Happy Monday, everyone!
Today's theme:
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| This is what the store clerk usually replies if you say you are JUST BROWSING. <BTW, this meme features Jack Black in Nacho Libre (2006).> |
20 Across. "I'd like something that won't rust, something ... ": CHROME PLATED.
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| link to a 5:49 min. video I watched several videos and read many articles (so you wouldn't have to.) |
31 Across. "I'd like a lawn mower and maybe some ... ": EDGE TOOLS.
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| When I asked my CHROME browser for images of EDGE TOOLS, it gave me images of leather-working tools similar to the one on the left. OTOH, when I asked for EDGing TOOLS, it gave me lawn care tools like the one on the right. |
46 Across. "I'd like sun protection in the Serengeti, such as a ... ": SAFARI HAT. 
57 Across. "Only window shopping," and what one might say when using the starts of 20-, 31-, and 46-Across: JUST BROWSING.
Also, CHROME, EDGE, and SAFARI are web BROWSers. 
Jay and the editors did a good job of navigating the difference between entering a store and asking a salesperson for a specific item verses JUST BROWSING by peppering the three themed clues with nonspecific words, i.e., something, maybe some, and such as. These words add an air of indecision.
Next we'll Brave the other clues: 
Across:1. "Cupid" singer Cooke: SAM. Great song. Here you go:
Sometimes we need to know that the Roman's Cupid
was the equivalent of the Greek god Eros.
4. Sulk: MOPE. 
8. FDR's middle name: DELANO. Big hint: It starts with a D.
14. Boozy brew: ALE.
15. Not quite right: AWRY. Def.: (adj. or adv.) off the correct or expected course; amiss.
16. Thought out loud: OPINED. Def.: (verb) to express opinions.
17. Word of denial: NOT.
8. FDR's middle name: DELANO. Big hint: It starts with a D.
14. Boozy brew: ALE.
15. Not quite right: AWRY. Def.: (adj. or adv.) off the correct or expected course; amiss.
16. Thought out loud: OPINED. Def.: (verb) to express opinions.
17. Word of denial: NOT.
Who took the cookie from the cookie jar?
NOT me!
18. Lotion additive: ALOE. 
19. Required: NEEDED. Here's one you probably haven't seen for a while:
Thanks, I NEEDED that! (34 sec.)
23. Brush target: HAIR.
24. Vette alternative: T-BIRD. Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird
25. Game show prize, maybe: TRIP.
29. Crotchety Muppet: OSCAR.
33. Sense of diplomacy: TACT. Def.: (noun) a keen sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others or avoid offense.
In other words, "Read the room!"
35. Fútbol cheer: OLÉ. I like the parity between the clue and answer.
35. Fútbol cheer: OLÉ. I like the parity between the clue and answer.
36. Reggae kin: SKA.
An Introduction to Ska Music (2:30 min.)
37. Texas border city: LAREDO. 
40. Bring to a stop: ARREST. This 5:16 min. video is for fans of the TV show Arrested Development. If you have never seen the show, I suggest skipping this one.
42. Nest egg letters: IRA. Individual Retirement Account
43. Megaplex chain: AMC. American Multi-Cinema is the largest movie theater chain in the world. It was founded in Kansas City, MO in 1920.
42. Nest egg letters: IRA. Individual Retirement Account
43. Megaplex chain: AMC. American Multi-Cinema is the largest movie theater chain in the world. It was founded in Kansas City, MO in 1920.
For C-Eh!: There used to be eight AMC locations in Canada but they have all been either sold off or closed.
45. Brontë governess: EYRE. "Jane" also has 4 letters and ends with an E.
45. Brontë governess: EYRE. "Jane" also has 4 letters and ends with an E.
Jane Eyre is an 1847 romance novel by Charlotte Brontë.
49. Approvals: YESES. Note the plural in the clue indicating a plural answer is required.
53. Sketch out: PLAN. Sketch out means to present or write a brief, hasty plan or account of something.
54. Referenced: CITED. Here I am CITing my source for 53-A.
56. Modernist with a memorable mustache: DALÍ. (1904-1989) Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech was a Spanish artist and filmmaker who is considered a leader of the Surrealist movement and one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
49. Approvals: YESES. Note the plural in the clue indicating a plural answer is required.
53. Sketch out: PLAN. Sketch out means to present or write a brief, hasty plan or account of something.
54. Referenced: CITED. Here I am CITing my source for 53-A.
56. Modernist with a memorable mustache: DALÍ. (1904-1989) Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech was a Spanish artist and filmmaker who is considered a leader of the Surrealist movement and one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
60. Spanish 4-Down: SEÑORA. and 4 Down. Title said with the tip of a hat, perhaps: MA'AM.
63. "One True Thing" novelist Quindlen: ANNA. goodreads link
64. __ and tonic: GIN. Hand up for enjoying the occasional pre-dinner G&T with a slice of lime.
65. Malign, as a reputation: IMPUGN. Great word!
Def.: (verb) to assail by words or arguments.
66. Soaks up the sun: TANS.
66. Soaks up the sun: TANS.
Sheryl Crow ~ Soak Up the Sun ~ 2002
I'm pretty sure I have this CD around here somewhere....
