"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one. "
~John Lennon


Friday, December 30, 2011

Winning and Laughing

One of my senior friends invited me to play Bingo with her. She likes to play in a town on the other side of where she lives out in the country. She came into town to pick me up and drove out past her house a few miles to the other town. Bingo is a bi-weekly event in that little town. Lots of cars already there and the women of the parish bringing in food to sell. Bingo is held at a very large parish hall. I had already eaten but the homemade soup looked great. I would have to find out the ingredients before I would buy something, but I did buy a small bottle of water.


I was given a free bottle of dabber to mark my Bingo sheet and welcomed like family. This was my virgin Bingo night. As the man on the stage began calling numbers, I found I needed to concentrate on the six bingo boxes so I wouldn't miss dabbing any numbers. My friend who brought me won a game early on. And at the end of the night I had won two times so I went home with $15. And there was lots of visiting and laughing. I thought Bingo players would be more like Bridge players, no talking and serious playing. I don't play bridge but I watch the Bridge players at the center. Since I know nothing about Bridge, maybe they are in tournaments. Not so. The Bingo people were a blast. And I actually knew three people from the senior center. For my first time out and about I did not feel like a stranger. I was a winner in more than one way.

16 comments:

Ms. A said...

You brought home more than you went with, in more ways than one! That's a good thing! I haven't played bingo in forever, but my sister used to REALLY be into it.

Lisa said...

Sounds like serious fun CiCi and you won too! Both my boys went out and took our only two cars and so I am really home alone for the very first time in a very long time.

And happy new year CiCi, just in case I did not get back. And thank you for being my blog buddy and a friend.

CiCi said...

Ms.A, some of the people play Bingo two nights a week every week. That would be too much for me.

oceangirl, I hope you enjoyed your evening alone even though it felt strange at first. You should write a list of all the things you can do when you find yourself alone for a couple hours, pick something next time and make it fun.

Anne H said...

Cool - winner winner!
I love that you had a great time!
We need stuff like that - every day!

Brian Miller said...

nice...sounds like you had fun....glad of that and hope you go back....BINGO can be really fun

DJan said...

I've never played Bingo, but they also have it at our Senior Center. I seem to have plenty to keep myself busy without it, but once I am unable to get out and about as much as I do these days, I'll be playing, too.

What a wonderful community you have there, CiCi. And the blogging community here loves you, too. I sure do! :-)

Ina in Alaska said...

Bingo groups are fun! You DO have to focus.. sometimes when I go to Jersey I go to Bingo with my SIL, her mom, & her mom's 90 year old pals. It is a hoot! There are certain shouts when the Bingo caller says specific combinations, and also those who bring charms for luck. All in all a great time. Bet the soup was delish!

Happy New Year dear CiCi!!!

Stickup Artist said...

I stumbled into a bingo hall in Palm Springs looking for restroom facilities at an Indian Gaming place. Those people were so serious and intent on their cards, it was almost scary. A lot of them had multiple cards spread out in front of them! I'll never forget that sight. I'm glad your bingo pals are more about fun rather than winning. It's wonderful you are getting out there meeting new friends and having good times!

Rosaria Williams said...

Good for you for accepting the invitation and meeting new folks.
May your new year bring much joy and friendship.
Thanks for your visit.

Abby said...

Sounds fun! I've never bingoed, but I'm guessing that each bingo hall/group has its own personality. Sounds like you found a good match.

Rock Chef said...

Bingo attracts a different crowd to Bridge - I have never seen Bridge as being much fun, there is certainly a lack of laughter!

terri said...

I'm so glad you got out, met some new friends, had a wonderful time and even won a little money! I hope you decide to do this on a regular basis. It sounds good for you!

Bill Lisleman said...

serious bingo - I don't think so. I guess someone who is covering many many cards might be getting too serious. I have not played for years but if you get a regular group to enjoy it with it is a fun activity. Happy New Year

Jeni said...

Mandy and I went to a Midnight Madness Bingo event sponsored by the Fire Company in the nearest sort of large town near here -oh, about 2 years ago now. We both had a really fun time -didn't win any money but we did each win two door prizes and if I recall correctly one of those prizes was a nice big old frozen turkey that we used for Thanksgiving that year! Prior to that, I hadn't played bingo since I was a kid and my uncle gave me money to play a couple games at the local Labor Day Picnic celebration probably about 50 plus years ago! Glad you had a fun time. It is a good diversion from time to time isn't it?

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

It is so heart warming to see you sip your coffe. Thanks for sharing your Bingo night! I could not do six cards at once! I' be got ADD and think my max might be 4.

Claudya Martinez said...

I think I would love BINGO!