Around the World

It’s been a while since I posted a puzzle picture (the last was of the Edmund Fitzgerald back in 2006). Things have been busy and stressful and I haven’t done much blogging, but one of the ways I work out my stress, especially when the gym is closed for the evening, is to do a puzzle. Of course, I’m not sure I reduced my stress by trying to work this size of a puzzle on a table that not quite large enough (each of the corner pieces hung off the edge and once the dog’s tail cleared off an entire section). But last night I finished—a trip around the world. There are 36 different cities represented in this 1000 piece puzzle (the 1000 Places to See Before You Die folks published this puzzle). Anyone want to see how many cities you can get right? There were several surprises for me. (If you take me up on the challenge, start at the top left and work across and then down, like you’re reading a book--thanks Murf for correcting me as I don't think I have many native Hebrew readers.) You can click on the photo to have it blown up to super-size. I’m sorry the picture isn’t the best. I may try photographing it again with some daylight adding to the mix and if I get a better shot, I’ll change photos.

Weather Update: The wind has been blowing crazy since about 3 AM (that's when the dog first woke me to inform me of the problem). I got up at 5:15 and it was 50 degrees outside. It was warm yesterday (in the low-40s) and with all the rain, our snow is now gone. Overnight, the temperature actually went up. But we’re in a winter storm warning and sometime this morning, the temperature is to nosedive and the rain is to become snow and between noon today and tomorrow morning, we’re to get our white Christmas. I’m hoping we get enough to ski on, but ain’t holding my breath.

Thinking of others: This is the season to think about others and at least three of the regular folks whose blogs I read are going through tough times. Kontan lost her dad and step-father this fall and this past week, Bone's mother had a stroke and Dawn lost Dakota, her loving beagle. Say a prayer or send a good thought in their directions.