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|Editor's Pick
8.8 | Very Good
Econolodge Woodstock
Hospitable Woodstock (Ont.) hotel with well-equipped rooms, free breakfast & free parking
- Free amenities: Wi-Fi, breakfast and parking
- According to several guests, the staff were attentive, thoughtful and pleasant
- The rooms were clean and quiet, said several reviewers
- The location was convenient to restaurants and provided easy access to the city of London, according to several guests
- Some guests thought the prices were affordable
- The beds were comfortable, said some reviewers
- A few guests complained about a noisy air conditioning unit
- A couple reviewers felt breakfast had a limited selection
- No elevator
Free Breakfast
Free Parking
Updated Feb 11, 2015
Show Sources
8 out of 10 | Verified Guest stayed July 07, 2013
"The lady on check in was rather confusing especially with the parking, was going to give me a parking pass then didnt. The young girl who worked later in the day and the next morning was EXCELLENT. She had hurt herself playing baseball but was still very helpful and most pleasant and was very informative."
7 out of 10 | Rob stayed May 26, 2013
"Pre-Race Stay"
"Stayed here for the night before the Woodstock triathlon. The staff were great, very helpful and even arranged for us to check out a couple of hours late so that we could shower after the race."
9 out of 10 | Rosemary stayed May 26, 2013
"A Most Pleasant Surprise"
"My stay at the Graham St. Econolodge in Woodstock, ON., was one of the most pleasant hotel experiences I've ever had. The staff were friendly and kind, the room was very clean and neat as a pin, and the location was perfect: next to two beautiful parks and also right around the corner from the main street with its quaint shops and cafes. My elderly dog was welcomed, and the amenities were great: coffee maker, microwave, fridge, iron, ironing board, TV, desk, and even a night light in the bathroom. I was in town taking a course and didn't know anyone; my comfortable stay at Econolodge helped me relax and really enjoy myself. I have recommended it to my colleagues as a place to stay for our next course. Thanks to all the staff for a great stay. :)"
9 out of 10 | Mark stayed March 23, 2013
"Great value, excellent service"
"Michelle at the front desk is exceptional, thanks for a great stay."


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CADET Meeting in Caribou
Its been six years since the city of Caribou had a town meeting to discuss the growing issue of drug abuse in their community. The community has once again come together to look at how the issue has been addressed and what vital role youth have played in taking this issue head on. Newsource 8 Reporter Shawn Cunningham is there.
Category: News

subset: commoncrawl


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I will survive
In the aftermath of what seemed like a life-shattering breakup at the time, I would belt out Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." I still have the song on my very eclectic workout playlist, and the other day I found myself shouting the lyrics and building up the tenacity to deal with another man in my life. This one weighs roughly 40 pounds and he's not breaking my heart, but he breaks plenty of other things: Window blinds, flower pots, wire whisks from the kitchen (he likes to bend anything that is the least bit malleable), big chunks of my hair and his sisters' hair off the scalp when in the throes of a titanic tantrum, toys, windshields (he did this with his head and was not injured in the least – thank God! Don't ask. The car was parked in the driveway lest you think he was cruising around without a carseat in the front), etc., etc.
I'm supposed to be working on his birthday letter. Our little bruiser recently turned 3, but I'm spending too much time avoiding unidentifiable flying objects he has hurled in my direction to work on anything productive, and I'm afraid the letter will turn into a collection of grievances against the poor guy. I keep telling myself, "This too shall pass." This mantra has always helped me get through rough parenting patches, but right about now, I find myself editing the phrase and gritting my teeth while thinking something like this: "This sure as heck better pass soon before I have a nervous breakdown or do something I'll regret."
Of course, there are tender moments when my sweet, little man cuddles close, but even his kisses and hugs are fueled with boy-power. I've had to remonstrate with him repeatedly to not hang on my neck when he hugs me because he's pulled so hard, I've felt sharp jabs of pain.
We recently went to the beach to see my husband's grandparents, and Thomas just kept asking, "When are we going to go home? Tomorrow?" He clearly wasn't digging the change of scenery. He refused to nap, was sweaty with heat and exhaustion, and cried when sand got in his shoes and cried if we took his shoes off. He screamed when he was happy, and he screamed when he was sad. Dealing with his mercurial moods was completely exhausting.
Upon our return, a friend of mine first asked him, "What did you do at the beach, Thomas?"
"I got crabs!" he shouted.
The crustacean kind, of course.
After we all had a good laugh, I told her he had been ready to come home after a day away, so she queried, "Thomas, do you like the beach or home better?"
"Home!" he shouted.
My little boy craves routine and is definitely a homebody. When I take him to library storytime, he's as still as can be and clings to my lap like a barnacle. But at home, he turns into the Incredible Hulk and plows from room to room leaving destruction or teary, melodramatic sisters in his wake.
My normal discipline strategies aren't working, probably because I am so exasperated and tired from it all that I am not very consistent. The boy who once fell asleep so easily so long as I was beside him both at bedtime and for naps now pinches my nose and throws books around the room when I try to settle him down. The other day I was desperate for him to nap, so I finally held the door shut while he threw every possible toy at the door and screamed for 30 minutes straight. One day recently I actually did get him to sleep. It only took me two hours of cajoling him and putting him back into his bed. By the time he fell asleep, it was nearly time for me to pick up his sisters, and I was too worn out to get anything done, so I sat on the couch and cried.
It's a terrible combination: A tired mama and an even more tired toddler.
Yes, this little man in my life is making me cry and cling to Gloria Gaynor's words: "It took all the strength I had just not to fall apart."
The saving grace is that he is the difficult one now. Madeline (my almost 10-year-old) is at that golden age where she's helpful (for the most part, although her room looks like a disaster zone) and loves to be in my company. Rachel (7) and Mary E. (5) are getting along much better than they have in the past. Last year Thomas was easy, but I was having difficulties and stressing out over another child. God really doesn't give me more than I can handle. Sometimes it just feels like it, but I've rarely been in a place where all my children were going through challenging developmental stages.
And I know that it is now – when books like When Your Child Drives You Crazy clutter my nightstand – that the most growth is going to happen within me.
Moms, don't be (too) weary if you're traveling down a difficult path right now in your parenting journey. Don't wonder if you're the only one who finds a newborn baby, a toddler, a preschooler, a 6-year-old, a tween, a teenager, a young adult, a grown child, a special-needs child, a girl, a boy, whatever difficult to mother. Because you're not the only one. Wherever you're at and whatever you've been given right now is probably the hardest for you. Maybe that's the point. What would be easy for you may not be the best for you.
If God is trying to prune us and sanctify us through the vocation of parenthood, then it makes sense that He gives us just the kind of children we need – the kind who will push our buttons and throw us down to our knees and force us to realize that we cannot, absolutely cannot, do this on our own. We need good girlfriends we can vent to. We need spouses or other loved ones to lean on. We need community. We need to take care of ourselves to better take care of those entrusted to us. And we need faith. Faith is what makes our weakness – whether it's spiritual, physical, or emotional – stronger. We have to have faith that this will pass, that we will survive.
Sometimes we have to simply show up – and to stay put once we've arrived even if every part of us is screaming to just go, escape, get the heck out of there before you or your child really loses it.
These are the kind of things I have to tell myself day after day right now as I try to figure out this rambunctious, toddler boy thing out.
I openly admit that I don't have it all together. I have done things I regret. I haven't always been gentle and firm. I've given up on God many times.
There are moments when I feel like my toddler is winning, but then I remind myself this isn't a war. This isn't about who is right or the most stubborn or the most in control. It is about love – the kind that sometimes really, really hurts to give. No, it's not a war, but there is fighting. I have to keep on fighting to give of myself, to trust that a child who has started to pull our dog's tail is not destined for juvenile delinquency. I have to fight to forgive myself and my boy when we reveal our raw humanness. At some point or another, we are all scared and tired moms who keep fighting. We are burnt out moms who are overwhelmed by keeping up with laundry and wayward tots or teens all day long, but we keep fighting and giving.
A mother doesn't have superhero powers or even super patience. A mother is just a person – a woman like you or me – but she does super-amazing things. She is the woman with people in her care whom she loves and sometimes wonders how she loves them because they are driving her absolutely crazy. Yet, she still does love them. She gives, she fights, prays, and works. She shows up day after day for what sometimes can feel like a thankless or even pointless job. And it's in this showing up minute after minute, hour after hour, day after day that just may make a mother a saint.
It took all the strength I had
not to fall apart
Recycled Series: Hobbies, Help, & Discernment
{The post below is part of my Recycled Series.}
I have a sweet friend who is in the throes of parental discernment and is agonizing (well, she's not actually one to agonize over anything; she's much more grounded than I, but this has been a tough decision for her) over a decision she needs to make for her child. She reached out to me because she knows I understand. Oh, do I ever. She asked me for words of wisdom. Words started gushing out (poor thing will probably never again ask me for pearls of wisdom since she's buried beneath an avalanche of quasi-wisdom right about now), and then I slowed down long enough to search my archives for a time I wrote about being faced with a difficult decision. This post is from 2011. Three years ago I was discerning about homeschooling specifically. I am still discerning. I'm not sure I'll ever stop the discernment process, and that's probably a good thing. This year two kids will be going to our parochial school, and two will remain home with me (one who is school-age).
It is funny how things have changed since I first wrote this post. Thomas is an active 2-year-old. The hobby I was most passionate about (running) has had to be put on the back burner because of an injury, and now would you believe it?
But I digress… The hobby I am really into these days is coloring. Nearly very morning the kids and I sit down to draw and color. I bought my own set of rainbow markers (since kids around here forget to put the caps on and markers tend to dry out too quickly). I specialize in bubble art like this:
I can't get enough of it. It's ridiculously calming. I have this need to create – perhaps because this is the first time in over a decade that I am not pregnant and/or nursing. My extended breastfeeding nursling weaned in December. Thomas self-weaned shortly before then. Oddly enough, I did have a major letdown the other day. My body just keeps on producing that miraculous cream that made me some fat babies.
No babies, but I am making lots of lots of bubble art. It's been a simple but fruitful hobby because it is intrinsically rewarding, which is good for a person like me who has spent so much of her life seeking external pats on the back.
What else has changed? There's sadly no more Faith & Family Podcast. I sure do miss regularly chatting to those amazing women. On the bright side, right now I don't feel particularly burned out (yay!) even though we are quickly approaching a very busy time of year, and my to-do list is quite lengthy. Sure, we have rough days. My book club recently read Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption (I highly recommend it),and I joked that Louis Zamperini could handle starvation, abuse, and other abject suffering, and it took one day for my kids to break me. Motherhood does indeed wear me out sometimes, but it also gives me ample joy. I even feel almost at peace with our educational decision. This is progress.
