Daughter Kate and I opened a new 500-piece puzzle and sneakily began working on it while her sons were at work. It was not as easy as the 480-piece double puzzles (two pictures jumbled together in the same box). John came in to see what we were shrieking about, as we doubled over in laughter. We finished the top edge and began working on the bottom. I should have taken a picture of it. The top, with all corners in their respective places, was three inches wider than the bottom. Several sections of the sides lay about looking confused. Despite our merriment, we found our mistakes and finished the outer rim.

Enter neighbor Logan (8). He was drawn to the puzzle as to a magnet. Kate found three middle pieces that came hooked together. In just a few minutes he added pieces to it that became the nucleus of our next phase. He was called home for dinner before the puzzle became tedious.

During the day, Kate finished most of the top. She found one piece after another until she was tired. I joined her, putting in two immediately, followed by nothing. Later I walked by, paused, put in one piece, and walked away. Now I know the best way for me to perform. While putting cereal on the table for breakfast, I put in one piece. It was about as instant as oatmeal and just as painless. From now on, I should limit myself to finding one or two pieces and let others really work at it.