google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Wednesday, August 9th, 2023, Jon Pennington

Gary's Blog Map

Aug 9, 2023

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023, Jon Pennington

Theme: 
 
Dearly beloved,
We are gathered here today,
To get through this thing called life.



20. Orange-yellow hue in 1970s kitchens: HARVEST GOLD.

30. Place to purchase Pixel phones: GOOGLE STORE.

46. Make drowsy with a lullaby: SING TO SLEEP.

55. First track on Prince's "Purple Rain," and a hint to each set of circled letters: LET'S GO CRAZY.
CRAZY is a clue that the circled letters are anagrams of LET'S GO.


Across:

1. Caterer's coffee servers: URNS.

5. Golden Rule preposition: UNTO. Do unto others ...

9. Green pasta sauce: PESTO. Recipe.

14. Hammer or sickle: TOOL.

15. Amphibian that can regrow an appendage: NEWT. They can regenerate parts of their tails, jaws, ears, hearts, spines, eyes and brains.

16. Was sore: ACHED.

17. Much of an atlas: ASIA. Nice clue.

18. Way out: EXIT.

19. Unceasingly: NO END.

23. Aliens, for short: ETS. Extra Terrestrials. life which may occur outside Earth and which did not originate on Earth.

24. [Error in original text]: SIC. Adverb. Used in brackets after a copied or quoted word that appears odd or erroneous to show that the word is quoted exactly as it stands in the original, as in a story must hold a child's interest and “enrich his [sic] life” or a hero of antient [sic] Rome.

25. Mapmaker's right: EAST.

 27. Crockpot topper: LID.

36. People of Pennsylvania's Lancaster County: AMISH.

38. Taxing trip: TREK.

39. Way off: AFAR.

40. Come-from-behind victory, perhaps: UPSET.

41. Coastal inlet: RIA. A ria is a coastal inlet formed by the partial submergence of an unglaciated river valley. It is a drowned river valley that remains open to the sea. 


42. Curly-tailed watchdog: AKITA.


43. Venison: DEER.

44. Chums: PALS.

45. Splinter groups: SECTS.

49. Bull's-__: EYE.

50. Many a techie: GEEK.

51. Karaoke aid: MIC.

53. "I've got it!": AHA.

62. Kingly: REGAL.

64. Pound or kilogram: UNIT.

65. Flute's orchestral neighbor: OBOE. See flute and oboe in the third row from the top?



66. French pancake: CREPE.

67. Church area with pews: NAVE.

68. Underhanded plan: PLOT.

69. Feast with bitter herbs: SEDER.

70. Got older: AGED.

71. Cargo hauler: SEMI.

Down:

1. Home of the Bonneville Salt Flats: UTAH. The famous salt flats stretch for over 30,000 acres and are found just west of Great Salt Lake. They are are a remnant of Lake Bonneville, which covered over one-third of Utah from 10,000 to 32,000 years ago.

2. Civil rights icon Parks: ROSA.

3. Pinot __: NOIR.

4. Some Balkans: SLAVS.

5. World Heritage Site gp.: UNESCO. Wikipedia: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture.

6. On deck: NEXT.

7. Snappable stick: TWIG.

8. "Homeland" actress Miranda: OTTO. Also known for Éowyn in The Lord of the Rings.

9. Stuffed critters given to some medal winners at the Beijing Olympics: PANDAS.

10. Writer Umberto: ECO. Umberto Eco considered himself an academic scholar first and a novelist later. He said he considers himself a university professor who writes novels on Sundays. He wrote many novels that are considered classics today, including The Name of the Rose, Foucault’s Pendulum, and Baudolino.

11. Floe, e.g.: SHEET OF ICE.

12. Pup shelter?: TENT.  A pup tent is so named because it is smaller in size than a standard tent, similar to how a puppy is smaller than an adult dog. The name “pup tent” likely originated from military use, where smaller tents were used for individual soldiers or a small group.

13. __ and ends: ODDS.

