Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword
A short, fun and occasionally not unintentionally educational podcast in which two fans of the New York Times crossword describe their puzzle-solving travails.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 — A Toast to a Most Noteworthy Crossword!
For those of you keeping track, Brad Wiegmann, author of today's very fine puzzle, has as of today published an NYTimes crossword every day of the week except ... Saturday! So, he's just one acceptance letter away from "hitting for the cycle", and we imagine that, at this very moment, Brad is trying to think up some dastardly difficult clues. In the meantime, the clues that he dreamt up for today's crossword were excellent — as you will hear in today's podcast.
Show note imagery: Behold, a PENTATONICSCALE
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Monday, May 18, 2026 —🎵 It's a Small World, After All 🎶
How she does it remains a mystery, but Rena Cohen has a definite knack for crafting wonderfully clever and gentle themes, embedded in a grid with some fine answers — today's crossword being an excellent case in point.
We were shocked by 54D, Marsupial often mistermed a "bear", KOALA (wait: you mean all those zoo signs are lying to us?!); inspired by the phlegmatic 46A, "___ Calm and Carry On", KEEP (yay, Britain!); and another useful factoid, 56D, There are 100 of these in every Scrabble game, TILES (and at least twice that many behind the sofa 😀).
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Sunday, May 17, 2026 — Eh, What's Up, Doc? 🐰😍
This was an excellent Sunday crossword by Derrick Niederman, a man who heretofore has only published on Sundays, a precedent that he laid down when he first started, in 1983!
The crossword was terrific, the theme novel, and there was a plethora of crunchier than usual clues. It made for a fun solve, and is therefore definitely in the running for tomorrow's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword of the Week Award).
Show note imagery: Nope, definitely not PISMO Beach.
Show note URL: Ali Baba Bunny
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Saturday, May 16, 2026 — Caution: Today's Crossword May be Hazardous to Your Streak 😱😉
This was a highly challenging crossword by Byron Walden, each clue a masterpiece of misdirection, with a dash of obscurity thrown in for good measure. Both cohosts had to fight mightily for each answer in a grid that contained an incredible 13 debuts.
There were so many amazing clues that while we squeezed as many as we could into the podcast, we regretted having to omit 2A, They're hard to pull off, FEATS (wow!); 6D, Wind pipe?, CHIME (yikes!); and finally 31A, Capital of Greenland, NUUK (yowzer!).
tl;dr; a brilliant crossword that dances on the ed...
Friday May 15, 2026 — It was so quiet you could hear a NEEDLEDROP ... er, something like that 😀
This was Maddy Ziegler's second NYTimes crossword. Her first appeared on Saturday, so it will very interesting to see on what day her third (which, based on her second, we are sure is going to appear sooner or later) pops up. With absolutely no insider information, we're betting on another Saturday.
This was a pleasing Friday crossword — no theme to bedazzle, all the clues had to pull their weight, and they did so here. We had a debut at 31D, Dangerous ocean phenomenon, ROGUEWAVE; a blast from the past at 33A, MacMurray of "Double Indemnity", FRED; and the...
Thursday, May 14, 2026 — Ooh, mommy, this tastes UMAMI 🙄
While we didn't have too much difficulty with today's crossword, there were a few clues that made us pause and wonder. We were intrigued by 42D, Seven-stringed instrument that gave the guitar its name, KITHARA; awed by the memorable 11D, Prolifically posting about one's kids online, in a neologism, SHARENTING; and dutifully impressed by 4D, September to April, in the oyster industry, RMONTHS.
All in all, another fine crossword by Simeon Siegel.
Show note imagery: DRACO, an Athenian lawyer responsible for some highly draconian laws.
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<...Wednesday, May 13, 2026 — Kilauea, the sound you might make while plummeting into Kilauea 😀
Today's crossword — the second by Brian Keller — had a plethora of pleasing clues. We enjoyed 13D, Criminally good deal, STEAL; the on-the-nose 26D, Opposite of "nah", YEAH; and the somewhat Yoda-sounding 34D, Avoids injury, say, ISOK. The theme was, needless to say, fabulous. We have all the deets inside, so we cordially invite you to download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: ANUBIS, the Jackal-headed Egyptian deity
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Tuesday, May 12, 2026 — We are seriously chuffed about today's crossword 🇬🇧🇬🇧
Today's crossword was an homage to "this sceptered isle", which just happens to be one of our favorite tourist destinations. In short, there's no way we can be unbiased, we loved this puzzle!
