if I stay with him and cheer him on, he gets done in less time.  The good thing is he even ate most of his dinner yesterday without the appetite stimulant pill and finished all his breakfast this morning!  With the appetite stimulant pill, there were days he finished in just 30-43 minutes, but the vet says as long as he's eating (regardless of how long it takes), I shouldn't give him the pill.  If he should stop eating or starts just picking at his food, then I need to give it to him.    

I miss the evening walk with my dog though because I need to make sure Bear eats within the timeframe for the insulin.  I guess the nights I don't go anywhere, we could walk the dog later after the insulin is given.  Otherwise, my husband will be walking the dog without me until I can get Bear to eat on his own.  Don't know if that is going to happen.  I sure hope it does!  He has come a long way eating only the right food and only two flavors.  It sure would make things easier if he'd eat without me watching!

Drumming Fun

My husband and I went to the drumming class at the Parma Heights Senior Center today.  I had gone before and liked it but it was his first time.  This is quite popular.  We arrived about 15 minutes early and there was only one space left so we alternated.  It's pretty good exercise, especially if you do it standing up but you can also do it sitting.  It's a great way to relieve some stress.  They played old familiar songs and everyone seemed to enjoy it.  It's just like follow the leader.  Sometimes you hit the top of the balance ball, sometimes the side, sometimes the bucket underneath, sometimes alternating arms, sometimes clicking the sticks together and sometimes "air" cymbals at the side.  It can be challenging to keep up, but if you make a mistake, it really doesn't matter.  If you have never tried this, you should!  It's actually fun!

"Bear's Diabetes Journey Begins"

Bear's New Food Supply

It turns out I was right that something was going on with my cat when I went through two boxes of cat litter in just 1 and a half weeks!  It's been one week since I received the news that my cat, Bear, has Diabetes.  This was terrible news.  I knew it meant I would have to poke him everyday with a needle to give him Insulin and he'd have to eat only special food.  He had been eating dry Hill's Science diet and getting a half tablespoon twice a day of wet food as a snack (which is what he was getting at the shelter).  He is only 6 and I will have only had him a couple years coming up on June 6.

With a heavy heart and a lot of determination, I went last Saturday afternoon to learn how to give him the Insulin, praying that God would help me be able to do this.  To my relief, it was actually easier than I thought it would be.  Giving pills is way harder!  To my surprise, Bear didn't seem to mind it at all!  We even did 3 or 4 practice pokes with plain saline solution.  I assumed that switching to all wet food would not be a problem, but I was wrong.  Bear liked any flavor of Friskies, Sheba, and Fancy Feast none of which are on the approved food list the vet gave to me.  None of the approved brands are at Giant Eagle where we do our food shopping so have to go to either Petsmart, Petco or order from Chewy.  

The biggest thing that is very important is to give the Insulin every 12 hours, and only two meals a day, waiting at least 30 minutes after the meal.  Sounded easy enough, but here's the kicker--I never knew how fast or how slow he'd eat.  

Read more »

The Cookie Jar Burglar

(re-enacted later in the day)

Our cat, Bear, likes to walk around on our dining room table.  But  I was amazed when I got up this morning and saw the cookie jar open and a cookie lying on the table!  I knew it had to be Bear, but was surprised he actually was able to get the head off the cookie jar! 

 

I don't know if he actually ate any of the cookies.  I certainly hope not!  My first thought was to throw it away, but then I decided to just break off all the edges and go head and eat my oatmeal raisin cookie.  

I knew he often would hang out by the cookie jar but never pushed the head off during the day.  It's pretty heavy so I didn't think he could do it.  I think it must have been a bit ajar, at least I hope it was!

He has also learned to open the vertical blinds by pawing at the hanging cords on the side of the window.  Bear is one big smart cat!

Bear Finds a Comfy Spot

 Today, Bear made himself comfortable on the soft pillow on the chair by the window.  He's a wonderful, cat who came up on my lap earlier.  Here he is while I exercise along with Curtis Adams on the TV.

Quiddler--A New Game To Me

Image from Amazon

When I went to ladies game night at church Friday night, I had lots of fun.  We had salty and sweet snacks to eat while we played.  There were plenty of games from which to choose and people could play any one they wanted.  I played a new one to me called Quiddler.  It's a word game using cards which have one or two letters on them with a point value.  The idea is to use all your cards to make words.  A 10-point bonus is given for the longest word (most cards) and the most words in each round.  It starts with each person getting three cards.  You pick up a card and discard each turn.  You hold all the cards in your hand until you can play them all.  When one person goes out, the others get one more turn to play whatever they can manage.  Points are awarded based on the point value of the letters used and letters that cannot be used are deducted.  Each round, one more card is dealt up to ten.  After playing with ten cards, the game is over.  High score wins.  Rounds go fast.  It's a game for ages 8 and up.     

Fun Fantasy Football Season! Won Championship!

My third year playing Fantasy Football, I just squeaked into the playoffs with an 8-6 record.  I was definitely the underdog going into the playoffs but then my guys came through and I blew everyone out with a 2-week playoff total of 306.28!  I had the 1st draft position in our snake league so was able to get a good draft.  

This season went fast!  I read through two Fantasy Football magazines and watched the Fantasy Live show every week, and had fun picking guys up from the waiver wire along the way, adjusting my line up every week, and cheering on my guys.  I am a Browns fan and had four on my team (Njoku, Cooper, Defense, Moore and Flacco).  I had Flacco as a backup instead of Sam Howell who I played just for Jalen Hurts' bye week, picking him up so no one else could get him.  

Here are my Keys to winning:

1.  Draft good players that I would want to cheer for.  That means not drafting guys on other teams in the Browns division.  The only exceptions were when (1) I was short on receivers due to injuries so picked up Odell Beckham but didn't have to play him after all; and (2) taking the Steelers defense week 18 because I knew the Browns would be resting some key players.  

2.  If deliberating between two players, choose the one from the better team.

3.  Be willing to play good players even when they are playing against the Browns (my team).

4.  Don't put so much weight on the projection points, trust your gut and listen to Cynthia Friedman's advice on the Fantasy Football show.

5.  Don't put players who are playing early in the flex position.  

Do you have any other tips to share in the comments on keys to winning in Fantasy Football?  I'd love to hear them!

I'd like to give a shout out to my stellar players who were consistent and helped me win this year who were:  Jalen Hurts, Amari Cooper, Raheem Mostert, Breece Hall, David Njoku, Nico Collins, Justin Jefferson and Browns Defense.  I'm already looking forward to playing again next year.
 
Other related posts:

I'm Doing Something I Always Thought Would Be Fun

My First Fantasy Football Season

My 2023 Fantasy Football Draft

Roxy Makes a Good Bed Warmer

Yesterday, our dog Roxy joined my husband on the bed and did a great job keeping my side warm for me until I came.  She went in her own bed before I even cam in, such a good girl.

Handyman Needed and Found in a Friend!

I've been tightening the top screw of our kitchen cupboard from time to time because I kept seeing the hinge being loose, but yesterday, the whole cupboard door actually fell off!  I would think it could be fixed but I'm not sure how to do it.  I called Thiel's because that is the company that originally resurfaced our kitchen cupboards 19 years ago, but it seems they want to just redo everything.  I don't think that is really necessary.  I think I'll try to find a handyman that can put it back up and fix it for us.  

Thankfully, a friend from church that I play pickleball with came over one night and fixed it within an hour.  He got some longer screws and we are grateful, although he refused to take any money for his work and time.  Thanks, Jim!