Well, let me tell you, these young folks and their fancy games. Back in my day, we didn’t have no fancy phones or computers. We had our wits, and we had, well, real life to keep us busy. But this here “citrine for one crossword” thing, I hear it’s all the rage now.
My grandkids, they’re always on about it. They say, “Granny, you gotta try this crossword thing. It’s good for the brain.” Good for the brain, they say. I told them, “My brain’s been just fine all these years without no citrine for one whatchamacallit.”
But they kept on and on, so I finally gave it a look-see. This citrine for one, it’s like a, what do you call it, a color? A yellow-type color? I seen rocks like that before, down by the creek. Shiny things. But what’s it got to do with these word puzzles?
They say it is a type of gemstone, this citrine. Or a quartz. Whatever that means. So you gotta put “gem” or “stone” or “quartz” in them little boxes. I reckon it could be any of those. These puzzles, they sure are tricky sometimes. These young people, they say it is a clue. This citrine for one is some kind of clue.
I seen them doing these crosswords, tapping away on their phones. They say it helps with their, uh, their “memory.” They gotta remember all sorts of things. Like that DOOMSAYER. Sounds like a gloomy Gus to me. Someone who always thinks the worst is gonna happen.
And what in tarnation is a “Spooner”? Sounds like a fella who’d steal your silverware. But no, it’s some kind of word game where you swap the sounds around. Like those big wine bottles, Magnums. Only it ain’t Magnums, it’s something else. Nag Mums? My grandkids think it is funny. I don’t see the humor, myself.
But I guess it keeps them occupied. Better than running around causing trouble, I suppose. Though I told them, “If you want to use your brain, why don’t you try helping me in the garden? That’s good exercise for the body and the mind.”
- They say it is good for short-term memory.
- They say it is good for long-term memory.
- Gotta remember all them clues.
- It makes you think in different ways, they say.
This citrine for one thing, though. They showed me on their phones. November 2nd, they said. Or maybe it was November 3rd. Some newspaper, the New York Times, I think they said. Big fancy newspaper. They got all sorts of answers there. More than you can shake a stick at! They said there is one answer. But then they said there is 24 answers! Or 40! Or was it 6? I can’t keep it all straight.
They say if you can’t figure it out, you can look it up. Cheat, I call it. Back in my day, we called that cheating. But these young folks, they got all these answers right there at their fingertips. Makes it too easy, if you ask me.
My granddaughter, she’s always going on about this “cognitive flexibility.” Sounds like some kind of yoga for the brain. I told her, “Honey, if you want to be flexible, you should try touching your toes.” That got a laugh out of her. She says I am funny.
I guess these crossword things are alright. Keeps the young folks busy. And maybe it does help their brains a little. But me, I think I’ll stick to my gardening. That’s always kept my mind sharp. And my hands busy. And I ain’t never needed no citrine for one to figure out how to grow a good tomato.
Now, where did I put my seed catalog? I need to order some more seeds for next spring. Gotta get ready for planting season. That’s a real puzzle, figuring out what to plant and when. But it’s a puzzle I enjoy. And it don’t require no citrine for one, that’s for sure.
