Theme: Lace up!
The theme is somewhat hidden until the big reveal:
50-Across. Prepare to skate, or what can be found in 3-, 8-, 10-, and 33-Down?: LACE UP. Indeed, upon examination, we find the word LACE going UPwards in four vertical entries. If you didn't see the laces, check the image of the grid at the end of this blog post!
3-Down. Business meetings over the phone: CONFERENCE CALLS.
8-Down. Stillness before a storm: EERIE CALM.
10-Down. Zodiac cycle in which the Rabbit follows the Tiger: CHINESE CALENDAR.
33-Down. Baby humpback: WHALE CALF.
Things are definitely looking up in this puzzle, but it's time for us to look across and down.
44. Pint night purchase: ALE.
45. Respected villager: ELDER.
47. Zilch: NIL.
48. "Door's open": COME IN.
50. [Theme clue]
53. Bold alternative?: ITALICS. Font options!
55. Fragrant evergreen: FIR.
56. Org. whose seal depicts an eagle atop a key: NSA. An abbreviation in the clue calls for an abbreviation in the answer.
57. "You got a deal!": SOLD.
58. Fruity fall beverage: APPLE CIDER.
61. "Riverdale" actress Reinhart: LILI. Lili Reinhart gained recognition for playing Betty Cooper on the CW teen drama series Riverdale (2017-2023). She also starred in the crime drama film Hustlers (2019) and the romantic drama film Chemical Hearts (2020).
62. Strung along: LED ON.
63. Title for New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko: DAME. Dame Lydia Ko (born April 24, 1997) is a New Zealand professional golfer, member of the LPGA Hall of Fame, and the reigning Olympic champion. She first reached number one in the Women's World Golf Rankings in 2015 at 17 years, 9 months and 9 days of age, making her the youngest player of either gender to be ranked No. 1 in professional golf. Ko was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2025, for services to golf. She is believed to be the youngest dame or knight of the modern era.
64. "If all __ fails ... ": ELSE. If you don't know Lili or Lydia, try to fill in the perps (perpendicular entries), and if that doesn't complete the names, take a WAG (wild ass guess).
65. Defect: FLAW.
66. Unrefined minerals: ORES.
Down:
1. Prepares for a photograph: POSES.
2. One-named "Hello" singer: ADELE. Adele is an English singer, songwriter, and actress, known for her mezzo-soprano vocals and sentimental songwriting. Her accolades include 16 Grammy Awards, 12 Brit Awards (including three for British Album of the Year), an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
3. [Theme clue]
4. The first "T" of TNT: TRI. Trinitrotoluene, commonly known as TNT, is a chemical compound best known as an explosive material with convenient handling properties. Wile E. Coyote certainly finds it convenient.
7. Peak in the Cascade Range: SHASTA. Mount Shasta is a volcano at the southern end of the Cascade Range in California. At an elevation of 14,179 feet, it is the second-highest peak in the Cascades and the fifth-highest in the state. The last significant eruption was about 200 years ago, but it is still a high threat and is monitored by the United States Geological Survey.
8. [Theme clue]
9. Units of land area: ACRES.
10. [Theme clue]
11. Catchall category: Abbr.: MISC.
12. Heaviest fencing sword: ÉPÉE.
14. Body part that can be furrowed: BROW.
17. CeraVe rival: OLAY. Brands of skin care products.
22. Muscles near delts: LATS. Delts (deltoids) and lats (latissimus dorsi) are crucial upper-body muscles that define shoulder width, posture, and pulling/pushing strength.
30. Iran's continent: ASIA.
31. Dolphin with eye patches: ORCA. Have you heard about the orcas in the Pacific Northwest who engaged in a trend of wearing dead salmon on their heads like hats? This fad spread through various pods in the late 1980s, and is experiencing a retro revival. Who can keep up?
46. Quash, as a rumor: DISPEL.
47. DEA agent: NARC. An agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration may be a narcotics officer.
49. Song from a bygone era: OLDIE.
50. Property claim: LIEN.
51. "I'm at your service": USE ME.
52. Trims (down): PARES.
53. Part of an archipelago: ISLE.
54. Work hard: TOIL.
55. __ state: focused mindset: FLOW. Flow state, or being "in the zone," is a state of total immersion in an activity, characterized by intense concentration, deep enjoyment, and high productivity.
59. Kissing on the kiss cam, say: PDA. Public Display of Affection.
60. Swear words?: I DO.
Across:
1. Treaty between nations: PACT.
5. Diamond corner: BASE. Baseball diamond.
9. Highest point: ACME. Will it be ACME or APEX? Only the perpendicular entries know for sure.
13. Aroma: ODOR.
14. Soak in the tub: BATHE.
15. Guacamole scoop: CHIP.
16. Last stretch before graduation: SENIOR YEAR.
18. Increase in altitude: RISE.
19. North Pole helper: ELF.
20. __ Angeles Sparks: LOS. The Los Angeles Sparks are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Sparks compete in the Women's National Basketball Association.
21. "Stop talking!": SILENCE.
