going through my piles of stuff
i found this page
from exactly 13 years ago
when I solved my first
nyt sunday crossword puzzle
all on my own
all spaces filled
I was so happy
this was a personal goal
I had worked on many puzzles
and finally began to learn
the styles of the editors/writers
what spaces, clues, word play, patterns, punctuation, puns, word roots,
capital letters, italics, other languages, irony, humor, sarcasm all meant
I like to work in ink
not crossing out clues
not in any order
do as much as I can
walk away once or twice
then it somehow all falls into place
sometimes I master it
sometimes it masters me
now every sunday
I eagerly grab my newspaper from outside the door
and the challenge begins once again.
I attribute it all to sheer will and bit of magic.
—
‘our whole life is solving puzzles.’
-erno rubik
Kudos, Beth. I never was any good at those things. Hugs
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it just takes some time and problem solving, but I find it to be a fun challenge –
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Puzzles are an interesting tool/way in rehabilitation process, after suffering a stroke/s.. (I’ve had 3 so far…)
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you are amazing, yes, they engage your brain in a variety of ways
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They helped me to how to Read and write again,. 🌏📖
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Reblogged this on Art, Photography and Poetry.
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ty, goff
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Great piece of writing. Masterly penned. A humorous take on those certain quiet and challenging coffee moments of life. Love it. Have reblogged.
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thank you, goff –
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My pleasure. I really enjoyed reading.
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I loved doing crossword puzzles but now I don’t find time for them.
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They do take time, but I find them to be a relaxing way to spend down time
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That’s true. But my blog takes up all my free time.
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You are so right, it takes a lot of time and attention to keep a blog running
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Exactly!
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This is wonderful Beth. Haven’t done one in years!
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I just love the challenge and I always learn something that I didn’t know I knew )
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Me too!
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I’m not surprised, you strike me as a puzzler- have you ever seen the doc called ‘word play?’ It’s an interesting look at the people who enjoy this challenge
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I did! And I was humbled by their skills…
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I’ve never tried one but have often read of the joy others feel in this success. I love that you saved it. The first one you completed. 🙂
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My daughters had a good laugh that I wrote a note to myself on it )
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I’m not a puzzle person, but my husband does the crossword every day, and he regularly curses out Will Shortz on Sundays. 😉
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Will shortz is one of my idols/targets of my ire, depending….)
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Exactly how my husband feels about him. 🙂
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I am extremely impressed, Beth.
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Aye. I try to do three every day. I’m not fast, but I am stubborn.
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There were a few years about a decade ago where I would work the Sunday NYT puzzle on lunch hour at work. I think I managed about four out of all of those that were letter perfect. And I saved them as well, because it is quite the accomplishment! I also did them in ink, which sometimes made for a messy grid…
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I’m Inn awe of anyone who can finish these things. The only ones I’ve managed to finish are the ones in People Magazine!
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Bravo! It’s great to have a chance to exercise the mind every week!
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That’s a great find and I can understand the feeling of getting it done.
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It brought a great smile to my face
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I feel life is a giant puzzle. We just have to find the right pieces at the right time to make it all fall together. I’m still missing a few
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That is exactly it, and me too
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I’ve been doing the Sunday puzzle all my life. Generally it takes multiple days and sessions. Slow and steady wins the race. Sometimes I initially get only a couple of words, but over the course of the week I usually get it filled in, or nearly complete. Lateral thinking and all that.
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Yes, our brains just keep working even when we walk away
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I used to be really good at crossword puzzles until my stroke. Now the tough thing is finding a place online to do them.
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I’ve never done one online and that’s unfortunate that they aren’t more readily available
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quite impressive! I’ll give one a try once or twice a year, but I can usually only fill in two or three of the clues…
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I’m sure you could do it if you gave it some time, just keep practicing –
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and cheating… 🙂
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)
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I love to work word puzzles! Good for you Beth!!
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They are such a fun challenge)
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Some of them are tough lol.
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They sure ate
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Are
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Applause, applause, applause! How wonderful that you kept your first one. I love crosswords, too, though the NYT can be tricky sometimes! Yay, Team Beth! ❤
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And you too !
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I miss doing puzzles. I seem to have replaced that activity with walking about the city looking for street art.
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ooh, one of my other favorite pastimes
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Wow. Congratulations. I can see why you kept that!
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thanks!
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That is really something, Beth!
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It took a lot of time and practice but I was happy to do it at last
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II am really impressed!
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Love this. 😃
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thanks –
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