Anyway, in honor of my friend and all the moms out there who are struggling to make a decision or who are perhaps wondering if any other mom out there gets burned out or doesn't know what to do as far as school or whatever, this post from the past is for you. You're not alone.
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean on the Faith & Family Podcast. I always look forward to these conversations because I walk away feeling empowered and encouraged. I learn so much from these wise, faithful women. I hope you will, too.
On this particular episode we talked about hobbies and the importance of downtime for moms and for their children. Then we moved on to asking for help and why so many of us moms have such a hard time accepting assistance from others. We also briefly touched upon how what might be helpful to one person – let's say occasional help with the littles like I've recently solicited – might not be the best fit for you.
We ran out of time before I could stress the importance of looking at your own needs and limitations and determining what would help you be the most joyful mom. That's why I've had to ask for help. I was missing out on some of the joy of being a mom. The chaos and exhaustion was leaving me completely depleted. I'd have a good day perhaps (or even a perfect week at the beach), but then I'd be back to feeling overwhelmed.
I haven't been writing about some of my recent struggles much because I'd rather not focus on the gook and because there are (almost) always rifts of light breaking through darkness. All that said, I've had some tough moments in the trenches of motherhood over the past few months.
The beach gave me respite. And, yes, there was grace. There always is. But there was also more sleep on vacation. Upon our return, my dad and I were joking and started singing, "Amazing Sleep. How great thou art." Forget the grace. Give me a night of uninterrupted sleep when none of the littles cry out or jab me in the ribs (or jab me in utero), and I'll be one gloriously happy (and gentle) mama.
A month or so ago there was one night where I cried to my own mama that I just wasn't enjoying motherhood like I once did. I hesitate to make this admission; it feels hopeless or selfish or annoying or something bad to say something so negative about the most sublime vocation of all. Yet, I believe most moms have been there – when our spirits feel crushed and our kids, while we know they are blessings and we love them like mad, feel like burdens that we just don't feel strong enough (or well-rested enough) to shoulder.
Maybe there are some moms who haven't ever felt that way – God bless you! However, one of the hallmark symptoms of burnout in my own mothering life is a lack of joy in being a mom.
When mothering stops being fun, something is amiss. When you feel like all you do is serve your family instead of enjoy them, something is amiss.
Sure, being a mom is exhausting, challenging, and requires ample self-donation, but it's also supposed to bring you joy. It's not supposed to suck all the happiness out of you. When the joy seems out of reach, you're probably burnt out or depressed or not carrying His yoke or not following His will – or a combination of all these things. At least this has been my own experience. I probably shouldn't speak for others. We all have signs and symptoms that suggest something is out of whack spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and/or physically.
I remember another dark night when I was crying to my husband and I questioned why I couldn't handle things the way others mothers could (or the way I thought they could), and he reassured me that I was not weak. He reminded me of the ages of my children. He reminded me of the demanding nature of his work that meant I was frequently on my own in the parenting trenches. He reminded me of my own temperament. I was not less holy than other moms. I was me with my own life, interior struggles, and children with unique personalities. I needed to give myself a break. I needed to make decisions based on what would help me – not somebody else – to be a more joyful mom. And to always, always remember that what is important is what is good for me, not just what is simply good.
Having college students come in a few times a week to play with the kids while I write or rest or just grocery shop alone has been a real blessing. But I've needed to reassess some other things, too. During the podcast, I feel like I kept throwing the word "homeschooling" out there – like I was testing it out for the first time. ("My babysitter was homeschooled," I threw out there. Um, your point is? Actually, she mentioned her mom was feeling burntout, but she's been at it for 17 years!!! I can't imagine that.) Never mind I began researching homeschooling before I was even pregnant when I worked on-staff at a parenting publication. With Lisa and Danielle, I also briefly mentioned that I'd recently been discerning homeschooling and reevaluating if this really was the right calling for my family or just some ideal I wanted to live up to because I felt like it would somehow make me holier or more like Mrs. So-and-So whom I admire greatly and see as the paragon of piety. (I know it's not all about me; it's about my family, and I have to stop focusing so much on what I can and can't do, etc.) Homeschooling is good – very good – for a lot of families, but it may not be so good for other people. The question right of the moment is: Is it good for me, for our family, right now? I've been asking that question a lot lately.
When my husband started his residency, Madeline wasn't even two yet, but I somehow hooked up with a great group of homeschooling moms (a group called Totus Tuus). Gunner that I am, I went ahead and joined their homeschooling co-op, not because Madeline needed immense erudition (or any academics; she was learning through experiences and playing; she still is) but because I needed companionship and mom mentors. I was blessed with these things. I met some amazing women. Because I admired them and saw them as holy and wise and women I wanted to be like when "I grew up," I started piecing together this formula for sainthood based on their lives. It went something like this: At least half a dozen kids + homeschooling = near-saintliness.
I can write that now and see how limited my formula was. There are plenty of women whom I admire for their kindness and faith and mothering aptitude who don't homeschool, never did homeschool, and likely never will. Nor do they bring forth enough children to field a baseball team (my awesome mom being one of them). Then there are people who are called to the single life (my godmother being one) who serve others differently than I do. I have a wide range of friends who inspire me by living beautiful, peaceful, and holy lives, but the way they do that varies greatly.
Then there are the miscellany of saints: knights, hermits, nuns, mothers, intellectuals, farmers. That's what I have to keep reminding myself: That it's not following some prescribed formula that will guarantee living a grace-filled, joyful, and Godward life. God calls us all to holiness but in different ways. It's recognizing that God has a unique plan for me and then bending my own will and desire to try to follow it. It's not doing what others do or don't. It's not trying to live up to some ideal I've created in my perfectionist psyche. It's taking a deep breath, praying, facing my own limitations, asking myself (over and over): How can Katie Wicker become the best version of the person God created her to be?
So, yes, I've been discerning sending my oldest to school. Actually, discerning isn't really the right word. That would suggest some balance and a certain level of emotional and spiritual maturity that I seem to be lacking right about now. What I've really been doing is agonizing over it. I've started biting my nails again. I wake up almost every single night to start weighing the pros and cons. I've consulted homeschooling friends and non-homeschooling friends (thank you, Kris, Dorian, Nana, and Julie K.). I've met with the principal and office staff of our local parochial school. I've visited a Montessori school. I've talked and talked and talked to my husband and my parents. I've cried buckets of tears, feeling like I'll amount to a BIG, FAT failure if I quit homeschooling just because I'd made some silly promise to myself to stick with it. (Please note: I do not think anyone else is a failure if they never homeschool or decide to quit homeschooling. I only hold myself to these ridiculous standards. Like so many women, I am by far my own worst critic.)
My dad recently told me jumping into cold water is never easy because it's going to be jarring. It's going to take awhile to get used to it. "No matter what decicion you make," he said, "It may not feel great or 'right' at first."
But he and a good friend also reminded me I'm not making some permanent, lifelong decision. We can decide something for today and then prayerfully change our minds tomorrow.
It's just that I want to be comfortable. I want my kids to be comfortable. I don't want any of us to feel any aftershocks or to feel like we should have never jumped into the water in the first place.
But I no longer want to feel like I'm always treading water either, just barely keeping my head above the surface.
What I do want is the perfect education for my child – one that's flexible, brimming with faith, enlivens her natural curiosity, gives her time to run and be wild as is her nature but also plenty of time to be with her sisters and her mommy and daddy. Can someone please start a Catholic Montessori school in my area? Oh, that would be an absolute dream come true. So long as we're talking wish lists, I also want a toddler who starts napping again like she used to for two blissful hours each day and a preschooler who doesn't fall apart in the afternoon and use her hands to hit rather than her words to speak. I want my oldest to be happy, to thrive. I want my whole family to thrive – myself notwithstanding.
How do I make that happen? I don't. Not on my own, anyway. It's not all on me or up to me. Still, there are decisions I need to make along with my husband.
Madeline recently attended an all-day camp, and my gregarious girl did thrive off all the perpetual activity and interaction with others. I missed her tremendously, but I admit I also enjoyed the slower pace I kept with my little ones. So that got me seriously thinking about school. (I'd considered it before, but I'd always quickly pushed it aside and been fairly content with our decision to homeschool.) I don't like busy work, but this busy bee of mine might be happy with busy work. She's certainly happy keeping busy. All. Of. The. Time.
People who know my big girl well said she'd love the school setting. I know they're probably right. But what about our family as a whole? What is best for us? How will I be able to squeeze any school in with a 2-year-old, 4-year-old, 6-year-old, and newborn? Am I trying to do too much? At the start of our first year of homeschooling, the answer was definitely a yes. I look back at the ridiculous grid I created with every block of time mapped out. There would be weekly tea parties, daily narrations a la Charlotte Mason, picture study, afternoons listening to classical music, poetry Fridays, arts and craft time, weekly chunks set aside to immerse ourselves in nature. Have we done some of these things? Oh yes! But on a weekly basis? Ha. No way.
We've had some really good days lately. Very, very good days, in fact. Yet, I haven't been worried about schooling at all. We're taking a break. So it's easy to blame homeschooling for my feelings of being overwhelmed since I've felt the joy of motherhood again not having to have that stupid grid taunt me about everything I didn't accomplish.
Gosh, it feels good to just enjoy your kids and to not have any shred of anxiety about if they're learning enough. Life is learning. I've always believed that, but I try to cram too much into life too often. There's often no room for learning, just rushing. Or at least that's the way I sometimes feel lately.
I'm dreaming of meeting our newest baby. He/she kicks. I feel a thud inside that's getting stronger by the day, and I know it won't be long. My midwife says given my history of premature dilation, I'll likely have this baby in nine or ten weeks. I smile. My hand drifts to my belly. Then I panic. I'm barely treading water now, remember. How in the world am I going to take care of all these littles and educate my oldest while still squeezing in some ABC time for my preschooler? I start to consider unschooling – how beautiful, how simple! But Type Aers like me don't know how to unschool. We don't know how to UN-anything.
My goal for this pregnancy has been to avoid the bedrest sentence I had to answer to my previous two pregnancies; yet, sometimes I find myself pining for time spent in the horizontal position (providing the baby would still come out not too early and be perfectly healthy). Of course, I know if I am put on bedrest, I'll be kicking myself for ever thinking that I wanted to to be on my side all daylong watching others manage my home and feeling helpless when my little ones needed their mama.
