I haven't done any of the -rdles games despite their popularity. Strange, considering my propensity for word games of all kinds. I suppose it comes from playing similar games 65 years ago - Jotto (exactly what Wordles is, actually), and even a more primitive form before that where nothing but right-letter-right-place responses counted. "I have a word," my mother would say. (It's amazing how it made the drying of dishes, as my mother washed them, pass faster). And Mastermind. It becomes almost mechanical, algorithmic. But the search for exotic words to pose was interesting (who knew "XYSMA" was a word?)

My biggest triumph came once when I was challenged by a skeptic. ("Oh, you think you're so good, huh?") He proposed a six-letter word, when I was used to only five, but I said OK. My first guess was ENERGY - two green squares - and the second guess was his word. He AARGHed loudly, and didn't say another word to me that entire night. Gotta be more satisfying even than solving a NYT puzzle, and I haven't indulged.

(answer available upon request)