I finally started writing drafts for the puzzles I’d assembled but hadn’t published before mom went into the hospital. I find that I want to write about them all in relation to her – either she bought it at the thrift store, or it’s one we did together, etc.

I know this is a blog about puzzles first and foremost, and I’m doing my best not to be too maudlin or sad, but that may just be how it is for a while. I usually try to at least sound cheerful even when I’m not feeling it, or I used to. I’m not sure I can manage that just yet, it seems overly fake when I see the words.

So bear with me, if you can, I’m sure after a while I’ll feel somewhat like my old self again and be back to the happy puzzle-y posts you’re used to. Although, be forewarned, she bought SO MANY puzzles at the thrift store it may be a year or more before I get through all the puzzles that she bought us! 😎

 

**my oldest has a blog about his movie collection, and he wrote a beautiful tribute to mom, if you’re interested click the link. He’s a pretty damned good writer, at least his mom thinks so. 😉

So I put together a 300 piece puzzle on Wednesday, and yesterday I put together four 27 piece 3D Christmas ornament puzzles. I have to say that it wasn’t as terrible as I thought it would be.

At the beginning, before I start working, thoughts of mom and puzzling with her pop up – but as I get engrossed in the assembly I find that the focus is solely on the pieces and how they fit together. When I finished is when it was the most difficult for me, as that’s the time I would send mom a picture or a text and show her the finished puzzle; we would talk about it and what I was going to do next. I’m going to miss that so very much.

I’m thankful that the almost meditative state that jigsaw puzzling brings to me is still intact; and that even though I’m sad I can no longer sit with her at my puzzle table, jigsaw puzzles are still able to help me de-stress and turn off my brain for a while. I’ve never needed to stop thinking more than I do right now.

 

I puzzle because I love it. 💗

I puzzle to unwind.

I puzzle to manage my stress.

I puzzle to clear my mind.

I puzzle to take my mind off my chronic pain.

I puzzle to bring order to chaos.

I puzzle to get away from all the screens in our lives.

I puzzle to spend time with those I care about.

I puzzle to put together pretty pictures.

I puzzle to keep my mind active.

I puzzle to help relieve anxiety.

I puzzle for whatever reason today brings.

I puzzle because I love it. 💗

 

I have a serious addiction. I’m almost done with my current puzzle, and I have PLENTY more to do here at home; but for some reason I’m itching to go find more. Thrift store or retail store – it doesn’t matter, new puzzles to choose from is what I want.

I can’t be the only irresponsible puzzler who does this, surely I am in good company. My fellow PADS posse members understand, don’t you?