Theme: "Wine Pairings"
23A. Very dangerous red?: MORTAL ZINFANDEL.
37A. Wine on tap?: DRAFT BORDEAUX.
60A. Sequel to Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath"?: CANNERY ROSE.
73A. Hangover caused by wine?: MAL DE MERLOT.
95A. Wax eloquent about some wine?: HAIL A CABERNET.
114A. Wine that's good for one's bones?: SKELETON CHIANTI.
16D. Wine that comes in tiny bottles?: PEEWEE RIESLING.
47D. Tale about one Corleone's love of fortified wine?: SONNY AND SHERRY.
No write up today. Please go to the Comments section if you have any questions.
Across:
1. Asparagus piece: SPEAR.
6. For the ages: EPIC.
10. Open pages in a browser: TABS.
14. Channel with Supreme Court coverage: C SPAN.
19. Childish comeback: ARE SO.
20. Biblical wedding location: CANA.
21. Writer's block cure: IDEA.
22. Troubling signs: OMENS.
26. Vatican City masterpiece: PIETA.
27. First novel in Cather's "Great Plains" trilogy: O PIONEERS.
28. Coral formation: REEF.
29. How one must win in volleyball: BY TWO.
30. Violinist Leopold: AUER.
31. "Te __": Rihanna song: AMO.
32. "Just watch me!": I CAN TOO.
34. Email folder: SENT.
36. "Invisibilia" airer: NPR.
40. Look at: EYE.
41. Actor Mendelsohn: BEN.
42. Datebook col.: FRI.
43. Painting, cinema, ballet, etc.: ART FORMS.
45. Have: POSSESS.
49. Formal talk: ADDRESS.
53. __ setter: IRISH.
54. Steer clear of: AVOID.
55. Kimono sash: OBI.
57. Proverb ending?: IAL.
58. Game that begins with the murder of Mr. Boddy: CLUE.
59. Remains unsettled: PENDS.
64. Moo __ pork: SHU.
67. "Rule, Britannia" composer: ARNE.
68. Outlaw: BAN.
69. Snacked on: ATE.
70. French assent: OUI.
71. Tavern quaffs: ALES.
72. Trough spot: STY.
76. Like gymnasts: AGILE.
77. Gobi locale: ASIA.
79. A pop: PER.
80. At the stern: AFT.
81. More rational: SANER.
82. Become frantic: PANIC.
84. Stockpiled: AMASSED.
87. Delegates, as duties: ASSIGNS.
89. Endangered Himalayan mammal: RED PANDA.
91. Rain-__ gum: BLO.
93. Coop resident: HEN.
94. Tax agcy.: IRS.
100. Sunblock letters: SPF.
103. Mineral hardness scale: MOHS.
105. Forensic facilities: DNA LABS.
106. Stretch the truth: LIE.
107. Actress Polo: TERI.
108. 1965 march site: SELMA.
110. Little brook: RILL.
111. __ section: CAESAREAN.
113. Skylit courtyards: ATRIA.
116. Nested supermarket rollers: CARTS.
117. "Red Clocks" novelist Zumas: LENI.
118. Connection point: NODE.
119. Teeny pests: MITES.
120. Private rendezvous: TRYST.
121. Dermatology concern: CYST.
122. Boxing ref's decisions: TKOS.
123. Wade noisily: SLOSH.
Down:
2. Keep from falling: PROP UP.
3. More ghoulish: EERIER.
4. Mary of "The Maltese Falcon": ASTOR.
5. Dappled horse: ROAN.
6. Dermatology concern: ECZEMA.
7. Create couples: PAIR OFF.
8. Cozy retreats: INNS.
9. Half-__: latte spec: CAF.
10. Unfortunate quality in a karaoke singer: TIN EAR.
11. Arithmetic figure: ADDEND.
12. Meat-flavored broths: BEEF TEAS.
13. Kid-lit girl with a blueberry pail: SAL.
14. __ and paste: COPY.
