Monday, July 19, 2021, Stephanie Lesser

We start the week with a debut. Congratulations, Ms. Lesser, on your first NYT crossword!

So let's talk about it. It's a quote puzzle, and it's always a little annoying to see a clue like "Summery quip, part 1" because you know that you will have nothing but the Downs to help you on the longest Across answers. It came as a relief, however, that today it was possible to guess the end after getting the first two parts. And what's more, it was funny. TAKINGADOG NAMEDSHARK TOTHEBEACH ISABADIDEA. Heh. 

The way people are bringing their dogs everywhere with them these days, it's almost possible to imagine someone bringing a dog named "Fire" into a crowded theater. Me, I'd like to imagine a world where people don't bring their dogs into grocery stores with them, or to public beaches. But coming out as anti-dog in today's world is like coming out as ... well, what's the worst thing you can think of? Anti-baby? Just call me W.C. Fields. I DARESAY, "any man who hates dogs and babies can't be all bad," right?

There wasn't much long bonus fill, but there were five seven-letter Downs, the best of which was CHEETAH (Large cat you shouldn't trust on a test?). SMITTEN (In love) being a close second.

I loved the song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-DAH" when I was little, but you don't hear much about "Song of the South" these days. 

The final word is - I chuckled when I figured out the quote, and what more can you ask than a quick smile on a Monday morning. I hope it worked for you, too.

- Horace