MEOW #118: Fruit Loops

[madhatter5]

Nudges!

There is a pretty obvious theme entry

Remember that "Drawbacks" Shenk meta from a while back?

No you are not expected to find fruit in loop shapes across the grid do you really think I am that predictable?

[HeadinHome]

welp -that didn’t help. Knew #1, had already assumed #3, and looked up #2 but not sure how that applies. I have some observations to share with someone if you want to co-solve, or will take nudges if anyone’s got a minute.

UPDATE: got it now…that took some pointing from some helpers! I might still be missing something (like, how nudge #2 applies) - but I see the answer(s) clearly enough!

Irritated cat emerging from bag. Stand clear.

[DrTom]

Agree with the "other" Wendy. It took WAY too much pushing and prodding for me to say I solved it, but at least I see it now, whew. I do see the tie-in to Nudge 2 but only after the fact. So kitty is out but...

[lbray53]

The cat is out, but only after the nudges.

I did not need Spoiler 1.

I had to research Spoiler 2 and that took me back to something I was pondering earlier but could not figure out how to apply. Once I knew that was the way, I worked on it until I found a way to use it. This nudge may have been more difficult to apply for others than it was for me, depending on life experiences.

I was one of the people stuck on the Spoiler 3 mechanism.

[markhr]

I got it, finally. The spoilers helped.
Clever meta, as usual.

[whimsy]

Not sure I've gotten the finer points of the mechanics, but with the nudges I've believe I've gotten close enough to the answer --

Thanks, Josh! Appreciate the fruits of your puzzle-making labor!

[Ergcat]

Finally got the cat out with help of the nudges! Totally trying to do nudge 3 from the start! Lol! Nudge 2 helped me look in different way resulting in a “fruitful” search!

[MatthewL]

Cat is finally out of the bag, and looking a bit pissy about being in there so long. Would never have seen this but for a rather firm shove from @HeadinHome

[Abide]

A little nudger helped me, as I was visualizing dyslexically. Great puzzle Josh!

[hoover]

Nudges aren't helping.
I think I know which one is #1.
I wasn't here then, but I looked at the reference for #2 and don't see how it applies.
Too late for #3; I already looked there.

[KayW]

Needed a remedial nudge but finally got it. Thanks Josh!

[hoover]

I got a helpful nudge from Abide and I think the cat is out of the bag now.

[rjy]

I fear I nearly suffocated the cat, but he's out now, gasping for air. Clever, intricate construction, Josh!

[madhatter5]

The answer was APPLES, BANANAS, and PEARS which are spelled diagonally in the "O-RANGE", i.e. the letters between pairs of the letter O.

I realized I never posted the web app AND NOBODY NOTICED

[Dplass]

The answer was APPLES, BANANAS, and PEARS which are spelled diagonally in the "O-RANGE", i.e. the letters between pairs of the letter O.

I realized I never posted the web app AND NOBODY NOTICED

What do you mean nobody noticed? I've been waiting on the edge of my seat for days!

[hoover]

The answer was APPLES, BANANAS, and PEARS which are spelled diagonally in the "O-RANGE", i.e. the letters between pairs of the letter O.

I realized I never posted the web app AND NOBODY NOTICED

What do you mean nobody noticed? I've been waiting on the edge of my seat for days!

I noticed too, and was briefly annoyed, but since there was a .PUZ file, which is my preferred format, I didn't grouse.

I solve the grid in .PUZ format if one is available, then submit via web app if one is available. If no web app, then your inbox gets flooded with PMs.