Puzzled Garden
What's your name?
Ann Marie
Where are you based?
Michigan USA
Tell us about what your ordinary day looks like.
During the spring and summer months I enjoy my perennial garden. I’ve turned what once was a barren suburban lawn into a naturalistic habitat for all sorts of wildlife. During the long winter months I obsessively think about the garden. And of course PUZZLES! Nearly every day I puzzle - I find it better for everyone if I get even a little puzzling in.
How did you get into the world of puzzling?
Boredom…around 2018 thankfully. However, I only “discovered” the joy that is the combination of puzzles and Instagram late in 2022. I was looking for a better way to store my puzzle memories (list of completed puzzles) and the combination has been a delightful outlet for my crazy “creativity” - yet another outlet for helping to calm my mind.
What makes you keep puzzling & how often do you puzzle?
I try and puzzle - at least a little - each day. I find my focus and general mental health/mood to be better the more I puzzle or create.
What is your favorite type of puzzles?
I find it important for me to have options. Sometimes I’m drawn to an image - sometimes it’s an artist - sometimes it’s knowing how someone else will enjoy it once I pass it along.
During puzzling sessions, do you listen to anything or puzzle in silence?
Sometimes I puzzle in silence - sometimes I listen to music - oftentimes inspired by the puzzle I’m enjoying at the time.
If you were to describe what puzzling means to you, what would it be?
Puzzles have become a HUGE part of my life - especially how sharing my obsession has brought joy to countless people I will never meet or know.
Tell us about your other interests & joys.
Having transformed my suburban yard into a perennial garden sanctuary. Pre-pandemic I enjoyed traveling - but I have now become more of a hermit with my husband and cats.
Do you have anything you want to share?
I have a friend that teaches high school an underserved community. We’ve set up an area in her classroom affectionately dubbed “THE PUZZLE CORNER” sharing puzzles with her students. It has helped foster a sense of community helping with everything from communication - teamwork - art - history - fun - all the “things” that draw us all into the wonderful world of puzzles. This idea has also been adopted in offices and workshops of other friends that I share my puzzles with.