“The N Word” is one of the most explosive words in the English language, at least here in the United States. You cannot decouple The N Word from its historical load.

And this year, one of the politically ugliest during my lifetime, I made a puzzle dedicated to words beginning with the letter N.

I don’t remember the exact genesis of this project but, based on early studio snapshot, doesn’t seem like initial exploration had much to do with the N Word.
More to do with dialectical relationship between Nature and Nurture.
Until, somehow, (Pearson’s) Nut Roll showed up. That’s my neural network for you.

Basically, nuts -

When that happened I let go of concept and went into subconscious…

For a puzzle dedicated to language I, ironically, had a lot of difficulty naming this image.

I held a minor title contest among my farmer’s market customers and colleagues. People had great ideas! Rani (henna guru) came up with “I forgot Nimcompoop”; Elaine (a new customer) suggested “Names and Noise.”

Other favorites: “Nyet,” “MeaNderings” and “Ncyclopedia.”

Then my cousin-advisor Miriam suggested this mathematical reference and her idea resonated.

Let (n) be_whatever you need it to be right now in your life.

Completed puzzle is 12" in diameter