Millie

Have to admit that the only Crossword Column pieces I always 'completely' read - - and look forward to now twice weekly - - are those written by the delightful Deb Amlen. During COVID, when many of a certain age hadn't yet realized we were being 'forced' into retirement, or simply because we were stuck inside, I recall Ms. Amlen's online solving sessions where her readers got to know her in a more personal manner. It was a few minutes of communal solving that put smiles on faces and got this reader hooked on crossword solving. I will be forever grateful to Deb Amlen for that, and will always remember her. I wish her a long and fulfilling journey ahead, and much love from one of surely thousands who have read her columns as if she were a caring friend, speaking directly to us, and always offering wise advice. She will surely be missed. And always loved. Salud, Deb Amlen, and thank you. 🍷

Nice job, Esha Datta. DO OR DIE seems to have won stump-of-the-day! It was my last entry. Must be something visually that got us all??? Light and melodious for a Thursday, Nice treat. (Hi, Deb Amlen :) always a joy on a Wednesday night to read.)

"...he has removed the word 'ice' from all of the theme entries in his puzzle. There are also no words in the surrounding fill that contain the letter string I-C-E..." If he could do this across the country....

"I’ll level with you: For today’s Tricky Clues section, I was tempted to write 'all of the Acrosses' and shut my laptop." Sean McGowan is a delight :) (sure he's not related to the one-and-only Deb Amlen?)

My best time ever! Happy Monday. (Vote 🗳️.)

More like a Tuesday?

"And what is causing so much miscommunication in Mr. Gulczynski’s puzzle? The answer is the revealer, SPEECH TO TEXT (39A), a bit of technology that enables spoken words and phrases to be converted into text, and which sometimes makes spelling errors." Which is why professional court reporters are still the *only* ones able to produce an accurate, immediate legal transcript.

Thanks for the word "swank." Not used as much as it once was. Brought a smile :)

Is today Tuesday? Still struggling with this one.

"This is the first I’m hearing about something called a TWIN SET, which is a matching [Pullover/cardigan combo]. Is everyone wearing twin sets without me?" Aww, am I that old that people are unfamiliar with what was, not long ago, a quite common outfit, and I'll bet still around - - though I'm not that up on the latest fashion lol...

Enjoyed your puzzle, Katie Hoody. Thank you. And Happy Birthday to your dad, who raised a good daughter, for sure :)

Best clue - - and answer: 55 Down. ⚖️

Challenging puzzle! But always able to LMAO with the wise and witty @debamlen while reading her column - - and taking one of those little breaks she suggests to hopefully provide the gears in my aging brain a little oiling.

🎼 "Out of the tree of life I just picked me a plumb You came along And..." my streak was broken...😎 Still it's a real good bet The best is yet to come...🧩

Sending warm get well wishes to Deb Amlen. Hope she's got her home-made remedies available. xoo (still working on the puzzle...)

I'll be nice. Not a favorite Wednesday offering - - even for a music lover. 🎶

Salud! 🍸

Curious as to the percentage of solvers that can figure out some of the answers in a puzzle such as this one 'without' reading The Crossword Column :)

@debamlen, "Enter!" :)) 🎥