"Variety Show" - March 20, 2020

[Wendy Walker]

I have tried sooooo many strategies but nothing is working yet! I've sicced my remote-learning nephew on this one. He says he will help, in exchange for my assistance on a Margaret Atwood essay. That, I can provide!

[Bob cruise director]

On Shore!

The only mystery left is... well Mr. Bob leave me in the water for a 4th week in a row?

I think not!

You are officially on the shore (hopefully as a clam not to be picked up by a gull and dropped onto something hard). And unless I forget you will be so noted tomorrow at the stroke of noon.

[TMart]

I'm not seeing it. Quarantining myself with Isaac for a while. I tried the MGWCC and I am lost there as well. Good thing there is nothing else to do this weekend!

[Bob cruise director]

Do we have any psychiatrists here?

Last week, I struggled with the meta until I stumbled on it while others were getting it easily.

This week because the puzzle was late, we had dinner and a couple of glasses of Merlot. Then while watching Mary Poppins (we wanted something with zero stress), I completed the grid and within 30 seconds had the meta.

Now for the psychiatrists out there - why do you see it so clearly one week and it takes a bat to the head to maybe get it the next?

[MajordomoTom]

not a psychiatrist, but majored in Physics and Psychology, emphasis in animal behavior.

May I put you in this box and teach you to push a lever for food pellets? That I can do. But dreams and bats in the belfry, not my field.

[Natalie]

Do we have any psychiatrists here?

Last week, I struggled with the meta until I stumbled on it while others were getting it easily.

This week because the puzzle was late, we had dinner and a couple of glasses of Merlot. Then while watching Mary Poppins (we wanted something with zero stress), I completed the grid and within 30 seconds had the meta.

Now for the psychiatrists out there - why do you see it so clearly one week and it takes a bat to the head to maybe get it the next?

In vino veritas ...

[Natalie]

Ashore! Jameson's please. Cheers to Mike Shenk; I am slowly learning your tricks! Good, safe, healthy weekend to all.

[TPS]

Took another crack at it today - Ill just never be able to solve the meta. I get the clues and even find the sequences but can never get to that third level and actually get the answer. This will probably be the last week I do the WSJ puzzle as its not worth the frustration.

[Trey]

Marion and I are on shore - toes in the sand! Joint effort this week with 50/50 contribution. Great article about the Muggles community today.....we have been discovered!

Luck to all.............

[boharr]

Do we have any psychiatrists here?

Last week, I struggled with the meta until I stumbled on it while others were getting it easily.

This week because the puzzle was late, we had dinner and a couple of glasses of Merlot. Then while watching Mary Poppins (we wanted something with zero stress), I completed the grid and within 30 seconds had the meta.

Now for the psychiatrists out there - why do you see it so clearly one week and it takes a bat to the head to maybe get it the next?

Good question. Last week I had the meta in two minutes, before I finished the grid (and I'm not very good at these metas). This week I'm struggling. Part way there, the zip. WHY?

[Cindy]

Solved

[Wendy Walker]

Do we have any psychiatrists here?

Last week, I struggled with the meta until I stumbled on it while others were getting it easily.

This week because the puzzle was late, we had dinner and a couple of glasses of Merlot. Then while watching Mary Poppins (we wanted something with zero stress), I completed the grid and within 30 seconds had the meta.

Now for the psychiatrists out there - why do you see it so clearly one week and it takes a bat to the head to maybe get it the next?

30 seconds?! Oh Bob, you're hurting me!

[FISHMAGIK]

Drifting..........time to get a whole lot of wine.

[ky-mike]

Easy grid. This one is not singing to me as loudly as the last one did. I will step away and revisit in the morning.

Revisited this morning and stared way too long at the grid. Ran to the grocery store, came home, worked through Matt Gaffney's grid and have no idea where to begin and then went back to the WSJ puzzle. Two minutes later and I have the answer. I hope the same thing happens when I return to Gaffney's puzzle.

[tim1217]

Do we have any psychiatrists here?

Last week, I struggled with the meta until I stumbled on it while others were getting it easily.

This week because the puzzle was late, we had dinner and a couple of glasses of Merlot. Then while watching Mary Poppins (we wanted something with zero stress), I completed the grid and within 30 seconds had the meta.

Now for the psychiatrists out there - why do you see it so clearly one week and it takes a bat to the head to maybe get it the next?

Brain wiring.

[Bob cruise director]

Do we have any psychiatrists here?

Last week, I struggled with the meta until I stumbled on it while others were getting it easily.

This week because the puzzle was late, we had dinner and a couple of glasses of Merlot. Then while watching Mary Poppins (we wanted something with zero stress), I completed the grid and within 30 seconds had the meta.

Now for the psychiatrists out there - why do you see it so clearly one week and it takes a bat to the head to maybe get it the next?

30 seconds?! Oh Bob, you're hurting me!

It will be a definite Kas 2 when you solve it.

[Janet P]

Too many rabbits.
Lost at sea, no land in sight.
Maybe tomorrow.

[boharr]

Too many rabbits.
Lost at sea, no land in sight.
Maybe tomorrow.

Does waiting a day really help?

[CPJohnson]

Took another crack at it today - Ill just never be able to solve the meta. I get the clues and even find the sequences but can never get to that third level and actually get the answer. This will probably be the last week I do the WSJ puzzle as its not worth the frustration.

Hang in there....you'll get it! Try studying some of Mike Shenk's old puzzles. (He used to write under the name Marie Kelly.)

[BrianMac]

Finally on shore. Had to wrestle with this one a bit. I always get nervous when so many are seeing it easily. Just as I'm thinking that this might be the week my streak ends, it comes together. Not so much of an "aha," as a "whew!"

Now onto MGWCC...