google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Sunday October 16, 2022 Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Gary's Blog Map

Oct 16, 2022

Sunday October 16, 2022 Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Theme: "Tool Boxes" - Tools are punnily interpreted as a non-tool related:

23A. Perfect some boxing techniques?: NAIL PUNCHES.

25A. Put off repeating some old sayings?: TABLE SAWS.

46A. Broadcast episodes of a Stacy Keach detective series?: AIR HAMMERS.

67A. Clock the Kentucky Colonel?: BELT SANDERS.

90A. Sample Rice Krispies treats?: TRY SQUARES.

112A. Rehearse some comedy routines?: DRILL BITS.

115A. Establish no-fly zones?: BLOCK PLANES.

34D. Record portions of some musical compositions?: TAPE MEASURES.

39D. Humming completely out of tune?: WRECKING BARS.

All theme entries are all in plural form. For consistency and necessity.

I'm not familiar with TRY SQUARES. Probably a fixture in D-Otto, TTP & Splynter's tool box.

Before I forget, last time TTP posted below last month. Turns out he was once indeed a male stripper. Good old days.

Two Truths and a Lie ?

I won 222 games of Wordle in a row.
I was a male stripper.
I taught Dash T how to code with Python. 

 

Across:

1. Old Milwaukee brewer: PABST. We also have 125. Round at the tavern: BEERS.
 

6. Word in a very cold forecast: MINUS.

11. Bank founded in 1865: HSBC. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. Here's their building in Shanghai. The Bund area.


15. Actor Rhames: VING. We had him before.


19. Impressive display: ARRAY.

20. Sukiyaki mushroom: ENOKI. Still sooo pricey.

21. Soap Box Derby state: OHIO.

22. Nevada's __ 51: AREA.

27. __ hour: ELEVENTH.

28. Provides lodging for: BILLETS. Not a word I sue.

29. Actress Falco: EDIE.

30. Role for Sally Struthers on "Gilmore Girls": BABETTE. Dell. 

 

33. Glossy fabric: SATIN.

37. Underground org.?: UMW. United Mine Workers of America.

40. Particularly revealing: TELLTALE. Sign.

42. Whirl: GYRATE.

43. Exchanges: MARTS. Noun "exchanges".

49. Duffer's goal: PAR.

50. "__ there yet?": ARE WE.

51. "Washington Journal" channel: C-SPAN.

52. Michelle of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon": YEOH. Hokkien. Same character as Yang, as in Jerry Yang, Andrew Yang, etc.

53. Will Ferrell holiday film: ELF.

54. Glacial epochs: ICE AGES.

56. Avid reader: BOOKWORM. Like a few on our blog.

59. Anger: MAKE MAD.

60. Advice from PC pros: IT HELP.

63. Song of praise: PAEAN.

66. Currently handling the matter: ON IT.

71. Sheet of paper: PAGE.

72. Discussion group: PANEL.

74. Cuts down to size: ABASES.

75. Landmass divided by the Urals: EURASIA.


77. Less alert: GROGGIER.

80. Pesto ingredient: PINE NUT. Stir-fried corn with pine nuts. Popular dish in northern China.


81. Hailed car: CAB.

83. Fly like an eagle: SOAR.

84. Board: GET ON.

87. Hearing-related: AURAL.

89. Female bear, in Spanish: OSA. Osa panda.

93. Devotion: PIETY.

94. "Wheel of Fortune" category: PHRASE.

96. Unpleasantry: UGLINESS.

99. "Get it?": SEE.

100. __ question: YES NO.

101. Product lines?: SLOGANS.

103. Poetic contraction: 'TWAS.

106. Dating profile category: TURN-ONS. Hell there, Splynter! How's the new job?

108. Problem drivers: ROAD HOGS.

118. Auxiliary: AIDE.

119. __ dixit: IPSE.

120. Wonderland cake words: EAT ME.

121. Peruvian of old: INCAN.

122. Tie up to a pier: MOOR.

123. Airplane assignment: SEAT.

124. Roofs on some Corvettes: T-TOPS.

Down:

1. Window section: PANE.

2. Asian lake depleted by irrigation projects: ARAL.

3. "Captain Marvel" star Larson: BRIE.


