Everyone gets lonely and a little scared or nervous away from home, especially when they are ill. People don't always get the visitors they want or need. Perhaps they don't know that many people or were in an accident away from home.

How about purchasing a few decks of cards from a very low price store and being a visitor to lonely people in a nursing home or hospital? Call in advance to make sure you would be allowed to visit with seniors or convalescing adults in a senior home. How about the children's ward in a hospital?

Playing rummy, fish or old maid would be great games to try out with your new found friend. They are all easy to learn and most everyone knows the rules anyway. Perhaps they may even have a game to show you.

Sometimes when the holidays roll around, people would especially enjoy visitors and someone to cheer them up. The admitting desk or the nurse in charge might be able to tell you the people who don't get many visitors. They should be the first ones to see.

Have you ever thought of having your own business as a clown or a magician? Clowns can visit prople in hospitals as well as nursing homes. They can play cards with patients and residents, be entertaining, and even do a little card magic. Birthday parties are another avenue for business. You could entertain children with card games and you know they would love magic tricks.

Speaking of birthday parties and magic tricks, another profession that uses cards is a magician. There are many books at stores and libraries on that subject. It will take practice and that could come from nursing homes, senior centers, and hospitals as well. When you are really ready, start looking for parties to work at. If you get good enough with cards and other magic tricks, try auditioning for a job on a cruise ship. It is just a thought, but it also could happen!

Another idea for your own entertainment business as a clown or magician are company picnics, meetings, and other events. Get in touch with some event planners in your town and see what it would take to have them recommend you when you are ready for that venue.

Another line of business would be to set yourself up with wholesalers and try to sell cards, board games and other activity items in flea markets. It would be a good source of a second income, while having a fun business.