"On Occasion" - December 10, 2021

[Homer Buckle]

Took a while to get to the puzzle this week while dealing with a 14" snowstorm. Safely ashore and ready to go play in the snow!

[Janet]

On Shore! I was having a hard time because I misread the answer as being a phrase of 8 words! I just looked again, and realized it's 8 letters. So I was wasting time looking for extra steps when I already had it solved. Oh well, Isaac was pleased to have some company for a while.

Now wouldn't it be funny if Ted Lange likes these puzzles?

[Jacksull]

An eight letter phrase jumped into my head almost right away. Now the only thing I have been able to do is try to backsolve.

I hate it when I do that.

[LittleGood]

On the boat again.

EDIT: Aww, shucks. Made it to the beach after all. Perfect timing for a Mai Tai.

[Cap'n Rick]

Found the first step but needed a little help from new Moderator @boharr to finally get to shore. Think I'll celebrate with a local Bent Water Sluice Juice this time.

[ajk]

OK, I'm a dolt. Had this 99% solved on Thursday without realizing it. Took another look just now, properly executed something I'd superficially attempted before, and bingo. Finally on shore and hoping no one found the Lagavulin I hid the last time I was here.

[Janet]

OK, I'm a dolt. Had this 99% solved on Thursday without realizing it. Took another look just now, properly executed something I'd superficially attempted before, and bingo. Finally on shore and hoping no one found the Lagavulin I hid the last time I was here.

Too late, we found the treasure map with a big X on it. I think we left a little for you.

[Harbo]

Took way too long but safely on shore. Don’t overthink!

[bread-girl]

On the shore!

[whimsy]

Still On the Ship.
In the bar with several friends, but it looks like I'm being put to work to pay off the tab --

[Commodore]

A late arrival at the beach party is fashionable, or so I am told. Happy to be here.

[Hammertime]

I probably need to be counted “at sea” tomorrow night. I don’t trust my weak solution, like a kid who did a crap job of mowing the lawn and doesn’t see what he missed, but I know in my heart I only have half of the answer….

[Relic]

I probably need to be counted “at sea” tomorrow night. I don’t trust my weak solution, like a kid who did a crap job of mowing the lawn and doesn’t see what he missed, but I know in my heart I only have half of the answer….

I'm at sea with you, lurking shame-faced in the shadows.

Hopefully we'll get a breakthrough in the am.

[maprasad]

Ashore. Thought this was a cute one!

[ADS]

I’m a shore. Pretty good puzzle.

[mrmd]

Ashore after a very gentle nudge. Great meta!

[MarkWoychick]

I think I have it, but need to ponder it further. At least 58D was an easy one for me

I did not have it earlier, which DrTom kindly confirmed, but I do have it now, 100%. Good puzzle that took me far too long to see.

[otlaolap]

Am, and will likely remain, in steerage: no light, no air, no hope until a new boat arrives next Thursday. Nothing but respect for the constructors of these puzzles and those of you who manage to solve so regularly. I do OK in some domains of these, but in others I am, and remain, sincerely clueless.

[CallMeShane]

The Premier Meta League announced today that CallMeShane has been relegated to the meta equivalent of the Monday WSJ Crossword due to a late season loss of form.

When notified of his relegation, CallMeShane responded with the familiar cry of the true competitor:

"Wait till next year!"

[LadyBird]

Woke up out of a sound sleep earlier (much earlier) this morning with the panicked thought: "I forgot to submit my answer".

"You're okay--it's still Sunday".

Whew. Just finished submitting my answer.