Happy Memorial Day, everyone!
Things We Need to Trim for $200, Alex.
You can put away your hedge clippers. This one is more personal. We'll begin with the three themed clues & answers:
16 Across. Really, really strong: AS TOUGH AS NAILS. 
26 Across. Delicate pasta often served with a light sauce: ANGEL HAIR. It is one of the thinnest pastas available. Its Italian name is capellini which means "little hairs".
 |
| <not for those with trichophobia> |
44 Across. French folktale that inspired a Kurt Vonnegut novel: BLUEBEARD.
Britannica's write-up 
The reveal:
The reveal:
52 Across. "I wasn't sure at first, but ...," or what could be said about the ends of 16-, 26-, and 44-Across?: IT'S GROWING ON ME. We use this idiom to say that we like something better as time goes on. It can also imply an increasing attachment. Ex.: At first I did not like my roommate's pet iguana but now IT'S GROWNING ON ME.
Also, the words NAILS, HAIR, and BEARD name things that GROW ON the human body.
 |
| Play-Doh Buzz 'n Cut Fuzzy Pumper Barber Shop Set |
Across:
1. Flurries of activity: ADOS. This fill always makes me think about the Shakespeare play Much Ado About Nothing.
5. Swedish aerospace giant: SAAB. SAAB aerospace history
9. Pet food brand: ALPO.
13. Olympic skier Lindsey: VONN. [b. October 18, 1984 in St. Paul, MN] Lindsey Vonn: All alpine ski titles, records, and medals - complete list
14. The Bruins of the Big Ten Conf.: UCLA. University of California, Los Angeles
15. Devil costume part: TAIL.
19. Impressive display: ARRAY. This is the first of three answers that could be clued in a math way.
20. One whose age is given in months: TODDLER.
22. Brick and __: MORTAR. In this age of E-TAIL, brick and mortar has developed a more specific meaning to distinguish businesses with a physical building where clients and customers can visit.
24. Plead: BEG. Does anyone remember this Olivia Newton-John song from 1975?
25. __ Star State: LONE. CSO to our TX Cornerites!
28. "Please explain?": HOW SO?.
29. Chilled: ICED.
30. Bus. letters: INC. Business and INCorporated.
31. "Right this minute!": NOW.
32. Allow: LET.
33. Musician known as the "Godfather of Punk": IGGY POP. [b. James Newell Osterberg Jr. on April 21, 1947] I question how many IP fans we have on The Corner; but, in case you are curious....
5. Swedish aerospace giant: SAAB. SAAB aerospace history
9. Pet food brand: ALPO.
 |
| Remember the Lorne Greene ads? (BTW, he was a Canadian, born in Ottawa...eh!) |
13. Olympic skier Lindsey: VONN. [b. October 18, 1984 in St. Paul, MN] Lindsey Vonn: All alpine ski titles, records, and medals - complete list
 |
| She is simply amazing! |
14. The Bruins of the Big Ten Conf.: UCLA. University of California, Los Angeles
 |
| memory trick for next time: the bear on the CA state flag |
15. Devil costume part: TAIL.
19. Impressive display: ARRAY. This is the first of three answers that could be clued in a math way.
20. One whose age is given in months: TODDLER.
22. Brick and __: MORTAR. In this age of E-TAIL, brick and mortar has developed a more specific meaning to distinguish businesses with a physical building where clients and customers can visit.
24. Plead: BEG. Does anyone remember this Olivia Newton-John song from 1975?
Please Mr. Please
I may or may not have sung this song into a hairbrush
while roller-skating in my driveway back in the day.
29. Chilled: ICED.
31. "Right this minute!": NOW.
32. Allow: LET.
33. Musician known as the "Godfather of Punk": IGGY POP. [b. James Newell Osterberg Jr. on April 21, 1947] I question how many IP fans we have on The Corner; but, in case you are curious....
