"In Formation, Please" - December 9, 2022

[MaineMarge]

FYI, I’m ASHORE, thanks to a lot of incoming information from a Muggle friend.
WOWZERS Mike!!

Another friend, EMILY, thought I should POST this information for your next dinner party

[ColinM]

Looks like I'll take the L this week. Once again Mike Shenk's "easier" offering is my undoing.

[Bob cruise director]

Made it to shore with a little help

Thanks @Wendy Walker for covering for me

[cbarbee002]

Okay, have NOT solved the WSJ meta, but I have been a bit busy with grandchild #3 (first granddaughter). Meet lovely Thea!

[EVJ]

Okay, have NOT solved the WSJ meta, but I have been a bit busy with grandchild #3 (first granddaughter). Meet lovely Thea!

Beautiful!! We are also expecting a new little Thea on December 20. My kids are pronouncing it THAY-A. How are your kids pronouncing her name?

[woozy]

Oh my gosh, I finally got it.

I'm going to say that was probably one of the hardest ones I've ever seen in four years.

.... okay maybe that's not true. But after all the people saying it was easy, someone has to say it was hard. And it was dang hard.

... And, no, there was no "There it was" moment. I had to pursue seek and try *everything* many times and when I saw what eventually turned out to be it I had to knead and work it with great effort it pull it out.

[MikeyG]

Somehow, I'm ashore relatively quickly, but I have no idea how. It just kind of happened.

Time for a constructive Sunday.

[Streroto]

So crazy. I just picked it up after more than 24 hours of not looking at it and got it in less than a minute. Ironically I had actually thought to do this while completing the grid on Thursday but forgot and went down another rabbit hole for more time than I care to admit. Was then distracted with family event until just now.

Very clever and fun Mike.

Stay well all

Scott

[DannyWalter]

Ashore! I don't spend much time on these after I first caught the bug and wasted some hours on a couple. But I gave this one a second chance today; something about it told me that it was right there in front of me. And there it was. Very cute puzzle, nice shot of dopamine.

[Acarl]

Thank you woozy and Barbara K for gentle nudges. Cmon man, this was not easy!
Tough swim, especially with right arm in a cast. Head on with drunk driver. Solving the meta, even with help, Makes everything feel better.

[RichA2]

Onshore, grateful for one that was relatively easy for me.

[EVJ]

ASHORE! This was so hard but finally got it.
Tried everything else over the last few days.
Uffda.

[CopperRiver]

Still on the ship after I thought I had the three formations.

[Secret Adversary]

Solved - I looked and looked, said one thing, and then my solving buddy got there in two minutes. So I'm calling it a team effort

[KayW]

Thank you woozy and Barbara K for gentle nudges. Cmon man, this was not easy!
Tough swim, especially with right arm in a cast. Head on with drunk driver. Solving the meta, even with help, Makes everything feel better.

So sorry - and angry! - that happened to you, but relieved you are still here to tell the tale. And to solve a meta, even!

[JJD]

I starting swim in a vague direction of the shore and then finally saw the real shoreline. It still took some convincing myself this was the right place until I touched the sand and felt confident.
Ashore.

(Wow, my finger tips are really wrinkly after swimming in circles for weeks!)

[Mister Squawk]

Boy that took a long time to solve.

[Wendy Walker]

Thank you woozy and Barbara K for gentle nudges. Cmon man, this was not easy!
Tough swim, especially with right arm in a cast. Head on with drunk driver. Solving the meta, even with help, Makes everything feel better.

I am so sorry to hear this! And I'm glad solving has helped with your recovery! Holding you in the light.

[CopperRiver]

On shore. Had the mechanism on Thursday but made it way too complicated. Glad to be back with you all! I liked this puzzle.

[Bonnibel]

Oh my gosh, I finally got it.

I'm going to say that was probably one of the hardest ones I've ever seen in four years.

.... okay maybe that's not true. But after all the people saying it was easy, someone has to say it was hard. And it was dang hard.

... And, no, there was no "There it was" moment. I had to pursue seek and try *everything* many times and when I saw what eventually turned out to be it I had to knead and work it with great effort it pull it out.

That makes me feel a bit better. No complaints though as I have an ocean view from my room at Mauna Kea and all the MaiTais I could ever want.