Elizabeth Duker-Gold premiered here just last month, and Devon Moffat joins her for his debut today.
20. Herbal medicines?: THYME CAPSULES. TIME CAPSULES. The U.S. recently buried a massive 900-pound cylinder near Independence Hall in Philadelphia, packed with artifacts from all 50 states and territories to mark our 250th anniversary, and is scheduled to be opened in 2276. I can hardly wait to see what's inside!
30. Veggie dogs?: BEET BOXERS. BEATBOXERS. Beatboxing is the art of mimicking drum machines and other musical instruments using only the human mouth. It has evolved into a highly competitive art form.
40. Green new deal?: PEAS TREATY. A play on PEACE TREATY, but PEAS and PEACE aren't homophones. And I'm not sure why the deal is "new"? Because it's green? The New Deal was a series of economic programs and public works projects, not a treaty.
52. Unexceptional, or an apt description of 20-, 30-, and 40-Across?: GARDEN VARIETY. I hate to be contrary like Mary, but this theme didn't totally land for me. These are all plant varieties found in gardens, I suppose, but one is herbal and the other two are vegetables. One is pronounced differently than the veggie it's replacing. And they are mixed singular and plural. So, "unexceptional" is an apt description of this puzzle as well.
On the plus side, I did like the puns in the clues. And I liked certain answer pairings such as "ITSY, bitsy, TEENY, weenie," like a yellow, polka dot bikini! Elizabeth and Devon are in the right field, and with a little nurturing, will grow into fine constructors.
Let's see what else we can reap from this.
Across:
1. Kiddie pool filler: HOSE. I wanted KIDS, but it was already part of the clue. Kidding!
5. Admin. aide: ASST. An administrative assistant.
9. General feelings: VIBES. I love the VIBES I get from listening to jazz:
14. The big screen?: IMAX. Watching movies specially formatted for huge IMAX screens can be very immersive...just don't arrive late and have to look straight up at a five-story screen from the front row. Don't ask me how I know.
15. Burrowing rodent: VOLE. I wrote MOLE, which made California's fruit hard to discern until I fixed it..
16. Vinegary sauce: ADOBO.
17. Southern region of South America: PATAGONIA. PATAGONIA is a vast geographic region shared by Argentina and Chile. It is renowned for its vast, windswept steppe, spectacular Andean glaciers, and rugged granite peaks that are very popular with trekkers.
19. Puts up for sale: LISTS.
20. [theme]
22. Crew blade: OAR. Kelsey Pfendler just made history by solo rowing 2,400 miles from California to Hawaii, breaking both men's and women's speed records. It took her 44 days!
23. Covers in goo: TARS. I don't think of TAR as goo, but I guess it is.
24. Obscure to protect privacy, perhaps: REDACT. As a bonus to all our loyal followers, I'm publishing the Crossword Corner's bank account #■■■■■■■■■■■■ so you may withdraw as much as you want!
27. Amer. capital: USD. Your bonus is in U.S. Dollars, of course. You're welcome.
28. Affectionate text: ILY. I Love You. Back in the days of beepers, we'd send 143 as an affectionate page. It represents the number of letters in each word.
29. Glasgow refusal: NAE.
30. [theme]
35. Lost: GONE. Kinda sorta the same.
36. Chabert of the "Crossword Mysteries" series: LACEY. LACEY Chabert starred as crossword editor Tess Harper in five Crossword Mysteries that aired on the Hallmark Channel.
37. Hosp. scan: MRI. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a hospital.
38. Dancer and choreographer Ailey: ALVIN.
39. Olympic archer?: EROS. From Mount Olympus, not currently one of the participating nations.
40. [theme]
42. NLE rival of NYM: ATL. A National League East rival of the New York Mets is the Atlanta Braves.
43. Any of the Tetons: Abbr.: MTN. Short for Mountain. Tall for mountain is Everest.
44. Arabic for "son of": IBN. A possible Natick where it's first letter crosses TISANES.
45. The "T" of T.S. Eliot: THOMAS. THOMAS Sterns Eliot, Nobel Prize-winning poet, essayist, and playwright.
47. Not great: SO SO. Very great: ZOSO!
49. System of connected PCs, for short: LAN. Personal Computers communicate via a Local Area Network.
52. [theme]
55. Energy-channeling healing technique: REIKI. REIKI is a Japanese energy healing therapy that involves a practitioner lightly placing their hands on or just above a person's body. It aims to channel universal life force energy to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and support the body's natural healing abilities.