Where am I at now? After many prayers and tears and nail-biting and long talks with my amazing, supportive husband, we've decided to homeschool for at least one more year but to really, really take a good, long hard look at the parochial school in our area and if it might be a positive possibility for our family down the road as well as the explore and weigh all of our options. And as my husband keeps reminding me: Aren't we so lucky to have options? I admit, too, that hearing my oldest break into sobs at the thought of having to leave the newborn baby (Madeline could hold babies all daylong; this is one activity that does seem to keep her still) did have a bit of influence on our decision.
So I've dipped my toe into the water. It is cold. It's dark. I don't know what's beneath the surface. I'm scared. Terrified, really. I don't know how a fourth baby is going to affect our homeschooling rhythm. I've never liked schedules; I've always preferred to have a rhythm to our day. But it's felt out of whack lately, and we don't even have a little, wakeful newborn around here yet.
Still, I feel better now that a decision has been made. My nails are growing a tad longer again.
As for parenting joy, I'm happy a lot of the times. I do notice all the little yet remarkable things that make mothering such a gift. I do love writing journal entries to my girls where I pause and tell them about the details of our days, what I notice about them at that moment in their growing and changing life. However, I'm not going to pretend that I don't feel overwhelmed a lot, too. Is it just me? I'm tempted to think so, but that's foolish. Most moms are overwhelmed at certain points of their lives. Maybe we have different stressors and triggers, but this all-consuming mothering gig brings us to our knees, doesn't it? We can't do it alone. I have to stop trying so hard to just that.
I also have to make a daily downtime a requirement. My 2-year-old has stopped napping, but I'm making daily quiet time for all of us – even Hopping Cricket Madeline – non-negotiable. (This was something I'd once been very strict about, but it had fallen by the wayside since we moved last summer.) So much of my restlessness is rooted in my stubborn refusal to rest. I'm grateful for the amazing summer babysitter we have right now who paints outside with my kids and sprays them off with the hose and gives them messy moments that their hot and tired and very pregnant mama just can't say yes to right now. I'm grateful for any rest I can get. (But I don't really want to be on bedrest. Not that it's my choice.)
I'm also reminding myself that my worth and measure as a mom, a Catholic, a wife, and simply human being is not dependent on any particular decision I make for my children. As far as homeschooling is concerned, I'm taking it year by year, child by child. That's always been my motto. And right now I'm focusing on my daily plan, my daily graces, and my daily trust. Give us this day our daily bread. No marathon running for me at this season of my life (metaphorically or not). Baby steps. Small steps walked at my own pace with my own gait. Slow and steady. Grab the grace, a friend recently tweeted to me. Grabbing fistfuls of it now.
A letter to my younger, new mom self
(As always, please forgive any mental gaffes, typos, etc. below. I wrote this very quickly with ample distraction!)
My baby brother, who is actually only 18 months younger than I am but will always be my baby brother, and his beautiful wife just welcomed their first baby into their lives and the world.
Meet sweet Ellyn Jane and the proud, new daddy.
Ellyn was born on Pentecost Sunday, so she is in good company as far as birthdays go. She's also my goddaughter and first niece. Nine-year-old Madeline used to complain about only having furry cousins since there are some cats and dogs in the extended family, but Ellyn's debut marks the arrival of the very first first cousin. The kids haven't met her yet and weren't too happy with the hospital policy of no kids under 12 (unless they are siblings of the baby) being allowed the visit. I was talking about how cute Ellyn was, and Madeline said, "Don't rub it in."
As I held her, my eyes pricked with tears, and I couldn't help but remember the day I became a mother and held my first tiny treasure in my arms. Dave and I laughed about how excited he became when a geyser of thick meconium bubbled out of Madeline's butt. "She works!" he exclaimed.
She did work, and so did I. The mothering thing wasn't as impossible as I might have thought. Of course, I can say that now. I can also say that yes, I did sleep again, but there was a long stretch of time when I thought sleep was a luxury I'd never again enjoy (my firstborn was a complete insomniac and to this day has the energy of a hummingbird). I can say now that I should have sometimes slept when the baby slept, but I hated it when people told me to sleep when she was taking a short snooze. I didn't want to just be a feeding machine and a catnapper. There was more to life. Wasn't there? Yes. I can say that now, too. I can say a lot of things. That babies bring joy, but they bring a whole mix of other emotions as well.
After my first, I was fortunate to be basking in baby bliss. I remember experiencing a sort of mania and baking banana bread the first day I arrived home from the hospital. I remember this because a wise relative gently advised me that I might want to take it easy and warned that I might hit a wall. I poo-poohed her advice. I felt great! I had a baby! I was a mother! Life was grand! I was one of those weird. new moms, I suppose, who was deluded into thinking those happy, endorphins would last forever (trust me, I was not this way postpartum with all my babies). But, in fact, I didn't end up hitting the wall until my baby was around six months old and still waking to nurse about every 45 minutes. But still. I was so happy. I was a mom! (I repeated that a lot in that first year or two because sometimes it still seemed surreal after two years of waiting and wondering when I would join that elite crowd of mothers). It would take a subsequent child to discover the darkness of postpartum depression and to become mired in sadness and guilt because I wasn't overcome with joy. But with my first – maybe because it took longer to conceive than I'd hoped or thought would be my reality – I was very, very happy.
But beneath the joy, there was something else less rosy. Fear. I was terribly afraid that if I didn't do everything right, I would mess up this beautiful child of mine. This wasn't just a plant I might forget to water (I have a bad track record with green things). This was a human soul, a vessel of hopes and dreams, and she was entrusted to anxious, quirky, and imperfect me. I could do so much damage. I could inflict so much pain. If she didn't bloom, it would absolutely be my fault even if it wasn't. Because it's not a mother's fault if her baby isn't gaining the right amount of weight while breastfeeding or if the child doesn't meet her milestones right on schedule. We moms blame ourselves for a lot of things that aren't really all that much in our control. On the flip side, we sometimes take credit for things that have little to do with us and everything to do with our children's natural bend and God.
If I could write a letter to my new mother self, I'd tell me to lighten up, to cuddle more and to worry less, to not feel guilty for longing for a break from the never-ending cycle of feeding, sleeping, and changing diapers. I'd praise myself for giving my best, and I remind myself that forgiveness is a beautiful gift and you start receiving its fruits by forgiving yourself for when you fall short as a mother or a friend or a wife. I'd remind myself that a lot of things – dare I say most things? – aren't really the parents' fault, especially if the child is born to parents who worry that everything will be their fault. If you're anxious or worried or afraid or full of remorse after you yelled at your child or walked away from your screaming baby just because you needed to collect yourself and breathe normally for five seconds, then you're probably a good enough parent. Oh, I'd have a lot to say, actually, so I'll say some of it now for my sister-in-law and for my brother, too, and for any mother who is waiting on the eve of first-time motherhood.
Dear Katie,
Congratulations! Your baby is beautiful. She's also a lot less fragile than you might think. You're not going to break her (although she will break a few of her bones all on her own years from now and it will break your heart, but she will survive and so will you). Have fun with her! Don't take mothering so seriously! She loves it when you act goofy (and even when she gets older and starts rolling her eyes at you, she still like it when you are goofy and pretend to be Roger Coopahoo). Yes, she's a beautiful, little girl, but you might want to stop putting her in those frilly frocks. Seriously. Aside from the fact that those buttons are ridiculously small, and you're tired, and your little model is wiggly and you're just wasting your precious energy dressing her up like a doll, your daughter is going to grow up hating the color pink and wanting to play soccer. She's going to cry at ballet class because it's just not her thing but break into a nonstop grin when she finds her way to a soccer field (she's inching closer to the ten-mark and still hasn't stopped grinning when she's outside with a spread of grass and a ball). She's going to ask for a pirate party in lieu of a princess party. But she will be no less beautiful. She's going to make you laugh and beam when she smiles and jokes around and when others tell you that she's such a nice girl. She will always be a princess to you as will her sisters, and her brother will be just as cherished and special. There's somehow always enough love to go around, although it would be nice if you had a few more arms.
While we're on the subject of beauty, you know what? You're beautiful, too. You may not see it now. Yes, you're redolent of Eau du Breastmilk, and I do believe that's a streak of diaper ointment in your hair, and WARNING: That is NOT a drop of green smoothie sliding down your arm so do not even think of licking it, but you possess a new kind of beauty. It doesn't matter that you haven't lost your baby weight or that everything has shifted. Be patient and kind to yourself, will you? You just grew a human being in your body, brought her into the world, and now you're in charge of meeting all of her basic needs. Cut yourself some slack. Look in the mirror. Do you see the beauty? This is the kind of beauty that has little to do with aesthetics and nothing to do with how well you fit into your skinny jeans. That baby of yours looks to you for her every need and even when it would be easier to run and hide or at least put a pillow over your head and cry in exasperation (it's perfectly okay that you do that from time to time, you know), you are there to meet her needs. When she cries, your total body responds. Even when she bawls for no apparent reason and you walk aimlessly around the house drunk with exhaustion gently jiggling her in your aching arms, you are there for her. Are you not aware of your power to nurture and to love? There you are, looking beyond yourself, your own needs and wants, and the outer shell of chic hair and curves, and you're catching a glimpse of what it means to truly give of yourself. And that, dear Mother, is what makes you perfectly lovely.
Oh, Mama, I know you sometimes mourn your old life (and then feel terribly guilty for doing just that). I know you sometimes feel shut out from the world and powerless, especially when your arms, your milk, nothing can make that sweet baby stop crying, and just wait until baby three comes along and cries every day from 8 pm to 1 am unless you're nursing or holding her and walking endlessly whispering, "Shhh, shhh," when you really want to be screaming, "Will you please shut up?" It's not easy. No. The people who say being a mother is easy have forgotten or they outsourced the tough work or they had children far different than your wonderful but spirited ones. It's in the hard parts that you really become aware of what you're made of. Mom, you are stronger because of that child. Your arms no longer ache quite as much as they used to when you carry her for hours at end, do they? And did you ever think lover-of-sleep-that-you-are that you would be able to survive on this little shut-eye? You may not be running marathons any longer, but you better believe you're an endurance athlete.
But let me tell you this, too. You NEED to understand this and embrace this: It's okay if that baby cries a little. You will not ruin her. You are so afraid – so desperately, absurdly afraid – that if you don't jump and respond to even the briefest bleat, your mother-daughter bond will break, and it will your fault if she ever has any inner demons to confront. What you are really afraid of was that if you don't do everything right, she might end up with a drug addiction like someone you love very much.
