Merrick

Seems like I might have been in line with some other folks. Not quite my day to shine as it felt like there was more “eye rollers” than usual for me, whether it be obscure words or overly clever clues, though I did enjoy a few of them. I guess the fill was designed to make up a bit for a simpler than usual theme for a Thursday? With that said though, I never understand why people get so wigged out when it’s not their day. It’s such a weird expectation to think every puzzle is going to perfectly hit your knowledge and likability of a puzzle, and to be so annoyed when it doesn’t is funny. Crosswords are extremely hard to make, and sometimes you gotta be a little more creative around an expanded themed set. Anyway, off to work.

I have only recently started taking the plunge into Friday and Saturday puzzles, and this might be the first I’ve gotten fully with no help! Agree with everyone that the misdirection led to sections going untouched on one pass, and then perfectly falling into place on the next. Nothing too obscure, just fun. Favorites were “step in the shower” and “they might raise your kids”