57. Cloudburst: RAINSTORM. Perfect for watering one's garden.
58. "WandaVision" star Elizabeth: OLSEN. This miniseries had a clever conceit - each episode was a decade newer than the last, starting in '50s black & white through modern color.
59. "Dibs!": MINE.
60. Shorten, in a way: SNIP.
61. Our, in French: NOTRE. "Il faut cultiver NOTRE jardin". Coined by the philosopher Voltaire, it translates to "We must cultivate our garden." He means, "Mind you own business!"
62. Some cold brews: ALES.
63. "What is it?": YEAH. As in, "YEAH? Whaddaya want?"
Down:
1. In on: HIP TO. Again, not quite the same. HIP TO means to be aware of, while "in on" means to be a participant to a secret or plan.
2. Nebraska home of the College World Series: OMAHA.
3. Forest figure of myth: SATYR.
4. Skills assessment: EXAM.
5. State fruit of California: AVOCADO.
6. Ocean waves?: SONAR. Fun clue.
7. Ignores a "wet floor" sign, maybe: SLIPS. "It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt...then it's hilarious!" (from a popular meme)
8. Steeped brews: TEAS. Or TISANES, per 41D.
9. Silicon __: VALLEY.
10. "Could not stop laughing!": I DIED. This happens when a comedian slays his audience.
11. Brazilian music genre: BOSSA NOVA.
12. SNAP system: EBT. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food assistance benefits to low-income individuals and families via a reloadable Electronic Benefits Transfer card.
13. "Mayday!" letters: SOS.
18. Manages: GETS BY.
21. Browser links: URLS. Universal Resource Locators are web addresses.
25. "Quiet, you": CAN IT. Wanted ZIP IT first.
26. Wee: TEENY. Clecho of 54D.
27. Four Corners Natives: UTES. Four wheel drives: UTES.
28. Colorful ring: IRIS.
30. Sheepish cry?: BLEAT.
31. Mars neighbor: EARTH. Except in the candy aisle...
32. Many a climate change expert: ECOLOGIST.
33. Wolverine's cohort: X-MEN. Is just one an X-MAN?
34. Historical period: ERA.
35. "Wichita Lineman" singer Campbell: GLEN. GLEN fell in love with a demo of this song, and rushed to record it despite the 3rd verse not being written yet. He filled in the part with an improvised melodic lead using a bass guitar instead, and the rest is history.
38. Shady areas: ARBORS.
40. Condition that may be treated with SSRIs: PTSD. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are widely considered a first-line medication for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
41. Medicinal 8-Down: TISANES. TISANES (pronounced ti-zahn) are herbal infusions made from the leaves, roots, berries, and spices of plants other than tea leaves. New to me, and I stumbled at the I crossing IBN.
43. Of the sea: MARINE. Like SpongeBob.
46. Word with peace or pace: MAKER. If four letters, it would've been KEEP.
47. SpongeBob's pet, for one: SNAIL.
48. Just like ewe: OVINE. Ha ha!
49. Currency in West Africa: LEONE. The currency of Sierra LEONE.
50. Interior courtyards: ATRIA.
51. Forest figure of myth: NYMPH.
53. Humorist Bombeck: ERMA. She achieved great popularity for her newspaper column describing suburban home life, which she later turned into books. Her insights were always funny.
54. Wee: ITSY. Clecho of 26D.
55. "This Is Us" Emmy winner __ Cephas Jones: RON. RON played Randall Pearson's real father, William Hill.
