Sunday January 28, 2024 Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Theme: That's Amore (A-more) - A is added to the start of each common phrase/word.

25A. Bit of support on the job?: AMEN AT WORK. Men at work.

42A. Leave everyone amazed?: AWE THE PEOPLE. We the people.

67A. In-house water source?: ABODE WELL. Bode well.

98A. Collect music publishing copyrights?: AMASS NUMBERS. Mass numbers.

119A. Legislative branch that is mindful and introspective?: AWARE HOUSE. Warehouse.

3D. Rock collector?: AGATE KEEPER. Gatekeeper.

6D. Stood up as friends?: AROSE BUDS. Rose buds.

72D. Row in Petco?: AISLE OF DOGS. Isle of Dogs.

83D. Mixture for a Pennsylvania Dutch brewer?: AMISH MASH. Mishmash. 

Very consistent. All the A's are inserted in the front.

Quite a gridding feat. The four Downs intersect four of the Across theme entries. I don't think I've done this for a Sunday grid before. Intersection sometimes makes the filling easier, sometimes it brings knotty spots.

Across:

1. Refrigerator handle: AMANA. Ha, nice handle.

6. Rideshare updates, for short: ETAS.

10. Pencils that are hard to sharpen: STUBS.

15. In need of resupply, maybe: BARE.

19. Asperity: RIGOR. Never used "asperity" before.

20. TV producer Spencer: LARA. Knew her from "Antiques Roadshow" days.

21. Put forward: POSIT.

22. Lacking a paper trail: ORAL.

23. About to explode: IRATE.

24. Blondie drummer Burke: CLEM. Short for Clement.

27. Blues legend James: ETTA.

28. Partridge family member: PHEASANT.

30. Dune plants: GRASSES.

31. Scottish herders, informally: SHELTIES.

33. Noble gas that's roughly 1% of the atmosphere: ARGON.

35. __ gin fizz: SLOE.

36. Arboreal marsupial: KOALA.

37. Hypoallergenic makeup brand: ALMAY.

39. Bouillon __: CUBES.

47. Farm female: HEN.

49. Glissade garb: TUTU.

50. Sushi roll topper: ROE.

51. Tristan and __: ISOLDE.

52. Like much of Montana: RURAL.

54. Dworshak structure: DAM. Not famliar with the Dworshak Dam. In Idaho.

55. Gets a move on: HOPS TO. And 60. Greets silently: NODS TO.

57. Legal term that means "guilty mind": MENS REA.

62. See 58-Down: ADELINE. 58. With 62-Across, barbershop standard: SWEET.

64. Broke off from a group: WENT SOLO.

66. Supermodel Banks: TYRA.

71. From Perth to Sydney: EAST.

75. Sanctimonious sort: PHARISEE. I think I learned this word from Boomer, or maybe from Father Charlie.

78. Southern staple: RED RICE. We have real red rice in China.

81. Goes after: CHASES.

84. Woodstock sextet: SANTANA.

88. Being: PERSON.

89. Sleep cycle: REM.

90. Not quite foggy: MISTY. Hi there, Misty!

92. Goodyear offering: RADIAL.

94. "__-in-the-Mist": novel by Hope Mirrlees: LUD. Learning moment.

95. Purple bloom: IRIS.

97. Post-dubbing title: SIR.

101. Like 101 courses: BASIC.

103. "Honest": NO LIE. And 4. Very little: NOT A LOT.

105. Light cigar: CLARO.

106. Letter-shaped beam: H BAR.

108. Sealy rival: SERTA.

110. County officers: SHERIFFS.

113. Daughter of Cronus and Rhea: DEMETER. Also 82. Daughter of Cronus and Rhea: HERA. And 118. Balder's father: ODIN.

116. One well-versed in competition?: SLAM POET. Nice clue/fill.

121. Bent: BIAS.

122. "Middle Child" rapper: J COLE.

123. "Being the Ricardos" role: DESI.

