MEOW #222 What Am I Missing?

A weekly meta crossword on the forum started by member Josh (aka madhatter5). These puzzles are often very creative with solving mechanisms out of the norm and skewing towards the more challenging. Puzzles are posted every Wednesday, and the solution appears the following Tuesday.
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DrTom
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MEOW #222 What Am I Missing?

#1

Post by DrTom »

What am I missing banner.png
This meta has been bouncing around in my mind for well over a year. I first got the idea researching another meta and thought, "could I do that" and back then I felt "Nope!" However, I have gotten bolder (no better perhaps but bolder) and while doing a back and forth with Al Sisti on another meta this topic came up and I thought "what the heck I can give it a try", so I did. Thanks soooo much to @Al Sisti and to @KayW, my testers/mentors, who helped me hammer this into shape.

I think it turned out well, but of course I ALWAYS think these turn out well. However, it only matters what YOU think, I hope you all like it.

My bias is that it will play as a S.A.D. because it is soooo simple that you may not see it. However, given how inventive all of you are and your toolchests of solving techniques I am sure a lot will hop on board (or out of the bag as it were).


Difficulty rating:

Kitten
֎Calico
֎Persian
Puma
Lion

Nudges Friday, reveal Sunday

Crosshare - What Am I Missing?

Puz file - What Am I Missing?

PDF file - What Am I Missing?

What Am I Missing.png
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NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges IF ASKED; metas should be about fun, not frustration. PM me what you have done so far, because often you are closer than you think, and I will try to help you move along.
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benchen71
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#2

Post by benchen71 »

My bag is lacking a cat! Brilliant construction DrTom!! :D
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta! :D
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Berto
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#3

Post by Berto »

Cat has found its way out!
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Cinny
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#4

Post by Cinny »

The cat is out. I believe this "turned out well". Thanks, Dr Tom!
Cindy Heisler
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ChrisKochmanski
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#5

Post by ChrisKochmanski »

Feline freed!
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DrTom
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#6

Post by DrTom »

benchen71 wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 5:16 am My bag is lacking a cat! Brilliant construction DrTom!! :D
Thanks Ben! Glad this was a hit instead of a miss.

T
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges IF ASKED; metas should be about fun, not frustration. PM me what you have done so far, because often you are closer than you think, and I will try to help you move along.
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DrTom
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#7

Post by DrTom »

Cinny wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 9:03 am The cat is out. I believe this "turned out well". Thanks, Dr Tom!
Thanks Cinny! This community pushes us all to do our best. Luckily we have them (and, although you did not test this one there are plenty you have) and their collected test solving brilliance to keep us from missing an important aspect of our puzzles. Without that group this does not turn out at all!

T
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges IF ASKED; metas should be about fun, not frustration. PM me what you have done so far, because often you are closer than you think, and I will try to help you move along.
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InAJelly
Posts: 70
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2024 5:53 pm
Location: Iowa

#8

Post by InAJelly »

No cat in sight. Thanks Dr. Tom for a fun 56a!
Probably InAJam
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schmidzy
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#9

Post by schmidzy »

Cat's out. Thanks, Tom!
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boharr
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#10

Post by boharr »

Cat's missing. Thanks, DrTom.
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Meg
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#11

Post by Meg »

Cat's out. Thanks, Dr. T!
Check out and support http://CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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MatthewL
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#12

Post by MatthewL »

Cat is out and looking good. Thanks Dr. Tom!
Matthew
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rjy
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#13

Post by rjy »

Cat's unbound - and wow! amazing construction. Awfully difficult to pull off, I'd think. Kudos!
Ray
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hoover
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#14

Post by hoover »

Cat is out of his bag!
I don't have anything clever to say, but if I did, it would go here.
Eli
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MarkWoychick
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#15

Post by MarkWoychick »

Cat is out - thanks, Dr. Tom!
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jhseeman
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#16

Post by jhseeman »

cat is out. thanks DrTom
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DrTom
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#17

Post by DrTom »

rjy wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 12:28 pm Cat's unbound - and wow! amazing construction. Awfully difficult to pull off, I'd think. Kudos!
Actually the clues were the hard part! So glad you enjoyed it.

T
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges IF ASKED; metas should be about fun, not frustration. PM me what you have done so far, because often you are closer than you think, and I will try to help you move along.
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Darth
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Location: Champaign, IL

#18

Post by Darth »

Cat's out! Wow! Way to go, DrT! :D
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CPJohnson
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#19

Post by CPJohnson »

Got it, with help. Thanks, @DrTom! Amazing construction.
Cynthia
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ELSavage
Posts: 194
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Location: New Hampshire

#20

Post by ELSavage »

Cat is off to parts unknown!
Just wow!
Bespoke nudges available upon request (if I'm on shore, off the couch, in the castle, petting an un-bagged cat, ...).
Let me know how small or large a hint you want, or hit me with a specific question(s).
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