23. Playground board with two seats: SEE SAW. A SEE SAW (or teeter-totter) is a long, narrow board, balanced in the center on a single pivot point. One person sits on each end of the board, and they take turns pushing their feet against the ground to raise their side. If one person jumps off when their side is low, the other may fall and be injured. For this reason, see saws have been removed from most playgrounds in the United States. Today's blogger was fortunate to grow up in the days when children were largely unsupervised. My siblings and I spent several summers in and around Salida, Colorado, and spent hours on see saws in the shady city park.
5. Diamond corner: BASE. Baseball diamond.
9. Highest point: ACME. Will it be ACME or APEX? Only the perpendicular entries know for sure.
13. Aroma: ODOR.
14. Soak in the tub: BATHE.
15. Guacamole scoop: CHIP.
16. Last stretch before graduation: SENIOR YEAR.
18. Increase in altitude: RISE.
19. North Pole helper: ELF.
20. __ Angeles Sparks: LOS. The Los Angeles Sparks are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Sparks compete in the Women's National Basketball Association.
21. "Stop talking!": SILENCE.
23. Playground board with two seats: SEE SAW. A SEE SAW (or teeter-totter) is a long, narrow board, balanced in the center on a single pivot point. One person sits on each end of the board, and they take turns pushing their feet against the ground to raise their side. If one person jumps off when their side is low, the other may fall and be injured. For this reason, see saws have been removed from most playgrounds in the United States. Today's blogger was fortunate to grow up in the days when children were largely unsupervised. My siblings and I spent several summers in and around Salida, Colorado, and spent hours on see saws in the shady city park.
 |
| Children on a see saw |
25. "Relax, soldier": AT EASE.
26. Beam of light: RAY.
27. Make into law: ENACT.
28. U.S. ID issuer: SSA. Social Security Administration.
31. Broken mirror, to some: OMEN. A bad omen, at that.
33. Get hitched: WED.
34. White-barked trees: ASPENS. Aspen trees (Populus tremuloides AKA "trembling poplar") are not individual trees but rather part of a shared root system. A grove of aspens shares the same genetics, with new trunks sprouting from the roots.
26. Beam of light: RAY.
27. Make into law: ENACT.
28. U.S. ID issuer: SSA. Social Security Administration.
31. Broken mirror, to some: OMEN. A bad omen, at that.
33. Get hitched: WED.
34. White-barked trees: ASPENS. Aspen trees (Populus tremuloides AKA "trembling poplar") are not individual trees but rather part of a shared root system. A grove of aspens shares the same genetics, with new trunks sprouting from the roots.
 |
| Aspen grove |
36. Go on a tirade: RANT.
37. Red Monopoly piece: HOTEL.
39. Palm with berries: ACAI.
40. Noisy summer insect: CICADA.
42. Meat in a croque monsieur: HAM. A Croque Monsieur is a French hot sandwich made with ham, cheese, and béchamel sauce.
37. Red Monopoly piece: HOTEL.
39. Palm with berries: ACAI.
40. Noisy summer insect: CICADA.
42. Meat in a croque monsieur: HAM. A Croque Monsieur is a French hot sandwich made with ham, cheese, and béchamel sauce.
 |
| Croque monsieur |
43. California wine valley: NAPA.
44. Pint night purchase: ALE.
45. Respected villager: ELDER.
47. Zilch: NIL.
48. "Door's open": COME IN.
50. [Theme clue]
53. Bold alternative?: ITALICS. Font options!
55. Fragrant evergreen: FIR.
56. Org. whose seal depicts an eagle atop a key: NSA. An abbreviation in the clue calls for an abbreviation in the answer.
57. "You got a deal!": SOLD.
58. Fruity fall beverage: APPLE CIDER.
61. "Riverdale" actress Reinhart: LILI. Lili Reinhart gained recognition for playing Betty Cooper on the CW teen drama series Riverdale (2017-2023). She also starred in the crime drama film Hustlers (2019) and the romantic drama film Chemical Hearts (2020).
62. Strung along: LED ON.
63. Title for New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko: DAME. Dame Lydia Ko (born April 24, 1997) is a New Zealand professional golfer, member of the LPGA Hall of Fame, and the reigning Olympic champion. She first reached number one in the Women's World Golf Rankings in 2015 at 17 years, 9 months and 9 days of age, making her the youngest player of either gender to be ranked No. 1 in professional golf. Ko was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2025, for services to golf. She is believed to be the youngest dame or knight of the modern era.
 |
| Lydia Ko |
64. "If all __ fails ... ": ELSE. If you don't know Lili or Lydia, try to fill in the perps (perpendicular entries), and if that doesn't complete the names, take a WAG (wild ass guess).
65. Defect: FLAW.
66. Unrefined minerals: ORES.
Down:
1. Prepares for a photograph: POSES.
2. One-named "Hello" singer: ADELE. Adele is an English singer, songwriter, and actress, known for her mezzo-soprano vocals and sentimental songwriting. Her accolades include 16 Grammy Awards, 12 Brit Awards (including three for British Album of the Year), an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
 |
| Adele |
3. [Theme clue]
4. The first "T" of TNT: TRI. Trinitrotoluene, commonly known as TNT, is a chemical compound best known as an explosive material with convenient handling properties. Wile E. Coyote certainly finds it convenient.