Other than the crossword, we have another Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your enjoyment, and Mike's performance was ... a surprise. To keep you in suspense, we won't reveal, at this juncture, whether it was a good surprise or a bad surprise — to ascertain that, you'll need to check out today's episode.
Finally, we wrap it up with some wonderful listener mail pertaining to YUTZ, P...
Monday, May 11, 2026 — Welcome to Vientiane, a must-see any time you're in the neighborhood
After the excitement of the last few days, we confess a certain pleasure in tackling a more laid-back crossword, one that did not require all neurons on deck, and what some might term an excessive amount of gnashing of teeth, to get the job done. We were anticipating that this might be the case, but appreciated the confirmation nonetheless. Hats off to Joel Woodford (this is his second NYTimes crossword) for an entertaining start to our puzzle-solving week.
Show note imagery: Vientiane, Laos!
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Sunday, May 10, 2026 — Introducing the Renowned ADNOUN!! 😉
Today's crossword was — depending on which cohost you ask — a slightly crunchier than usual Sunday, or a puzzle just a shade less difficult than decrypting the Rosetta Stone in the dark while wearing gloves. Regardless, the puzzle could be solved, and the payoff was extraordinary, with the AHA! moment in the center of the grid being particularly epic. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Feng Wang, playing an EHRU.
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Saturday, May 9, 2026 — Katie Hoody paints a masterpiece in words 😍
This was an awe-droppingly good Saturday crossword by Katie Hoody. Each clue, individually, is a work of art in miniature, and collectively, this crossword is simply a work of art. This was, make no mistake about it, a tough crossword: but it was fair, with little to no use of pop culture (Mike's nemesis), just inspiring plays on words.
This definitely, positively, pegs the meter on the JAMCR scale — a full 5 squares.
Show note imagery: AMYS, one of our favorite pizzas!
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Friday, May 8, 2026 — 🎵 To Dream, the Impossible Dream, to Solve, the Impossible Crossword 🎶
Today's crossword was (checks calendar) classified as a Friday, but it was definitely on the tougher side of the Friday spectrum. Did our intrepid cohosts manage to solve the puzzle? Or did they go down in flames? To find out, as well as hear a fabulous Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, checkout today's episode.
Show note imagery: MANIOC (aka cassava or yuca) is a woody shrub native to South America from which we get, among other things, tapioca.
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Thursday, May 7, 2026 — Mayday, Mayday! Incoming SKUAs, 12 o'clock high!
Today's crossword — the product of two highly accomplished crossword constructors, John Guzzetta and Jeff Chen, and one world-renowned crossword editor, Will Shortz — is, in a word, an absolute delight. OK, technically that's three words, but this crossword is so impressive that it deserves the extra praise. We explain why in detail in today's episode, so do have a listen, and, let us know if you concur.
Show note imagery: A SKUA, on the hunt!
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Wednesday, May 6, 2026 — Spring is in the Air ... and the Crossword!
A second constructor in a row is making their debut — today it is James Mattina, an internist in Montréal, who has delivered a lovely crossword that is guaranteed to grow on you — a sentence that will become uproariously funny* once you've checked out today's episode.
Show note imagery: The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, in Memphis, TN
*or at least cause a mild twitching of the zygomaticus major and zygomaticus minor muscles**
**the muscles repsonsible for smiling
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Tuesday, May 5, 2026 — This crossword was ABC Delicious!
Today's crossword was a debut for Max Schlenker: congratulations, felicitations, etc., first for writing such a fine crossword, and second, for getting it accepted. We take a stroll through the grid in today's episode, and you, dear reader/listener, are cordially invited to join us on the journey.
Besides the crossword, since it is Tuesday, we have a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, and this time Jean's doing the high-wire act, and without a net (gasp!) or even Annette (who?! 🙄) .
Show note imagery: Alpha-Bits, they're ABC Delicious 😀
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Monday, May 4, 2026 — The NYTimes Crossword Empire Strikes Back (but, very, very gently 😉)
Today's crossword marked a fine way to start our crossword-solving week, with a witty theme, straightforward clues, and — as one would expect on a Monday — very few problem areas. And yet, demonstrating his ability to be OTM (OBTUSER Than Most™️), Mike was able to get temporarily mired in the grid. You can hear all the shocking details inside, and discover the well-deserved winner of this week's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of the Week Award).
