Theme: 𝄲𝅘𝅥𝇤𝇥 "The best part of waking up ..."
Is not Folgers; trust me! But this "cover" of the jingle is what made my morning!
Puzzling thoughts:
Chairman
Moe here, bringing you a little bit of frivolity to accompany your
morning joe and crossword puzzle solve. Today's puzzle gives you a
caffeine jolt, right in the reveal:
64-across. Mid-morning respite, or what can be found four times in this puzzle: COFFEE BREAK.
Jacob Reed -
our crossword barista du jour - has quite the varied
vocations/avocations in his brief time on this orb we call Planet
Earth. And while being a crossword constructor is a relatively new
vocation to Jacob, he was published three times in 2025 at NY Times;
which is a feat that is quite uncommon, given the plethora of
puzzle-preparers who pepper that paper with printed previews for
potential publication
Jacob supports his coffee break puzzle as follows:
1) placing the key letters to search for in circles (oh, the dreaded circles!)
2) using a black square (also known as a block) to "break" the circled letters
3) using zero "entry phrases" in the puzzle
This is a construction technique that CMoe really digs. I am currently working on
two such puzzles which, fingers crossed, will eventually make it into
publication. Not sure where Jacob "learned" this technique; mine came
from a puzzle that that Jeffrey Wechsler created - you'll note that Jeffrey did not use any circles to reveal his "fromage a trois"
The four types of coffee that Jacob features in his puzzle are:
ICED
DRIP
INSTANT
IRISH
I highlighted these in red so you can see the break in the coffees below:
 |
| Here is the filled grid |
On to the rest of the words:
Across:
1. Dept. of Labor div.: OSHA.
5. Clinks with drinks: TOASTS. Something our erstwhile and dear departed poster tinbeni did every evening to we Cornerites - RIP
11. Loop in on the DL: BCC. If you didn't know what "DL" is (from the clue), I think it means "down low"
14. Tangible: REAL. Moe-ku:
Traveled to Rio.
Exchanged dollars and asked: "Is
This money REAL*?"
*FYI: The Brazilian Real is the local currency ...
15. The great outdoors: NATURE. With 16-across. WC: LOO, a place where many of us - whether we admit it or not - have relieved ourselves 😅
17. Like many theme park puppets: ANIMATRONIC. Plus 19-across. School URL ending: EDU is the first of the "coffee breaks" in today's puzzle (ICED). The first ANIMATRONIC I recall was this group @ DisneyWorld: (long video)
20. Off: NOT ON.
21. Award season oversight: SNUB. (long video)
22. Barter: SWAP.
23. Dating app that went public in 2022: GRINDR. A dating site for a select few
25. Apple Store purchase: IPAD CASE. I have one of these for my i13 phone, and it has proven itself a huge benefit over multiple drops by this clumsy person
27. Coat with, as melted chocolate: DIP IN. Remember seeing one of these at a wedding reception?
29. Dining table extender: LEAF. Moe-ku:
IKEA has new
Dining table set, and it's
Called LEAF Erikson
30. __ and cheese: MAC. If we were making a sandwich, it might have been HAM and cheese
33. Running jokes: GAGS.
35. Hurled: FLUNG.
38. Not for: AGAINST.
41. Pays to play: ANTES UP.
43. World Heritage Site in Jordan: PETRA.
44. Huge production: EPIC. According to Google, this was the first EPIC movie . Of course, YMMV
46. "Wheels down" hr.: ETA. "Wheels up" hr. would be ETD methinks
47. Shoe brand known for a checkerboard design: VANS.
49. Butch Cassidy or the Sundance Kid: ALIAS. My alias is Chairman Moe
52. Rum cocktail: DAIQUIRI. Here is the recipe, plus a little back story
55. Sundial need: SHADOW. I have visited this one in Carefree, AZ
59. Grocery chain that requires a deposit for a shopping cart: ALDI. I think that Aldi and Trader Joe's are linked through a family ownership
60. Darn: MEND. Dang, I tried drat first
62. Upscale Honda: ACURA.
63. "Emilia Prez" Oscar winner Saldana: ZOE. Her:
[reveal]
66. Musician Brian who co-developed the Oblique Strategies creative process: ENO.
67. Like disposable products: ONE USE. A good idea, really! Moe-ku:
A disposable
Product was used more than once.
