Whoa Nellie

Whoa Nellie dropping in, big pants and down jacket: HOORAY, I SOLVED IT! | OH, I SORTED IT, YO!

Saddle up kids, it's going to be a bumpy ride! I was totin' my pad along the dusty solvin' road, When along came a grid totin' a 15 x 15 load. "If you're a fan of Will Shortz, with me you can ride." And so I climbed into that puzz and then I settled down inside. Will asked if I'd seen such clues with so much eclat and elan. And I said, "Listen, I've solved most every grid they got in puzzleland!" I've solved everywhere, man. I've solved everywhere, man. Cussed them bare white squares, man. I've breathed that rebus air, man. Gold stars I've had my share, man. I've solved everywhere. I've been to: Brunei, Cambodia, Abu Dhabi, and where they grow papayas, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Mali, Ames in Iowa, Moldova, Gambia, Singapore, Tanzania, Woodstock, Bedrock, Alcatraz, Namibia, Elba to Etna, Camaroon, Uruguay, Yemen, Vietnam, and Agra for Sahib's sake! I've struggled with those clues, man. I've had them solvin' blues, man. Lost the plot in dispair, man. But most times Will is fair, man. Got sores from my solvin' chair, man. I've solved everywhere! [No matter where you lay your hat, reach out and call someone you love today. Heck, maybe even if you just like 'em!]

Thank you, Kenneth Cortes! For putting yourself out there, for sharing so generously of yourself, and for constructing more than a crossword puzzle. . . . .

Something different - a twist to the Sunday solve! Mayhaps the graphics put a DAM in your solving mojo? Alas, from the tone of some early posters, the more things change, the more they stay the same . . . . and so, cue another volcanic episode of, "I didn't get it, so it's _______" : ▪︎ wrong ▪︎ bad ▪︎ stupid ▪︎ confusing ▪︎ a waste of time Of course, there's the dreaded beast that chews into your mother lode of crossword ORE: ▪︎ a STREAK breaker! (Streaks are for windows and exhibitionists, kids) Michael let it roll, and his grid was a JACKPOT with MOI. 😉

OK, this Monday grid is as smooth as chocolate pie, yet I'm still dazed by Sunday's thrashing. A person shoulda, coulda, woulda just grin and bear it. Dang right I'm smiling . . . like a pup with a mouthful of bees . ... “The problem is not inside your head” They said to me “Sunday was easy if you Took it logically It felt like (hail) in my struggle To be free There must be fifty ways To solve your rebus” They post, “It’s really not our habit to intrude Furthermore, we hope our discourse Won’t be pedantic or too rude' But I’ll repeat myself At the risk of being booed There must be fifty ways To solve your rebus Fifty ways to solve your rebus” You just clog up your grid, Sid Shove as much as you can, Nan Rebus ain't never been coy, Roy They just spring 'em on me! Fill 'er up and don't cuss, Gus Give those letters a tush push Just hit that rebus key, Lee Or set your streak free!

🥳 May your language inform you, Tough rebuses reform you, Autocheck protect you, And gold stars accept you. A healthy and happy solving year to all!

! Anybody else getting acid reflux? Maybe I need to take a little trip and relax, no? *wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge*

Dear Mr. JK What I did on my Saturday vacation, or lets share the latest gnus from me tau you: Would have slept in, but wanted to see Mia new bird. My hon said "snot your day to be idle, so upandatem, uncurl off those sheets, pullyourselftogether and I'll start the coffee" Well, JKugelman, I opened meine eyes, and added some dosh to the swearjar. As this is the NYT, will ixnay the crudeness from "unpc slur" to, "Dontstartwithme," as I slipped off my singlet and slipped into my Keds. Spotting migrating birds suites me fine, and we've sheena few lifers together. Dontquotemeonthis, but after --- years of wedded bliss, have learned that allyouneedislove and - The spouse who opines with steel may face flames. If you eatat oysterbars, any PDA is TMI. A demonical nag will nap alone (noah what I mean, say no more) Youcantwinthemall. Anyhoo, the dawn chorus yielded bonanzas of birdsong from the Brown Eng, McCoo, Lesser Araby, Tufted Ouioui, Redsun, and Rim Yap. Yours, Madamex . . . .

