Garbo Laughs
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Puzzle by Joseph Crowley, edited by Will Shortz
Oh my word! I haven’t laughed so much over a crossword puzzle in my life! There’s enough food and frolic in this creation to cause one to Throw AFIT (58D) of gastronomical proportions!
Roller coaster RIDES (29A Carnival sights), water CHUTE (44A Way Down), COBRA (47D U.S. attack helicopter), heights of the ALPES (16D Suisse peaks), everything all ASTIR (24A Circulating) in an ADO (58A Foofaraw), that SLAPS (11D “Snap out of it!“ actions) ONES (60D Kind of place) TAIL (26D Detective, at times) down to the WIRE (2D Finish line maybe), with a visit to Coney Island and Nathan’s to OUTEAT (53A Beat at a hot dog contest) with a stomach full of MIXEDGREENSALAD (14A Colorful opening course), ORANGEMARMALADE (17A Colorful spread), RAINBOW (37A With 39-Across, colorful dessert) SHERBET (39A See 37-Across), a BLUEBERRYMUFFIN (61A Colorful breakfast food), and REDBEANSANDRICE (64A Colorful entrée) with SUDS (57D Beer, slangily) --- Hurry, hurry, hurry, step right up and get your tickets at the KIOSK (22D Mall station) -- DAMN (52A Curse), try to TEAR (55D Wrest) me from my comfortable DEN (4D Place to display trophies) maybe with a game of REVERSI (43D Game on an 8x8 board) this July 4th -- IWONT (33D Obstreperous child’s cry) move an inch -- call me a DWEEB (45D Nerd), food and motion don't mix, something will come up -- DUH (30D “Well, obviously!”).
I’ll just light a GEM (18A Sparkler) and sing a few bars of ISOUR (33A “A Mighty Fortress ____ God [hymn]) or turn on the RADIO (12D Part of a beach kit) and listen fondly to 9A The Beatles’ “INMY Life” or an ETUDE (49D Chopin piece)!
Or better yet, draw the shades of the bunker and roll a film with my favorite SWEDE (1A Greta Garbo, by birth)!
Illustration: Greta Garbo as "Queen Christina" -- In what many call her greatest screen portrayal, the legendary Greta Garbo stars as the 17th century Queen of Sweden who shocked all of Europe when she relinquished her throne for love.
-----------------
For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid or to leave a Comment, click on TITLE at the beginning of this post’s commentary.
06.27.07
Man
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Puzzle by Barbara Olson, edited by Will Shortz
Five inter-related entries MIDDLEMAN (34A Go-between, and a clue to 17-, 24-, 49- and 57-Across) along with SALAMANDERS (17A Newts and such), DISMANTLE (24A Take apart), PERMANENT (49A Salon job), and KILIMANJARO (57A Locale of Uhuru Peak) provide very little bonus in the course of solving this nice little Wednesday puzzle.
Bracketed by BASSETS (1D Stout-legged hounds) upper left and SEADOGS (43D Old salts) lower right, the grid is filled with delight and dementia.
ORACLES (2D Sources of wisdom), AHAB (5D Ill-fated captain), SON (6D Trinity member), STPAULS (37D Wren's cathedral), STRAD (37A Prized violin, briefly), THEMES (44A School papers), and OLIVIA (60A Lover of Cesario, in "Twelfth Night") provide fodder for TAS (41A Univ. staffers).
PORTA (52A ____ Potti), SNAILS (45D Garden pests), SCARABS (20A Nocturnal beetle), CONJOBS (48D Swindler's work) and SPAM (40A Canned fare since 1937) -- SSS (29A Deflating sound). OOP (16A Alley ____), ITT (19A "The Addams Family" cousin) and MIDDLEMAN provide comic relief.
TRESS (8D Long lock) brings to mind Rapunzel while SPUN (47D Worked like Rumpelstiltskin) and BAAS (55D Lambs' laments) POINTTO (Indicate, in a way) the NAIVE (51D Dewey-eyed) of HEART (32D Soul mate?) of childhood. Food fare includes ECLAIRS (3D Bakery treats), TARTARE (41D Rarer than rare), ONION (22D Something to cry over?), SPAM and SNAILS -- HOORAH (15A "Yippee!").
I'm all ASEA (53A Totally confused), but this puzzle hits THESPOT (38D X marks it)!
Illustrations: Top: Evolution of Man -- 34A with 17A, 24A, 49A and 57A. First row -- 43D, 37D, 37A; second 19A, 34A, 16A; third 8D, 55D, 47D; and pictured directly above, 57A.
------------------
For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid or to leave a Comment, click on TITLE at the beginning of this post’s commentary.
06.26.07
Sunrise Sunset
Apollo Sunrise Credit: Apollo 12 Crew, NASA
Explanation: In November of 1969, homeward bound aboard the "Yankee Clipper" command module, the Apollo 12 astronauts took this dramatic photograph of the Sun emerging from behind the Earth. From this distant perspective, part of the solar disk peers over the Earth's limb, its direct light producing the jewel like glint while sunlight scattered by the atmosphere creates the thin bright crescent.
-----------------
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Puzzle by Ray Fontenot, edited by Will Shortz
The inter-related entries of four film titles -- TEQUILASUNRISE (20A First showing at an all-day film festival? [1988]), REDSKYATMORNING (25A Second showing [1970]), DOGDAYAFTERNOON (44A Third showing [1975]), AFTERTHESUNSET (49A Final showing [2004]) -- are the main feature of this Tuesday crossword.
ELIA (1A Director Kazan) and ABBE (5A Actress Lane of old TV) are the only other film references in the crossword; however, BARON (41A Von Richthofen’s title) has hit the silver screen on a few occasions, including a video game. ERATO (26D Muse with a lyre) can be involved from time to time, and certainly ARIES (34A First sign, astrologically) will have something to say about the sun’s appearance.
Some interesting crossings and juxtapositions: AXED (49D Pinked-slipped) with AXIS (57A Graph line); ALA (47A Taking after) shares the same line with AAA (48A Motorists’ org.); ETA (40A Greek H) follows ATE (39A Packed away); ACRE (11D Plot unit) and TRACT (14a Developer’s land) vie for space; TRUE (51D Loyal) and FALSE (42A Disloyal) are Shortzesque clues, and also recall the TRUEFALSETEST entry of yesterday’s puzzle, with ANANIAS (43D Biblical liar) emanating from the “A” in FALSE and NOTSO (32D “That’s a lie!”) sharing its “S“.
