24. Nearly fails Poseidon's shop class?: BARELY MAKES A TRIDENT. Barely makes a dent.
36. Karaoke outing that won't allow Aretha's classic song?: RESPECTLESS NIGHT. Restless night.
57. Time in the Peace Corps?: SERVICE ABROAD. Service road.
63. The x- or y-axis, perhaps?: END OF QUADRANT. End of rant.
83. Request to an ophthalmologist on a busy afternoon?: DILATE ANOTHER DAY. Die Another Day.
101. "Use all your strength!," or an alternate title for this puzzle?: PUT SOME MUSCLE IN TO IT.
Across:
5. Tapenade, e.g.: DIP.
8. Pride __: FLAG.
12. Chicago daily, familiarly: TRIB. We have Star Trib here.
16. Forum robe: TOGA.
17. Bread with falafel: PITA.
18. Princess Tiana costume topper: TIARA.
19. Taiga or tundra: BIOME.
20. Collage of fabric swatches, paint chips, etc.: MOOD BOARD.
22. Birch kin: ALDER.
23. Send payment: REMIT.
27. Considerate of others: POLITE.
28. Iowa State town: AMES.
29. Activity in a humidified room: HOT YOGA. So many nice fill in this grid.
30. Corp. leader: CEO.
31. Monopoly pair: DICE.
33. Desertlike: ARID.
35. "What's the __?": USE.
41. Twirl: SPIN.
45. Some saxes: ALTOS.
46. __ Eisley: spaceport in the "Star Wars" universe: MOS.
48. __ Island: RHODE.
49. Harris, e.g., informally: VEEP.
50. Shout at the slots: I WON.
52. Best Original Song, e.g.: OSCAR. 116. 52-Across honoree for "Fight for You": HER.
54. Gretzky, once: OILER. Boomer used to have his rookie cards. And Mantle's. He had lots of stories of "I wish I kept his cards."
55. Blunder: ERR.
56. Nursing __: BRA.
60. Close securely: SEAL.
61. High card, often: ACE.
62. Skeptical expression: IS IT.
69. Fizz liquor: GIN.
70. Weeding tool: HOE.
73. Native New Zealander: MAORI.
74. Numbered clubs: IRONS.
75. Pound sound: WOOF.
77. "The Powerpuff Girls" voice actress Strong: TARA. She voiced Bubbles.
78. With 79-Across, entry in the periodic table's last column: INERT.
79. See 78-Across: GAS.
80. Auction action: BID.
81. Gets, as a job: LANDS.
82. Flushed: ROSY.
88. Curling surface: ICE.
90. "I Will Wait" band Mumford & __: SONS.
91. Io or Europa, for Jupiter: MOON.
92. NCAA champion swimmer Thomas: LIA. First openly transgender athlete to win the title.
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93. Clipped: SHEARED.
97. Hurt feelings?: PAIN.
99. Pot sticker kin: WONTON. I like plain wonton.
105. Problems for pipes or PR firms: LEAKS.
106. Insertion mark: CARET.
107. Carrot, so to speak: INCENTIVE.
110. Penn pals?: IVIES. 111. Locale for llamas: ANDES. 2. Low in the field: MOO. And 5. Talk of the town?: DIALECT. All nice clues.
112. Alum: GRAD.
113. Library offering: LOAN.
114. Relayed: TOLD.
115. Long-standing rivalry: FEUD.
117. Fangorn Forest beings: ENTS.
Down:
3. Bit of self-promotion?: EGO BOOSTER. Great fill/clue as well.
4. Federer rival: NADAL.
6. "Nice job!" reply: I TRY.
7. Lakshmi who wrote the children's book "Tomatoes for Neela": PADMA. She used to host "Top Chef".
8. Enters one by one: FILES IN.
9. Chaps: LADS.
10. Zone: AREA.
11. Brooks of country music: GARTH.
12. Colorful garment that might feature a peace sign: TIEDYE SHIRT.
13. Shakespeare character in the lyrics of Taylor Swift's "Love Story": ROMEO.
14. Chatting online, for short: IMING. Question: "What would you like for Christmas?" Me: "Ventilator". I meant "snorkel" but I forgot how to say it in English.
15. Bright aquarium fish: BETTA.
17. Wax finish?: POETIC. Wax poetic.
18. "Any __?": "Who's in?": TAKERS.
19. Brolly carriers: BRITS.
21. "Say Yes to the Dress" figures: BRIDES.