Good gravy! Id've been zapped by a cattle prod if I'd used anything stronger than a tack to hang a poster! Try blu tac!

Overheard on the AM radio, Out West in 1974... My grid arrived, just this Saturday I tried to solve it in the usual way But there were OKAPI and LOCD today A meat-eating MINK? The heck you say. And while I was filling 'fore I knew it, I said an OATH or two I said "I'm gonna beat my best time, by ATAD!" "You know I wanna win so BAAED!" And the giraffe's in the middle, and he GETSLIT too! Might adust my screen for a good JAUNE HUE LEVELWITHME now, did'ja see one two? Ain't no LIMITS what Hannah can do! BEATSME how she's ABLE to! My streak hit 31 just the other day Was AGASP couple times, lost like an EMIGRE Can I FILA new grid with no FACTCHECK today? I got OFFROADED by some clues, but that's OK And. I BEHELD a, a FAKE HOARSE that never dimmed It said, "I'm the OKAPI within, yeah Them SPOTS TIEDOWN your win!" Happy Fathers Day to everyone who believes in supporting others. As Harry Foster Chapin sang, "Oh if a man tried To take his time on Earth And prove before he died What one man's life could be worth I wonder what would happen to this world"

And there it was. You fill in the grid at such a fast pace, quick leap accross, down, hit your stride, last word, and . . . I'm gonna sit right down And find myself a letter And wonder if you missed it too I'm gonna fight to keep my streak There ain't a word that got us beat A lot of cussing while we fought 'em We'll be glad we got 'em I'm gonna smile and say "Well don't just moan you fretter!" Flyspecking is The thing to do I'm gonna sit right down And find myself a letter It may be that EMAIL won't do I'm gonna sit right down And snailmail ain't no better It's gotta be GMAIL for you

“The nicest thing is to open the newspapers and not to find yourself in them.” George Harrison 💞

? [Ahem] And now the Times are here With pictured clues, I feel uncertain My joy of solving grids Might take a dive, my stats may worsen. I've learned so many words And unraveled rebuses that filled in such a sly way And now, with little pics - I'll solve the Time's Way. Yes there were grids, I'm sure you knew, Words wouldn't fit, and you felt screwed. But through it all, you had no doubt Those clues would change, you'd cuss and shout. So face it all, stay tall and proud, and solve the Time's Way. For what is a solver? What has he got? If not gold stars, well not a lot. If not clued words that he can read, Then give him pictures that he can see! Let the records show, I may be slow, to solve the Time's Way. 😉

Very smooth start to the week. A Monday collaboration so nice that it gets a pass on OREO number 502, the eighth cookie served up in 2025. Congratulations, Dena R. Verkuil on your NYT debut, and hats off to Andrea Carla Michaels for sharing your love of crosswording with other constructors (and solvers!)

... Ah, Sunday. Rest easy in the saddle, 'cause there ain't nothing Out West but blue skies and tall grass . . . I was fillin' my puzzle on a dusty Way Out West-a road, When along came a duo with a long and circle-dotted load. "If you're goin' to win a star, Nell, with us you can ride." IWANTIN with John and Zack so I settled down inside. They asked me if I'd seen a grid with both OHlM and MAR S LAND. I said, "I've been in ALTEREDSTATES before, I ain't no PADAWAN!" I've solved every way, man. MISPLACED and I still play, man. Cussed at grids all day, man. OHIMSOSCARED (No way, man!) Gold stars? I just don't care, man. I've solved every way. I've solved with Whoknows?, Counterflow, Facts? NO!, Missed the quota, Bluff and go, Dang oreo, Wishiknow, Solvedit-sorta, Winme? Ha!, Tight craw, Ooh and awa, No diploma, TAPA?, Pained paws, Need Java, I'minnacoma, Bluster, Fillnomore, Shut the door, I aint yeller! Took apilla, Grindmymaxilla, HotTortilla! Imgonna filler! I've solved everything, man. Should have a gold prize ring, man. Crossed these puzzle squares, man. I SNARLSAT Thursday fare, man. Dang clues I've SCOPED my share, man. I've solved everything!

