Cynthia

ITS NOT YOUR FAULT has the same number of letters as ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. Nice chewy puzzle for a Saturday. Thanks Blake.

Deliciously tricky wordplay. I was very grateful for the smattering of toeholds I found, ALPS for one. My last stand was in the SW, where I finally tumbled to RUDDERS, then PLUGS, confirming APRONS, and yielding the mysterious PLINKO-- along with a Gold Star. (I forgot to turn up the sound on my phone, so missed the music, which would have made me jump in surprise.) Thank you, Christina and Matthew, for a delightful Friday puzzle. Keep collaborating!

I've never had a martini in my life, but I recognized the glass. My current elixer of quietude is singing in the shower. Love the ragtime origin story. Congratulations, Kevin, on a stellar debut!

Unusually crunchy for me, providing a long succession of great aha moments. And, the frosting on the cake-- one of those rare and delightful finshes-- surprise music upon filling in my last blank square (the "L" in SLUR). Thanks, Natan, for a BANG UP Saturday puzzle.

Loved it! Great debut, Joe. My last fill was Smoove, which I am sorry to say I looked up-- prematurely, as is so often the case. (It changed HAtE to HAVE.) Deb, thanks for the Shmoop link! I sent it to my high school English teacher.

I like a puzzle that I manage to solve even though I'm not sure how I did it. Afterwards it is so rewarding to read the column. Thanks, Dan, for today's brain teaser.

This puzzle was JAMPACKED with crunchy long fill like FREEZER BURN and HAY FORKS. Thanks, Eric Warren, for a challenging and fun Saturday. Great debut!

Congratulations, David Rockow, on a remarkably junk-free crossword, and a thoroughly enjoyable puzzle. The theme was the cherry on the cake.

Enjoyable puzzle. Liked the kid theme: PBJS on top of an OREO, the HARE from Aesop's Fables, and of course the HOKEY POKEY, which I remember from elementary school-- I think we did it in the classroom on rainy days. Liked Allergic reaction/ACHOO, and TALKAHOLIC. TIL MARADONA Congratulations, Greg Snitkin, on a fine debut!

A debut? By a 16-year old? Really? What a satisfying solve!... slowly filling in crosses to eventually figure out the mysteries of the long fill-- WHOOPEE CUSHION, one of my last finds. I did resort to research on Salome to get unstuck. Such interesting clues-- loved the LIES quote. One of those rare puzzles for me, not requiring any fly specking-- filled in TAX, then JINX, and was surprised and delighted by the tiny tune of triumph. I would say this puzzle was triumph for you, Jackson. (I will be sure to remember your first name-- an unusual one, which you share with my grandfather). Many congratulations, Jackson, on your stellar debut.

Great debut, Jesse! I love figuring out long colloquialisms, as in WHAT THE HEY, and word play like Level bests?/HIGH SCORES. More please!

I count 22 compound word/multiple word answers-- always fun and challenging. TIL TIGOR.

I don't believe I've seen a crossword more junk-free than this one. Also, clever clues and theme. Such an enjoyable puzzle. Thank you, David Rockow.