Happy Monday, everyone!
Theme: This one's a KEEPer! 
Constructor Micah Sommersmith KEEPS it real by delivering a fun puzzle with the perfect unifier. What's that? You're ready for the themers? KEEP your hat on. Here they are:
20 Across. Precarious plan, metaphorically: HOUSE OF CARDS. When my grandfather babysat us, his go-to tactics were: (1) seeing who could stand on our heads as long as he could and (2) teaching us how to make playing card houses.
Bryan Berg recently set a world record. Check out this 1:16 min. video for the details.
34 Across. Events with sprints and relays: TRACK MEETS. 
40 Across. Corporate executive's perk: COMPANY CAR. This answer was the topic of many comments on last Friday's puzzle.
And the reveal:
54 Across. "I don't need that back," and what can be said about the starts of 20-, 34-, and 40-Across: YOU CAN KEEP IT.
It's hard to KEEP up with all the various constructors so let me point out that Micah is a brilliant lateral thinker. Today's puzzle is a good example. When he says YOU CAN KEEP IT, he is calling upon these idioms:
- KEEP HOUSE ~ do the cleaning and cooking for a household.
- KEEP TRACK ~ stay informed on what is happening to someone or something.
- KEEP COMPANY ~ spend time with someone.
OK, let's KEEP on KEEPing on:
1. Vision-correcting surgical beam: LASER. This can be expensive so one should KEEP an eye out for special deals.
6. Topiarist's target: BUSH. A topiarist is skilled at topiary gardening. This is a 1 min. video visit of the world's oldest topiary garden, located at Leven's Hall, U.K.
50. German pronoun: ICH. In English, it means "I".
51. Smallish batteries: AAs. The -ish and the plural deterred me from size AAA.
57. Anthropomorphic: HUMANLIKE. We see a lot of examples of ascribing human characteristics to nonhuman things in animated films.
65. Double-hyphenated digits, for short: SSNs. 123-45-6789
66. Three-ingredient sweet treat: S'MORE. Want Some MORE S'MOREs? You do not have to wait until you go camping. You can make them in your microwave.
Down:
1. Mythical river of forgetfulness: LETHE. Today I learned that the LETHE is one of the five rivers of the Greek underworld. The other four are Styx (the river of hate), Acheron (the river of pain), Cocytus (the river of lamentation) and Phlegethon (the river of fire). Given those choices, one ticket for LETHE, please!
2. Slugger Judge who was the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year: AARON. We often see this word's homophone, ERIN, but not in a baseball clue. ☘⚾
3. Portly, or porter: STOUT. I liked this fun play on port-ly and port-er!
4. CPR experts: EMTS.
5. Flip, as a property: RESELL. Here is a 5 min. flip video.
6. Slim Jim product: BEEF JERKY.
7. "Semper Fi" military org.: USMC.
9. Porkpie's place, perhaps: HAT RACK. Where else would you put your pulled pork empanada?
33. Country south of Saudi Arabia: YEMEN. Oil accounts for about 60% of Yemen's exports. Scrap iron is next on the list at 6.4%. Saudi Arabia used to be Yemen's top trading partner but now it is China. It receives a little over 30% of Yemen's goods.
36. Kilt wearer, often: SCOT.
37. Occur to: DAWN ON. It DAWNed ON me that this would be a good place to insert a song from Tony Orlando and Dawn. Here is Candida from 1970.
41. Small lumps: NODULES.
46. Units of paper: SHEETS. A ream is 500 sheets.
49. Corrosive compounds: ACIDS. Vinegar ACIDity 101
51. Is __: probably will: APT TO.
52. Broadcast network: AIRER. one that airs a TV show
53. Fixed gaze: STARE. Here's a seasonal one...
54. Crochet need: YARN. I started with "hook". Do we have any crocheters on The Corner?
55. Similar (to): AKIN.
56. Test: EXAM.
57. Consumed: HAD. I HAD chana masala for dinner.
58. Airborne mystery: UFO. The U.S. Air Force coined this term in 1952.
59. Gaping mouth: MAW. This can be a literal mouth or something suggestive of a mouth, like a cave's entrance.
Across:
1. Vision-correcting surgical beam: LASER. This can be expensive so one should KEEP an eye out for special deals.
6. Topiarist's target: BUSH. A topiarist is skilled at topiary gardening. This is a 1 min. video visit of the world's oldest topiary garden, located at Leven's Hall, U.K.
