The joy of solitaire – on your table, not your computer screen

Card games offer us a tactile experience that provides a much-needed escape from the world of tapping and clicking - especially in times of stress

Things were pretty bleak here in January. I got slammed with two major deadlines. Two regular clients, whose payments covered the mortgage and my health insurance premium, were late, and when I asked where my money was, they informed me that those payments would be even later because of the holidays - after, of course, those two big bills were due. To make things even worse, I was then socked with an unexpected $630 medical bill - due immediately.

And then, arching over this mess, a good friend wound up in the ICU. When I thought of him, and the terror his family faced if the odds the doctor gave him were accurate, I felt overwhelming guilt for even worrying about my problems. And then the cycle started all over again.