Solitaire

I do not remember when I learned to play Solitaire.  I think it might have been when I was in junior high, but maybe it was high school.  I have long played solitaire as a mind-numbing activity.  I play various versions, and even keep score for one version.   I cannot recall the name of that version, but that does not matter. I remember how I keep score, when I use a real deck of cards.

On the computer, I play Klondike Solitaire, which is one of the first versions I learned to play, and Spider Solitaire, which I did not learn to play until I had a computer.  I play on my IPhone, and find it very soothing.

My best friend from college reminded me, several years ago, that I could play Solitaire for hours on end, and waste time or while away the hours, depending upon your perspective (and mine), and the reason I was playing Solitaire.  Solitaire has been a way for me to relax enough to go to sleep, and I still use it as such, even on the computer.
   
I find Solitaire to be very relaxing.  I also like to play Solitaire when I am watching TV, especially a sporting event or a rerun, or a movie I have seen before.  I also play Solitaire when I am in a nervous waiting situation.

Solitaire is also called Patience Games https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_patience_games. The number of games is unimaginable.  But a few are common.  Mr. Hoyle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmond_Hoyle is known as an authority of card games, including poker and Solitaire.

In the movie The Hellfighters  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellfighters_(film)  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063060/combined  one of the characters, Madelyn refers to Solitaire as a the game of Patience, and the number of types of Solitaire that Mr. Hoyle depicts.  She also references "cheating" to win. Many people who play Solitaire cheat to win.   I do not.