Saturday, May 4, 2013

Throwing Down & Picking Up



Whenever you fall, pick something up.  ~Oswald Avery

Do you remember Pick-Up-Sticks? I used to love it as a child, did you? This game is almost as old as humanity, starting perhaps in China, where the sticks were made of ivory. Then on to the Native Americans, who played it with straws of wheat. This particular game we are playing with Ella is Jackstraws, which is an older name for the game. I liked this version because it is not just sticks, but miniature items. There are lots of different kinds in the stores now.


"He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah."
Ephesians 2

34 comments:

Bobbie said...

I used to love pick up sticks! This game looks like fun!

Annie Jeffries said...

Wow, the look of the game sure has changed.

Shug said...

Pick up sticks ...... Oh my, how I do remember them. We played with them all the time.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I have played countless games of pick-up sticks,but mine were the simple straight sticks. The ones you are showing would probably be harder to do.

Arti said...

I have never played with them. Looks pretty interesting though!
Have a lovely day Ginny :)

Chatty Crone said...

I have played pick up sticks - but they did not look like that! lol

Why is it so much easier to make a mess and harder to clean up?

sandie

Jeanne said...

Havent seen pick up sticks for many years. Glad to hear a little history of the game!

From the Kitchen said...

Loved this game as a child--almost as much as jacks!
Thanks for the information today. I do seem to have a knack for picking up places around there with just a smidgen of photographic information. I think it's because I love being there and drink in everything possible. The "sisters" are in bed. They leave in the morning. After I take a long, restful nap, I'll miss them.

Best,
Bonnie

Anonymous said...

I do remember , always fun!

Linda said...

I used to love playing Pick up Sticks! Great childhood memories here.

Anonymous said...
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DawnTreader said...

We had it too I think... Or maybe it was at my grandparents' house. Anyway I rememember playing it. (Wooden sticks.)

MadSnapper said...

well I learned something new today, Pick up sticks was my favorite game, i could play it by myself or with my brother. had no idea they come in different things like this. the macro in the header, i thought they were BIG and wondered what they were, now i see. i really should wander through the toy aisle some time and see what is happening now.

Reanaclaire said...

Yes, I played with the pickupsticks before.... must be real careful... so nowadays it is called throwing down and picking up? the sticks seem different too...

Ruth Kelly said...

Truly, I remember pick-up-sticks but they didn't have the fun rack ends, etc. that the new ones have.

Filip and Kristel said...

When I see your pictures back, I remember I also played this as a kid.

Greetings,
Filip

Beverly said...

Good morning, Ella.

Tamago said...

I don't remember playing this game. I remember we played similar game to Jenga though.
These sticks look colorful and fun :-)

Kerrie said...

Yes, I sure do remember! My Mom used to play with my brother and me. ♥

S. Etole said...

My brother and I used to play this.

Rose said...

I hate to admit this, but I don't ever remember playing pick up sticks.

Marie said...

I remember pick up sticks, but these look totally different. :) It's nice to see kids playing with fun, simple toys. :)

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I don't remember playing with pick up sticks. I must have missed out. Didn't buy them for my kids, either!

Rajesh said...

Wonderful game.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I used to have this versions where the sticks were in this plastic cylinder and had marbles sitting on top of them. As you pulled out sticks all the marbles had the potential to fall. It was really nervewrecking!

Mary Bergfeld said...

It was a favorite way to spend some time when I was a child. It is sometimes amazing to think how simple our pleasures use to be. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

This is a fun game!

Anni said...

I did not KNOW the history of the game. And even made of ivory of all things! Wow. Yes, I used to play this with our kids, and enjoyed it. Thing is I'd get so into concentrating, any little noise would distract me and make me jump out of my own skin.

Glad you enjoyed the Purple Gallinule bird that I posted this week.

Ann said...

Oh yes, I used to play that game a lot. Of course mine were just plain old sticks

LV said...

Yes, I have played with them many times. In fact, I had a very nice set of the old version, and gave them to my granddaughter.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

thanks for the memory. I do remember pick up sticks...fun!

momto8 said...

I remember pick up sticks! I bought some at a discount store a few yrs ago for my kids and they were too flimsy to play, and this was after I told them all of these wonderful stories about the game!

SquirrelQueen said...

Pick up Sticks was one of my favorite childhood games. I had no idea they came in different shapes now. I'm glad to see kids are still enjoying such a simple toy.

Small Kucing said...

i remembered plating these during my school days....that time we dont have these colorful sticks but we used our pencils.

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