4. Balm: SALVE.

5. Used a keyboard: TYPED.

6. Protégé: MENTEE.

7. Yardstick division: INCH.

8. Dramatic form similar to Kabuki: NOH. Literally "skill".

9. Hawaiian strings, for short: UKE.

10. "__-boom-bah!": SIS.

11. Top seller: HOT ITEM.

12. Biblical "will": SHALT.

13. Barbara Kingsolver's "The Poisonwood __": BIBLE.


14. Pitcher Gerrit who was the 2019 MLB leader in strikeouts: COLE. Now with the Yankees.


15. Poughkeepsie campus: VASSAR.

16. Nest egg initials: IRA.

17. Mint: NEW.

18. Fuel for some furnaces: GAS.

24. Textbook chapter: UNIT.

26. Virtual crafts store: ETSY SHOP.

28. Grammy-winning banjoist Fleck: BELA.


30. Insignificant disruption: BLIP.

31. Razor brand: ATRA.

32. German road: BAHN.

35. Underscore alternative: Abbr.: ITAL.

36. Soft ball: NERF.

37. Actress Thurman: UMA.

38. __ Trench: Pacific chasm: MARIANA.

41. Young lady: LASS.

42. Develop: GROW.

44. Stereo component: TWEETER.

45. Clothes line: SEAM.

47. Nearsighted person: MYOPE.

48. Startled cry: EEK.

51. Formally surrender: CEDE.

55. Chitchat: GAB.

56. Nota __: BENE.

57. Sharon who won the 2013 Pulitzer in Poetry: OLDS.



58. Easter Island: RAPA NUI. To the natives. Moai.



59. Messy locks: MOP.

60. "How hard can __?": IT BE.

61. Bygone autocrat: TSAR.

62. Contains: HAS.

64. Perturb: AGITATE.

65. Cultural org.: NEA.

68. Dens: LAIRS.

69. Bridle part: REIN.

70. Phoenix NBAer: SUN.

73. One beyond hope: LOST SOUL.

76. Gather: REAP.

78. "An Inconvenient Truth" narrator Al: GORE. With his girlfriend.



79. The "G" of LGBTQ+: GAY.

80. False front: POSE.

81. Duplicate: COPY.

82. Stadium in Queens: ASHE.

84. Big party: GALA.

85. Sportscaster Andrews: ERIN.

86. Addition column: TENS.

88. Lutefisk-making chemical: LYE. Never had lutefisk.



91. __ hut: QUONSET.



92. Fleece-lined slippers: UGGS.

95. Deer horn: ANTLER.

97. Adds fuel to: STOKES.

98. Cashless deal: SWAP.

101. Take potshots (at): SNIPE.

102. Tons o': LOTSA.

104. Wing it: AD LIB.

105. 2020 Cy Young pitcher Bieber: SHANE. Not Justin.



107. Grand slam quartet, briefly: RBIS.

108. Ottawa-based law gp.: RCMP.

109. Start of many fairy tales: ONCE.

110. Equipment: GEAR.

111. Digits with dashes: SSNS.

112. Three Gorges structure: DAM. Cost over $31 billions.



113. Ipanema's city: RIO.

114. A vow avowal: I DO.

115. Get in a pool: BET.

116. Delt neighbor: LAT.

117. Nebraska native: OTO.


Two extra notes:

1) Happy birthday to CrossEyedDave and Blue Hen! Thanks for the delicious cakes you've baked for our regulars over the years Dave! Hi there, Blue Hen!

 


2) Boomer and I had a quiet week. He called a few close friends about the bad news. Gifted two of his 300 rings to the bowling coaches at Benilde-St. Margaret's. His legs are weaker and weaker, but he's still too stubborn to move the TV upstairs. He really does love his jammed man cave.

37 comments:

  1. Hi Y'all! Thanks, Gary & Amy, for a fun challenge. Thanks, C.C., for all the info. My Prayers continue for you & Boomer.

    Caught the theme early and liked it. Reminded me of my tool-time remodeling years. I used a TRY SQUARE many times. It's an L-shaped flat yardstick-type measurer to see if things are squared up in construction. Very little is square in an old stone house. I ended up building a new house with studs, etc. inside my stone walls to correct this. Liked the results.