56. "Evil Woman" rock gp.: ELO. The Electric Light Orchestra. A "light orchestra" is an ensemble that has smaller string, woodwind, brass, and percussion sections. Add electric guitar and voilà! ELO.
* SLEUTH (see pic at 36A)
Be good. RB
Let's see what else we can reap from this.
Across:
1. Kiddie pool filler: HOSE. I wanted KIDS, but it was already part of the clue. Kidding!
5. Admin. aide: ASST. An administrative assistant.
9. General feelings: VIBES. I love the VIBES I get from listening to jazz:
 |
| Vibraphone master Lionel Hampton |
14. The big screen?: IMAX. Watching movies specially formatted for huge IMAX screens can be very immersive...just don't arrive late and have to look straight up at a five-story screen from the front row. Don't ask me how I know.
15. Burrowing rodent: VOLE. I wrote MOLE, which made California's fruit hard to discern until I fixed it..
16. Vinegary sauce: ADOBO.
17. Southern region of South America: PATAGONIA. PATAGONIA is a vast geographic region shared by Argentina and Chile. It is renowned for its vast, windswept steppe, spectacular Andean glaciers, and rugged granite peaks that are very popular with trekkers.
19. Puts up for sale: LISTS.
20. [theme]
22. Crew blade: OAR. Kelsey Pfendler just made history by solo rowing 2,400 miles from California to Hawaii, breaking both men's and women's speed records. It took her 44 days!
 |
| Honolulu OAR bust! |
23. Covers in goo: TARS. I don't think of TAR as goo, but I guess it is.
24. Obscure to protect privacy, perhaps: REDACT. As a bonus to all our loyal followers, I'm publishing the Crossword Corner's bank account #■■■■■■■■■■■■ so you may withdraw as much as you want!
27. Amer. capital: USD. Your bonus is in U.S. Dollars, of course. You're welcome.
28. Affectionate text: ILY. I Love You. Back in the days of beepers, we'd send 143 as an affectionate page. It represents the number of letters in each word.
29. Glasgow refusal: NAE.
30. [theme]
35. Lost: GONE. Kinda sorta the same.
36. Chabert of the "Crossword Mysteries" series: LACEY. LACEY Chabert starred as crossword editor Tess Harper in five Crossword Mysteries that aired on the Hallmark Channel.
 |
| What's a six letter word for "crime-solver"? * |
37. Hosp. scan: MRI. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a hospital.
38. Dancer and choreographer Ailey: ALVIN.
39. Olympic archer?: EROS. From Mount Olympus, not currently one of the participating nations.
40. [theme]
42. NLE rival of NYM: ATL. A National League East rival of the New York Mets is the Atlanta Braves.
43. Any of the Tetons: Abbr.: MTN. Short for Mountain. Tall for mountain is Everest.
44. Arabic for "son of": IBN. A possible Natick where it's first letter crosses TISANES.
45. The "T" of T.S. Eliot: THOMAS. THOMAS Sterns Eliot, Nobel Prize-winning poet, essayist, and playwright.
47. Not great: SO SO. Very great: ZOSO!
 |
| Led Zeppelin's untitled 4th album, nicknamed ZoSo |
49. System of connected PCs, for short: LAN. Personal Computers communicate via a Local Area Network.
52. [theme]
55. Energy-channeling healing technique: REIKI. REIKI is a Japanese energy healing therapy that involves a practitioner lightly placing their hands on or just above a person's body. It aims to channel universal life force energy to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and support the body's natural healing abilities.
57. Cloudburst: RAINSTORM. Perfect for watering one's garden.
58. "WandaVision" star Elizabeth: OLSEN. This miniseries had a clever conceit - each episode was a decade newer than the last, starting in '50s black & white through modern color.
59. "Dibs!": MINE.
60. Shorten, in a way: SNIP.
61. Our, in French: NOTRE. "Il faut cultiver NOTRE jardin". Coined by the philosopher Voltaire, it translates to "We must cultivate our garden." He means, "Mind you own business!"