124. Basilica areas: APSES.

125. Almond shade: ECRU.

126. "Shucks!": OH GEE.

127. Labor agcy.: OSHA.

128. Vegetarian source of protein: BEANS. Not a fan of beans. I do like tofu though.

129. Coarse file: RASP.

130. Conquers: BESTS.

Down:

1. Astrological ram: ARIES.

2. Jollity: MIRTH.

5. "Blessed __ the meek": ARE.

6. Stingy sort: EL CHEAPO.

7. Chronicles: TALES.

8. Length x width, for a rectangle: AREA.

9. Kafka protagonist: SAMSA. "The Metamorphosis".

10. Sequin: SPANGLE.

11. Snareless drum: TOM TOM. Hi there, Tom, Tom!

12. Make the most of: USE.

13. Google alternative: BING.

14. Rating units: STARS.

15. Steps aside: BOWS OUT. 

17. Scarce: RARE.

18. Group with lodges: ELKS.

26. Mineral replaced by cornstarch in most cosmetic powders: TALC.

28. Adds criticism to criticism: PILES ON.

29. North __ Sea: Kazakh lake: ARAL.

32. Island of French Polynesia known for black-sand beaches: TAHITI.

34. Language of central Mexico: NAHUATL.

38. "Programs! Git __ programs here!": YER. What does this mean?

40. Nouveau-Mexique, par exemple: ETAT.

41. Japanese wrestling: SUMO. The wrestlers eat sumo oranges.

42. Buddhist who has attained nirvana: ARHAT.

43. Buzz Lightyear's pal: WOODY.

44. Shade tree: ELM.

45. Laudatory poem: ODE.

46. Cross product: PEN.

48. Tech startup?: NANO. Another great clue.

52. Actress Russo: RENE.

53. "hehe": LOL.

56. Smacks: SLAPS.

59. DVR button: REW.

61. "All the Light We Cannot See" novelist Anthony: DOERR. We had him before.

63. Ring bearer, maybe: EAR.

65. Camera type, briefly: SLR.

68. Casual cafes: BISTROS.

69. Anthem opener: O SAY.

70. TV room: DEN.

73. Use elbow grease on: SCOUR.

74. Cares for: TENDS.

76. Alter, in a way: HEM.

77. Clearance rack caveat: AS IS.

79. Shoulder ornament: EPAULET.

80. California beach town with a historic racetrack: DELMAR.

81. Nursery piece: CRIB.

85. Longtime Notre Dame coach Parseghian: ARA.

86. "If I Ruled the World" rapper: NAS.

87. Infomercials, e.g.: ADS.

91. Gluttony, e.g.: SIN.

93. Creeps: INCHES UP.

96. Risk territory: SIBERIA.

98. Close: AIRLESS. I don't get this clue.

99. Self-referential: META.

100. Eggy bun: BRIOCHE. Looks so soft.

102. "Tár" Oscar nominee Blanchett: CATE.

104. Abate: LESSEN.

107. Get-well program, briefly: REHAB.

109. "Waves of grain" color: AMBER.

110. Takes off: SOARS.

111. Boneless cut: FILET.

112. Bygone blades: SNEES.

113. Carpentry slot: DADO.

114. Farm females: EWES.

115. Tire swing holder: ROPE.

117. 12-point type: PICA.

120. Winner of all but three Olympic women's basketball championships: Abbr.: USA. I bet this is Patti's clue.

122. Indeed.com listing: JOB.

Big Easy's granddaughter Janie scored 26 points in her final HS home game. Here she is with her coach. Big Easy had a few health hurdles in the past few weeks. Glad the toughest part is over, George!

C.C.

Sunday June 4, 2023 Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Theme: "Shh!" - S is changed into SH sound, changing spelling as needed.

23A. Startling revelation for a couch potato?: TUBE SHOCK. Tube sock.

25A. Menu of family-sized KFC options?: BUCKET SHEET. Bucket seat.

50A. Full-time employee at a corn processing plant?: ALL-DAY SHUCKER. All-day sucker.