Words with “U” endings include ECRU (8D Neutral shade), MENU (60A Beanery handout), FRAU (42D Herr’s mate); ESAU (53D Biblical twin) and the pluralized EMUS (64A Avian sources of meat), although I’m not sure I’d take part in such a repast.
Anticipating the night, BATS (7D Upside-down sleepers) dangle(s) dead center at the top of the puzzle, backward reading STAB; and then there's the missing tail end of batting champ DIMAG (27D Joltin’ Joe) nearly turning his name phoenitically into Damage (52D HARM)? WHY (12D Tot’s repeated query) -- must be desperate fill, because the use is quite RARE (22D Red in the middle) -- "red"?, it's a SUNSET!
The Beauty of a Sunset
------------------
For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid or to leave a Comment,
click on TITLE at the beginning of this post’s commentary.
Apollo Sunrise Credit: Apollo 12 Crew, NASA
Explanation: In November of 1969, homeward bound aboard the "Yankee Clipper" command module, the Apollo 12 astronauts took this dramatic photograph of the Sun emerging from behind the Earth. From this distant perspective, part of the solar disk peers over the Earth's limb, its direct light producing the jewel like glint while sunlight scattered by the atmosphere creates the thin bright crescent.
-----------------
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Puzzle by Ray Fontenot, edited by Will Shortz
The inter-related entries of four film titles -- TEQUILASUNRISE (20A First showing at an all-day film festival? [1988]), REDSKYATMORNING (25A Second showing [1970]), DOGDAYAFTERNOON (44A Third showing [1975]), AFTERTHESUNSET (49A Final showing [2004]) -- are the main feature of this Tuesday crossword.
ELIA (1A Director Kazan) and ABBE (5A Actress Lane of old TV) are the only other film references in the crossword; however, BARON (41A Von Richthofen’s title) has hit the silver screen on a few occasions, including a video game. ERATO (26D Muse with a lyre) can be involved from time to time, and certainly ARIES (34A First sign, astrologically) will have something to say about the sun’s appearance.
Some interesting crossings and juxtapositions: AXED (49D Pinked-slipped) with AXIS (57A Graph line); ALA (47A Taking after) shares the same line with AAA (48A Motorists’ org.); ETA (40A Greek H) follows ATE (39A Packed away); ACRE (11D Plot unit) and TRACT (14a Developer’s land) vie for space; TRUE (51D Loyal) and FALSE (42A Disloyal) are Shortzesque clues, and also recall the TRUEFALSETEST entry of yesterday’s puzzle, with ANANIAS (43D Biblical liar) emanating from the “A” in FALSE and NOTSO (32D “That’s a lie!”) sharing its “S“.
Words with “U” endings include ECRU (8D Neutral shade), MENU (60A Beanery handout), FRAU (42D Herr’s mate); ESAU (53D Biblical twin) and the pluralized EMUS (64A Avian sources of meat), although I’m not sure I’d take part in such a repast.
Anticipating the night, BATS (7D Upside-down sleepers) dangle(s) dead center at the top of the puzzle, backward reading STAB; and then there's the missing tail end of batting champ DIMAG (27D Joltin’ Joe) nearly turning his name phoenitically into Damage (52D HARM)? WHY (12D Tot’s repeated query) -- must be desperate fill, because the use is quite RARE (22D Red in the middle) -- "red"?, it's a SUNSET!
The Beauty of a Sunset
------------------
For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid or to leave a Comment,
click on TITLE at the beginning of this post’s commentary.
06.25.07
Elena Verdugo
Monday, June 25, 2007
Puzzle by Kurt Mengel and Jan-Michele Gianette, edited by Will Shortz
Four inter-related entries, PASSFAILCLASS (20A Course option), YESNOANSWER (37A Response option), ONOFFSWITCH (Electric light option), and TRUEFALSETEST (59A Quiz option) are the collective feature of this Monday back-to-work crossword puzzle.
Delightfully presided over by ELENA (18A Actress Verdugo), the familiar standards of crossword puzzles flash by quickly -- ACHE, IRON, ESS, AGA, TATAR, TUTU, MINOR, ALE STE, ROLES, CLIO, ALLAH, APSO, HAMS, FATSO, TEEN, EYES, STATE, ERNE, SHIPS, CARAT, AROSE, TENSED, AREA, DELI, ABEL, STALE, ASPS, HOT, ETS, PETS, ANTIC, OATH, UFO, ATOMS, FRAU, HIRE, LEAFS, CHE, LAY, ALTA, LAST, SHOE, ROTATE, LEPER, ESSEN and SCAT have all appeared in the New York Times crossword puzzles during the month of June several times each.
UFO (41D Carrier of 13-Down) and ETS (13D Travelers from another galaxy, for short) claim their puzzle birthright with ease and grace. ADAMS (5A Scott who draws “Dilbert”) gets a new cluing, SWATH (32A Space cut by a scythe) and SHREW (27D “The Taming of the _____”) share the lispers favorites list with a generous sprinkling of esses throughout. CHASEAWAY (11D Shoo off) and ATONETIME (36D Back then) are the long downs. EFLAT (54 Key of Mozart’s Symphony No. 39) echoes yesterday’s C SHARP MINOR (the acrostic), while the slim division between a MINOR (48A Person under 21) and a TEEN (70A Person under 20) is duly noted, with PETS (29D Consumers of Purina and Iams food) and PATS (19A Loving strokes) bringing a warm smile.
ISAW (30D Vidi in “Veni, vidi, vici”) and see -- as the EYES (71A Optometrists’ concerns) of the solver rest at LAST (62D Final) on STONE (58A Gem) -- indeed, a Monday gem!
-----------------
For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid or to leave a Comment,
click on TITLE at the beginning of this post’s commentary.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Puzzle by Kurt Mengel and Jan-Michele Gianette, edited by Will Shortz
Four inter-related entries, PASSFAILCLASS (20A Course option), YESNOANSWER (37A Response option), ONOFFSWITCH (Electric light option), and TRUEFALSETEST (59A Quiz option) are the collective feature of this Monday back-to-work crossword puzzle.
