"Missing Links" - July 10, 2020

[BethA]

🏝🎟

For those keeping score at home, we have

Beth A posting #26 at 5:43
and
Beth T posting #31 at 5:59

curiouser and curiouser said Alice

Please Bob, don’t dare to look at the MMMM leaderboard!

[Joe Ross]

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[hcbirker]

Yup. On shore. True to form for the last few months. I either get it in two seconds or torture myself all weekend.

Me too. Either I get it instantly or I pretty much never will. Rarely do I "work at" a meta "until" I get it.

Sometimes it takes me all weekend. Don’t give up! Amazing how many rabbit holes you can discover if you put it aside for awhile.

[cbarbee002]

Found the grid somewhat difficult, but got there. Now, on to the meta (unlike some of you, they don't just "jump" at me as I'm doing the grid . . . .).

[michaelm]

On Shore.
Definitely some geographical “deep cuts” in the grid.
As others have commented, nice to learn something(s) new while puzzling.
Have a nice weekend everyone. Stay cool!

[Jace54]

Was stuck so took a break by solving the Friday NYT crossword, then came back and finally figured it out. Very clever!

[EdStrong]

Count me back on the shore after last week’s weekend with Isaac.

[BethA]

Slightly off topic, but this group seems to enjoy discussions involving rabbits. I’ve seen some rabbit hole pictures posted earlier. I discovered these baby rabbits when I was just about ready to harvest my garlic about a week ago. Fortunately they moved out on their own just in time for the garlic harvest!

My favorite fun rabbit fact — a group of rabbits living together in the wild can be called a “fluffle”!

[yourpalsal]

Since I won the mug a few weeks ago, I am now trying for consecutive solves -- up to nine with this one. I had to come back to it several times, as there were a lot of things that jumped out at me here; ultimately only one of them paid off. There is one key I have found to getting more quickly to that aha moment, in instances when the solution does not jump out at me right away. I have to keep reminding myself of it. It is possible is has been shared by others here; I will share my version of it on Monday.

I do have an easier time with Shenk than with Gaffney.

A genuine Muggsy Muggle? Please post a pic with that coveted prize!

[yourpalsal]

Never heard of this comic before I googled "rabbit hole," but I like Young Mad Hatter's style!

[LadyBird]

We went to an Irish pub for dinner tonight. Based on Al's comment at the Zoom gathering, I decided to look up the correct pronunciation for Smithwick's. I have been totally saying it incorrectly. Unfortunately, I also said it incorrectly last fall when we were in Ireland--in Kilkenny (the home of Smithwick's). I guess that I needed this group last year.

So, I am enjoying a Smithwick's Irish Red ale--with Isaac. I have just begun my travels through the rabbit holes!

[DBMiller]

Done and done.

[SusieG]

Ashore after missing some obvious links. Very fun and clever meta. I’d love a glass of wine, but the tiki bar has closed early tonight.

[Alan H]

done. my year long streak was broken last week. hopefully another starts today

My two month long streak of not getting it is definitely not in jeopardy!

Like most other things in life, practice really helps. I certainly struggled a few years back when I started. I am sure others have told you, but go back through old Friday puzzles and solve them - there is no Sunday night deadline so less stress. you eventually become so much better, your solving % goes from 25 to 50 to 99% to “can I possibly solve it faster than Al Sisti just once in my life?” All of which is very rewarding. As far as other advice, print out the grid and solve in pen or pencil and keep a notebook to write things down and sketch ideas. I have found these puzzles are so visual. Our printer at home was broken last week So I solved online, and never saw Sulpa as a result (yes, I am still bitter!).

[lacangah]

On shore - this warrants some barley pop

Don’t know how our esteemed puzzle-istas keep coming up with new ideas, but my wife and I sure do appreciate it.

Happy solving and good health to you all,

[Andrew Bradburn]

Since I won the mug a few weeks ago, I am now trying for consecutive solves -- up to nine with this one. I had to come back to it several times, as there were a lot of things that jumped out at me here; ultimately only one of them paid off. There is one key I have found to getting more quickly to that aha moment, in instances when the solution does not jump out at me right away. I have to keep reminding myself of it. It is possible is has been shared by others here; I will share my version of it on Monday.

I do have an easier time with Shenk than with Gaffney.

A genuine Muggsy Muggle? Please post a pic with that coveted prize!

I believe some people have already done that in their avatars. As for me, the note from Mike Miller said that due to Covid-19, there is no one in the WSJ office who can ship it right now, so there will be a delay of who knows how long.

[Al Sisti]

Ashore after missing some obvious links. Very fun and clever meta. I’d love a glass of wine, but the tiki bar has closed early tonight.

W-wait, what?? Closed? Well, serves me right. I stared at the grid for probably an hour while lots of people were posting that they had solved... and nothing. And now, after an hour or five of drin.... trivia... I saw it right away. The brain, right?

[SewYoung]

On shore this morning. Does two weeks in a row constitute a "streak"?

[tim1217]

🏝🎟

For those keeping score at home, we have

Beth A posting #26 at 5:43
and
Beth T posting #31 at 5:59

curiouser and curiouser said Alice

It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.

[MaineMarge]

Bob, looks like Friday stern garden duty again for me. Isaac knows me well now, so he just appeared with a cooler full of mimosas.
Life is good! I see a plethora of rabbits to keep me company as well.

Reality check:

Savoring the waning peonies- this is Coral Charm.
Onward and upward in the garden!
The delphiniums will have the next starring roles, supported by a cast of seasoned extras.