Stop being so afraid. You know how you trusted that your body would know what to do during labor and lo and behold, it did? You've got to start trusting now. You've got to relinquish control. There are no guarantees in anything you do as a parent. No parent can save her child from every ill, from every heartbreak, from shedding tears now and then.
There is no saving embrace – except that of God's.
Nothing is going to hurt my baby. Nothing. That's what you're saying now. That's what all parents say. It's instinct. We want to protect these babies of ours.
But in time, you will see that things hurt your babies all of the time. Sometimes it's even – gasp! – you who's doing the hurting, by gently but firmly saying no to their pleas. There are rainy days when it's supposed to be sunny so you can venture out to the zoo. There are dinners not followed by dessert.
One day, your kids will likely face much bigger disappointments – broken hearts, rejections from colleges and employers, backstabbing friends, missed opportunities, and maybe worse.
There's no escaping it: Pain is a part of the human condition. Welcome to life, kiddos. It's full of disappointments.
The world is chipping away at your children's innocent hearts every day. And yet, as tough as it is for a mother who is designed to love her children fiercely and deeply, guess what? It's not your job to inoculate your children against all the angst of life.
Thomas Paine said, "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly."
And didn't God say something very similar when He sacrificed His only Son for us so that we could have life? One drop of Christ's blood could have saved us all, yet He freely chose to shed every last bit of it. He gave what is beyond sufficient, so that we might recognize the power of sacrificial love. This is also known as tough love, and trust me, it's not easy to dole out, but it is necessary.
Of course, you won't spoil her, either, by carrying her in your arms every waking hour if that's your heart's desire or if your leaky boobs are telling your to nurse her again. Don't listen to all the "experts." You're the expert. God gave that baby to you. If parenting books, articles, blogs, advice from others, etc. make you feel more at peace and better equipped, then seek them out. However, if anything makes you suffer from the slightest twinge of inadequacy, step away and ignore it. While you're at it, don't compare yourself to any other mom, and definitely don't compare your child to another child. Just don't do it. There will be babies who meet milestones more quickly than yours. There will be babies who blissfully start sleeping through the night in a couple of months. There will also be babies who don't seem as good-natured as yours. Don't get smug or jealous. Like your good friend has said, when you compare, no one wins. You either come off feeling like a loser mom to a child with a more challenging temperament, or you get all high and mighty, thinking at least your baby is not as (cranky, demanding, insert negative adjective) as So-and-So's child, and at least you don't wear sweatpants every day.
I know you're tired, but you're trying to convince the rest of the world you're a super mom. Why? Why not just try to accept that you're an imperfect human who depends upon supernatural grace? Don't forget to pray. When you find the hosue dark and quiet, and you are awake with your little insomniac, offer it up, pray that your love will be enough to raise a happy, kind child, but when it's not, that God might fill in the gaps. His light shines the best through your cracks. Remember that. You always try so hard at everything you do, but motherhood isn't some project you can manage if you work hard enough. This quest to be the best is admirable, but it's exhausting, too. It's exhausting to make perfection your goal. It's prideful, too. Remember, what I just told you: You're not in control. That child of yours is going to hold her poop in for 15 days when she's a toddler. The pediatrician will tell you before this happens that it won't be possible, that you and Mr. Miralax will be able to make her poop; yet, despite your dedicated run as a poop doula ("Push, Love! You can do it!"), despite her tears and your own, She. Will. Not. Poop. And one day as you sit in the bathroom for the billionth time that day, you finally throw in the white flag of surrender. You scream in frustration and then you let it go (one day a very popular song with those same lyrics will play over and over in your mininvan, and you'll have to let that go, too). You're not giving up, but you're ready to give up trying to control your daughter or to see her choices as a reflection of your worth as a mother.
Also, you don't have to be as focused on that little one as laser beam – so much so that you forget to do some of the things you love. You read that stupid article in a parenting magazine about how one mom decided to never read a book while nursing because she felt like she wasn't giving her baby her full attention, and you suffered so many pangs of guilt that you stopped reading while nursing for several months even though you'd really enjoyed reading while nursing, and you also started feeling guilty about the long walks you took with the baby in the stroller. Maybe she needed more tummy time. And what would the pediatrician say if she knew you bit her paperthin nails rather than clipping them because you were afraid you might nip the skin, which you spared your first daughter from but you made your second baby bleed and she wailed and so did you, but she still loved you, and she didn't end up emotionally or physically scarred because of your mishap. You know what? Focused attention is important for children, but so is keeping your sanity. Read a damn book when you nurse. Don't worry: you'll read plenty of books with your next three children, and you won't even feel guilty about it. Seriously, you nurse for hours and hours every day. Sometimes you gaze into those sleepy, steel-gray eyes of your little love, but sometimes it's okay to avert your gaze to a book.
And the book doesn't have to be something literary or scholarly either. If you want to read some superficial but fun chick lit, go for it. You have a whole lifetime to share your love for great literature with your children. Same goes for music. There's that strong message from society that need to give our kids a head start. Start playing Mozart while the baby's still in the womb. Pull out the flashcards at birth! Whatever. You have always thought all that push for more activities, stimulation, flash cards, etc. is stupid, but you second guess yourself sometimes because so many moms seem to be enrolling their babies – yes, babies! – in enrichment classes, but the only one who probably really needs the enrichment is the poor parent who is weary of reading books with monosyllabic words. Your baby will be just fine playing with measuring spoons you hand her while you're baking. Listen to The Beatles if you want. And don't even think about buying flashcards. Tell your baby about your day. Point out the little joys around you – see that sunny daffodil, little one. Hear those church bells. Smell that coffee.
Ah, yes, coffee.
You refused to drink it while pregnant and nursing with your first. What if something went wrong? Thankfully, it didn't, but when you lost a baby to miscarriage, do you really think it was your fault? That drinking that one or two cups of coffee in the morning took your baby from you? Of course, give your best. Make smart, healthy choices most of the time. Eat well. Be well. But one glass of wine after you nurse or a cup (or two!) of coffee in the morning are okay.
Oh, and that was nice of you to make the banana bread for all of your visitors when your baby was less than a week old, but it wasn't necessary, and I'm pretty sure a few people thought you were more insane than Martha Stewart-ish. Your baby needs you more than your guests need a homemade breakfast. Your baby needs you more than the furniture needs polishing. Everyone has been telling you that babies grow up so quickly and to enjoy these precious first few months, and you mostly appreciate this wisdom, but sometimes you wish they'd just be quiet. I know, I know. But maybe I'm just a little excited for the next stage! You do enjoy your baby and you take a thousand pictures of her every day (you've taken a fourth of that amount of your fourth child, but he still very much loved), but you also can't wait to not have veiny boobs the size of cantaloupes (just wait, dear, they will soon be back to their small size and you miss the melons a bit). You can't wait to sleep more than three fragmented hours a night. You can't wait to witness your baby's first smile, belly laugh, and toddling steps. Patience has never been your strength. You're always racing ahead. Your enthusiasm for life is wonderful, but slow down a little. It will take the fourth baby to really teach you this. When he arrives, you finally start napping some. You finally feel okay about just sitting around and doing, well, nothing. You finally give yourself permission to pursue things that truly make you happy instead of doing things you think should make you happy or the things you think make you look like an uber mom.
Likewise, it will take a few more kids to reveal to you that you really are a baby person. Some moms don't like that lump stage so much (your husband used to say that newborns are one big, cute GI tract; food goes in and then it goes out), but you love it. Maybe because of its beautiful simplicity. A baby's needs and wants are the same. This can be exhausting, but it's also more straightforward than dealing with older children, and it's more physically taxing than emotionally so. Things get more complicated as that baby grows up and starts exerting her (strong!) will on you and the world. Just wait until she gets older, and you're not sure if she's really thirsty or if that "I need a cup of water" is a ploy to stall bedtime either further. Wait until you can't make her feel better after someone hurts her feelings with just a hug. You'll discover soon enough that you can't kiss away every tear or boo-boo.
Perhaps you also love having a baby around because it gives you an excuse to say no and to accept your limitations. The good news is you get better and better at protecting your primary vocation as a wife and mom and learning to set boundaries and to not say yes to too many commitments outside of the home.
I wish you could have started learning some of these lessons earlier, but you can't force growth. You needed to be pruned, and boy, has motherhood pruned you. There was a lot that had to be cut away – your desire for control, your busy, worker bee mentality, your impossible quest for perfection in your mothering and your children, your stubborn refusal to sleep when a 20-minute power nap would have done wonders for you and your family – so that you could grow, progress, and bear great fruit.
But here I am getting all serious on you. There are few other things you need to know. First off, if your baby is doing something cute and you pull out the camera, she will stop doing it immediately. You will try over and over to get her to do that cute, little thing one more time or to look at you in that wonderful way one more time, and it will not happen – until you put the camera away. Get used to it. It will happen over and over with every single child. Also, that little baby is more portable than you think. Now it's true that she doesn't sleep as much as "normal" babies (filled with fear when your second is born and sleeps all of the time, you call your mom and tell her that you're worried because she sleeps ALL OF THE TIME, but your mom reassures you,"That's what babies are supposed to do." Who knew? You certainly didn't after Madeline was born.) Don't be afraid to go to your favorite coffee shop with your baby in tow or to enjoy a picnic with your husband. There's no need to be holed up at home all of the time.
Oh, and when others offer advice, kindly thank them and then do whatever the heck you want or think is best for your baby and for yourself. That man who went on and on about how fat your baby was and how he ("She," you informed him) looked like a linebacker should not have worried you. You can't nurse a baby too much. That fat, roly-poly baby is now a super-tall, athletic girl, and there's no sign of the Michelin Man in her anymore. And that other person who said your baby needed a hat on because it was cold outside obviously did not see the back of her head, which was sticky with sweat. You're doing just fine. You know your baby well.
And that well-meaning mother who told you you needed to sleep train your baby if you wanted to get any sleep, she shouldn't have made you second-guess yourself. Do you remember the one night you tried to let her cry it out and how it made you fall apart and your boobs felt like achy rocks? Your baby cried; you wanted to respond to her. And so did Daddy. You guys are wimps. Do what your gut – and heart – tell you to do. You enjoy sleeping with your babies (um and kids), and it doesn't matter if others think your marriage must not be as strong as others because you share a family bed. Don't worry about what anyone thinks of you or your parenting choices.