67. Binary code digit: ONE. Zero was too long.
(Thanks to Lemonade for the gentle suggestion that I needed to fix this one!)
68. Hospital caregivers: NURSES. We are grateful to these amazing individuals every day, however a special appreciation week is approaching.
70. Quietly agree: NOD.
Down:
1. Panza of "Don Quixote": SANCHO. They are characters in Miguel de Cervantes' 1605 Spanish novel about a delusional, self-proclaimed night and his loyal squire.
2. Kona greetings: ALOHAS. Kona is on the west side of Hawaii's Big Island. It has been the location of the Ironman World Championships since 1981. Athletes race in a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run (full marathon). Last year's winners were:
Patrick Lange (Germany) 7 hrs. 35 min. 53 sec.
Laura Philipp (Germany) 8 hrs. 45 min. 15 sec.
3. Like milligrams and milliliters: METRIC. 
5. Tiny hooter: OWLET.
5. Tiny hooter: OWLET.
6. Side wager on a sporting event, informally: PROP BET. Short for proposition bet, this is a wager on an individual player or specific event in a game/match that is not directly connected to the outcome of a game. An example would be betting on how many yards a certain quarterback will throw in a certain game.
7. Blinking body part: EYELID.
8. Infomercial exhortation: DON'T DELAY. Buy today!
9. Dueler's implement: EPEE. Duelers have used various weapons throughout history. These include swords, axes, knives, clubs, and firearms. in the Medieval period, noblemen might duel wearing a whole panoply of armor and armed with a polearm.
10. Wasn't honest with: LIED TO.
11. "Your point is?": AND?.
12. Coretta King, __ Scott: NÉE. This one feels forced. After she was married, she took the name Coretta Scott King, not Coretta King.
7. Blinking body part: EYELID.
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| The caption for this picture read, "EYELID art is a thing." |
8. Infomercial exhortation: DON'T DELAY. Buy today!
9. Dueler's implement: EPEE. Duelers have used various weapons throughout history. These include swords, axes, knives, clubs, and firearms. in the Medieval period, noblemen might duel wearing a whole panoply of armor and armed with a polearm.
10. Wasn't honest with: LIED TO.
11. "Your point is?": AND?.
12. Coretta King, __ Scott: NÉE. This one feels forced. After she was married, she took the name Coretta Scott King, not Coretta King.
13. Like 2025: ODD.
21. Deliver a speech: ORATE.
22. Mythological ship: ARGO. The ARGO occasionally sails through our grids.
26. Valentine's Day flower: ROSE. CSO to RosE! 🌹 I've missed her posts. I hope she checks in soon.
27. Kinds: ILKS.
28. Princeton Review subj.: PSAT. Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test
30. Plane tracker: RADAR.
32. Name of two Monty Python members: TERRY. Terry Gilliam (b. Nov. 22, 1940) and Terry Jones (1942-2020)
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| (l. to r.) Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, and Michael Palin |
34. Unserious font: COMIC SANS. Blogger does not come with this font option. It looks like this:
38. North __ Sea: Asian lake: ARAL.
39. 14-time French Open winner, to fans: RAFA. Former professional Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal won 22 Grand Slams men's singles titles. ¡Que bueno!
41. Bassoon essentials: REEDS. The bassoon uses a double REED. You will likely recognize many of these themes: 44. Voucher: CHIT.
45. Lasting forever: ETERNAL.
47. Green-skinned pears: ANJOUS.
48. Chances for a hit: AT BATS. baseball
50. "Miss __": Broadway musical set in Vietnam: SAIGON.
a 1 min. promotional trailer
51. Periodic Pacific current: EL NIÑO. Wouldn't it have been fun if this Ñ crossed the Ñ in SEÑORA?
El Niño and La Niña are climate patterns in the Pacific Ocean that can affect weather worldwide. NOAA website
52. Like a finalized contract: SIGNED.
55. "Queen of Disco" Summer: DONNA. She was Hot Stuff back in 1979 when this song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks.
H-Gary, Are you dancing?!
58. Beseech: URGE.
59. Stinging bug: WASP. Unlike bees, WASPs do not die after stinging someone.
60. Sloth or greed: SIN.
61. Ostrich kin: EMU.
62. "Morning Edition" airer: NPR. National Public Radio ... as if you didn't already know. 😎
59. Stinging bug: WASP. Unlike bees, WASPs do not die after stinging someone.
60. Sloth or greed: SIN.
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| They are called "deadly" because these behaviors often lead to further sins. |
61. Ostrich kin: EMU.
62. "Morning Edition" airer: NPR. National Public Radio ... as if you didn't already know. 😎
The grid:
We had a bit of a Spanish sub-theme with LAREDO, DALÍ, SEÑORA, SANCHO, RAFA, and EL NIÑO. I hope you had on your thinking sombreros today. 🤠
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| The plus sign in the middle is interesting. I wonder what OMK would have had to say about that.... |
We had a bit of a Spanish sub-theme with LAREDO, DALÍ, SEÑORA, SANCHO, RAFA, and EL NIÑO. I hope you had on your thinking sombreros today. 🤠
That's all. Now I'm out ... like a lamb. 🐑
Have a great week, everyone!
