Theme: "Say It Again"- An homophone is added to each common phrase.
86. Ransack the Grand Ole Opry?: STEAL STEEL GUITARS.
102. Money made by one with a Messiah complex?: FALSE PROPHET PROFIT.
117. Excited cry when Alabama pulled even in the big game?: CRIMSON TIDE TIED.
Across:
1. Milk option: SKIM. Whole milk for Boomer now.
5. Organs with the smallest bones in the body: EARS.
9. Escapade: ANTIC.
14. Good point: ASSET.
19. __ Domini: ANNO.
20. Grad: ALUM.
21. Old-timey truth: SOOTH. Now we only use "soothe".
22. "You win!": UNCLE.
26. Word repeated in a Culture Club song: KARMA. Karma, karma, karma, karma, karma chameleon.
27. Halvah flavor: SESAME. Never had halvah.
28. Letters before a handle: AKA.
29. Type of lift: T BAR.
31. Glance: PEEK.
37. City east of Pittsburgh: ALTOONA.
40. Force on Earth: ONE G.
41. Spotted: SEEN.
42. Vientiane language: LAO. Meaning "old" in Chinese.
43. Chemical relative: ISOMER.
47. Lawmaking bodies: SENATES.
56. "__ been thinking ... ": I'VE.
57. "Wreck-It Ralph" setting: ARCADE.
58. Museum hanging: OIL.
59. Not 'neath: O'ER.
60. Supermodel with a Global Chic collection on HSN: IMAN.
61. "We need help!": SAVE US.
63. Like Roy Haylock as Bianca Del Rio: IN DRAG.
66. Change: AMEND.
71. Walks in the shallows: WADES.
74. Miley Cyrus's "Party in __": THE USA.
75. Fuel rating: OCTANE.
78. Flaps: ADOS.
79. See 95-Across: TEA. 95. With 79-Across, drink with tapioca pearls: BOBA. Those are the tapioca pearls at the bottom. Very chewy.
80. Nutrition fig.: RDA. Recommended Dietary Allowances.
83. Check out, in a way: RING UP.
85. Convent resident: NUN.
91. Grow resentful: GET SORE.
93. Saudi __: ARABIA.
94. Apple platform: IOS.
96. Running wear?: HOSE. It runs.
98. Highest: TOPMOST.
108. MLB family name: ALOU.
109. Wine from Douro: PORT. The Douro Valley, birthplace of Port wine. Learning moment for me.
110. Rio maker: KIA.
111. Reached by plane: FLEW TO.
115. Moved to a better fishing spot, maybe: ROWED.
121. Sound from a steeple: CHIME.
122. __ butter: COCOA.
123. Weymouth of Talking Heads: TINA.
124. Nick at __: NITE.
125. All gone: EATEN.
126. Director Welles: ORSON.
127. "The Addams Family" adjective: OOKY.
128. Grows old: AGES.
Down:
2. Meniscus location: KNEE.
3. Country lodgings: INNS.
4. European microstate led by Prince Albert II: MONACO. Son of Grace Kelly.
5. Enter with caution: EASE IN.
6. Chamonix backdrop: ALP.
7. Sub-suburban: RURAL.
8. Great __ Mountains: SMOKY.
9. Snake also known as Naja haje: ASP. New clue.
10. Neither's partner: NOR.
11. Play the recorder, perhaps: TOOTLE.
12. "Brace yourself for heavy news": IT'S BIG.
13. Inexpensive: CHEAP.
14. Puffin kin: AUK.
15. Podded plant: SNAP PEA.
16. Hours reduced by unplugging: SCREEN TIME. And its symmetrical partner: 73. "This is your only chance": DON'T BLOW IT. Brilliant fill.
17. Composer Bernstein: ELMER. Wikipedia says he's not related to Leonard Bernstein.
18. Tropical hardwoods: TEAKS.
24. "If u ask me": IMHO.
25. __ fly: SAC.
30. Hem over, say: RESEW.
33. Secular: LAIC.
34. Breaks up a plot, say: HOES.
35. Memo header: IN RE.
36. Hutches: PENS.
37. "M*A*S*H" star: ALDA.
38. Hideouts: LAIRS.
39. "Vissi d'arte" opera: TOSCA. 66. When "Vissi d'arte" is sung in 39-Down: ACT II.
44. Sign for a packed house: SRO. Standing Room Only.
45. French affirmative: OUI.
46. Surroundings: MILIEU.
47. "Groo the Wanderer" cartoonist Aragonés: SERGIO. Another learning moment.
48. __ Rachel Wood of "Westworld": EVAN.
49. Text command: SEND.
51. Forces that act on water?: NAVIES.
52. Perfect places: EDENS.
53. "The Walking Dead" actor Steven: YEUN. South Korean-born.
54. Pineapple center: CORE.
55. "You __ what you sow": REAP.