A very practical tip: Stock your car with extra diapers. The "Poopenator" may go through diapers with amazing alacrity. Best to be prepared. An extra wardrobe change is prudent as well and when she gets older, be sure to stock the car with snacks and extra water. Your kids will be the kinds that are always hungry, especially if you have just given them a snack and headed out to run errands.
You don't know everything, but you know a lot more than you think. Remember what I said earlier? You really are the best expert when it comes to your child and how to parent them. And just so you know: You are going to mess up. A lot. Oh, for awhile you get kind of smug. When you were still pregnant with your first, you were at Target, and there was a little boy who kept asking his mom, "Why?" She tried to answer his endless queries until she finally snapped, "I don't know 'why'! Would you stop saying that?" You inwardly winced and thought to yourself, "I will never squash my children's natural curiosity." Ha. Fast forward a few years, and you're pretty sure you've sighed when a child has asked yet another question. "I don't know. Go Google it."
"Mommy, look at this bug!"
It's the fiftieth bug your intrepid bug catcher has captured in the last two minutes as you've attempted to coral everyone at the soccer fields, so you can get everyone home, fed, and bathed before midnight (you're a little like Cinderella and turn not-so-pretty if you don't have any quiet, solo time before midnight), so you don't really look at it and mutter, "Oh wow."
She detects your lack of enthusiasm. The poor bug probably does, too. "Hey, Lady. I might die during this little exhibition. The least you could do is take a good look at my intact awesomeness."
Your daughter isn't as nice as the bug.
So you look a little harder, but it escapes and zips away. "NOW IT'S GONE! NOW I HAVE TO CATCH ANOTHER ONE TO SHOW YOU BEFORE WE GO HOME!"
"No, you don't you say," and you scoop an angry child into your arms and dodge her windmill legs and arms as you stomp over to the car.
Oh, dear mother at Target, I am so, so sorry for judging you!
When your first baby is on the cusp of toddlerhood, you're at a playdate, and you hear a mother tell her child that if he hits again, they will have to leave. The child bops another child on the head. They don't leave. Inside, you're tsking, tsking that poor, weary mother and are convinced you will always be consistent and carry through with discipline. You won't ever spank or yell. You will be gentle but firm. You've got this. But one day you don't. Your husband has been MIA, working long hours. You're recovering from a violent stomach bug. Your 15-month-old has stopped taking even her quick 20 minute naps. She sometimes falls asleep in the car, though, so you decide to take a little drive, hoping she will finally succumb to the Sandman. The little drive turns into a long one. You live in South Carolina. You eventually find yourself in North Carolina. Your little lark is still chirping away, eyes wide open. You park the car, and you start to cry. Then you yell, "Why won't you just go to sleep?" Your child's lower lip begins to tremble, and she starts to cry. She hides her face from you. She's afraid of you. You're an awful mother. Only you're not. You're a human mother. Soon enough you will learn that you do sometimes yell. You don't always dole out compassion when that is exactly what your child needs. You struggle with anxiety and depression but are afraid to admit because, damn it, you should be happy because you are living a charmed life. Sometimes you think every other mom out there never loses her cool, is always gentle and kind, and doesn't ever feel that being a mother is the most wonderful, terrible job in the world. But one day that firstborn of yours will grow up, and she will come up to you and pat you on the back and tell you that you can't do anything to take away her love for her and you don't need to earn her love either. And another child will write you a beautiful, "just because" letter telling you that you are like a flower that everyone wants to be around, and your son will thunk you on the head (affectionately, of course), and your other little girl will tell you that you are very pretty, and you'll feel that maybe just maybe you've done a few things right after all, and maybe just maybe a divine kind of love is glorified through your imperfections.
Just a few more thoughts , new mama. When you're in a rut, remind yourself, "This too shall pass." You will sleep again. You will feel human again. Your child won't always wear diapers, scream at you because you cut her sandwich into rectangles instead of triangles, draw on your walls, pick her nose, etc. It will get easier and harder. No stage of parenthood is simple, but none of it lasts for forever either.
Last but not least, soak up these precious moments with your baby. I know everyone is telling you that, but try to remind yourself that all those people who kind of annoy you by saying that you're going to miss having a baby someday actually are right because a decade from now your youngest will be two, your oldest will be almost 10 going on 30, and you won't have a baby in the house, and your heart will feel a little bit empty. And you'll hold your sweet, new niece, beautiful Ellyn, and you'll start to cry out of joy for the miracle that is her, and out of gratitude for your brother and his wife who are starting their own incredible parenting journey, and there will be some tears thrown in there that are wistful and full of longing. "I want a baby," you'll say out loud, by mistake. Everyone laughs in the room, and you laugh, too, because you know you are blessed to have four beautiful children, but you also know you'll never regret the child you have, but you may find yourself wondering, hoping, dreaming for the child who didn't make it into your arms. You silently tell your ovaries to stop twitching. What will be will be. All you can do is embrace the now. Don't look back, but don't be afraid of a future that might not have what you think you want or need. Yes, your bedtime routine with your first was ridiculous. Remember how you held her hand for hours even when she was three years old? That was a little over-the-top, wasn't it? But make sure when that big girl asks for you to give her a backrub or lay beside her that you do it because one day she will be gone. Poof! Like that. Every baby you will ever have will grow up. There's no stopping it, so just enjoy those sweet children entrusted to you, and always, always remember you are a good enough mom, and one day you'll have a chance to be a good aunt (and God-willing grandmother!).
Babies don't keep, but thankfully the memories do. Now go make some with that baby of yours. You are going to have a great life together!


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The iTunes Shuffle Game
Hope this hasn't been done already. Open your iTunes or comparable music player, put it on shuffle, and post the first ten songs that come up. You can just hit the 'skip' button 10 times to do it quickly. I think this game is kind of fun to see the variations between different people. There is also the potential for embarrassment if one of your "guilty pleasures" shows up. I'll start:
1. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
2. Jungle Boogie - Kool and the Gang
3. Miss Being Mrs. - Loretta Lynn
4. Pablo & Andrea - Yo La Tengo
5. Montell Benson (Mashup) - Go Home Productions
6. Do The Dog - The Specials
7. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - Gil Scott-Heron
8. Here I Am - Al Green
9. Thru (Simon Grey Dub Rework) - Kings Of Tomorrow
10. Wanted Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
1. If 6 Was 9 - Jimi Hendrix Experience
2. Cherokee - Clifford Brown & Max Roach
3. Chaos - Mutemath
4. Reach Out (I'll Be There) - The Four Tops
5. She's Leaving Home - The Beatles
6. My Life - Billy Joel
7. Giant Steps - Buddy Rich
8. Sesame Seeds - Mitch Hedberg
9. Can't Change Me - Chris Cornell
10. Frog.......Secret Agent - 3 Leg Torso
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
ooooh these are always fun!!
When It Rains - Paramore (ok, off to a bad start)
Repressed - Apocalypitca
Nuguns - System Of A Down
Hours Of Wealth - Opeth (Finally, a song I actually listen to.)
Baby - Tenacious D
Perfect - Flyleaf
A Lot Of Nothing V - Coheed And Cambria
Tie My Rope - Children Of Bodom (One of the few songs I like from this band)
Never Enough - Dream Theater
Snowman - Frost*
well I thought it would end up a lot worse.... although I'm disappointed their wasn't any Tony Williams, Miles Davis, Porcupine Tree or The Dave Matthews Band....
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
1) Going Away to College - Blink-182
2) Where The River Goes - STP
3) Cowboy Take Me Away - Dixie Chicks
4) Try, Try, Try - Smashing Pumpkins
5) Man That You Fear - Marilyn Manson
6) Complication - NIN
7) The Metro - System Of A Down
8) Under The Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers
9) What I Got - Sublime
10) The Ballad Of Resurrection - Rob Zombie
Wow. I actually don't listen to much of this anymore! I oughtta prune my playlists...
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
1. Hootie and The Blowfish - Hold my Hand (classic)
2. Tribute to Wes Montgomery - Bock to Bock
3. Korn - Blind
4. Gimagua - El Carretero (These guys were playin in a NYC subway and i bought their CD...they're really good.)
5. Duke Ellington - The Mystery Song
6. Phil Collins - Easy Lover (ummm...yea....)
7. Audioslave - Seven Nation Army (a live cover they did one night...)
8. Gimagua - Calienta El Sol
9. Charles Mingus - My Jelly Roll Soul
10. Chick Corea - Children's Song (this is such a haunting piece)
God some good variety there I'd say.
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
I don't want to skip through 10 possibly good songs, so I'll just post the last 10 that have played (always on shuffle).
Mastodon - The Last Baron
Mastodon - Shadows that Move (wtg shuffle, 2 in row?)
Meshuggah - Suffer in Truth
Opeth - The Throat of Winter
Helmet - Make Room
Prong - Third from the Sun (Live)
Jane's Addiction - Idiots Rule
Katatonia - Departer
Judge - Hear Me
Sepultura - Desperate Cry
Ooops... That was using my "Metal" playlist, hence the lack of variety. Here's "All":
Sugarcubes - Tidal Wave
Corrosion of Conformity - Seven Days
Rush - The Weapon
Sugarcubes - Eat the Menu
7 Seconds - Walk Together, Rock Together
Dave Matthews Band - Tripping Billies
Black Sabbath - A National Acrobat
Phish - Scent of a Mule
Fear Factory - Body Hammer
The Doors - Waiting for the Sun
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
Okay: My iPod is very varied but here you go:
Ray Charles - Hit the Road Jack
DMB - What Would You Say
Amos Lee - What's Been Going On
Jon Herrington - Rollin' With the Punches
US3 - Eleven Long Years
Charlie Parker - Now's the Time
Rickie Lee Jones - Living it Up
Etta James - I'd Rather Go Blind
Steely Dan - The Royal Scam
Peter Erskine - Elvin's Mambo
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
State street sadie-Styx
The Seeker-The Who
t.v.-rose tattoo
roll over beethoven (live)-the beatles
The Farm- Aerosmith
whats really goin wrong- Sublime
i got no time for yall-Dirty Heads
If you have to ask-rhcp
let me love you-Jeff beck
Them never love poor marcus-Mighty diamonds
Thats weird, not much reggae at all.
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
Here's mine...
So Many Ways - Warren G
Blame 1.8 - The Nohawks
Intro Timing Demo - Cedar
Amerika Rools - Propagandhi
Do it Like a G.O. - Geto Boys
Keep On Keeping On - Curtis Mayfield
Somebody's Watching You - Sly and the Family Stone
Blame 1.5 - The Nohawks
Rhythm Traveler sample - Robert Paquette (!)