Iggy Pop ~ Lust for Life ~ released 1977
35. Beaver's project: DAM. 
38. "As if!": HAH.
39. Prefix with gender: CIS-. Wiki list of English words prefixed with CIS-
40. "Of __ and Men": MICE. John Steinbeck [1902-1968] was an American author who won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his realistic and imaginative writing, combining sympathetic humor and keen social perception." To me that perfectly describes this novella (published in 1937) as well as his other works. Steinbeck is much celebrated here in Monterey, his home county.
41. Lofty goal: DREAM.
46. Tidy: NEAT.
47. Stick in a pool hall: CUE.
48. Stovetops: RANGES. This is the second of three answers that could be clued in a math way.
49. "Wow, so soon?": ALREADY.
51. Refried beans bean: PINTO.
56. "If the __ fits ... ": SHOE.
57. World-traveling Verne protagonist: FOGG. Phileas Fogg is the protagonist in the 1872 Jules Verne novel Around the World in Eighty Days. This is the trailer for the 2004 Disney movie version starring Steve Coogan and Jackie Chan:
39. Prefix with gender: CIS-. Wiki list of English words prefixed with CIS-
40. "Of __ and Men": MICE. John Steinbeck [1902-1968] was an American author who won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his realistic and imaginative writing, combining sympathetic humor and keen social perception." To me that perfectly describes this novella (published in 1937) as well as his other works. Steinbeck is much celebrated here in Monterey, his home county.
41. Lofty goal: DREAM.
46. Tidy: NEAT.
47. Stick in a pool hall: CUE.
48. Stovetops: RANGES. This is the second of three answers that could be clued in a math way.
49. "Wow, so soon?": ALREADY.
51. Refried beans bean: PINTO.
56. "If the __ fits ... ": SHOE.
57. World-traveling Verne protagonist: FOGG. Phileas Fogg is the protagonist in the 1872 Jules Verne novel Around the World in Eighty Days. This is the trailer for the 2004 Disney movie version starring Steve Coogan and Jackie Chan:
58. Train travel: RAIL.
59. Watch part: HAND.
60. Own (up): FESS.
61. Loud noise: SLAM. and 45 Down. Loud noise: BANG.
Down:
The Doobie Brothers ~ Long Train Runnin' ~ 1973
59. Watch part: HAND.
 |
| This one didn't go where I thought it was going. |
61. Loud noise: SLAM. and 45 Down. Loud noise: BANG.
Down:
1. Director DuVernay: AVA. and 27 Down. "Brokeback Mountain" director Lee: ANG.
We see these directors regularly in our grids.
2. Uno y uno: DOS. "Y" (pronounced "ee") translates to "and" in English. I love the name Marysol (sea and sun).
3. Properly aimed: ON TARGET. Eaglets instinctually shoot their poop outside of their nest but they do not seem to first look to make sure family members are not in the way. In this video Sunny NAILS eagle dad Shadow 🎯, who takes it in stride.
2. Uno y uno: DOS. "Y" (pronounced "ee") translates to "and" in English. I love the name Marysol (sea and sun).
3. Properly aimed: ON TARGET. Eaglets instinctually shoot their poop outside of their nest but they do not seem to first look to make sure family members are not in the way. In this video Sunny NAILS eagle dad Shadow 🎯, who takes it in stride.
video from 5/11/25
As of this writing, neither Sunny nor Gismo have fledged
-- but I am keeping an eye on them!
BTW, the correct word for an eagle poop shoot is slice.
4. Showed appreciation for a bad joke, maybe: SNORTED. 
5. Result of a Halloween candy binge: SUGAR HIGH. This was not a first-y but it is a great bonus word! I started with SUGAR rusH.
6. Sore: ACHY.
7. In the style of, on a menu: À LA.
5. Result of a Halloween candy binge: SUGAR HIGH. This was not a first-y but it is a great bonus word! I started with SUGAR rusH.