10. No-frills grocer based in Germany: ALDI. There are 2,427 locations in the U.S.
14. Words on a Wonderland cake: EAT ME.
15. "¿Cómo __ usted?": ESTA. "How are you (formal)?" in Spanish
16. Woodwind insert: REED. and 35 Across. Woodwind instruments that need 16-Acrosses: CLARINETS.
15. "¿Cómo __ usted?": ESTA. "How are you (formal)?" in Spanish
16. Woodwind insert: REED. and 35 Across. Woodwind instruments that need 16-Acrosses: CLARINETS.
how to put a REED on a CLARINET (1:45 min.)
17. Moves briskly: TROTS.
18. Symbols like :-) and :-(: EMOTICONS. It's fun that this word's symmetrical partner is 57-Across HUMANLIKE.
18. Symbols like :-) and :-(: EMOTICONS. It's fun that this word's symmetrical partner is 57-Across HUMANLIKE.
An EMOTICON is a sequence of keyboard characters used to illustrate a facial expression/picture/symbol. On the other hand, an emoji is a small image. 😊
22. Sinus MD: ENT.
23. JFK successor: LBJ.
24. Mai __: cocktail: TAI.
25. Poetic sphere: ORB.
28. Many a "Men in Black" character: ALIEN. Men in Black was released in 1997. Sequels came out in 2002, 2012, and 2019. Here is a 2:19 min. clip from Men In Black II, starring Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith ... and many ALIENs.
30. Tissue that covers the iris and pupil: CORNEA. Details about eyeballs give me the heebie-jeebies.
32. Pink Floyd co-founder Barrett: SYD. When my brother was in high school, he asked our parents if he could paint his bedroom door. It had a big ding in it so my parents were impressed that he wanted to make things nicer. They quickly agreed but then were surprised with the final result. It looked like this:
36. Go in one's __: replace: STEAD. Use "in stead" if you mean "standing in for". Use "instead" if you mean "something other than".
22. Sinus MD: ENT.
23. JFK successor: LBJ.
24. Mai __: cocktail: TAI.
 |
| Might I make an exception for MalMan? His puns are the best! |
25. Poetic sphere: ORB.
28. Many a "Men in Black" character: ALIEN. Men in Black was released in 1997. Sequels came out in 2002, 2012, and 2019. Here is a 2:19 min. clip from Men In Black II, starring Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith ... and many ALIENs.
30. Tissue that covers the iris and pupil: CORNEA. Details about eyeballs give me the heebie-jeebies.
32. Pink Floyd co-founder Barrett: SYD. When my brother was in high school, he asked our parents if he could paint his bedroom door. It had a big ding in it so my parents were impressed that he wanted to make things nicer. They quickly agreed but then were surprised with the final result. It looked like this:
 |
| Here is the story of SYD and the band. |
36. Go in one's __: replace: STEAD. Use "in stead" if you mean "standing in for". Use "instead" if you mean "something other than".
Example: Because my friend was busy, I went to the meeting in her stead. She said I should take her car instead of my own.
38. Penn of "Harold & Kumar" films: KAL. These three films star John Cho and Kal Penn as stoner buddies. The first one was Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004). Hand up if you've ever been to a White Castle. I've only been once.
39. Cooks quickly, as tuna: SEARS. SEARed ahi tuna is a popular restaurant dish in Hawaii.
43. On the __: furtively: SLY. "Furtively" means to do something in a quiet and secretive way to avoid being noticed.
44. Punch combo: ONE TWO. This clue/answer combo was my favorite today!
45. Ordinary writing: PROSE.
47. Half a score, or a perfect score: TEN. I liked this clue, too. "Score" can mean "twenty" and it can mean "a number that expresses accomplishment."