It exclaimed: "I'm wiped!"
68. Diminutive suffix: ETTE. Moe-ku:
Bach piece in G Maj.
Was shortened, as per schedule;
Renamed, MinuETTE
69. __ Moines, Iowa: DES.
70. Camelot figure: MERLIN.
71. Female deer: DOES. Unlike Homer Simpson's deer, which are DOH's
Down:
1. Chimp kin: ORANG.
1. Chimp kin: ORANG.
2. Man of La Mancha: SENOR.
3. Wyclef Jean's birth country: HAITI.
4. Amaretto flavor: ALMOND.
5. Letters on red Minecraft blocks: TNT. A generational clue
6. Rower's pair: OARS.
7. Performing acts of contrition: ATONING.
8. Vampire's bedtime: SUNUP.
9. Of a clan: TRIBAL.
10. Jiffy: SEC.
11. Flew off the handle: BLEW A FUSE.
12. Musical finales: CODAS.
13. Sedan alternative: COUPE. Moe-ku:
101
Dalmatians antagonist's
Ride? A COUPE De Vil
18. "__ Mack": Disney Channel series featuring seventh graders: ANDI. Another generational clue
22. Beaufort __: SCALE. It measures wind speed
24. D&D et al.: RPGS. Short for Role-Playing-Games -
have I ever said that pluralizing an abbreviation is not my favorite
way to add words to a crossword puzzle? The answer is, "yes"
26. Artful: DEFT.
28. "Already had a bite": I ATE.
30. World view?: MAP.
31. Information conveyed by tree rings: AGE.
Fun fact: As a sommelier, I am aware of the difference between
American Oak barrels and French Oak barrels, as containers that hold
fermented wine for its initial ageing. The American Oak barrels have a
looser grain (tree rings) than the French Oak barrels, and that
"difference" plays a big role in the flavors that are imparted to the
wine. More info in this hyperlink
32. Social media posts by some pet owners: CAT VIDEOS. Sorry, I favor dogs to cats, so no videos to support this clue/answer! I will cede this to my fellow Wednesday blogger, C-E D
34. Breeze (by): SAIL. Verb definition of the word "sail"
36. Trail mix morsel: NUT. RAISIN was too large to fit
37. Dean's list fig.: GPA. After 4 years @ Pitt, my GPA was a 3.25
39. Mosul resident: IRAQI.
40. Half of Mork's farewell: NANU. Robin Williams brought joy to millions; RIP
42. Procedural that spun off from "JAG": NCIS.
45. Throbbing: PAINFUL.
48. Olympian Biles who wears a goat necklace: SIMONE. As in, Greatest of All Times?
50. Starbuck's boss: AHAB. "Barista Manager" was too large to fit
51. Revered: SACRED.
52. Seeing stars: DAZED.
53. Without help: ALONE. Chairman Moe did this recap, solo
54. Send to a specialist: REFER. Fortunately, my new Medicare Advantage program no longer requires me to get a REFERral to see a specialized doctor
56. Because of: DUE TO.
57. Go on the stump: ORATE.
58. Rouses from sleep: WAKES. Moe-ku:
A Carnival Cruise
Passenger was aroused from
Sleep. Turbulent WAKES?
