diff --git a/playground/grids/main.cpp b/playground/grids/main.cpp
index b316789d..b16c5fd0 100644
--- a/playground/grids/main.cpp
+++ b/playground/grids/main.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 
 #include "TestBox.h"
 
+#include <SkinnyFont.h>
+
 #include <QskSizePolicy.h>
 #include <QskFunctions.h>
 
@@ -385,7 +387,16 @@ class MainWidget : public QWidget
 
 int main( int argc, char** argv )
 {
-    QApplication a( argc, argv );
+    QApplication app( argc, argv );
+
+#if 1
+    /*
+        we don't need the fonts, but by calling something from 
+        the support library initializations regarding the skins
+        are loaded. TODO ...
+     */
+    SkinnyFont::init( &app );
+#endif
 
     int testcase = 0;
     if ( argc == 2 )
@@ -396,5 +407,5 @@ int main( int argc, char** argv )
     w.resize( 600, 600 );
     w.show();
 
-    return a.exec();
+    return app.exec();
 }