5. Howls at the moon: BAYS.
6. Enjoyed some tteokbokki, say: ATE. Tteokbokki is a Korean food made from small, cylindrical rice cakes, simmered in chili paste. It is often paired with fish cakes, boiled eggs, and scallions. This was a good spot for a WAG. After all, what's a three letter word for "enjoyed"?
6. Enjoyed some tteokbokki, say: ATE. Tteokbokki is a Korean food made from small, cylindrical rice cakes, simmered in chili paste. It is often paired with fish cakes, boiled eggs, and scallions. This was a good spot for a WAG. After all, what's a three letter word for "enjoyed"?
 |
| Tteokbokki |
7. Peak in the Cascade Range: SHASTA. Mount Shasta is a volcano at the southern end of the Cascade Range in California. At an elevation of 14,179 feet, it is the second-highest peak in the Cascades and the fifth-highest in the state. The last significant eruption was about 200 years ago, but it is still a high threat and is monitored by the United States Geological Survey.
 |
| Would you live this close to an active volcano? This is the city of Mount Shasta. |
8. [Theme clue]
9. Units of land area: ACRES.
10. [Theme clue]
11. Catchall category: Abbr.: MISC.
12. Heaviest fencing sword: ÉPÉE.
14. Body part that can be furrowed: BROW.
17. CeraVe rival: OLAY. Brands of skin care products.
 |
| DH uses this cleanser as recommended by his dermatologist. |
22. Muscles near delts: LATS. Delts (deltoids) and lats (latissimus dorsi) are crucial upper-body muscles that define shoulder width, posture, and pulling/pushing strength.
24. North Pole VIP: SANTA.
25. "What happened next?": AND THEN?
27. Fair-hiring initials: EEO. Equal Employment Opportunity is a legal principle meant to ensure that all employees and applicants receive fair treatment by prohibiting discrimination in hiring, promotion, and firing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40+), disability, or genetic information.
29. "Just like that" sound: SNAP.
25. "What happened next?": AND THEN?
27. Fair-hiring initials: EEO. Equal Employment Opportunity is a legal principle meant to ensure that all employees and applicants receive fair treatment by prohibiting discrimination in hiring, promotion, and firing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40+), disability, or genetic information.
29. "Just like that" sound: SNAP.
30. Iran's continent: ASIA.
31. Dolphin with eye patches: ORCA. Have you heard about the orcas in the Pacific Northwest who engaged in a trend of wearing dead salmon on their heads like hats? This fad spread through various pods in the late 1980s, and is experiencing a retro revival. Who can keep up?
 |
| Orca rocking a salmon hat. |
32. Postal delivery: MAIL.
33. [Theme clue]
35. Become frantic: PANIC.
38. Serving of corn: EAR.
41. "The Substance" Oscar nominee Moore: DEMI. For her role in The Substance (2024), Moore won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, the Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress, and an Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Performance.
33. [Theme clue]
35. Become frantic: PANIC.
38. Serving of corn: EAR.
41. "The Substance" Oscar nominee Moore: DEMI. For her role in The Substance (2024), Moore won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, the Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress, and an Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Performance.
46. Quash, as a rumor: DISPEL.
47. DEA agent: NARC. An agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration may be a narcotics officer.
49. Song from a bygone era: OLDIE.
50. Property claim: LIEN.
51. "I'm at your service": USE ME.
52. Trims (down): PARES.
53. Part of an archipelago: ISLE.
54. Work hard: TOIL.
55. __ state: focused mindset: FLOW. Flow state, or being "in the zone," is a state of total immersion in an activity, characterized by intense concentration, deep enjoyment, and high productivity.
59. Kissing on the kiss cam, say: PDA. Public Display of Affection.
 |
| Too much? |
60. Swear words?: I DO.
Here's the grid:
Solvers, did you achieve a FLOW state while solving?
Or did you PANIC? AND THEN?
Let us know in the comments section!
-- NaomiZ
A nice easy Monday type
ReplyDeletepuzzle from our esteemed and beloved blogmistress. So what’s not to like?
Anyway, FIR, so I’m happy.
Good morning!
ReplyDeleteNot familiar with FLOW STATE (sounds like a flash flood), but this one flowed nicely. Failed to notice the rising LACEs until the reveal. Natch. Well done, C.C. and NaomiZ.
FIR without erasure. DNK LILI and FLOW state, which to me seems more like a urologist's concern.
ReplyDeleteMention #67 - AT EASE is different than "relax."
We just had a Bill Withers tune, but not USE ME.
Since we had WED and I DO, I thought I'd share an old story about a husband telling his wife that a former neighbor had just died, and on their honeymoon no less. "At least he didn't suffer long" said the husband. His wife asked "how did he die?" The husband replied that he didn't know. His wife then asked "well how do you know he didn't suffer long?" The husband replied "he was only married two days."
Thanks to CC for the fun Monday puzzle, and to NaomiZ for another interesting review.