11.01.08

Two-Way Street

South Shields, King Street, 1905. Postcard by Raphael Tuck & Sons of London, Town & City Series
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Saturday, November 1, 2008

Puzzle by Donald K. Willing, edited by Will Shortz

Love the fact that The Times is mixing it up a bit, probably much to the consternation of the puzzle police who have determined what all the rules should be now and forever and are likely scampering this way and that unable to direct traffic that won’t follow their commands. Hey, let's take the hum out of ho hum!

This Saturday’s puzzle is an excellent example of the above -- a two-way street! The entries of the fifteen lines across alternate from left to right / right to left, with seven lines winding up backwards to illustrate STEERTS YAW-OWT (35A. Many thoroughfares .. Or what this puzzle’s Across answers consist of?), the central entry of the crossword.

The forward entries -- 1. BLAME; 6. ROD; 9. SAHIB; 17. ALTERNATEROUTES; 23. CAFÉ; 25. SEPAL; 27. TETE; 31. DECREE; 33. RAFER; 39. ARSON; 40. NETHER; 48. LEST; 49. DEPOT; 50. CALM; 55. REVERSEDECISION; 63. SERTA; 64. FDA; 65. ESSEN.

The backwards entries -- 14. EIREA; 16. TPODA; 20. ISPEP; 21. DEW; 22. TAH; 28. ILA; 29. STRAW; 30. NARER; 35. STEERTSYAWOWT; 42. FRACS; 45. NITAL; 47. ELO; 51. AVE; 52. AID; 53. PILUT; 60. ERESI; 61. AIK; 62. TPEDA.

For all of that, the down entries of the puzzle are quite, well -- normal! A few links for some of the clues: 1. Comic actress BEA Lillie; 4. Predecessor of Thomburgh in the cabinet; 6. Person who’s combining; 10. Seller of Squishees on “The Simpsons”; 18. Cranes constructing homes, e.g.; 26. Member of the carrot family; 27. Fool’s place; 36. Unable to hit pitches?; 37. Total alternative; 46. Seat of Shawnee County; 50. Canine features; 59. Staple of Indian cuisine.

Loved it! Well, after all, love is a two-way street!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

For the complete post, go HERE.