6. Sore: ACHY.
7. In the style of, on a menu: À LA.
8. Tool often used on Thanksgiving: BASTER.
9. Just slightly: A TAD.
10. Brought down to the ground: LAID LOW.
11. Bed cushion: PILLOW.
12. "Full House" twins: OLSENS. They did that thing where twins play one character so a TODDLER would not have to be on set so much.
 |
| Mary-Kate and Ashley (or Ashley and Mary-Kate???) |
17. Asian territory on a Risk board: URAL. Risk is a board game of strategy and territorial conquest.
18. Eggy holiday drink: NOG.
21. __ Speedwagon: REO.
22. Put in the post: MAIL.
23. A single time: ONCE.
24. Transport with training wheels: BICYCLE. We see training wheels less and less because today's TODDLERs learn to ride on balance bikes. Pretty nifty!!
18. Eggy holiday drink: NOG.
21. __ Speedwagon: REO.
22. Put in the post: MAIL.
23. A single time: ONCE.
24. Transport with training wheels: BICYCLE. We see training wheels less and less because today's TODDLERs learn to ride on balance bikes. Pretty nifty!!
28. Move like a frog: HOP.
31. Some facial jewelry: NOSE RINGS. Speaking of frogs...
33. Terse affirmative: I AM. "Remember to take out the recycling." "I AM!"
34. More, on a music score: PIÙ. This is an Italian musical term that means "more". It is commonly used in conjunction with other musical instructions to indicate that the performer should increase certain aspects of the music, such as volume, speed, or emotion. source
31. Some facial jewelry: NOSE RINGS. Speaking of frogs...
33. Terse affirmative: I AM. "Remember to take out the recycling." "I AM!"
34. More, on a music score: PIÙ. This is an Italian musical term that means "more". It is commonly used in conjunction with other musical instructions to indicate that the performer should increase certain aspects of the music, such as volume, speed, or emotion. source
35. Like the lines on argyle socks: DIAGONAL. This is the third of three answers that could be clued in a math way.
37. Rx items: MEDS. Note that both the clue and answer are abbreviations.
38. Talks trash about: HATES ON. Just as it is not a good idea to roll around in trash, it is not a good idea to wallow in HATE.
40. Trusted career guides: MENTORS.
41. Genetic letters: DNA.
42. Condiment on a hot dog: RELISH. This word is a good fit for Memorial Day picnics.
47. Capt.'s underling: CDR. In the U.S. Navy, a Captain is over a Commander.
50. Became older: AGED. Speaking of birthdays, Happy 75th Birthday to Sophia!
51. Babe and Wilbur, for two: PIGS. Young PIGS are called piglets and young hedgehogs are called hoglets.
 |
| Babe, Wilbur, and a hoglet |
53. Deep sadness: WOE.
54. "Mamma __!": MIA. Such a great soundtrack! I'll take a chance on this one:
55. Furniture wood: ELM. If this were 1-Down, I would have inked in oak but by 55-D it had filled itself.
Today's grid:
I hope this puzzle measured up to your expectations!
 |
| Christina put ten (non-themed) two-word answers in this grid. |
I hope this puzzle measured up to your expectations!
Have a safe and happy holiday!
38 comments:
Although “piu” was
unknown, the perps were kind. But since that was pretty much the only “unknown” word, I’m going to grant this puzzle the “coveted” title of “a walk in the park.” We’ll see if others agree. Anyway, FIR, so I’m happy.
And on this “remembrance” day, I want to take a moment
to be thankful to all the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.
As Robert Heinlein wrote, in one of his many excellent novels, you’d be surprised at how many “torn and tattered” battle flags this nation could hoist! (He was a proud Navy veteran himself).
Good morning!
When d-o saw that the "Condiment on a hot dog" was only 6 letters, he feared the dreaded CATSUP. Whew. "If the ____ fits": William Spooner would say, "If the foo..." Nicely done, Christina. I always enjoy your expos, sumdaze. (Your California comment took me by surprise. Then I realized I was confusing Steinbeck with Faulkner. D'oh.)
