"Less and Less" - August 21, 2020

[Joepickett]

I've lost my mojo and can't seem to solve these anymore. Nudge anyone?

[Bob cruise director]

I'm ashore and wanted to note that the crossword has TWO shout-outs to the Upper Peninsula (9A & 58D).

I'm torn between local pride and wanting to say "hush." We prefer to remain unvisited.

Aw, the land with two seasons: winter and three months of rough sledding. The later is due to end, oooh perhaps, next week.

If you want avoid frostbite and get an idea of life in the land of the Lahti, Haataja, Halonen, Hillukka, Wiitanan and Mattila, here is a link to the Heikki Lunta Snow Dance song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZgGddM ... e=emb_logo

Da Yoopers were bit slow to add a music video (the wood powered video cam wasn't developed until 2013), so here's a version with some some of that twenty feet or so of white stuff being moved: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... e=emb_logo

My friend who went to Michigan Tech said there was three seasons of winter: First came the snow season, then when the lake froze came the cold season, then as it started to melt came the mud season

[Tina]

On shore, finally! Wow! Investigated many promising leads until I finally found the proper solution.

[ky-mike]

On shore. Learned something along the way.

[LadyBird]

I'm ashore and wanted to note that the crossword has TWO shout-outs to the Upper Peninsula (9A & 58D).

I'm torn between local pride and wanting to say "hush." We prefer to remain unvisited.

Aw, the land with two seasons: winter and three months of rough sledding. The later is due to end, oooh perhaps, next week.

If you want avoid frostbite and get an idea of life in the land of the Lahti, Haataja, Halonen, Hillukka, Wiitanan and Mattila, here is a link to the Heikki Lunta Snow Dance song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZgGddM ... e=emb_logo

Da Yoopers were bit slow to add a music video (the wood powered video cam wasn't developed until 2013), so here's a version with some some of that twenty feet or so of white stuff being moved: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... e=emb_logo

My friend who went to Michigan Tech said there was three seasons of winter: First came the snow season, then when the lake froze came the cold season, then as it started to melt came the mud season

One of my daughter's friends went to Michigan Tech. One year, he said there was still snow (from the big snowdrifts) when he left for summer break.

[gdshort]

Onshore this morning. Took longer than it should have but isn't that always the case!

[elementary]

I took a few weeks off and it hasn't served me well. Can anyone offer a nudge?

[JordanianTomlinson]

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

[JPMalone]

I feel like I'm missing something super obvious

[Schmeel]

Ashore.
I enjoyed this puzzle. It took me a while to see it, but it was great when I (finally) did.

[JPMalone]

Oh I just got it! I take back my earlier post. This might sound weird but it's not as obvious as I thought.

[KayW]

Onshore - delayed post-enlightenment strikes again! D'oh! Kudos, Mike!

edit 1: ...and I was so excited when I solved that I posted this in the "meta hints" forum which is where I was sitting when I solved. Now to figure out how to delete that post...

edit 2: Well. That was easy!

[Kris Zacharias]

On shore. I had the right idea from the beginning, but way overthought the approach. Had a short phone call and returned to the puzzle and saw the answer immediately. It's been a few weeks since I've gotten an answer. I never get around to saying that I am on the ship because at 11:59 p.m. on Sundays I have still been hoping for last minute inspiration.

[Dplass]

Ashore!

Yet another case of me staring at the completed grid for much, much too long — though having some sense for what the puzzle might be looking for — then seeing the way to the answer in, literally, a flash. I mean, like, in mere seconds. So, yes, a nice “Aha!” — but also a definite “D’oh!”

I liked this puzzle. It’s the kind I’d use to explain to a newbie how meta crosswords work. (Sadly, the last couple of people I thought might like to latch on to these metas took in what I had to say, then had that sort of look that says, “Uhh ... I don’t think so.”)

" It’s the kind I’d use to explain to a newbie how meta crosswords work."

And here I am, waiting for Isaac to open the bar... guess I'm in the pre-newbie lounge for a while.

[woozy]

If you go down a rabbit hole....

*really* go down that hole.

I didn't see anything to nudge me in the right direction, but once you trip and fall in the right direction. You are *in* the right direction.

[BrianMac]

Toes in the sand like Barbra Streisand!

I probably spent 45 minutes staring at the completed grid without getting anywhere. So I set it aside for a couple of hours and had the meta solved within about 20 seconds of picking it back up.

I liked this puzzle. It’s the kind I’d use to explain to a newbie how meta crosswords work.

I had the same thought. Showed it to my family as "Exhibit A" of what a meta crossword is.

[tim1217]

On shore!

Had the right idea from the get-go but took a while to justify the correct (100%) answer. Mechanism has been used before and 'not a fan'.

[Al Sisti]

Well, I finally got it, and as others have noted, great construction. I need to keep in mind a) haste makes waste, and b) a bridge 90% across the river is not a bridge at all. So in summary, I am not on the boat and since I submitted an incorrect answer, I am not on (the right) shore. On a side note: "glub glub glub gurgle!"

[tim1217]

Well, I finally got it, and as others have noted, great construction. I need to keep in mind a) haste makes waste, and b) a bridge 90% across the river is not a bridge at all. So in summary, I am not on the boat and since I submitted an incorrect answer, I am not on (the right) shore. On a side note: "glub glub glub gurgle!"

Yeah, I had part of the answer and then immediately thought; "Oh, it must be BLANK". But then shortly realized' "Wait a minute, it could also be BLANK". Both of which I would have counted as 100%'ers. Ultimately that's why I'm not a fan of the mech. Won't say more until Monday, but I am definitely on the right shore.

[michaelm]

Less and Less confident I can get this one.
Light nudge, anyone?