21. Cube root of 512: EIGHT.

22. Potato and __ soup: LEEK.

26. Anti-vampire weapon: STAKE. Vampire stakes.

27. Exalts: LAUDS.

28. Louvre Pyramid architect: IMPEI. 10 Things you did not know about Louvre Pyramid by I.M. Pei

29. Tuned out: DISENGAGED.

31. Others, in Spanish: OTRAS.

32. Cook over coals: GRILL. It's that time of year! 50 Best Grilling Recipes for Summer

33. Renter's contract: LEASE.

34. Shabby: RATTY.

35. Totally remove: ERASE.

37. Twilled fabric: SERGE. Serge is a type of twill fabric that has diagonal lines or ridges on both inner and outer surfaces via a two-up, two-down weave. The worsted variety is used in making military uniforms, suits, greatcoats, and trench coats. Its counterpart, silk serge, is used for linings. French serge is a softer, finer variety.

42. Gelatinous tomato dish: ASPIC. I usually see ASPIC made with beef stock, rather tha=- tomato.

44. Hawaiian dish of diced raw fish: POKE. Yum.


47. Penn's silent partner: TELLER.

48. Was melodramatic: EMOTED.


52. Farmer's concerns: CROPS.

53. Rainbow shapes: ARCS.

54. "Present!": HERE.

56. Traditional fish in 44-Down: TUNA.

57. Cardigan problem: SNAG.

58. Donate: GIVE.

59. Start of a classic palindrome: ABLE. “Able was I ere I saw Elba.” Contrary to popular believe, Napoleon did not say this. Hhere are some cool Napoleonic anagrams and puns here though.

60. Videoconferencing platform: ZOOM.

61. Creature of Sherpa folklore: YETI.

63. Donkey Kong, e.g.: APE.


 
Note from Melissa bee: Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes, and a belated happy birthday to you, Waseely - I don't get to the blog as often as I'd like to stay caught up. Sixty has been looming so large in my head I actually rushed things and told several people that I turned 60 last week. A dear friend (who was born the same year as I) corrected me, and now I feel like I have a free year! 


28 comments:

  1. The AMISH did TREK from AFAR
    To get to where they now are.
    Europe didn't want them,
    So Pennsylvania got them,
    With buggies of just one horse power.

    There was a young man played the OBOE,
    While his fiance played the piccolo.
    They almost DISENGAGED
    O'er the dinner he made,
    They found out she was allergic to PESTO!

    ReplyDelete
  2. FIR, but erased palindrome abba when ABLE overcame my resistance.

    Toady is:
    WORLD CALLIGRAPHY DAY
    NATIONAL RICE PUDDING DAY
    NATIONAL PASSION FRUIT DAY
    INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
    and dear to the heart of Cornerites, NATIONAL BOOK LOVERS DAY

    Up early today because Zoё was panting and pacing most of the night. So I gave up, got dressed and came downstairs, got a cup of coffee and worked the CW. Meanwhile Zoё is curled up on one of her comfy beds, wondering why all the lights are on.

    Thanks to Jon for the fun midweek puzzle, and to melissa for the interesting comments. Hang on to that extra year!

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  3. I saw the “go” right away in the themed answers but didn’t connect the “let’s “ to it until the reveal. To me, this was a surprisingly easy puzzle for a Wednesday. Anyway , FIR, so I’m happy.

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  4. Good morning!

    Yay, a Wite-Out-free Wednesday. Zipped right through, and even noticed the SO to moi. I expected the Hawaiians to put pig in their POKE. Of course, they don't pronounce it that way. They rhyme it with "okay." Thanx, Jon and Melissa Bee. (Now you've got an extra year to dread turning 60. Enjoy it.)

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  5. FIR. Never saw the theme till the reveal, and even then didn't see the obvious, but i certainly didn't need it for the solve.
    A nice midweek crossword.

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  6. Took 4:52 today for me to let go, somehow.

    Oh joy, circles!

    I didn't remember aspic or serge, debated today's Spanish, and stupidly entered penne instead of pesto - but caught it quickly.

    Is Wednesday becoming Circle Day?

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  7. This was easier than a typical Monday puzzle. Zipped right through it!

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  8. Monday come on a Wednesday this week! Zippity-do-dah, I’m done! I really enjoyed this CW, thanx JP! Straightforward clues, good theme, what’s not to like? No W/Os. Only possible W/O = I considered CROWS to be “Farmers concerns” b4 “CROPS” perped. A couple names I DNK but easily perped. Thanx too to Melissa B for the usual terrific write-up. Oh, the rare pleasure of NOT saying, “It took longer than my usual Wednesday”. For a change, it went quicker than my usual Wednesday.

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  9. An UPSET really has nothing to do with coming from behind other than both being wins, but it was clear that's what it had to be as soon as I got the U.