60. "Let me clarify ... ": I MEANT.
62. Small sofa: SETTEE.
64. "Illmatic" rapper: NAS.
65. Takoma Park, Md., region: DC AREA.
68. Seehorn of "Better Call Saul": RHEA.
69. Sound from a steeple: PEAL.
70. Beige hue: ECRU.
71. Fashion designer Vera: WANG. Can you believe she's 73 years old?
72. Together, musically: ADUE.
76. Mystery writer Marsh: NGAIO. Quite a few names in Down slots.
77. Irish capital: EUROS.
81. Interior Secretary Haaland: DEB.
82. Mahershala of "Green Book": ALI.
84. "Wanna know a secret?": PSST.
86. Drink brand with a lizard logo: SOBE.
87. Maria von __: TRAPP.
88. Window part: SASH.
89. Shady one?: TREE.
90. Persian in Mexico, e.g.: GATO. Fun clue. Cat.
92. "Get over it": SO SUE ME.
96. "Get Out" genre: HORROR.
97. Fiber __: OPTICS.
99. Ineffective period: OFF DAY.
100. Stack: PILE.
101. Ital. peak: MT ETNA.
102. Screwball comedy: FARCE.
103. Hilo hello: ALOHA.
104. Celebrity chef DiSpirito: ROCCO. No idea.
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105. MMA call: TKO.
106. Piebald horse: PINTO.
107. 1:1, for one: RATIO.
112. "Wonder Woman 1984" actress Kristen: WIIG.
113. French noodle: TETE.
114. Words of appreciation: ODES.
116. Sofa bed site: DEN.
118. Stock quote?: MOO.
119. __ Francisco: SAN.
120. Tats: INK.
Two extra notes:
1) Belated "Happy Birthday" to dear Jayce (John), who turned 81 years old yesterday. Did you do anything special, Jayce?
 |
| Jayce and his wife on their wedding day |
2) Boomer's PSA soared to 1,000+, so the latest oral chemo just did not work for him. The doctor has stopped the cancer treatment and said Boomer only had a few months to live. I've been consumed by this profound sadness and hopelessness.
C.C.
36 comments:
There were some proper names I didn’t know, but they were all either well-known or easily perped. And the gimmick was obvious from the start, so that helped me solve the puzzle. FIR, so I’m happy.
C.C ~~ very saddened to hear of Boomer’s prognosis as I feel I’ve come to know him as a friend on the Corner, his Monday blogs are always a reflection of his sparkling personality. Will keep you in my prayers, Godspeed to you and Boomer.
YooperPhil,
Thank you!
Sumdaze,
Can you email me crosswordc@gmail.com?
Good morning!
Very sorry to hear Boomer's diagnosis, though we knew this day was coming. You are both in my thoughts as you struggle through this.
This cw was a struggle, but never reached Natick proportions. The train came into the station ahead of schedule, and the dreaded DNF was avoided. The theme was cute; no reveal required. Thanx for the diversion, Katie and C.C.
RURAL: Our little town was very rural when we moved here, but the new development will almost double the population. We'll probably need a traffic light or two before it's all over.
FIW, missing TRiPP x BOBi.
THE USA, because "in my pants" wouldn't fit.
OCTANE, because "cetane" wouldn't fit.
I liked this puzzle, despite the unknowns and my FIW. Perps provided a lot of "guessable" clues, like ACT II (couldn't be act vi), and stock fills made easy going of clues like Naja haje. Could have just as easily been "three-letter snake".
Thanks to Katie for the fun but challenging puzzle, and to CC for the tour. I am so sad to hear that the last resort treatments didn't work for Boomer. Like Phil, I think of him as a crossword friend, even though we've never met in person.
D-O, when I was little, a small community across the Big Sandy River from my grandmother's house needed a stop light. I guess they got the bargain basement one, because it only had two bulbs. The top bulb showed red for north-south traffic and green for east-west traffic. The bottom bulb showed green for north-south traffic and red for east-west traffic. In lieu of a yellow light, both bulbs would light up when the light cycle was changing. I'm sure DOT forced them to change it, but it seemed to work fine for my entire ute in that sleepy little town.
Our town has always been rural -- we have only one 4-way-stop intersection and so far, no traffic lights.
FIR, but too many proper names for my liking. The perps saved the day.
Musings
-Obscure names had fair crossings
-TIED fill reminded me of Makaila’s “High tied activity/ROPE COURSE” from yesterday
-SOOTH made sense when forsooth hit me
-KARMA chameleon is now my earworm du jour
-Zhoquin, AKA C.C. :-)
-Disney’s Tower Of Terror allows you to feel 3.25 seconds of ZERO G
-SENATES – Why do they “debate” for hours when everybody just votes the party line anyway
-I was today’s year’s old when I looked up how to pronounce the city of Chamonix – shaa muh NEE
-IT’S BIG – Thursday, Joann told me over the phone that our friend Ben Sasse is leaving the SENATE
-DON’T BLOW IT – Many field goal kickers will get a chance to win a game today with time running out maybe because his QB had an OFF DAY
-You REAP what you sow – Not true in some fields after this dry summer
-Words can’t describe the sadness I feel for C.C. and Boomer.