48. Doc intended to protect confidentiality: NDA. As it turns out, I recently signed a Non-disclosure Agreement as part of an Appearance Release document. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I was out on my kayak and a film crew asked if they could get some shots of me to possibly use as interstitial footage for a documentary they are making. I can say that the topic is intriguing and that it will be narrated by one of my favorite actors. I imagine it will be a while before it is released. I'll KEEP you posted....
38. Penn of "Harold & Kumar" films: KAL. These three films star John Cho and Kal Penn as stoner buddies. The first one was Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004). Hand up if you've ever been to a White Castle. I've only been once.
39. Cooks quickly, as tuna: SEARS. SEARed ahi tuna is a popular restaurant dish in Hawaii.
 |
| Yes, it is supposed to be that raw on the inside. So 'ono (delicious)! |
43. On the __: furtively: SLY. "Furtively" means to do something in a quiet and secretive way to avoid being noticed.
44. Punch combo: ONE TWO. This clue/answer combo was my favorite today!
45. Ordinary writing: PROSE.
47. Half a score, or a perfect score: TEN. I liked this clue, too. "Score" can mean "twenty" and it can mean "a number that expresses accomplishment."
48. Doc intended to protect confidentiality: NDA. As it turns out, I recently signed a Non-disclosure Agreement as part of an Appearance Release document. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I was out on my kayak and a film crew asked if they could get some shots of me to possibly use as interstitial footage for a documentary they are making. I can say that the topic is intriguing and that it will be narrated by one of my favorite actors. I imagine it will be a while before it is released. I'll KEEP you posted....
50. German pronoun: ICH. In English, it means "I".
 |
| JFK appears twice today. |
51. Smallish batteries: AAs. The -ish and the plural deterred me from size AAA.
57. Anthropomorphic: HUMANLIKE. We see a lot of examples of ascribing human characteristics to nonhuman things in animated films.
Be Our Guest ~ Jerry Orbach as Lumière and Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
60. Over the top: EXTRA. The party hosts went a bit EXTRA in the above presentation.
61. Not close: AFAR.
62. Change to fit in, perhaps: EDIT. This one makes me think both of a fashion adjustment and of a writing change.
63. Spud: TATER. Both are slang for "potato".
64. Elevator direction: DOWN. Such a simple clue, but it works, right?
61. Not close: AFAR.
62. Change to fit in, perhaps: EDIT. This one makes me think both of a fashion adjustment and of a writing change.
63. Spud: TATER. Both are slang for "potato".
64. Elevator direction: DOWN. Such a simple clue, but it works, right?
65. Double-hyphenated digits, for short: SSNs. 123-45-6789
66. Three-ingredient sweet treat: S'MORE. Want Some MORE S'MOREs? You do not have to wait until you go camping. You can make them in your microwave.
Down:
1. Mythical river of forgetfulness: LETHE. Today I learned that the LETHE is one of the five rivers of the Greek underworld. The other four are Styx (the river of hate), Acheron (the river of pain), Cocytus (the river of lamentation) and Phlegethon (the river of fire). Given those choices, one ticket for LETHE, please!
2. Slugger Judge who was the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year: AARON. We often see this word's homophone, ERIN, but not in a baseball clue. ☘⚾
3. Portly, or porter: STOUT. I liked this fun play on port-ly and port-er!
A porter is a dark beer...so is a STOUT.
4. CPR experts: EMTS.
5. Flip, as a property: RESELL. Here is a 5 min. flip video.
6. Slim Jim product: BEEF JERKY.
 |
| ... and know you know! |
7. "Semper Fi" military org.: USMC.
the meaning of Semper Fidelis (1:20 min.)