    Last to fill. Big trouble area in the puzzle, DNK: VING/VASSAR, HSBC/COLE, BELA/BILLETS/BABETTE.

    ALSO DNK: BRIE, COLE, UMW, PINENUT, SHANE, YEOH, IT HELP, OLDS.

    AUdio before AURAL perped in.

    Happy Birthday to our sweets man CED who also comes up with great funnies. I enjoy your posts. Thanks.

    Happy Birthday, Blue Hen.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy birthday, C-E D! As you are the master “cake-baker” of the group, you may have to come up with your own cake! In which case, I can’t wait to see it! And while I’m don’t know Blue Hen, I wish her a happy birthday, too ! Now, as to the puzzle, there were a number of tools I was unfamiliar with (I’m really not much of a handyman.) I wanted to make “try square “ into trisquare” but that wouldn’t have made sense. Other than that, I didn’t have too much difficulty with this puzzle, although I admit it was slow going at first. Anyway, FIR, so I’m happy.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good morning!

    Had to change my MOCS to UGGS and TRYS SMORES to TRY SQUARES. I've always called it a TRI-SQUARE. There's one in my toolbox. Some of those Moai on RAPA NUI were damaged by arson this past week. (I'm surprised they found anything to burn.) Cute puzzle. Thanx, Gary, Amy, and C.C.

    HBD to C-E-D and BlueHen. Do something fun, guys.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good Morning, Crossword friends. Quick and easy Sunday puzzle.

    Hand up for Audio before Aural.

    The Poisonwood Bible is my favorite Barbara Kingsolver novel.

    I learned just yesterday that wildfires on Easter Island have caused irreparable damage to many of the iconic statues there. The fires are believed to have been deliberately set.

    Interesting to have both URAL and ARAL in the same puzzle.

    Happy Birthday to Blue Hen and Dave.

    Keeping you and Boomer in my prayers, C.C.

    QOD: After a good dinner, one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relations. ~ Oscar Wilde (né Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde, Oct. 16, 1854 ~ Nov. 30, 1900), Irish playwright

    ReplyDelete
  5. FIR. Somehow. Pretty much the same unknowns as PK, but I knew UMW (I am from Eastern Kentucky, after all) PINE NUT (in pesto), IT HELP (I retired from an IT dept), and BILLETS made sense since I now live in a Navy town and they talk about the term as an assignment, which usually means new quarters.

    Erased rotate for the much more sensual GYRATE, beat for BELT SANDERS, side for AIDE, aron for ERIN, and egot for RBIS.

    ROAD HOG: Saw a bumper sticker declaring "If You Don't Like The Way I Drive, Stay Off The Sidewalk!" We also had a preacher who told us that most folks want "the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the middle of the road."

    I converted from heating with fuel oil to natural GAS when Obama volunteered you to help me pay for it. Thanks. My new boiler is 95% efficient, and uses so much of the energy available in the gas for heating that the chimney is made from PVC pipe. The exhaust is only slightly warm to the touch.

    When I was an amateur radio operator, a "young lady" (or YL) was any unmarried woman. A married woman was an XYL, or "ex-young lady", regardless of age.

    Deer have ANTLERS, which are not "deer horns." Antlers are shed yearly, while horns aren't shed. I just watched a show on PBS about that yesterday.

    Thanks to Gary for the fun puzzle that even I was able to bluff my way through. And thanks to CC for the tour, and the Boomer update. I hope his stubbornness buys him a little more time.

    ReplyDelete
  6. TTP. Where are the 'before and after' photos? Any videos of people watching you GYRATE? I noticed the 'construction' technique of the puzzle at NAIL PUNCHES and TABLE SAWS. I FIR NW to SE with the only real trouble at the BABETTE, BIBLE, COLE area after I realized BOARDS wasn't long enough to fill BILLETS.

    ENOKI crossing NOH- two Japanese words intersecting

    VING, YEOH, BABETTE, COLE, OLDS, SHANE- didn't know any of them. Only know of BRIE and BELA from puzzles.
    RAPA NUI had a forest fire this week that damaged many of the figures.

    DRILL BITS- this week I wore out two of them replacing the boards on a 32 year old fence . There were no nails in the old fence- all screws- and it lasted through hurricanes KATRINA, ZETA, IDA, and didn't lose a board. I also had the fence built in a 6" high concrete retaining wall so the neighbors' water wouldn't flood my back yard.