25. Stockpile: AMASS.
26. Sound defeat: ROUT.
27. Mixology tool: PEELER.
30. Desire: CRAVE. Had a sore throat for a few days. Sure wish I had some frozen durian. My mouth is watering just looking at this picture.
32. Pal of Big Bird and Julia: ELMO.
34. Decathlon equipment: DISCI.
37. Fizzy drink: POP.
38. Ages and ages: EONS.
39. Avocado dish, for short: GUAC.
40. "Wish me luck!": HERE I GO.
42. Casual top: POLO.
43. Brainchild: IDEA.
44. Geeky type: NERD.
48. Batman's boy friend: ROBIN.
50. Modern location of Nineveh: IRAQ.
51. Evil doppelgänger in the Mario games: WALUIGI.
52. Some apex predators: ORCAS.
53. Reindeer pal of Olaf the snowman: SVEN.
56. Suit well: BEFIT.
58. Pocket: EARN.
59. Skeptical expression: AS IF.
60. "Didn't mean to open that can of worms": SORRY I ASKED. Another great fill.
63. Mideast title: EMIR.
64. Prefix between micro and pico: NANO.
65. "Easy __ it": DOES.
66. __ Sea: former endorheic lake: ARAL.
67. Rice pancakes served with sambar and chutney: DOSAS. Looks tasty.
68. Bed size: TWIN.
70. L'Occitane product: HAND LOTION. I've tried them all.
71. Appoint, as a rabbi: ORDAIN.
72. Undemanding class: EASY A.
76. Leslie __ Jr. of "Glass Onion": ODOM.
77. Roof goo: TAR.
80. Pho garnish: BASIL.
81. "Imagine" singer: LENNON.
83. View as: DEEM.
84. Heavy favorite: TOP SEED.
85. Passes, as legislation: ENACTS.
86. Longtime luxury sedan: TOWN CAR.
87. Partner of hollered: HOOTED.
89. Irritable: CROSS.
93. Share, as an appetizer: SPLIT.
94. Parte de un platillo "ranchero": HUEVO.
95. Online business: ETAIL.
96. Coffee choice: DECAF.
98. Whinny: NEIGH.
100. Proof of ownership: TITLE.
102. Thick tresses: MANE.
103. Lahore language: URDU.
104. Memo opener: IN RE.
108. Chocolate factory tub: VAT.
109. Nine Inch Nails quartet?: ENS. The letters in Nine Inch Nails.
Been
a long, surreal year since I lost Boomer. Tears still fall when I'm vacuuming his man cave, or walking on his favorite trails, or in the pool. I sob at odd moments, for odd reasons. I'll forever miss him.
C.C.
29 comments:
I didn’t see what tied the themed answers together until I solved the reveal. Then, I got it (for the most part). Anyway, FIR, so I’m happy.
FIR, but erased fest for FLAG, naan for PITA (which has a different meaning in textspeak), dif for USE, slam for SEAL, lea for LIA, discs for DISCI, and seem for DEEM.
Today is:
DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM DAY (like riding a bicycle, I’ll never forget how to shelve books)
NOBEL PRIZE DAY (I’m so old I remember when they weren’t political awards)
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY (the UN still pays lip service to human rights)
NATIONAL LAGER DAY (wonder if (crossword favorite) roleo winners drink victory LAGERs)
CSO To Bayou Tony's father @ POP.
I'm on Riley Gain(e)s side, not LIA. Unchecked, this will be the beginning of the end of women's sports.
Coach John Calipari has strong ties to PENN, but his UK team beat the Quakers convincingly yesterday.
A TOP SEED is not usually a heavy favorite. By tournament time, any one of several names/teams are likely to win it all, with the TOP SEED usually slightly favored.
All GRADs are alums, but not all alums are GRADs.
The first time I ordered takeout coffee in New Jersey, I ordered DECAF (for me) and regular for my DW. Mine was fine, but DW's was loaded with cream and sugar, which is what "regular coffee" means in Jersyspeak.
In California, car TITLEs are printed on pink paper and are held by the lien holder. So when you trade in, they ask "you got the pink?"
Thanks to Amy and Vu for the fun Sunday workout, especially the END OF QUADRANT clue / fill. And thanks to CC for explaining the theme - I found the muscles, but thought they were a secondary theme. I think all Cornerites miss Boomer along with you, and are giving you a virtual hug today.
Good morning!
No, d-o didn't get the theme. Surprised? This one was a bit of a slog. Didn't care for DOSAS (???) crossing SONS. The only LAKSHMI I'd recognize is LAKSHMI Singh. Got 'er done, but I wouldn't call it fun. Thanx, Amie, Vu, and C.C. (That's a great photo. We all miss Boomer here at the corner. I know this has been a tough year. I hope you're beginning to find things getting easier.)
