Chris

@Asky But what if I don’t want to get off your lawn?

@Lewis Thank you for this bonus column on a fun crossword!

@CCNY That they want to come home AND bring friends is a big compliment to the home you created. Good luck during the transition — and after!

@Roberta I love that the editors included this puzzle. It was not a slog for me, especially compared to the last two puzzles. To each their own

@sotto voce I came to the comments in search of a comment like this to “recommend.” It was indeed a beautiful tribute by Mr. Byrne, who is clearly a kind human. I am a caregiver to a spouse with a severe TBI; a life-altering event in many ways. I’m tickled that Mrs. Byrne has progressed so nicely & pray it continues. Oh - and I loved this puzzle! Just the right amount of challenge for my skill level.

@Niall you’ll get there! This was an unusual Wednesday in my opinion. Walking away can help a lot when you’re frustrated. I hope it continues to be fun for you, more often than not, at least

@Nancy J. Love it - well done!

@Cal Gal If you notice that the goal is to make words without the Ys, (like “classmate” & “fishhook”), “handbell” becomes more satisfying

@Francis Good definition, although I would say that it’s almost always to Boop a dog’s nose. But both are nice!

@SP I started reading your comment before I started Wordle today. I closed the app in a bit of a panic. Do I start with Trope? Will I get a 1? Will that be cheating? Tried to do the puzzle in my usual way bc I’m too much of a rule follower. To anyone who has read this far, SP’s post is not a spoiler

@Carol You won’t always be a novice player. Reading the comments here, you can see that some people thought the trick was too hard and other people thought it was too easy. I think that’s a good sign that the puzzle is on track. You will learn more tricks as you go. And as common tricks become familiar to you, you might even crave novel tricks. Journey before destination!

@Once a Marine How lovely! Inside tip: consider putting puppy to bed when LandShark mode arrives. They play tough when they’re tired, which is almost hourly in their early months. I miss it though. Have fun!

@Steve L Eh, I agree with both of you. I often work these with my kids, sometimes printing a copy to leave on the table. They’re old enough to know the world has f-bombs, but I’m not yet awake enough to tackle the level of intimacy if they ask about the Goods

@Lewis oh gosh I’m still tired! I was pleasantly surprised to read that Pedro Pascal had these other talents. Time for more coffee. Good luck to Paolo!

@Ms. Billie M. Spaight An amuse-bouche is a single, bite-sized taste of food to whet your appetite at the start of a fine dining experience

@Marshall Walthew Yes, this is me as well! My opinion turned around several times. While I didn’t adore the puzzle, I was impressed by it. And I am patting myself on the back because it’s my first Sunday solve without any look-ups. Over my average time, but not embarrassingly so

@Bob T. Excellent observation. I loved Parks & Rec (skip season one, imo) and Offerman’s beautiful character portrayal in Last of Us is even better when you have the comparison. I loved season one of the Last of Us, but Offerman’s focal episode is the one that sticks with me. For this crossword however, Ron’s voice is loud & clear. IF he would ever tease about woodworking!

@MaryEllen I agree with Katie. To which fad do you refer? A playful, creative, trickster-style puzzle is a tradition for NYT Sundays. It’s nothing new.

@Mean Old Lady it is nice that the author’s note specified they were already out to immediate circles, including family

@Linda Jo You reminded me of an elementary school teacher of mine. Upon finding a possum playing dead, she had us gather in a circle & count off, “I One the opossum, I Two the opossum…” until we got to the unfortunate & unsuspecting second grader who said, “I Eight the opossum.” Such silly laughter as the pun dawned on us!

@Nancy not every book suits every person. But Jane Eyre was my all-time favorite book until I read East of Eden. (Since then my favorites continue to evolve)

@Ivan that clue/answer made me laugh out loud! If it was a stretch, I thought it was an excellent one

@Nancy Ha! I penciled in “DAD” with my “_ _ D”

@Rahul Every time I hear “up and at em,” I think of a character on The Simpsons over-enunciating “up and at them!” Still makes me laugh

@Andrzej @Francis I love these stories so much! I wonder what my kids will say about me someday. My daughter seems convinced I was a saint as a teen. She has very high moral expectations of herself, so I am gently trying to disabuse her that misunderstanding. I’d love her to behave better than I did, but she’s so hard on herself. How do I show her that it’s good to be a little bit wild? Break a few rules…safely? Ahh parenting is an adventure for sure!

@Xword Junkie A rare day for me - I figured out the theme bird with its first across clue. Punny but also on the nose

@Rich in Atlanta Can’t help but wonder if that someone could be you! It’s a great idea

@Jane Wheelaghan You might want to Google Bill Nye. I would think he’d be right up a primary school teachers alley!

@Rich in Atlanta I hope you’ll be back soon, too! And I hope it’s a fantastic facility. I know there’s a big range. The ombudsman and Congresspeople are your friends, if needed.

@Art I see the little plastic insert that allows me to play my 45rpm record

@Linda Jo I don’t know Mr. Tod, but Swiper is the fox in the children cartoon Dora

@Bill Fascinating info & shared w/ my teenage daughter. That same child has helped me see that people sometimes choose to be referenced using mixed pronouns. I prefer she/her, but another might prefer she/they. My guess is that some use it to show openness and acceptance & others are tiptoeing into gender fluidity

@Scott From the constructor: “I confided and found support with small circles, individual friends and family before making this puzzle, and this won’t be the last time I have to come out to new circles.”

@Amir This one made me smile repeatedly! Not easy, but a fun challenge. A relief after two hard puzzle days. I guess it was my wavelength today - that and I slept better!

@HeathieJ Thank you so much for typing it out. Adding here that this is Emily Dickinson’s work, for those who might not recall

@Cat Lady Margaret I tried first tooth , first steps… Oreo pie saved me

@Remi Goats

@Banjo Nelson I don’t think it’s as fancy as that. TEN is a card in a deck…and it’s being greeted (HI)

@Kristopher That’s precisely why it made me chuckle (after I found my way)

@Liz Evans Sometimes style and lyrics are more important than vocal quality. (Looking at you Bob Dylan! Please note I’m not actually comparing the two.) I have never connected with TSwift. But I have been advised to watch her Era’s movie so that I can try to understand the excitement, rather than turn my nose up the way my grandparents did with Beatle mania

@Sam Lyons visit a Christian church in the holiday season. You’ll find that handbell choirs are commonplace

@Francis I have a magic trick for you – bypass season one! I was given that advice and it turned into one of my all-time favorite shows.