Spider Solitaire

Was it Samuel Clemens who remarked that the difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between lightning and lightning bugs? I maintain that there’s an even greater difference between having something to say and having to say something. I’ve got a number of things to say so I hope to post more regularly. I thank Laughing Jack for not being pushy about this. Perhaps the duties of fatherhood have affected his online excursions, too.

When introducing folks to the computer I like to get them involved in the games. Not the fancy stuff – just the games that come with the operating system. I tell them that these aren’t just games they are simulation experiences to develop skills in mouse control. If I had a boss, I’d probably try that line on her, too.

One of my favorites is “Spider Solitaire.” I play the middle game with 2 suits. And I play the same game until I win or choose to move on to something else. In my book anything less than 130 moves is a GREAT victory.

I’m convinced that there’s an opportunity to learn about life from this game. Usually the connections are fairly obvious. But sometimes those obvious moves don’t allow ya to win. Sometimes you have to go in what appears to be the wrong direction in order to finish the game. This is like the switchbacks on a mountain trail.