It’s puzzling

Many of us remember doing jigsaw puzzles when we were growing up. It was a family affair. It was a predictable part of holidays and vacations. The puzzle would be laid out on a card table in a central location. People would pull up a chair and take their turn putting pieces in place. Every once in a while, a triumphant cry of "I got one" would ring out. It might get competitive as the race to place the last piece became more and more imminent. We had to be careful that the family dog did not mistake a puzzle piece for a dog cookie.

Our memories of gathering around a jigsaw puzzle are not unique. Americans have long loved jigsaw puzzles. The earliest ones were maps cut into pieces so children could piece them together and learn their geography. During the Great Depression, cardboard jigsaw puzzles were inexpensive entertainment and gained wide popularity. Puzzles became so popular at one time that Parker Brothers converted their entire factory into a jigsaw puzzle-producing facility. Puzzling became popular again in the days of being shut in during COVID.

Fast forward, my sister and I continue our puzzle addiction. We enjoy the distraction, being away from the television and a worrisome world, and challenging the brain always seems a good idea. We treat ourselves and invest in wooden puzzles, not cardboard. They are not inexpensive. When you open a new puzzle box, there is an intoxicating aroma of fresh wood. The pieces have a weight and presence that demand respect. Both sisters have a puzzle going at any given time. When I finish one, I send it off to her, and when she finishes one, she sends it to me. When we have both done a puzzle, it is off to eBay. They sell fast, and the proceeds fund more puzzles.

Several companies produce the wooden puzzles we favor. Two favorites are Liberty and Artifact. You can select how many pieces (we usually do 500) and a wide variety of subjects that include classic paintings, landscapes, animals, and original artwork. Each puzzle has its own personality. There are always surprises. It might be the edge. Instead of a predictable straight edge, the puzzle creator might throw a curve — literally. A fun touch are the Whimsies — uniquely shaped pieces that resemble recognizable objects, such as animals or something reflecting the puzzle’s theme.

Lots of people have hobbies; ours is puzzling.