15. "In the Heights" actor Jimmy: SMITS.
17. Lost and found, e.g.: ANTONYMS.
18. Govt. cybersecurity monitor: NSA.
24. Picks up: LEARNS.
25. With the bow, in music: ARCO.
29. Ring event: BOUT.
32. Footnote kin of op. cit.: IBID.
33. Couple in a boat: OARS.
35. Radio host John: TESH.
37. Acts: DEEDS.
38. Get in shape: TRAIN.
39. Case for Mulder and Scully: X FILE.
41. Back of a hit 45 record: B SIDE.
44. Tulsa sch.: ORU.
45. Family guys: PAPAS.
46. In plain view: OVERT.
48. L.A.'s region: SOCAL.
50. Some calorie counters: DIETERS.
51. Less common: RARER.
52. Historic Nevada city: ELY.
56. Rock group: BAND.
58. Forensic series starring Paula Newsome, familiarly: CSI.
61. Ben and Jerry: NAMES.
62. Car top: ROOF.
63. "__ my way!": OUTTA.
65. Oscar winner Mirren: HELEN.
66. Icon tappers: USERS.
68. "Hello, ewe!": BAA.
71. Once more: AGAIN.
73. Hebrew prophet: MICAH.
74. Federal org. with a flower logo: EPA.
75. Sauce dispenser: LADLE.
76. Portfolio part: ASSET.
78. Small drink: SIP.
82. Buttoned-up: PRIM.
83. Ford's first minivan: AEROSTAR.
84. Score after deuce, perhaps: AD IN.
85. Hogwash: MALARKEY.
86. Flows back, as the tide: EBBS.
88. "You gotta be kidding!": SHEESH.
90. Zip: NADA.
92. City near Disney World: ORLANDO.
96. Sci-fi invaders: ALIENS.
97. "Heads or tails?": CALL IT.
98. Equal to the task: ABLE.
99. Nephews' sisters: NIECES.
100. Taken care of: SEEN TO.
101. Jabbers: PRATES.
102. Wind up: FINISH.
104. Thin openings: SLITS.
107. Hiking path: TRAIL.
109. Sloop pole: MAST.
111. "Order up!" shouter: COOK.
112. Goals: AIMS.
113. Play a role: ACT.
114. Great Basin cap.: SLC.
115. Blast letters: TNT.
Boomer left this world at 2:04pm yesterday. I'll provide the obit and funeral details once they're available.
He was confused at times but he's not in pain at the end.
C.C.
Very sad, C.C. Our thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteWe grieve, C.C. We are here for you.
ReplyDelete😓
ReplyDeleteSad. Sorry for your/our loss. Every game is a 300 game where he is now.
ReplyDeleteC.C.: My heart aches for you. Through this blog, we have gotten to know you and Boomer. His personality has really shined through. I wish you comfort and peace to face the days ahead. Know that you have many, many friends here who love and care for you. May Boomer's memory be a blessing.
ReplyDeleteQOD: Tears are the silent language of grief. ~ Voltaire (né François-Marie Arouet, b. Nov. 21, 1694 ~ d. May 30, 1778), French writer
Boomer's sense of humor brought smiles and laughs and helped brighten the day on numerous occasions.
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteC.C. and family ~~ I’ve been fearing this sad news for a while but knew it was coming because you were always so candid about what you and Boomer were going through. I feel I had a friend in Boomer and very much enjoyed his contributions to the Corner, his wit and charm always shone through in his writing, even as his health declined he seemed to take everything in stride. Sincere condolences to you.
ReplyDeleteFor C.C. - and for all the bloggers who loved and admired Boomer: So sad to hear this news, despite knowing it was coming. I will miss Boomer's blog entries and, always, their humor and good tidings for all. I will think of him often. My thoughts will continue to be with you, C.C., in this difficult time. Be well.
ReplyDeleteMany tears, CC. Saddened beyond words.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear this sad news about Boomer. RiP.
