Mike

Deb, For this past decade and a half, you have made readers and solvers such as myself feel less alone through a grand camaraderie. You have crafted a warm, edifying space where we all could relish our shared love of wordplay together, commiserate with each other over difficult puzzles, and marvel at the creativity of the constructions we are so honored to behold. Puzzles are a beautiful enterprise, and it was wonderful to have you at the helm here, modeling kindness and joy. This is bittersweet, of course, but I can sense the robust opportunity and joie de vivre in a line such as this: "I am endlessly curious about this world we live in and would like to see more of it. I will have the time to read all the books I never got to, and my family are looking forward to seeing more of me." And it is my most fervent wish that your retirement is filled with every good thing that you seek (including lots and lots of puns). Thank you, Deb. It has been an honor having you here.

As always, this time of year, I am thankful for puzzles, and I am thankful for you. Five years ago, I wandered into a bookstore and found myself drawn to the puzzles section. I loved logic problems then (and still do!). But I felt pulled toward a type I hadn't explored in a long while: crosswords. And on the strength of their wordplay and creativity, I was hooked (sounds fishy but let minnow). Soon, I discovered there were people online who cherished them as much as I did! I found some kindred spirits, humbled by the power of this welcoming puzzling community. Crosswords - and puzzles more generally - are this beautiful, enigmatic balm, a diversion to cast away your chaos for the time being. They are even a conversation, a conundrum waiting to be cracked. Sometimes, it's a gentle ripple. Other times, the waters are choppy. Always, the experience is exhilarating. And if you know one thing about me, you know I'm a silly goose. Puns and wordplay are goofy - they're how eye roll. But in some ways, they're also therapeutic. Perhaps amid the chuckles and the groans (especially the latter), they give us a little ray of sunshine to scatter the clouds. Empathy and kindness still exist, and it's my fervent wish that you find them however you can. On this Thanksgiving, I am deeply grateful for all of you and hope your life is filled with love, joy, and peace. With steadfast compassion and an extra helping of puzzles and puns, Mike (PS: Pass the sweet potatoes. Boy yam I hungry!)

Matryoshka dolls are full of themselves. (Wooden you agree?)

Every year, around this time, I remember to be thankful. I am thankful for puzzles. These wonderful conundrums allow me to pause and explore truth, beauty, and knowledge. I have always enjoyed the mental gymnastics required to unravel such enigmas, and reading the comments here reminds me I am less alone in my pursuit. Puzzles are alive and well. I am thankful for the constructors themselves. Solving, and appreciating, a crossword is like beholding a radiant canvas, painted by artists who decided to share their gifts with the world (just don't give them the brush-off; that wouldn't be palette-able). I am encouraged by the creativity of these cruciverbalists and the hope and delight they provide. I am thankful for the columnists here who reflect upon these puzzles and help shape this special community. Moreover, I am thankful for writers everywhere who remind us of our humanity and encourage us regularly to lead with peace, grace, and love. I am thankful for wordplay, whether well-worn or punderated. I would even go see a performance on the history of lexicography; that would really be a play on words. And I am thankful for all of you and for how much love and kindness exists in this humble space. I exhort you to continue to brighten the world however you feel called. Empathy can still be cool. With best wishes for a happy holiday season, filled with plenty of pie and puzzles! Mike (PS: Please pass the rolls! I feel butter already.)

No pun today, just a special shout-out to my mother, who is one of the strongest, most special women I know (and who would absolutely tell me I'm getting too maudlin right now). Just like me, she's a fan of crosswords and cats and, of course, rolls her eyes at all my (attempted) humor. And I love her for it. Here's to all the special loved ones in your lives!

"Hey, I wouldn't use that lemon peel if I were you." "Rind your own business!" (This was the zest that I could do.)

When the rabbit wanted pancakes, it said, "IHOP!" ("I'll come too!" the duck said. "Just put it on my bill.")

To my fellow puzzlers: A merry Christmas to those who celebrate and a happy, peaceful holiday season. May your days and nights be blessed with beautiful vignettes, good food, edifying community, and the wonder that these quiet moments bring. Sending all my love and compassion your way, now and always. 💙

"Are you still dating that algebra teacher?" "No, she's my x." ("Can I find out y?")

There are multiple reasons why I loved this puzzle. (Math was a factor.)

Deb, Your puzzling commentary has always clued us in on so much, helping us out with crosswords (but never with cross words). Anyway, I just column like I see 'em. In all seriousness, you have helped foster such a positive, effervescent community here, and I cannot thank you enough for what you have helped craft. You have led with such steadfast compassion over the years, making this silly word-loving nerd feel less alone in his pursuits. I thank you immensely for the kindness you have shown us all. I wish you nothing but the very best in your retirement. May all the whimsy and wonderful (or punderful) wordplay of this world continue to be yours! (Oh, and my bike just got a flat. Now I'll also have to re-tire.)

