Room Available

I wish I could write simultaneously while assembling a puzzle. I was, just a moment ago, attempting to assemble the most difficult section of the Springbok puzzle shown below.

Specifically, the upper left-hand corner had me stymied. 

Taking one piece at a time, which might be a match, as I normally do, and attempting to find the correct place just wasn’t working.

Let’s try removing a 12-piece section of the upper left corner border and bringing it over to where I have consolidated about 20 deep red pieces.

Now, I’m making progress.

Here’s another example of how “puzzling” is a productive analogy for our daily lives.

i.e. If it isn’t working, change it. 

Whatever “it” is, stop brooding about your lack of progress and commit to positive change in your life……. 

Only you can do it. 

You gotta wanna! 

That’s enough puzzle assembly philosophy for today.

Today’s thought puzzle is —–

Conceptually, there’s a limited amount of space, or capacity for thoughts and information in our brains. 5 years ago, in my case, most of that space was occupied with work related, (I’ll just call it) stuff! 

Today, I’m unemployed/retired. A large part of my brain is available for other subject matter.

Room Available.

Just like my garage, it’s there to be filled with stuff.

Re-filling (refurbishing?) has been going on for 5 years. 

Writing, puzzling, landscaping, the stock markets, watching and yelling at cable news, and being less of a pain in the neck for my wife, are top six 6 brain fillers.

It might surprise you that the first of these I find most puzzling right now is landscaping.

‘Tis the season!

It’s risk vs. reward.

Landscaping gives me a strong feeling of accomplishment. It also gives me cuts, bruises, back pain, and screaming ham strings.

Here’s a true story of landscaping risk. There was no reward.

Many years ago, in Atlanta, (the birthplace of red clay), our new home was in dire need of a front lawn. 

Step # 1: rent a roto tiller. 

Disregarding the 95-degree heat, the rock-hard clay, and my ignorance of how to operate the equipment, I proceed.

I get the engine going, yeah!

Put it into gear and immediately the machine takes over, bouncing along on the surface, pulling me along in a fast walk. I didn’t learn until last year that there’s a little plow spur on the rear axle that you have to drop to control the speed!

There was no tilling going on, just a lot of dragging and bouncing.

Of course, I panic!

Instead of just letting the controls go, I lean backward in an effort to gain control. That’s when the throttle mechanism gives me a 2-inch gash on my hand.

As my new neighbors drove by, I could read their lips; “Dumb Yankee!”.