The five stages of Solving Out West on a lonely Saturday eve: Denial - "Do they expect me to know about 1910 slogans, condiments, grains, politicians, and parlor socials?" Anger - "GETME! a SNAIL would have better ATBATS on this grid!" OK, Malaika Handa and Erik Agard, looking at CHU, PLAYTIMESOVER! It's up and ATOM. You're lookin' at the PRO TEEM now. Bargaining - (NODSAT at half-empty grid). OK. Pearl-clutching . . . Priggish? Starchy? Prissy? Puritan? Genteel? Ain't it funny how you're willing to try anything when you got nothing but stacks of white squares to fill? Maybe if I knew a spell . . .Hey presto, open SESAMEOIL! Depression - "Ugh. There ain't any OVENBAGS big enough to crawl into when you ERASE more than ya fill!" Acceptance "INAWORLD where anything is possible, you OTTER be ready for anything. . .and I accept this gold star on behalf of anyone else who ran the alphabet for that one letter that got you to the happy music. And for those of you who missed the last blood moon, here's a fine ditty about our good Ole yellow orb. Sheesh, now I'm stuck on songs about the moon. Goodnight, amigos! <a href="https://youtu.be/L1Y6W1FaSVQ?si=mM0wXRlYDZhEMOtr" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/L1Y6W1FaSVQ?si=mM0wXRlYDZhEMOtr</a> Next BLOODMOON: 31st of Dec, 2028.

Wish I might hire a cashbard to better articulate happiness, awe, and a touch of envy for this mother- daughter debut. Thank you, Hannah and Ruth, for sharing a snapshot of your union, at the altar and grid, it seems. For 15 years, my dearest Mother posted NYT puzzle bundles to little lonely me overseas- clipped at the table she shared with the love of her life. Those crosswords, and her notes, kept me grounded. I wish you both continued peace and joy, and look forward to your next collaboration. "Love is a gift of one's innermost soul to another, so both can be whole." ☸️

Twas Sunday, and Tim's lobster roll Did debut and addle in the space; All outlaw were the bellhop toes, And the insects throwshade. "Beware the slowest men, my son The social bite, the pens that catch! Beware the nullset bird, and slap That Nero Midas Bandersnatch!"

Straight from the hip Out West: Armadillos are some tough critters. They can run fast, scramble and make a mess outta your back yard. If it were not for the spray, I'd rather run into a skunk that creep up on an armadillo. They'll hiss and scream sooner than run, and who wants to see them jump three feet in the air on a dark night! And don't get me started about them running around like little armored trucks under my back deck! I thank them for helping themselves to all the grubs and bugs they care to snuffle, but they can vamoose from my veg patch! PS - Happy Weekend y'all.

OK, folks, SAYIT! Did that itty-bitty three letter coffee klatch make a MUG outta you? Like me, did'ja make a CARELESSMISTAKE? CUP?** KEG? URN? POT? JAR? CAN? POD? TIN? BAG? **guess a Charger ain't a CUSTOMCAR, unless you paint it pink and call it Mary Kay 😉

ITSON! Pumpkin Spice Madness is in full bloom. Feel free to shake your gourd in disbelief, or run to your local for evidence of - Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer Pumpkin Spice Spam Pumpkin Spice Doggy Cologne Pumpkin Spice Frosted Mini Wheats Pumpkin Spice Air Freshener Pumpkin Spice Moon Pies Pumpkin Spice Shower Gel Pumpkin Spice RumChata Pumpkin Spice Whipped Body Butter Pumpkin Spice Foam and Fizz Toilet Cleaner Pumpkin Spice Pop-Tarts Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate Flakes Pumpkin Spice Lip Balm Pumpkin Spice Potato Soup Pumpkin Spice Beef Chili Mix Pumpkin Spice Organic Hand Soap Pumpkin Spice Air Wick Plugins Pumpkin Spice Warming Massage Oil Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Pumpkin Spice Toxin Free Shampoo Pumpkin Spice Mozart Choc Cream Liqueur Pumpkin Spice Dog Treats Pumpkin Spice Cheese Pumpkin Spice Drunk'n Pumpkin Deodorant And yes, that miserable excuse for a cookie, that trite little hockey puck, a tired 4-letter spackle that glues endless grids together isn't immune to the madness. Timeandtimeagain I hold my nose to get that star [sigh] . . . the unpalatable, inevitable . . . Pumpkin Spice O R E O. 🤮 "Oreos....why'd it have to be OREOS?" "Oreos. Very dangerous"