FIR, but diamonds->DIAGONAL.
IMO, there is a big difference between being strong and being AS TOUGH AS NAILS. I've known gym rats who are really buff, but if they get a bloody nose, they run home to mommy.
Little typo in the review. Of course, it's Around the World in 80 Days. I can still hear Der Bingle singing that song.
POP is the only IGGY I know.
One of my favorite RAIL travel songs is City of New Orleans. Another great one is The Gambler.
Thanks to Christina for the fun Monday romp, and to sumdaze for another fine review.
BTW, if you are a RAIL buff, you may want to spend a day at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, then the next morning take Amtrak's California Zephyr across the Donner Pass to Reno.
Thank you, Sheldon.
I'll agree with SG on "a walk in the park" - this puzzle filled quickly so I came to the blog to see the answers that perped in without me looking at them
Thanks SD for a fun and musical blog and Christina for the puzzle
We are supposed to have a break in the rain today which is good for those who have Memorial Day plans. I always say that the farmers get first dibs on the weather so I'm never bummed when rain comes when we need it!
Took 5:24 today to trim my mustache.
Piu? And, on a Monday? And, crossing a prefix?
Ava crossing Vonn in the top-left was crunchy too, but as our esteemed SubG said, this was otherwise a WITP. Heck, I even knew BOTH of today's actresses (Olsens).
FIR. The only word that gave me pause was piu. It didn't help that my mind went blank on Iggy Pop's last name. (I wonder what his name really is)
The perps were kind where a name was involved. And I couldn't help but notice the double consonants at the end of Vonn and Fogg.
But overall this was an enjoyable puzzle.
And please, today and every day, remember those who died so we can live free!
Monday puzzle…Truly a day to remember and give thanks to the many.
Enjoy the day.
Thank you, Christina. Did you know that fingernails and hair are made of the same protein? Keratin. In toenails and fingernails, the keratin is more densely packed, so it is harder. Also, they say that your fingernails grow faster than your toenails. That makes sense to me.
Thank you sumdaze. Fun review. I especially liked the Play-Doh Buzz 'n Cut Fuzzy Pumper Barber Shop Set. How cute is that? I don't recall that song, but I'm leaning towards you really did sing that song into your hairbrush while roller skating. You made me laugh.
Gotta run. Smoked beef brisket and burnt ends don't cook themselves. Probably hot dogs and/or brats for DW. She doesn't care for smoked brisket.
See all y'all later n'at!
True Monday solve. I chuckled, not SNORTED at the reveal. VONN came to me from deep inside my memory box. When I typed VONN spell check wanted to continue the word and make it VONNEGUT by coincidence.
By the way way back when I read all the Vonnegut novel I could but I don’t remember Bluebeard.
We had FOGG recently. All in all á nice puzzle for á Monday morning.
Thank you sumdaze for the great review with great music and those two eagle babies.
Thank you to all who gave of their lives so the rest of us could live free.
That should be novels and who gave their lives, no of.
And, may I add, “Freedom never comes for free!” (i.e. without sacrifice)
Musings
-A nice Monday puzzle from a resident of our fav cwd town Ames, IA
-The Huskers beat UCLA 5 – 0 yesterday to win the Big 10 baseball tournament
-We make every effort to buy from a brick-and-mortar store before we head to Amazon
-“Pass me the butter.” “What’s the magic word?” “NOW!”
-Interesting ARRAY of CIS words in your lovely write-up, Sumdaze.
-On Family Feud, the host always tells the RANGE of people who supplied answers
-Hands: In a cognitive test to screen for dementia, doctors ask patients to draw 11:10 on a blank dial
-In Britain, one might POST a letter or check the POST
-I agree with your sentiment, Sumdaze, but I really do HATE liver!
