Holly

The grammar is often awful. For example "Dodgers' foes" is solved with "IRS". So he used a plural clue (foes) on a singular answer (IRS). You don't say the "IRS question me" (plural form) - you use the singular verb form "the IRS questions me."

I'm close to 80 and have been doing NY Times crosswords since the 1970s. I have never enjoyed them less than I have the past months. I enjoy using my own wits - and not Google's - to solve them. I'm also wondering if constructors are using more sophisticated methods to create the puzzles - eg, AI. I realize a lot of people don't feel this way, but for me, the glow is fading away.

Without taking any high praise away from Jesse Cohn's FIRST puzzle, let's also give some kudos to Joel Fagliano for the editing. A great team effort and a delightful puzzle to solve. There's no crossword I enjoy more than one that feels impossible at first, and then opens up as I continue trying, all the while making me smile at the way my brain runs with its first answer to a clue while missing the possibility of other meanings.

At first I didn't like it - had to look up some answers. But after I cheated a few times, it got to be more fun. Took some time but I felt a nice sense accomplishment when I entered the last correct square. The cluing was especially difficult for me, but I admired its originality and cleverness.

Is anyone else annoyed at the banner that appears over this crossword that reads: "Add three people to your subscription??" It makes my screen jump when I enter answers.

I'm baffled. What does the picture here have to do with the puzzle????

Difficult for us today, AND loads of fun doing it.