Thursday December 6th 2018, NY Times Crossword

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Time: 16:14
Thursday Average: 26:12
Best Thursday: 10:18

We're always expecting some trickiness on Thursdays and it was clear right from the 1-across / 1-down combo that we were dealing with some rebus squares. I'm still not fully confident in my ability to spot what's missing in a crossword, but I was pretty confident that "Mailing from Lands' End or Williams-Sonoma" had to be CATALOG and "Things driven on ranches" was probably CATTLE or at least something longer than four letters. Once I got to the theme clue mentioning house pets, I could throw a "Cat" rebus square into that corner. My initial thought was that we'd have various house pets, which is always a challenge, but then it became clear that it was just "Cat" and they were all going in the corners, or KITTY CORNER, if you will. You also had the second and unnecessary revealer of LITTER BOXES to fully spell out the theme. Once you've placed the cats in the corner, I imagine you're off to the races.

"Stay calm!" is one way to clue DON'T PANIC, but I'd rather see something more like "Words in large, friendly letters to go with your towel." I should probably re-read Hitchhiker's Guide one of these days.

The mere mention of MUSCAT brings a smile to my face, since I had no idea that it was such a paradise, albeit an expensive one, until I visited this Fall. If you're looking for mountains, oceans, and desert, it's a good bet.

Which answer did I LOATH? That would have to be ILLY for "Poorly." I can't imagine saying or writing that.

I should probably read more Dickens if I'm going to make it in the crossword world. FAGIN is the "receiver of stolen goods" in Oliver Twist. I'll have an easier time remembering if I read the book. 

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