    ROAD HOGS- the way some people drive it's a wonder that they stay alive very long.

    And speaking of construction material, what would a dance at a promiscuous LBGTQ+ be called? A _____BALL.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi there~!

    I agree with D-Otto, in that I would refer to the tool as a "tri" square, but hey, it works for me - I enjoyed today's theme; there's also a "tee" square tool

    I had planned to build a Pipe Organ blog, similar to the old Orthorunics I had for the Corner, but apparently, things have changed in seven years, and I am very rusty....so now I am forced to re-learn how to assemble a page - here's the link to the new blog, which is under construction.

    Here's a pic of me in a hard-hat, working 21ft up in a Lynchburg VA church; it's not the height, but the sudden stop at the bottom....

    And I couldn't resist....

    C.C., thanks for the shout-out; God bless you and Boomer - I have had a similar year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had a Pump Organ. You increased the volume be pushing your knees out as you kept pumping the foot pedals. It's from the late 1800s. My sister took it after my mother(organ and piano teacher l) died. Had it refurbished about 25 years ago.

      Delete
  8. Managed a FIR in a few ticks under a half hour, mainly thanks to the generous perps. DNKs included OLDS, BRIE, BELA (cool name though, BELA Fleck), BABETTE, VING, HSBC, or BIBLE as clued. I like the original name of Easter Island, RAPA NUI has a nice ring to it, and due to the amount of vowels I’m surprised we don’t see it more in CW’s as a 7 letter fill. Had to correct Psalm to PAEAN. I’ve always called a NAIL PUNCH a nail “set”, and a BLOCK PLANE as simple a “plane”. 🤷‍♂️ Very nice collaboration Gary and Amy, thanks for the Sunday fun!

    PK ~ I think what you are referring to is a “framing square”, a try square is a 2 piece 90 degree square, sometimes all metal, sometimes metal and wood, some have an adjustable rule to measure specific distance, and will include a bubble level for plumbing or leveling.

    C.C. ~~ continued prayers for you and Boomer, very nice of him to donate his perfecto rings. Look forward to his write-up tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I don't know why, when I saw the theme "tool boxes," I thought there would be circles...

    DW and I are both on diets, so a whole birthday cake is out of the question.
    However, she did get me a small napoleon for dessert last night, and we are going out to dinner tonight.

    If I were to get a cake, I thought of a few possibilities:

    exhibit A

    Exhibit B might work, if they moved the pupils closer together...

    But, my favorite would have to be exhibit C, but I don't have all the ingredients...

    ReplyDelete
  10. FIR eventually. Took forever to fill 11A, 13D, and 14D, but I finally "saw" it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Musings
    -These puns are always a hoot but BELT SANDERS really tickled me today!
    -I associate PABST with this sport
    -Their “Product line” was: “What’ll ya have? PABST Blue Ribbon”
    -UMA and VING were interesting characters in Pulp Fiction
    -Our constitution’s 3rd amendment says we cannot be forced to BILLET soldiers
    -TELLTALE signs – Leaves are turning, shadows are longer, sun is setting earlier…
    -MINT condition Mickey Mantle cards sell for, uh, a MINT
    -10 strange animals in the MARIANA Trench
    -“Shooting PAR on every hole, how hard can IT BE?”
    -I had a girl in study hall Wednesday who sits alone and has serious hygiene issues. I pulled up a chair and she actually smiled and was so pleased to show me her art work.
    -HBD, Dave.
    -C.C., We appreciate being kept up to date even with the unfortunate news.

    ReplyDelete


  12. Good morning. Thank you, Gary, and thank you, C.C.

    Happy Birthday to Blue Hen and Cross Eyed Dave !

    Breezy Sunday solve. Gary's crosswords are always a delight. BABETTE was the only answer that took any time to work out.

    14. Pitcher Gerrit who was the 2019 MLB leader in strikeouts. The clue could have been edited to read 2022 MLB leader and had the same answer. 2019 was more impressive though. 326 Ks then, and 257 this year to lead the bigs.

    Of course this DIY'er knew all of the tools. I have multiples of each of those tools, except for the TABLE SAW, the BLOCK PLANE and the BELT SANDER. I only have one each of those three.

