Day of Gratitude, Thanksgiving Day, 2023

My First Thanksgiving Day Celebration in the United States, Danville, Illinois, November, 1960. 

My first Thanksgiving Day was in 1960 and I have fully documented my personal experience discussed in this article in my hubpages.com writing account as follows:   

https://discover.hubpages.com/holidays/my-first-thanksgiving-day-in-the-united-states

Tomorrow will be my sixty three years of celebrating Thanksgiving Day here in the US. The David B Katague Clan will have a Get-Together Thanksgiving Party at My son's house in Benicia Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, however I am looking forward to enjoy the Special Thanksgiving Dinner at Newton's this afternoon.   

Here's the Thanksgiving Menu Here at Newton's this Afternoon.  On Thursday, Dinah and I are going to Benicia at Dodie's Residence for Honey Baked Ham Dinner,  Philippine Mahjong and 49'ers vs Seahawks Game at NBC to complete the afternoon/evening Thanksgiving Holiday Celebration.  For those of you celebrating this day alone, my thoughts are with you, and hopefully are thankful that you are Ok even if you are not with your love ones this Thanksgiving Day.

These are the 12 things I am thankful for this year. There is no order of priority except for #1 and #2: 

1. Thank you Lord for giving me a Memorable and Goal-Achieved Life for almost 89 years.

2. Thank you to All My Children and Grand Children and my future Great Grand Children.

3. Thank you to all my Close and Distant Relatives All over the World   

4. Thank you to all My friends and relatives locally, specially the ones that visits me every now and then here at THD.

5. Thank you to all my loyal readers of my blogs and Face Book page all over the World.

Dean Elias and I enjoying beer at the Oktoberfest Party Here at THD  

6. Thank you to my loyal readers and commentators of my blogs here in THD- Dean Elias, Phil Paris and Richard Botton.  

7.Thank you to all my newly found friends here at THD- specifically my co-bridge players, and co-mahjong players and my dancing Zumba co-residents.  

8. Thank You to Val, the owner of THD for making this place an enjoyable Art and Garden Paradise right in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek, CA  and your commitment to make life of its senior residents a very pleasant experience.  

Martha ( Dining Staff) and I during The THD Halloween Party last October 31

9. Thank you to all THD Management, Office and Concierge Staff, Dining/Kitchen, House Keeping and Maintenance Staff and specially to Lisa Bellini💥 for taking care of Batman & Robin last June when I was away for 3 days and to Joseph Woo for helping me with my slides during my talk last month. 

10. Special thank you to Jenny S for her smiles and friendly demeanor to all the THD Residents.

11. Thank you to Karen K for organizing the activities that I have enjoyed here the past 6 months. Specifically, the first celebration of Filipino-American History Month of October here at THD with Filipino dinner menu offered in Newton's, Speaker of the Month- Resident Spotlight of "All you want to Know about the Philippines but were Afraid to Ask"  and the several award-winning Filipino movies at our Cinema in the two weeks of October. It's just too bad we did not have a Karaoke Night! 

And last but not least to 

12. Batman and Robin for keeping me company, in spite of their mischievous acts of breaking a couple of my potted plants while chasing the local squirrel visiting my patio.  

A Thanksgiving Bouquet from Last Year Thanksgiving Day in Fair Oaks, CA!

Here's my thanksgiving articles the last two years( 2021 and 2022).

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2022/11/two-young-cats-and-old-dude-wish-you.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2021/11/this-year-thanksgiving-celebration-what.html

In November, 2020, we did not have a Thanksgiving Get Together because of Covid-19. Instead we have:

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2020/11/no-thanksgiving-get-together-this-year.html

💥 As of last week Lisa is no longer employed here at THD. There was no explanation what happened so most of us residents are wondering what happen? We the residents here will be delighted to know why Lisa is no longer employed here at THD.  The last time I talked to her she seems happy and was looking forward for her coordinating the Wit and Wisdom Circle here at THD.   Good Luck, Lisa wherever you are! Thanks again for taking care of Batman & Robin.  

The Logic to the Response in No Trump Bidding in Bridge

Contract or Party Bridge is a Game of Logic!!! Bridge is my Card Game and Asian Mahjong is my Tile Game. I am now playing bridge 3 times per week here at THD.  There is a Bridge Game every day here at THD. If you love to play bridge, THD is the Place For You if you are looking for an Independent Living Senior Community in the EastBay!! 

https://discover.hubpages.com/games-hobbies/bridge-is-my-card-game

Here's some useful tips from Phil Paris-a good bridge player here at THD on responses to No Trump Bidding 

No Trump bidding

A bid of one no trump communicates something important to partner.  You have 15 - 17 points and a balanced hand (no voids, no singleton, only one doubleton).  It does not mean you want to end up with a no trump bid.  It is safer to end up in a suit.  It is best not to bid one NT with 18 or 19 points, a much stronger hand you let partner know on your second bid - a jump shift.  When even more fortunate to be dealt a balanced hand with 20 or 21 points, a 2 NT opener is called for. In the rare case of a balanced hand with 25 points, the bid is 3 NT.

