Page 1 of 2
Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 5:20 pm
by SReh26
Anyone care to share their expert strategies, tips and tactics for getting through the pandemic? Other than burying oneself in the crossword (admittedly one of the best tactics)?
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:00 pm
by MikeyG
Various things I love to do (your mileage may vary!)
1. I subscribed to the newspaper three times a week during the pandemic - the actual, journalism-in-your-hands newspaper - and it has now become an integral part of my routine.
2. Reading! I am a voracious reader and set a record of 35 books last year and hoping to get to 48 this year.
3. Music/walking/podcasts - any mix of these seems to motivate me.
4. Other puzzles! I'm a big fan of logic problems and other math brainteasers and try to do those when the moment arises.
5. Rooting on the Cubbies with my parents! Not sure if you're a sports fan or not, but this is always a great centerpiece to our day (when they actually score some runs, hahaha.)
Mikey G
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 9:00 pm
by boharr
Read. Read anything. Just read.
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:33 am
by hcbirker
Exercise! Lots of walks and weight training has kept me sane. And of course, this forum! Join us on our weekly Zoom call on Tuesdays. It's a lot of fun!
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 2:20 pm
by SReh26
Thanks! When not WFH, I’ve been reading, exercising, doing some amateur photography, looking at some travel sites on IG. And of course reading WSJ and doing puzzles. This group is awesome, just joined recently. Thanks for the good suggestions. I love Mikey’s motto, above - less (sic) cross words, more crosswords!
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:59 pm
by Joe Ross
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 4:36 pm
by SReh26
Thanks, Joe. Much obliged!
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Sat May 08, 2021 4:03 pm
by SReh26
MikeyG wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:00 pm
Various things I love to do (your mileage may vary!)
1. I subscribed to the newspaper three times a week during the pandemic - the actual, journalism-in-your-hands newspaper - and it has now become an integral part of my routine.
2. Reading! I am a voracious reader and set a record of 35 books last year and hoping to get to 48 this year.
3. Music/walking/podcasts - any mix of these seems to motivate me.
4. Other puzzles! I'm a big fan of logic problems and other math brainteasers and try to do those when the moment arises.
5. Rooting on the Cubbies with my parents! Not sure if you're a sports fan or not, but this is always a great centerpiece to our day (when they actually score some runs, hahaha.)
Mikey G
Thank you! Where do you find the logic problems? Id like to try those. Also, any books you recommend? I’m enjoying all the free time in quarantine.
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Sat May 08, 2021 8:08 pm
by Meg
I’m getting a puppy. Lots of exercising and bending of knees.
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Sat May 08, 2021 8:12 pm
by SReh26
Meg wrote: ↑Sat May 08, 2021 8:08 pm
I’m getting a puppy. Lots of exercising and bending of knees.
That sounds like a great idea.
I was going to get a Squishmallow (its a cute snuggle toy for kids), but Im not quite there yet.
I was proud of myself for keeping occupied through most of this so far during lockdown but in month 14 I admit Im starting to be bored out of my mind, even though I’m enormously grateful not to have worse problems necessarily.
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Sat May 08, 2021 10:01 pm
by FrankieHeck
Peloton, Pokemon Go, and beer. Oh, and we adopted a cat a couple weeks ago. We know absolutely nothing about cats, so it has been interesting. And now I'm going to try to spend time with my sons, because they are both moving out of town this summer. One is only going about 90 minutes away, but the other one is moving 31 hours away....for five years.
At least I have a cat now.
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Sat May 08, 2021 10:20 pm
by SReh26
FrankieHeck wrote: ↑Sat May 08, 2021 10:01 pm
Peloton, Pokemon Go, and beer. Oh, and we adopted a cat a couple weeks ago. We know absolutely nothing about cats, so it has been interesting. And now I'm going to try to spend time with my sons, because they are both moving out of town this summer. One is only going about 90 minutes away, but the other one is moving 31 hours away....for five years.
At least I have a cat now.
Well, he must be doing something very important and you can be very proud of him.
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 8:55 am
by MikeM000
I've started sports gambling...obviously your location and interest are key, but William Hill - a giant in UK betting, largely unknown in the US - lets you make $1 minimum bets on your phone app so you can get interested without getting yourself in trouble or having to sheepishly ask the guy at the bet window for the minimum bet. In 3 weeks I'm down all of $10.50 after Phoenix & the Lakers hit the over last night.
As for books - every time during the pandemic a celebrity has tweeted "I need book recommendations - something that has intelligence and heart but isn't overly difficult and won't make me hate the world even more", there's been a dozen replies of "Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series of murder mysteries". I'm enjoying those a fair amount....