    I have a drywall T-Square, a framing square, a rafter square, 4 speed squares, 2 combination squares, a machinist's square and a TRY SQUARE.

    Tri square and TRY SQUARE are used interchangeably, but traditionally, it is a TRY SQUARE. To try is to test. It's primary use is to to test (try) the squareness of an edge to a face on a piece of wood using the inside 90 degree angle. A critical test, for example, when edge joining boards together such as for making a table top.

    A machinist's square and a TRY SQUARE appear at a glance to be the same tool, being very similar in physical appearance. However, a machinist's square is much more accurate, with precise markings, and is made entirely of hardened steel. A TRY SQUARE is normally wood and metal and normally without measurement markings. Either can be used to true (square) a table saw blade to the table, or to true a jointer table to its fence, or vice-versa. Ditto for a drill press table and the bed of a circular saw.

    The tool that Yooper Phil mentioned with the adjustable rule is the combination square, also known as a combination try square. It is the most versatile of the woodworker's squares. In framing and construction, it would probably be a tie between the framing and speed square.


    Enough boring info from me.

    C.C. our prayers to Boomer and you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yooper & TTP: Interesting. All I know is my husband called his ancient all-metal L-shaped measurer a TRYSQUARE. He had a tool for everything & could fix anything. That TRYSQUARE had been in his family for at least 3 generations. I used it a lot on the refurbished framing for around windows & doors that I had salvaged from another old house. Also in one room which had been framed with cottonwood which warps & bends in a hundred years. Unbelievable distortions in the ceiling joists.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Really fun theme. Gary Larson never disappoints and his partner Amy Ensz. The last to fill were the Bs, Babette, Bêla, billet; i knew that word just couldn’t make it surface until I got the verticals crossing it.

    When I started college in 1959, our campus was still new enough that some of our buildings were army surplus Quonset huts.

    Happy birthday to crossed eyed Dave and that beautiful dog.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ack!
    Silly me,
    (Always thinking of myself)
    I almost forgot!

    happy birthday Bluehen!



    Re: puzzle theme.
    My tools are scattered all over the house...
    ya wanna know why....?

    ReplyDelete
  16. An oh-so-satisfying puzzle today. A real crossword, not a trivia contest. It was great to see Gary Larson’s name and know we were for an enjoyable treat. But I gush!!
    Loving thoughts to you and Boomer, C.C. Your courage continues to inspire.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you Gary and Amy. I really loved this puzzle, a DIYer's delight. And thank you C.C. for the review and for the pictures of CED and Blue Hen.

    As the Sunday Sun includes a title for the puzzle, getting the theme for this was pretty easy and the consistency of the fill made it very helpful. I'm sure AnonymousDNLC liked it, as all the tools came in their own boxes, no stars, no reveal. The only tool in the ARRAY that I don't have is an AIR HAMMER, although I might just treat myself to a HAMMER DRILL for Christmas.

    Some favs:

    90A TRY SQUARE. I use a combination square like the one TTP mentioned. They're very useful as a jig for cutting dowels and short pieces of stock to the same length with a DOVETAIL SAW. It looks like this..

    My favorite clue was the Sally Struthers role in "Gilmore Girls", which I've never seen. But after a few perps the only female name I could think of was BABETTE, from the magical, truly delicious 1987 film Babette's Feast, based on a short story by Karen Blixen (AKA Isak Dinesen), which I believe can be streamed on Amazon Prime.

    Cheers,
    Bill

    p.s. HBD CED and HBD Blue Hen (beautiful dog BTW). What's your secret? How do you whip up those confections so quickly?

    Hahtoolah @6:19 AM And AURAL.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Super Sunday. Thanks for the fun, Gary and Amy, and C.C. (Continued thoughts and prayers for you and Boomer)
    I solve online on Sundays, and required red-letter help to finish. Same issues as PK. Plus this Canadian did not know VASSAR from that clue.
    But I did see the tools (although I have no clue how to use any of them). Favourite was TABLESAWS.

    I smiled at TAPE MEASURES and the INCH in the yard stick.
    Before I realized it was a themer, I had WRECKING BAsS for “humming completely out of tune”. BARS it was (could have been clued with the PABST and BEER).
    Isn’t advice from PC pros usually “Reboot”?

