by Maria Geraci

A few years ago I began doing something I thought I’d never do–the morning crossword puzzle.
Because, you know, only old people with no lives do the crossword puzzle (like my mother-in-law).

I began doing the morning crossword because I was going through a particularly wobbly time in my life, and doing the puzzle helped calm me and started my mornings off with a positive note. At first, I could barely finish half the puzzle. Then after a short while I could finish most of the puzzle. And then it was a rare day when I couldn’t get 100 percent of it finished. I figured if I could finish the puzzle, then I could do anything.

Then my husband got in on the act. He started “helping” me with the puzzle, and before I knew it, the two of us were fighting to get to the curb so we could be the first one to snatch up the morning paper. I’ll never forget the first time Mike Geraci woke me up with an evil grin on his face and said, “Hey, hon, I made the coffee. Oh, and I already did the puzzle.” He’s lucky he’s still alive.

It was now time to face facts. I was addicted. I was one of those “old people with no lives.” But hey, I am not old and I do so have a life! (My mother-in-law suddenly began to seem like a really interesting person too).

Like all addicts, however, I started to need more. The crossword just wasn’t enough. This is when I discovered Words With Friends. Yep. You know how to play it. It’s digital Scrabble! And the best part is that you can play numerous people at the same time and your game can last for days. I’m in word heaven!

So what about you? Any addictions you’ll own up to?