Michael D

At first we were very confused by this puzzle, but now we’re all set.

No no no. Dang was this ever out of my league. It’s so true that taking a break when it doesn’t click is the best “medicine”. Got it done over the course of the day. To all you Helene survivors, my wife and i wish you well and a speedy recovery/rebuild!

“POETRIES?” Really? ”GENRES” for Apple Music heading (odd clue, and also singular). I’ve never said “TARDIER” I gotta say, “You’re not from around here, are you?”

Plugged away at this one til I can barely see straight! Actually, I’m proud of myself for figuring this out. Thanks to this blog and community for all the help in the past and future!

This is a masterful puzzle! Thank you for engaging my brain today!

Great Sunday, Luke. Stick around — we could do with more puzzles from you! Thanks to the Times puzzle community, bloggers and solvers, I’m getting the hang of this thing!

Deb, Thanks so much for showing me that I can do crosswords! Your help and humor have been so valuable. all the best, Michael

Eyeball 1 & eyeball 2 ??

69 Saturdays, eh? My mother and father always said, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

Great puzzle for a Friday struggler. For whatever reason i was tuned in. So chuffed when I knew the first clue.

This was a fun Sunday. The blog’s guidance and help from the community have given me a very precious pastime. I also want to raise a glass to the Times Puzzles programmers and the creators who guided them. IMHO they’ve done a really fine job with all the puzzles and they keep making small but significant improvements. Eg, recently allowing repeating keys from my hardware keyboard. Also I’m impressed with the fact that I can share my results without revealing any answers. That’s forethought. Small but important details. I’ll shut up now. LOL! Bravo!

To me, this was def Thursday level. Wow

Oh, I think my head just exploded! (Jk) Seriously, this puzzle is a fine example of a NYT Thursday crossword.

Loved this puzzle. Very clever to be able to work all those DB names in! Thanks and keep ‘em coming. Everyone have a nice day!

Excellent & fun puzzle. Funny how some entire puzzles seem to just be in our “wheelhouse,” as today’s was for me. While others (Monday’s) almost seem alien — to me, that is. Have a lovely day. If you’re in the N Y City area, enjoy another day of gentler weather!

A jaunty, fun Tuesday! Everything that Caitlin described, and a nice easy segue into the more forbidding days to come! S’more please!

Very clever and a tough Wednesday for me. I needed help a few times. Thank you Chloe and Alissa.

Tough one, but much fun on an iPad, as all the secret letters showed up when the puzzle was done. Kudos to the constructor, the editors, and the team that does the iPad app!!

Excellent puzzle, tho I also was “tweaked” with using HAVOCS as a verb. But ok. Life is change and learning!

I loved this puzzle! Loved it! What a perfect way to start a Tuesday. Thank you, Justin. More please.

A delicious Thursday! More please!

A Thursday toughie. I should have tautened my belt before starting this. But seriously, thank you to the blog and the folks here. I got through it!

This was a fun, cute & clever Wednesday. Kudos to the chef!

Loved this Friday puzzle! At first i was tempted to do the easier version, but I’m glad i stuck with the regular version. Great work!

Many of us in the East Coast have never even heard of salmonberry. TIL about salmonberry! Bravo on this puzzle. Pretty durn clever. Have a good day, all!

Thank you Deb for explaining the theme. I got it, but I didn’t get it, if you know what I mean. Some days I’m a bit thick-headed. Other days, I’m worse. LOL! Have a good day all!

I loved this puzzle. Just tricky enough for a Sunday and nice and meaty. This was a nice recovery ride after what was for us, a tough Friday & Saturday. And we enjoyed the graphic layout! Everyone have a good weekend remainder!

Deb, You will be missed. Between you & my wife, I’ve become addicted to solving crosswords. And the NY Times puzzles have been a wonderful training ground. Thank you, Michael

Wonderful puzzle! Really really tricky for me. I started earlier and when my brain began to shut down I had to abandon. Best thing I could’ve done. I came back hours later and suddenly I was smarter! (Well, that’s kinda how it feels.) 🤣🤣🤣 Whatever that mechanism is, it works. I hope everyone has an easy Friday and gets thru the predicted storm just fine.

I agree. This puzzle is an “absolute vibe!” My wife and I loved this for all its lively elements. Including breaking up the dances. And it worked flawlessly on an iPad.

Tougher than usual Tuesday for me. I loved it. If anybody hears from Deb, please send my regards. She helped me get started on a (late in life) lifetime puzzle journey, for which I will be forever grateful!

I liked this puzzle. It was kind of funish!

Very cute, clever and enjoyable puzzle! I’m awed by people who can construct these! Stay cool and drink lots of water!

Tough puzzle. One of my favorite ‘got-me’ clues was [split component, at times]. WOW! And my least favorite was [Dad-blasted]. I’ve heard of “Dagnabbit,” but I’ve never heard of Dad-blasted. I’m probably in the minority. Stay safe and warm, those of us who are lucky enough to be able to.

Loved this challenging puzzle, but I still don’t get MEET as a heat setting. Lil help please. Thanks.

What a beautiful puzzle! How do they do that?! I know — it’s complicated.

Wow. Very nice puzzle, and to have put the alphabetical challenge on top of the image must have made this a “bear” of a puzzle to construct! Congratulations, constructors, and Thank you very much! Mike

I appreciated how the hills became more difficult/steeper with the more difficult flags! A fine puzzle!

Holy smokes. Did anybody get the license number of that truck that hit me? How about just LEAVES FOR DINNER. “Leaves just in time” really pushed me to only consider the verb, leaves. So now I have to expand my thinking even more! Egads! This was a pain reliever puzzle. Meaning I need pain relievers after this puzzle.

Deb, thank you so much for sharing that. My dad passed some years ago, but it’s still very real today. I keep thinking i can pick up the phone and call him. On the puzzle: i thought it was a fine Thursday. Thanks for your bits of help!

Oh Deb. You let a little thing like an exploding brain stop your research? 😛 Thanks for a great blog!!

This Paul Coulter puzzle is really magnificent! More please!

I see some folks complaining that this puzzle was too easy. Personally I thought it was a fine Wednesday. Maybe a bit breezy, but sometimes they’re harder and sometimes they’re easier. Especially on a Wednesday. Humpday. The crossword crossover day.

Much of this puzzle was just plain fun. The rest had me in the HOUSE OF PAIN. Have a good weekend everyone. Stay hydrated, Mikey