Every year at Christmastide my sister and I keep the universe in good working order.  By playing Scrabble.

You see, we both love words and are well-matched in talent, vocabulary, muscular coordination, and tolerance for – umm – creative vocabulary.  We follow the laws of Scrabble.  We make the most of every premium square.  No proper names allowed, but we may, in a pinch, resort to some improper nomenclature. And so librarian and history professor lock horns three times per Christmas season.

The outcome is ontologically reassuring.  Continue reading →