To our fearless leader Dear CC ... my deepest condolences and shared empathy for the sadness and loneliness and empty-ness that you must be feeling for the missing Boomer. A life marriage partner is indeed the closest and only real spirit that each of us, can associate in our lives, here on Earth.
I pray to God, that you get the strength and courage to bear the days following and the upcoming season with hope and determination, and hopefully find other reasons for happiness ahead.
**********************
I had a busy time with this puzzle, but finally finished it ... and even figured out the muscles, after the last theme answer had been solved. AB took me some time to fiure out, since I am more used to the plural.
Question:: Why does the answer DISCI have an I at the end ? Is that what a discus is called
in Latin ?
I prepare Dosas, about once a month ... takes two days to allow the dough to ferment, especially in the winter time, and it will last you over three weeks, unless you throw the uncooked dough out the window ... 'There are 50 ways to make a dosa dough'....
Have a great Sunday, all you folks...
Took 18:28 today for me to finish the work-out.
I had some of the same issues as others: disci, dosas, Padma, and Tara (no surprise that I didn't know today's voice actress).
I remember Gretzky as an Oiler, before he became a King.
I'd like to thank my kids for introducing me, years ago, to Waluigi.
C.C., I hope you find more comfort and solace.
FIW. Didn't know dosas, and unfamiliar with Mumford and Sons; the crossing did me in.
The theme escaped me until I got here. The answers came to me, but the tie-in did not.
I disliked this puzzle for two reasons: first, all the proper names, and second, an overt political bent that I detected. Too many answers fall into the category of controversy.
Much like Subgenius, I didn't understand the theme until perps helped solve the reveal, and then FIR. I have to say, I don't see a political aspect to the puzzle. Good times!
C.C., I'm grateful for what you do here, and very sorry for your loss.
Thomas didn’t win a thing- 3rd rate swimmer among his real gender competitors
DISCI is the Latin plural of DISCus
Finally finished this crazy puzzle. I penned in mALUIGI not WALUIGI. Since the clue contained the word "evil" I thought Mal meaning bad was a better fit. It made the answer to 59A I' mON as in "I'm on a roll". Made sense to me.
END OF RANT
Total shotgun approach today to fill in the theme entries. Finished it but I guess not correctly.
Wonder is all around us. Take time to appreciate it.
Amaze
It took a while, but FIR. I got the theme when I filled in SERVICE ABROAD.
DH ate WONTON soup yesterday from a nice local Chinese restaurant.
Dear C.C. My heart goes out to you. Sorry for your pain and sadness of being without your life partner Boomer.
Thanks for a fun puzzle and blog.
CC - sending support thru the ether; such a challenge losing one’s beloved. I can’t imagine - but your words give me a hint of the feelings in my body-soul. đź’”❤️đź©ą
Jinx...if this kind of blatant cheating is allowed to continue, it IS the end of womens sports.
My sincerest wishes to C.C. for her continued strength of will. My hope is that Boomer will continue to watch over her and guide her life.
Thank you Amie and Vu for a fun EXERCISE for all our mental MUSCLES, but I didn't quite ACE it. Got the theme and got the MUSCLES, but fell into a NATICK of my own making. Filled "I WIN" instead of "I WON" and missed the OBVI "ELMO". I departed the "Star Wars Universe" a long long time ago and didn't know MOS Eisley. Had it called for "Rapper ___ Def" I might have played it.
C.C. we've prayed for both Boomer and you all this past year. I'm sure he's in Heaven and I'm sure you will be too someday (but not too soon! đź’”)
Favorite fill: "POETIC", a CSO to Chairman MOE, whose name is actually a homophone to the first syllable of the grape MOUVEDRE (in French), and no relation to Larry and Curley/Shemp. Who knew?
Cheers,
Bill
I miss Boomer's humor and the mention of a bowling metaphor somewhere. I would have loved to have shown him my collection of baseball cards from the 60s. I enjoy this blog and I thank you for starting it CC. GC
I never noticed all the MUSCLES but did manage to FIR. But putting the abbr. for muscles in the middle of a common saying was neat.
Never heard of MOOD BOARD, TARA Strong, PADMA, BETTA fish, WALUIGI, DOSAS,
Certainly didn't remember the name MOS Eisley.
DISCI makes sense for more than one discus but have never heard it said.