Delightfully presided over by ELENA (18A Actress Verdugo), the familiar standards of crossword puzzles flash by quickly -- ACHE, IRON, ESS, AGA, TATAR, TUTU, MINOR, ALE STE, ROLES, CLIO, ALLAH, APSO, HAMS, FATSO, TEEN, EYES, STATE, ERNE, SHIPS, CARAT, AROSE, TENSED, AREA, DELI, ABEL, STALE, ASPS, HOT, ETS, PETS, ANTIC, OATH, UFO, ATOMS, FRAU, HIRE, LEAFS, CHE, LAY, ALTA, LAST, SHOE, ROTATE, LEPER, ESSEN and SCAT have all appeared in the New York Times crossword puzzles during the month of June several times each.
UFO (41D Carrier of 13-Down) and ETS (13D Travelers from another galaxy, for short) claim their puzzle birthright with ease and grace. ADAMS (5A Scott who draws “Dilbert”) gets a new cluing, SWATH (32A Space cut by a scythe) and SHREW (27D “The Taming of the _____”) share the lispers favorites list with a generous sprinkling of esses throughout. CHASEAWAY (11D Shoo off) and ATONETIME (36D Back then) are the long downs. EFLAT (54 Key of Mozart’s Symphony No. 39) echoes yesterday’s C SHARP MINOR (the acrostic), while the slim division between a MINOR (48A Person under 21) and a TEEN (70A Person under 20) is duly noted, with PETS (29D Consumers of Purina and Iams food) and PATS (19A Loving strokes) bringing a warm smile.
ISAW (30D Vidi in “Veni, vidi, vici”) and see -- as the EYES (71A Optometrists’ concerns) of the solver rest at LAST (62D Final) on STONE (58A Gem) -- indeed, a Monday gem!
-----------------
For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid or to leave a Comment,
click on TITLE at the beginning of this post’s commentary.
06.24.07
Is There A Doctor In The Puzzle?
Sunday, June 24, 2007
------------------
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
Puzzle by Eric Berlin, edited by Will Shortz
THEDOCTORISIN (65A Alternative title for this puzzle) answers the question of this post's title -- six doctors to be accurate. Culled from the circled letters of the entries SECURITIESANALYST (23A Wall Street worker), MUSICALCOMEDY (39A Broadway's "The Producers," e.g.), FAMOUSLASTWORDS (50A They may come back to haunt you), SHRIMPCOCKTAILS (84A Appetizers served with sauce), WATERSOFTENER (91A It might go in a tank), and DEPARTMENTOFLABOR (109A Elizabeth Dole once led it) are the doctors SEUSS, MCCOY, FAUST, SPOCK, WATSON and DEMENTO!
It’s probably a good thing there are no serious illnesses or psychosis in this puzzle, as the doctors found in the faint circles are not particularly known for their expertise in medicine, but rather for children’s books, science fiction, opera/drama, detective stories and radio broadcasting. I did notice however, one Dr. TESLA (120A ______ coil), perhaps he could be of help -- and then there is PHD (73A High degree) a shingle belonging to no one in particular.
The remainder of the puzzle is classic variety crosswordese and arcana -- even a few fresh clues for old favorites (e.g., SISSY, 70D Playground taunt) --- some new utterances (AWW, 81D “How cute!”) -- dogs and dogfood (AKITAS, 1A Dogs named for a region of Japan; KAL, 12D ___Kan pet food) -- government agencies (DEPARTMENTOFLABOR (109A), FDA, CIA, OEO and other abbreviations to throw into the alphabet soup, FTD, CEO, OED, AFTRA, ELAL, NCO, etc.
Troubled by clues for SMASH (33D Overhead), NOEL (46D "O Sanctissima," e.g.), DIANE (98D Steak _____), not surprised by the Will Shortz hallmark double-clue for 78A and 75D, Yemen’s capital, SANA and RIAL respectively. Mulled over what is WATERS OF TENER before saying oh hell, WATER SOFTENER -- keep it simple! Never heard of a TEADANCE (82D Afternoon event) before -- it’s something I’ll just have to pass up in this life.
All in all, a fair and enjoyable solve for Sunday with the doctors going in circles being a nice gimmick -- got it about half-way through, eliciting more of a “oh, is that all” than it being of any help -- a relief that it was not some horribly clever thing that just racks one’s nerves and sends one seeking medical attention -- as I’m not sure any of these doctors are qualified!
I just can't resist saying it: "Elementary, Watson!"
-----------------
For today's cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid or to leave a Comment,
click on TITLE at the beginning of this post’s commentary.
06.23.07
Variations on a Theme
URSAMAJOR (15A It's pictured in Van Gogh''s"Starry Night Over the Rhone") and PORTRAYAL (13D Acting job) -- Bette Davis as Baby Jane Hudson in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" and Charles Pierce as Bette Davis as Jane Hudson as "Baby Jane"
------------------
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Puzzle by Patrick Berry, edited by Will Shortz
PORTRAYAL (13D Acting job) leads the way for art and artists as a theme for this standard Saturday crossword puzzle. TOPBANANA (17A Vaudeville bigwig), VOICEOVERS (29A Talking during movies?), TRAILER (9D It doesn't give you the full picture), and SPAREPART (1A Replacement) (I know, I know!) follow.
Along the way are sprinkled the luminaries URSAMAJOR (15A It's pictured in Van Gogh's "Starry Night Over the Rhone"), the supernumeraries ACHOO (16A Outburst from Sneezy) ("Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"), the orators with NOTES (47D Speaker's aids), a playwright RACINE (19A Wisconsin city originally named Port Gilbert), a tunesmith EROICA (53A Symphony originally dedicated to Napoleon) and a toon, DILBERT (20A Comic strip character with an upwardly curving necktie).
Gwyneth PALTROW (39D "Sliding Doors" star, 1998), David Ogden STIERS (43D He Played Winchester on "M*A*S*H"), LOU Costello (42A Bud's bud in comedy), and MAE (33A Busch of Laurel and Hardy films) share the marquee at the matinees on Saturday and WEDNESDAY (60A When "anything can happen" on "The Mickey Mouse Club").
TULSA (45A City whose name means "old town" in Creek) might well have been clued as 1949 Susan Hayward potboiler, HOTSPUR (27A Short-tempered sort) is a nice role in Shakespeare's "Henry IV, Part I", RABBITRUN (55A Wood-and-chicken-wire enclosure) was a 1970 film with James Caan; and SPIKEHEELS (38A Bad shoes to run in) are the feature item on the poster for "The Devil Wears Prada".
OPIONEERS (58A First novel in Cather's "prairie trilogy") brings this INMOST (34A Hardest to get at) theme to a full RONDURE (8D Circle) -- so much to like about this wonderful little Saturday crossword puzzle beyond its theme that I'll just refer you to those that will call it "theme-less" -- hey, it's sunny, so it's "rain-less"; it's raining, so it's "sun-less" and so on and so on -- negative! So chatter and chew and hem and haw, cluck and claque and clap and claw!
