Lia

I’m so proud because I believe this is my first Friday puzzle ever solved without assistance 😊 I got a gold star! Maybe there was one other that I’ve since forgotten it was so long ago, but either way I’m happy. I finished it just shy of 2 mins over my PB, (14:02 vs 15:5something). I almost reached for the auto check when I was 2/3 through, with most of the left being completed and almost none of the right. I’m glad I stuck it out though and finally the northeast corner was the last big chunk to fall before a last couple of fills here and there. I was so pleased when there was no “almost there” message, I couldn’t believe it. Even on days I do fill the entire thing myself, there is rarely a time I don’t have to go back and fix at least one square! Maybe today was an especially easy Friday, but I will take the win.

This Friday felt much more accessible to me and ironically that resulted in a longer time… I find that when I can actually slowly chip away at a late week puzzle then my end time is longer because I can go much longer before relying on the auto check setting to help. I got a good 2/3 of this puzzle filled in correctly before my first puzzle check, which almost never happens on a Fri/Sat/Sun. I don’t know if this puzzle was just well clued or if I’m getting better at solving or the topics are more in my wheelhouse (likely a combo of the three) but hey I’ll take a longer solve time for a more fun and (personally) successful fill.

One of my favorite puzzles I’ve done recently! Loved the theme and only had to correct one square after I pressed check puzzle at the very end when I got the dreaded “almost there” pop up. The east side of the puzzle took significantly longer than the west but I stuck with it and was actually able to puzzle it all out :)

Anyone else think that 61A was “kids” at first or just me 😅? Am I a terrible person? Hmm I figured out the theme before I came here and solved without any help so I’m pretty proud of myself!

Could someone please explain 51 across to me? “What goes on goes here” is the clue and I don’t understand how it results in the fill (closeted)