I do not know CC or Boomer personally, but they have been such a part of my CW journey that when I read CC’s note this morning I could not keep tears out of my eyes. You are both in my thoughts. In French I would say “courage!”.
I loved the theme. Lots of fun. Several unknowns but perps and wags helped. FIR.
Finding the escapee? THE HOUND'S NOSE KNOWS.
Good morning. Well in spite of all the clues for unknowns it was an easy fill today. I caught my misspelling of CHILI as CHILE and had a few INK blots changing IT'S BAD to IT'S BIG to get ONE G.
YEUN, IN DRAG, EVAN, SOOTH, ROCCO, RHEA, NGAIO, WIIG, TINA, SERGIO, and DEB unknowns filled by perps but Katie and Patti had solid perps that let me fill them easily. But I agree with KS about the props.
TOSCA was a WAG.
I'd heard of BUBBLE TEA but not BOBA.
OARED before ROWED and TALLEST Became TOPMOST.
Hola!
C.C., how incredibly sad for you especially but also for me and all of us here in the crossword community. I am so, so sorry to hear that news. It reminds me of when I received that same news about my late DH. All the way home I sobbed and could not stop. I shall offer my prayers for Boomer and you. Please do keep us apprised of his progress even if it's downward. I believe in miracles and in the strength of the human spirit to survive.
The puzzle proved to be the usual Sunday slog but nothing that could not be solved. As always I enjoyed the puns. I believe CHILLYCHILIPEPPERS was my favorite.
It's a sorrowful day for us here and I can't think of anything cheerful to change that. OOKY brought a slight smile for me. CHIME and PEAL rang a bell.
It's not often we get MT. ETNA. Usually it's just ETNA.
Have a nice day, anyway, everyone! Every day is a gift!
Oh my goodness, what sad and worrisome news about Boomer. Thank you for sharing it, brave C.C.
But like Lucina, I'm going to intensify my prayers and keep hope up for more and better time for you both. You'll be in all our hearts.
Tough, but fun, Sunday puzzle for me. Thank you, Katie, and welcome to the Corner.
Have a good day, and a good week coming up, everybody.
C.C. and Boomer, Jack and I are so sorry to hear the devastating news. I hope you feel the love and support of this CW community as you go through this very tough time. You both are an inspiration.
C.C., I'm so sorry. God be with you both. The two of you are amazing.
Boomer and CC Oh, my. I am very sorry to hear this scary news. I have been in awe of Boomer's positive attitude to keep carrying on with life and making the most of it. I am still hoping for and wishing the best.
Fun and well-constructed theme. Spoiled a bit by way too many proper names. Is this refrain getting old? FIW with DINNER CRUISE CREWS. The crosses were really no help and DINNER made more sense than DISNEY.
I remember KARMA CHAMELEON when I was a grad student. Which is a good chance to share...
Here were privileged to watch a CHAMELEON being fed at the Peyrieras Reserve in Madagascar.
From Yesterday and Earlier:
CanadianEh I forgot to thank you and reply regarding your link to the "SHOE protectors" meant to replace TOTES. Yes, what TOTES had was far more useful. They covered the entire shoe and on up to the ankle. Allowing one to WADE through puddles. Those "SHOE protectors" don't seem to provide much protection.
Also... I sent you a couple of emails, but I don't think you ever saw them.
Wilbur Charles Thank you for the kind words about my MD-PHD niece Hannah. Unfortunately, she is on an indefinite hiatus now with some unknown medical problem.
Your WiFi and TV problems seem quite unacceptable if you can't even watch a short video. A friend has recommended T Mobile for good Internet service via a hotspot at a lower cost than other services. Our neighborhood is not served by them, but you may actually have better service in a remote area. You definitely need to find a better solution.
C.C and Boomer –
I’m so very sorry to hear about Boomer’s prognosis. I pray that you both can find some healing and peace of mind during such a difficult time. All of us here send our love.
I've never met Boomer, but anyone who likes crosswords and bowling like I do would be my friend. Godspeed Boomer. You guys contact your local hospice right away. They are wonderful and very helpful in times like you'd facing.
Sunday Lurk say...
C.C. & Boomer - God Speed. This will be rough but you will have both IRL & Corner friends here for you.
My only advice - laugh. You know what it is and there's humor that you can share.
When FIL was given his terminal diagnosis, he got joy from me offering a Scotch, "It can't hurt now...." MIL was most amused.
Even at the hospital, I put Scotch on a Q-Tip and swab'd his lips; his eyes smiled.