Stage Fright - The Band
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
Now, given that you liked my list, I think I should check out some of the bands on yours that I'm not familiar with.
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
I do however strongly recommend Curtis Mayfield and Sly and the Family Stone if you are into Kool and the Gang.
Van Lear Rose is one of the few albums my gf and I can really agree upon. I do admittedly have a bit of a soft spot for a bit of twang, but Mr. White's production of the album as a whole makes it pretty classic. Just good music.
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
1. I'm Housin - Rage Against The Machine
2. Broken Mirror - Medeski Martin and Wood
3. Intro and Rondo in E-flat major, Op.16 - Vladimir Horowitz
4. Bombtrack - Rage Against The Machine
5. Positively 4th Street - Bob Dylan
6. Swunk - Joshua Redman
7. Waiting for the Punchline - moe.
8. Smile at Me - Screaming Headless Torsos
9. River People - Jaco Pastorius Big Band
10. Nalgas - Stanton Moore
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
Strength Beyond Strength by Pantera
How to Disconnect from Your Social Surrounding in Half an Hour by War from a Harlot's Mouth
The Reign of Shemsu-Hor by Behemoth
Reclaim by Keep of Kalessin
Stream of Consciousness by Textures
Faceless by Threat Signal
Sleeping Giant by Mastodon
The Sleep: Floating Diversity - A Monument Part III by Enslaved
Selling Out by Tristania
Murderers of the Murderers by Heaven Shall Burn
Bah, none of the few non-metal artists made their way to the list.
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
This should be interesting with a mix of African Dance Music, Jazz, Classic Rock and some Jam band stuff on my 20g Ipod
Here goes:
Clutch "American Sleep"
The White Stripes "Aluminum"
Jack Johnson "Do you Remember"
Medeski Martin and Wood "We are Rolling"
Keller Williams and the String Cheese Incident "Brunette"
Widespread Panic "Gomero Blanco"
Curtis Mayfield "We gotta have Peace"
Clutch "Weather Maker"
The Black Keys "Run Me Down"
Fu Manchu "Travel Agent"
I actually have an a 10g Ipod configured to play songs along to at random.
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
Wellweter Conspiracy - Tidepool Telegraph
Traveling Wilburys - Heading for the light's
Wham - Last Christmas (Moves to dodge rocks been thrown at him)
C.S.S - Give Up
Weezer - Grab
Patti Smith - Because The Night
Incubus - Pistola
REM - All The Right Friends
Alanis Morissette - You Oughta Know
Tv On The Radio - DLZ
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
1. Television Rules The Nation/Crescendolls (Live) - Daft Punk
2. Longview - Green Day
3. Letterbomb - Green Day
4. The Fallen Arises - Dimmu Borgir
5. Darkshines - Muse
6. Sons of Privilege - Alexisonfire
7. Crawl - Breaking Benjamin
8. Exogenisis: Symphony Pt. 3: Redemption - Muse
9. Know Your Enemy - Rage Against The Machine
10. When The Sun Goes Down - The Arctic Monkeys
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
1. (I'd Be) A Legend in My Time - Ronnie Milsap
2. Easy As You Go - George Strait
3. Armageddon It - Def Leppard
4. Forever Young - Rod Stewart
5. Pamela - Toto
6. The Best Of Me - David Foster
7. Hard To Say I'm Sorry - Chicago
8. Against The Wall - Dave Weckl
9. Ships That Don't Come In - Joe Diffie
10. Nowhere To Run - Michael McDonald
Re: The iTunes Shuffle Game
1. He's a bird, He's a plane - SPM (lolz)
2. Layla (acoustic) - Eric Clapton
3. Hootie Hoo - Outkast
4. Tortue Me - Red Hot Chili Peppers
5. Eggshells - Grateful Dead
6. Manhattan - Kings of Leon
7. Zephyr Song - Red Hot Chili Peppers
8. Somewhere Only We Know - Keane
9. Cochise - Audioslave
10. Jet Airliner - Steve Miller Band
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for card players - don't miss our annual presentation.
Top Computer Bridge Programs - Click
here for easy list
The World Computer Bridge Championships: Read the
latest news and find a whole bunch of excellent articles and
information : Click
Commercial Product links are moved into the Bridge
Shopping Mall after a few months. Look for your favourite
products and services there!
- If you plan to purchase the popular Bridge Baron (NEW VERSION
BB17 NOW OUT) software or want to learn more, CLICK
THROUGH HERE to reach their website.
Bridge Notation (PBN) is a universal notation to represent
bridge games developed by Tis
Veugent (PBN Home Page Here) and first released in April
1998. It is in use by many bridge programs and tools and in every
bridge program for dealing, bidding, playing, and/or teaching.
The notation is suitable for all computer platforms. For other
PBN sites see Kaj
G Backas PBN Page (free bridge file converter)
Ivan Popivanov's
Free Bridge.
This page lists links for non-commercial software,
freeware and shareware. For commercial software visit our
for Card Players website (www.suppliesforcardplayers.com)
We list bridge software links and news in order of
receipt. We like to leave the links in place for
years as a kind of archive for online archeologists. Every
now and then we'll sweep, deleting links that no longer work.
16th Computers World Championship | Details here
BRIDGEPRO for Mac OSX 10.5+: After ten years, BridgePro™ has developed a major upgrade for its Macintosh OS X users. We invite you to try version 3.1.2. The ACBL Bridge Bulletin's editor, Paul Linxwiler said of our interface that it is: "a clean, simple graphical presentation." That has been further improved. More features and menu items have been added to make an exceptional user-friendly environment. Card play and bidding algorithms have been tweaked. Any questions write: firstname.lastname@example.com (Aug 2011) www.bridgepro.com
December 2011 :: Board
Generator. I have made a board generator that saves 35
hands per page down to PDF, perfect for Bidding Practice.
Software runs in the browser built on Microsoft Silverlight.
URL: www.brickor.com Thanks, Stefan Ekman
August 2011:: Bridge
Calculator is freeware program that solves problems
in the Bridge card game. It quickly solves the double dummy
problem, has both graphical and console-based multiple languages
user interfaces. It can imports deals from files in many formats,
like PBN, BBO .lin files and files generated by the KoPS program.Best
regards, Piotr Beling
World Bridge Championships 2010 - Bots Battle Bit-By-Bit…
by Al Levy
In the closest round-robin finish in the 14 year history of
the World Computer-Bridge Championship, the last match determined
all 4 qualifiers for the semifinal KO stage. With one round
to go any one of the top five contenders could have been eliminated.
The final result was WBridge5 first with 110 VPs, followed
by Shark Bridge with 108 VPs, Jack with 106 VPs and Bridge
Baron with 103 VPs. Q-Plus Bridge lost its last match to Shark
Bridge by a 6-24 VP margin, and was eliminated with 99 VPs.
Micro Bridge was also out of the money with a respectable
74 VPs, and newcomer Moose Bridge managed only 6 VPs, in what
the software developer referred to as a 'learning experience.'
here for updates
October 2010 : Bridge
Mats . The BridgeMats program will produce duplicate
bridge guide cards (table mats) from an ACBLscore movement
The output is a PostScript file that may be viewed, printed,
or converted to PDF with GhostScript.
October 2010 : RoboBridge
is computer bridge software that simulates three human bridge
players. It allows you to play some boards whenever you have
time. The robots provide a very high level of play, so you
will be trained to always play your best bridge.
January 2010 :: Gnubridge
- Gnubridge is a simple and free bridge program. It runs on
Windows, Linux, and Mac. Gnubridge was first released in 2008,
and is continually improved with new features added monthly.
GNU Open Source License. gnubridge.org. Paul Slusarz Gnubridge
January 2010 :: Compensation
Table is method to play duplicate bridge with
only 4-players. It takes deal attributes such as high-card
points, vulnerability, suit fits into account and returns
an expected result for the deal. The Table is generated
with computer and is based on tens of thousands of deals
from world-class events. Compensation Table is already
somewhat popular in Estonia.
More information and also nice score calculator can be found
at: www.compensationtable.com.
Tanel Teinemaa
December 2009 :: BRIDGE
- After almost ten years, BridgePro has developed its second
major upgrade. If you own version 1, 2 ,3.0 or simply had
tried the demo version, we invite you to try version 3.1.
The ACBL Bridge Bulletin's editor, Paul Linxwiler said: "If
you enjoy playing solo bridge with computer opponents and
partners, BridgePro makes a nice, inexpensive choice."
Version 3.1 is now Windows 7 compatible. Major changes in
the graphic routines will allow play on any screen resolution.
Many user-friendly menu choices have been added and card play
and bidding algorithms have been tweaked. Any questions write:
firstname.lastname@example.com www.bridgepro.com
August 2009 :: BridgeComposer
allows entry and display of bridge hands in PBN file format;
formats lesson handouts for bridge teachers; has a full-screen
mode; formats web pages and emails; saves records of
hands; deals random hands; has a double-dummy solver; interfaces
with ACBLScore, Bridgemate and BridgePad; and more. Reasonably
priced, free 30-day trial.
June 2009 :: The
BridgePhone - The BridgePhone client enables
you to register your score at the and of each game during
a tournament easily on your own cell phone. www.bridgephone.eu
May 2009 :: Bridge Software for Linux (with
free trial download) and Windows Mobile: http://www.xcontractbridge.com
Chris Burkinshaw, Bibase Software
January 2009 :: Free Movement Software. See
Jeanie - the movement wizard at http://www.asecomputing.com/Jeanie.htm
and my blog at http://www.asecomputing.com/forums/blog.php?b=1
May 2009 :: New Release. Version 4.0.3 of Easy Bridge,
Steve Han's freeware Bridge program. This is a user-friendly
program aimed primarily at beginner players to help learn
and practice the game of Bridge. Click
Here for more.
Just Released! Bridge Buff 17 - Bridgeware
has been providing the world bridge community with quality
bridge software for 15 years.. Our software features state-of-the-art
Artificial Intelligence, and with Simulation
Bidding. Bridge Buff is now scalable!
We don't think you can purchase bridge software anywhere that
has this range of features and excellence! Download the Bridge
Buff demo and see for yourselves. Included in the Bridge
Buff package are Bridge
Buff, Visual Deal,
Convention Card Editor,
Bid Buddy, Bid
Sequencer, Pip Converter,
System Builder.