82A. Did too much heavy lifting?: OVER- SCHLEPPED. Overslept.

107A. Really, really cheap liquor?: DOLLAR SHINE. Dollar sign.

111A. Ruse for crashing family reunions?: UNCLE SHAM. Uncle Sam.

36D. Food Network production featuring a chef's work surface?: COUNTER SHOOT. Counter-suit.

41D. Sweeping segment of a prop comic's act?: BROOM SCHTICK. Broom stick.

Somehow I thought this puzzle was by our own Jeffrey. Very much his style. 

In case you're not aware,  Gary Larson & Amy Ensz are husband and wife. Here's the Cruciverb interview of Gary. He's so good at wordplay.

 Across:

1. Fairy tale brute: OGRE.

5. Bamako's country: MALI. Bamako is on the Niger River.

9. Lethargy: TORPOR.

15. Bygone Swedish car company: SAAB.

19. Maggie Smith's "Good Bones," e.g.: POEM. Not famliar with Maggie Smith the poet.

20. Agenda: PLAN.

21. Oat Milk Blend shampoo maker: AVEENO.

22. Combustible pile: PYRE.

27. Just-in-case item: SPARE.

28. "Let Me Love You" R&B singer: NE-YO. He also wrote "Let Me Love You" for Mario.

30. Like many a safari cat: LEONINE.

31. Water cooler sound: GLUG.

33. Had to have: NEEDED.

35. Apex predators of the ocean: ORCAS.

39. Rowan Atkinson character: MR BEAN. Feels like forever ago.

42. Butters up, perhaps: GREASES.

44. Religious residence: PRIORY.

45. Not theirs: OURS.

46. More oozy: GOOIER.

48. Makes jigsaw puzzles, perhaps: DIE-CUTS. Did not know this can be a verb.

49. Brief "If you ask me": IMO.

54. Tiny criticism: NIT.

55. Kanga's kid: ROO.

56. Credit __: Zurich bank: SUISSE.

57. Director Reitman and tennis great Lendl: IVANS.

58. Golf bag item: TEE.

59. Fred of "Schmigadoon!": ARMISEN. He was also in "Portlandia".

61. __ now and then: EVERY.

62. Heat unit: THERM.

64. Sp. titles: SRAS.

65. 12-Down and 50-Down, maybe: HOT TEAS. 12. Aromatic Sri Lankan exports: PEKOES & 50. Aromatic Indian export: ASSAM. Black tea.

68. Pride sound: ROAR. Lion.

69. Command to a guard dog: SIC 'EM.

71. Bits: IOTAS.

72. Feels like: WANTS TO.

75. "I hate it": UGH.

76. Chat with online: EMAIL. And 71D. Chatted with online, for short: IM'ED.

77. Fine: CHOICE.

80. Hornswoggled: HAD.

81. "On the other hand ... ": BUT.

84. Med. condition with repetitive behavior: OCD.

85. Bistro VIP: MAITRE'D.

87. Paged: BEEPED.

88. Garden center bagful: SOIL.

89. Ruler divisions: INCHES.

90. Mexican market: MERCADO. Wikipedia says it's both Portuguese and Spanish word for "market".

93. Like an overtired child, maybe: BRATTY.

95. Co-star of Nimoy and Shatner: TAKEI.

96. Type of canoe: DUGOUT.

97. Russian refusal: NYET.

98. Derek's ex-wife on "Grey's Anatomy": ADDISON. Played by Kate Walsh.

100. Sushi bar drink: SAKE.

103. Wall recess: NICHE.

113. Genre for some Tokyo-based bands: J POP. Here's "The Queen of Japanese Pop" Namie Amuro.

114. Does the job perfectly: ACES IT.

115. Costa __: RICA.

116. Blob's lack: FORM.

117. Small tastes: SIPS.

118. __ out of: slyly avoided: WORMED.