So TIRED (48D Played out)!
-----------------
Late bulletin: Anonymous comment authored by "Hooboo" states: "I don't understand how inmost, thereto, Kia, Acura, spaniel, Rabin and hasps fit into the art theme. Can you explain it?"
Well, "Hooboo", where did you read that they did? -- but in any event, they do -- see links for INMOST, THERETO, KIA, ACURA, SPANIEL, RABIN and HASPS.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid, click on title at the beginning of commentary.
URSAMAJOR (15A It's pictured in Van Gogh''s"Starry Night Over the Rhone") and PORTRAYAL (13D Acting job) -- Bette Davis as Baby Jane Hudson in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" and Charles Pierce as Bette Davis as Jane Hudson as "Baby Jane"
------------------
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Puzzle by Patrick Berry, edited by Will Shortz
PORTRAYAL (13D Acting job) leads the way for art and artists as a theme for this standard Saturday crossword puzzle. TOPBANANA (17A Vaudeville bigwig), VOICEOVERS (29A Talking during movies?), TRAILER (9D It doesn't give you the full picture), and SPAREPART (1A Replacement) (I know, I know!) follow.
Along the way are sprinkled the luminaries URSAMAJOR (15A It's pictured in Van Gogh's "Starry Night Over the Rhone"), the supernumeraries ACHOO (16A Outburst from Sneezy) ("Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"), the orators with NOTES (47D Speaker's aids), a playwright RACINE (19A Wisconsin city originally named Port Gilbert), a tunesmith EROICA (53A Symphony originally dedicated to Napoleon) and a toon, DILBERT (20A Comic strip character with an upwardly curving necktie).
Gwyneth PALTROW (39D "Sliding Doors" star, 1998), David Ogden STIERS (43D He Played Winchester on "M*A*S*H"), LOU Costello (42A Bud's bud in comedy), and MAE (33A Busch of Laurel and Hardy films) share the marquee at the matinees on Saturday and WEDNESDAY (60A When "anything can happen" on "The Mickey Mouse Club").
TULSA (45A City whose name means "old town" in Creek) might well have been clued as 1949 Susan Hayward potboiler, HOTSPUR (27A Short-tempered sort) is a nice role in Shakespeare's "Henry IV, Part I", RABBITRUN (55A Wood-and-chicken-wire enclosure) was a 1970 film with James Caan; and SPIKEHEELS (38A Bad shoes to run in) are the feature item on the poster for "The Devil Wears Prada".
OPIONEERS (58A First novel in Cather's "prairie trilogy") brings this INMOST (34A Hardest to get at) theme to a full RONDURE (8D Circle) -- so much to like about this wonderful little Saturday crossword puzzle beyond its theme that I'll just refer you to those that will call it "theme-less" -- hey, it's sunny, so it's "rain-less"; it's raining, so it's "sun-less" and so on and so on -- negative! So chatter and chew and hem and haw, cluck and claque and clap and claw!
So TIRED (48D Played out)!
-----------------
Late bulletin: Anonymous comment authored by "Hooboo" states: "I don't understand how inmost, thereto, Kia, Acura, spaniel, Rabin and hasps fit into the art theme. Can you explain it?"
Well, "Hooboo", where did you read that they did? -- but in any event, they do -- see links for INMOST, THERETO, KIA, ACURA, SPANIEL, RABIN and HASPS.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid, click on title at the beginning of commentary.
06.21.07
SOLSTICE
Summer begins at 2:06 p.m. Eastern time today, and astronomy, not meteorology, is the deciding factor. It is then that the northward trek of the sun's direct rays across the planet will cease and the summer solstice will arrive. For the next six months, the direct rays of the sun will move inexorably south, culminating in the winter solstice. Even so, the summer season is the slowest to fade. As a result of the Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun, the Northern Hemisphere summer lasts 93 days, while the winter is only 89 days long.
-----------------
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Puzzle by John Sheehan, edited by Will Shortz
It's the first day of summer!
A standard crossword puzzle with six partial anagram entries. The entries, with the clue becoming the second word of the entry anagrammed and the first word of the entry a variation of how one might describe an anagram. The six entries and their clues are: KNOTTED/ROPES (20A PROSE), TANGLED/ROOTS (28A TORSO), FAUX/PAS (37A SAP), BAD/DEAL (39A LEAD), TOSSED/GREENS (45A GENRES), and ADDLED/BRAINS (55A BAIRNS)...yeah, and "loyal satirists" twists into "solstitial rays"!
Really liked this anagram-entry crossword -- it has a great PULSE (34D Something a doctor might check) -- here are the symptoms:
Irritations: THROE (3D Spasm) wants to be THROB; TRAMP (21D March) wants to be TROMP; MOOED (25D Made farm sounds), homonym for "mood" and one of two calves; QUADS (64A Targets for weightlifters), the other calf, could have been DELTS; SUABLE (49D Ripe for a trial lawyer), aches for an "e"; SEER (23A Jeremiah, e.g., in the Bible) spent a short time as IBER (a Chief of); and PSST (68A “Hey, buddy!”), just a rude expression used by a crude individual!
Subjectives: ACHE (14A Source of misery), not always; LIAR (51A Yarn producer?), not all yarns are lies; LAIR (62A Hollow, perhaps), well, “perhaps” was added, but LAIR and LIAR, asymmetrical stuffing; IQS (59A Measures of brightness), sometimes more a measurement of dullness!
Déjà vu: SUP (60D Eat well), seen this last Sunday, clued as 39D “How ya doin’?” and all those old standards, EWER, ERODE, ALOE, MAO, ASP (this Monday, but not the snake), AERO, DYE (yesterday as TIEDYE), both LIAR and LAIR, URGE, EDGE, IRIS, ARE (properly clued, even if deviously so, this time around); AUDI (one of the several very popular crossword cars), SNAGS, SHOO; and, of course, the repulsive PSST!
Good stuff: WOOD (6D Fifth-anniversary gift) and EMERALD (7D 55th-anniversary gift) side-by-side with Shortzesque cluing; SOX (11D One of two A.L. teams), finally, Chicago gets included; ARREARS (43D Payments might be in it), just a nice turn; GAS (30D Oomph), dunno, just like it a lot; GALLUP (48D New Mexico town mentioned in the hit “Route 66”), been there?!
