Johanna

Had DEUCE in 1D for an embarrassingly long time.

Fine puzzle. Does anyone else panic when they see this name in a puzzle: a_a or a_ _ a. I'm sure I've seen all of them multiple times solved by crosses, but I can't keep them straight. I can't even remember the names of my children...

For "Hardly a romp", I had SNOG. Mind is in the gutter and I didn't know the name of the tributary. Otherwise, a very enjoyable puzzle. I just need to think with my brain.

I was halfway through when I sat back down to finish after polishing off a bottle of sparkling wine (I'm on vacation!). Completed the second half in 10 minutes. I'm a big Devo fan, so that was a gimme, but I am flummoxed how I cut through the second half like butter. I am a SLOW solver, too. Magic wine...

I had BILBO for 34 and refused to change it until the last possible moment.

I spent longer than a minute trying to remember the dang name of the city from GoT until my brain had mercy and hit the lever to switch tracks.

Has there ever been a puzzle without IRA as an entry? ;)

I got LON right away. Then again I'm a computer science grad from Indiana University, so I had advantages with the crosses...

My husband is no puzzler, but every once in a while I'll shove my phone in his face and ask him for the answer. Today: SAMUS. He knew it right away (I did not) as I assumed he would. He was so pleased with himself...

Can't.Get.The.Song.Out.Of.My.Head

I had Baby MAMA which slowed me way down there for a while. And I love The Mandalorian, too. Shameful...

I thought the Welsh version of Ian was Ioan. Like the actor Ioan Gruffudd. But that doesn't work since 'o' doesn't translate to five.

I switched to light mode before entering the final letter and no promised animation. Someone owes me a new pair of corneas - sacrifices were made! (I can still see the puzzle when I close my eyes.)

Some days I am as in sync with the puzzle creator as Astaire was with Rogers - predicting every next step. And then there are times I step all over my own feet like today. Maybe because today there were co-cruciverbalists. Like having too many partners on the floor.