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Puzzles and Paper Scraps, Postage and Permits

Assembling a jigsaw puzzle is the ultimate escape. It’s engaging but not taxing, and with one thousand pieces, it requires time and patience.

Conversely, I had neither time nor patience throughout December, yet I started assembling a puzzle anyway, and once done, I started another one.

Studies suggest that puzzles increase the production of dopamine, a chemical that regulates mood, memory, and concentration. Once I cracked open the puzzle box, the sorting began, and the list of things I needed to do fell by the wayside. A spell had been cast, one puzzle piece at a time.

Most of the time, I’m an organized and capable person, so I’m uncomfortable feeling this scattered. I planned to make Christmas cards this year and had the supplies. Making cards and corresponding with friends is a joy. I eventually sat down at my crafting table and created a dozen cards, but by day’s end, fatigue won out, and most of my cards remained unsent.

I made one card, using scraps, to join Kate’s ScrapHappy blog hop mid-December, but I lacked the time to create a post.

Earlier in the year, I set aside vintage Christmas postage to make a card from a friend’s stash. You guessed it: finished but unsent.

And Permits? How did that get into the title?

It’s a long and tedious story, so here’s my attempt at brevity. The space between the sidewalk and the street, known locally as the sidewalk strip, is the homeowner’s responsibility, but the City governs usage. When we bought our home nearly thirty years ago, we inherited a strip of lawn. We applied for a permit and planted a “street tree.” During the worst of the drought years, we removed the lawn. Mike built a planter box in its place, and I’ve happily planted seasonal flowers, tomatoes, and whatever else wanted to self-seed there for many years.

In the last decade, the tree declined. We applied for a permit to replace the tree. The City denied our request, saying the tree wasn’t sick enough. City workers came through this spring and pruned every tree on the block to prepare for road work, leaving a sickly tree in its wake. They approved our second request to remove and replace the tree.

Two weeks later, we received a Repair Notice and Permit saying we had to remove the planting box, calling it a tripping hazard. I’ll share more details in a future post, but suffice it to say I’m sad, disappointed, and, for a time, overwhelmed by the amount of work it would take to dismantle my beloved curb garden, not to mention the expense.

The City gave us thirty days to remove the tree, the planting box, and all the soil and gravel, plants, bulbs, and irrigation that went with it. When I called, they offered an extension but refused to budge on the planter.

I can always send those Christmas cards next year.

It’s time to start a new puzzle.

22 thoughts on “Puzzles and Paper Scraps, Postage and Permits”

  4. Oh, that is so sad Alys. I feel for you. ❣️ Wouldn’t they have allowed the planting without the planter box? There would have been no supposed ‘danger’ then. Still, your front garden will stand out even more as a haven for bees and butterflies this spring, so don’t be disheartened. You do what you can for nature and the wildlife thanks you for it. (And your neighbours whompass by!) I can understand how you escaped into your puzzles! Sending you a big hug. 🤗

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  6. Ugh, city regulations (and HMOs) can be such a strain on creativity and natural beauty. As a gardener, I feel for your loss of your sweet garden space. Perhaps you will be able to create something new and exciting?
    Similarly, we had to remove a large privacy hedge along the road in front of our house in early Dec. It was a tough decision and now that the deed is done, I can see that it opened up the possibility of a creative response in me to refresh and renew the plantings along the street. Moving forward, spring will see a new look!
    Blessings in the year ahead, Alys! 🙏🏼🕊️

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  7. I am sad to see the curb garden go. I’m sure it’s been a boost for many in the neighborhood.

    I do love to puzzle. It can be relaxing and satisfying to do alone or with family. This year since it was just going to Stephen and I for the holiday I bought an Advent puzzle that we kept on the coffee table. Each evening we did a little piece and by Christmas eve we had a lively 1000 piece puzzle. Several visitors have all enjoyed its progress and been intriqued.. it was fun.

