"Less and Less" - August 21, 2020

[Janet]

Baffled. I blame (1) my new eyeglasses and (2) the fact that one of the answers refers to a neighbor's ex-husband! I will see if doing some mowing inspires me.

Wendy, if you're not inspired after mowing your lawn, come and mow mine too!

[Andrew Bradburn]

It is strange how things work out. I am sitting at an all time high #4 on MGWCC today, but my 14 week WSJ streak is on the line as I still have no clue on Less And less. Cannot figure out what the title is referring to, hopefully when that clicks the solve will follow.

[Wendy Walker]

Baffled. I blame (1) my new eyeglasses and (2) the fact that one of the answers refers to a neighbor's ex-husband! I will see if doing some mowing inspires me.

Wendy, if you're not inspired after mowing your lawn, come and mow mine too!

1. I actually WAS inspired and am now happily sipping a cold drink on shore; and
2. I would be happy to mow your lawn! I actually enjoy it! BTW, what are you cooking for supper?

[Wendy Walker]

Baffled. I blame (1) my new eyeglasses and (2) the fact that one of the answers refers to a neighbor's ex-husband! I will see if doing some mowing inspires me.

Glasses? Wasn't that last weeK?

HAHA! I solved last week's puzzle without too much trouble even with my seriously beat-up old specs. This one, however, took me quite a while!

[Homer Buckle]

Went down my fruitless rabbit holes, but am now happily ashore.

[Joe]

The first meta I ever solved was MGWCC #083 on 1/10/2010. So, you know, kinda been around the block a few times. I come here (if I can't solve immediately) just to get a sense of difficulty. Came here for the verdict: pretty damn easy. I see nothing. Nothing. I'm hoping for post-enlightenment. I'll let you know. BTW, this week's Gaffney: nothing.

[brulo]

LAS could use a nudge if anyone can help. Thanks!

[Scott M]

Ashore! That was a fun construction and nice “aha” moment. Too early for alcohol. How about a cold brew?

I like coffee as much as most anyone, but when I hear "cold brew" I think alcohol.

[Scott M]

BTW, add me to the very sparsely populated bar with Isaac. I'm not seeing the shore at all.

[Alec]

On shore. Fun one! Certainly a satisfying AHA moment.

[BarbaraK]

WSJ is hosting a crossword Q&A with Mike Miller, Mike Shenk, and Matt Gaffney, September 10 & 17 at 3PM

https://www.wsjplus.com/invites/wsj-crosswords-event

Not sure if you have to be registered or be a subscriber to watch, but it doesn't really look like it.

That’s funny - I suggested to Matt he and Mike should host a Weekly Crossword Podcast!

Do you ever listen to the Fill Me In podcast? (That is a crossword podcast.) I started listening in January, when I learned they were doing a meta contest. Pre-covid, I played it at double speed and was mainly listening to get the password to be able to enter the contest. In March, when I was suddenly doing lots more walking because I couldn't go to the gym and needed stuff to listen to, I found myself playing it at normal speed and downloading it as soon as it came out. Not sure if that means it's an acquired taste, or my brain has slowed down, or they've gotten more interesting

[RichA2]

So long for now, Isaac. I’m on the shore, for the first time ever. Fun solve.

[Cindy N]

I hadn't come to the forums until after I solved this time. It was an absolute d'oh! moment. Then I got to Dame Fox's comment and was really glad I hadn't just taken a sip of coffee right then!

[Dplass]

Solved but only with two HUGE shoves towards shore. Not a fan of this mechanism, which was used a LOT in 2019.

[brulo]

On shore after a nudge, embarrassing that the mechanism involved was something i abandoned early. Neat puzzle!

[MaineMarge]

Still With Isaac, Bob. Sitting at a back table as the bar seems to be set too high for me tonight.

[Janet]

Baffled. I blame (1) my new eyeglasses and (2) the fact that one of the answers refers to a neighbor's ex-husband! I will see if doing some mowing inspires me.

Wendy, if you're not inspired after mowing your lawn, come and mow mine too!

1. I actually WAS inspired and am now happily sipping a cold drink on shore; and
2. I would be happy to mow your lawn! I actually enjoy it! BTW, what are you cooking for supper?

Chicken and corn on the cob!

[bskptkl]

Solved it. Nice one.

[SusieG]

I’m at the bar again. Out of town, so solving it on my grid paper. Feel foolish that it hasn’t jumped out at me, based on the comments I’ve seen.

[Streroto]

An absolutely classic aha moment. After poring over the grid and chasing the wrong rabbit in the wrong hole for way too long, sitting out by the pool listening to some 90s alt tunes and sipping wine it just hit me like a lightning bolt. I literally jumped up to go get the grid and finish.

Ashore fo sho!

Stay well all