Whoa, indeed! That sure was a sweet little solve. More lift than stoop - the way we like 'em. Thank you Rebecca Goldstein and Adam Wagner for that gem of a Wednesday grid.

Just another solver at work . . . Wondering how to spell Z? In a British head, you call it zed please It was a strange cross, it made me nervous It took me in with an oceanic preface And I said Did you solve with a time down under? Frowhatitsworth it's just a number. Was your streak, your streak just put asunder? You better run, manana may be tougher! Buying beer from a man in Brussels He was six-foot-four and full of muscle I said, "Do you serva-a ricebeer here?" He just smiled and gave me a dry pilsner And he said I've defused your puzzle blunders When glitches jab you'd wahwah and thunder. Onlyathougthbut would you concur? Oreos are the areolas of crosswords.

Newsflash: Rebuses are painless Through early solving DAZE I see Visions of squished-in words to be Heaven's vaults ONTAP for me I realize and I can see... That rebuses are painless They bring on kooky changes And you can N⭐️SYNC those stars if you please Sometimes crosswords are hard to play My streak has STRAYED, but that's OK I'm Q⭐️BERT with no grawlix today Just REBOOT that grid and play away! Cause rebuses are painless Unlike if SUMOS rearranged us And I can take or leave that if I please. Sussing BAHRAIN made my head spin So here's a tip in one PAREN... (Autocheck is not a sin, it's a CO⭐️ to help you win) Rebuses are painless I'll chug Sarsaparilla 'cause it's nameless and I can take or leave brands if I please. My tired spouse asks how can it be A Thursday grid BUTTSIN on sleep "So you didn't win, just let it be" and I replied, "It ⭐️CROSSED ME!"

Just stopping by before a weekend in New England... Yeah sure, it's Eli His second crossword With gasstationsushi in the air His first grid had anheirandaspare! He now is allin with sophmore e-clat And while we try to earn gold stars Eli, he raised the bar A picnic with norain, nitrates or antz to blame Clues like spanx, saxes and impala Who could asp for more? At Eli's copa - no lemonlaws! Can't smile without emu 😉

Well, it was fun, but left me feeling a bit lopsided - still looking for that other legwarmer, dontchaknow.

Umm . . . 9A could also be a squeak enhancer. (posting for a friend 🤭) TEAMO, emu TEAMO, emu TEAMO, emu

!!! Whoa, indeed! 😉 Yours, Astonished Out West

WHATISART? Wagner and Musa, Amien! Dear Deb, It is your skill, your charm, your wordplay. It is your patience as you led us through grids of discovery, joy, hope, and conquest. It is your ability to reach solvers at all levels, with kindness and humor. The year 2026 will no doubt provide new enchantments, but none as warm as your column. Hope you visit us now and then!

A very nice tussle between knowing, guessing and then finally filling. Liked it - many thanks, Joe! Fun and challenging - embraced the theme and had a good chuckle (AHA!) after landing the reveal. Frost and his contemporary, Carl Sandburg, may not have been on best terms with each other, but Sandburg may have something to offer in respose to folks who are slinging mud at Joe's well-crafted grid: "Look out how you use proud words. When you let proud words go, it is not easy to call them back. They wear long boots, hard boots; they walk off proud; they can’t hear you calling - Look out how you use proud words." Giddyup, indeed!

