Ann Robinson

I don’t think I am going to read all 476 comments. Based on my regular lurking, I’m guessing many of these are jeremiads about the rebus. I just popped in to say that I really liked this puzzle a lot. At first, I was confused, because some of the clues seemed quite easy, and I didn’t figure out the rebus trick that quickly. I was tickled to find the rebus gimmick, though. I continue to have trouble with the IE/EI spelling thing, even as an academic pretty well into middle-age! And such fun that it works in the opposite order on the downs and acrosses! Congrats to the debut puzzle constructors! I hope to see more from you in the future! Stay warm, everybody!

I usually don’t post because by the time I do the puzzle most of you are long gone. This puzzle was fine and fun, like almost all of them are to me. But I want to celebrate my 500-puzzle streak! I started doing them in 2022, and now I do most of them without lookups. So let’s also consider this an encouragement to those who are just getting started on their puzzle journey.

I’m mostly one of Deb’s lurkers, but I wish you all a healthy and peaceful holiday season. Christmas was a little weird for us (two elders with health issues meant that there was no family get-together), but it’s still good to be home for the holidays, as the saying goes.

Fun and challenging puzzle! I came in “under” my average, but there are some old Sundays that took me FOREVER, so my Sunday average time is pretty high. Speaking of doing old puzzles, I’ve seen some complaints about the new version of the app. I don’t really mind it, but I don’t see a “recent puzzles” section that would easily bring up ones that are incomplete. Am I missing it or is it gone? By the way, I loved the EMU clue!

Just going to add my congratulations to Samantha on your debut. Super cute and enjoyable puzzle! I’m a chocolate girl, myself. And also to send healing wishes to Will! You have many people pulling for you!

Really cute and fun Tuesday puzzle, if a bit harder than average. Being a late commenter, most of my observations have already been made, but I don’t think I saw this: Did anybody else confidently put in “hangar” for 67A? It certainly would have fit in with the theme, coincidentally!

Fun puzzle, if a bit on the breezy side. I’m mostly here to comment about Mr Johnson’s lovely tribute to his friend Alexandra. What a touching story about friendship and human connection.

Congrats to Mr. Baude! It’s nice to hear about perseverance!

Very cute and fun puzzle! Agree that it’s a bit on the easy side for a Thursday. I didn’t get a PB, but came in well under my Thursday average. I also agree that the clueing was quite clever. My favorites were BOTOX and OCTET … great misdirection!

I am just here to echo the condolences that many have expressed. Deb, I’m very sorry for your loss. My dad would have been 99 this year, so of a similar generation to yours. And like you, we had a relationship that was pretty difficult at times. I was pretty young when he died, and often wish I had the opportunity as a more mature adult to have a better relationship. I’m glad that you were able to enjoy his last years in peace together.

Cute and fun puzzle! Makes me want to take the JASA crossword class when I retire (I’m mentally ready, tbh, but financially not so much). Thanks to Natan and his class! I feel bad for all the folks who’ve never heard of, let alone tried, MAPO TOFU. Also, I recently was going through some of the old junk in my mom’s apartment and came across one of my old college notebooks, which happened to contain an essay on ETHAN Frome! (I have to say, immodestly I guess, it was better than most of the essays I get nowadays.) But that one was another gimme for me.

Didn’t read all the comments but I saw less grumbling about rebi than I expected. I’m thankful for (among many other things) my spouse, my family, a steady job, my marbles, and the puzzle and its community! Happy thanksgiving to all who celebrate! Re. the puzzle, the stacks were fun! To be honest, it was a bit disappointing that I did it so quickly (some really straightforward clues, I thought), in close to half my average time. I guess they wanted to make it a little more accessible to the casual solver, but I totally get that.

Fun puzzle! I had no idea that “throwing shade” went so far back. And what a sweet story from the constructor about making puzzles for his grandparents! As a (half-) Finnish-American, I am glad to see that an actual Finn has explained the nudity appropriate to SAUNA. That answer stumped me at first, though it was easy enough to get from the crosses. Happy semester, to all who are into that sort of thing!

Just here to add my warm welcome back to Will! So glad that you're recovered well enough to be back at work! And thanks to Joel for manning this SHIP so ably in Will's absence! (And about the puzzle, it was a bit slow for a Monday for me, due to either the SW corner, or starting it pretty late in the day when I was pretty tired--probably both.) Happy new year, all!