When I was a preteen on weekends with my grandparents, I’d go deep into the hall closet and pull out 1000 piece puzzles with European landscapes or Master’s Paintings, such as were popular in the 60’s. Putting these puzzles together gave me an escape that board games and TV sitcoms never offered.

I have always loved big complicated jig saw puzzles. I find the ritual both calming and challenging. Like all puzzlers, I have a process that rarely varies for opening the puzzle, up turning the pieces & sorting the edges simultaneously, and then the outside edges.

I sort and assemble by color & texture; my husband prefers to look for puzzle shape – which makes us a great team!

Recently I scored a big vintage Japanese lacquered tray from Cargo that has become my puzzling table. The tray’s surface is smooth and beautiful on its own, making it a pleasure to work on. I can move it around the house, or even take it outdoors in good weather.

“I’ve never been very good at meditation, but I can clear my mind when I puzzle in a way that is truly unique.”

As I sort color, shape & texture and slowly assemble the hidden image of the puzzle I find that my mind does not wonder or spin. In the past month with so much information, confusion & worry in our lives, puzzling has given me a much-needed tool. For a Type A, the reward of a completed puzzle, especially a challenging one, is quite satisfying!

I’ve been particularly enjoying the newer “shaped” puzzles, with non-linear edges, particularly the rounded graphic Frank Stella one and the butterfly & bouquet from Christian Lacroix. My co-worker Angie just gave me a vintage “Tuco” puzzle, that was truly thrilling. It has thick wood backed pieces and unique non-interlocking pieces, I will always treasure this one!

Passing on a puzzle to a neighbor or friend has been a fun way to connect during quarantine too!

Next up for me is either the double-sided succulent, or Andy Warhol’s selfies ….

Puzzles as Meditation by Bridgid