    I tried NERD instead of GEEK until I ran into TELLER going down. Also MAPS instead of ASIA until I got UTAH.

    Didn't know SERGE but all the cross words were easy.

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  10. Good Morning! Thanks Jon and Melissa Bee.
    So nice to have a normal start to the day! I was without power yesterday for 25 hours 20 min. due to that storm. One certainly appreciates what one has after having to do without - water, lights, internet, coffee…. I give thanks for all the linemen who got us up & running again.

    One WO: nerd -> GEEK – both compliments in today’s techno-world.
    The upper middle was all WAGs for me and the last to fill.
    POKE – nope – I don’t eat raw protein.
    I appreciate the dearth of proper names!!
    I didn’t slow down long enough to go back and see the theme.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good Morning:

    This was a very easy Wednesday offering but, in my case, the circles didn’t help me with the theme. I was trying to parse the letters into a synonym for crazy and, I must admit, I didn’t try very hard. My poor brain is worn out from trying to troubleshoot a wayward TV’s off-the-rail behavior and an even more recalcitrant Apple TV App, on a different TV. No w/os, no unknowns, and no complaints. And no Aha moment until Melissa’s expo.

    Thanks, Jon, even though I missed the clever theme and thanks, Melissa, for pointing out the obvious theme (except to this oblivious solver.)

    FLN

    Wilbur, best wishes for a positive outcome and speedy recovery from that frightening and horrible experience.

    Vidwan, your words of wisdom are much appreciated as are your words of practical advice. After a few serious falls, I am now as super-super careful as can be.

    I finally got to see CODA last night, which I enjoyed very much. I’m now watching Hijack, an Apple TV (🤬) series with Idris Elba (Hi, Lucina) which I’m also enjoying, that is, when the App is not running amok!

    Have a great day.

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  12. Agreed, A nice straightforward puzzle today. FIR. Two nice tens down for spice. Very low 3-letter word count for Lucina.

    Hats off to Jon and MelissaB for their handling of the particulars today.

    Good day to all.

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  13. Musings
    -The fun theme appeared after I saw it as two words
    -I remember AMISH kids in Lancaster County getting on our tour bus and selling their wares up and down the aisle. They did very well.
    -I agree, Whiner. America’s hockey team’s “Miracle On Ice” in 1980 is the biggest UPSET I can recall.
    -I know many techies that are nowhere close to being called GEEKS
    -“Obscure to me” Ms. OTTO seems to have taken over for Bismarck, Preminger and HRE emperors.
    -I was struggling with four tasks yesterday and had to LAUD my lovely bride as she had better solutions than mine for all four issues!

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  14. Very easy puzzle, yet I could not see (or parse) the let's go in the circles.
    Just didn't have the time. Have chores to do, fix a broken dryer, mow the grass, c'mon!

    let's go!

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  15. Yes, very easy today. Only OTTO and LET'S GO CRAZY were new to me, but easily perped and wagged. I figured the theme was a jumble, not really an anagram, but I needed the reveal to parse it.
    Wilbur I wish you a good recovery from the spider bite. How upsetting this must be.
    I have tasted a tomato aspic and thought it was fine. I have the recipe, but I was not enthused enough to make it myself. The PA Dutch make pig's foot jelly, a form of aspic. It's better than it sounds. It is the meat boiled off the feet and not repellant, but I don't care for the jelled part. The tomato was what made the other aspic good.
    Upset, come from behind victory, PERHAPS. The perhaps makes the clue credible. Perhaps, or sometimes, the underdog comes from behind and wins. That is an upset.
    Widows 10 is supported until Oct. 2025. I really don't want to be bothered learning Windows 11, so I am putting it off.

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  16. I was zipping through this puzzle so didn’t stop to parse the circled letters. All good.

    Thank you Melissa B for the nice links, including the one on the Louvre pyramid.

    Many years ago I attended a lecture by Umberto ECO at UT in Austin.

    I remember the color choices for kitchen appliances in the 70s, besides HARVEST GOLD, there was avocado and a third one I don’t remember.

    IM☘️@8:42. We love our gadgets but can be so frustrating when they act up.

    FLN Wilbur best wishes for a quick recover from the spider bite.