When it comes to bird puns, owl never egret them. (Okay, now it's your tern.)

I often pun it up, but in honor of this puzzle, I just want to say how wonderful it is that animals get to be in our lives and how much joy they can bring us. I cherish Ginger Cat, my very purr-fect pet (hey, a pun after all: what a meowth-ful). In some strange way, she even teaches me a great way to be human: wide-eyed curiosity, dedication to rest, and the constant pursuit of treats. Sending love to you and all of the animals in your life today! (Even the emus too, I guess.)

When it comes to this puzzle, color me impressed! (Hue knew I would say this.)

I could solve a crossword seriously A practice rather solemn But rows by any other name? I don't know what to column ("You've got to be gridding me.")

I like playing the triangle. It's acute instrument. (Sorry for the tangent.)

All my friends tell me this leather is amazing, but I can't be suede. (Maybe I need some new material.)

Song about pointillism: "Que Seurat, Seurat" (B-side: "Dot's Amore")

"But I saw that bird! That's why I had a great day!" "No, that's a post hawk ergo propter hawk." ("Oh. Must be an ornithological fallacy.")

I already used one cow pun. I'll have to think of an udder. (But I'm not in the mooed.)

When Captain Kirk goes to the record store, he visits the vinyl frontier. (Yeah, that pun will do the trek.)

Amoeba's favorite carol: Single cells Single cells Single all the way Oh what fun it is To slide with a lone force on substrate (I had snow business posting that.)

Blue pen baby Wordplay lady Puzzler for the band Pretty bright Quiet smile You're making your crossword plans Fill machine-uh You must have seen her Solving 'cross the land And now she's grid-deep Always with me Many answers in her hands But oh how it feels so real Trying themes with no one near Only you and you can hear me When I say softly, slowly Hold me closer, bright-eyed solver Count the blank squares in the crossword Lay me down in sheets of newsprint You had a puzzling day today (It'll be Taupin the charts.)

A sommelier is a port authority. (You might wine about this one.)

"You're not dating Emily F. anymore?" "No, she loved anagrams too much. I'd have to rearrange 'my life' for her." ("Yeah, I'd have mixed feelings about that.")

"Want to hear an unfounded story?" "I canardly wait!" (Pardon my sense of rumor.)

"Any evidence of Cinderella?" "Just some prince at the scene." ("This case should be a shoe-in.")

"Wow, that circle you drew is perfect!" "Not quite. But it's wheely good." (That has a ring to it.)

When I call my optometrist, I use my eye phone. (He's in my contacts.)

Bartending is whiskey business. (I have mixed feelings about it.)

I don't want some of the martini: I want olive it. (Just a little dry humor.)

Driving a Zamboni is ice work if you can get it. (Of course this pun would resurface.)

Breakup line for an arborist: "It's not yew, it's me." ("But we were going to put down roots together!" "I'm sorry, I just have to branch out.")

Two roads diverged near a math class: I subtracted one number from the other, And that has made all the difference. (Not the same author, I know - might get a Frosty reception.)

Need an ark built? I Noah guy! ("You do? It's a boat time!")

When it comes to seasons, summer better than others. (Of fall the puns I could've chosen.)

"How'd you serve that ice cream so quickly?" "I've got scooper powers." (It was a sherbet I'd post this.)

A golden goose may make you go "Au," but a silver goose will lay an Ag. (Now I'm in my element.)

When the escalator broke, it just staired at me. (These kind of puns are on the rise.)

"I can't parallel park. Do you know what the problem is?" "Oh, that sounds like a hard drive issue." ("Yeah, but I need the space.")

I can't make my own oleo. But I'll get butter at it. (If only margarinely so.)

I thought there'd be a real window at the New Year's Eve party, but it was just sham pane. (I won't wine about it.)

When Dorothy's dog got into the trash, the room was in Toto disarray. (No bones about it!)

When I saw the tough exam on the Greek alphabet, I let out a deep psi. (Iota know it better.)

My nerdy family tree has square roots. (Some parts are real; some parts are imaginary. It's really complex.)

When it comes to this puzzle, I can digit. (These puns come in handy.)

When I couldn't find my Tupperware, I flipped my lid. (I could hardly contain myself.)

I use kitchen utensils for the grater good. (I majored in whisk management.)

Lemonade stand owners have a real zest for life. (I had to concentrate for this one.)

"Want to try out for the winter Olympics?" "Sure, I've got nothing to luge!" (It's easier sled than done.)