-My friend and I hated to try to split ELM for firewood
-Today, Joann always wears her Wes Sperling tee shirt celebrating our friend who died in Vietnam trying to evacuate others.
Good Morning:
As mentioned, Piu was unknown but easily perped, as was Blue Beard, a Vonnegut novel unfamiliar to me. Overall, a pleasant solve with a surprise reveal and above average fill for a Monday.
Thanks, Christina, and thanks, sumdaze, for a thorough and interesting summary. You have a knack for spotting patterns and features in a grid that I, for one, overlook, i.e., the math-related cluing possibility and the number of two-word answers. Liked the beaver, frog, and pig comics!
Happy Birthday, Sophia, have a great day. 🎂🎊🎁🎈🎉
Remembering those to whom we owe so much. 🇺🇸🙏
???
Bird beaks are made of keratin as well. The things you learn from watching The Incredible Dr. Poll.
Christina provided us with an enjoyable, straightforward, and well-constructed Monday diversion today. And it is always refreshing to those of us who are not particularly A & E buffs to at least once in a while find in the grid somebody from our generation, such as today's Eartha Kitt!
Thanks, Christina, for your satisfying and fun challenge today. And thanks, sumdaze, for another competent and amusing recap.
Today is Memorial Day, and I always find it encouraging that so many people on this day--and Veterans Day--honor it, and remember those who served.
WOULD YOU FINISH THE CLOCK? My (now retired) PCP said it to me after I drew the face with just 3, 6, 9, and 12. Medicare requirement, I guess.
Thank you Christina (and Patti) for a very doable Monday puzzle. We've been on the road for the past month (wedding in California and college graduation in Wyoming) and I haven't been doing any puzzles, so I figured I'd start off with an easy one.
And thank you Renee for another sumdazzling review!
Some favs:
1A ADOS. I can't recommend this adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing by Kenneth Branagh enough -- great play, great film.
16A TOUGH AS NAILS. The picture of course is of Rosie The Riveter and my tiny Mom was a British Rosie who worked during WWII riveting the fins on 500 lb bombs.
33A IGGY POP. Not a fav.
44A BLUEBEARD. This legend has been adapted to many works of art, including the gruesome Bluebeard's Castle, an opera by Bela Bartok. I've never been able to sit through the whole thing.
57A FOGG. My favorite adaptation of Verne's story is the one starring David Tenant. He did so much more than just Doctor Who.
Cheers,
Bill
Amen on all.
I heartily second Bill's shout-out to Kenneth Branagh's "Much Ado About Nothing." Branagh has been ably serving as our generation's Laurence Olivier, in making Shakespeare fun and accessible and entertaining.
I enjoyed this puzzle with very little dreck and plenty of unusual fill words like EARTHA, BICYCLE, NOSERINGS, and DIAGONAL. The theme was creative, surprising, and fun.
Thank-you to Christina for the nice start to the week, and to Sumdaze for the entertaining review!
This puzzle had a high trim level, so I will cut it short. I only had one minor quibble. "Brought down to the ground" doesn't quite fit the common usage of LAID LOW, "to incapacitate or overcome." It's the "to the ground" part that seems awkward. Maybe clue as "on the lam" or something.
All in all, a pleasant Memorial Day excursion from Christina - just keep that RELISH (and catsup) off my hot dog! And thanks to sumdaze for another fine write-up and the link to "Long Train Runnin'," a favorite song covered by my high school rock band.
Enjoyed yesterdays puzzle, but was too busy to comment.
There was thing that sticks in my mind though, how did you know who get to give a speech there? it's got to stick in your craw...
More like a latter day of the week challenge. Lots of hesitations at first. Was tempted to start with snow “Flurry”, but perps said otherwise. just like ALPO not Iams . Not crazy about what is essentially an abbrev. FESS
Always wondered if EARTHA Kitt was named after the planet I assume she was born on.