61. Lydic of "The Daily Show": DESI. Another generational clue
64. Rom follower: COM. My favorite "rom com"
65. Velvet finish?: EEN.
That's a wrap! See you in April
I really enjoyed reading the 2021 review and today’s as it highlights the path taken by longtime bloggers. Also, JEFFREY WECHSLER is an all time favorite who is missed here at the Corner whose creative mind shines in the 2021 puzzle. Moe in 2021 provider extensive commentary on every fill. Now he focuses on highlighting what appeals or rankles. I recall going through the same process. I enjoy both and this puzzle. Thanks Jacob and Chris and happy midweek
ReplyDeleteAs far as constructors go, Jeff W is at the top of the list of my favorites, but like you said, he has been MIA for a couple of years now, at least in the LAT, but I haven’t seen his byline anywhere else either. Information seems to be a little scarce, do you know if he is retired or on hiatus?
DeleteWhen I saw the themed
ReplyDeleteentries, I wondered what would tie them all together. The reveal was very satisfying, in more ways than one. (I’m a big coffee drinker myself.)
Anyway, FIR, so I’m happy.
Good morning!
ReplyDeleteZipped right along; the Wite-Out got a rest. D-o does not remember the Brazilian REAL. When I visited back in the '90s. the U.S. dollar was readily accepted almost everywhere. There seemed to be a plethora of short, two-word entries ending in a preposition -- SUN UP, NOT ON, DUE TO, DIP IN, ANTES UP, I'm lookin' at you. Never noticed the circles while solving, so COFFEE BREAK was a surprise. Thanx, Jacob and C-Moe.
Not able to make the print out of the answers on the puzzle itself bigger to enable to read
ReplyDeleteWhat platform are you using? (Win11, Droid, iThing, etc?)
DeleteFIR, but andy->ANDI, tee->EEN, and pulsing->PAINFUL.
ReplyDeleteDNK GRINDR. As a new widower I probably need to check out those dating apps. Not this one, however.
CSOs to greyhound Zoё and MERLIN, my last Irish Wolfhound.
The original Beaufort SCALE didn't have the shoreside descriptions. Weather instruments back then were expensive, uncommon and delicate. These days they are just expensive. Heteronyms Beaufort NC "(BOH-fert) and Beaufort SC (BEU-fert) are about 350 miles apart.
Like Moe, my Advantage program doesn't require a REFERral to see a specialist. However, many specialist practices (including my cardiologists) require one before making a first appointment.
Thanks to Jacob for the fun hump day puzzle (What do you call a camel with a straight back? Humphrey!) And thanks to our Chairman for another fun review. I get a lot of dog videos on my iPhone, especially ones starring drama queen huskies. Don't know why I get them, but most are really funny.
Took 5:17 today using my aerolatte.
ReplyDeleteI knew the Actress of the Day (Zoe), but mainly from the "Lioness" tv series, and I knew today's Spanish lesson (senor).
I honestly didn't even notice those pesky circles today while solving. Which reminds me, ...
Oh joy, circles!
It's PAINFUL (not really) for me to admit, but DUE TO some wrong guesses, it was a DNF puzzle for what is usually an easy puzzle day. The ANDI, GRINDR, DIP IN, RPGS area was unsolvable. Misspelling ANIM-I-TRONICS didn't help the situation. At least the other unknowns-DOE, VANS, & DESI-had solid perps.
ReplyDeleteDIP IN- my brain was looking for a verb. Looking at the picture all I see is a future mess and ruined clothes of the people who attempt to coat something in flowing chocolate.
ALDI and Trader Joes are not related. There are TWO Aldi chains. Aldi-NORD and Aldi SUD, for northern and southern Europe operations. The split up over 60 years ago. Nord owns Trader Joes; Sud has the Aldi chain in the US.
I don't drink COFFEE but fix a pot for DW every morning. When I see people lining up at Starbucks or 7-Brew, it's hard not to shake my head. It's no wonder some people have affordability (the new political buzzword) problems. I'm spending less than $15/month and they are spending $6.00/day.
"GPA. After 4 years @ Pitt, my GPA was a 3.25"- back in the day, that was an achievement. Today, that's a below average GPA.
