Shawn Lea is in Key West, enjoying herself (I think so, anyway...it's not hurricane season yet), while I'm stuck here working. There is no justice, is there?
To placate me, she sent me this link for a beautiful sudoku pencil from Flax art and design.
The sturdy pencil boasts an extra-large eraser, and holds 0.9 mm lead. Perfect for many hours of happy puzzling.
I do use a pencil for my sudoku and crosswords. I don't erase much, but like to have the option. I'd bet this pencil would work equally well for crosswords or the Jumble.
Since I discovered that my friend Monica does her sudokus without writing more than one number in a box, I've taken up the challenge and only write in the box when I know what the number is. Interestingly, it's worked out quite well, even with four and five-star puzzles.
I was speaking with a friend recently and remarked that I frequently do sudoku as I am going to sleep at night. He thought that would be stimulating and keep me awake. That does not seem to be the case. I often read the "Lifestyle" section of the paper, read the comics, then do the Jumble and Sudoku puzzles, sometimes the crossword as I drift off to sleep. When my eyes get heavy, I put the puzzle aside to finish the next day. I think that rather than stimulating my mind, it takes my mind off the stressors of the day, and allows me to slip into sleep.
I find dancing does much the same (blogging, too). I focus on whatever it is I am doing at the time, and let the rest go. I theorize that this might have the same therapeutic value as meditating...letting go of the stress...
Someone should do a study on that.
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