TOWN CAR- DW's 96-year old aunt has a 2004 Lincoln Congressional Town Car-less than 60,000 miles on the odometer. She call me last week, said it wouldn't start, called AAA and he couldn't jump-start it. Battery was dead because she doesn't run the engine enough. She drives to the Publix grocery three times a week-about a half-mile away.
LIA Thomas- what a phony wimp. X does not change to Y. I could run faster, jump higher, pick up heavier things, and play tennis and pickleball better than most girls. He was a college athlete and HE 'was' and still is male. What's he trying to prove? He can swim faster than girls. END OF QUAD-RANT.
Musings
-DI_/_ADMA was my only question and my guess was right
-This was a hard theme to ferret out but helped on “so LATe, another day”?
-AMES, NE (pop. 24) is halfway between me and my golf course
-Monopoly has a pair of UTIL but there was no abbr. in the cluing
-OBVI redux: MOS def is slang for most definitely
-I hit my 7-IRON 150 yds, Rory McIlroy hits his 195 yds
-SHEARED off is a familiar phrase used in describing tornado damage
-A seasonal lyric has, “the cattle are LOWING…”
-IMING is used to set up all our family gatherings
-Today I learned BETTA has two “T’s” and rhymes with get a as in “get a life”
-WALUIGI came letter by crossing letter
-Shohe Ohtani will pocket $700M from the Dodgers over the next 10 years
-The Husker VB team will be the TOP SEED in the Final Four this week. They will play Chairman Moe’s Pitt team on Thursday.
-Joann and I are thinking of you today, C.C.
I was so pleased to report a FIR - then I realized “Delete” was actually DILATE - BZZZZZ!
I fell into a few traps - aspen/ALDER, discs/DISCI, carat/CARET, london-LENNON , but otherwise got through it despite unfamiliar names. Perps helped.
Thanks, Amie and Huang-Kim for the enjoyable challenge that I almost finished successfully. Lots of interesting fill and clever themers.
C.C., despite your deep and abiding sense of loss, I admire so much your ability to keep going, keep giving to others with humor and grace and even take on the huge challenge of learning to swim. Boomer would be so proud of you!
Got to NCAA champion swimmer Thomas, then threw away the puzzle. Terrible clue, much less fair competition to real women.
Boomer. Please pray harder for C.C....thank you.
Dear CC. You seem to be coping well with honoring the memory of your love for Boomer while experiencing the acute pain of your loss.
The pain in losing my life partner became more bearable after the first year but it has not gone away ten years later. Over time I have become more grateful for the heartfelt partnership we had and I look for more friendships.
I hope Boomer's memory is a continuing source of comfort for you.
Huh?
Struggled to find the hidden MUSCLEs. I don't consider the puzzle solved until I have found all the theme meanings. Last to find was AB. Very clever. Apparently I was the only one to have TETRA not BETTA. FIR.
Our young friend Mae created an entire ensemble of ENTS for Solstice this year. Yesterday we attended her birthday party. I have known her mother for years. But I was in for a big surprise. I met her father. He had been my newspaper editor for years, but I had never met him in person!
Here is Mae's ENTS Solstice ensemble and a beautiful photo of her posing with us last night.
From Friday:
sumdaze, Vidwan Thank you for the kind words about my HOLI photo.
c.c. After two years the razor edge of grief has softened a bit but still, at the most unexpected times it whops you upside the head. But that's OK. After 61 years of marriage he will always be a part of me. Your journey is your own. Take your time.
Dear CC,
Regarding 70 Down: Have you ever found a hand cream that actually works?
Blessings to you
CC — still in my prayers.
Sorry for sour grapes but, for the first time in DECADES I put a big fat DNF. Way too funky for my feeble mind. I know when it's time to toss a "puzzle" (without the quotes means it's solvable) when I shout, "ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!" at a def. After doing this five times today, I tossed it. Next time I see a Walker/Vu puzzle, I'll "deep six " it posthaste!!
❤️ to you, C.C. — time heals all wounds, even though a scar will remain…
I grokked the theme right about SERVICEABROAD, when I dissected “service road”; a real Duh moment! And hand up for always spelling the fish with one “t” — BETAs looked right to me, but then HOTYOGs sure didn’t 🤣 Once I got 24A dialed in, it all fell into place. And here I was years ago thinking I was so clever for naming our Siamese Fightinh Fish “Alpha the Beta”…bzzzzt, no ceegar!
Anyhoo, FIR thanks to perps and a coupla WAGs, so no drama.
====> Darren / L.A.
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