There's something ridiculously satisfying about fitting the last number into a diabolical puzzle grid, as if that accomplishment has significant effect on the state of the world. I like the stretch it exercises on my brain. I like how it reduces stress to a simple combination of the numbers 1 through 9. I like how the dollar store shelves stock the books in a seemingly endless supply.
It's become routine. Put magic blanket in microwave. Brush teeth. Wash face. Arrange magic blanket against mountain of pillows so it hits my lower back. Turn on a sitcom or an old C.S.I. Do a sudoku (or three).
Somehow I can channel any stress from the day through my pen, into the numbers and onto that grid, readying myself for a good night's sleep.
Scott will poke his head in the bedroom door and roll his eyes - what good's a wife in bed if she's got her nose buried in a puzzle? - so he'll sneak outside for one last cigarette, trying not to disturb our nocturnal odoriferous pet (read: skunk) that lives under the studio. And he'll savour the cancer he's habitually breathing into his lungs, trying to time his re-entry for the moment I'm replacing my pen in the spiral binding because, surely, without the distraction of a silly puzzle, I will be ready to properly bid him bonne nuit.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
I love comments and I appreciate, consider and read each one. I welcome your thoughts, whether you're in agreement or not; however, this website is a happy place and I will remove any comment that I believe to be inappropriate, malicious or spam like.