"Saab" story: AXLE (42A Car bar) -- boy, has this been haunting the puzzle lately -- Sunday’s crossword, titled REAR AXLE in which a group of entries contained omitted L’s and E’s -- well, if you do the Sunday puzzle, I don’t need to explain. Sometimes anagrammed under the skater’s move, AXEL, AXLE this week is particularly impressive for the number of times it (AXLE) has appeared, and the fact that a section of the AXLE on my vehicle (a Ford Focus) snapped in half this last Thursday (see photo below, the arm to the axle holding the shocks).
Luckily it happened going five mph, because on the Long Island Expressway at 60 mph -- BITS (2A Smithereens)! Aha, saved by MESSENGERS (66A Angels) see Friday -- another coincidence? If you are knotted, tangled, tossed and addled by this real (not faux), good (not bad) tale of woe (and certainly not ALAS) -- AFATE (32D _____worse than death) that has been NIXED (19A Kiboshed), be of good cheer, as today we greet another summer!
Analemma over the Ukraine
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid, click on title at the beginning of commentary.
06.20.07
Circles
22D Inner Circle This miniature is of circular design, with a central emblem figuring Helios in his chariot. There are several circles surrounding this emblem and all are subdivided into twelve segments. The inner circle has twelve small naked female figures, six light- and six dark-skinned. Outside that are twelve numbers in Greek (henceforth called 'labels'). Outside that twelve clothed male figures representing the twelve months. Outside that are written the month names in Greek (indicating a specific date in the month) and on the very outside of the figure one may see the emblems of the zodiac signs.
-----------------
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Puzzle by Bonnie L. Gentry and Victor Fleming, edited by Will Shortz
Standard crossword puzzle with a gimmick -- 20 of the 225 letter entries are in circles, all of them being the letter “T” -- four of the circled “T”s are in the four corners of the grid and the remaining 16 circled “T”s are in a diamond shape in the center of the grid. It appears the intent was to evoke a draftsman’s T-Square -- the contrivance of outlined letters gives the solver a few extra clues once the circled letter is identified. I am partial to gimmicks in crossword puzzles as their skeleton adds depth to the grid and interest for the solver.
The remainder of the puzzle’s 205 letters include two eleven-letter entries -- INNERCIRCLE (22D Influential group) and AMERINDIANS (10D Iroquois and others). Some of the seven-letter entries include OILWELL (13A Crude structure?), AREAMAP (15A Tourist’s aid), YESISEE (16A “Understood!”), MANLESS (17A Like a band of Amazons), LOCKSIN (55A Commits to, as an interest rate), BUELLER (56A Ferris in film), ALLEARS (60A Intent, as a listener), ALGEBRA (61A Field of unknowns?), and six-plus six-letter words including PALACE (9D Guard’s workplace), PALADE (20D 1974 Medicine Nobelist George _______), ANACIN (21D Bayer alternative), DIONNE (29D Quints’ name), EASYON (30D Hardly strict with) and EVOKED (44D Brought forth).
A slight delight for Wednesday.
-----------------
Further comment on the “T”s at Madness...Crossword and Otherwise.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid, click on title at the beginning of commentary.
06.19.07
A to Z -- Q-less in Academia
Rose Center Planetarium of the American Museum of Natural History, New York City
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Puzzle by John Underwood, edited by Will Shortz
Before any comment on today's puzzle, let me recommend Crossword Nerdity. The mission statement: “Crossnerd is a new journal that I'm bringing into existence for the purpose of tracking where I get stuck on crossword puzzles. I do this in hope of observing patterns in my mistakes (there definitely are some) and then exploiting this data to better myself. Whee hee.” The author of the blog is identified as "Crossnerd" living in Santa Cruz, California.
And, of course, visit Michael, Amy and Linda!
I wanted to get that information right up front, because I know there are different strokes for different folks and this Tuesday’s New York Times crossword puzzle just didn’t do much for me -- but I’m sure there is lots to say about it.
74 defined words and 74 entries, first entry ATOZ (1A The gamut) -- the puzzle has a representative from each letter A to Z except Q. A tinge of academia permeates the air with TERP (40A Maryland collegian), PLANETARIA (59A Sites for stargazers), JOYCE (38A Leopold Bloom’s creator), NORTHAMPTONMA (20A Home of Smith College), WESTPOINTNY (29A Home of the U.S. Military Academy), SOUTHBENDIN (44A Home of Notre Dame), EASTLANSINGMI (52A Home of Michigan State), the last four being birds-of-a-feather entries with "north", "west", "south" and "east".
The remaining 66 defined words and their entries include EXPARTNERS (11D Former lovers, e.g.), EPICUREANS (28D Devotees of fine dining), GAMEKEEPER (18A Wildlife manager), SCOTIAN (34D Nova ____), EMANATE (19D Flow out), around a dozen six-letter entries, a few five-letter entries, a few less than twenty four-letter entries, and about a dozen three-letter. AEON (61A With 64-Across 2005 Charlize Theron title role) sits atop FLUX (64A See 61-Across) to form the name of a film starring Ms. Theron. ONRIO (49A “Blame It ____” [Michael Caine film]) rises from obscurity -- and ALONSO (26D “The Tempest” king) strides along the left wall of the grid awaiting to be blogged by C zar of Shakespeare and the NY Times Crossword Puzzle (last post 04.24.07) -- when his hiatus ENDS (50A Most-cooked parts of roasts).
Favorite in today's puzzle -- EDAMES (6D Mingo player on "Daniel Boone") -- reminded me of his hilarious appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson -- Ames throws a tomahawk into a plywood dummy, and the hatchet lands in the dummy's pelvis.-- view "clip" HERE.
Recommend The NY Sun Crossword Puzzle (M-F) (free on-line puzzle) and its’ blogger extraordinaire Green Genius. Also, consider visits to Crosswords by Ray Hamel and Crossword Bebop.
For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid, click on title at the beginning of commentary.
Rose Center Planetarium of the American Museum of Natural History, New York City
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Puzzle by John Underwood, edited by Will Shortz
Before any comment on today's puzzle, let me recommend Crossword Nerdity. The mission statement: “Crossnerd is a new journal that I'm bringing into existence for the purpose of tracking where I get stuck on crossword puzzles. I do this in hope of observing patterns in my mistakes (there definitely are some) and then exploiting this data to better myself. Whee hee.” The author of the blog is identified as "Crossnerd" living in Santa Cruz, California.
And, of course, visit Michael, Amy and Linda!
