A picture is worth a thousand words.

Or at least that is what some would have you believe. So, here is a picture.

I am inclined to believe there is more to it than that. I suppose it has to be a compelling picture to reach the lofty word total.

Sometimes a thousand words is worth a picture. So, here is a picture.

Do you notice the difference? Meh, probably not a thousand words worth of difference.

And now for the rest of the story...............

The new board, the second picture, replaces the old board, the first picture, in our household in honor of Joyce's and my 1000th recorded match together. But here is the story that neither of the pictures can tell at first look:

We have actually been playing scrabble against each other for over 20 years. The recorded matches only take into account the last 10 years or so.

It is usually how we start our day. Some people read a newspaper. Some people do a crossword. Some people go for a walk. We start our day with a relaxing game of Scrabble. The key word in that last sentence is relaxing. Yes, each of us would like to beat the other. Yes, we try our hardest. But, in the end, it is the time spent together, relaxing, chatting about the plan of the day, and basking in the appreciation of each other's "intelligent" side that helps to start the day off right. 

One of the greatest things I have realized about Joyce over the years is that she does not give up. She may be over 100 points behind in a game, but she always has the capacity to come from behind to snatch victory from defeat. And she has on many many occasions.

Just an aside, as far as the scoring is concerned. We feel good when we score around 350 points in a game. That is our average. Yes, you read that right. That is OUR average. As of this writing Joyce's average is 355.86. Gary's average is 355.56. 

There are times, like now where Joyce reigns supreme. And there are times when Gary shows moments of brilliance. And there are times, 7 in fact over this time period, where we have been dead even in average score.

So, I guess a picture could be worth a thousand words if you know the back story that goes along with it. Heck, this is already at about 500 words and I did not even fully describe the sunrises we experience together,

 or nature rousing from its slumber,

or how incredibly grateful I am to be a life partner with Joyce.

I suppose that will mean more pictures need to be taken.  

For now, the pictures in my mind's eye will have to suffice. And all of those pictures will give me the thousands of words I will need to be a better opponent for Joyce.