Bananagrams inventor Abraham Nathanson dies

Tonight I'll be draping some black around the little yellow pouch in my den, to mark the death of Abraham Nathanson, who helped create the popular word game Bananagrams.

The game -- sort of Scrabble on speed -- is great for word freaks. It has given my family hours and hours of entertainment -- and led to some intense battles here and with relatives in Connecticut, Colorado and California. (Hey -- did you pick another letter tile on that last peel? No, you can't win by spelling "teeth" as "t-e-a-t-h".) It was named "Game of the Year" in 2009 by the Toy Industry Association.

Nathanson, who lived in Rhode Island, was a graphic designer, photographer, children's book author and illustrator, according to the AP. He and other family members created the game four years ago, and the yellow pouch has become a familiar sight in many homes. He died Sunday at age 80, after battling cancer.

Rest in peace, Abraham.