8. Ferret kin: STOAT. Cue the cute animal pic.
 |
| STOATs eat small rodents as well as bigger mammal prey, including rabbits and squirrels. |
9. Porkpie's place, perhaps: HAT RACK. Where else would you put your pulled pork empanada?
 |
| left: a pork pie right: Buster Keaton sporting his porkpie hat |
10. Pickleball paths: ARCS. 
11. Sign before Virgo: LEO. ...and the only 3-letter sign.
12. TV room: DEN.
13. Employee badges, e.g., for short: IDs.
19. Figures of speech: IDIOMS. See today's reveal for three examples. Others include "KEEP the ball rolling (Don't pause.); KEEP up with the Joneses (Buy things for social status as opposed to need.); and KEEP your nose clean (Stay out of trouble).
21. Memorial bio: OBIT. I always read the OBITs.
25. NBA star with the hit rap album "Shaq Diesel": O'NEAL.
26. Have another go at: RETRY.
27. Chilean sea __: BASS. I Googled this for the blog and ended up Wiki-walking over to this 5 min. video about caring for giant sea BASS--not Chilean sea BASS. I especially liked when they show what a baby giant sea BASS looks like.
28. Change to fit in: ADAPT.
29. Civil rights gp. since 1909: NAACP.
31. Witherspoon of "Walk the Line": REESE. Reese Witherspoon (b. March 22, 1976) won an Oscar for best actress for her performance as June Carter Cash in this biopic about Johnny Cash. This scene stayed with me. I wonder how today's celebrities might respond in a similar situation. (1:32 min.)
12. TV room: DEN.
13. Employee badges, e.g., for short: IDs.
19. Figures of speech: IDIOMS. See today's reveal for three examples. Others include "KEEP the ball rolling (Don't pause.); KEEP up with the Joneses (Buy things for social status as opposed to need.); and KEEP your nose clean (Stay out of trouble).
21. Memorial bio: OBIT. I always read the OBITs.
25. NBA star with the hit rap album "Shaq Diesel": O'NEAL.
26. Have another go at: RETRY.
27. Chilean sea __: BASS. I Googled this for the blog and ended up Wiki-walking over to this 5 min. video about caring for giant sea BASS--not Chilean sea BASS. I especially liked when they show what a baby giant sea BASS looks like.
28. Change to fit in: ADAPT.
29. Civil rights gp. since 1909: NAACP.
31. Witherspoon of "Walk the Line": REESE. Reese Witherspoon (b. March 22, 1976) won an Oscar for best actress for her performance as June Carter Cash in this biopic about Johnny Cash. This scene stayed with me. I wonder how today's celebrities might respond in a similar situation. (1:32 min.)
32. Pebble, e.g.: STONE. and 42-Down. Pebble, e.g.: ROCK.
33. Country south of Saudi Arabia: YEMEN. Oil accounts for about 60% of Yemen's exports. Scrap iron is next on the list at 6.4%. Saudi Arabia used to be Yemen's top trading partner but now it is China. It receives a little over 30% of Yemen's goods.
36. Kilt wearer, often: SCOT.
37. Occur to: DAWN ON. It DAWNed ON me that this would be a good place to insert a song from Tony Orlando and Dawn. Here is Candida from 1970.
41. Small lumps: NODULES.
46. Units of paper: SHEETS. A ream is 500 sheets.
49. Corrosive compounds: ACIDS. Vinegar ACIDity 101
51. Is __: probably will: APT TO.
52. Broadcast network: AIRER. one that airs a TV show
53. Fixed gaze: STARE. Here's a seasonal one...
54. Crochet need: YARN. I started with "hook". Do we have any crocheters on The Corner?
55. Similar (to): AKIN.
56. Test: EXAM.
57. Consumed: HAD. I HAD chana masala for dinner.
58. Airborne mystery: UFO. The U.S. Air Force coined this term in 1952.
59. Gaping mouth: MAW. This can be a literal mouth or something suggestive of a mouth, like a cave's entrance.
Today's completed grid:
That's it for today. You can KEEP the change!
