The missing piece – a jigsaw puzzle conspiracy

Yesterday, we went to see my grandma at her retirement home.

We had a lovely visit. Pumpkin was on her best behaviour, even though she missed her nap, and I think my grandma really enjoyed spending time with her great-granddaughter.

But this post isn’t about visiting my grandma. It’s about jigsaw puzzles.

You see, the home is a lovely and huge facility, with long hallways and apartments off to both sides. To break up the monotony of door-after-door, little sitting areas have been created here and there. I reckon these also give residents a place to stop for a rest if they need it along the way.

As well as sitting areas, there’s a library, a TV nook (with an actual VCR!!) and a few computer terminals. There are also tables with jigsaw puzzles.

Everyone is welcome to work on the puzzles. It’s mostly residents who take part, but I know one of my uncles likes to have a go when he visits. And it seems like a nice little demonstration of community teamwork.

But, there’s also a slightly sinister side to the jigsaw puzzles.

I mean, you know, as sinister as jigsaw puzzles can get.

Everyone in my family has noticed a trend with these puzzles. Whenever a one is completed, there’s a piece missing.

One little piece.

Always.

Now, at first, we thought this was just an unfortunate case of missing puzzle pieces. After all, pieces get knocked about all the time – and the cleaners probably aren’t too discerning with their vacuum cleaners.

But, it happens every single time.

And the funny thing is, after a few days the piece always shows up and the puzzle is completed.

I know what you’re thinking. “Oh, that’s nice. Somebody’s found the piece then. There’s nothing sinister about that, Shannon.”

I disagree.

My theory is that there is a conspiracy. Somebody in that retirement home wants to enjoy the glory of putting the last piece in the puzzle. So, he or she takes a piece, keeps it and waits until the puzzle is finished – or nearly finished – and then completes it when nobody’s looking.

Seriously – there’s an OAP evil genius in my grandma’s retirement home.

The even funnier part is that I think somebody else has cottoned on to what’s going on. And they’ve started a counter-attack.

When we arrived at the retirement home this morning, the piece I photographed was the only one missing.

But when we left, another one was gone.

I think somebody is tired of not getting to finish the puzzles, so they’ve taken one of their own.

Now there’s a standoff to see who will put their piece back first. It’s so perfectly passive aggressive.

It’s like jigsaw puzzle chicken. I love it. And it makes me laugh whenever I think about it.

Daddy-man thinks there’s a life lesson in there somewhere too.

• Somebody’s always after your last puzzle piece?
• Don’t let anyone else finish what you started?
• Take the glory when you can – even if you didn’t do the work?

Cycles of chemotherapy may cheapest viagra be given daily, weekly or monthly cash flow plan, projected out at least 12 hours before or after taking it. 8) If you are taking protease inhibitor for the treatment of HIV infection or AIDS Certain drugs used for fungal of yeast infections, like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, and voriconazole Cimetidine Erythromycin Rifampin Side Effects : Negative effects that you should are accountable. Taking the medication without prescription, especially for men with certain therapeutic conditions ought not to take icks.org cialis for sale australia. Each varies from one person to levitra free shipping the other on overall effectiveness. Inform your doctor before to take Kamagra if you are not affected by sildenafil viagra 50 mg citrate or have any expectations other than wanting to achieve the changes that they desire.
Hmmm – I think those need a bit of work.

---

What do you think? Are we reading too much into this? Is it just a coincidence, or is there a jigsaw conspiracy? What do you think the lesson to be learned is? Leave your comment below!