Dear Friend,
I’ve been thinking ahead to rainy days, more time indoors. For me it means more time to write, draw, create... I usually need a fair amount of alone time to work so I don’t really mind isolation. But everyone is different. For instance, do you remember the first few months of 2020?
Do you remember how the world around you reacted as Covid 19 grew to a pandemic? Sorry to bring that up, but it was during that time that the word ‘Essential’ brought to light how important all workers have always been. And at this time when so many limitations were put on the masses in the name of safety, do you remember how quickly freedoms changed? Masks and vaccinations became heavy-duty, wedge-driving topics. Neighbors and families were challenged with varying opinions. Maybe you tried to go shopping and found that there were certain things that you simply could not buy. Sure, it seems that we all have tales of paper shortages. What about fistfights over TP… or paper towel wrestling… ? And seemingly over-night, mandates were put in place; you couldn’t enter certain buildings; there were people that you couldn’t visit with. Was it the first time in your life to be met with such limitations?
When faced with so many restrictions, a lot of people gravitated toward what they were free to do. Home repair, arts and crafts, gardening, adopting pets… Do you recall how yeast and flour became scarce as so many people suddenly started baking bread. Were you one of those bakers?
And lots of people, young and old, jumped onto Zoom for the first time. (I say, ‘jumped,’ though that indicates nimble participants. Maybe I mean, ‘fell?’ either way, it’s the landing that tells the whole story). Did you find it easy to adapt to that suddenly ubiquitous technology? Are you still Zooming? Anyway, for nearly the whole world, Zoom bloomed as people were no longer allowed to congregate. Schools, churches, medical offices etc. scrambled to get on-line and function as ‘normally’ as possible in on-line meeting rooms like Zoom.
Back then, almost daily, we’d hear of more people getting sick. Sometimes, visiting was not allowed. And back then, some people even questioned if it was safe to open their mail. If they weren’t tech-savvy enough to have a Zoom meeting, a phone call was the next best thing (as long as they weren’t coughing too much).
With fear all around, it seemed natural to offer comfort and assurance, and distractions. I went to try to find a jigsaw puzzle to send to my grandsons. Puzzles, of all kinds, were nearly out of stock. So, I made a board game and sent that, instead.
What is your recollection of the early Covid time? I know that too many people have lost friends and family. Too many people have been forced into isolation and loneliness. It was, (and in some places, is still), a truly difficult situation. Back in 2020, did you wonder if life would ever be the same for anyone? Well, what do you think, it’s nearly 2025 - has life returned to ‘normal?’
Maybe it seems a disconnect for me to go from Covid to Puzzles. Puzzles of all kinds are a way to relax, they’re a distraction from worries; puzzles have always been comforting to me. And jigsaw puzzles can be done alone or with others. They are challenging and rewarding, they can be glued together or redone. And, just think, if you have a cat, you have instant help!
Now, with technology, so many available printing companies, and tutorials on YouTube, there are hundreds of ways to make puzzles, and since you can use your own art and photos, the images are endless! Wouldn’t it be fun to create your own?
Because we're in our trailer, Frank doesn't have access to all of his carpentry tools. He has great ideas for making some jigsaw puzzles! When the time is right, he is looking forward to getting back to his woodworking. Meanwhile, here’s a quick video by a Scroll Saw Artist making a Bear puzzle out of reclaimed wood.
And I found this video about The History of Jigsaw Puzzles. Fun facts!
But, what about that missing puzzle piece? (First, ask the cat where she put it). If you still can’t find the missing piece(s), you can be creative with the remaining pieces… (if you donate the puzzle to a thrift store, make sure you indicate on the box that there is a piece missing). Crafters and artists use the puzzle pieces to make jewelry, other puzzles, picture frames, book marks… the ideas go on and on.
When is the last time you did a jigsaw puzzle? How many pieces did it have? What was the image? Did you glue it together or put it back in the box?
I asked Frank if he had a photo that he’d like to turn into a puzzle. He chose this photograph he took of the seasonal stream on our old property. Beautiful!
Well, this letter just barely brushes the subject of the Covid pandemic, which is, unfortunately, a piece of our history. It seems that everyone has a story to tell about the early days of Covid and all the changes that it has caused.
When you have a moment, send us your thoughts. Puzzles, pandemic, the puzzle of the pandemic... we truly look forward to hearing from you!
As always, thank you for being here to read Tracks by the Post! We are grateful, daily, to know that you are there.
We'll join you in taking good care, getting fresh air, and staying hydrated. With wishes for a happy week ahead to you and all of yours, (including any pets in your loving care)...
Gently Be,
Leslie and Frank