I recently found a puzzle board for my sister Laurie. It is about two feet wide and three feet long and has four side drawers to help in sorting all those puzzle pieces.

Can’t really say that I am a big puzzle fan, but during these long, cold days, anything that keeps me away from the cookie jar is a welcome distraction. I volunteer once a week at a thrift store where you can purchase gently used jigsaw puzzles for one dollar each, and you know how I love a bargain! So I’ve been buying jigsaw puzzles.

I thought I’d try my hand at one of the 1,000-piece puzzles that came through the store.  It was a Frank Lloyd Wright carpet he designed for the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.  I gave it a mighty effort, but after finally finishing all the edge pieces, I had to admit defeat.  I passed it along to the jigsaw master, my brother-in-law John.

Never totally giving up, I found a “Christmas in London” puzzle by Michael Storrings. This one was more of a scene, so I thought I might be able to figure it out, in spite of its 1,000 pieces. Once again, after completing the edges and the double-decker bus, I discovered that I had neither the skill nor the will. This also went to John, who recently sent me a photo of it in completed form. Huzzah! I salute his handiwork.

Which brings us to last week, when the aforementioned puzzle board came into the thrift shop. I purchased it, and on my way out one of the other volunteers gave me a 300-piece puzzle to try.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased and proud to tell you that I successfully assembled this puzzle on the wonderful puzzle board. It took me some hours with lots of breaks in-between, but I did it!

I believe I have found my puzzle comfort level, but I am tempted to try a 500-piece.

Funny puzzle story: my other brother-in-law Dick is a great photographer, and he once took a picture of a mountain lion very well-camouflaged in the woods. My sister Laurie thought it would make a great jigsaw, so she sent it off and had it made. After hours and hours trying to complete it, she finally gave up and passed it on to a hardcore jigsaw-er, who was able to assemble it.

Did you know that there is a World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship every year? Last year’s winner was Kristen Thuv from Norway, who completed a 500-piece puzzle in 37 minutes and 58 seconds. You can watch the video of her solving online. It is moderately more fascinating than watching paint dry. No, actually, it is action-packed.

I don’t think that I have a future in competitive jigsawing. I do enjoy other kinds of puzzles, however. Give me a crossword or wordle, and I’m a happy girl.

Oh, and in amazing puzzle news, my 11-year-old granddaughter Adeline now knows how to solve a Rubik’s cube. I stand in awe of her talent!