Above / PN’s digital editor created this 1,014-piece jigsaw puzzle from one of his favorite photos of spring bluebells taken along the Riverwalk. Or perhaps it’s a photo from Knoch Knolls Park. It’s hard to tell. Still, the puzzle took several months to put together in 2019 because of all the white and blue. Nonetheless, it’s time to look forward to the true beauty of the annual blankets of bluebells in bloom now beginning at a park near you.
Jigsaw puzzles have been great distractions during this Stay-at-Home order.
Yet, we must admit, our fondness for putting puzzles together dates way back to childhood when our family in Muncie, Indiana, always seemed to receive a challenging jigsaw puzzle with at least 1,000 pieces for Christmas. Then our family would set up card table after the holidays, spread out the puzzle pieces, and take our time during the winter months to put it all together. Sometimes all it took was finding one piece to feel successful.
Typically swamped by technology these days, working jigsaw puzzles allows time to avoid electronic devices and a chance to challenge the mind. Completing a jigsaw puzzle can completely remove you from the digital world where domination by likes, shares, tweets, trends and snappy videos can be distractions from peace of mind. Time spent with jigsaw puzzles seems to be essential for better moods and calm.
Usually, jigsaw puzzles come with an interlocking straight-edge border to help frame the work. Fitting all the pieces of the border together is where most jigsaw puzzles begin. Not with Liberty wooden puzzles! And what fun and feeling of accomplishment we experienced every time a unique puzzle piece fit!
Without a doubt, the 455-piece puzzle titled “Fancy Cakes” was the most entertaining of any jigsaw puzzle my husband and I have ever worked. When we went to order another one, we were disappointed to find the Colorado factory and showroom are currently closed by Executive Order of the Governor of Colorado, at least through April, with hopes to reopen soon.
Another Liberty puzzle…
Liberty Puzzles come in whimsical shapes, too. The “Grizzly Bear” recently was assembled piece by piece by my brother’s family in Muncie, Indiana. (Photo courtesy Barbara Crookston)
Look for next month’s edition on May 1, 2020
This past week as more than 20 Positively Naperville columnists turned in their stories for the May issue, I got to thinking what a challenge and enjoyment we have trying to make all the photos, columns, stories, quotes, ads and other features fit together on our printed pages. It’s been our joy of local accomplishment for more than 18 years.
When one of the columnists said, “Have a good weekend,” I couldn’t resist saying, “It’s always a good weekend when the paper is put together. It’s almost as much fun as a jigsaw puzzle.”
—Stephanie Penick