July 2007 - Bidding
Quest - bridge practice software in three platforms:
Windows, Mac & Linux
2009 World Computer Bridge Championships
- Congratulations to Hans Kuijf for capturing the 2009 championship
with his robot Jack In two exciting KO matches, Jack overcame
an 18 IMP semifinal deficit with two board to beat Micro Bridge
and narrowly defeated Wbridge5 in the finals. Read
more here
February 2007 :: Bridge
Squeezes Complete: This interactive software
adaptation of Clyde E Loves classic text allows you to play
all 129 exercises and 59 problems before proceeding with Love's
analysis. The average player will find a wealth of information
on planning and executing end plays, while even the expert
can use it for polishing his technique. Free evaluation download
offers the first 14 exercises.
December 2006 :: Quick
Bridge - Free bridge game for windows. Came across
your website while surfing for Bridge related info. Thought
you might be interested in including my free Bridge game in
your listings. Thanks [wes]Wesley
December 2006 :: 1.3
of BbnOrganiser. This program enables you to
organise your personal bridge bidding system. The program,
documentation, etc can be found at http://bbn.tistis.nl/ The
main improvements in version 1.3 concern bug fixes. Best regards,
Tis Veugen
October 2006 :: Rubber
Soul is a free web-based rubber bridge scoring
utility. It doesn't work with Internet Explorer, but other
browsers should be fine. Feedback is welcome. Paul.
August 2006 :: Atohr.com
- Bridge Software for Score Calculation and to make
your own Schemes and Movement sheets. The website is in Dutch
and English. Contact: Thijs
Op het Roodt
May 2006 :: Bridge
Deals Generator. I have developed a bridge deals generator:
unlike most of those currently available it features a graphical
user interface for selecting cards. A full featured trial
version can be downloaded from my site. My site also has a
page of specific bridge probability calculations on line.
Thanking you, best regards, Andrew Bertallot
May 2006 :: Dave Cullen - www.acolbridge.co.uk
- Hi, I'm offering a freeware PC bridge game for download,
written by myself, as well as information on how to play,
using the Acol Bidding system. Dave Cullen
April 2006 :: Bridge
Scoring Software from Jeff Smith. Free modern bridge scoring
October 2005 :: Tony Poole - Tony's
Personal Bridge Site: Many problem hands, reviews, conventions
and bridge stories.
August 1, 2005 - Wireless Scoring Solutions for Bridge. Bridgemate scoring system. The brand new website
can be found on www.bridgemate.com.au
Willem Willemse Bridgeweb Australia
February 1, 2005 - New
OKScriptX URL I am the author of OKScript and DealPump (which
replaced BridgeX) and an article on the Polish Club. I have moved
my website containing this material. Please update the relevant
links in your site ...
old site: home1.gte.net/yweare new site: www.mjmx.com
New program descriptions ... OKScriptX is widely used free tool
that automates
alert messaging for online bridge services such as OKBridge. DealPump
is a Windows hand record display tool and hand dealer that has
extensive filtering capabilities.
Thanks so much, Mike Mardesich
In Depth Review of Educational Bridge Software
:: We have just completed an in-depth review of educational bridge
software, which follows up last year's Review of Playing Software.
Click here for PDF. Best regards Pietro Campanile
Bridge - The magazine of the Israeli Bridge Federation
My Favorite 52 & Other Tutorial CDs by Larry Cohen Enjoy these "over-my-shoulder"
deals -- favorites Larry has played over the past 25+ years. www.larryco.com
Version 5.3 - Learn bridge now! Special Edition for Beginners,
Novices and Intermediate Players Fun and easy way to learn the
game of bridge. The Ultimate Bridge Tutorial, Rated "A"
by Brent Manley, ACBL Bridge Bulletin Editor "This is a slick
program with lots of material for taking the beginning player
into the fascinating world of bridge. It is exceedingly easy to
load and use, and just about eveything a new player would want
to know about is at hand"
DEEP FINESSE tests all hands at Winter NABC in Florida.One
of the greatest tools ever invented to analyze bridge hands is
a software program known
as Deep Finesse. Once a deal is entered into the program, you
can find out what declarer lines work and what the best defense
is. All the deals in each set of hand records have gone through
Deep Finesse. The program is very practical – it analyzes
according to the cards as they are dealt, not according to what
might have been. The contracts listed on the hand records are
those that can be made with correct play against correct defense
as the cards lie. Want to see how it works? Go to www.deepfinesse.com
and enter the deal you want to study. You can try all manner of
play methods or defense methods, and Deep Finesse will let you
know if you're on the right track.
MICRO BRIDGE VERSION 12 (November 2008)
Micro Bridge is a highly intelligent contract bridge software, running on Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/Vista. You can enjoy playing bridge with other computer players or with other human players (up to four persons at once). Micro Bridge supports many types of duplicate bridge and other functions that are useful for beginners, average players, and even experts.Micro Bridge contains the following seven programs and one Online document. http://www.threeweb.ad.jp/~mcbridge/feat_e1.htm
Great Game Products has just released a new bridge game, Bridge
Butler. Moderately priced, Bridge Butler is perfect for players
who do not already have Bridge Baron and are just getting started
in bridge. Bridge Butler is available only in stores - it can
be found in CompUSA stores throughout the USA. If your friends
like Bridge Butler, they can then upgrade to Bridge Baron at a
discounted price using the rebate form included in the Bridge
Butler package. For more info on Bridge Butler click
BRIDGE PRO: After
3 years, BridgePro has developed its first major upgrade. If you
own version 1.x or simply had tried the demo version, we invite
you to try version 2. The ACBL Bridge Bulletin's editor, Paul
Linxwiler said: "If you enjoy playing solo bridge with computer
opponents and partners, BridgePro makes a nice, inexpensive choice."
Version 2 has newly added Acol bidding and weak no-trump options
in addition to a large array of other conventions. Large
cards are available for the visually impaired [Windows only].
A free download is available for Windows and Macintosh. www.bridgepro.com
Any questions write: firstname.lastname@example.com
(July 2003)
January 4, 2003 - Pavlicek's
Bidding Poll BOT results. Since March of 2001, Richard Pavlicek
has tested various bridge computer programs on the problems in
his bidding polls (held every odd month), and the results are
summarized on his site. Richard notes this should not be regarded
as a rigid scientific test because some factors cannot be equalized
(e.g., bidding system understandings, and the exact time allowed
to make each call). Programs with adjustable skill levels were
tested at the highest setting. This is a great way to see the
comparitive skill of today's bridge programs and yet another great
service from RP! Also, Pavlicek has run similar tests since February
2001 with his Play
Contest Bot Results. World Champion software, Jack, was added
as of December 2002.
Computers That Gamble and Imagine
- article by Alan Truscott, NY Times. Click
You can now play bridge, practices bridge and read bridge
conventions while relaxing at the cabin thanks to these iPhone
and iPad apps.
Feb 2014 : Bridge Solver- new android APP. Bridge Solver incorporates Bo Haglund's double dummy solver module enabling calculation of makeable contracts and par contracts for any bridge hand. The user can 'play' all four positions interactively, and as each card is played the app shows the total number of tricks that will be made for each valid card that can be played in the current position (assuming perfect play by the declarer and defenders from that point onwards). It also contains a built in browser allowing the user to browse bridge club websites. For certain types of club results page (currently those hosted on BridgeWebs or Pianola) the app will recognise if the page contains a hand diagram – a single click will then import the hand into the app for double dummy analysis or interactive play as described above. The app can also import hands from a PBN file, or a hand can be manually entered.
August 2013: Bridge Club Live launched its BridgePlayer App in August 2013 and has an Android version about to release in early 2014. The same App allows online play at all its growing number
of bridge servers, including Bridge4Free.com Look out for 'BridgePlayer' in the various App stores
January 2013: APP: Bridge Carlos. Aimed at the beginner to intermediate player, it contains opening and responding lessons as well as some conventions.I wrote the app working one day per week over the past year, envisaging that it would help promote the game to younger audiences. It could also be an aid for tutors, allowing the tutor to use an iPad (or iPads) as an assistant. I would welcome your feedback on the app.The lessons are also available in video format via youtube - search for "BridgeCarlos App".
Bridge Base Online now has an App. Play bridge on your iphone, ipad, or android devices!
Play online or watch vugraphs. Click
February 2011 : The Bridge Companion - An application for Windows
Phone 7 that replaces the bridge score sheet, manages games
played, and also tracks Masterpoints. If you would like more
details (video, screenshots and how to download the application)
or for any special requests, please visit my website, or reply
to this email.
Spring 2012: Two Bridge apps for Android!
Bridge Diary | Bridge Bidding Box
Spring 2012: Mobile Bridge Online This is an app to be released on android to play bridge online by connecting to Bridge Base Online
Sports 4 You
The must-have app for everyone who plays bridge, chess
or draughts! Suitable for iPphone, iPpad and soon for
Android. Have a look inside Apple's app-store
and get a five-day free trial account. Three new problems
every day: one each for bridge, chess and draughts made
by top players and world champions. App available in
nine languages Available now at www.mindsports4you.com
Bridge Score Calculator: Using your Android
phone or tablet, the Bridge Score Calculator displays any
duplicate score possible. Simply Swipe and Tap your way to
the contract and result desired. Click
New & Improved Bridge Island has been
released, now compatible with more major platforms including
Android, Facebook, iPad, iPhone, PC and Mac and FACEBOOK.
Island - Play Online!
We're really enjoying iBridge Plus (iPad App). You can play any number of hands with yourself
or create a challenge, set a winners' pot, and play
against the world. Very fun! And especially handy for
people who might only have time for 8 or 10 hands. The
interface is bold and simple. The graphics are nicely
done. Check
it out here.
iBridge Baron. Based on the best-selling computer
bridge game. Over 2 billion deals. Tournaments from ACBL,
Cavendish and ABF. It's fun to play a series of hands and
see the matchpoint results after each. Go back, rebid, replay
- he interface, while a bit buggy, works well once you get
the hang of it. It's pricey at $20 but I've spent a few hours
with it so that makes it good for me. Now availalbe for iPAD and Android Tablets
December 2010: bridge2go.com
- currently Android only
November 2010: New FREE APP called "iBridgeOnline"
in the app store that will let you play bridge online with
August 2010: BetterBridge1
by Bakhshi
English International David Bakhshi (one of our
members), has just released an app for the iPhone, iPod Touch
and iPad. It is called BetterBridge1, and comprises 16 deals
constructed and analysed by David. There are ten declarer
play hands and six focusing on defence. The user is presented
with the bidding (Standard English and Standard American auctions
can be displayed), and then given the chance to play the deal
before taking advantage of a 'show' facility which demonstrates
the suggested line of play or defence.
