February, The Longest Month

 Good Morning Canasta Lovers

Although on the calendar February appears to be the shortest month of the year, here in Paradise it is so crammed full of events that you hardly know where to go first.  You can start with a breakfast book club, move on to a champagne brunch, then a charity luncheon and fashion show, next a lovely English tea  (are you tired yet?), home for a quick lie down and then off to an art gallery cocktail party and then dinner and dancing at a sumptuous black tie gala.  And you will still be home, in your jammies in time for the eleven o'clock news.

Steve and I use to attend alot of these wonderful affairs, but over the years we've narrowed our attendance to just the ones that are important to us personally.  This year in early February my canasta buddies and I , dressed to the nines, attended the Morse Life Luncheon and Card Party.  My mother-in-law was a resident at Morse for a few years and she was treated with such care and dignity that I always support them if I can.  The day starts off with boutiques lining the walls of the Grand Ballroom of The Mar-a-lago Club.  There are fabulous handbags, beautiful pashminas, lots and lots of jewelry and anything you could wish for with your monogram on it.  And that's before lunch. After lunch the tables are cleared and the games begin.  What a great day, we can't  wait for next year!

The following week I attended the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation Luncheon at the Breaker's.  My gorgeous and accomplished sister-in-law Merrill was the co-chairman of the day. And what a day it was, a great silent auction, exciting table decor and a brilliant fashion show.  However, most important was the message shared in the speeches that afternoon. "If you see something, say something!" It would not be rude to tell a friend or acquaintance you don't like the look of a spot on their face or body and that it would be a good idea to have a doctor look at it.  It maybe nothing but you may save a life.  And don't forget the SUNSCREEN!

My tablemate, at the luncheon, asked me a question concerning threes.  It is the end of the game, at the turn card, the player (who has 4 sevens in her hand) picks a three, if she replaces the three she won't have enough turns to get rid of her sevens.  Can she keep the three in her hand, take the 100 point penalty and discard her seven? What do you think?

The last luncheon I attended in February was a reunion of a large group of goddesses who got together a few years ago to play on Thursday afternoons.  The day was hosted by my friend and first student, Lissy, She served a beautiful lunch and a special "reunion" cake.  We all reunited and played our favorite game all afternoon. Thanks Lissy.

The days are getting longer here in paradise and the season will soon be winding down, but we, goddesses will keep playing canasta and enjoying each other all summer long.

Love to you all, goddesses,
Barbara