“Hearing Things”

[rjy]

Phew! Got a gentle rabbit-hole pruning nudge to confirm my path and finally got off the couch. Looking forward to discussing afterwards...

[whimsy]

Unfortunately, as test-solver Wendy Walker pointed out to me, there is some ambiguity as to the things that are put together, a flaw for which I apologize in advance.


I’ll post nudges here on Wednesday.

And your very appropriate 31A entry is mocking me!
See you tomorrow!

[HeadinHome]

I have a scribbled up, colorful worksheet here, which really ought to be pointing to something but isn’t. I’m thinking of shoving it under Jay’s nose and shaking it. What do you think?

[hcbirker]

Finally had time to get to this one. Confirmed on Crosshare. Good one Jay! Had me going for a bit!

[woozy]

Well, I'm coming up with all sorts of very clever ideas for puzzles with similar theme entries might be. But I seem to missing the very clever idea for puzzles with these theme entries actually is.

[Bird Lives]

Joining les decouchés since yesterday:

23. Gutman
24. goodness gracious
25. rjy
26. MaineMarge
27. Bob cruise director
28. hcbirker

And here are your Wednesday nudges in increasing order of nudginess.

There are five things in the grid. Start with them.

Thing is such a vague word. Better to replace it with something more specific, like a different word. The unreplaced part joined to the new replacement will still make a real word or phrase.

You can find those replacements in the grid.

As the title suggests, when you’re looking for the new replacement to add on to the existing part, pay attention to sound rather than sight,

[MaineMarge]

Muggle teamwork with Bob got me off the couch!

..On second thought, I think I’ll just stay on the couch today.
Thanks Jay. Always fun to do your metas.

[Jeremy Smith]

Confirmed on Crosshare. I tried to make another mechanism work, with very limited success. The first two nudges put me back on track. Thanks for a fine puzzle, Jay!

[Dave C]

Off the couch. Should have solved without the nudges because I had the right mechanism, but was missing one piece.

[TeamDoubleTow]

At first blush I thought the nudges confirmed the path we were on but only got 40% of the way.... Now I am not sure.

[Dannyvee]

Off the couch-- nice one, Jay!

[Dow Jones]

Nudged off the couch again. Fun grid and meta. Thanks Jay.

[CPJohnson]

Finally off the couch thanks to the nudges and extra help from Jay.

[HeadinHome]

Solved and confirmed on Crosshare. I needed the nudges because I was in a remarkably convincing rabbit hole.
I left a lengthy comment on the Crosshare site — since only those who have solved can see those comments — saying I need explanation of one of the letters (I submitted the right answer based on the other 4 letters, but can’t even backsolve to that one letter).
Fun puzzle, Jay, and keep ‘em coming!

[minimuggle]

I'm still on the couch though it is mighty comfortable. I think I am on the right track but the solution is not coming out of the letters I have.....Back to ponder

[minimuggle]

I'm still on the couch though it is mighty comfortable. I think I am on the right track but the solution is not coming out of the letters I have.....Back to ponder

Edit: Got it. Figured out the letter I was missing. Still think it is a bit of a stretch. Confirmed on crosshare. Thanks for this mind bender.

[minimuggle]

I'm still on the couch though it is mighty comfortable. I think I am on the right track but the solution is not coming out of the letters I have.....Back to ponder

Edit: Got it. Figured out the letter I was missing. Still think it is a bit of a stretch. Confirmed on crosshare. Thanks for this mind bender.

PSS: Now I see it clearly... not a stretch. Genius puzzle. Thanks so much.

[whimsy]

Nudges, course correction from Jay, and some dialing back --
So finally I got my ducks in a row.

Thanks, Jay!

[Joe Ross]

I was having HVAC issues since before Christmas, until I got mine.

[Darth]

I definitely started with the right mechanism, so the nudges aren't helpful in getting me off the couch this week. Hearing too many things...but obviously missing something.