Pandemic puzzler
Faye Barret creates a coronavirus-themed word search for people to do at home
Wordsmith Faye Barrett has created a pandemic puzzle for Islanders to master while they’re staying home.
Barrett, a retired elementary school teacher, used to make word searches for her students as a way to review a topic from class or for a treat.
“I think it helps them with their reading, it helps them with their spelling and concentration,” said Barrett. “It’s a great pastime as you become an adult to sit down and enjoy the challenge of a word search.”
Barrett’s puzzles always have a special message at the end — a word scramble to be solved with the leftover letters.
“It’s a nice little reward after having done all of the work and finding the words. And there’s no shortcut to solving it,” she said.
These days, Barrett keeps her puzzle pencil sharp making word searches for her oldest grandchild, six-year-old Alexis.
Just recently, Barret sent one to the Grade 1 student, who not only completed the puzzle, she had some feedback.
“Grammy you made a mistake in it. You left out the word ‘hugs’,” reported the young word searcher.
“And I did make a mistake and forgot to include that, so that was really good,” said Barrett.
Within a couple of days, Alexis had delivered her own puzzle for Grammy to solve.
Inspired by the next generation, Barrett was moved to create a coronavirus-themed word search to share with everyone.
“It’s a little bit of a keepsake, too, for people who are doing scrapbooks of things. All of the words are reminders of the buzz words of right now.”
Barrett’s goal in creating the word-find is to provide a fun diversion for a half-hour or so, for people who enjoy solving word games.
She is also feeling grateful for her circumstances during the pandemic.
“We’re very lucky, we have warm houses, we have lots of food and places to go and walk. Our life is relatively easy if we have our health,” she said.