This was shot with a 100 mm macro lens. Aperture, f/2.8, shutter speed 1/80, ISO 1000

I gave Maria a jigsaw puzzle of Frank Lloyd Wright designs. She hovers over it for hours. This morning, after she went to work, I saw the sun fall on it through the window, and it struck me how lovely each puzzle piece is. And how lovely it would be to photograph different aspects of the puzzle as it evolves, as has the daily potholder. I can’t imagine thinking a puzzle was lovely before I became a photographer.

I also see how much a metaphor for life a jigsaw puzzle is, the solver putting it together laboriously, piece by piece, just like life itself, requiring determination, perseverance, faith. I’m going to enjoy photographing the puzzle and writing about it.