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 9:52 am
by Al Sisti
MikeM000 wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 8:55 am
I've started sports gambling...obviously your location and interest are key, but William Hill - a giant in UK betting, largely unknown in the US - lets you make $1 minimum bets on your phone app so you can get interested without getting yourself in trouble or having to sheepishly ask the guy at the bet window for the minimum bet. In 3 weeks I'm down all of $10.50 after Phoenix & the Lakers hit the over last night.
As for books - every time during the pandemic a celebrity has tweeted "I need book recommendations - something that has intelligence and heart but isn't overly difficult and won't make me hate the world even more", there's been a dozen replies of "Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series of murder mysteries". I'm enjoying those a fair amount....
I'm a huge fan of David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series. Funny, great stories, informative legal insights...
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 10:14 am
by MikeM000
Al Sisti wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 9:52 am
I'm a huge fan of David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series. Funny, great stories, informative legal insights...
Thanks for the tip...these appear to be massively available as eBooks from my local library. I'll start "Open and Shut" sometime soon....
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 12:19 pm
by Meg
MikeM000 wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 8:55 am
I've started sports gambling...obviously your location and interest are key, but William Hill - a giant in UK betting, largely unknown in the US - lets you make $1 minimum bets on your phone app so you can get interested without getting yourself in trouble or having to sheepishly ask the guy at the bet window for the minimum bet. In 3 weeks I'm down all of $10.50 after Phoenix & the Lakers hit the over last night.
As for books - every time during the pandemic a celebrity has tweeted "I need book recommendations - something that has intelligence and heart but isn't overly difficult and won't make me hate the world even more", there's been a dozen replies of "Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series of murder mysteries". I'm enjoying those a fair amount....
I’ve read all in the Inspector Gamache series. Always a great story with characters I’ve become attached to. I recommend reading them in order.
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 12:34 pm
by Al Sisti
Meg wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 12:19 pm
MikeM000 wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 8:55 am
I've started sports gambling...obviously your location and interest are key, but William Hill - a giant in UK betting, largely unknown in the US - lets you make $1 minimum bets on your phone app so you can get interested without getting yourself in trouble or having to sheepishly ask the guy at the bet window for the minimum bet. In 3 weeks I'm down all of $10.50 after Phoenix & the Lakers hit the over last night.
As for books - every time during the pandemic a celebrity has tweeted "I need book recommendations - something that has intelligence and heart but isn't overly difficult and won't make me hate the world even more", there's been a dozen replies of "Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series of murder mysteries". I'm enjoying those a fair amount....
I’ve read all in the Inspector Gamache series. Always a great story with characters I’ve become attached to. I recommend reading them in order.
Never heard of the series. I'll check it out.
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 1:04 pm
by boharr
Al Sisti wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 12:34 pm
Meg wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 12:19 pm
MikeM000 wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 8:55 am
I've started sports gambling...obviously your location and interest are key, but William Hill - a giant in UK betting, largely unknown in the US - lets you make $1 minimum bets on your phone app so you can get interested without getting yourself in trouble or having to sheepishly ask the guy at the bet window for the minimum bet. In 3 weeks I'm down all of $10.50 after Phoenix & the Lakers hit the over last night.
As for books - every time during the pandemic a celebrity has tweeted "I need book recommendations - something that has intelligence and heart but isn't overly difficult and won't make me hate the world even more", there's been a dozen replies of "Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series of murder mysteries". I'm enjoying those a fair amount....
I’ve read all in the Inspector Gamache series. Always a great story with characters I’ve become attached to. I recommend reading them in order.
Never heard of the series. I'll check it out.
I have not read them all, but reading them in order seems essential. The author now seems to be collaborating with Hillary.
https://variety.com/2021/politics/news/ ... 234913226/
And Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse does cryptics. John Banville's crime novels are also very good. And Joe Nesbo.
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 1:48 pm
by Al Sisti
boharr wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 1:04 pm
Al Sisti wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 12:34 pm
Meg wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 12:19 pm
I’ve read all in the Inspector Gamache series. Always a great story with characters I’ve become attached to. I recommend reading them in order.
Never heard of the series. I'll check it out.
I have not read them all, but reading them in order seems essential. The author now seems to be collaborating with Hillary.
https://variety.com/2021/politics/news/ ... 234913226/
And Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse does cryptics. John Banville's crime novels are also very good. And Joe Nesbo.
Surprisingly (to me), these are all new (to me). I was just writing
@docison about some of my favorite authors and characters and the most common trait is that they are all flawed, sarcastic and dark, but with a good moral compass. Hmmm. Can a reader get typecast?
Re: Between Crossword Puzzles
Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 2:32 pm
by Meg
@Al Sisti the first Inspector Gamache book is called "Still Life". It takes place in a small town in Quebec, so it fits in well with my connection to Montreal.