62. Some cold brews: ALES.
63. "What is it?": YEAH. As in, "YEAH? Whaddaya want?"
Down:
1. In on: HIP TO. Again, not quite the same. HIP TO means to be aware of, while "in on" means to be a participant to a secret or plan.
2. Nebraska home of the College World Series: OMAHA.
3. Forest figure of myth: SATYR.
4. Skills assessment: EXAM.
5. State fruit of California: AVOCADO.
6. Ocean waves?: SONAR. Fun clue.
7. Ignores a "wet floor" sign, maybe: SLIPS. "It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt...then it's hilarious!" (from a popular meme)
8. Steeped brews: TEAS. Or TISANES, per 41D.
9. Silicon __: VALLEY.
10. "Could not stop laughing!": I DIED. This happens when a comedian slays his audience.
11. Brazilian music genre: BOSSA NOVA.
 |
| Great VIBES from Lionel on this one as well! |
12. SNAP system: EBT. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food assistance benefits to low-income individuals and families via a reloadable Electronic Benefits Transfer card.
13. "Mayday!" letters: SOS.
18. Manages: GETS BY.
21. Browser links: URLS. Universal Resource Locators are web addresses.
25. "Quiet, you": CAN IT. Wanted ZIP IT first.
26. Wee: TEENY. Clecho of 54D.
27. Four Corners Natives: UTES. Four wheel drives: UTES.
28. Colorful ring: IRIS.
30. Sheepish cry?: BLEAT.
31. Mars neighbor: EARTH. Except in the candy aisle...
32. Many a climate change expert: ECOLOGIST.
33. Wolverine's cohort: X-MEN. Is just one an X-MAN?
34. Historical period: ERA.
35. "Wichita Lineman" singer Campbell: GLEN. GLEN fell in love with a demo of this song, and rushed to record it despite the 3rd verse not being written yet. He filled in the part with an improvised melodic lead using a bass guitar instead, and the rest is history.
38. Shady areas: ARBORS.
40. Condition that may be treated with SSRIs: PTSD. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are widely considered a first-line medication for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
41. Medicinal 8-Down: TISANES. TISANES (pronounced ti-zahn) are herbal infusions made from the leaves, roots, berries, and spices of plants other than tea leaves. New to me, and I stumbled at the I crossing IBN.
43. Of the sea: MARINE. Like SpongeBob.
46. Word with peace or pace: MAKER. If four letters, it would've been KEEP.
47. SpongeBob's pet, for one: SNAIL.
 |
| SpongeBob with Gary the SNAIL |
48. Just like ewe: OVINE. Ha ha!
49. Currency in West Africa: LEONE. The currency of Sierra LEONE.
50. Interior courtyards: ATRIA.
51. Forest figure of myth: NYMPH.
53. Humorist Bombeck: ERMA. She achieved great popularity for her newspaper column describing suburban home life, which she later turned into books. Her insights were always funny.
54. Wee: ITSY. Clecho of 26D.
55. "This Is Us" Emmy winner __ Cephas Jones: RON. RON played Randall Pearson's real father, William Hill.
 |
| Actors Sterling K. Brown (L) and Ron Cephas Jones (R) |
56. "Evil Woman" rock gp.: ELO. The Electric Light Orchestra. A "light orchestra" is an ensemble that has smaller string, woodwind, brass, and percussion sections. Add electric guitar and voilà! ELO.
* SLEUTH (see pic at 36A)
Be good. RB
Kind of tough, as befits a
ReplyDeleteThursday. Lots of obscure proper names and lots of “?” clues. Nevertheless, I got through it.
FIR, so I’m happy.
Good morning!
ReplyDeleteIt took an alphabet run to get that R at the REIKI/RON cross. And then it was done. The theme was SO-SO, not really tripping my trigger. I blame it on the BOSSA NOVA. Thanx, Devon, Elizabeth, and Rusty.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Devon, Elizabeth, and Rusty Brian.
Sailed right along until the lower left.
