A Bit of a Puzzle
January 29th is going to be a puzzling day. Literally.
It’s National Puzzle Day. And we are finding puzzles have found their way into our lives.
I grew up with puzzles. My dad had a special table set up and would spend hours piece by piece putting together some scenic masterpiece. I wasn’t too interested in doing puzzles then and barely acknowledged them over the years.
When my hubs sprang his knee skiing it looked liked the long winters were going to get a more tedious since heading up to the slope would no longer be a viable option.
Of course I brought him books from the library. On a whim I brought home a puzzle because why not? There is a free puzzle exchange on the lobby.
As Hemingway said “One puzzle leads to another.” Well, he kind of said that.
We have now been puzzling for several years and we have come to realize there are some etiquette aspects:
Borders first. Creating the perimeter makes it easier to get the picture in perspective.
Sort pieces. A half dozen plastic picnic plates do nicely in separating out the many pieces into a manageable order.
Clean Hands. Yeah, learned that one day while eating my almond butter with honey toast.
No Pets. Cat hair. Dog hair. Not good companions with puzzle pieces.
Track Pieces. Drop a piece. Oh, oh. Better find it. Or at least mark “piece missing” on the box. Don’t forget to circle the place.
No hogging. Sharing is caring. Set a timer if needed. *Oh no, honey. That a general comment—no worries*.
Break down. Just like the last person to use the milk replaces the milk, the last person to finish the puzzle breaks it down and puts it in the box.
Those are the basics. Did I miss any?
Happy puzzling.
Pam Webb 
I use puzzles to rejuvenate after a heavy writing deadline. I just finished a Ravensburger 2000 piece puzzle called “Death by Chocolate.” At least that’s what I called it. My son called it 2000 shades of brown, which wasn’t exactly true. My brain kept working on it while I slept, and I became obsessed. Which is why I only do them in between writing projects, or immediately after I receive editorial notes. It helps my brain process. These look fun! And yes, I believe you got everything. I will note that the boards sold that supposedly hold a 2000 piece puzzle might be suitable for 1000, but no more. (Yay, I can comment if I go throught the reader!)
Good to hear from you! Ravensburger puzzles are faves both for design and quality. Kudos for leaping to the 2000 category. I’m more for “set it up and finish it” so 1000 is tops and I prefer 500 pieces. That chocolate one—I think I’ve seen it. You are braver than I.
A game table is a goal of mine. We had one growing up. My mom had always had a puzzle going on it. And on game night we’d put the game board on top of the puzzle (Monopoly, Sorry, Life, Trivial Pursuit, Headache, Bridg-It, Scrabble, etc) with the promise we wouldn’t destroy her work-in-progress. But we always did. My mom was good enough that she advanced to doing the blank puzzles. And then she moved onto other past-times. Still, one day, I would love to give puzzles a try.
Blank puzzles? That’s like Olympic contender. Way to go, Mom!
I love this, especially during the cold winter days.