Puzzling Puzzle Rings of the Past

Another blast from the past hit me by total accident today while innocently (!) browsing eBay. How is it possible that I completely forgot about this ubiquitous accessory of the early 1970's among the middle school and high school set, the Puzzle Ring? You just had to have one, if only to have something to do to pass the time while waiting for attendance to be called in P.E. As I recall, there were only a limited number of different designs, so once you figured out the puzzle of your own ring, you could pretty much do any of them. I guess these were the natural progression for those of us obsessed with Cat's Cradle in the third grade. At least we never had our rings confiscated!

On a more thoughtful note, it strikes me that this item from my youth, and the happy reminiscence that it evokes, should be revealed to me today, a day of poignant and painful memories. A message, perhaps? But from whom?

Completed

Wishing you blessings and peace, today and always.

In Memory of a Dear Friend

1971:  Andrea at age 15, painted by my mother, Vivian Morse, on Snowden Lane

Five days ago, I learned the devastating news that my friend Andrea had  passed away while on vacation in Mexico.  She was swimming in the ocean, a pastime that she loved, when, inexplicably, she drowned. I've been thinking quite a bit about Andrea this week; about friendships lost and gained, the power of internet social networks,and how fragile life is.

If it hadn't been for Facebook, I most likely never would have had Andrea "back" in my life.  We grew up on the same street, in a vibrant little college town not far from New York. Her older sister used to baby-sit me, an only child, when I was in elementary school, and Andrea took up the reins when her sister left for college, sitting with me occasionally when my parents went out at night.

In the '60's and '70's, my mother belonged to a painting group that met weekly, and for one of the classes, Andrea was enlisted to "sit" or rather, stand against a tree, as a portrait subject. Two years ago, when Andrea and I first became Facebook friends, I reminded her of this portrait sitting, and she was amazed and heartened to see this painting, so many years later.  She remembered how difficult it was for her, a vivacious girl, soccer and tennis player, aspiring actress, to pose, without moving, for the several hours that the class took to paint her. Even though she was being paid her "going rate" for baby sitting, she said it was one of the most tiresome things that she had ever had to do!  At the end of the sitting, she also said that seeing the many different interpretations of her image was an eye-opener, and in most instances, quite shocking for her 15-year-old self, but that now as an adult she had a much greater appreciation for the quality of artistic expression.

Today is her memorial service, in a city many miles away.  The snow is falling here, for the first time this year, gentle snowflakes swirling above a white blanketed ground. The landscape could not possibly contrast more to that vibrantly colored painting. My heart is heavy. I will miss interacting with  Andrea on Facebook, playing our word games, and reading her comments and posts. While it seems unimaginable that she will never "speak" to me again,  I feel grateful for her memory, and for this portrait.

Bungalow Magic in Miami

Isn't this fantastic?  I just had to share this piece that I read this morning in the New York Times "Home" section.  I could live there. Honestly, if I had to live alone, this is how I would like to do it! I don't think I could persuade my husband to live in a jewel-box like this, but maybe?  I don't know if he would go for the 350 pound pig, either, but I could make an argument for the manatee. In any case, enjoy reading about this Bungalow With A Worldview, and the interesting woman who has made a life for herself there.