Can solve this Can solve this Can solve this Can solve this My, my, my, my (You can solve this) Dan's grid hits me so hard Makes me say "Oh, my Lord Thank you for D. Bodily With his grid so fine and sweet to me It feels good when you had some fun With a super dope homeboy, Minnesota-born He's nine grids down And his gimmick it's, uh, you can solve I told you, Timesboy You KIN solve this Yeah, REACT to how we griddin', and ya know you can solve this Look in these squares, man You can solve this Yo, let me bust the ELECTRICFENCE You can solve this No rebus SNAFU you got to like that Words making me itch like dang SUMAC So, move outta your seat And get a FLY girl And fill this grid While it's rolling Hold on Pump and let AMNESIACS know what's going on Like that, like that FRIAR on a mission, SOLES come back Let INSECTS know that you've evolved And this is a grid, uh, you have solved Yo, I told you You can solve this Why you STRESS there, man? You can solve this Yo, LOGIN, word sucker You can solve THIS Stop, Happy Music time! <a href="https://youtu.be/zwFqAoj_FdM?si=uoZVlgV0J_5JHngu" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/zwFqAoj_FdM?si=uoZVlgV0J_5JHngu</a>

Overheard above a.svelte airkiss at the doll house: Hide this barbiedreamhouse from my eyes It's eerie, but it's no big surprise Do you think an easya is what I planned? Oh pleas, just tri to understand 'Cause I'm just a word, oh, little old me Well, don't let me out of your sight Ohhi I'm just a word, a pretty pistolpete So don't you cudgel me tonight Oh, I'd like a rebus here! The moment I slip outside the lines So many sneered, I blew more than one prim mind I can't do the little bits I hold so dear 'Cause it's those sparse white squares that you fear 'Cause I'm just a word, you just solved me 'Cause your antenna hit my gspot this time Ohhi, I'm just a word, no privatejet for me 'Cause autocheck has me stoppedonadime Ohhi, I'm just a word, take a good look at me Just your typical puzzletype Oh, I've had it up to here Oh, am I making myself clear? I'm just a word I'm just a word in the world That's all that you'll let me be

"So let it be written; so let it be done," growled Yul Brynner (Rameses II) in the 1956 film The Ten Commandments: 10. Forget the clock, the news, and check your troubles at the door. 9. Give the grid your first round efforts. 8. Trust those instincts - if it feels like it fits, fill it in! 7. Lucky you, if those initial guesses make it past your next go round. 6. Getting serious now, gotta separate the soft whir of supposition from the roar of ignorance. 5. Half-done OR half-cooked? It's all a state of mind (and white grid space). 4. Time for forgiveness - ease up on the "What was I thinking, 'food coloring!'" moment. 3. Keep trying. Every round of across and down is a chance to scratch and claw out a few letters or word. 2. Enjoy that AHA! The penny drops! That decoder ring in your head finally calibrates with the constructor. 1. Lean back, take a deep breath. You did your best. A fine Saturday puzle. Best of all, they'll be another one tomorrow! Happy weekend solving, everyone.

Was there ever a grid that told a solving story so well? BLANKSTARE . . .MYSTERYBOX. NOFUN! ROCKBOTTOM. GRIT!!! TRY STARTERKIT . . .TSQUARE . . . UNDID LOX . ..ISEE!! POPTAB - EXHILARATE! JIGS! SOAR! NICE. [and a bonus AESOP tale: TEXMEX TOXICGAS METHANE] Before I INCUR the wrath of emus and KHAN. . .ZIPIT and off to REM. Happy weekend solving!

Wow. Today's puzzle was another chance to smile at the creative ways that constructors find to amuse, entertain and edify solvers. Like a fresh bouquet, this grid is full of bright color! Thank you, Juliana! Joel Fagliano is making solving a hoot and a half! Love it!

For your DOTs only! Overheard amidst flashing bulbs in Cannes - BURNAFTERREADING Sean: Ack! Yer lookin' a bit peely wally, lad. Nic:  That's WEIRD. I usually PERSONIFY cool in this here jacket. S: "Did you buy that zoo ESCAPEE you're wearing? Has a snake WONOUT over ARMANIS?" [photographer shouts out,"Mr. Connery, who are you wearing?"] S: "DUA look like I care?" N: "He paid a TAXI driver with a BIONICARM to SLIT some cloth and DEMEAN the red carpet with that GREEN GSUIT!" S: "NEVER! My kilt represents a symbol of my individuality and my belief in personal freedom!" N: "More like a KNITTINGNEEDLE STOLE your LOCHTE NESS monster! No CLOGDANCING for you in that - INCASE you MOON the paparazzi" S: "Now that would be a fine FRENCHROAST!" Les photographes scurry away, muttering "You'll be sorry! You'll all be sorry, you rats!"