SIMONE- she's great but gymnastics has subjective scoring. To be a "goat", you have to win them all by objective scoring. Usain Bolt, Eric Heiden, or that Norweigan CC skiier.
So we're also denying GOAT status to pitchers because balls and (called) strikes are subjective?
DeleteFIR. At first I thought the theme might be tea when I saw iced. The reveal cinched it for me and all became clear.
ReplyDeleteI stumbled a bit at aninatronic first trying to insert animal at the beginning of that answer. That was soon corrected.
Overall an enjoyable puzzle.
Musings
ReplyDelete-The gimmick was obvious from the start
-When I think of all the pre-OSHA construction jobs I have had, it’s amazing I’m still alive
-I remember some of the LOOS in Europe that had an attendant whose job it was to stand there all day and hand out paper towels with his little tip jar close at hand.
-DIP IN: We ate at a pricey fondue restaurant in Omaha that went out of business
-I had a lot of 3-pointers in college. That was where my GPA hovered.
-Over the years, my GP has REFERRED me to a gastroenterologist, audiologist, ophthalmologist and an ENT.
-I agree, Jeffrey Wechsler is sorely missed here.
Husker, when I visited Japan in the '60s the airport restrooms had no stalls. Just what looked like a urinal mounted horizontally in the floor with painted footprints on either side. After squatting and completing the mission, there was a female attendant present to offer a towel. Disquieting.
DeleteI'm sitting in my local diner with some homemade cornbread and of course a mug of coffee. So it's quite enjoyable to have Jacob's coffee-themed crossword with me.
ReplyDeleteI thought we might have a pangram today when I spotted the Q and Z in the SW. But alas, no J, Y, or X. The SW is also interesting because two Middle East countries cross each other (PETRA and IRAQI).
I enjoyed the theme--and not just because I love coffee. The circles were useful, and Jacob displayed his construction chops by having the four broken theme words all UNjumbled.
BigEasy, I agree with you regarding subjective vs. objective scoring. In the recent Winter Olympics, the only events that interested me were the objectively-scored ones. That includes curling.
Thanks, Jacob, for a clever Wednesday-appropriate challenge. And thanks, CMoe, for your usual thorough and entertaining recap. I'll keep my fingers crossed that at least one of your puzzles currently under construction eventually sees the light of day.
In spite of a few unknowns, I FIR. Because I left a lot of the NW blank at first, I didn’t see the theme circles until INSTANT. Neat theme. I love morning COFFEE but never after breakfast.
ReplyDeleteI’ve seen those VANS shoes but didn’t know their names. ZOE and DESI were other unknowns. Seeing DR at the end of a word puzzled me at first, then once I guessed HAITI, the NW filled in nicely.
Thank you for the informative, recap livened up by your fun Moe-kus. You are not only a Moe-ku maven but an alliteration animal.
Fun puzzle, but I am at a loss to explain how this theme has not been done before. Surely someone must have done this in a hundred years of crossword construction... I mean, it smacks you in the face every single morning...
ReplyDeleteThank you Chairman Moe for the CSO, but you should be careful what you wish for...
Beaufort was a gimme, I could not afford one of those fancy anemometers,
so I built my own weather indicator...
Sun dials? things have come a long way since sticking a stick in the ground...
Petra! I got really excited when I saw this clip on new chambers being found at Petra.... Now, I don't know what to believe anymore...
Chairman Moe! Thank you! (For all you do...)
That clip of the Disney Bear Jamboree brings back memories. Having 3 girls (4 if you count DW) I have visited Disney World many times. (Even before I had kids.) and we always visited the Jamboree every time. I can't wait to watch it again on YouTube without having to travel, wait in line, and do all things Disney.
I thought in repayment, I would post the It's a small world ride, (but accidentally post an hour long video of waiting in line with that song playing.) turns out no one on YouTube is sadistic, or masochistic enough to post it. this was a s close as I could find...
I was anticipating "DECAF" for the bottom five circles. :-)
ReplyDelete