Wednesday, October 21, 2026 Kelly Richardson

Theme:  NON-AUSTRALIAN LANDS DOWN UNDER.   The theme fill are vertical, and that usually indicates that the orientation is significant.  We'll see shortly what that means.  

3 D.  New Mexico pepper: HATCH CHILE.   Hatch Chile refers to any long green New Mexican chile pepper (Capsicum annuum) commercially grown within the Hatch Valley of southern New Mexico.  Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is not a pepper, but rather a country in the Southern Cone of southwestern South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, extending along a narrow strip of land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. According to the 2024 census, Chile had an enumerated population of 18.5 million. 

9 D. Sneaker with the Jumpman logo: AIR JORDAN.   Air Jordan is a popular line of basketball shoes and athletic apparel created by Nike in collaboration with Michael Jordan.   On the other hand - or foot - Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia. Jordan is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, and both Israel and Palestine (West Bank) to the west. The Jordan River, flowing into the Dead Sea, is located along the country's western border within the Jordan Rift Valley. 

16 D. Ballot dangler in 2000 election news: HANGING CHAD.   A hanging chad is a small, perforated piece of paper (a "chad") that fails to detach completely from a punch-card ballot after a voter pushes a stylus through it.  On that topic, more than this I will not say.  Hanging below Lybia is Chad, officially the Republic of Chad, a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon to the southwest, Nigeria to the southwest (at Lake Chad), and Niger to the west. 

32 D. All set: READY TO GO.  Ready to go means you are completely prepared, equipped, or willing to start an activity, leave a place, or handle a task.   Are you ready to go to Togo (officially the Togolese Republic) a narrow country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east, Burkina Faso to the north, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south?

And the unifier:  28 D. Region of South Carolina and Georgia, or what can be found in 3-, 9-, 16-, and 32-Down: LOW COUNTRY.   Though my first thought was The Netherlands in Europe.   Oh, well.  In Puzzleland, the country names are located in the low parts of the theme fill.  Clever, I'd say.   

Across:

1. Second-largest city in Pakistan: LAHORE.  Lahore is the capital and largest city of the Pakistani province of Punjab. It is the second-largest city in Pakistan, after Karachi, and 27th largest in the world, with a population of over 14 million.

7. Tells a fish story, maybe: BOASTS.    Talks with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's own achievements, possessions, or skills, often in a way that exaggerates the truth or irritates others.

13. 40-Across layer: ENAMEL.  The hard, mineralized outer layer of teeth in the human body, made of about 95% to 96% minerals formed from calcium and phosphate—along with water and proteins.

14. Rodgers and Hammerstein show tune covered by Perry Como: BALI HAI.  This is from the 1949 stage musical South Pacific.  It was made into a movie in 1958.

15. "Charge!": ATTACK.  Conduct an aggressive action, physical assault, or forceful effort directed against a person, group, object, or system.

16. Bread for a bacon, egg, and cheese, often: HARD ROLL.   A round, crusty yeast bread roll with a firm, golden exterior and a soft, airy interior.

17. Carved-out corner: NICHE.   A specialized role, a shallow recess in a wall, or a targeted segment of an activity or market.

18. Gasp for breath: PANT.   To breathe quickly, loudly, or in a labored manner, such as after running, exercising, or from excitement.

19. Triple espresso effect: JOLT.    A sudden, sharp surge of energy, mental alertness, and physical stimulation caused by consuming caffeine.

20. Submit: HAND IN.    To give something—such as a piece of work, a form, or a lost object—to a person in authority.

22. Before now: AGO.   In the past.

24. Circle segment: ARC.   A connected portion of a circle's circumference, classified into minor arcs (under 180°), semicircles (180°), and major arcs (over 180°).

26. Key lime pie feature: TANG.    A strong, sharp taste or smell 

27. Root ball wrapper: BURLAP.    A coarse, heavy, plain-woven fabric made primarily from natural plant fibers such as jute, hemp, or flax. 