Show note imagery: Don't delay, learn how to BELAY today 🙄
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Sunday, May 3, 2026 — Mark Diehl Rides Again!
This is Mark Diehl's 80th NYTimes crossword since 1984, so it is abundantly obvious that he knows a thing or twenty about writing great crosswords. His talents are on full display today — the theme is a puzzle in a puzzle, and the rest of the clues are quite crunchy. Jean & Co. worked through the crossword fairly expeditiously, Mike got bogged down in several areas, but managed to haul himself out in spite of not knowing a distressingly high number of clues.
Show note imagery: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by KENKESEY
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Saturday, May 2, 2026 — May Day, May Day (encore!)
Our cohosts had very different takes on today's crossword, a truly extraordinary work of art by Hannah Slovut. Jean & Co. found it to be a stiff breeze, Mike found it to be more of an F-5 tornado. Happily, all parties did get the puzzle solved (er, eventually), and were appropriately awed and energized by the experience.
Show note imagery: Artemis II, just getting started.
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Friday, May 1, 2026 — Pro Tip: If Your Baguette is Extra Crunchy, You Might Be Eating the Wrong Kind of Baguette 😉😱😀
Kudos to Rena Cohen for crafting an excellent crossword, her first to appear on a Friday. The clues were quite interesting: we always appreciate crosswords that both entertain and teach, as this one does so well.
Speaking of entertaining and teaching, we also have a Fun Fact Friday segment that does just that. Check it out!
Show note imagery: Yes, this too is a baguette (technically, it's a type of cut, used for diamonds and other precious stones)
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Thursday, April 30, 2026 — RUBE Goldberg, cartoonist and inventor extraordinaire!
When Aristotle wrote that "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts", he most likely did not have crossword constructors Lance Enfinger and John Kugelman in mind. But the thought still applies — these individually talented constructors have crafted an exceptional puzzle, and the proof is as close as your play button.
Show note imagery: One of RUBE Goldberg's many, many inventions.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2026 — Uber Nerd Alert! The Trisolarans Got a Mention in Today's Crossword 🛸😀
Joseph Gangi's eighth NYTimes crossword was so much more than a mere middling midweek crossword: it had a splendid array of intriguing clues. We loved 4D, Half of many a union-to-be, BRIDE; marveled at the "maritime corner", 20A, Pirate's booty, LOOT and 22A, Swabbie's tool, MOP; and almost swooned at the mention of our very, very favorite comic character, 49A, World War I Flying _______ (Snoopy alter ego), ACE.
Show note imagery: The ODEON Theater, in Amman, Jordan
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Tuesday, April 28, 2026 — Welcome, King Charles!!
King Charles is stateside, and it had been such a fervent hope of ours that the NYTimes crossword theme would celebrate his arrival that we might have possibly, arguably, read a tad bit too much into today's grid. We'll let you, dear listeners, be the judge: did we stumble upon a very, very subtle "Welcome King Charles" theme, or do we have to stop watching reruns of Downton Abbey before doing the crossword? Let us know!
Show note imagery: King Charles, getting ready to do battle with the Saturday NYTimes crossword!
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Monday, April 27, 2026 — A Very Respectable, Vonderfully Researched Monday Crossword 😉
Neville Fogarty has published an NYTimes crossword every day of the week save Saturday. Today he had the foot off the pedal, resulting in this kinder, gentler puzzle — which ironically and amusingly took Mike 4x longer than usual to solve. There is a good reason for this, however, explained in today's episode.
Also in today's episode, we have chosen this week's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Deets, as usual, inside.
Show note imagery: Olive Garden, known for its bottomless salad bowls, its delectable PASTA, and breadsticks to die for
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Sunday, April 26, 2026 — How Do You Spot a Great Restaurant? They Offer EVOO on the Menu 😀
Rebecca Goldstein has delivered a fine Sunday crossword with gems scattered throughout the grid. Our favorites included 119A, It has its ups and downs, YOYO (🪀); 11D, Stick used for breaking, CUE (🎱); the good-to-know 56D, Insect with more than 14,000 known species, ANT (🐜); and the audacious musician 9D, "Hanukkah in Santa Monica" songwriter Tom, LEHRER (🎹).
Show note imagery: EVOO, aka Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which, according to the Completely Unbiased EVOO Trade Association, will cure anything that ails you! 😉
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Saturday, April 25, 2026 — A Sam Ezersky Original 😍
There is no doubt that Sam Ezersky is very good at writing Saturday-level crosswords — he has had 23 of them published since 2012 (out of a total of 64). His talents are on full display today, as he has turned in an entertaining, eye-catching puzzle that impresses in every corner. Both cohosts were suitably awed, and you can hear the full 411 in today's episode.