I wanted to get that information right up front, because I know there are different strokes for different folks and this Tuesday’s New York Times crossword puzzle just didn’t do much for me -- but I’m sure there is lots to say about it.
74 defined words and 74 entries, first entry ATOZ (1A The gamut) -- the puzzle has a representative from each letter A to Z except Q. A tinge of academia permeates the air with TERP (40A Maryland collegian), PLANETARIA (59A Sites for stargazers), JOYCE (38A Leopold Bloom’s creator), NORTHAMPTONMA (20A Home of Smith College), WESTPOINTNY (29A Home of the U.S. Military Academy), SOUTHBENDIN (44A Home of Notre Dame), EASTLANSINGMI (52A Home of Michigan State), the last four being birds-of-a-feather entries with "north", "west", "south" and "east".
The remaining 66 defined words and their entries include EXPARTNERS (11D Former lovers, e.g.), EPICUREANS (28D Devotees of fine dining), GAMEKEEPER (18A Wildlife manager), SCOTIAN (34D Nova ____), EMANATE (19D Flow out), around a dozen six-letter entries, a few five-letter entries, a few less than twenty four-letter entries, and about a dozen three-letter. AEON (61A With 64-Across 2005 Charlize Theron title role) sits atop FLUX (64A See 61-Across) to form the name of a film starring Ms. Theron. ONRIO (49A “Blame It ____” [Michael Caine film]) rises from obscurity -- and ALONSO (26D “The Tempest” king) strides along the left wall of the grid awaiting to be blogged by C zar of Shakespeare and the NY Times Crossword Puzzle (last post 04.24.07) -- when his hiatus ENDS (50A Most-cooked parts of roasts).
Favorite in today's puzzle -- EDAMES (6D Mingo player on "Daniel Boone") -- reminded me of his hilarious appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson -- Ames throws a tomahawk into a plywood dummy, and the hatchet lands in the dummy's pelvis.-- view "clip" HERE.
Recommend The NY Sun Crossword Puzzle (M-F) (free on-line puzzle) and its’ blogger extraordinaire Green Genius. Also, consider visits to Crosswords by Ray Hamel and Crossword Bebop.
For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid, click on title at the beginning of commentary.
06.18.07
Gone Fishing
Monday, June 18, 2007
Puzzle by Randall J. Hartman, edited by Will Shortz
This is a 78 defined word, 78 entry standard crossword puzzle with a slight air of "gone fishing" -- in the center of the grid, DOONE (29D "Lorna _____")which was a GEMOFTHEOCEAN (48A Columbia, in an old patriotic song) presides over the puzzle perhaps having returned with the necessities for ETOUFFEE (38D Crayfish dish) and CHICKENOFTHESEA (Popular canned tuna) for when the LADYOFTHELAKE (20A She offered Excalibur to the future King Arthur) CATERS (45A Handles the food for the party) seafood served over a BED (47A Quilt locale) of RICE (28D Serving with chop suey).
Of the remaining 70 defined words and their entries, AMAT (7D Amo, amas, ____...) shares this grid with AMASS (33D Accumulate); GREER (32D Garson of "Mrs. Miniver"), NEVE (54D Campbell of "Scream") and MACRAE (25A Grodon of "Oklahoma!') co-star; NAP (55D 40 winks) and SEX (58D Topic for Dr. Ruth) bracket the bottom of the grid. EYRE, ERTE, EARL, EDDY, EROS, ETHIC, EASES, ESSEX, EMU and MRED form a little group of themselves. ORE & BRA, LED & ZED, HMO & EMU, CEO & BED form little crosses on the edge of a grid within the grid, BORN and DIED are both here, along with COME and GONE.
HARD (51D Rocklike) SOLVE (61A Do, as a puzzle), this was not, but ETOUFFEE? -- if I were ever to order crayfish, that's not what I say!
-----------------
For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid, click on title at the beginning of commentary.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Puzzle by Randall J. Hartman, edited by Will Shortz
This is a 78 defined word, 78 entry standard crossword puzzle with a slight air of "gone fishing" -- in the center of the grid, DOONE (29D "Lorna _____")which was a GEMOFTHEOCEAN (48A Columbia, in an old patriotic song) presides over the puzzle perhaps having returned with the necessities for ETOUFFEE (38D Crayfish dish) and CHICKENOFTHESEA (Popular canned tuna) for when the LADYOFTHELAKE (20A She offered Excalibur to the future King Arthur) CATERS (45A Handles the food for the party) seafood served over a BED (47A Quilt locale) of RICE (28D Serving with chop suey).
Of the remaining 70 defined words and their entries, AMAT (7D Amo, amas, ____...) shares this grid with AMASS (33D Accumulate); GREER (32D Garson of "Mrs. Miniver"), NEVE (54D Campbell of "Scream") and MACRAE (25A Grodon of "Oklahoma!') co-star; NAP (55D 40 winks) and SEX (58D Topic for Dr. Ruth) bracket the bottom of the grid. EYRE, ERTE, EARL, EDDY, EROS, ETHIC, EASES, ESSEX, EMU and MRED form a little group of themselves. ORE & BRA, LED & ZED, HMO & EMU, CEO & BED form little crosses on the edge of a grid within the grid, BORN and DIED are both here, along with COME and GONE.
HARD (51D Rocklike) SOLVE (61A Do, as a puzzle), this was not, but ETOUFFEE? -- if I were ever to order crayfish, that's not what I say!
-----------------
For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid, click on title at the beginning of commentary.
06.17.07
Strong Stuff!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Puzzle by Tony Orbach & Patrick Blindauer, edited by Will Shortz
This standard Sunday crossword puzzle has 140 defined “words” and 140 entries with 7 of those “defined words” and their entries alluding to the title of the puzzle "REAR AXLE". Ax the ending letters “L“ and “E“ in one of the words contained in each of the phrase entries, e.g.: “dangle” becomes “dang”, “trickle” becomes “trick”, etc. -- resulting in a play on words of phrases of common usage.
The seven defined words and their entries are: DANGCARROTS (24A Yosemite Sam’s cursing of Bugs Bunny’s food?); TRICKDOWNTHEORY (28A Explanation for why some pillows do weird things?); BREADANDBUTTERPICK (47A Basic food choice?); THETEMPOFDOOM (68A Short-term worker who causes utter disaster?); BOOGIEWOOGIEBUGBOY (86A Jazz-loving young entomologist?); FAMILYSTYDINNER (112A Meal for the Three Little Pigs?); and THEJUNGBOOK (118A Work on analytical psychology?).
