Speaking of pleasures . . .

Is there anything better than puzzles, friends, and vacations? Here, a dear friend and I work on a puzzle with a detailed map of Eugene, Oregon. It was challenging–we were not able to complete it before parting ways.

Summer pleasures

This was our Montana vacation puzzle. "Making Friends" exemplifies the kind of cheery, sweet imagery that turns many people away from jigsaw puzzling. And usually I avoid buying puzzles of this sort, preferring those that are more contemporary and of higher artistic quality. A foal nuzzling a cat is the height of boring sentimentality, nowhere near as elegant as the "Crystal Palace" or edgy as Edward Munch's "The Scream!" However, the puzzle served us well on our recent trip. The Queen of the Cabin in the Woods, Jiggy Jr., and myself gravitated in and out of puzzling over the course of a week, assembling the golden retriever here, the milk stool and kitty there. Honestly, it was harder than I would have predicted. And all in all, who can quarrel with the theme, "Making Friends"?

In fully interlocking solidarity, Jigsaw Maniac

Loose lips sink ships—keep busy with jigsaw puzzles ✌