Johanna

Had DEUCE in 1D for an embarrassingly long time.

I really wanted "A word in closing" to be SING. It fit. It made me smile. And then it didn't play nice with the others.

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...

Don't go describing Ren as 'classic' (I say as I groan every time I rise from a chair).

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...

A+ despite forcing me to do math.

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.