The remaining 133 defined words with their strong 133 resulting entries are quite good and of exceptional interest -- The clues for same follow...
Across: 1 Smears; 7 Fells; 11 Looks for help; 15 1954 sci-fi movie with an exclamation point in its title; 19 Arctic wear; 20 “Il mio tesero,” e.g.; 21 1980s fad item; 22 Blood: Prefix;25 That’s a lot to do; 27 Then preceder; 30 Domingo, e.g.; 31 Wash (out); 33 Photo lab abbr.; 34 “Stupid,” in Spanish(!); 35 Armpit, to a doctor; 37 Oscar winner Helen; 39 Psychiatrist’s scheduling; 41 Theological schools: Abbr.; 43 Part of baking powder; 46 Letters from Atlanta; 55 Noontime service; 56 Handi-Wrap alternative 57 Flavor tasted in some wine; 58 Frees; 62 [Knock], in poker; 64 Mile-high world capital; 66 Be the 4 in a 5-4 decision; 67 Natl. Safe Toys and Gifts Mo.; 73 Jackie’s “O”; 74 They’re beside sides; 76 Boat propeller; 77 Singer K.T. ____; 79 Walnut and others; 80 Kind of tape; 83 “Livin’ on ____ time” (lyric in a #1 Don Williams country hit); 85 Lineman’s datum; 90 Bon ___; 93 Imp; 94 Slew; 95 Precipitately; 98 Artificial, in a way; 102 Has-been; 106 Puffball seed; 107 Draft pick?; 109 Puts up; 111 ____Nuevo; 116 Lola, e.g. in “Damn Yankees”; 117 Intrinsically; 118 Work on analytical psychology?; 121 Czech composer Janacek; 122 Stretched out; 123 Sports Illustrated 1998 co-Sportsman of the year; 124 Brown shade; 125 Sea eagle; 126 Abbr. At the bottom of a business letter; 127 Too-too; 128 “Ready to go?”
Down: 1 Too-too; 2 Stuck; 3 Stuntwork?; 4 As a result; 5 Varnish ingredient; 6 Some Jamaican music; 7 Early casino proprietor; 8 Beethoven’s Third; 9 Occult; 10 N. Dak. Neighbor; 11 Do something about; 12 Cover for a grandmother; 13 Hot spot; 14 Put (away); 15 “_____Company”; 16 Pleasure-filled; 17 Boston college; 18 “Gilligan’s Island” castaway; 24 Way to go: Abbr.; 26 ____law; 29 Car famous for its 1950s tailfins; 31 Ran; 32 “Falcon Crest” co-star; 36 Measurers of logical reasoning, for short; 38 Ballpark fig.; 39 “how ya doing’?”; 40 Designer Pucci; 42 Winds; 44 Narc’s agcy.; 45 Bug; 47 “P.S. I Love You” and “Revolution,” e.g.; 48 “Be saved!”; 49 Bet to win and place; 50 “Darn it all!”; 51 Naïf; 52 Coin word; 53 ____girl; 54 Floors; 59 Experimental underwater habitat; 60 “Lucia di Lammermoor” baritone; 61 Like Limburger cheese; 63 Position that’s an anagram appropriately, of “notes”; 65 Providers of cuts; 66 Water seeker; 69 Announcer’s call after three strikes; 70 Numerical prefix; 71 Dance seen on TV’s “Hullabaloo”; 72 Hello ___, shop frequently seen on Letterman; 75 Tease; 78 Certain NCO’s; 80 1953 Wimbledon winner Seixas; 81 Small chuckle; 82 Ran through, as a card; 84 Rearward, at sea; 87 College sir’s test; 88 1980’s “double Fantasy” collaborator; 89 They’re encountered in “close encounters” 90 Lose in one’s drawers; 91 Not oral; 92 James who wrote “Rule, Britannia”; 96 Melodic; 97 “Note to ____…”; 99 Portuguese Mister; 100 Swiss-American composer Bloch; 101 Record keeper?; 103 They do dos; 104 Chant; 105 Ogle; 107 Stuffy spot; 108 Rhone’s capital; 110 French wine classification; 113 Site of Beinecke Library; 114 Digitize, maybe; 115 “____girl!”; 116 Biblical brother; 119 Intelligence grp.; 120 Poet/musician ___ Scott-Heron.
1D and 127A same clue, nice; 15A I remember those big bugs; 19A getting used to this one; 34A is hilarious; 35A it needs a name?; 37A twice 1932 and 1975; 64A Denver won’t fit; 74A cute clue; 76A could be clued so many ways; 79A could be a lot of things; 85A didn’t know; 94A another one with so many meanings; 102A cold, cold!; 107A maybe SSS classification too; 116A should be vamp -- remember “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets’?; 117A Ooo, good one; 128A nice final across clue; 2D fresh clue; 3D tricky one; 4D fair enough; 12D not just your grandmother; 13D a bit corny; 14D wants to be SAVE; 18D Never watched a single episode; 29D the biggest in the business!; 31D wants to be FLED; 39D there’s a better clue for this; 42D lotsa possible answers; 47D who knew?; 48D enthusiastic proselytism; 49D wouldn’t know, never bet; 51D wide open with possibilities; 53D and 115D same clue, different result; 54D could be AWE; 60D like anyone knows; 61D and how!; 63D the best and biggest free-pass give-away clue so far this year!; 65D very tricky; 66D always want the W to be a U, why, I dunno; 69D had YEROUT; 71D never did it, never will; 72D been there, spoke with Rupert, really great guy; 81D or HAH, HEH, TEE, HEE, etc.; 82D now that’s a switch; 89D if you don’t get this on the first shot, turn in your solver license; 90D very risqué!; 91D making up for 90D?; 92D whoever says they commit this stuff to memory needs help; 96D OK; 100D more arcanum; 101D another nice turn; 103D if it’s “dos” and not “DOS” it’s hair; 105D you mean one can’t “look”?; 107D depends on the housekeeping habits; 119D had CIA.
That STINKY (61A Like Limburger cheese)? Strong stuff!
-----------------
For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid, click on title at the beginning of commentary.
