Writer’s block. I have several cures. One of my favorites ways of working out problems with a writing project is to do a jigsaw puzzle. Sorting the colors and shapes helps sort my thoughts, allowing characters to grow and plots to progress. Whether I’m writing or not, I love doing jigsaw puzzles.My daughter, who lives in Taos, New Mexico, recently sent me a gem of a puzzle depicting the annual Taos Balloon Rally. This vibrant puzzle was made from a photo taken by Taos-based photographer Lenny Foster. She said she received two copies of the puzzle as gifts, and she graciously sent one to me.
Liberty Puzzles, the company that crafted the puzzle from Mr. Foster’s photograph, specializes in classic wooden jigsaw puzzles. No two of the intricate, laser-cut pieces in any puzzle are the same. Some of the shapes in this one were so charming, I hated to join them to other pieces!When the puzzle arrived, I set it out on the dining room table and got to "work." After two days, I realized that some of the pieces were missing. I searched the carpet repeatedly for dropped pieces but found none. Even my cats couldn’t have filched so many pieces!
I checked the info on the box. Beneath the picture on the cover, it said "Box 1 of 2." When I told my daughter, she checked her "copy" of the puzzle. Sure enough, it said "Box 2 of 2." While Box 2 was en route to New Hampshire, I continued working as best I could on my half of the puzzle. The second half arrived at last, and I knew right away where some of the pieces went, but it still took another few days to fit the rest of the 881 pieces together. A labor of love, and well worth the effort.
Bravo, Lenny Foster and Liberty Puzzles!
Beautiful puzzle, Pat. I've always enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles. When I was a kid, we set one up on a card table every New Year's Eve and worked on it as a family. As a teenager, I used to shellac them and hang them on my bedroom walls. I'll have to try doing one as a remedy the next time I have writer's block.
ReplyDeleteI find them therapeutic, Dawn. It's one of those things people love doing together, and I enjoy it as a "solitary sport." I hope you don't suffer from writer's block too often, or even at all, but if you do, you'll have to let me know if doing a puzzle helps. Thanks for dropping in!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous set of jigsaw puzzles! I used to have a great time piecing a picture together with my sisters. I agree, a hobby like this can distract us from our anxieties during a bad writing phase. Who knows, maybe something might pop while we're searching for the right piece?
ReplyDeleteClaudine, something always pops up for me while I'm "puzzling." I think it's great mental exercise, if not quite aerobic. And fun! Thanks so much for visiting.
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous puzzle. I have never made it to Taos for the balloon festival, but I may make it to Kalamazoo, MI for theirs one summer day. I hate to be a spoiler, but putting together a puzzle is the last thing I would do. They frustrate me. I have no patience I guess. I'm glad it helps you with working out writers block. My remedy is to throw in a couple loads of laundry.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet! I've never attended a balloon festival. Didn't realize there were so many. I'll have to check them out. As for the puzzles, I suppose I got used to doing them as a kid. We always had them around, usually on my grandmother's little green card table. Laundry isn't much different. All those different colored socks you have to match up :-) Great to see you!
ReplyDeleteI find it fascinating the different types of mind candy writers use to free their creative mind. I do love puzzles,and am going to have to check these out. I've never seen anything quite like them.
ReplyDeleteMy mind candy is Mandalas, yes I enjoy coloring, but it's more putting the right colors together in the right sequence for a mandala to look right.
My youngest loves puzzles and is frustratingly good at it. Nothing worse than to be struggling to find the right piece and she walks into the room and picks it up and puts it in place without batting an eyelashes... kids, gotta love 'em.
Adelle, I have a book of Mandala Designs (by Martha Bartfeld) and a big box of colored pencils. Another 'therapeutic' pastime, though one I seldom find time to enjoy. Have to admit, my favorite cure for writer's block is cooking. And yes, you gotta love those kids. Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea - I love putting puzzles together as well. And it is mesmerizing...almost meditative. A great idea to allow thoughts to focus while hands are kept busy. *smile*
ReplyDeleteI like it! I like all the crazy shapes of your Liberty Puzzles also. Fun!
Kay Dee, I'm not sure if my thoughts focus or stray when I'm doing a puzzle. Probably a little of both. Either way, I'm writing, right? :-) Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy Puzzling to you!
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