Puzzles and Goodwill

Most of the folks we know have opted for a quiet Thanksgiving at home, with immediate family, or the recent marketing ploy of Friendsgiving with like-minded individuals. There are still many others who live by a set of traditions that demand they spend the day with family (parents, in-laws, siblings). And if Facebook is any indication, the fracturing of America went far deeper than party lines.

Some families are still feeling the push and pull, and they are so possessed you half expect the turkey itself to take arms! It is for these poor souls that I put together the Insatiable Gourmet Word Search book.

If you get the urge to say something you’ll regret later, go lock yourself in the bathroom, the family room, or the bedroom with all the coats, and solve a puzzle.

Arguing politics with family is useless. Most of your relatives, much like your own selves, have already made up your minds. Beyond that, your logic isn’t any better than theirs! Everyone makes up their minds based on criteria that affects them and makes sense to them on a very personal level.

Regime changes in Washington affect us all, but breaking family ties over it seems a little extreme (unless your family wants to cause you physical harm and is using politics as a reason to justify it).

On a holiday based around food, if you find yourself unable to talk about it, then immerse yourself in food games that don’t require food fights!

A special offering from Kali, The Food Goddess the book has 25 culinary-themed puzzles based on cookbook categories, and is designed for discerning foodies. Some of the puzzle categories include sandwiches, sushi, pasta, herbs & spices, and aphrodisiacs.

The little book is available right now at CreateSpace and Amazon, just in time for the holidays (whether yours will be happy or an uncomfortable mess)!

For Your Consideration

On a serious note, I hope you get the puzzle book and enjoy the momentary escape, but I urge you to maintain your principles and also respect that not everyone has to agree with you. Let politics slide with family and try to enjoy each other for as long as the universe permits you the privilege and pleasure. Pick up your political fight back in January! Fight the good fight, but practice empathy and tolerance until then. It’ll be a gift to the world and a fantastic example to set for the younger set. Don't go guerilla on your family until there is an actual revolution--these people are not your enemy.