Fifteen-Two

Written by Lynn McNeill on January 7th, 2016. Posted in Lynn McNeill Specials

The Crib Game

Summer, 2015:  Last summer my brother Barry and his wife visited our home in Victoria during which my husband and he played several games of crib each day.  It was a highly competitive affair where one Fifteen-Two might be the difference between winner or a loser.

The bantering about who was the better crib player continued over several days with each claiming the overall title. After the couple returned to Edmonton, Harold and I could not find the crib board and cards fro the life of us. Then, one day, we spotted it sitting in fireplace which had not been used all summer long.

For Christmas 2015 we decided to complete the task Barry had started and decided to gift the crib and cards to him. After starting the fire we touched up the board and cards just a smidgeon and mailed to his Edmonton home along with the following cover poem. 

FIFTEEN-TWO
Christmas 2015

The summer visit so long awaited
Our fences built and beautifully gated
My brother and wife now on their way
Would make it perfect – what more can I say

Together days spent in glorious repose
Or admiring the city and an occasional rose
The evenings they passed with dinner and walks
Or around the table for those late night talks

I wonder therefore, when it all went wrong
A definite discord had entered this song
At games of chance the results became heated
When one or the other was soundly defeated

Imagine our angst when the visit ended
And our evening game could not be tended
Well despair is one thing but revenge so dire
To relinquish our crib board to the roar of the fire!

So brother dear we make this gift
And hope it goes far to mend the rift
A remembrance for you of those idyllic days
And a promise for all to mend our ways

For our part, you see, to aid in the cause
From practice at cards, we’ll take a pause
To give you time to increase your skill
And the next round of cards, your wishes fulfill!

Love Harold and Lynn

From Our Home to Yours 
A Very Merry Christmas 
and Happy New Year!

PS  Keep practicing brother and Nancy, please make sure he works at the game every day as Harold’s head is just a little to big.   Love, Lynn

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  • Harold McNeill

    October 10, 2024 |

    Comments are reduced to 15 words.

  • Mike Fedorowich

    September 1, 2023 |

    I have gone through the above noted text and have found it quite informative.
    I am a former member with several law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
    I worked in the First Nations service under the authority of the RCMP with the over sight of the OPP. My law enforcement service was conducted under the authority of the Nishnawbe – Aski Police Service in North West Ontario the Louis Bull Police Sevice in Hobbema AB, the Kitasoo Xaixais Police Service in Northern in side passage on Swindle Island, the Lac Suel Police Service North West Ontario and the Vancouver Transit Authority Sky Train Police Service. I’m presently dealing with an RCMP member for falsifying a report against me for a road rage event. Court case is finished and the charge was dropped but I have an on going complaint with the member and have forwarded to the WATCH DOGS IN OTTAWA FOR the RCMP review and consideration. I believe the said officer is in violation of his oath of office and should be held accountable for falsifying his RTCC all the while dragging me through the court system here in Nanaimo. RCMP continue to stonewall the appeal but Ottawa and the crowns office are still looking into the matter. if your able and find the time or the interest in this very brief introduction, I would very much like to speak with you and would be grateful to hear any wisdom that may come across from your end. I served with First Nations Police Services for ten years in isolation and six years with Transit Police out of New West Minster. I do value and appreciate any time you could spare to chat for a bit on this particular subject matter. Respectfully with out anger but an open mind, Mike Fedorowich Nanaimo BC 250 667 0060

  • Harold McNeill

    February 28, 2022 |

    Hi Robert, I do remember some of those folks from my early years in Cold Lake (Hazel was my aunt and our family spent many fond times with Uncle Melvin, Aunt Hazel and Family. I knew Lawrence and Adrian. Having read a half dozen accounts it is clear their were many false narratives and, perhaps, a few truths along the way. I tried my best to provide an even account from what I read. Cheers, Harold. (email: Harold@mcneillifestories.com)

  • Robert Martineau

    February 25, 2022 |

    Its been a long time since any post here, but its worth a shot. My Grandfather was Hazel Wheelers brother Lawrence, and son to Maggie and Adrien. Maggie Martineau (nee Delaney) is my great grandmother. The books and articles to date are based on the white mans viewpoint and the real story as passed down by the Elders in my family is much more nefarious. Some of the white men were providing food for the Indians in exchange for sexual favors performed by the Squaws. Maggie was the product of one of those encounters. Although I am extremely proud of my family and family name, I am ashamed about this part of it.

  • Julue

    January 28, 2022 |

    Good morning Harold!
    Gosh darn it, you are such a good writer. I hope you have been writing a book about your life. It could be turned into a movie.
    Thanks for this edition to your blog.
    I pray that Canadians will keep their cool this weekend and next week in Ottawa. How do you see our PM handling it? He has to do something and quick!
    Xo Julie

  • Herb Craig

    December 14, 2021 |

    As always awesome job Harold. It seems whatever you do in life the end result is always the same professional, accurate, inclusive and entertaining. You have always been a class act and a great fellow policeman to work with. We had some awesome times together my friend. I will always hold you close as a true friend. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you this summer.
    Warm regards
    Herb Craig

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Hi Dorthy, So glad you found those stories and, yes, they hold many fond memories. Thanks to social media and the blog, I’ve been able to get in touch with many friends from back in the day. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Well, well. Pleased to see your name pop up. I’m in regular contact via FB with many ‘kids’ from back in our HS days (Guy, Dawna, Shirley and others). Also, a lot of Cold Lake friends through FB. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Oh, that is many years back and glad you found the story. I don’t have any recall of others in my class other than the Murphy sisters on whose farm my Dad and Mom worked.

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Pleased to hear from you Howie and trust all is going well. As with you, I have a couple of sad stories of times in my police career when I crossed paths with Ross Barrington Elworthy. Just haven’t had the time to write those stories.

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