No Trump responses

The first goal is to find a suit, combining eight cards in a major suit (hearts or spades).

There is a three step response to an opening no trump bid:

1. With a five card major, ( You need no points to transfer.)-Use the Jacoby transfer.  Most important is your second bid, after partner has transferred.  You have no idea if partner has 2 or 3 cards in you major suit.  You bid your points.  With 8 points, pass, With 9 points, bid two NT and with 10 points, bid 3 NT.  Now your partner knows exactly how many points you have.  Partner will bid the major suit if they have three of that suit, making a total of five.  Partner will bid No Trump if they have only two of the suit.  But partner, knowing exactly how many points you have, will bid knowing it takes 25 points for a game bid of either three NT or 4 of that major suit.
2. With a four card major suit and at lest 8 points, the bid is 2 clubs-Stayman. Partner will respond with their four card major suit in an effort to find that 8 card major suit.  If partner has no four card major suit, their bid is 2 NT if they have 15 or 16 points.  If fortunate to have 17 points, partner bids 3 NT knowing you have at least 8 points, a total of that 25 points needed for a game bid.
3. Without a five card or four card suit, the bid is simply on the basis of your point count.

      With 8 points or less, pass. With 9 points the bid is 2 NT.  With 10 points, bid 3 NT  as partner has at least 15 points for a total of 25 points.  That 2 NT bid with nine points serves as an invite to partner to bid 3 NT if they have 16 points, for a total of 25 points.

Question: Does 25 points guarantee making a game bid of 3 NT or 4 in a major suit?

Answer: Certainly not, but chances are very good the bid will succeed.  There is no perfect system; there is only the greater chance of success.

Personal Note: If partnership has a total of 25 Points and did not make a game contract- Just blamed it on distribution, if you did not make a bad play! or it is your unlucky day!

Question: Do you know the difference between a 2Clubs versus a 2NT opening bid?

The difference between a 2 Clubs bid ( 22 or more points) that it is a forcing bid, whereas you can Pass a 2NT( 20-21 balanced hand) opening bid if you have 0-3 points. You have to respond however 2 Diamonds if you have 0-3 points if partner opens with 2Clubs. This will keep the bidding open.   

Here are the artificial responses to a 2 Clubs Opening Bid showing your points: 2D(0-3 pts), 2H( 4-6 pts), 2S (7-9 pts) and 2NT (10 pts or more)

Here are the responses to an Opening 2NT bid ( 20-22 balanced hand) using the American Standard ( Yellow Card) bidding system. Enjoy the Game and Relax!

https://www.nofearbridge.co.uk/acol/responding_to_2NT_summary_and_flowchart.pdf

Chamber Music Here at THD- Most Enjoyable But Not Well-Attended

Yesterday Chamber Music with Violinist Kathryn Hoffer and friends, Janet Grizzle ( violin) and Wendy Reynolds ( cello) is an activity that confirms THD is a Five Star Active Senior Community in Walnut Creek.  The trio's repertoire was well-planned with Bach, Handell and Bethoveen sprinkled with popular tunes such as Yesterday, the Prayer, Simple Gifts and other popular tunes if you are a music lover of chamber music . The rendition of Yesterday make me shed a tear or two, since the piece is one of Macrine's favorite piece.    The event was not well attended because there is a 49er's Game going at the same time slot. Here are some photos taken by Dinah, my oldest daughter who was visiting me yesterday.  Thanks Dinah for the photo:

Again Kudos to Karen K our Activity Director Guru for a most-enjoyable afternoon of Chamber Music. We need more activities similar to this. Meanwhile here's my post on my favorite Violin Concertos.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2020/09/my-three-favorite-violin-concertos.html

  

Are You a Good Bridge Player?

I started playing Party Bridge again here at THD after a hiatus of several years. In my younger years, I play duplicate or competitive bridge and accumulated more than 100 junior master points. After 2 years of playing duplicate bridge, I realize that the game instead of relaxing me give me the opposite feeling since after a duplicate game I have a hard time sleeping. So I gave it up completely only playing the game on line with the robot from time to time(BBO). 

So what are the skills that you need to be a good bridge player? Here's what I learned from my readings:

  

"All the factors that contribute to make great champions in other sports are important in winning at bridge: concentration, accuracy, technique, stamina, resilience, the ability to cope with time pressure, staying alert, remaining calm, willingness to learn and improve - but also a sense of fun, and an ability to relax. "

Bridge is a sport based on skill, not luck.  Unlike other activities involving cards, it is only good play, and not good cards, which means you will win.

The game of bridge is as much about personal character as about technical skills: handling oneself at the table and knowing how to deal with others. Equanimity, flexibility, focus, respect, and sense of humor win the game.
Here's an article that is a must read if you want to be good bridge Player.
Attributes of Good Bridge Players (or Good Attributes of Bridge Players?)

There are a few characteristics or attributes that seem to be inherent in most good bridge players. Some of the following traits may not be readily apparent in those bridge players you admire, but if you think about it for awhile you’ll see that most are usually present.

