do more crosswords

Ever since I was a little girl, my mother has been filling out the crossword in the daily newspaper. It’s always on the same page, the one that has the comics, and some of my earliest memories are jostling for space on her lap as I tried to look at the comics and she tried to fill in letters.

She was diagnosed with cancer about six weeks ago, and since then we’ve been doing the crossword together. Some days are harder than others, but we’re getting through them as a team.

I love getting the papers and trying to figure out the crossword. I think it’s because it stimulates your mind. I like finding the hidden meanings in things.

Last night I finished two crosswords all by myself with no help at all! I’ll continue doing crossword puzzles on a regular basis because even though they frustrate me, they are a lot of fun. So, I’m considering this one done!

This morning I purchased not one, but two crossword puzzle books. The puzzles are quite difficult, but that’s fine, I need the challenge. One of the books is quite small, small enough to easily fit into my bag which will be handy for bus trips. I don’t know whether I’ll actually ever do crosswords on the bus, I’m much more partial to listening to random playlists and looking out the window.

Argh, I came so close to finishing today’s crossword! And with minimal reference to my trusty thesaurus. Still, I probably won’t mark this one done until I can complete a crossword without using the thesaurus.

I bought a crossword book to take on the train with me. I still suck at them, but I’m starting to get better.

Because I DO do more crosswords than I did before. Just not a lot.

Ultimately, I don’t think I care enough to be a crossword puzzle freak, although it’s fun to do sometimes. I’m not a huge puzzle person. I don’t want to stick with something that takes me hours just so I can solve it. A real-life puzzle, with something at stake, is a different story.

I’ll definitely come back to this goal if my mind needs a workout later.

i’ve actually made crossword buddies.

...and stupid. I’m doing the NEA crossword in my daily paper. It’s an easy one, but I am not that great at crosswords. I’m getting better (faster and more accurate) though, so maybe in time I can graduate to the LA Times puzzle on a daily basis.

NY Times will have to wait for awhile, I think…

I am proud with how much I finished, but it’s still not complete. I get really bogged down at the end – to date, I’ve actually finished very few puzzles.

But I did much better on this one than in the past!