    I’ll take a CSO with RCMP.

    Splynter- glad you can tolerate those heights. LOL re “ I couldn’t resist”!
    Happy Birthday to CED and Blue Hen

    Wishing you all a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Bill S ~~ yes the tool you linked a pic to is the square I had in mind, rightfully called a “combination square” by TTP, or simply another form of “try square”. Very useful for ripping boards to the desired width, placing the face of the square along the edge, a pencil at the end of the rule and drag from end to end for a consistent cut line. Working all over the country I found that tools are called by different names in different geographical locations. For example, in the Midwest an adjustable wrench is commonly referred to as a “Crescent” wrench (a brand name), in Massachusetts the same wrench is referred to as a “Wescott”, another brand name.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sunday Lurk say...

    Continued best wishes, C.C. & Boomer.

    Happy Birthday, CED. Everyday, you're a hoot. LOL cat in the toolbox.

    Happy Birthday, Bluehen; what's on the menu?

    Thanks for the strange creatures link, HG. Varieties of life is interesting.

    Nice start on the site, Splynter. I can't wait to see more pictures of the organ construction.

    YooperPhil - Not sure if it's regional, but two weeks ago I ran into TrueValue for a punch (I can't find mine - still in a box from the move). It wasn't 'till I said "for setting nails" that he knew what I was talking about. He called it a set.

    Cheers, -T

    ReplyDelete
  21. Delightful Sunday puzzle, many thanks, Gary and Amy. And always appreciate your Sunday commentaries, C.C., and look forward to Boomer's contribution tomorrow. Wish you both a good weekend, and a good week ahead.

    And happy birthday to Dave and Blue Hen!

    When this puzzle started with PABST and ended with BEER, I figured it would have a food (EAT ME) and/or drink theme. But except for a PINE NUT and a bit of ICE, this was a pretty empty TABLE with no HOT ITEMS.

    Then I wondered if it was aimed more at writers, asking us to TELL our TALE in order to appeal to all the BOOK WORMs. But except for an odd PHRASE or so, there wasn't much HELP in this category either. Nor much help for your MENTEE or your AIDE, if you have one.

    Well, this is all making me a bit GROGGIER, so I'd best wish you all a fun Sunday, and a great week ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I liked this puzzle. Allow me to echo Wendybird: "A real crossword, not a trivia contest. It was great to see Gary Larson’s name and know we were for an enjoyable treat." I did draw a total blank at the letter crossing HSB- and -OLE, but took a WAG that the gentleman's name would likely be COLE. The clock did not stop; the puzzle was not complete! So, I thought, his name is not COLE, so I did an alphabet run. No answer worked. So then I thought there must be a mistake somewhere else in the puzzle. Sure enough, after a search, I found I had made a mistake and filled UGLINESS as UGLINSSS. Dang. Fixed it, and then that C for COLE and HSBC worked and the puzzle was solved. I still had absolutely no idea what HSBC was, though, until reading CC's recap. So now I'll bandage up that hole I shot in my foot and move on.

    Best wishes to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Edward in LA:
    I had a SLIP when I should have BLIP

    60D…very

    ReplyDelete
  24. Happy birthday plaudits to CrossEyedDave and Blue Hen.

    And yeah, I put in REBOOT.

    ReplyDelete
  25. To our striptease artist,
    We used to enjoy the physiques and moves of young men at Chippendales back in the day!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hola!
    Happy birthday Blue Hen and CEDave! I hope you are each celebrating.

    C.C. what a generous act for Boomer to do.

    As usual on Sunday, I started the puzzle early this morning then finished after church and after eating breakfast. It was a smooth solve without problems. I knew PABST since it is one of those old brands that I'm familiar with.

    BABETTE is unfamiliar to me but it perped easily enough and since I watch ET (Entertainment tonight) VING is familiar though I've not seen him in any movie. Like waseeley, I know BABETTE'S Feast.

    Michelle YEOH is also well known and I believe she is in the movie, Crazy, Rich Asians, too.

    As for TOOLS most of those are alien to me though I still have my late DH's tool box. It's small so has only basic tools, hammers, pliers, drill and a few others.

    Interesting to see AGITATE and GYRATE in the puzzle.

