The New Year’s Puzzle
It is New Year’s Eve in Texas and simultaneously New Year on the globe, depending on where you are right now. Either way, I will start by wishing a global Happy New Year to all! But with the New Year here (or just about) comes the New Year’s Puzzle. And to present it and give you my view, I will need to tell you how it all came about with a true story: Nearly a week before Christmas, we were shopping and spotted a beautiful holiday winter scene on the lid of a square tin can: In the foreground, a red vintage truck, decorated with evergreen garlands, wreaths, pinecones, ornaments, berries, bells, and ribbons. On the truck bed, bound by festive red rope, leaned a Christmas tree, sharing the space with four adorable dogs and beautifully wrapped gift boxes amidst hay bales. Out the driver’s window, another dog almost jumped out at the bright-white winter wonderland, seemingly sniffing and licking the falling snowflakes that dangled in their descent. In the background was...