Combined Hanukah / Birthday Present

What do we have here?


Huzzah! It's a package from father!


What could it be? First class mail, do not bend (not pictured)...hard, substantial...oh I think I know what it is...in his study, there's a photograph (about this size) of my father at about age 9 with his father (who died before I was born), leaning against a motorcycle on some sandy street in Israel. It's the only picture he has of himself as a child, and although we don't look much the same now, it might as well be me in that picture.

Last time I visited, we stood looking at the picture for a few moments, just looking and talking, experiencing what is for us, a rare MoOaHFSL (Moment of Open and Honest Father Son Love™).

He told me I could have the picture, If I wanted it...trying to sound so casual but loving me so much on the inside (I could tell). I gathered also that he felt some grief about the impending loss of his nostalgic item. I told him I'd love to have the picture someday, asking that he hold on to it for a little while longer. He smiled thankfully.

This has to be it. It's exactly the right size...

Wait...even better!


It's Phase 10!!! A Rummy-Type Card Game with a Challenging and Exciting Twist!

The Challenge: Be the first player to complete 10 melds (phases)


The Twist: The phase to be completed is specific for each hand. Those that complete the phase advance to the next, but those that have not must try again.