31. Bert who played the Cowardly Lion: LAHR.   Irving Lahrheim [1895-1967] known professionally as Bert Lahr, was an American actor and comedian. He was best known for his role as the Cowardly Lion, as well as his counterpart Kansas farmworker "Zeke", in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer adaptation of The Wizard of Oz.

33. Guest speaker's platform: DAIS.    A raised platform or small stage located at the front or end of a room or hall.

35. Southwestern building block: ADOBE.   A natural building material made from a mixture of sun-dried earth, clay, water, and organic fibers such as straw or grass.

36. Farewell that's bid: ADIEU.   A French-derived word that means "goodbye" or "farewell."

38. Blasting material: TNT.   Trinitrotoluene, a yellow, odorless, crystalline chemical compound (C₇H₅N₃O₆) that is widely used as a high explosive in military munitions and industrial demolitions.

39. Imitated a crow: CAWED.   Made a loud, harsh, or rough cry characteristic of birds such as crows, ravens, or rooks.

40. Back tooth: MOLAR.    A large, flat back tooth used for crushing and chewing food.

41. Enthralled: AGOG.    Very excited, eager, or curious to see, hear, or know more about something

43. March Madness org.: NCAA.  The National Collegiate Athletic Association, a non-profit organization that regulates intercollegiate athletic programs in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.   March madness is a basketball tounament held every spring.

44. Uptight: ON EDGE.    Feeling nervous, tense, irritable, or unable to relax.

46. Chowder protein: CLAM.   In a culinary context, protein refers to the primary, substantial center-piece component of a meal—such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, lentils, or tofu.

48. Fla. NBA team: ORL.  The Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association, a North American professional league.

49. Vote in favor: YEA.   Used in parliamentary, congressional, or organizational roll-call votes to mean a supportive vote ("yes"), contrasted with nay ("no").

50. "Yo!": HEY, YOU.    An informal greeting used to say hello, get someone's attention, or establish a sense of familiarity and affection.

52. Help in wrongdoing: ABET.   Help, support, encourage, or assist someone—most commonly in committing a crime, wrongdoing, or illicit act.

55. "Project Hail Mary" actor Gosling: RYAN.  Ryan Thomas Gosling [b. 1980] is a Canadian actor, singer, and musician. Known for his work in both independent films and major studio features, his films as a leading actor have grossed over US$4 billion worldwide.

57. Kirsten of "Melancholia": DUNST.  Kirsten Caroline Dunst [b. 1982] is an American actress and singer. She made her acting debut in the anthology film New York Stories and has since starred in many film and television productions.

60. Lamented: BEMOANED.   Expressed sorrow, grief, discontent, or dissatisfaction about something.

62. Get comfortable, with "in": SETTLE.    Become familiar, comfortable, and relaxed in a new environment, routine, or situation.

63. Treat at New Orleans' Café du Monde: BEIGNET.   A French-style deep-fried pastry made from choux pastry or a light yeast-leavened dough, typically cut into squares and dusted generously with powdered sugar.

64. Arts supporter: PATRON.    A financial or moral supporter of an artist, cause, or institution,

65. Bit of progress: INROAD.   A direct, noticeable advance or intrusion into a new territory, market, or problem

66. Like a raw hemline: FRAYED.    Describes fabric, clothing, or rope with threads or fibers coming apart at the edges from wear, damage, or rubbing.

Down:

1. Like a chicken burger: LEAN.   Low in fat.

2. Opposed to: ANTI.  Against someone or some thing.

4. Nebraska home of the Durham Museum: OMAHA.   Omaha is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is located in the Midwestern United States along the Missouri River, about 10 mi (15 km) north of the mouth of the Platte River. Omaha had a population of 486,051 at the 2020 census, 

5. Fairly new: RECENT.   Happening, starting, or done a short time ago, or newly created.

6. Bugling deer: ELK.   A large hoofed mammal of the deer family (Cervidae.)

7. Rounds of the night table?: BAR TAB.   A running total or bill for all the drinks and food you order during a single visit, allowing you to pay once at the end of the night instead of paying for each item immediately.  Clever clue.