Along the way, ALVIN (Ailey) perped in. The clue left me clueless. Ditto with LACEY. Don't think I ever saw an episode or any part of "This Is Us"
The Mars neighbor clue struck me as cute.
I didn't have the problem with the I in the unknown TISANES because Arabic "son of" is always either going to be IBN or BIN. ARBORS made the choice IBN.
However, I turfed it at the intersection of REIKI and RON. I went with Don instead of Jon. To quote Desper-otto, "Bzzzt"
FIW, missing my guesses @ EneLOGIST (shyster wouldn't fit) x LAnEY and aReS, as well as tOm x tEILI and mOTRE. As the late John Prine wrote, "And it was twelve o'clock before I realized that I was havin', no fun." Actually, it was seven o'clock when I realized that I was havin' no fun. So I threw a few letters on the paper and called it a day. (In the song, Prine's way of coping was to smoke marijuana. I don't do that. Any longer.)
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why "cohort" needed the plural XMEN, but I never got into those "super" comics (except for Superman.) But I do know that wolverines are fierce, from watching Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet.
The 1-4-3 sequence was picked up by mariners transiting the waters around Minot’s Ledge Light, a historic beacon off Scituate, Massachusetts. Can't go to a boat show without someone trying to sell you a 1-4-3 necklace to take home to the one who allowed you to go to the show, albeit sans checkbook.
Get that Token Ring crap away from my LAN! We're an Ethernet shop around here!
Huey Lewis knew that It's Hip to be Square.
Thanks to Rusty Brain for making sense of this thing.
Musings
ReplyDelete-Some unique cluing made this a bit of a challenge and I was really surprised when I got the online Congratulations message for filling in YEAH at the bottom. Huh?
-Aha, the HOSE that fills the pool not what the pool contains.
-The expansive IMAX vision of a liftoff of the space shuttle accompanied by HUGE speakers stunned me!
-Captain Hastings’ description of Poirot’s TISANES
-OMAHA reaps a $150M benefit from the CWS and this year had perfect weather for it.
-My colleague had one blue and one brown IRIS
Whenever I see that word, I hear David Suchet's voice.
DeleteFIR. Definitely a very hard puzzle, maybe a bit more than what can be expected on a Thursday. Seemed more like Saturday fare.
ReplyDeleteIt took a WAG with the crossing of reiki and Ron to get the win. I didn't know either. And there were many other unknowns throughout.
The theme I understood without the reveal, which definitely helped.
But overall not an enjoyable puzzle.
Thank you for explaining YEAH. I winced and filled it in but had no idea what it was referring to.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning:
ReplyDeleteI liked the theme but don’t think it was a Thursday level, even though the fill was. Beet Boxers was unfamiliar, as was Lacey, Tisanes and Leone, as clued. IMO, any shortcomings with the theme, however, were excused by the impressive fill, such as: Patagonia, Rainstorm, Bossa Nova, Ecologist, etc. Overall, it was a pleasant and enjoyable solve.
Thanks, Elizabeth and Devon and congrats on your debut, Devon, and thanks, RB, for the succinct analysis and commentary. Ron Cephas Jones has passed away but his character was an integral part of This Is Us, a favorite show of mine.
Have a great day.
A bomb DNF today. After THYME was filled by perps. I was expecting other herbs or spices, not a GARDEN VARIETY. Too many unknowns as clued. ERIKI, RON, XMAN, ILY. I'd never heard of REIKI or TISANES (I did fill). A&E and text abbr, fills are usually perps.
ReplyDeleteLACEY Charbert- I know of her because DW (not me) watched a lot of Hallmark movies.
REIKI- I guess they also have faith healers and snake oil is Japan. TISANES & REIKI.
OMAHA- with the NIL payments, transfers, and ca$h going to college players, the whole ball game is changing. The College World Series will become a version of a Minor League Championship, except players will not be drafted; they'll just play for the highest bidder. But at least it's in the open, unlike in the past.
Was ready to TITT till IDIED which ironically revived me revealing ADOBO (only seen on CWs) providing the unknown EBT for the win.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of a BEET BOXER (is he finally ready for the TKO?)
