Theresa
USA
This puzzle just delighted me, start to finish. (Especially tickled that all the entries along the lines also worked. Amazing!) It was a joy to do this on a sunny Sunday morning while all the ice fishers are at church or sleeping in.
After 30-plus years living and salmon fishing in Southeast Alaska, today I heard of “samlet” for the first time. Uncommon usage, but hey, it’s a Thursday crossword, so I’m good with that. This was a tough puzzle for me, until suddenly, it wasn’t. I enjoyed it, I think!
When I went to do Sundays puzzle, uncharacteristically at night, I inadvertently opened Monday’s. Was so pleased with how, suddenly, Sunday was REMARKABLY easy. It was this morning when I went to do Mondays that I realized my gaffe. Ha! Onward to Sunday. Don’t know where else to make this comment: No disrespect to others who create the mini, but I sure miss Joel’s.
I loved this puzzle! Thank you! Aaaand … we used to cut trees, (we lived in a national forest where this was allowed) and then had a fake tree for several years. (Harder to put together!) New town, new partner, new-old tradition: For the past decade, we’ve gone to the same tree farm to cut our tree, and then to lunch at a perfect diner called The Fork in the Road. Peace to all my fellow puzzlers on this holiday.
I can’t think of a time when I’ve done a Thursday without a bit of help, so completing this puzzle was great fun for me. Thanks, Daniel! And happy birthday, Daniel’s Dad.
Wow! Best ever. Loved this one. Thank you!
Didn’t “get” it until I read Deb’s column, but enjoyed the puzzle greatly, anyway! Thanks for everyone’s comments. Hope your holidays are full of peace and contentment.
This was very difficult for me, with flashes of fun and (with a lot of help …) I did solve it. Mostly not fun, but I think that’s due to my skill level, not the puzzle. I kill Mondays!
This was just tickled me. I might’ve actually giggled. Thanks!
This puzzle was pure delight. Thank you!
Delighted to hear Will is back! Thanks to Joel et Al in Will’s absence. And, oh yeah — today’s puzzle: A lot of fun!
Clever, fun puzzle. I loved it. Another thing I love? Joel’s back doing the mini! I missed him, and thanks to those who filled in.
Loved it! Thank you for the fun.
@Theresa me, here. That is to say, “This one”
@Howard N. Thanks for a great puzzle! I knew nothing about “Wicked” (though I like musicals), but was able to solve it even though I didn’t know that embarrassingly mispronounced character’s name. Fun Thursday.
This puzzle made me smile.
@Bruce would that there were a “haha” choice, instead of merely “recommend”
Delightful Sunday puzzle! Loved the constructor notes, as well. Thank you!
The constructors’ notes were the best part! (Yes, this was a very difficult one for me.) I didn’t know of Nick (have heard of, but not seen, Parks and Recreation), but sure like him now. Always have appreciated Christina.
@LJADZ I don’t know anything about the show referenced, but was able to have fun and complete the puzzle. Sometimes a particular puzzle isn’t a fit for a particular person; no slam on the person or the puzzle, just the way things go sometimes.
First: Sorry to learn of Will’s stroke, and wishing him the best. Second: Very difficult, satisfying puzzle. The closer I got to finishing, the funnier it became. (No, I would not like it if “funnier” were a crossword answer.)
Delightful! Thanks a for a neat start to Sunday.
I’m among those who found this very difficult for a Tuesday, although parts were fun.
I know about and enjoy Christina’s work, knew nothing of Nick — but that’s nothing to do with the puzzle, which wasn’t much fun for me. Glad most others got a kick out of it, though.
@Bill it has been paved over, to accommodate stiletto heels
Great puzzle! Makes me want to give a martini another try.
This one tickled me, start to finish. I surprised myself, knowing some of the answers I wouldn’t have suspected me of knowing. (Did have to look up 43D when my guess didn’t work, but otherwise, no help.) This was just fun. Thanks, Mr. Collins!
@Steve L yes. That’s why I said I was good with it.
@Red Carpet When first reading about how to solve NYT crosswords, I learned that while Sunday is oft claimed to be the most difficult day, it’s merely the largest. Saturdays are the most difficult, and Sundays are expected to be akin to Wednesday for difficulty. Today’s, for me, was definitely most difficult. I appreciate the theme and the talent it took to create such a puzzle, and I’m glad it tickled so many puzzlers. It was a slog for me, though.
This was a blast! Anything that includes Pinky and Brain would get me, anyway, but this was above and beyond. Loved it. Thanks!
Very nice!
@Momerlyn I did only “f” throughout and the puzzle accepted them and closed it out as soon as I finished (7.5 minutes phaster than usual!) So a different sort of bug, maybe.
I love Monday crosswords and this one was especially fun on a shadow-free Groundhog Day. Also enjoyed the column, and most people’s notes. Thank you all for the sunshine, blessedly lacking outside today.
@Francis this is usually such a collegial forum, rarely including name-calling. Sorry today is exceptional.
@Linda Jo No shadows on the fresh snow in my neighborhood of Milwaukee. Booya!
@alexknyc when I had a similar problem, though not a similar streak (Mazel tov!) the customer service people found a fix.
@Sue what a lovely comment, which now has made me embrace this puzzle. I’m sorry about your father, and glad for your memories.
@Barry Ancona thank you for this! I, too, was confused by the description, which, only once one sees it, makes sense.
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