Okay, so this morning I decided to tackle the “Wake Up Calls” NYT crossword. I’ve been trying to do the crossword more regularly, you know, keep the old brain ticking. It’s a good way to start the day, like a mental coffee.
I printed out the puzzle – I’m old school, I like to use a pen. I find it easier to focus that way, rather than staring at a screen.
I sat down at my kitchen table, got my coffee, and got to work. I always start by scanning for the easy ones, the fill-in-the-blanks or the really obvious clues. Anything to get a foothold, right?
- I remember filling “ERA” and “ASSAM” to get a good start.
I got stuck for a bit in the middle – there were a few clues that I just couldn’t crack. I skipped around, trying to find answers that would give me some crossing letters.
The theme clues were pretty tricky. I had to read them a few times to try to figure out what they were getting at.
Getting to the “Aha!” Moment
Finally, after maybe 20 minutes of head-scratching, I started to see the *’s a great feeling when it all starts clicking into place.
I went back to the clues I’d skipped, and with a few more letters filled in, the answers started to come to me. The satisfaction of finally getting those last few words is the best!
I finished the puzzle, feeling pretty good about myself. It wasn’t my fastest time, but I got there in the end. And that’s the main thing, isn’t it? Another crossword conquered, another small victory for the day.