    The Poisonwood BIBLE is so fascinating I have read it three times. In fact, I like all of Barbara Kingsolver's books.

    That is so tragic about the vandalism at RAPA NUI. I had not heard that. I'm surprised Alexa did not tell me. She keeps me apprised of current events!

    I hope you are all having a wonderful day today!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks to Gary and Amy for a fun puzzle! The tool words were a big help. I FIW at 118A with sIDE instead of AIDE and forgot to check it with 112D. Gut WRENCH-ing...but I have no AXE to grind. It's all good.
    FAV: additional column
    Happy b-day CED! Your pics made me laugh!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I didn't do the puzzle, instead came to the write-up. Thanks for the effort, Gary and Amy. Thanks for the write-up, C.C.

    I knew most of the tools, even though all I use are pliers, screwdrivers and hammers. Humorous theme!

    I really enjoyed The Poisonwood Bible but it was several years ago and I don't remember anything about it. I'll have to read it again.

    Happy Birthday to CED and Redhen!

    There's a car repair place near me that puts up something of interest on their sign every week, usually something punny. This week's sign is "My three favorite things are eating my children and not using commas!"

    I'll see myself out. Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I questioned the unknown fill at COLE and HSBC but my WAG was right. However, I slipped up and got a FIW after all, leaving cirus where MINUS belonged. Next time, better proofreading, please!

    Thanks for the puzzle, Gary and Amy. I got the theme fine and enjoyed the puzzle.

    Thanks, C.C., for reviewing the puzzle and your Boomer update. My thoughts are with you.

    Happy Birthdays to CED and Blue Hen. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am a long time "lurker" I guess. Several years ago just started doing crossword puzzles, starting with LAT. Compelled today to send very best regards to Boomer and C.C.
    You are on a difficult journey, made all the easier by those who love you. As the folks on this blog demonstrate. May you bask in that love. Linda W.

    ReplyDelete
  31. C.C., do you have Hospice Care available? The Hospice nurses are wonderful especially during those waning days. You will need a rest once in a while and they pick up the slack.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Pat, thanks for sharing that "eating children" sign. Very funny.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Male stripper? I told the tale of the lady or the boss? I'm still trying to come up with two implausible truths*. 1800 was one but I can't remember the rest.

    HSBC is familiar but VING must have been another xword

    BILLET is actually very common but perhaps in a different milieu. I was BILLETED in a QUONSET Hut at OCS
    UMW, Clever clue

    There was a book published in the 70s called The ?? Bible. Anybody recall it? Very long

    COLE was pitching tonight trying to save the Yankees season. Btw, who won the 18 inning Astros game? Fln, interesting that in the game referenced the Astros were in the National League

    Yes, the baseball was obscure although both are in the Postseason

    Gary, that Ezzard Charles bout. Year is not given but I'd guess 1951. Charles also fought Rocky

    There's the secret to the new latimes xwords: watch ET faithfully
    My Doctor for awhile in Sun City was Babette ?

    I insist on buying Sunday TBTIMES and had dinner and got back at ten. Xword didn't take long but blog took forever because each link takes me Cheers clips etc

    WC

    * Not to speak of a lie

    ReplyDelete
  34. WC - Astros pulled it out 1-0 w/ a HR in the top of the 18th for the sweep.
    Tonight, Cole went 110 pitches to keep Cleveland down. It's back to NYC on Tuesday to see who the 'Stros face on Wednesday. Either way the Guardians/Yankees game goes - they're going to be tired and Houston fresh. My fingers are crossed ;-)

    Cheers, -T

    ReplyDelete
  35. I, too, got caught out by TRI vs TRY, but eventually FIR; took a while, but good fun for us Tool Time types (btw, is this G.Larson one & the same as the Far Side guy? Doubtful but I had to ask…)

    Best to Boomer, I’ve been following along and admire his fortitude. 🙏🏼

    Darren — L.A.

    ReplyDelete

For custom-made birthday, anniversary or special occasion puzzles from C.C., please email crosswordc@gmail.com

Her book "Sip & Solve Easy Mini Crosswords" is available on Amazon.

Please click on Comments Section Abbrs for some blog-specific terms.

Please limit your posts to 5 per day and cap each post length at about 20 lines in Preview mode.

No politics, no religion and no personal attacks.