119. Particle accelerator particle: ATOM.

120. Jedi Council leader: YODA.

Down:

1. Backs (out): OPTS.

2. Ascend: GO UP.

3. "For My Broken Heart" singer McEntire: REBA. She'll replace Blake Shelton on "The Voice".

4. Surfaces: EMERGES.

5. Radar gun reading: Abbr.: MPH.

6. Parallel to: ALONG.

7. Shoestring: LACE.

8. Blue Pac-Man ghost: INKY.

9. Can opener: TAB.

10. Small eggs: OVULES.

11. Flow back: RECEDE.

13. Upturned, as a box: ON END.

14. Naan alternative: ROTI. Derived from Sanskrit for "bread".

15. Ball-shaped: SPHERIC.

16. Sailor's affirmative: AYE.

17. Equal: ARE.

18. Exacta or trifecta: BET.

24. Actress Ward: SELA.

26. Dormitory annoyance: SNORER.

29. Cyclops feature: ONE EYE. I don't want to link it.

32. Separates, in a way: UNGLUES.

34. Mouse hat feature: EARS.

37. More chichi: ARTIER.

38. Modus operandi: SYSTEM.

39. Catherine's "Schitt's Creek" role: MOIRA. Catherine O'Hara.

40. Buzz: RUMOR.

42. Mercury and Mars: GODS.

43. River inlets: RIAS.

44. Pizzeria output: PIES.

47. Actor/director Ken: OLIN. He's in "thirtysomething"

48. Fashion letters: DKNY.

51. Busy place: HIVE.

52. Iris layer: UVEA.

53. Roller coaster parts: CARS.

60. Wrath: IRE.

61. Some Spielberg movie collectibles: ETS. Ah, OK, figurines.

62. In shape: TONED.

63. Sombrero, e.g.: HAT.

65. Icy coating: HOAR.

66. Elevator name: OTIS.

67. Soft mineral: TALC.

68. Zoomed past: RACED BY.

69. Turn in: SUBMIT.

70. Large lizard with dewlaps: IGUANA.

72. Moist towelette: WIPE.

73. Implied: TACIT.

74. "Strange to say ... ": ODDLY.

76. Nights before: EVES.

77. Some athletic shoes: CLEATS.

78. Listen to: HEED.

79. Research on a political rival, briefly: OPPO. Opposition research.

82. Frozen fries maker: ORE-IDA.

83. Howard or Alcorn, for short: HBCU. Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

86. Tour de France mountains: THE ALPS.

88. Hit the spot: SATISFY.

90. Iditarod driver: MUSHER.

91. Narcissist's problem: EGOISM.

92. "Be My Baby" memoirist Spector: RONNIE.

94. Actress Russo: RENE.

96. Hustle genre: DISCO.

97. Maker of sweet wafers: NECCO.

99. Sketch: DRAW.

101. Preternatural glow: AURA.

102. Make a scarf, say: KNIT.

104. Jimmy __: fashion brand known for expensive shoes: CHOO.

105. Difficult: HARD.

106. Actress Thompson: EMMA.

107. Pros using mixers, for short: DJS.

108. Nail polish brand: OPI.

109. Cut (off): LOP.

110. Takeoff approx.: ETD.

112. Hasty escape: LAM. Also a popular Cantonese surname, as in singer George Lam or fashion designer Derek Lam. 

So happy that my book is now available on Amazon. Thanks for the review, acesaround, thanks for supporting me whenever you can!

C.C.

Sunday April 9, 2023 ~ Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Title: Back Issues

You can get it for $3K

Nothing to do with the sciatica nor reprints of old magazines to see here. Nope. Gary & Amy offer us common phrases where the last (back) word in each phrase is another word for an "issue" with whimsical cluing. Let's roll....

But first - Happy Easter!

22a. Trouble for an orthodox rabbi?: KOSHER PICKLE. The MOTIF (81d) finally broke the NW to get a FIR with 2 only two #Cheats.

27a. Trouble with the sewer line?: MAIN SQUEEZE. I thought the MAINs was the ingress not the egress(?)

