My wife has progressively limited several of the physical activities she used to be able to do since she was diagnosed with Parkinson's. However, the occasional card game that we regularly play with two other couples is one of the few exceptions. The name we have for it in Filipino is awkward to pronounce for native English speakers, so our seven-year-old grandson came up with an alternative name for it. He calls it the "Web of Cards" game. He and his older brother and their parents visited us a couple of weeks ago. We introduced the game to them and they enjoyed it. And now we call it, "Web of Cards". But, what has woodworking got to do with it?
I came up with a woodworking project to make playing the game a little easier for her physically even though it is pretty much a mental game. (I will touch on what we know about Parkinson's at the bottom of the blog). Now, I'll have to say that seniors, retirees and those "high rollers" in nursing homes may benefit from this because not all can comfortably handle multiple cards fanlike as I demonstrate below. And "Web of Cards" requires handling 8-13 cards at the start of each game, depending on the number of players. I count my fortunes to still be able to fan the cards like so, all throughout the game.
The game, which will be explained later, requires that each player must play a playable card when it is his or her turn. Every now and then, with that many cards in one hand, a player inadvertently skips playing a card and "pass" simply because he or she misses spotting a card in a hand. Well, a card stand shown below will present the cards in clear "panoramic" view.
I started with some leftover 2 X 4 stock lumber and flattening one edge at the jointer.
The Prototype
"High rollers" that we are, I envisioned incorporating coin receptacles for quarters, dimes and nickels. After determining the appropriate sizes I proceeded to drill.
With the table saw set to 15 degrees off the vertical, I cut a saw kerf a half inch deep which will slot the cards like so (below). Before cutting to final length, I showed it to my wife. She decided the coin receptacles were way too fancy, yet not too helpful with maneuvering the coins in and out. In other words, her message was, "Keep It Simple S .." (referring to the popular acronym, "KISS", the last word being six letters, not four, just to make sure no one strays into the gutter)
And so it is that I decided to make a few more for her to pick from. Each ever so slightly different from the next one. But I decided to finish the prototype, anyway.
Shown below, gluing up the end caps.
Sanding ..
Below, routing the channels from two opposite sides which, critically for seniors' hands, serve as finger hold for a secure grip when moving or carrying the stand.
She now has few to choose from, including the prototype, in case she changes her mind.
Rules of the game:
1) Cards are shuffled. The dealer, picked initially as having drawn the highest card from a pile, distributes equal number of cards. For six players, remove the King, leaving 48 cards (52-4). 48/6, means each player gets eight cards. If only four players are playing, each one gets thirteen cards, using the full deck, of course. For odd number of players, remaining cards, face down in the "kitty" will be drawn by players who pass, one at a time, until all the kitty cards are gone. See Rule 2 on the "Pass".
2) At the initial start, player with the six of clubs must play it face up on the table. Player to the left (in a counter clockwise rotation) may play either a five or seven of clubs or another six of the remaining three suits. Not having any card to play means to "Pass" and pay a penalty. Did I mention we are "high rollers"? The penalty is a dime for every pass. And, before I forget, the ante at the beginning of each deal, is a quarter. "High rollers", you can tell, by now.
4) However, if the winner ends up playing his or her last card as a six, the player gets an extra two quarters from each of the other players. This is rare because the stars and planets must line up just right for it to happen, not the least of which is having that last six by itself in his or her hand to begin with (the only way for that to happen). But, in every game, there is a strategy involved as each player must think of every possible advantage to be the first finish.
5) Subsequently, after the first deal, the winner will serve as dealer (shuffler and distributor of the cards). The person to the left of the dealer must play first. That person must have a six (of any suit) to start the play. If that person does not have a six, then the rule of the "Pass" applies and therefore must pay the hefty penalty of a dime. The game continues per the rest of the rules.
Several years ago all of us three couples started getting together with potluck lunches that typically extended all the way to dinner (there is always so much food). What started as a July 4 potluck (first couple hosts it because their backyard and pool allows for an IMAX view of the fireworks in their city). The second couple then decided to host a crawfish boil that would also begin with lunch and then on to dinner. My wife and I host the Superbowl party, which also starts at lunch until kick off time at after five p.m., followed by dinner at half time. This would include the inevitable football pool, at a "High Roller" exorbitant standard of $1 per square, all the squares divided among the total crowd of six people. Later, we incorporated this card game to fill in the hours between lunch and dinner, after we realized there is only so much we can talk about - our lives now an open book to each other.
That is the origin of the "Web Of Cards"
Now, to the not-so-ecstatic subject of Parkinson's. My wife does not have the external tremors that are the typical symptoms of Parkinson's, notable in Michael J. Fox, who by the way is doing an incredible job, as a high profile celebrity, of focusing the spotlight on this disease. My wife, however, has what is described as internal tremors. It comes and goes in the course of the day, everyday, when what she feels is akin to anxiety but not really. She does not exhibit the typical trembling or shaky hands or legs, which are common external symptoms of Parkinson's. The trembling is effectively inside, felt internally that is, so that if she's sitting down or just standing still, no one can tell she has Parkinson's. However, from sitting down, she would make very short, jittery steps at first until she can walk steadily and normally, but slowly, of course.
She has chronic pains that are associated with Parkinson's by way of muscle-skeletal spasms. Long walks are difficult to do. Obviously, she no longer drives - something she did since her early twenties.
The good news, we might as well have one, is that Parkinson's does not seem to affect longevity and mental acuity. While it is mostly associated with ageing, Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with it at age 29 (now 61); so are a few other high profile personalities. My wife's doctor told her that her oldest patient is over ninety years old and many others in their eighties. Our dentist tells us he has a ninety year old patient who still comes for his dental needs and check ups.
Obviously, it is a progressive malady but there are medications to alleviate the symptoms.
We're crossing our fingers and pray and remain hopeful that she will continue to enjoy the "Web of Cards". I am happy to shuffle and deal the cards for her; her win record is right about where everyone is.
