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!