8. Not new: OLD.    Primarily means having lived, existed, or been in use for a relatively long time or for a specified duration.  Do I qualify?  All my grandchildren are adults.

10. "Scram!": SHOO.  Go away.

11. Like a giant redwood: TALL.   An adjective that describes someone or something with a height greater than average or normal, or with a large vertical distance from bottom to top.

12. Delta deposit: SILT.    A fine-grained granular sediment with a particle size falling between sand and clay 

14. Outlaw: BAN.    A legal, formal, or official prohibition that forbids an action, item, or person from being used, allowed, or happening.

18. Party animal?: PIÑATA.    A decorated container— often in the shape of an animal, typically made of papier-mâché, cloth, or pottery—filled with candy, fruit, small toys, or treats. 

21. Jerry Stiller, to Ben Stiller: DAD.  Father and son.

23. Green blob on a taco, familiarly: GUAC.   Short for guacamole, a traditional Mexican dip, spread, or condiment made primarily from mashed or pureed ripe avocados.

24. San Antonio school trip destination: ALAMO.  Originally built in 1718 as the Spanish mission Mission San Antonio de Valero in San Antonio, Texas, it later became a military fort.  The fort was named after the Second Flying Company of San Carlos de Parras, a Spanish military unit from Santiago del Álamo that was stationed there.

25. Gas measured in a home inspection: RADON.    A heavy, colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive noble gas (symbol Rn, atomic number 86) formed naturally by the decay of radium, uranium, and thorium in rocks, soil, and groundwater.

29. Build-__ Workshop: toy retailer: A BEAR.    A global, interactive retail brand where customers design and customize their own stuffed animals, such as teddy bears, bunnies, and licensed character plushies.

30. Go by bike: PEDAL.   To push the pedals of a bicycle, boat, or similar device with your feet to move it.

34. Pinched: STOLEN.   Acquired with the 5-finger discount.

37. Exhort: URGE.   To strongly encourage, advise, or earnestly try to persuade someone to do something..

42. Like some Pride Month celebrants: GAY.   Refers to a person who is physically, romantically, or emotionally attracted to people of the same gender.

45. Did the work for: EARNED.  Earn is a verb that means to receive money, profit, or a reward in return for work, service, or effort, or to get something that you deserve through your actions.

47. Term of affection: MY DEAR.   a term of affection, endearment, or polite address used to refer to someone you love, care about, or feel familiar with.

51. "Get __ here!": "Scram!": OUTTA.  Go away.

52. "Broad City" star Jacobson: ABBI.   Abbi Jacobson [b. 1984] is an American comedian, actress, writer, producer, and illustrator. She co-created and co-starred in the Comedy Central series Broad City with Ilana Glazer, based on the web series of the same name.

53. Has-__: BEEN.   An informal, often critical term for a person who used to be famous, popular, powerful, or successful, but is no longer.

54. Qatar leader: EMIR.   A title meaning commander, leader, prince, or ruler in Arabic and Islamic societies.

56. Still: YET.   Up to the present time.

58. Gin infusion berry: SLOE.   The small, dark, bluish-black drupe (stone fruit) of the blackthorn.

59. Watch over, as sheep: TEND.    To look after, minister to, supervise, or run something.  A gentle, loving sheep watcher would be a tender tender.

61. The NHL's Ducks, on sports tickers: ANA.  The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at Honda Center.

62. Block letters?: SPF.   The surface meaning refers to a style of writing or printing in all uppercase (capital) letters where each character is drawn separately and clearly without cursive or joined-up strokes.  The applied-to-a-[skin]-surface meaning is Solar Protection Factor, an indication of the uv blocking power of a sunscreen lotion.

Well, Summer is now long gone and, here in Michigan, we won't need sunscreen for the next several months.  But here we have a puzzle with quite a few bright, shiny ideas, and some cleverly mis-directing clues.  I have no nits.  Hope you didn't get burned.

Cool regards!

JzB