Puzzles, Socks, and Spatulas

The world is big. Loud. Fast. And sometimes… I just need a way to relax.

At my “Cranbrook” house where I lived most of my life growing up with my family, there wasn’t much space but it was full of love and is probably my favorite place besides the lake. Mom, Dad, my brother Michael, and my sister Dawnie were always busy! There was always something happening—the TV was on, phones ringing, cleaning, friends coming and going, animals sneaking out the side door where the street was...I loved all the action, but sometimes I got stressed out and needed a break.

So let me tell you about my favorite place… the kitchen!

Not because of the food (don’t get me wrong, I LOVED mealtime)—but because of the Spatula Drawer and the table! That table. The place I thought of as my “home base.” Underneath it, I had my own world. A secret hideout. It was quiet there. Safe. My own little space. The table’s legs created the perfect spot, and I’d sit cross-legged, tucked away on the floor under the table. No one to rush me. No one to bug me. It was just me, in this quiet spot, this is where I’d find my peace.

Of course, I always brought my favorite things—puzzles, spatulas, and those amazing ruffle socks!

Puzzles. They started off as a confusing mess—pieces everywhere, just wanting to be put together. But after a few tries, it was like magic. My hands knew exactly where the pieces went. I didn’t even need to think about it. Once I got into the routine of it, I had no problem putting it together. People would stand behind me, watching, and say, “How do you do that so fast, Danielle?” and I’d just shrug like it was no big deal. It was easy.

Sometimes, I didn’t want to finish the puzzle right away. Sometimes, I’d pretend I didn’t know where a piece went, even though I did. It was like a little game I played with myself. I’d let people hover around me, offering help I didn’t need. Maybe it was because I liked the attention. Or maybe it was just because I wanted to savor the moment. Or maybe it was because I couldn’t stop thinking about my socks.

Socks. Oh, my ruffle socks! They are everything. The little bumps along the edges. I can pull them up, push them down, twist them, take them on and off. My favorite socks are white with ruffles. If I’m sitting with a puzzle and I get distracted by my socks… well, that’s just life. Sometimes the socks win!

Spatulas. Oh, I almost forgot… there's also…MY SPATULAS! Let me TELL you about my spatulas.

In the kitchen, there was a special drawer. The best drawer in the house- the spatula drawer. So many spatulas! Different shapes, sizes, some with holes, some solid, some bendy, some stiff. I’d take them out, lay them on the floor, and pick the best one for flipping. I didn’t just flip them randomly. I studied them. I turned them over in my hands, watching how they moved. Some flipped better than others. Some made a different sound when they tapped against another spatula. I could sit for hours, focused, testing them, picking my favorite one (I usually liked the orange plastic ones best), flipping it over and over until it was just right. It was like meditation for me.

And you know what? Some things haven’t changed.

Now, when my nieces come over, I love showing them how fast I can finish a puzzle. It makes me feel proud. It’s like I’ve done something amazing. But after three or four rounds? The puzzle’s get a little less exciting. But don’t worry—I’ve got it covered. I’ll grab my piano and bring the fun back. Because that’s what I do! I love to laugh and have fun!

At the end of the day, it’s the little things that make everything feel okay. A puzzle, a spatula, and my ruffle socks—they slow down the world and help me remember it will all be ok!