XWord Muggles Forum

That was not easy, I followed many rabbits down many holes, but as I was falling asleep tonight (second puzzle in a row!) a bright idea came to me, I tried it, and it led me to the beach. Now I've gotten both WSJCC and MGWCC, so I can be relaxed the rest of the weekend.

Ashore!

Yes, all you gardeners still here with Isaac grab some tools from the maintenance shop, and let’s get that stern garden back in shape.

My own spring garden is coming into full beauty now
Yellow Donkeytail spurge, purple Anemone Pulsatilla,and spring bulbs near the apple orchard.

I have been dragged onto shore and will spend the week at the tiki bar watching someone worthy revel in winning the mug.

On shore! Happy weekend all

BethA wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 12:37 pm On the beach at last! 🏖 Tricky one for me!

My brain hurts...mainly from clenching SO tightly to a nearly but not quite correct idea. Tea for now, wine later!

Even when Beth A and Beth T are not early posters, they have a mind meld - getting to shore with posts 117 and 120

Scary

Cindy wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 8:19 am

ChrisKochmanski wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 7:03 am I’m there!

On shore, that is.

While traveling, which required me to draw the grid (on grid paper, which I handily brought along), which did NOT make the solving easier.

But worth it. Fun!

Dumbest sign? Well, I remember checking the directions on some kind of glue, that read something like: “Do not apply in eyes.”

There are 15x15 blank grids you can print from the internet. I have a travel stash of those.

Yes, that’s what I do. Though of course I still need to fill in the black squares and numbers.

The silver lining is that drawing it all out makes you think hard about the grid and what might be going on with it.

Thanks!

MaineMarge wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 8:02 am Yes, all you gardeners still here with Isaac grab some tools from the maintenance shop, and let’s get that stern garden back in shape.

My own spring garden is coming into full beauty now

38A981DC-FC0C-4EE2-A392-1C190B8741AB.jpeg
Yellow Donkeytail spurge, purple Anemone Pulsatilla,and spring bulbs near the apple orchard.

Your pictures always manage to brighten my day! What a lovely garden. Je suis fasciné!

EVJ wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 9:08 pm

Wendy Walker wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 2:05 pm

Henry Paul wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 2:02 pm The Mrs and I are hanging at the bar with Isaac. More than one person needs to rate the meta so that I can either (a) be continued to be depressed that it's a Level 1 and I'm stumped or (b) be encouraged that it's > 1 and therefore I'm supposed to feel depressed 'cuz it's difficult.

It has subsequently gone up to a Level 3. Not that that is of ANY USE WHATSOEVER to those of us on the ship!
Maine Marge, I've got a ton of annuals -- want to help me plant them on the sun deck?

Can I help? I’m not getting anywhere on the meta. It’s either plant bulbs on the sun deck or keep drinking whatever Isaac pours. I think I’m safer with you girls!

Be careful, that sun deck with Wendy and MaineMarge can get kind of wild

Completely lost at sea.

On shore! Now off to run errands on a pretty Saturday

Ashore! What a fun puzzle to solve!

Ashore! Had a stroke of inspiration this morning whilst sipping on my first cup of coffee, grabbed the puzzle for the umpteenth time and applied the mechanism and .... gibberish. But, quickly realized where I had gone wrong, tried again, and there it was. Funny thing is, I had guessed the correct 8-letter word yesterday but had no idea how to justify it. Whew -- agree with those that said this was a tough one. I bow down to Mr. Shenk's genius.

Bob cruise director wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 9:20 am

EVJ wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 9:08 pm

Wendy Walker wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 2:05 pm

It has subsequently gone up to a Level 3. Not that that is of ANY USE WHATSOEVER to those of us on the ship!
Maine Marge, I've got a ton of annuals -- want to help me plant them on the sun deck?

Can I help? I’m not getting anywhere on the meta. It’s either plant bulbs on the sun deck or keep drinking whatever Isaac pours. I think I’m safer with you girls!

Be careful, that sun deck with Wendy and MaineMarge can get kind of wild

Exactly what I’m hoping for!!

Ashore!
Looked at it with fresh eyes this morning and it came quickly. Terrific meta

Having a late breakfast at the bar. Isaac is so accommodating! Grid done. Think I have a mechanism but will wait until I finish my coffee and eggs and toast. Beautiful blue sky and a gentle breeze this morning. Enjoy the day!

Keeping Isaac company again so far. I’m not sure I’ll get to shore. I see some things and have some ideas, but it’s not working out yet.

I also always carry blank grids when traveling in case I can't find a printer, especially this last year when many of my usual printer sources haven't been available.

Last Thursday, I was at a hotel with the business center closed, but the front desk clerk was happy to print the WSJ puzzle for me. When she handed me the puzzle, she also offered me a pen. How sweet was that!

You guys are ruining my weekend! I had an answer that I originally didn’t love but was warming up to over time. When I read the posts in here, I don’t think it could possibly be right. Now I will be doomed to a futile search for a solution all weekend. Or I could forget about it and relax, but that’s probably not going to happen.

I am completely stumped.

Could someone kindly PM me a nudge on where to start on this one.

UPDATE: ashore now. Will be toasting Bohar for the helpful nudges.