ReplyDeleteDearest CC, you have my deepest sympathy in this time of grief and sorrow. Boomer was loved greatly and will be missed terribly. May he rest in peace. 🙏 😢
ReplyDeleteI finished this one in ... oh, who cares. I'm sorry, C.C.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is a better place because of Boomer.
I get the strong sense that is true for everywhere else he touched.
Rest In Peace, Boomer.
(the guy who hates circles.)
Boomer gave the Corner everything he had to offer until his final days. We have lost more than we can afford to lose.
ReplyDeleteBut Ed's puzzle can't be ignored; Boomer wouldn't have wanted us to. FIR, but erased see for EYE, pairs up for PAIR OFF, dens for INNS, and osu for ORU. Many unknowns, but somehow I knew HELEN, O PIONEERS, AEROSTAR and ARCO.
I was thinking of CC and baseball when I filled WIND UP. FINISH is correct in this puzzle's context, but in an at bat it is the beginning. As in "Baker digs in at the plate...Seaver winds up...delivers a fastball, takes a strike on the outside corner, strike 2."
Wine on tap. I remember going to a Las Vegas brunch special (probably $1.99) that offered a buffet and a champagne fountain. I saw a worker replenishing the champagne, which was in what looked like a quarter-barrel beer keg. It wasn't exactly Cristal or even Dom Perignon.
Thanks to Ed for the challenge. My thoughts and prayers are with you, CC.
I'm a slow learner and it took CANNERY ROSE to make me realize the puns with the wines. It didn't help when I initially spell EXSEMA, then EXZEMA instead of ECZEMA. Maybe i was thinking of that skin cream NOXEMA, with X instead of C. Quite a few unknowns but I managed to FIR.
ReplyDeleteDr. Ed always has great puzzles but theme puzzles tend to make it easy after get the theme. The only tough one was PEEWEE RIESLING. Not being a wine drinker, I didn't know it was pronounced REESE-ling.
CANA, RED PANDA, TERI Polo, LENI Zumas, Mary ASTOR, BEEF TEA, Jimmy SMITS, TESH, X FILE- unknowns as clued.
we had two Great Basin fills today- SLC and ELY, Nevada.
Jinx- what would expect for $1.99? Two-Buck Chuck?
Rest in peace Boomer. I'll miss you and your singing.
CC... Boomer throughout his illness and unfailing humor was an inspiration. A life well lived. Thanks to both of you for becoming an almost daily part of our lives.
ReplyDeleteRest in Peace, dear Boomer. Your humor and generous spirit will be greatly missed by all of your friends here on the Corner. C.C., you know we are all praying for your healing, peace and comfort during such a difficult time. We love you.
ReplyDeleteJinx ~~ I think you are right about Boomer, his always positive upbeat outlook would have him saying “Don’t weep for me, do the darn puzzle!” Ed is a master of his craft and today was a prime example of his creativity, what a clever pairing of wine and word play, and some really fine clueing! Managed a FIR in 25:06, although I’m seldom a wine drinker I was familiar with all the varieties.
ReplyDeleteFLN ~~ Learning moment was that Anonymous T is also Tony is also a constructor, somehow I missed that till yesterday, I’ve seen folks reference Tony, but never put two and two together. Anyway Tony, a fine collaboration with C.C yesterday!
I am at a loss for words even knowing where Boomer's journey would lead. I am grateful for all the sunshine he brought to the Corner. Grief IS the price we pay for love. You have lots of friends here, C.C. We are here to listen when you want to talk. May peace be with you.
ReplyDeleteHaving been fortunate to have talked to Boomer, I can tell you he was as genuine, unassuming and authentic as he seemed to be in print. C.C. and I talked endlessly about crosswords and Boomer sat patiently and engaged my lovely bride in conversation. He was the kind of man who put others at ease and made them feel comfortable. Joann and I are somewhat consoled by the thought that his pain is over and he is bound for a better existence. All of us are better for having him in our lives.