65a. Trouble in a candy store?: SWEET SPOT.

100a. Trouble for a barista?: CAFFEINE FIX.

107a. Trouble with an alibi?: STORY PROBLEM.

30d. Trouble with a movie promo?: TRAILER HITCH.

40d. Trouble with a Bronx cheer?: RASPBERRY JAM.

Another? Trouble for an oyster?: Pearl Jam. //Or does that just not make me a Better Man :-)

If you still don't "get the issue," comment below and I'm sure the early-riser Cornerites will set you straight.  

And slow down, relax, take your time reading the blog today.  There might be humour that takes a second. //or, there might not :-)

Across:
1. Contemporary: AGE MATE. Really? Thumper.

8. Place to grab a pint: PUB. And usually a good sandwich or shepherd's pie.

11. Smitten Kitchen blogger Perelman: DEB. ESP. Wait, um, [see: 73a]...

14. Butterfingers: OAF.

17. Quaint desktop item: ROLODEX.
 

Remember These?

18. Not to be trusted: OILY. I was going for wILY.

19. Lyrical: ODIC.

21. AC meas.: BTU. Air Conditioners' capacity is measured in British Thermal Units which is ~1.06 Joules.
C, Eh!, friendlies to the North, do you measure ACs in Joules or BTUs?
//Story?: In EE everything is done in metric. I had to take a MechE Thermodynamics class and it was all in Imperial Units. To do the maths, I'd hafta covert everything to metric, solve the problem, and then convert back. PITA [Pain In The Arse] but I passed.

22. [See: Theme]

24. Place to clean up: WASH ROOM. Kitchen didn't fit; nor did rehab ;-)

26. Appearance: ASPECT.

27. [See: Theme]

29. Fighting: AT IT.

31. "Hallelujah" songwriter Cohen: LEONARD.

33. Unfeeling: NUMB.

I saw them in '95(?) in Dallas - Great Show 

(and contact-high from everything billowing to the mezzanine)

34. Black-footed pet: FERRET. If you FERRET-out something, did you EKE (110d) by?

36. Public relations effort: SPIN.

Popular in the '90s. Where they are now.

37. "Mm-hmm": I SEE.

39. Thermometer type: ORAL. I thought of the other insertion area first but I knew that wouldn't pass the "Breakfast Test." "Meat" also fit.

43. Rideshare predictions, briefly: ETAS. Estimated Time of Arrival(s) for your Uber or Lyft. I took the latter home at 3am after [see: 95d's story]

44. "But to no __": AVAIL. Didn't turn out as hoped.

46. Frosty coat: HOAR.

47. Bingham of "Baywatch": TRACI. "Traci A. Bingham is an American actress, model, and television personality. Beginning her professional career in the early 1990s, Bingham is best known for her role as Jordan Tate on the NBC action drama television series Baywatch." [WikiP]

48. Jewelry retailer Alex and __: ANI. ESP. Anyone actually know of/shop them? [apparently, DW (editor-in-chief) knows of them and has two of their bracelets(?!?)]

49. Makeup pencil target: BROW.

50. Perfume name: COTY. If Gary, Amy, & Patti say so. ESP.

51. Sparkly threads: TINSEL. Mostly perps - I was thinking "threads" as in groovy clothing...

52. Guinness superlative: TALLEST. Superlative -- ink "EST" and wait.

54. Lasting impression: SCAR. I had dent :-(

56. Quran scholar: IMAM.

58. Inflation fig.: PSI. Tires' Pounds/Square-Inch - nothing re: macro-economics.

59. Ragtime legend Blake: EUBIE. Lucky WAG crossing BEBE (49d).

Eubie Blake doing Charleston Rag

60. Port-of-Spain's island: TRINIDAD. Once IDAD perp'd, fill was easy!

62. Playwright's prize: OBIE.

63. Jazz singer Carmen: MCRAE. No idea. I inked RAE hoping for the best.

65. [See: Theme]

