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Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

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You Deserve a Break Today

April 16, 2026 By Karen Witemeyer 10 Comments


No, this is not a McDonalds ad, but if you are old enough to remember that slogan, then I thank you for for joining me at the Old Timers’ Table. LOL.

Do you have short activities that you like to use as a palate cleanser of sorts during your day? Perhaps you take a break to walk around your neighborhood or play a game on your phone or read a chapter in a book (only ONE chapter, otherwise it no longer counts as a break but a full-fledged activity).

When I’m at the day job, I take a short hike around my building 3+ times a day to get me out of my chair and give my brain a chance to breathe before jumping back into the work. I also have three games that I play on my phone. Yahtzee with Buddies, Words with Friends, and Boggle with Friends. I don’t play them much, but sometimes five minutes of escape helps me focus upon my return. Oh, and then there are my tea breaks. Once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Love those tea breaks!

My husband is more of a numbers guy than a words guy, so he prefers Sodoku to crosswords. However, our son recently got him interested in a version called Calcudoku. The puzzles are challenging enough that we can do them together. Some are done in 20 minutes, others can take up to an hour. (We usually do these while we are having dinner.)


Here is an example of the board. LIke Sodoku, the numbers 1-9 can only appear once in any row or column, however, you also have to work within the designated block areas to solve the math equation. Some like this one mix addition and subtraction. Some add in multiplication and division. Some use only one mathematics function for the entire puzzle. We like the challenge and the logic aspect of it.

What type of breaks do you like to take during the day?


In case you need to take one now, here are a couple of activties you can play around with for a quick break.

Taming Lady Temperance Word Search

Taming Lady Temperance Jigsaw Puzzle

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Karen Witemeyer

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
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Comments

  1. Joy says

    April 16, 2026 at 6:12 am

    The word search and puzzle were a nice little break this morning (the puzzle is adorable!). Although, it might be a smidge too early in my work day to be taking a break, but I couldn’t resist. I also have a couple of games on my phone that allow me to take a small break. I’ve done laps around our parking lot when it’s nice (one in the morning and one in the afternoon). I don’t dare use a book to take a break because I know it’ll turn into a full fledged activity. LOL I will also scroll through GoodReads for a few minutes to check out what everyone is reading.

    Reply
    • Karen Witemeyer says

      April 16, 2026 at 8:07 am

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the puzzles, Joy! I’m sure they set you up for much productivity. 🙂 I’m with you about reading being too dangerous. Unless it’s a blog post or article that is short enough to make me stop.

      Reply
  2. Betty Strohecker says

    April 16, 2026 at 7:09 am

    Being retired since 2014, I can usually take breaks whenever I want. I always make a pot of tea in the morning, and I take several reading breaks throughout the day. I enjoyed the word search last night. Tuesday my Bible study group began a new study on Amos. Today I’m meeting a friend for lunch. I receive a daily puzzle from the administrator of an author’s Facebook group. Getting ready to read the latest release by an author I read with two longtime online friends, one lives in Spokane and one in Australia. We read and discuss by email books by authors we all three follow. Of course, I enjoy participating in the Posse. Thanks for all the things you share.

    Reply
    • Karen Witemeyer says

      April 16, 2026 at 8:09 am

      You are such a blessing to me, Betty. Thank you for being such a loyal follower. I am sooo looking forward to retirement from the day. I probably won’t leave for another 5-10 years, but I’m eager to lighten the load a bit and have time for more fun activities. Especially if grandbabies start showing up. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Becky Wade says

    April 16, 2026 at 7:17 am

    I play Solitaire on my phone every day and often play Sodoku on my phone as well. I just solved your jigsaw puzzle and that was so satisfying. Love it!

    Reply
    • Karen Witemeyer says

      April 16, 2026 at 8:10 am

      Yay! Glad you had fun playing, Becky. We need those little doses of fun to keep pushing through the not-fun stuff. At least I do. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Martha T Robinson says

    April 16, 2026 at 8:43 am

    I love jigsaw puzzles.
    And a walk in nature!

    Reply
    • Karen Witemeyer says

      April 16, 2026 at 8:53 am

      Both of those are winners in my book, Martha!

      Reply
  5. Stacey Cochran says

    April 16, 2026 at 11:06 am

    At lunch every day, I play the games on LinkedIn, Wordle, and Versle plus read the She Reads Truth reading. And if I am alone in the office, which is usually the case, I walk the length of the office multiple times. Doing these things get me ready to finish the day strong. And surprisingly enough, washing dishes after dinner is my transition into being with my family. They know once the dishes are done, mom is ready to fully present.

    Reply
    • Karen Witemeyer says

      April 16, 2026 at 12:06 pm

      I love that, Stacey. I’m one of those, too, that has to get the dishes out of the way before I can relax and move on to other activities.

      Reply

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