June 2010: iBid
- iPhone application for Bridge players that brings a lot
of bidding conventions directly into their pocket. With iBid,
Bridge players can access descriptions, examples and anecdotes
of the most important conventions, without the need of any
Internet connection.
June 2010: Omar
Sharif Bridge for iPhone. Featuring ACOL and
Standard American bidding systems, Omar Sharif Bridge will
challenge the most proficient player yet still allow the beginner
to develop their game. Fantastic graphics and a strong and
respected bridge engine allows players to become involved,
stimulated and challenged with every deal. Editors review:
I still havent figured out how this one works. The graphics
are poor, and instructions etc are difficult to find.
dealing program Big Deal
was used to generate all hands for the Olympiad in Maastricht,
and might well become the standard dealing program for the WBF.
is a program to just generate deals for a tournament, without
repeating series, statistically good, and safe. No possibility
to select types of hands or whatever. Just deals for tournaments.
This is in sharp contrast with my previous program, Dealer, that
excelled in the selection part, but as I know now, failed in most
respects when it comes to tournament dealing. Big Deal is available,
free, including sources and documentation, from Very highly recommended
to switch from whatever you are using now to Big Deal. To know
why, read the docs. Most people are convinced after one read.
Let me know if you are not one of them. " ... Hans September
22, 2000
New Dealmaster Pro uses Deep Finesse for Unique Analyses and
Hand Record data
February 22, 2001 - Version 2.0 of Dealmaster Pro will feature
a major interface with Deep Finesse, the popular 100% accurate
double dummy analyzer, enabling analyses of sets of bridge deals
never before practical. In addition, the popular Dealmaster Pro
Hand Records and Travellers will display makeable contracts for
each deal. The program will be available in early March and demonstrated
March 17-21 at the NABC in Kansas City. Read
the full Press Release here
Dealmaster Pro
has all Dealmaster's famous features PLUS the "ultimate" Deal
Generator/Simulator. Deal Generation is up to 40 times faster!
Dealmaster's Deal Generator/Simulator are very powerful and satisfies
the requirements of many users. For those who need even more in
Deal Generation power, we believe Dealmaster Pro has all the answers.
It is perhaps 20 times more powerful than Dealmaster. Dealmaster
is offering one $1000. prize to someone who enters a Deal Generation
problem that Dealmaster Pro cannot solve. Dealmaster Pro was introduced
at NABC in Boston (Nov.1999).
bridge hand generator by Thomas Andrews. Features: Easy to
use for quick, simple dealing; Customizable output formats;
Infinitely extensible via TCL; Easily portable to most platforms;
and Free Software under GPL license
"... the most powerful dealing program we've seen." - Matt
Ginsberg, www.gibware.com
September 2008 :: Deal
3.1 by Thomas Andrews. Deal is now up to version 3.1,
and can be accessed at bridge.thomasoandrews.com/deal/
The latest release includes a built-in double dummy solver
written by Bo Haglund.
Wirgren's Dealer Software for Mac or Windows - May be downloaded
from the
Scania website. DealGenerator is a simple program for generating
random bridge deals. You can view the deals on the screen and/or
print North's and South's hands on different sheets of paper for
bidding practice. Scania BridgeDealer is a full dealer, and a
DEMO can be downloaded from the above ste as well. For
review click here.
to Top
to Top
- the standard in North America.
April 2008 :: Free
Bridge Scoring Software as used by English Bridge Union.
Pairs, Teams, Swiss Pairs & Swiss Teams software all compatible
with Bridgemate (&Bridgepad) usage.
Free shareware Duplicate Scorer program which
supports Bridgemate Pro electronic scoring. Companion Club
Database Manager application gives full club management facilities
including electronic registration of EBU Master Points.
You can download Keith Sheppard's Duplicate Scorer from: http://www.bracknellbridge.com/scorer/dshome.htm.
Also available is his "WebScore" product which allows
league scorers (in any sport) to receive match results via the
Internet. If anyone is interested in the latter, please see http://homepages.tesco.net/~Keith.Sheppard/WebScore.htm
or contact Keith firstname.lastname@example.com
by email. [November 2005]
FIN-S for Bridge Club Scorers, Tournament
Directors and Event Organisers Fin-S
is a comprehensive suite of scoring and utility programs. Whatever
you do with Bridge Scoring, it is designed to make your life easier.
The site includes lots of data on what the program looks like,
how it works, etc., including a Training Video recorded using
Lotus ScreenCam.
Pairs en Teams
bridge scoring software. Pairs and Teams is software which is
used for scoring a variaty of bridgecontests. These programs are
suitable for a big tournament as well as for your local bridge
evening. This nice looking web site includes a page which lists
interesting links for those who use computers to score their bridge
contests. Netherlands.
BRIDGESCORER will do the scoring for a bridge tournement
or club competition. It is based on four seperate programs : The
mainprogram BRIDGESCORER which offers you ca 200 different movements
for maximal 240 pairs, 20 rounds and 40 boards. Easy scoring and
many options for calculation, showing and printing. Intelligent
robots will assign movements dependant of the number of pairs
and rounds. Next sessions will be re-indexed automatically. The
program MOVEMENT CREATOR will enable you to create own movements
to use. Program CLUBCOMPETITION will give you an overview of more
clubsessions and the last program DEALGENERATOR will generate
boards with many handy options. A nice BRIDGETIMER is an extra
option or can be ordered separately. Dirk Van Der Plas, Middelburg,
Zeeland, Netherlands English
Site | Dutch Site
by Richard Pavlicek
Bridge Hand Evaluator
Bridge Hand Calculator
Suit Break Calculator
Dual Suit Break Calculator
Personal Deal Creator
Bridge Score Calculator
Contract and Result
FREE BRIDGE FILE CONVERTER UPDATED - it now reads OK-bridge
files of .rec type in addition to the earleier supported file
types. Reading of PBN has been improved it now should read %Import
type of .PBN files correctly (previously only %export format).
Click Here for NEW
HOMEPAGE. Kaj G Backas.
April 2002
SCRIPT BRIDGE HAND Print those World Championship hands!
- from Masakatsu Sugino- a Windows program that prints out bridge
hand records in a graphical way from PBN (Potable Bridge Notation)
format data files. The program is able to read and write PBN files.
The double dummy analysis is performed with Gib's engine. The
graphical presentation is stored in a PostScript file, that can
be manipulated with a PostScript viewer.
free software for evaluation of suit combinations SuitPlay
is a software-program for evaluation of suit combinations. The
result is comparable with that of Roudinesco or the bridge-encyclopedia.
However, the program is flawless and does analyse (almost) any
self-chosen suit combination. If you are interested, just send
e-mail to Jeroen Warmerdam
who will return the free program by e-mail. The program is already
some years old. It was announced and distributed the same way
as I do now. The old version however did not work on fast pc's
(well, what we called fast three years ago) due to an error by
Borland. That is fixed in the current version. Source code is
not distributed. 4 Feb 2001
Have fun with this neat little Bridge
Hand Dealer from Jean- Luc Garneau. It comes in English and
French. Note: I can only get it working in Microsoft's Internet
- PBN stand for Portable Bridge Notation. PBN is a proposal for
saving bridge deals from competitions or game programs in a universal
and platform independent file system. PBN is a universal notation
for bridge games. It has been developed to read and write bridge
games in PBN files by any bridge program on any platform. There
are several bridge programs that have implemented the PBN format.
(I'm very glad that GIB has adopted PBN.) The PBN standard and
additional information can be found on the PBN
homepage A new version of the PBN Verifier, that has been
written in JAVA. I hope this eases the verification of PBN files
on any platform, and the generation of PBN files in export format
for all platforms. More details can be found in the read.me file
inside the archives on the PBN homepage. - Tis Veugen
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Visit Gifts
& Supplies for Card Players, our sister site, for
a comprehensive list of Bridge Playing Software.
- After almost ten years, BridgePro has developed its second
major upgrade. If you own version 1, 2 ,3.0 or simply had
tried the demo version, we invite you to try version 3.1.
The ACBL Bridge Bulletin's editor, Paul Linxwiler said: "If
you enjoy playing solo bridge with computer opponents and
partners, BridgePro makes a nice, inexpensive choice."
Version 3.1 is now Windows 7 compatible. Major changes in
the graphic routines will allow play on any screen resolution.
Many user-friendly menu choices have been added and card play
and bidding algorithms have been tweaked. Any questions write:
email@example.com www.bridgepro.com
(December 2009)
Bridge version 4.3 (March 2005) :: Shareware - play
and if you like, $27 USD, pay online.
Info URL: http://www.learnbridge.com
Download: http://learnbridge.com/tb_setup.exe
Screenshot: http://www.learnbridge.com/form1.jpg
PAD File: http://www.learnbridge.com/pad_file.xml
Icon: http://www.learnbridge.com/tbicon.gif
Tutorial Bridge is a program for learning the game of contract
bridge while at the same time playing and enjoying the game.
It gives the reasoning behind each non-trivial bid that is
made, or card that is played. The user can interact with the
program at a rate that is consistent with his or her current
knowledge of the game. The ability to undo any bid or play
permits the student to compare his or her action with what
the program would do in the same situation.
01, 2002 - Special
K Bridge Software - download shareware. Version 2.9 for Windows
95/98, includes options to play with many of these. It also supports
most non-standard screen resolutions. Bidding logic has also been
enhanced. The latest addition is version 2.9.
18, 2001 -Bridge Mentor teaching
computer program free trial
For beginning to intermediate level players. Download trial.
Bidding Trainer V2.0 - "New
SHAREWARE program for Windows and NT to practise your own
bidding system. A useful tool for players, pairs, and teams
interested in improving their own bidding skills. It can also
be used as a hand dealer with conditions on hands and it makes
statistics on the conditions imposed, so that it will be also
useful to bridge teachers and bidding researchers. The situation
at a bridge table is exactly reproduced. You only see your
own cards and the development of the auction up to the moment
you bid. At any moment you can see the full boards and bidding
up to this moment..." English or Spanish.
(October 6, 2000 )
- Francesco Barcio, Italy. "A well designed but simple Bridge
game. It has many options such as background music, voice
messages, bidding help, the ability to save games in PBN format,
re-play games from PBN archives, edit games and much more."
Shareware. Free to try, $25 if you decide to keep it.
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