ReplyDeleteI was never a crossword person but I started doing them and got hooked on boomer and his blog with the comments. I am so sorry for your loss, and although I didn’t know him personally, I appreciated his words all the time
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear your sad news
ReplyDeleteMy condolences, CC. Boomer may not have received the card I sent last week in time to read it. I meant every word.
ReplyDeleteBoomer will be missed. I know we would have been friends had I the chance to meet him. Perhaps we will meet in heaven.
My love and prayers!
Clyde
My deepest condolences on your loss, C.C. He was a wonderful human being and will be sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteNo words can express C.C. , the grief you have felt or the loss to the world. Rest in peace, Boomer. We all love you.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for you loss CC. Boomer’s write ups were always great, and loved his bowling, golf and other sports stories and accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteSo sad to read of Boomer’s passing - from life into Life. May Peace that passes understanding find its way round this time of loss and pain. May memories of Boomer’s joie de vive support and sustain
ReplyDeleteVery, very sorry to hear of Boomer's passing. Many folks, far more eloquent than I, have, above, expressed thoughts and feelings identical to mine.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences CC
ReplyDeleteHola!
ReplyDeleteC.C., I am so sorry to hear this news and I send you a virtual hug with an outpouring of love for you and for the memory of Boomer. As others have said, he brought so much cheer and joy to this Blog.
Rest in peace, dear Boomer.
Thanks to Ed Sessa for this puzzle. His puzzles are always fun and fair. It was perfect for a Sunday and one that I finished before heading off to Mass where I will remember Boomer in prayer. My prayers today will be exclusively for him that he may enjoy eternal peace and rest. he fought the valiant fight against that insurmountable disease which has taken so many of our loved ones.
Have a restful if solemn day, everyone.
Deepest condolences to CC. Boomer is no longer suffering, something he had been doing with great fortitude and dignity, but CC must now deal with the pain of losing someone she so obviously cherished.
ReplyDeleteR.I.P. Boomer. You made the world a better place.
ReplyDeleteSo very sad to hear today's news on Boomers passing. Long time reader, never before posted a comment. Doing so today through tears.
ReplyDeleteC.C.
ReplyDeletePlease know that you are not alone in your grief...
I wish for you the strength of friends in this time of sadness.
CED
When I saw "No write up today" I instantly knew what was coming. I still held out hope for Boomer to rise again. We are all very sad today. CC You have our deepest sympathy.
ReplyDeleteCan one of the regular bloggers please make a list of the theme answers with an explanation of each? A couple were not totally clear to me. Notably: DRAFT BORDEAUX does not sound much like DRAFT BEER.
ReplyDeleteFrom yesterday:
Thank you for the kind words and thanks for watching my poor quality video of the amazing stunt UNICYCLE rider Kris Holm.
Regular reader, first comment. Draft board. The group that managed the military draft.
DeleteC.C., You have shared your journey with us and now we share in your sorrow as well. My deepest condolences.
ReplyDeleteWe've lost a good and faithful friend. He made this world a better place and he will be sorely missed. GC
ReplyDeleteDeepest sympathy from Eastern Canada.
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry to hear of Boomer’s passing. I thoroughly enjoyed his comments throughout the years, especially as a fellow Minnesotan
ReplyDeletePicard, glad to.
ReplyDeleteMORTAL ZIN - mortal sin, a Catholic concept
DRAFT BOARD - They decided who got deferrals who went to Vietnam
CANNERY ROSE ("rose-a", a sweet, pink wine usually served cold)
MAL DE MER - LOT (enough merlot will make you sick)
HAIL A CAB (and drink your CABERNET wine on the way to the hotel)
SKELETON CHIANTI (pronounced like a skeleton key + auntie, similar to a master key)
PEE WEE REESE was a HOF MLB player for the Dodgers (RIESLING is pronounced like his last name)
SONNY AND CHER were a pop duo from your neck of the woods. (Sonny was Don Don Corleone's son
in The Godfather, and SHERRY is a sweet desert wine.
Did I miss any?
