V is for VICTORY! Try these wooden puzzles. Great gifts too.

August 21, 2026brilliantviewpoint 9 Comments

I’ve been having a lot of fun doing wooden puzzles lately. Recently, I learned about Victory Wooden Puzzles out of England. They date back to 1920, their logo / marketing message is V for VICTORY, putting in the final piece. You can see, top right of box, victory sign.

If you need a GIFT for someone or something fun to do in the evening by yourself or with children / grand children you will enjoy their mini puzzle versions (~80-99 pieces).

Here are two that I have done, really enjoyed them.

I liked this one of San Francisco.

This came from an advertisement they sent me via email. I wanted you to see the mini puzzles come in a small round tin, so easy to transport.

Courtesy of Victory Wood Puzzles from an email ad.

Fall / Winter are coming, we can feel it in the weather, evenings getting dark early.

Puzzling is a wonderful way to pass the time by yourself or with others. Ideal as gifts too.

Have a great weekend! Happy PUZZLING!

Thrift Store – Family Portrait…Where we end up?

August 11, 2026August 11, 2026brilliantviewpoint 18 Comments

I was at the thrift store, looking for puzzles. As I headed to pay, I walked by the picture frames.

This family portrait caught my attention.

It’s sweet, I felt sad. A lady was looking at picture frames too. We both looked at each other and shared our thoughts. This was an expensive picture frame. The painting done is such a lovely way.

She snapped a picture and did a Google search. This family portrait Is from 1920, so about 106 years old.

NEXT THOUGHT — Who donated it? Children or grandchildren? Maybe not even a family member. Hard to know.

Anyhow, life is interesting. When people pass, many things end up at the thrift store.

Someone will buy the painting for the picture frame and throw the painting away, most likely.

Well, for a few minutes, this lady and I paid our respects.

You never know what you might see in a thrift store…

Chicago Architecture… Now houses Target store!

August 7, 2026brilliantviewpoint 16 Comments

I haven’t been to downtown Chicago for a while. Luckily, I was there early, 7:30 AM for an appointment and was able to actually “see” the city with not many people around.

As I was standing at the light, I noticed this beautiful old building. I wondered what had been there before, because it seemed funny to see Target in a building like this.

Turns out, this was the flagship store for Carson, Pirie, Scott & Company opening in 1899. This building is 127 years old. The landmark structure was designed by architect Louis Sullivan. It’s officially named the Sullivan Center and is celebrated as a masterpiece by the Chicago School of architecture.

Apparently, Sullivan built many buildings and was a great influence on Frank Lloyd Wright.

Oh, when I turned around, I saw the iconic Clock on the old Marshall Field’s building. It’s always hard to get a photo of it with so many people around, but I got it. It’s known for being “the” place to meet… UNDER the CLOCK.

It’s nice when we are able to take a moment and enjoy our surroundings and old architecture.

Have a great weekend.

A sunflower starting…

July 28, 2026brilliantviewpoint 10 Comments

I was visiting a friend of mine and out of no where, she had a sunflower that started growing.

I took a picture from the top, I was curious how they look, because when they get so tall, it’s hard to see them. This was was still relatively short in stature.

I hope it will be a little fuller looking than this one. I found this sunflower so amusing. It looks like a person having a bad hair day. I also thought it looks like a man with a full beard, but losing hair on top. Interesting what our mind sees.

We’ve had an interesting summer. Super hot temps, normal temps, then wicked thunder storms.

It’s definitely not a normal summer… still… it is summer, let’s enjoy the outdoors and its beauty.

Alaskan Cruise – View of Dawes Glacier

July 22, 2026brilliantviewpoint 17 Comments

I just went on an Alaskan Cruise which brought us to Dawes Glacier. I always wondered what the glacier looked like up front. Surprisingly, it’s not white, or surrounded by water. Instead, it was nestled in this cove. It had beautiful blue crystal. I have a close up of a small piece that had broken off.

There were two tour boats following us, special excursion to bring people closer to the glacier. We saw some harbor seals, but I wasn’t quick enough to get a photo. Also, some people saw whales, I saw their spouts, but did not see their tails as they dove in, darn.

Alaska is beautiful, full of outdoor activities.

The most amazing part — BREATHING FRESH AIR! Really wonderful.

Last chance – Stamps go up 4 cents, 7/12/26!

June 30, 2026brilliantviewpoint 19 Comments

I haven’t had to use stamps for a long time. When I was mailing a package the other day, the Post Mistress asked, “Will there be anything else, ie stamps?”

I saw the notice that stamps were going up July 12, 2026 by 4 cents. So, I bought some. I told her she could give me any pack, I wasn’t particular.

She pulled out these, “Baby Wild Animals.” They are cute.

So, if you need stamps. GET THEM NOW. Why pay extra if you don’t need to.

Have a great day!