Show note imagery: ERES Mia, by Romeo Santos
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Friday, April 24, 2026 — Look out, Andrew Spooner is back with yet another killer crossword!!!
This was an unexpectedly crunchy Friday crossword, with lots of brilliantly concealed traps for the unwary solver. We loved every "there goes the ol' streak, it was good knowin' ya" moment, as we toiled, and toiled, and toiled away. We give it a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and if we could, we'd give it more! Deets inside.
Show note imagery: A very young John Travolta, playing VINNIE Barbarino on "Welcome Back, Kotter"
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Thursday, April 23, 2026 - A *brilliant* Thursday treat!
This is Zhou Zhang and Kevin Curry's second collaboration, and it is an uber-awesome bit of cruciverbal magic. They started with a chef's kiss of a theme, puzzling with a powerful payoff; they ended with a slew of equally awesome clues. Consider: 42A, What the "Music City Miracle" and the "Immaculate Reception" took place in, NFLAMES (😀); 44A. Alternative to bow ties, PENNE (😀 😀); and 48A, Test release?, TIMESUP (😀 😀 😀).
We cannot wait for ZZ and KC's third collaboration, best on prior work it's sure to be a hoot.
Show note imagery: In the worlds of the immortal Yoda, "DO, or DONU...
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - Happy Earth Day!!
Today's crossword was an homage to Earth Day, and we loved it! One of the big no-no's in crossword construction was ignored in the making of today's puzzle, but it was for the sake of the theme, so the author, Hoang-Kim Vu, gets a pass. And we'd give this crossword more than just a passing grade ... we'd rate it as a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Deets inside.
Show note imagery: ODIN, along with Huginn and Muninn (which if they aren't the names of hotel chains, they ought to be 😀)
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Tuesday, April 21, 2026 - Waiting for Pablo Neruda's sequel, Ode To Pepper 🙄
This was a nicely crafted Tuesday crossword. The theme was fun and straightforward, and the themed clues were in good company. For instance, the puzzle included our favorite snake — 51A, Reptiles on papyrus, ASPS; our favorite dwelling — 66A, Circular tent, YURT; and finally our favorite currency that is too often tragically mistaken for a fruit, 18D, Haitian currency unit, GOURDE.
In addition to the crossword, we are pleased to announce that we are up to our full complement of cohosts, i.e., 2, making our Triplet Tuesday segment that much easier.
Show note imagery: Pablo Neruda (right...
Sunday, April 19, 2026 — Looking for an AHA! moment? Michael Lieberman has got just the ticket 😀
This was a perfect Sunday crossword by Michael Lieberman. Mike (cohost, not constructor 😀) needed to resort to pencil and paper (!) to help visualize the theme, and thoroughly enjoyed the sheer tactile-ness of it all. We have all the deets inside, so have a download and a listen, and let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: Some delicious RASTA pasta
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Saturday, April 18, 2026 - NEON!, Ask for it by name, accept no substitutes! 😉 😀
This was a very nice Saturday crossword by Jesse Cohn, almost exactly one year since he last published on a Saturday. The clues were interesting / challenging / suitably obscure, as one would hope. Several stood out, including 12D, Blitzed, SAUCED; 26A, Metros in the 1990s, GEOS; and 27D, Relatives of ottomans, HASSOCKS. All in all this was a fine addition to the Saturday pantheon; we give it a full and enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: NEON, the 5th most common element in the universe — quite fortunate, because no matter what your species, you can ne...
Friday, April 17, 2026 - it is our CIVICDUTY to report that this was an awesome crossword!
Friday crosswords have a lot of weight on their shoulders: they need to be entertaining (of course); themeless (by convention); and ramp up the difficulty to just the right level so that Saturday doesn't see like a quantum leap from Thursday. We are pleased to report that Rachel Fabi's latest crossword checks all the boxes.
To confirm that, be sure and check out today's episode, available ... right now!
Show note imagery: Negative Nancy, not to be confused with whining Willy!
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Thursday, April 16, 2026 - 🎵Two for tea, and tea for two 🎶 🫖☕️
This was a terrific crossword by Rafael Musa — who usually works the Friday side of the street — and Sala Wanetick. The theme was ingenious and, as we discuss in today's episode, almost impossible to miss.