Boomer's blog was one I always looked forward eagerly to reading for his quirky thoughts. He was clearly a fine person, and we will miss him here, though that can't possibly compare to your loss, CC. I wish you peace.
ReplyDeleteGod bless Douglas and God Bless you C.C. for all of the love and care you have given him over years. His sufferings are finally over and he is home. He may have lost the battle with cancer, but he has won the battle of Life.
ReplyDeleteWe will all be mourning Mondays for a long time to come. And we will be praying for you C.C. for comfort and consolation.
Grieving,
Teri and Bill
Jinx @8:43 AM
ReplyDeleteOkay.
DNF - Dr. Ed's clever use of airport code SLC (Salt Lake City) for "114D Great Basin cap." left me NATICKED crossing 117A.
and Picard @11:55 AM
The themers were all clever puns on the truncated or respelled "Wine pairings" As I read them:
23A. Very dangerous red?: MORTAL ZINFANDEL. MORTAL SIN?
37A. Wine on tap?: DRAFT BORDEAUX. DRAFT BOARD?
60A. Sequel to Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath"?: CANNERY ROSÉ. CANNERY ROW?
73A. Hangover caused by wine?: MAL DE MERLOT. MAL DE MER? Sea sickness
95A. Wax eloquent about some wine?: HAIL A CABERNET. HAIL A CAB.
114A. Wine that's good for one's bones?: SKELETON CHIANTI. SKELETON KEY?
16D. Wine that comes in tiny bottles?: PEEWEE RIESLING. PEEWEE REESE?
47D. Tale about one Corleone's love of fortified wine?: SONNY AND SHERRY. SONNY and CHER.
C.C., I am so sorry for your loss. heartfelt sympathies to you. Thank you for bringing us along on yours and Boomer's journey. A sad time for all of us who enjoyed his reviews and humor.
ReplyDeleteTo Boomer: May you soar with the Angels in the unbound freedom of your soul. And may you rejoice in the Light of God's love.
So very sad to hear the long dreaded news of Boomer's passing, C.C. Thank you for sharing openly with us, your loving community, all the steps along the way. We will keep you in our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMy FIR joy of solving yesterday's puzzle which you helped Tony create, as well as today's clever puzzle by Ed Sessa, which I expected you to review, was offset by your understandable grief. We have seen what a loving couple you and Boomer were.
Over the past few years we have lost several important members of our community and remember them with fondness, as we also will remember Boomer.
With deepest sympathy to C.C.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace Boomer.
CC. We all share in your grief. I only knew Boomer through the Blog, but he was a larger than life person who leaves a huge hole in the lives of his army of friends. My love and prayers to you, C.C.
ReplyDeleteI really love Ed Sessa’s puzzles. They are challenging but fair and many of the clues were real crossword clues, not trivia exercises. Please come back often.
C.C. Thinking of you, wishing you strength and peace.
ReplyDeleteDear CC, I am so deeply sorry that you lost your dear Boomer. Both of you have been such a joy and inspiration to us all. Sending you love and peace.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteRequiescat in pace, Boomer.
RIP Boomer!
ReplyDeleteC.C., bless you for your devotion to your good man and for sharing him with us. I am sad today because he is gone, but know he is without pain now. Losing a loved one is never easy. Hope we can be some comfort to you now, dear lady.
ReplyDeleteEven though we knew it was coming, I was saddened this morning to read that Boomer had passed away. I'm not eloquent with words so let me just say, I'm sorry. He will be missed by all of us.
ReplyDeleteSunday Lurk doesn't know what to say...
ReplyDeleteC.C. - Thank you for sharing Boomer with us*. May he Rest in Peace and may you find some soon.
I will think of him every time I slip-up and say Bowling Alley ;-)
With sadness and love, Peace. -T
*Just look at all the folks pouring into The Corner to pour out tears and love.
//Dr. Ed - Sorry your puzzle dropped on this sad day. Cool theme though.
