last word
I
IT’S PUZZLING...
n this issue of the magazine we have a feature on Later Life and it has made me think a bit about growing older and how it has happened that I have managed to become an almost 57 year old man when I am quite clearly a 30 year old person that has just emerged from my twenties. My 60s are looming and what, I think, made me decide to write on this subject was something that happened a few days ago… I received my - subscription copy - of Puzzler magazine through the post!! There are a couple of reasons why this seemingly innocent event made me think about my age. When I was younger I remember thinking that I’d like to grow old
letterbox should give you an inkling as to where I am on the age scale... I can’t imagine a young person freaking out their pets to get to a periodical of puzzles. Another indication I am no longer in the first flush of youth is how inordinately pleased I was to get my copy. It was the equivalent of a present from Santa on Christmas morning when I was small. I immediately ripped open the wrapping it came in and started making plans about how I was going to find ‘alone time’ to be able to have a nice cup of tea or coffee and concentrate on the myriad of options inside. Would I go straight to the aforementioned Suguru or would I, tantalizingly, leave that
“When I was younger I remember thinking that I’d like to grow old disgracefully rather than gracefully slide into middle/old age but before I knew it there I was with my cocoa and slippers.” disgracefully rather than gracefully slide into middle/old age but before I knew it there I was with my cocoa and slippers. I wanted to keep on partying and having a good time, show the youngsters how it was done. The only thing I might be able to show a youngster how to do these days is a Suguru, my favourite puzzle if you are interested... my God the fact that I have a favourite puzzle should tell you all you need to know! That I literally run to the door when the postman slips my shrink-wrapped (that’ll have to change!!) copy through the 66 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE
one until later and get stuck into a Quizword or a Spot The Difference? Would I start at the first puzzle and work my way through the book, methodically, from front to back or would I just randomly open it and do whichever puzzle I happened upon? I think you know the answer to that one!! As mentioned I pay a monthly subscription which ensures I have it delivered so there’s no chance of me missing a month. I have always quite liked a puzzle but I cannot conceive of my 30 year old self ever
imagining that to be so. It’s one of lifes truisms that we age and, quite obviously, there is nothing we can do about it. I still like to think that I will, at some point, start to grow old disgracefully but until that day comes I must leave you and get back to my coffee and a particularly challenging Kross Filler. Happy New Year! Phil Rockliffe
