Saturday, August 9, 2025, Aidan Deshong and Akshay Seetharam

0:09:36
Mini: 0:00:37
Connections: Green, yellow, purple, blue
Wordle: Nothing on first guess; five
Strands: Spangram first, no hints

Started slow, but finished fast today. I think SANDCASTLES (Buildings that aren't water-resistant) was my first long one, and then the rest of the middle fell into place quickly.

It's a pleasing grid shape. Nice open middle with staircase squares on the sides, and an upward diagonal feeling. 

I was helped in the SW by my nephew having attended UC IRVINE, but despite my extensive French study, JAMAISVU felt strangely new to me. :) Nor did I know La Cousine BETTE, for that matter...

It's always nice to picture a SEAOTTER (Animal that sleeps while floating on its back), YOKEL (Rube) reminds me fondly of The Simpsons, and LUSTS (Feels thirsty) is nicely modern.

Nice Saturday.

- Horace