RJ

@sotto voce I fully agree with you. I've been solving NYT xwords for 50 years -- and have never seen a bad, or even mediocre, one yet. I especially enjoy it as a form of special communication between the constructor and us.

@Mimi When I started doing them, I would fill in what I could. Then I'd do something else for an hour. When I came back, it was easier.

@Agarre I recognized beastie from William Blake's poety. The Beastie Boys apparently took their name from his poetry from what I've heard (confirmed by Wikipedia).

@Lewis I agree. This is the kind of puzzle I look forward to on a Saturday.

@Bobby Salmon I had to get the answers by the crosses, but I learned 2 new things.

@Berry Snow Job is slang for a con, i.e. the snow covers or hides something.

@Tom R That is the commenters nickname for NYT moderators who check whether comments are suitable.

@Laurent Formidable, mon ami!

@KKG Mod = Moderator

@Puzzlemucker Thank you. The poem is just what I needed today. She is one of my favorite poets. BBC's In Our Time podcast has a very informative show about her. Her poetry reflects her lived experiences. Thanks again. "Always be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. "

@Corralnombre Spill the tea is slang for gossiping or spreading rumors.

@Lewis It was a beautiful grid too.

@dutchiris I totally agree. Enjoying the constructor's craft is far more fun.

@Sam Lyons Yes Sam, after 50+ years solving NYT Xwords, this one was "pure bliss" for me. It was exactly what I was looking for.

@Man and 2 dogs I agree. I've been solving NYT xwords for 50 years and appreciate the amazing skills of those far more clever than I who create them for my entertainment.

@Anita. I enjoyed this one greatly and I'm 76 years old. I found it to be a relatively easy, pleasant Saturday. But then I've been solving NYT xwords for over 50 years, and there haven't been any that I didn't like.

@Lewis As usual, I agree with your comments. In 50+ years of solving NYT xwords, there were none that I have not enjoyed.

@Diana LIMA is the letter after KILO in the NATO/aeronautical alphabet

@Katie. I agree with you entirely. Every clue/answer was a joy. But then again, I'm only 76 years old, and easily amused.

@Eric Hougland I've been doing these for 50 years, and enjoying every Sunday puzzle. I like taking the time to make sure every answer is correct. It avoids having to find that one mistake in a huge xword. Sundays are for slowing down and enjoying the day.

@KEF I've been solving NYT xwords for 50 years and have enjoyed every one of them.

@john ezra Thanks for the lyrics. Into the Mystic always evokes memories of my late wife.

@Nowah It happens to me sometimes too. I click reveal and find that all my entries were correct. Ends my break, but I don't care.

@Fidelio Kate Smith is one of my favorites. I used to be in a boys choir and I appreciate singers who actually sing on key. It's actually painful when they don't.

@Meg It's Standing Room Only.

@Lewis Agreed. That's why I've learned to take my time and savor every delicious clue and answer. "I taught myself to live simply and wisely." Anna Akhmatova She wrote this after a tragic life under Stalin.

@Puzzlemucker I like to listen to Philip Glass, especially Aguas da Amazonia (Portuguese spelling) or anything else by him. His overall, minimalist sound is much like Einaudi's.

@B I am 76 years old and found this to be a relatively easy, pleasant Saturday xword. YMMV as they say.

@The X-Phile. I liked this one too. In fact, over 50+ years solving NYT xwords, I've liked them all.

@Cherry I've been solving NYT Xwords for 50+ years and I've enjoyed every one of them! Even Mondays (for which I creare special rules for myself to make them more challenging),

@Heidi I've found that people who brag don't always tell the truth.

@Times Rita I agree. With 50+ years experience, on Saturdays, I look for 3rd or 4th levels of interpreting the clue. Other days, the answer usually 1st or 2nd level. I seldom comment. I try to go slowly to enjoy the solve. That started after I did a Saturday in 5 minutes, but didn't enjoy the frantic pace.

@Francis I had the same thought. I'm glad you confirmed it.

@Helen Wright shop/vac refers to a vacuum cleaner in a workshop. Especially a woodworking workshop with a lot of sawdust.

@Lewis I always appreciate your comments. I've been solving NYT Xwords for so long that i've come to enjoy each one's personality.

@Lewis Another lovely part of this xword, is it's left-right symmetry.

@tess.m if you order a gin and tonic neat, that means no ice.

@Gerry Isaacson I had the same problem. Solved the xword correctly but nothing happened. I clicked reveal and got "Congratulations" and the wheels started spinning.

@Thomas Solomon Check with NYT tech support

@Lewis I needed smooth and relaxing (and fun) today. Hope things are returning to normal where you live.

@HeathieJ I thought the 80's and 90's clue referred to colonoscopies!

@ad absurdum Got it, from one of the olds.

@Barry Ancona I agree. I was hoping for a good one and thoroughly enjoyed it.

@Cool Papa Bell I agree, and I've been doing NYT xwords for 50+ years.

@Rachel R. I'm a 50+ year veteran of NYT xwords too, a d I've enjoyed every one of them.

@inky I agree with you completely. I'm getting close to 60 years of NYT Xwords and I've enjoyed every one of them.

@Susan E Me too! 50+ years solving NYT xwords and I loved the challenge of solving this one. My mother got me hooked on them, um, many years ago.

@Lewis Good comments, as usual. I got the theme early and it helped with solving those beautiful 1-2 combinations. I met the late, great Merle Reagle several times here in Tucson, and I'm sure he would have loved this one. His xwords were a pleasure to solve. There's a lot of his whimsy in this Will Shortz era. BTW I lived in Mr. Shortz's hometown, Crawfordsville, as a child.

@Lynn I've been solving for 50+ years and have seen many changes. I appreciate the whimsy in Will Shortz puzzles, perhaps first introduced by the late Merle Reagle. I remember truly obscure clues like river in Asia, or capital of a former French colony. Challenging yes. Fun no.