CindyM

@Mike Crosswords are meant to be enjoyed by the solver. Each solver has their own way of solving and their own goals to meet. If someone looks something up, it's not "cheating"- it's not a game. It's learning. In your solve, you might consider looking something up "cheating". Those are your "rules", for you. Not for anyone else.

@Amy I've heard 'tuck and roll' used in tumbling to describe how to do a forward roll. As in tuck the chin down and roll.

@The X-Phile I live in Texas on a farm with cattle. Cattle pen is a perfectly common term around here. It's the first thing I thought of. I like your thought of 'cattle men', though.

@Lewis I agree. The puzzle week should have something for everyone, including seasoned solvers looking for a challenge. I remember (many) years ago I would not even attempt a Friday or Saturday puzzle. Now, I look forward to those with relish. Tease me, test me, puzzle my brain, please.

@Lauren I am definitely not a sports person and when I used to see sports references in puzzles, my brain would close up and I'd get nowhere. I've learned to work around those clues with crosses and usually can eke out the answer, unless it's a proper name that is totally unknown to me with unkind crosses. What I realized is I need to keep my mind open and flexible even when encountering clues not in my wheelhouse. That's how we solve puzzles... little by little.

@CCed To me, as a person who thoroughly enjoyed the 60's and 70's, I find USED POT a common expression. Maybe not today, as there are so many ways to partake of marijuana and its derivatives.

@LStott I agree. I even like to savor the 'easier' early week puzzles.

@CaryB LOL!

@Kathryn Love it! I visualized the whole thing.

@coloradoz I used to help my brother fold the newspapers for delivery. Girls weren't allowed to be 'paperboys'. I remember sometimes we had to insert a section, too. We folded the papers into a square shape making it easier to fling... and break things on the porch. And, yes, we lived in suburbia.

@Stuartr Don’t be intimidated. There is lots of easy fill in this puzzle. The tricky parts will make themselves clear as you fill from the crosses. You might be surprised at how well you do on this one. Give it a try. How else do we grow as solvers?

@Taking a break Congratulations! You’re on your way to the weekend puzzles!

@Vaer I had about the same number of answers revealed as you. Pixar not at all in my wheelhouse. Got the "Well Done!", too.

@Mean Old Lady King Arthur Baking (they changed their name and logo a couple of years ago) is one of my go to recipe sites. I’ve come to love weighing ingredients instead of measuring by volume. Much more accurate and no measuring cups to wash. Now when I encounter a recipe that only has volume measurements, I grumble. KAB's English Muffin Bread is one of my favorite recipes for a quick and easy bread. Perfect for French Toast.

@John Peil It's a Friday. Expect the misleading clues.

@The X-Phile Then there are those of us who live in a rural area miles from town. Once in town, I do park in a lot that serves several stores and walk from store to store.

@Sonja I got the Spangram and gave up on the rest. Too troublesome for a Monday brain.

@Danny Sprung Material or fabric for a twill suit could never be 'suede'. Although, yes, the word itself fits.

@Charlie Brown I also "used" to solve on my iPad, usually in bed in the morning after my husband brought me coffee. (Aren't I the lucky one!) Now, with the new app which won't load on my old iPad, I do use the browser version. The interface on the iPad through Safari is less than ideal. I could use my iPhone, but it I like to see the list of clues, not just one at a time. The interface on my iMac through the browser is great, however.

@Michele G Constructors never know when their puzzle will be published.

@Nancy J. Thank you for that!

@Oikofuge A 'Lettuce Wrap' is a sandwich of sorts in which the ingredients are wrapped in a lettuce leaf instead of a tortilla, pita, or other bread. Even a hamburger can be wrapped in lettuce leaves instead of stuck in a bun. For many people, it's a lower calorie and carb option.

@Andrzej Your situation mirrors the situation of me and my (now) husband. Got married for legal reasons at the Justice of the Peace office and my "new husband" went back to work.

@Elizabeth H It’s Thursday. Expect some extra mental gymnastics on, as I call it, Tricky Thursday. I look forward to it all week to see what the constructor has come up with. There’s always going to be an extra element in the puzzle.

@Bob I put in 'sacks' first, because that's how they're sold in home improvement stores.

@dutchiris I'm with you. I cringe when I hear someone use the term.

@acjones I'll add to the queue. I solve on my iMac in the quiet of early morning. With my coffee, sometimes my toast. I keep the volume on my computer turned low, but I like getting the little jingle when I've successfully solved the puzzle.

@Helen Wright You are correct regarding Chocula. It's a kid's cereal with a cartoon "vampire" on the box- a take off on Count Dracula, I assume. I've never had it, but I'm sure it's plenty sweet and chocolaty.

@N.E. Body I solve on an iPad and the squares were absolutely distinguishable grey/white. Maybe you need to reload the app? They might have done upgrades. Just a thought…

@Amy It’s from the play by Samuel Beckett, Waiting For Godot, in which Godot never shows up.

@Mean Old Lady I thought of Po' Boy, too, but I associate them only with sea food filling rather than cold cuts, cheese, etc.

@Pamela Me, too

@Pat Loofa is very different from a sponge. They don't hold water like a sponge. They are fibrous and excellent for exfoliating. Easy as cucumbers to grow. They vine out to about 10 feet and love to climb on a trellis. Leave the fruit on the vine to dry out and when you hear the seeds inside rattle, harvest the dried fruit, soak for a bit in water and easily peel off the outer coating. Clip the end and pour out the seeds saving them for next year. Voila! A luffa bath "sponge".

@John Me, too.

@Julie I, too, never watched the show, so the theme was lost on me until I read Wordplay and the names were pointed out to me. Due to the show’s popularity, I knew the names when they were pointed out to me. I still thought it was an OK puzzle, even if the theme left me cold.