Crossword Man @crosswordman@qoto.org
- Pronouns
- he/him
- Location
- Brattleboro, Vermont, USA
Retired polymath with a background in pure science, IT, publishing and music.
Originally from the UK, I now live in the state of Vermont in the US.
I love puzzles, especially crosswords, and do a lot of cycling, hiking and yoga.
Avatar by @heyheymomo
#Brattleboro #Vermont #Crosswords #JigsawPuzzles #Cycling #Hiking #Yoga #Cats
Spoiler alert: reveals completed jigsaw puzzle
Flurry of Wildflowers by Erin Hanson. Design by David Figueiras and Gema Palacio. 553 pieces. Made by Artifact Puzzles.
We love Erin Hanson's paintings, so any puzzle featuring one is a must-do for us.
This has about as high a piece count as we like to go these days. With two people, it took about five hours maybe, spread over three days. A good eye for color really helps in the early stages, and we always felt we were making slow but steady progress.
The larger piece count allowed the designers to include big multi-piece "whimsy" flowers, as well as groupings of smaller whimsies around the edge. It's difficult to figure out what's happening with these as you piece the puzzle together, but you appreciate the artistry towards the end.
All in all, one of our favorite puzzles from Artifact.
#ErinHanson #DavidFigueiras #GemaPalacio #ArtifactPuzzles #JigsawPuzzles #Jigsaws
Sophie is a bit camera shy.
Spoiler alert: reveals completed jigsaw puzzle
White Clouds and Crimson Trees by Tanomura Chokunyu. 155 pieces. Made by Artifact Puzzles.
Despite the small number of pieces, the nature of the picture and the design made this a fun challenge (approx. one 45-minute session with two people).
The design is based on one of the pentagonal tiling patterns discovered by amateur mathematician Marjorie Rice.
Another one done during an (ongoing) multi-day power outage.
#TanomuraChokunyu #Nanga #ArtifactPuzzles #JigsawPuzzles #Jigsaws #MarjorieRice #PentagonalTilings #NorEasters
Content reveals completed jigsaw puzzle
Floating Town by Roch Urbaniak. Puzzle design by Chandler Millwood. 228 pieces. Made by Artifact Puzzles.
An average-difficulty Artifact puzzle (approx. two half-hour sessions with two people).
The design is based around V-shaped pieces and you can spot a Flying V guitar among the whimsies. Fun to do during a multi-day power outage.
#RochUrbaniak #ChandlerMilwood #ArtifactPuzzles #JigsawPuzzles #Jigsaws
Content reveals completed jigsaw puzzle
Tea Bath by Stasia Burrington. Puzzle design by Matt Lyon. 210 pieces. Made by Artifact Puzzles.
An easy Artifact puzzle (approx. one half-hour session with two people). A nice puzzle with a lot of charm in the image and design. Good to do on a snow day.
#StasiaBurrington #MattLyon #ArtifactPuzzles #JigsawPuzzles #Jigsaws #Cats #Tea
Content reveals completed jigsaw puzzle
Sentinels by Paul Bond. Puzzle design by Tara Flannery. 483 pieces. Made by Artifact Puzzles.
About average difficulty for an Artifact puzzle of this size (three approx. half-hour sessions with two people). Good fun.
#PaulBond #TaraFlannery #ArtifactPuzzles #JigsawPuzzles #Jigsaws
It's Brattleboro Winter Carnival Week, so it's time for the Artful Ice Shanties - blinged up ice fishing shacks.
They are parked at the Retreat Farm so you can enjoy them without venturing onto the ice.
See ALT TEXT for further descriptions.
I found some stamps in an envelope being used as a bookmark.
The dogs were issued in 1979 and represent the four countries of the UK. From left to right: West Highland Terrier (11p); Welsh Springer Spaniel (10½p); Old English Sheepdog (9p); Irish Setter (13p). Combined value 87p. Maybe I can afford to send one letter now?
I'm not sure of the exact
date and significance of the stamps from the Netherlands. I'll leave that to Dutch readers.
Did the Marbling Infinity Puzzle from Nervous System on a short vacation. Lots of fun and rather challenging for 180 pieces.
In case you haven't seen this cool idea, the picture wraps around, so the pieces on the top edge can be taken out and reconnected at the bottom etc. I.e. the pieces would fill the surface of a torus if they were floppy enough?
It means the way we finished it could (and almost certainly will) look different from the way others will complete it.
Thanks @nervous_jessica
The Creamery Bridge across the Whetstone Brook in #Brattleboro. Built in 1879, a walkway alongside was added later. It has the "Town lattice" design, named after engineer Ithiel Town.
It is now paralleled by a modern bridge, hence the snow mountain blocking the road side.
It's a popular photo op for visitors, being right by the interstate and the beloved Vermont Country Deli.
https://connecticuthistory.org/town-patents-the-lattice-truss-bridge-today-in-history/
The little downtown ski hill in #Brattleboro is super-popular today.
It's run by volunteers and a great asset to the town. #Skiing #Vermont
An old disused footbridge on the #HillwindsTrails.
We just had about 5 inches of snow with another 8 inches due tonight and maybe 6 more predicted for later in the week.
It finally feels like winter has arrived here in Southern #Vermont. #SilentSunday #Brattleboro
Sophie was really into TV this week when we watched #TheBadGuys ... the first time that's happened since a particularly lively weather forecast in 2021. #Caturday #CatsOfMastodon.
I'm reading #SiddhartaMukherjee's new book The Song of the Cell.
My jaw just dropped at the story of #IgnazSemmelweis, who discovered #Antisepsis well before #JosephLister, but whose hand-washing protocols were eventually rejected by the scientific community.
How much this was the result of his own failings and how much those of others, you be the judge.
#Obstetrics #Midwifery #Childbirth #PuerperalFever #ChildbedFever
Someone's been busy.
On December 8 (2022) I noticed this rotten tree had a smallish hole dug out of it.
Today (January 7) the hole has been extended to a channel about eight foot in length.
I'd have said #woodpeckers except that's a lot of work in about a month.
Do any mammals make channels in rotting trees like that?
Enjoyed this article explaining the main reason #CoveredBridges are covered: to protect the important parts of the bridge from rotting (NOT, as I'd supposed, to keep the roadway free of ice and snow).
My picture shows the interior of our local one, the #Dummerston Covered Bridge, across the West River. Many of my summer bike rides take me here and beyond. #Vermont
https://vtdigger.org/2022/12/25/then-again-news-flash-covered-bridges-werent-designed-to-be-quaint/
Really enjoyed the Six Days of Holiday Cheer from #Artifact. The #jigsaw puzzle pieces are split into six sections so you can complete the wreath over a number of days. I gather the artwork was created with #DALL-E.
I have no connection with #ArtifactPuzzles except as a happy customer.
- Pronouns
- he/him
- Location
- Brattleboro, Vermont, USA
Retired polymath with a background in pure science, IT, publishing and music.
Originally from the UK, I now live in the state of Vermont in the US.
I love puzzles, especially crosswords, and do a lot of cycling, hiking and yoga.
Avatar by @heyheymomo
#Brattleboro #Vermont #Crosswords #JigsawPuzzles #Cycling #Hiking #Yoga #Cats
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