Got IMAX quickly, lately on my mind since I’ve heard the new “Odyssey” movie will be playing on the giant screen in a few days.
“Of” the seas not off
What do you “fill a kiddie pool” with besides water? Had be the same Mole/VOLE issue (what’s an amocado taste like?)
Our driveway was reTARred Monday.
We all know what “Tetons” mean 🫣
🤭 but had MTStill X-MEN fixed that
Canada Eh: Thanks for the gorgeous orange skies. Is it a send-up to your like-coifed tormentor? 🤭
Sorry! We are suffering through all that smoke too - staying inside. Very scary for all those northern communities that are being burned out. Wind change should clear the skies for us tomorrow, but the fires are nowhere near being controlled. ECOLOGISTs have been warning us.
DeleteIt is also insufferable outside here in Chicagoland. I just rolled the garbage bins out to the street. It took maybe a minute and a half to get them out and then walk back in. My eyes started to water and I had to hold my breath. The air is hazy and full of smoke particulates from the fires in Canada and Minnesota.
DeleteFor perspective, the Air Quality report lists a range of 151 to 200 as Unhealhy, 201 to 300 as Very Unhealthy, and 301 to 500 as Hazardous. Chicago is at 248, and in Waukegan near the Wisconsin state line, the reading is 558. That is off the charts. Where I am at it is 165 and that is terrible enough. Also staying inside.
FIR - I normally enjoy it when our deconstructor shades the constructors for iffy clues and items that don’t quite come together, but it is very normal for a garden to have both veggies and herbs in them! And while a small stretch, peas for peace I think I’ve seen before and wasn’t difficult to fit the theme…? If I was going to shade them, it would certainly be for ‘yeah’, which, even with your explanation, seems like a bridge too far; and X-men certainly should have been clued as cohorts, and using a clue from The Hallmark Channel? Seriously?
ReplyDeleteOh yeah - didn’t like ebt either. One of those clue’s where I assume the constructors have no clue and just look up to see if there is such a thing or acronym as EBT. Last ditch effort to save a puzzle.
DeleteYou might consider looking up the word cohort. You may have a misunderstanding of what it means.
DeleteTesting Thursday. Thanks for the fun, Elizabeth and Devon (congrats on your debut), and RB.
ReplyDeleteI saw the GARDEN VARIETY theme early in the solve. I have THYME and PEAS but no BEETs in my garden. But the BEans are starting to pick. Yummers.
Officially a FIW today, as I was trying to use CW favourite AiOli as my vinegary sauce. And since I had no clue about EBT, perps were not helpful. Even I DIED did not register.
Multiple other unknowns like RON, LACEY, ALVIN perped.
YEAH clue was meh!
I noted a dupe PEAS and the 46D clue using “peace”.
I smiled at BLEAT and OVINE.
RAINSTORM under GARDEN VARIETY was cute, but a gentler rain is better for the garden.
IMAX is so realistic that I get motion sickness if the camera is flying over the scenery.
Wishing you all a great day.
Yeah, I still don't get it...
ReplyDeleteOops. DNF. The BEET BOXER got me. For one thing I had GETS on, not BY, so no LACEY, I erroneously entered MTs, so no X-MEN; why I didn’t see ECOLOGIST, I don’t know, probably because the SW was dry, EmO instead of ELO, and I didn’t know OLSEN or RON.
ReplyDeleteI too had mOLE but the AVOCADO changed that. I DIED gave me pause. Who would say that?TISANE was my mother’s remedy for any little tummy ache.
Thank you RB. I liked the SLEUTH quiz.
I had never heard of beatboxing so I watched a couple of videos. Amazing. I wonder if I could take it up and be the newest sensation. Imagine an almost 80-year-old beatboxing.
ReplyDeleteFIR. Easy one this morning.
ReplyDeleteNothing truly bugged me; BIN being anagrammed to IBN made me rage a bit.
Nonetheless, big ups to Elizabeth, Devon, & RB!
See you tomorrow.