Kate M

Hurray! This puzzle made me smile. I actually had a pretty big concussion several months ago, and while healing, I lost my streak -- couldn't focus on Sunday puzzles enough to solve them. I had nary an Aha, Oho, or even an Oreo. But, I swear by the ever-changing MOON, I'm thrilled that this one clicked into place for me! Loved the theme -- every part of it made sense to me. It brought me to the comfort of watching Star Wars or Bake-Off (NADIYA's season is great!) Thank you, constructors! I was finally able to say YAHOO! again!

Yes! Loved this -- I finally feel like I've found the 'Thursday Brain,' after doing the xword daily since 2020! (Inner monologue: Oh, you're saying the 't' leaves? Let's do this!) Just a lot of fun all around -- being obsessed with Tarot as a teen and running through the arcana characters... Hmm, was also obsessed with ALANIS, one of my first concerts as a youth! This one left me smiling and feeling encouraged.

I wonder if we can now consider Parks and Rec a CULT CLASSIC? So much memorable comedy, especially when ANDY didn't PLAY IT SAFE and fell into The Pit... Well, at least it wasn't a MANHOLE...

It occurs to me that it might be a good time in the world to re-read "A Series of Unfortunate Events..." The Beaudelaire orphans didn't really have a KIDS TABLE at which to regroup, but they constantly had to deal with 'la forzo del destino,' which is specifically mentioned in the books... In fact, the books are rife with CODEs, foes, and even some SPELUNKING, all while dealing with an incredibly unfair and corrupt world... Discovered those books in my 20s and found them to be a huge comfort. To any fellow Lemony Snicket-heads --this puzzle was definitely a... Very Fun Distraction.

Brilliant! As I WANDERED through this puzzle, surrounded by FLORA, AGATES, TUSKS, and of course, an antagonist with one "i," I felt like I was in a mythical museum filled with specimens and literature. And of course, one delicious cookie at the snack bar. I also have to hope that Circe's pigs weren't guests of honor at the ROAST! (But here's where the memories of HS Lit get a little dusty...) Were emus and rocs ever captured together, perhaps on vases or mosaics? Either way, this puzzle was Classic...al!

Hey, a mad woman upstairs? Ghostly hands knocking on windows? Drama on the moors? Melodrama was all the rage at some points in the nineteenth century, and young women have been seen as frivolous throughout time. And -- reading a novel? Perish the thought! (just kidding!) But is melodrama really so removed from our modern version? (Also think of the Victorian socialites of the past -- considered flighty, but then people loved to read about their ballgowns, their summers in Newport, their weddings!) Personally I loved the mix -- stars of the literary scene, stars of the social scene. I'm an avid reader and also a big pop culture nerd. Unlike, say, Caroline Bingley, I welcome all kinds of entertainment, high and low! I can ardently say, the puzzle amused and delighted me!

Back in high school, when we were learning about Athens vs SPARTA, I preferred to sit with my art supplies and practice illustrating an XMAN or two. (I'd signed up for a comic book illustrating class at the local art center -- the trendy girls at my school thought I was CRAY-CRAY.) Between drawing and auditioning for school plays, I encountered at least one STAGE MOM with a SPRAY-TAN (but to be fair, this was Long Island in the 1990s...) This puzzle delighted me and brought me back to those teen years, about 25 years ago. I also watched quite a lot of Mystery Science Theater 3000, which I'm sure covered at least one movie featuring a SHRINK RAY. Thanks for the great puzzle!