    I dont make my own cards anymore I buy them after Christmas when I can. I had all my supplies ready this year before Thanksgiving but time got away from me and I didn’t send a single card before the 27th. I had surgery that day so I have finally finished and got them all in the mail so most of my friends will get an Ephiany card.

    Happy New Year to Alison. I hope you find joy and rest. God bless.

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    • This is Amy by the way. I keep forgetting I have to log in to comment. I don’t think it has always been like that. Anyway. Not anonymous.

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  8. I’m so sorry about the planter box. I hope the city will allow plants without the box, or is it just too dry? So sad. Re your Christmas cards, you could explain that you weren’t sending them in sympathy with the Canadian postal workers (none of us sent cards because the strike didn’t end until a few days before Christmas)! Re puzzles, I wonder if working on a puzzle at night would help me sleep better. I might try that.

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  9. I bought some 500 piece puzzles for my neighbor, Everett’s 89th birthday last summer. He can still see to do them so I wanted to help. I don’t do those kinds of puzzles and really never have. As you well know, quilting is my puzzle and I think it does the same thing to the brain. I can tell you that you are not alone with the odd malaise setting in this December. I just couldn’t get my motor going fast enough to get anything done. Glad I’m not alone in that. I have 2 1/2 hours to shower and clean up Christmas out of here so another neighbor can come down for snacks and a glass of wine before my 7:30 bedtime to journal and read. Your cards are beautiful and they will keep. I did not one stitch in December!! As for the city, someone has a power issue. That happens a lot unfortunately. Sad but true. Maybe you put the tree in and rock it. Not pretty at all. I just want to lash back at their attitude. I’ve been having a mood. :( Our Dec and Jan are full of 60 degree days. Something is very off. Sending hugs and lots of love.

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  11. Oh Alys, my heart goes out to you. It seems to be unlike you to have the blues. What a wrench to have to remove that beautiful garden bed, for no reason but pettiness. I am sure the score card would read “People who have tripped over ~ 0, People to whom it has brought a smile ~ 100s”.
    So put December behind you, enjoy your jigsaws for the relaxation they bring you and have a joyful and healthy 2025, surrounded by your loved ones. All good things, Alys. xxx

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  13. Oh, dear Alys! It’s so heartbreaking to hear the news about your sweet curb garden. This colorful stretch of nature brings joy to all of us who visit your blog and everyone in neighborhood who stops to visit your Little Free Library! You are one of the most kind, creative souls we know, Alys. I hope that you and Mike can find a way to work around those city regulations. Perhaps your garden bed could be modified and ‘grandfathered in’ since it has been in place for so long?? I can just picture the two of you making a presentation in front of the city council and helping to amend the rule!

    Your Christmas cards are just lovely, Alys! I love the texture you created by embossing the pretty, patterned paper on your JOY card. If you tuck the cards away for next year, you will be ahead of schedule, my friend! This holiday season, I only created one handmade card for my dad. (It took me four hours to design, stencil, stamp, and die cut!) Let’s just turn our hearts toward creating a few special Valentine cards.💕We can encourage one another get inky!

    Wishing you a gentle January… and a Healthy, Happy New Year!!🩷

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  14. Lovely cards as ever Alys – don’t feel bad about not sending them – at least you are prepared for next year. Sorry you’ve been having problems with the powers that be – maybe you could get up a petition with your neighbours (if they’re on your side that is).

    I was just thinking about setting up a puzzle but, when I do, Mr. Tialys will probably commandeer it as he’s taken quite a long break from work over Christmas and he can’t do much in the garden as a) it’s all sopping wet and b) he’s got some back pain from last time he did some heavy digging.

    I bought a murder mystery game to play with the family over Christmas where you get a ‘case file’ about an unsolved murder and have to put all the evidence together to find the culprit. It was great fun and our daughter and I got it right – perhaps we’ve missed our vocation.

    I hope 2025 brings you all you would wish for yourself and family. xx

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  16. How can something beautiful be a tripping hazard ? I think we will not understand the logic. You must be feeling satified to create beautiful greering cards. I used to. But now I am sending wishes on Whatsapp with photos I click.

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