Last night a large party of us were playing Catch Phrase, a game where you must beat the clock to describe a word or phrase without using the word itself. It’s a fun game - for Americans. For non-native speakers, it’s a little bit frustrating because it’s full of American cultural references. Honestly, “tailgate party” is not a phrase you’ll hear in the rest of the world. Our Australian friend (who shall remain nameless to protect the innocent) got stuck with that one. Here’s what emerged:

“Someone is following me. I’m in a car and he’s really close. He’s following me. [pause] Someone is following close behind my car but it’s ok…we’re having fun. It’s a good time!”

None of us guessed what it was, but when the answer was revealed we laughed hard and long. Tailgate party - of course! Such a creative explanation. Yay!

In another game I’m playing 40x365, I wrote today about someone whom I had almost entirely forgotten, but whose influence has certainly carried over into my adult life. I can so clearly remember Mary Alice’s design studio - I loved examining all the stuff she had pinned up to her idea board, and the rows of yarn in all the colors and textures available to her. It was bright in her space and always interesting. Mary Alice herself was unflaggingly cheerful and enthusiastic, which I girlishly assumed was the result of getting to spend time in such a great room. Even now, I try to keep my room bright and full of inspiring things.