Speaking of miss, we hope you won't miss this or any future episodes: click on follow / subscribe / whatever on your podcast-supplying app of choice to ensure that such a calamity does not befell you!
Show note imagery: a NOSEEUM, member of the family Ceratopogonidae, most definitely not to scale (whew!)
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Wednesday, April 15, 2026 - Oh, frabjous day! Adam Wagner is back with another ab fab puzzle!
We are definitely Adam Wagner fans, and our idol does not disappoint today. The theme is inspired, the clues perfect for a Wednesday, and the entire puzzle is suffused with a lively and cheery spirit that put a smile on our faces. We approve, and give it an often sought but rarely delivered 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Members of SKATEPUNK band Blink-182
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Tuesday, April 14, 2026 — It's Tax Day Eve: do you know where your tax return is? 😱
Mark Diehl is certainly a veteran crossword constructor — his first NYTimes crossword was published in 1984! He hasn't lost his touch, though: this was a terrific Tuesday with a boffo theme.
Besides the crossword, it's Triplet Tuesday™️, and the spotlight's on Mike. Will he rise to the challenge or, tragically, go down in flames? Tune in to find out!
Finally, we have an inspirational piece of listener mail about that most elusive and valuable of commodities — grit — the internal kind that keeps you driving forward, striving for success (as measured, in this context at least, by the cheery...
Monday, April 13, 2026 - AESOP, still winning new fans after 2500 years 😀
This was a splendid Monday crossword, arguably slightly crunchier than usual, but still definitely on the Monday side of the scale. A few of those crunchier clues included 46D, Afghan language, PASHTO (🤔); 28A, "There's ___ in 'team,' but there is one in 'win'", NOI (😀); and 53D, City NE of Manchester, LEEDS (🇬🇧).
In addition to the crossword, we have also selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and we are sure that you'll agree that ... the crossword in question definitely came out last week 😉.
Show note imagery: A collection of AESOP's fables ( most likely not sig...
Sunday, April 12, 2026 - Oh, paradise! PARADIDDLE is in the grid 😍
We did not know, until several hours ago, that PARADIDDLE was a word. But now that we do, we're going to try and work it into conversation whenever, and however, we can. That will not be easy, alas, because PARADIDDLE is the answer to 73D, Basic drumming pattern: the opportunities to deploy it will likely be few and far between.
Speaking of musicians, we were also thrilled to learn of the existence of 54D, Hip-hop artists with unintelligible lyrics, MUMBLERAPPERS. We put that right up there with PARADIDDLE as a life-changing discovery, and personally want to thank...
Saturday, April 11, 2026 — A classy crossword (you can tell: it has MASERATIS in the grid 😀)
Our intrepid cohosts, solving independently as usual, took very different crossword solving journeys in tackling this, Kareem Ayas' tenth NYTimes opus. Jean found it a walk in the park; Mike found it more of a free solo event, in which one false move could be fatal (to his streak 😀). Both cohosts did succeed. Jean's time was quite good; Mike's time was impressive, simply because of the sheer number of digits in it. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Some MASERATIS — we'll take three, please 😀 🤑
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Friday, April 10, 2026 — Dale Chihuly, glass artist extraordinaire!
Dale Chihuly is an incredibly gifted artist, but AFAWCT he has never appeared in the grid of the NYTimes crossword. Consequently, it was most gratifying to at least see his name in a clue, specifically 29A, Like the glass in many a Dale Chihuly sculpture, FUSED.
Today's episode includes a bit more about Dale, as well as, oh, yes, the rest of the crossword, and a terrific Fun Fact Friday segment. So, have a listen, and, as always, please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: Dale Chihuly's Mendota Wall, a brilliant wo...
Thursday, April 9, 2026 - A scrumdiddlyumptious Thursday crossword!
Today's grid is sweet — literally, thanks to all those delicious, disguised dessert items. Fortunately, they are the virtual kind, and therefore highly unlikely to wreck your diet.
In addition to the terrific themed clues, we LOLed at 67A, Oil bigwig?, ARTCURATOR (awesome!); were amazed by 42A, Amundsen who went to the South Pole 15 years before he flew over the North Pole, ROALD (who knew?); and chuckled at 28D, Cold-weather coat, FROST (😀).
Show note imagery: a RHINO, the second most massive mammal on Earth, just out for an afternoon stroll.
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