54A/3D. I could not figure out these two short entries, or some of the intersecting entries, so these were a couple of sticking points. At 54A, [First to seven?] solves to ESS, the first letter in the word “seven” — so simple, in retrospect. At 3D, the [Titular Pixar character who’s mistakenly called names like Bingo, Chico and Fabio] is NEMO; the misnaming can be attributed to Dory’s amnesia.
11D. The [Tennis feat completed by Novak Djokovic in 2016 (but named for a different player)] is the achievement of winning four consecutive tennis grand slam events, often called the SERENA SLAM. Serena Williams did it twice, in the 2002-03 season and again in the 2014-15 season.
23D. [What the Fox evidences in an Aesop fable] refers to one of the best known of all the fables. It features a fox and some tempting, out-of-reach vines. Somehow, I remembered the fox as humbled more than resentful as he declared the unattainable fruit to be SOUR GRAPES.
49D. The [City east of Ithaca] here is TROY, which is true in New York State, Greece and Turkey, where the ruins of ancient Troy remain. That’s not a coincidence: Many townships in New York were renamed for Greek and Roman places after the Revolutionary War.
Constructor Notes
I rarely make New Year’s Eve resolutions (I’m far too aware of my limitations), but four years ago, not long after my second-ever New York Times acceptance, I promised myself that in 2023, I would get a themeless in The New York Times, and my third and fourth overall puzzles accepted. Four years later, I’m celebrating puzzle No. 20. I’ve lived many different lives since then, and have been fortunate to enjoy these special days in so many ways.
Three puzzle days were spent in whole or in part outside the United States. Two were shared at school with my students. One was spent at a local protest. One was spent with my family over Thanksgiving. One was spent adopting new cats. One was spent at my fiancée’s family’s Chinese New Year party. One was spent enjoying our engagement weekend in Columbus, Ohio, before a record snowstorm kept us out of work for one week. One was spent bowling and eating ice cream with my dad on his birthday. One was spent failing a college presentation on Brazilian politics, a presentation I gave from the Chicago Midway airport. One was spent at Pride. One was spent with my fiancée at one of our favorite places, a waterfall off the side of the Tennessee interstate.
Today, I celebrate 20 and vow never to take for granted how cool it is that I get to share my silly little word puzzles with you. I got into this craft with the hope that my puzzles would enjoy many different lifetimes and capture the minds of people, however fleeting, for at least a little while. I’m thankful for you, and for everyone that has engaged with my work over the years. What majestic, timeless, mundane things crosswords are.
Want to Submit Crosswords to The New York Times?
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