Perhaps the first would be the ability to concentrate. Bridge requires total attention at all times (especially as you get older and have more problems with those “senior moments”). The need to concentrate and to focus on the given hand is ever- present. First you need to think about your hand, then the bidding, then the play and/or defense. If your mind wanders away to something else, it’s an effort to keep coming back to exactly where you were before you left. And needless to say, mind wandering takes up valuable time.

Another trait is that of anger management. It’s a fact that sometimes things will go awry and you may not be in control to stop them. Duplicate bridge can get rather intense; thus, this trait may well have to be developed. An even temperament is obviously best but there are those who have learned to control their fits of anger so that they don’t interfere with their ability to play this game. Once a hand is over, let it go.....whether you got the best score or the worst score. It matters not.....that hand is over.

Bridge is a game of logic. It is not a game of rote.....in fact far from it. It requires the use of logic in order to figure out the hands and what’s going on in the play and defense. And to play it well it requires the ability to visualize partner’s and opponents’ hands.....as well as the ability to count!!

Another important thing is awareness of the fact that this is a partnership endeavor; the need for communications with your partner in both bidding and card play is a priority item. Such things as (1) taking liberties with the vulnerability, (2) making silly and often stupid bids before partner has had a say in the auction, (3) frequent overbidding along with chronic underplaying, and (4) random and ill-conceived doubles are not in the best interest of establishing partnership confidence.

Duplicate bridge players should make every effort to know basic bridge principles in addition to having some knowledge of the Laws of Duplicate Bridge and the Alert Procedure. While one can deviate from accepted bridge principles, the Laws must be followed at all times. Thus the Laws are not to be confused with rules.

Such rules as “second hand low”, “third hand high” and “cover an honor with an honor are really guidelines and, as such, are often broken,

Last but certainly not least is the necessity of having a positive attitude. I can almost guarantee that if you don’t believe things are going to work out well, they won’t. However, you do have my permission to scream at anyone who says: “Bridge is only a game.”

Good luck. (That’s important too.) ©Marilyn Hemenway February 2008

My Quote of the Day: The real test of a bridge player isn't in keeping out of trouble, but in escaping once he's in. Having sex is like playing bridge. If you don't have a good partner, you'd better have a good hand. It's not enough to win the tricks that belong to you. 

The reference of Bidding Systems Used all over the World is at bottom of this page.

The most common conventions in bridge are Blackwood, which asks for and gives information about the number of aces and kings held, Stayman convention, used to discover a 4-4 fit in a major suit following an opening no trump bid, Jacoby transfers, used to find a 5-3 fit in a major suit, and strong two clubs. 
Other not popular convention is the Gerber. asking for Aces after the NT bid. 💥Gerber is used to ask for Aces and Kings over No Trump bids in order to keep 4NT as a "quantitative" bid.
💥Gərbər- : a bidding method in contract bridge that is based on the Blackwood convention and that uses a bid of four clubs instead of four no-trump as the asking bid, with responses of four diamonds to show no ace, four hearts one ace, four spades two aces, four no-trump three aces, and five clubs four aces.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidding_system

Personal Note: I could see in the Future an Ad on THD:    The Haven for Active Seniors Who Love to Play Bridge because:  There is a Bridge Game Five Days a Week here at THD today!!!!

Monday,Thursday (Beginners) and Friday coordinated by Lee Cruise. There are 2 tables on the Monday and Friday Games. 

Tuesday- coordinated by Linda Botton

Wednesday- coordinated by Phil Paris.

There is a new group of bridge players at the Fireside Lounge that started playing the other day also on Wednesday Afternoon. I believe it is coordinated by Linda Botton, but I am not sure.

More Power to All Contract Party Bridge Players at All Levels of Expertise here at THD.     

 

Wine Tasting Here at THD Yesterday Afternoon

Yesterday Afternoon Wine Tasting Activity was indeed an enjoyable event. I am not a wine connoisseur, but I learned a lot about wine.  The event was sponsored by Buon Vino of Walnut Creek. 

There were 3 wines featured as follows:

2022 California Chardonnay- A Hint of Oak and Butter on the Bouquet, with Green Apple and Cream on the Palate ( $23.99).

2022 Sonoma Coast Rose of Pinot Noir- Notes of strawberry on the rose, with a crisp, dry palate ( $26.99)  and

2021 Coast Malbec- Medium body and acidity, finish with Black cherry and pepper on the Palate ( S28.99).   

My Favorite is the Rose of Pinot Noir. My other favorite wine not tasted was Johannesburg Riesling.

Here are some photos from the Event ( Photo Credit-Karen Koff ):

Kudos again to Karen K, THD Activity Guru for another enjoyable event here at THD.  
 

After the wine tasting I had dinner with Uma Dobia💥 ( Dean Elias daughter), Dean and Mary Fenelon.

Uma is visiting her Dad on her way to another fund raising concert in Santa Cruz this Sunday. 

💥 https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/10/a-most-special-musical-treat-saturday.html