EZRA Pound reviewed "North of Boston," a book of poetry by AMHERST professor Robert Frost, including the poem "Mending Wall" Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun; And makes gaps even two can pass abreast. ... We keep the wall between us as we go. To each the boulders that have fallen to each. And some are loaves and some so nearly balls We have to use a spell to make them balance: ‘Stay where you are until our backs are turned!’ We wear our fingers rough with handling them. Oh, just another kind of outdoor game, One on a side. It comes to little more: There where it is we do not need the wall: ... He only says, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.’ Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder If I could put a notion in his head: ‘Why do they make good neighbors? Isn’t it Where there are cows? But here there are no cows. ... Before I built a wall I’d ask to know What I was walling in or walling out, And to whom I was like to give offense. Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That wants it down.’

EUREKA! in more ways than one happy i got 'er done happy for today to breathe to be for the play is the fun. Good day to you all.

Et tu, Sunday! Boy howdy, THAT was worth the doublecross. "I will wear my loss upon my sleeve For emus to peck at: I am not what I am." Now off to sleep, perchance to dream of squares filled and unfulfilled, with a sigh, "Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content!"

Sign of the Times: Hadn't really noticed it until my significant other commented, "Your crossword words are changing" Huh? What? "You used to chuckle and say, AHA and WOW and WOWIE, but lately it's more UGH and NOWAY, and WHATTHEHE.." Upon reflection, I feel the widening chasm between answers to clues I should've known and/or forgotton, and words I don't have a rat's chance in Hades of wrassling to the ground, much less roping in on a crossword grid. Cue the squeak of my walking frame. Oh well, might get all swole from the exercise! 😉

Overheard as the crowd exited "Live and Let Die": [Dum di–di dum dum . . . ] "ALAS, these BOND flicks are NOT what they used to be!" "IDONTSEEIT." "For your INFO, the PEAK was with SEAN. Now it's any OLE Brit who can say BOO and passes a "stare down a gunbarrel INTROCLASS." "DEAR CHAP, IHAD no IDEA you'd put Connery on a MARBLE pedestal. Mayhaps the last of my CANNABIS OREOS might ease THEBEAST in you?" "Harumph. Exactly what I'd expect from you, ALDO you SEEM to think fine ARTS involve Fernando LLAMAS strumming a BANJO!" "WHOA! You WENTTOFAR, you old LEECH. This is the last time you'll MOOCH a film pass off me!" "DOSE that mean I'm stag for the next one - ThunderBAWL?"

Signposted at Dionysus' shindig: Anyone with LICE will be asked to leave. No INTROS required. Mrs White: "EEK! Look at the ACNE on that rump! IBET there's MOOR ... shall we SEE?" Reverend Green: "Have you lot PAID for COURTSIDESEATS at this COARSE ORGY? Professor Plum: "Hmmm... it BEGS the question... how HER PRIMEREALESTATE fits into those ONSIES? Now, where did I leave my CASSIS? Ah yes, under the OLIVETREES, next to the POLOSHIRTS." Mrs Peacock: "Glad I haven't FORSAKEN SECRET PASSAGES ... might take a STAB at that MANEATINGSHARK." Colonel Mustard: "Cor Blimey! They ought not to RATION the OLEO tonight." Miss Scarlett: (thinking ALOUD) "Well, I'm here. At least they ENLISTED a pro!" Will this make it past the PARENTAL emus?

Grist for my NYT penpals: Like an ivy with no plantsitter Or a synapse saton by a stopper Memory becomes misopaste Entr'acte The clue, the analogy, the eons The deathspiral of white squares The messkit of mind is pricked by the epee - Fess up, sweet peas ET TU, mon testees Lost steamers searching for the safety of that one clue, Icee a mental spoonresrt In the seamaps Of crosswordlandia Uturn and come about (A letter, a word gotta meet) That clue in peace it gives Peace onto you!