The blog of photographer Kim Ayres

A Daughter's Pride

For the past 2 days Meg had been watching me struggle with a particularly fiendish Sudoku puzzle.

I have to admit with a certain overbearing smugness that I’m usually pretty good with these things. In fact I’ve even taken to completing them without making any notes in the margins.

But this one was defeating me.

Each time Meg saw me staring intently into the Sudoku book, chewing the top of my pen, she kept asking if I’d solved it yet.

With visions of a heartbroken daughter discovering her father is fallible after all, I humbled myself enough to start making notes in pencil, but even then it was slow progress.

Finally, just after breakfast this morning I scribbled in the final number and, with a light skip in my step, I disappeared to clean my teeth.

When I later reopened my puzzle book I found Meg had left a note for me (see photo below). It looks like the demolition of a daughter’s pride in her father has been given a stay of execution.

28 comments

Eryl Shields said...

That's just so cute.

Sounds like you've had a bit of a superhero morning.

The very thought of sudoku fills me with horror and to be doing it before breakfast... ugh!

Kav said...

Jeez, you must have been so angry that she wrote on your puzzle. Did you punish her for her trangsression?

Oh, wait...

Unknown said...

I love the shape of Meg's body. She's all heart. Very astute of her.

We have a sudoku book in both bathrooms to occupy us when we are otherwise occupied and I can do the intermediates and easies. The hard and very hard, I leave to John.

Sayre said...

I love your girl. She has such a sunny heart - it lights up all your dark corners.

The Dog of Freetown said...

Wow, so children can actually make parents feel good sometimes? Maybe I was too hasty with the op.

Very cute.


(I think she's secretly mocking you to be honest)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful way to start the day. Now, I'm off to my favorite Sudoku sites to do today's puzzles. My husband doesn't understand how I can enjoy them...

Kim Ayres said...

Eryl - in that case I'll leave my theories about the connections between dominant narrative shift and different ways to solve sudoku puzzles until another day.

Kav - no, I can put up with the drawing on the puzzle book - but I've grounded her for a fortnight over her spelling...

Carole - I couldn't cope with Sudoku in the bathroom - more likely to make me tense up than relax

Sayre - she caresses the soul. When she's not being a pain in the butt that is.

Kieran - I think you could be right about the mocking. She can be terribly patronising sometimes.

Julie - I have to steer clear of online Sudoku dens or I would never leave

BStrong said...

Very cute note. Meg could have gone the opposite route and said "Thank god you’re done with this damn puzzle; you've been ignoring me for days."

She took the high road.

Have you ever thought of joining SA?

Sudokos Anonymous

Jen said...

I love it! Great sketch.

I've not really done Sudoku, because I'm afraid I'd get addicted. I'm already too short on time as it is, what with all my mindless web surfing and perpetual blogging.

Brave Astronaut said...

Am I the first to note the following line, "chewing the top of my pen," and wonder have you no fear, man?

All that expensive dental work to fix a problem caused by the same lethal instrument, of which you still inflict upon yourself?

For shame, Kim. For shame.

Sam, Problem-Child-Bride said...

What a wee smasher she is!

The parent-child relationship is complex though. A scathing look or glance can carry internal repercussions for years that the scowler will never know about. And you have to be careful if you're a parent too.

Kim Ayres said...

BStrong - what are you saying? I don't have an addiction. It's just recreational. I can handle it. I've just got a slight cold, that's all.

Jen - ah, well, yes, now blogging, yes, ah, er, that's a different matter entirely...

Brave Astronaut - there's still no progress on the crown. The gap is still prominent and I have no idea when I'll next be fitted into a cancellation appointment. So I've changed my pen chewing habits slightly so I'm using my molars out of the side of my mouth, which are a bit stronger I think.

I hope.

Sam - you're a wise woman. If you were still in the Hebrides the locals would be looking to you to remove curses from their livestock.

Mary Witzl said...

That is cute, Kim. Somewhere in one of my boxes I have a whole slew of little-girl notes. Promises to tickle me, apologies for bad behavior (especially from the eldest), little love notes with smudges on them. Just looking at them now makes me cry.

Teenagers, those little girls have become. Great big hulking teenagers. Enjoy it while you can...

eg(scotland) said...

That is so very, very sweet and beautiful - heart warming.

On sudoku - I was into it in a big way for a while - but had to do the margin notes things - think I need to get back to it.

Btw - I haven't read Calvin & Hobbes but will now do so. What I would say though is - but what if someone were to see them? - you'd want them to be the right ones? - rockets or otherwise!

EG

Anonymous said...

awwwwww. I love that !!! that is so cute...OMG ..so sweet..That page is a keeper!!

Anonymous said...

That is quite superb

Amy said...

What a cute note. I love her writing and picture.

Kanani said...

I love this.
I think you should take this bit and save it forever. Make it your computer screen, frame it. It's just wonderful.

I'm horrible with all puzzles, card games... all of that.

El Guapo in DC said...

Que lindo. I can't believe there is another EG...

savannah said...

aww, sugar! that is just too precious...that moment/image will stay with you always...

*calling my daughter now*

Pendullum said...

You should have that framed...
And it should be put beside your desk...

Christina M said...

Well done Dad! Made your daughters day too I think!

And thanks for the link the other day, I had not seen it yet and I did really like it too. It does put things in a different light where as the regular version just leaves you hanging. So thanks!

Kim Ayres said...

Mary - it will be kept in a shoebox somewhere, don't worry.

EG (Scotland) - I'm afraid the only person likely to see my underwear is my wife, or the mortician.

Quinn - :)

Eolai - welcome across to my ramblings and thank you for taking the time to comment

Amy - thank you :)

Kanani - unless, as Kieran suggested, she's actually just mocking me...

EG (DC) - don't worry, I don't think she has a beautiful mustache like yours

Savannah - you could always mail her a completed sudoku puzzle and a pen...

Pendullum - maybe I should get it printed on a mug

Christina - I'm glad you liked the link - I think we have to be so careful about imposing limits on our children.

eg(scotland) said...

Kim - you are so right. My mustache is nothing to boast about!

I've decided that I'll now stop obsessing about your underwear - if you want to wear blue with black then that's your choice.

EG

Kim Ayres said...

If you want to develop your facial hair, this link is full of useful advice :)

All 4 My Gals said...

Okay, now that is the cutest thing I have seen in a long time! What a gem!

Charlie said...

It looks like you have a little girl with a big heart who loves her daddy. That one's a keeper.

jennifergg said...

kwWonderful!

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