Kevin Sparks

@The X-Phile Always a pleasure to hear from her! I am nostalgic for 20 years ago, when Sylvia Poggioli would sign off with her charming Roman lilt.

@Lewis Excellent point. Deb had a deft touch, and could …gently apply a bit of elbow to the ribs when needed. FWIW I suspect Sam has such a knack. I say Sam for commentator!

@Barry Ancona you have made my day!

@Vaer I am glad you are keeping current on mixology. I hope it is a useful raison d’etre.

@ad absurdum When I first read your addition to this thread I hemmed and hawed. Now you have me in stitches.

@Times Rita I think I am a seasoned solver, having started with the International Herald Tribune 50 years ago. I solve whatever comes along and try to find joy in it. Loved it? Well I agree the E’s crept in a bit much. Myself I loved the misdirection related to Ms Piggy. I liked the puzzle, quite a bit. Your comment might be taken by some to imply that anyone who loved it falls short in some measure. That may be, but perhaps we ought to let those who enjoyed it… enjoy it. I understand and agree that NYT XW has fallen prey to corporate priorities. But denigrating those who are not up in arms about it probably won’t help.

@Barry Ancona Nice one. I am impressed you didn’t get tripped up.

@Andrzej I can only imagine. She is truly incredible. Your note reminded me of the story - maybe apocryphal- that James Joyce learned Norwegian to better study Ibsen.

@Bill in Yokohama I really want that to be true! Eco had incredibly broad and deep understanding of language and of course a razor-sharp wit (or was it width?).

@M. Biggen I think you meant to say you had been ‘cited’ by the grammar police. (Tongue deeply in meta-cheek)

@John Check out ‘Third Uncle’ from Eno’s album ‘Taking Tiger Mountain (by Strategy)’ Hard driving frenetic rock. It was the first Eno piece I heard and it was a shock for me to learn of his ambient work. One eclectic artist!

@Xword Junkie Very cool information. Yet another wiki rabbit hole for me!

@SP I agree with your take. My thinking: - Sam is a thoughtful mature and perceptive person - Sam is motivated for this forum to be a supportive and welcoming place (note her reference to the early days of said forum) - I believe that commercial concerns are not her primary motivation All of that colors my reading of her comments today. Each of us may have a different take on the use of SLEEKEN. That doesn’t make any of us lesser people.

@Barry Ancona Glad I rechecked before I replied! I have to confess I do not know the etymology but English is funny that way. I don’t think it is in common usage but as you often say, that’s late-in-the-week crosswords.

@Susan E Literature is wonderful that way. I learned naiad from Poe, ‘To Helen,’ which I reread every once in a while.

@Fact Boy @SP Ya’ll have made my day. Hyperventilating belly laughs!

@The X-Phile My favorite turducken memory came from Susan Stamberg’s annual NPR thanksgiving feast discussion - wherein chefs would describe their ideal creation. K-Paul went on at length for his version of turducken, then summed it up: “when you cut into that thing, you just gonna won’t believe…”

@Steve L You have made my day with that. It will be pleasantly stuck in my head!

@Steve L A guess - if one is dining with companions, then a pre-order would be multiple appetizers, or APs. Always interesting to see how others think - one of the delights of this forum.

@The X-Phile As a purely non-political non-polemical aside, We saw the movie a few nights ago. It was a delight. Thank you for the reminder!

@John I think stipulate is from stipulari- implying an extracted promise.

@RozzieGrandma For me, solving on my phone, it’s stubby fingers or just clumsy typing.

@Matt That was indeed a very good puzzle. I also loved the graphics after the solve. I agree that things have changed. Just to throw fuel on the fire, here is a question for those who want more challenging puzzles, and accepting the premise that the gentler clueing is a revenue push… How much would you pay for a premium puzzle subscription?

@Matt Me too. Although having listened to the Daily yesterday, I can easily see a day when the clues are adapted to your desired difficulty level. I suspect Claude could do that today. Not so easy for print edition of course.

@lucky13 Or, from James Joyce, “Finn, again!” I am not sure which came first, the campfire ditty or the literary masterpiece, but each always puts me in mind of the other.

@Steve L Thanks for the details! I had seen the Manet at the Orsay but hadn’t paid much attention to it. The story behind it and the critical reception made for a good read over my coffee!

@Phil Please provide an update tomorrow! Best of luck!