13.Card Night,and More

I have written that I am not much for card games, or games at all, but I went to the latest card night. It was a bit of a bust,  but not unenjoyable.

After a week of uncommonly heavy rain and extensive flooding, Saturday was a beautiful mild spring day. It was a day that invited barbecues, so it was not surprising that people might have passed on card night.

I arrived right at 6:00. I wondered if anyone was there because there was only one car in the lot and lights were not evident. The door was open, at least.

Inside was Terry, the Lodge Secretary. He was not hopeful about attendance, for the reason noted above. Previous card night had been well attended but the force of a great spring day was too much. Several Brothers eventually showed up, including Jeff, who was raised when I was. The Worshipful Master also came by.

We sat and talked. The rain and flooding presented an obvious topic, and there was various Lodge and Masonic gossip. I enjoy listening to such talk.

Terry wanted to put up the sign adverting the upcoming Open House. Jeff and I went out with Terry to do that. While we were doing that Ken, the Junior Warden (I think I have most of the Officers correctly identified now) arrived.

People brought food, as requested, and at this point it seemed a good time to eat. Ken and John,  the Worshipful Master, were hot to play cribbage. Neither Jeff or I play cribbage, so we watched. Terry kibbitzed like a pro.

It was a pleasant evening despite a low turn out. A number of the Lodge Officers attended what is called The Master’s Way, which possibly kept some from attending card night. The Master’s Way is preparation for becoming a Master. Lodge Officers are in line to become Lodge Masters. I do not know what order is involved in this, though I think Senior Warden moves directly to Master. I will learn more before I write further on this. TTL has a good line set up: a lot of Brothers interested in becoming Officers.

Last Monday was Lodge of Instruction, and I fully intended to go. Unfortunately, 15 minutes before I was to leave, a storm related problem at our apartment meant I had to miss LOI. That was a disappointment.

Today is the state-wide open house of all Lodges. I showed up at 9:00. A number of Officers and Past Masters were there. I was dressed casually but the Officers were in suits, and at least one wore a tux. I was not needed but I stayed for the morning. I helped setup the dvd presentation of Freemasonry from the District, ate doughnuts and hung out. I joined some pre-applications,which is when a prospect is interviewed and  signs up.

Pre-app requires a quorum. I was with John the Worshipful Master and John the Past Master. The Candidate was very eager. I saw several other eager Candidates. I do not know if there were any curiosity seekers, hoping to see something secret.

John the Past Master told how his grandfather was a Mason. John’s father did not understand why John’s grandfather did not invite his son to be a Freemason. At the time, Mason’s were abjured against inviting people to join, a person had to ask. John, as Worshipful Master, got to raise his own father.

The secrets, such as I know and understand, of Freemasonry, seem mostly to do with tradition. I can see the passwords and such coming out of operative masonry (that is, actual stoneworking). And the era of Freemasonry’s birth was one in which one’s identity was not so well protected as now. That’s my speculation, anyway. Tuesday I will help serve at Table Lodge.