By Joe McKenzie
Puzzledge: I had the opportunity to be helping energetic toddlers fit together a simple 24 piece puzzle. The kiddos understood the idea of starting with the edges. The pieces around the border are easier to identify. Out at the margins of this colorful construction scene was the place to start. Like everyday life, the yukky parts in the middle are more challenging, even for a smart 4 year old. So many choices. They had to turn the puzzle pieces around and around to find the right fit. They worked as a chaotic group. We kept trying. We had to deal with our mistakes. That can frustrate a toddler. How about you? Take care of those parts of our world on the edges and you’ll have made a good start.
Jingle: How stylish to be dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh! Awesome. The legendary sleigh was probably one of the latest models - an early convertible, cherry red, black leather upholstery, factory built steel runners, and real horse power, albeit just one. Let’s not forget the bells. You’ll be jingling all the way with that 1857 song in your head. Sure, there were other models, types and brands of sleighs available back then. Some folks got by with older used work sleighs they kept running with the family work horse and a prayer, not a song. No duct tape. But, for Christmas, we’ll always put a big red bow on a beautiful, smooth running classic open sleigh - with bells. And, perfect snow!
Acuity: This word is rarely heard without the modifier mental, but a person might have visual or hearing acuity. Maybe you have an acuity of numbers or for detail. At this time of year, people with a strong acuity for shopping and gift selection have an advantage. It’s a strong word. Could be a future fast car name. Can you imagine not having any acuity? Or do you have to have strong mental acuity to imagine anything? Or you remember being sharp with numbers, but lost it when you started with a calculator. Don’t lose that calculator.
Patina: Saw a residential fence on the west side pulling itself down like a row of dominoes, exposing someone’s extensive domestic exterior collections and scattering of backyard stuff. Like many of us, the fence appeared to be older with a weathered gray patina. Do you have a patina? The word just popped into my head. The fence probably was weak at the knees and a sudden wind gust cracked an ankle or footing. In its prime, that fence probably did a stand up job and added to the house value, as it provided protection and privacy and gave the family’s dog the run of the yard. But, now? Well, it does have that weathered and wise patina that might be worth something.
Pre-boarding: Have you ever enjoyed the simple privilege of pre-boarding a flight? I have not. I hear the announcement and wonder if the passengers were on board before boarding began. They pre-boarded. Or if pre-boarding involves hand-washing and special exercises so we can fit into coach seats. How does that work? It’s like magic that transports special passengers onto the plane before boarding begins and wedges them carefully into those tight seats. Then, when the regular Group 6 and 7 people walk aboard the narrow jet, the pre-boarders have to stand to let us squeeze over to the window, clearly not a benefit of boarding before boarding, Of course, if you need special assistance, or are active duty military, you can go to the front of the line and pre-board too.