The dreaded day we all knew was coming. Love and my sympathies go out to you, C.C.
ReplyDeleteFirst Sunday back in a month and I wondered if Boomer was still fighting life’s battle. I saw immediately that his race has been won. This outpouring of love is a testament to both of you and a beautiful thing to behold.
ReplyDeleteStrong sympathy to you, C.C., from San Jose.
ReplyDeleteI've had foreboding that the end was near and I'm deeply saddened to hear the news. Hail fellow well met Boomer. My sincere condolences.
ReplyDeleteI actually owned an Aerostar circa 88 but couldn't remember until the AERO perped
Oops, FIR. I had ELO.
The Steinbeck novel is Cannery Row
Its great to see posters of the past return to bless Boomer. Some eloquent comments
God bless and keep you CC
WC
I am very sorry for your loss, C.C.
ReplyDeleteSending you love and condolences from Montana.
my heart goes out to you. I have so enjoyed Boomers thoughts and words. He is a shining beacon in our lives.
ReplyDeleteRIP Boomer. Group did one together in his honor.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear your sad news, C.C. Boomer's wit always shone through in his blogs despite his ongoing painful ordeal. He'll be so missed here. He was one strong and determined guy throughout. And you, equally, C.C.
ReplyDeleteI send all my best wishes.
ReplyDeleteIf there is anything I can do
Puzzling thoughts:
ReplyDeleteWords cannot express my sorrow to hear that Boomer passed away yesterday, despite knowing that it was imminent
CC - Margaret and I send our love, thoughts, and prayers to you
RIP, Doug
I am so sorry to hear this sad, but not unexpected news. Like so many others here, I enjoyed Boomer’s wit and humour, and looked forward to his Monday blogs. A life well lived!
ReplyDeleteC.C., may you find comfort in the words expressed by those in this community that you have created, and know that our love and prayers are with you at this time of grief, and in the days ahead as you navigate a future without your beloved partner.
C.C. Were there a way for me or anyone of us to shoulder some of your burden at this moment I believe we would all jump at the chance. As it is I hope and pray that the outpouring of feelings and friendship will be of some comfort in the times ahead and when things start to look overwhelming I hope you can look back to the postings on this day to see the love that is pouring in for you. I pray that this realization can bring you some comfort. All My Love And Condolences. Ron A (The Whoo)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of your loss, CC. May light perpetual shine upon your dear Boomer. Thank you for sharing your journey with him with all of us.
ReplyDeleteLet God arise! Let Douglas' memory be eternal before Him!
ReplyDeleteC.C., I am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteYour adoration, especially through the hard times, has been a beacon of light for the world.
He will be sorely missed.
From Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. My sincere condolences C.C.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteCC, words cannot express the depth of our sorrow for your loss.
aww, C.C. …so sorry to hear; we all know you took such good care of your Boomer…but he is now resting in peace. my sincere sympathy goes to you.
ReplyDelete====> Darren / L.A.
I’ve been reading this blog for a long time. Have never commented. I’ve learned a lot from this community and my love of crosswords has grown because of it. Just wanted to say I’m so sorry for your loss - I do feel like I got to know Boomer, even though we’ve never met.
ReplyDeleteI’m a week behind reading the corner but I’d like to add my sincere condolences to you CC. Your love for Boomer shone through your every word . God love you both.
ReplyDeleteFrequent reader, never posted but have watched Boomer’s progress here for months. Although the news on this Dec 11 blog was not surprising, still so painful.
ReplyDeleteCC - heartfelt condolences from a stranger, for what it’s worth. I have (and do) appreciate your and Boomer’s contributions to cross-world.
Such a sad time. CC - Only hoping that the love you two so obviously shared is carrying you through now.
Laura OD in San Francisco
PS: @Jinx Dec 11 at 12:45 PM: Thanks for the explanations of the themers. I would have never figured out PEE WEE REESE. And I’m still not sure I understand that MERLOT one. I enjoy Ed Sessa puzzles but often he is, well, above me.