06.16.07
ICE
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Puzzle by Joe DiPietro, edited by Will Shortz
Glimmering from the heart of this standard crossword puzzle this late spring day is the dead of a dark winter with SNOWS (1D Does a job on), ICEQUEEN (16A Woman who’s just too cool?), CRONE (55A Grimalkin), DIAMOND (46A Delaware, the _______ State), ACHESFOR (8A Want in the worst way), LOSESTO (25A Falls at the hands of), ATIMETODIE (28D Wicker work), WORMS (19A Fisherman’s supply) and ENDS (14D Breaks off).
However, spring and the positive prevail with SHEARS (1A Landscaper’s aid), ORTEGA (17A Food brand with a sun in its logo), POOLSIDE (56A Where many people may lie), PATIO (34A Kind of furniture), SPA (6D It might let off some steam), LEI (58D Floral offering), and APLUS (39A Perfect), NEXTUP (15A First in line), and a LIEDER (58A Schubert works) on the positive side.
Tests, evidence and ratings are available to determine the outcome, EXHIBITB (61A Further evidence), IQTEST (62A It might ask “What comes next?”), ATOB (48A Slight progress after “from”), TOAT (30D Exactly), ATEMPO (4D Returning to an old beat), SITUATE (7D Place), CUES (20A They may come from the wings), PROVERB (40D Words from the wise), GOAFTER (23A Follow), AIMEDAT (39D Went for), RAREST (45D Least known), EXTRALARGE (3D Like some T-shirts and eggs), and WEEST (9D Minute to the max).
An even 120 defined words (and subsequent entries), include such other groups as monetary with COST (20D Run), EARNER (35A Money maker), CINQ (55D Roulette play) (I know, I know!) and FUND (37Provide money for); scant food with FARINA (37A Breakfast fare), ROUX (52D Sauce thickener), and SUSHIBAR (59A Place to order rolls), not enough to CATER (33A Offer courses for); activities, professions and people with DNA (31A Passed-down strands), SAWHORSE (7A Woodcutter’s aid), THESTAND (18A 1978 Stephen King novel made into a miniseries), EMTS (21A Defibrillator users), LTGEN (38A Three-star officer: Abbr.), LOEWE (Composer Frederick), LEVI (54A Son of Leah), DELL (31D Computer exec Michael), LONI (41D Actress Anderson), ONELS (49D J.D.’s of the future), SIB (57D Brief connection?).
Miscellaneous fare completes the grid with SCENEI (26D Shakespearean opener), LEAPT (27A Acted impulsively), MET (42A Satisfied), IRONORE (44A Turgite or limonite), ARTE (51A Bologna oils), ENSILE (60A Store, in a way), HERON (2D Marsh denizen), RUGS (5D Persians, e.g.), REAM (12D Printer’s amount), SENT (13D Thrilled), GEAR (20D The first one gets you going), ALIBI (47D Out), BERET (50D Uniform part, maybe) and SNAP (22A [Just like that!]), with few places to go -- NATO (32D It has ports in Port.), NEWDELHI (36D Residence of some Indians), ELPASO (24D It’s near Fort Bliss) and HQS (10D Administration ctrs.).
A cold and eclectic crossword and a challenge in any season!
-----------------
Visit Michael, Amy and Linda!
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid, click on title at the beginning of commentary.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Puzzle by Joe DiPietro, edited by Will Shortz
Glimmering from the heart of this standard crossword puzzle this late spring day is the dead of a dark winter with SNOWS (1D Does a job on), ICEQUEEN (16A Woman who’s just too cool?), CRONE (55A Grimalkin), DIAMOND (46A Delaware, the _______ State), ACHESFOR (8A Want in the worst way), LOSESTO (25A Falls at the hands of), ATIMETODIE (28D Wicker work), WORMS (19A Fisherman’s supply) and ENDS (14D Breaks off).
However, spring and the positive prevail with SHEARS (1A Landscaper’s aid), ORTEGA (17A Food brand with a sun in its logo), POOLSIDE (56A Where many people may lie), PATIO (34A Kind of furniture), SPA (6D It might let off some steam), LEI (58D Floral offering), and APLUS (39A Perfect), NEXTUP (15A First in line), and a LIEDER (58A Schubert works) on the positive side.
Tests, evidence and ratings are available to determine the outcome, EXHIBITB (61A Further evidence), IQTEST (62A It might ask “What comes next?”), ATOB (48A Slight progress after “from”), TOAT (30D Exactly), ATEMPO (4D Returning to an old beat), SITUATE (7D Place), CUES (20A They may come from the wings), PROVERB (40D Words from the wise), GOAFTER (23A Follow), AIMEDAT (39D Went for), RAREST (45D Least known), EXTRALARGE (3D Like some T-shirts and eggs), and WEEST (9D Minute to the max).
An even 120 defined words (and subsequent entries), include such other groups as monetary with COST (20D Run), EARNER (35A Money maker), CINQ (55D Roulette play) (I know, I know!) and FUND (37Provide money for); scant food with FARINA (37A Breakfast fare), ROUX (52D Sauce thickener), and SUSHIBAR (59A Place to order rolls), not enough to CATER (33A Offer courses for); activities, professions and people with DNA (31A Passed-down strands), SAWHORSE (7A Woodcutter’s aid), THESTAND (18A 1978 Stephen King novel made into a miniseries), EMTS (21A Defibrillator users), LTGEN (38A Three-star officer: Abbr.), LOEWE (Composer Frederick), LEVI (54A Son of Leah), DELL (31D Computer exec Michael), LONI (41D Actress Anderson), ONELS (49D J.D.’s of the future), SIB (57D Brief connection?).
Miscellaneous fare completes the grid with SCENEI (26D Shakespearean opener), LEAPT (27A Acted impulsively), MET (42A Satisfied), IRONORE (44A Turgite or limonite), ARTE (51A Bologna oils), ENSILE (60A Store, in a way), HERON (2D Marsh denizen), RUGS (5D Persians, e.g.), REAM (12D Printer’s amount), SENT (13D Thrilled), GEAR (20D The first one gets you going), ALIBI (47D Out), BERET (50D Uniform part, maybe) and SNAP (22A [Just like that!]), with few places to go -- NATO (32D It has ports in Port.), NEWDELHI (36D Residence of some Indians), ELPASO (24D It’s near Fort Bliss) and HQS (10D Administration ctrs.).
A cold and eclectic crossword and a challenge in any season!
-----------------
Visit Michael, Amy and Linda!
To go to original post with illustrations and puzzle grid, click on title at the beginning of commentary.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
![ONRIO (49A “Blame It ____” [Michael Caine film])](http://www.lovefilm.com/lovefilm/images/products/5/19055-large.jpg){kind=link}
