New York Times, Tuesday, May 24, 2016

I don't recall how this idea first came to me, possibly when passing a bar or when looking at some PHONE LINES or something similar? So I made an initial grid and set of clues, and was pleased to see that Will liked it, except for one theme entry at 62 A (MAPLE TREES). After some discussion back and forth with Will, we agreed on the current entry at 62 A, and I revised the grid and clues for that affected area.

In an effort to get some nice fresh entries in the grid, I was pleased to get in DAEDALUS, GLOW WORMS, EZIO PINZA, BREWSTER, SAY WHAT,
SIZE TWO, et al. Hopefully these compensate for a number of common crossword words, such as those strewn a bit throughout the grid: NNE, VIOL, LIDO, etc.

I also liked how I was able to get two abbreviated parts of NCAA into the puzzle; I felt that was a nice plus.

I hope you all enjoy it! Hopefully you won't need all your mental RESOURCES for this one!

I really enjoy wondering how theme answers are all related, and getting an a-ha moment only when I hit the revealer. It reminds me of meta-crosswords — such a rush to suddenly figure out the answer. Today's puzzle gives us a nice example, with KEGS, PHONE LINES, SHOULDERS, RESOURCES, and MAPLE TREES being things that get tapped. I almost missed that first one — nice way to make the theme perfectly symmetrical, matching it with TAPS.

Some nice long fill, too. GLOW WORMS was one of the first entries I uncovered, and it really shines (pun intended). SAY WHAT? is such a colorful phrase, and one that I don't remember seeing recently in crosswords. Fantastic use of a seven-letter slot.

SIZE TWO doesn't do as much for me, but I wonder if women will react differently?

I really liked DAEDELUS, as I'm a huge Greek myth fan. But that crossing with LIDO … yikes, that might be tough for some. I think it's fair since DAEDELUS is a big name in Greek mythology.

LIDO crossing ENNIS though … I debated LEDO/ENNES vs. LIDO/ENNIS for the longest time. Ultimately, I've seen LIDO somewhere in crosswords before where LEDO didn't look as familiar. I got lucky. Hopefully other solvers did too. Perhaps NYT solvers really ought to know LIDO, the vacation spot? Dunno — seems kind of unfair to me.

EZIO PINZA crossing EZEK brought a similar debate to my mind. I know EZIO PINZA and EZEK(iel) from crosswords, but is that a fair crossing? Probably fine, since Ezekiel is a name that can be sussed out, and EZIO PINZA is a big star in opera.

Along with a handful of minor LAI, ATH, ASSOC type of entries, there were some spots that made me hesitate. Overall though, such a fun theme idea, and I had to wait until the very last entry to figure out the clever thread connecting all the themers. Nice a-ha moment.