As I’ve AGED, HAIR: “it’s growing on me” less on my head more in my ears 👂 👂 😲
Inkover: abit/ATAD, Nemo/FOGG, dial/HAND,
Rx MEDS info …. DOS or ADOS
Was Phileas related to the London family____ ? …. FOGG
Exploding Ford compact …. PINTO
Our town and suburbs celebrate Memorial Day with hundreds of banners honoring servicemen and women veterans hung along the main streets. Families upload a photo and brief service information to a website. “Mohawk Valley Home Town Heroes” are displayed till Veterans Day. 🇺🇸
Fast and enjoyable puzzle today, and some really nice musical accompaniment from sumdaze. I'll spend the day remembering the nine men from my squadron whose names are engraved on the Wall, as well as all the rest who gave that last full measure of devotion.
Delightful Monday puzzle, many thanks, Christina. And your commentary with neat pictures and things was also helpful and enjoyable, thanks for that too, Sumdaze.
I kept wondering if we might be at a holiday party in this puzzle, with a bit of ADO right at the beginning, but things soon LAID LOW before long. One or two people SNORTED a little, but they were apparently amused, and there was a TAD of food and drink available, which was good. Having some ANGEL HAIR pasta is always nice, maybe along with some RELISH on some hot dogs, followed by some dessert. Afterwards I bet it was nap time for both the MENTORS and the TODDLERS, with folks settling down on a PILLOW and enjoying a DREAM. Not a bad way to celebrate Memorial Day.
Have a wonderful day, everybody.
Memorial Day greetings to you all. I enjoyed this puzzle, sumdaze's write-up, and all your comments. NEWBORN had to be changed to TODDLER.
By the way, I very much like Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. I have it on my Kindle. IMO the best movie version of it is the one starring Gary Sinise as George and John Malkovich as Lennie. (I also read the entire East of Eden book. Man oh man is it long!)
But when you graduate and become an officer, you learn how to strategically lie, cheat and steal. WWII would have been lost (well, at least D-Day would have been lost) without such subterfuge.
Thanks for the interesting comments and kind words.
KS@8:10. Good catch on the double consonants in VONN and FOGG!
Welcome back, waseeley!
Hola! Thanks to Christina for a quick and easy puzzle today. I breezed through it then went back to read the downward fill. i cannot emphasize enough how much I dislike NOSE RINGS. When I see a cashier with them, I move on to another one. However, I love ANGEL HAIR pasta. Also, I have a SHOE fetish and love to buy SHOES. Sadly, I can no longer wear high heels but had some in every color I could find when I did wear them.
Learning moment that SAAB is now an aerospace giant.
My great-grandson's TODDLER days are well over. He "graduated" from kindergarten to first grade.
Enjoy your holiday, everyone! Thank you to all who served!
Jayce, thank you for the information about the movie version of OF MICE AND MEN. I, too, read "East of Eden" both in the book version and audio. Yes, it is long!
C.C. has today's USA Today crossword puzzle, In the Hole
Marvelous Monday. Thanks for the fun, Christina and sumdaze (thanks for the Lorne Greene Canadian SO).
I FIRed and saw the GROWING theme, but found a little crunch for a Monday.
A bit changed to A TAD.
Lowered changed to LAID LOW.
Oak changed to ELM.
Duo changed to DOS.
HAPPY 75th Birthday Sophia.
Memorial Day greetings to my American friends.
Wishing you all a great day.
I'm going to award myself a FIR in 10, despite getting one cell WRONG (AbA/bONN), because it's UNFAIR to have two names crossing each other. If you DNK either, it's a 1/26 guess. No fair!! So I gave myself a CW mulligan. Other than than, I managed to fill pretty confidently. 13 names, DNK 7, including the 2 that crossed in the NW. Other than that, thanx CI. Thanx too to Sumdaze for the terrific write-up. And thanx too to our veterans, especially those who gave their lives. Last but not least, HBD Sophia!
Post a Comment