    Sometimes Mother Nature gets to us. I read this morning about a woman mowing her lawn in a rural area when a hawk flying overhead dropped the snake it had in its beak right on her. As she tried to fling the serpent away it wrapped itself around her arm and it began attacking her. To add to her misery, the hawk decided to swoop down for its prey and attacked her. She ended up in the hospital with bruises, scratches and broken glasses.

    Stay safe everyone, it’s a jungle out there.

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  17. Hola!

    I'll read you all later. The toddler is here and requires constant attention.

    I finished the puzzle rather quickly but know nothing about Prince or his music. Perps all the way.

    SERGE was the fabric used for our black habits. To say it was warm is to put it mildly.

    Sister Mary Theona walked with a REGAL poise and inspired me to be a nun. I wanted to be like her.

    Later. Have a wonderful day, everyone!


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  18. Groundhog day! Monday is back again! Not complaining, though. Wilbur, if that spider was radioactive, you may have an interesting career change in your future.

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  19. I forgot to add my thanks to C.C. for her Sip & Solve puzzles for entertaining me during the power outage. Thank You!!

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  20. Harvest gold, avocado and coppertone. Had nerd, then teen before geek forced its way in. Very easy mid-weeker.

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  21. Easiest so far this week. “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!!!” Sorry but love them circles.

    They stuffed pandas to give to medal winners at the China Olympics??!!…. That’s horrifying and cruel … A medal wasn’t enough? 😳

    UNESCO: they make graham crackers I think 🤔 …. OTRAS would be “other” females…. The sound of the OBOE resonates once again.

    Mix “gelatinous tomatoes” with “diced raw fish”?… yuck! I’d rather have a nice STAKE

    Soup served in a cracked bowl….. LEEK
    RBG “splinter group” 2018 film biopic “On the Basis of ____ “….. SECTS
    Egyptian Cobra-ish…..ASPIC

    Had a weather disaster at camp with torrential (not purple) rain in the Adirondack Park a few days ago. Our dock floated over to the next door neighbors and broke apart and our kayaks, canoe and SUP are all over the lake. We are on a rise so the building is fine but the beach is underwater as are the first floors of many water level camps. Roads washed out. The old timers (includes me now) have never seen anything like this before. What a mess

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  22. Fun Wednesday puzzle, many thanks, Jon. And thanks too for your helpful commentary, Melissa, I appreciated that too.

    Well, as soon as we got URNS, maybe with some ICE for drinks, it was nice to know we'd get some food. There were things to GRILL, and some seafood like TUNA, and some CREPES, and PESTO to top some of the pasta. What a lovely lunch.

    In the afternoon, we'll visit an animal reserve and check out the NEWTS, and the PANDA, and the DEER, and the APE. All those critters will need an AKITA to guard them. And it would probably help if they got some OBOE music to SING them TO SLEEP.

    Have a great day, everybody.

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  23. Puzzling thoughts:

    FIR without too many problems; that said, as I looked for my solved puzzle (I use Across Lite software) it was no longer there. So, I can't say how much time it took me to solve. Thus, no MOES hardness scale score today

    If I am not mistaken, our daily contributor Misty is from Lancaster County PA, so in a manner-of-speaking, a CSO to her today

    Not sure if she's AMISH, though

    Happy hump day

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  24. This Pennington PZL is brought to us by melissa bee...

    I'm not sure keeping the letters in a linear line-up can be described as "crazy," but I'll go along with it because of the amusement Pennington provides.

    Does a cardigan offer SNAGs more than any other typeof sweater. I prefer cardigans, and I don't have SNAGs.

    Until now, I did not know there was a GOOGLE STORE. Makes sense, of course. I'm familiar with Apple's store, so why not?
    ~ OMK
    ____________
    DR:
    One diagonal, near side.
    Its anagram (11 of 15) is probably what a Cockney yells at you if you cut into the queue...

    "OI, OBTRUSIVE"!

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  25. Local Best Buy stores have a Geek Squad where you can drop in and have your tech problems silved. For a fee of course.

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  26. Thank you Melissa for the birthday wishes. I haven't been commenting much recently as we had the 4 granddaughters over for 2 nights last week and the 2 youngest grandsons for one night starting today. At the moment we're making smores over my SIL's fire pit who live next door (they're away camping this week). Also Blogger has been has been acting funky lately on my cellphone displaying everything in tiny type unless I switch to web mode, which has it's own problems. "It's always something!"

    ReplyDelete

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