Well, howdy there! Let me tell ya somethin’ about this here… uh… “exacting crossword” thing. I ain’t no fancy pants scholar, but I reckon I can jaw about it a bit.
What’s an Exacting Crossword Anyway?
Now, some folks like them easy crosswords, the kind you can fill in while watchin’ the TV. But this “exacting” one? Shoot, that’s a whole different animal. It’s like tryin’ to catch a greased pig at the county fair – tough and slippery! This ain’t no child’s play, this is for folks who like a real brain bender.
I heard tell it’s like them puzzles in the big city newspapers, the ones that make your head spin. They say it starts easy at the beginnin’ of the week, then gets harder and harder, like climbin’ a steep hill. By the time Saturday rolls around, you’re sweatin’ and cussin’ like a mule in fly season! And that Sunday one? Lord have mercy! That’s a monster, big as a barn door and twice as complicated.
Why Folks Bother with These Tough Puzzles?
- Test Your Thinkin’ Muscle: I guess some folks just like a challenge. They wanna see if they can wrestle with them tricky words and come out on top. It’s like a mental workout, keeps your brain from turnin’ to mush, I reckon.
- Vocabulary Power: You know, learnin’ new words and all that. This here crossword, it makes you dig deep into your word stash, and maybe even learn a few new ones along the way. Fancy words though, not like the ones we use down at the feed store.
- Braggin’ Rights: Let’s be honest, finishin’ one of these tough puzzles? That’s somethin’ to crow about. You can tell your neighbors, your kinfolk, even the fella down at the barbershop. “Yep,” you can say, “I conquered that there exacting crossword!”
- Pass the Time: And for some, it’s just somethin’ to do. Better than starin’ at the wall, I guess. Keeps your hands busy and your mind occupied. Specially on a rainy day when you can’t be out in the garden.
Tips for Tacklin’ an Exacting Crossword (From a Non-Expert)
Now, I ain’t no crossword whiz, but I’ve seen folks do it. Here’s what I’ve picked up:
Start Easy: Don’t jump straight into the deep end. Start with them easier puzzles and work your way up. Like learnin’ to ride a bike – you don’t start on a buckin’ bronco, do ya? You start with training wheels.
Use a Pencil: Trust me on this one. You’re gonna make mistakes, lots of ’em. A pencil lets you erase and try again without makin’ a mess of things.
Look for the Little Words: Sometimes the small words, the three- and four-letter ones, can give you a foothold. Fill them in first, and they might help you crack the longer ones. It’s like findin’ the corner pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
Don’t Be Afraid to Guess: Sometimes you just gotta take a shot in the dark. If you think a word might fit, write it in lightly and see if it works with the other clues. You can always erase it if you’re wrong.
Take a Break: If you get stuck, don’t beat your head against the wall. Walk away, get a cup of coffee, do somethin’ else for a while. Sometimes a fresh look is all you need. Just like when you’re lookin’ for your glasses and they are on your head the whole time!
Use Your Resources: There’s no shame in lookin’ for a little help. You can use a dictionary, a thesaurus, even ask a friend. Just don’t tell them I told you to cheat! It ain’t cheatin’ if you are learnin’, right?
Keep Practicin’: Like anythin’ else, the more you do it, the better you’ll get. So keep at it, and eventually you’ll be crackin’ them exacting crosswords like a pro. Maybe even teach me how to do it, I don’t know much more than ‘cat’ and ‘dog’ at this stage!
So, there you have it. That’s my two cents on these here exacting crosswords. They ain’t for the faint of heart, that’s for sure. But if you like a challenge, if you wanna test your brainpower, then give it a whirl. Just don’t say I didn’t warn ya – it’s gonna be a tough ride!
A final word from a simple woman: Now, you might be thinkin’, “Why is this old woman talkin’ about crosswords?” Well, let me tell ya, even us country folk like to keep our minds sharp. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll even finish one of these fancy exacting crosswords myself. But for now, I’ll stick to my Sudoku, I think.