//Scotch was always an inside joke 'cuz it was so 'fancy' for us.
Loving feelings to you two.
-T
My first visit to the Corner was a Monday with Boomer at the helm. I've been a fan ever since. Prayers for peace in both your hearts.
Katie's homophone-themed puzzle was just right for my Sunday afternoon.
FAVs: Persian in Mexico, Stock quote?, and Hours reduced by unplugging
Picard: Great chameleon pic!!
My late husband had his prostate removed which bought him some time and relief from Ca. You both have brought me joy through the Corner and I am praying for you both.
Sending you fondness, friendship, and good wishes, Boomer and C.C. That is good advice from Acesaroundagain: contact your local hospice right away. Having hospice care was of immense help to our son when he was "nursing" his wife in her final months.
Thanks for remembering my birthday and for the "Happy Birthday" greeting. What was special to us yesterday was a wonderful hour-long telephone conversation with our granddaughter.
As for the puzzle, I liked the "Say It Again" gimmick and the two brilliant down fills C.C. pointed out: SCREEN TIME and DON'T BLOW IT. I found the rest of the puzzle to be, apart from the overly many proper names, pretty ordinary.
Good wishes to you all.
Hello fellow bloggers. I've been lurking on the sidelines for many years. I felt the need to share my sorrow to C.C. & Boomer. Both of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I, like others here, do not know Boomer personally, but feel a real connection, he will be missed more than I can express.
CC There are no words I can put up here to comfort either of you. Please try accept as many good days as there is left and remember how many are here to help provide comfort in the days ahead. There is one other item you should be aware of and that is to look for that one day of clarity that seems to come to the patient just before the end, I treasure the one I had with my dad. Love and care (The Whoo)
Happy birthday to Jayce
Fun & Fast day with the puzzle
Having you share with everyone on the blog even though I knew what was going on made it seem that more real - Cyberhugs to you and Boomer
I agree laughter is the best medicine - everyone has something they like to watch that tickles their funny bone whether it is Hogan's Heroes or 3 Stooges or Carol Burnett- Hope/Crosby on the Road to Rio or ??? Those endorphins work wonderfully.
Slow going, NE needed some inkovers with KARMA,ASSET and UNCLE. Clever
OK, Why the Natick on IMAN / EVAN. The former needn't be a person, the latter had other choices. A true Natick but I FIW (c below)
OOKY? INK was obvious but didn't register
YEUN was perpable
Sorry to hear about the prognosis. Boomer will be missed here and by many others.
Hbd Jayce
WC
Boy Wonder
I have been a lurker for a long time(at least as far back as when Splinter blogged Saturdays)and have felt the strong community that C.C. has created and in many ways I feel a kinship to all of you. I have followed Boomer's posts and C.C.s updates and hoped for the best. This is heartbreaking news and I am fighting back tears while I type this. I know Boomer won't give up(he is a Twins and Vikings fan after all) but I hope the two of you spend as much quality time as you can together for as long as you can. As Lucina said, "every day is a gift" and you may as well open as many as you can. If that means someone else summing up Monday and Sunday I'm sure the corner would either find someone to fill in or do without a recap those days. I'm not a religious person, but I do believe miracles can happen, and I know many people on this site are praying for one. May you find strength in each other. Love to you both!
Jayce is right about contacting hospice as soon as possible. After we ran out of all the "Maybe This Will Work" drugs, and my wife was just flattened down, hospice showed up, took care, eased the stress for me as well, and was marvelous ... especially at that horrid 4 am call.
C.C.
After mulling about this for most of the day, my heart is breaking for you and Boomer. If you haven't already, notifying Hospice is a very good idea. Those nurses are trained for that kind of situation and will be helpful in many ways.
I am sending love for both of you.
Very late to the blog from Sunday. C.C. such devastating news about Boomer. Such a bright spirit in that man. All we can do is surround you both with our love and prayers and hope it lessens some of his & your pain.
Jayce, Happy Birthday belatedly.
I was going to express my enjoyment doing this Sunday's puzzle but, reading today's comments made me realize that the solver community is a strong and supportive group. I join with the rest of you in your sad but hopeful sentiments today!
Thanks for the comfort, everyone. You make us feel loved and special. We're going to meet with the VA hospice care team soon.
Sobbing at my breakfast table as I read of Boomer’s news. I continue to hold you in my prayers.
Justin, I enjoyed your puzzle this morning but FIW due to misspelling DJIBOUTI. Also had the same problem others had with LLOSA, but my WAG there was right. This follows a Sunday FIW and a Saturday DNF so there is lots of room for improvement this week!
FLN
I was so sorry to hear your update on Boomer's treatment since I had hoped for better news, C.C. My heart goes out to you both during this difficult time. Believe me, you and Boomer are loved and special to all your readers!
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