67. Sharpens: WHETS. Sharpen a knife on a whet-stone or an appetizer to whet your palette.

68. Interstate H-1 locale: OAHU. H-1, thankfully, gave it away.

69. Zoological kingdom: ANIMALIA.

70. TWA rival: US-AIR. Both defunct.

72. Slugger's stat: RBI. Runs Batted In. Who else is happy Baseball is back?

73. Write online: BLOG. A little meta for me "write" now ;-)

74. Warmhearted: KIND. Nice also fit.

75. Comebacks: RETORTS. Give 'em (109d) LIP.

78. Squeal: TATTLE. "Tell on" also fit.

80. Gathering clouds, say: OMEN.

82. Boxing champion's prize: BELT.
 

Yo, Adrian!

83. Word of support: YEA. Hand up: You filled YES, no?

84. Dried poblano: ANCHO.

85. Part of Q.E.D.: QUOD. Latin: quod erat demonstrandum - Which was to be demonstrated / proved mathematically (well, math class is the only place I've ever used QED).

86. __ parade: PRIDE.

88. Open some: AJAR. When is a door not a door? When it's a jar! //I loved joke-books in the 3rd grade.

89. Cowardly Lion portrayer: LAHR.
 

Resting Lion Face

90. Green shot: PUTT. I was thinking Absinthe.

91. "How've you __?": BEEN. "Life still good, CHUM?"

92. Djibouti language: SOMALI.

94. Calvary inscription: INRI. Written on the Cross He was crucified on before he rose again today ~33AD. //religion - I was thinking The Cavalry that rides in at the last minute. #Dyslexia

96. Tony Stark's alter ego: IRON MAN. Robert Downey Jr. was brilliant as.

Got 17:03? - Note: Stan Lee's cameo @13:44.

99. Tire holders: RIMS. I thought "lugs" first.

100. [See: Theme]

104. World's largest peninsula: ARABIA.

106. Keeps safe: PROTECTS.

107. [See: Theme]

112. Afflict: AIL.

113. "Whoa ... that's food for thought": DEEP.

Edie Brickell - Married to Paul Simon

114. Oddball: KOOK. Love it!

115. Long and slippery: EEL LIKE.

116. Melancholy: SAD.

117. Farm area: STY.

118. UV-blocker rating syst.: SPF. Ultra-Violet (sun) rays can be blocked by Sun Protection Factor lotion/spray. DW & dermatologist wants me to use sun-screen every day. Anyone remember when we all used Coppertone to look "healthy"?
 

119. Like tea leaves: STEEPED.

Down:
1. Deluge refuge: ARK. Ha! Love the alliteration.

2. Failed fudge, maybe: GOO. I thought "F" in home-ec(?)

3. Thrilling pair?: ELS. Two Ls in Thrilling. 'Nuff said.

4. Some expensive sweaters: MOHAIRS. Cashmere fit only if you spell it wrong [guilty].

5. "__ Fideles": ADESTE. SEMPER went in just fine; too bad it was wrong #inkymess in the NW

6. Maryland athlete, for short: TERP.

7. Kick out: EXPEL.

8. Dental care suffix: PIK.

9. "Tracey Takes On ... " comedian: ULLMAN. Tracy's show is funny but not fit for all.  Note: 47a is a different spelling of TRACI.

10. How some musicians play: BY EAR. B-YEAR didn't make any sense ;-)

11. Blue: DOWN. Sad, Melancholy (116a), Mopey

12. Santa portrayer in "Elf": ED ASNER. He also hates Spunk.

13. Lobster soup: BISQUE.

14. Soprano woodwind: OBOE. One tunes to the other; don't make me Google.

15. The whole shebang: A TO Z. Ever notice Amazon's logo? The "smile" points A->Z.

Logo History

16. Stew: FUME. Gets in a huff.

18. Pixar's Pearl and Hank, e.g.: OCTOPI. They can make an inky-mess too!

20. Bud: CHUM. Pal, mate, but not necessarily, a BFF.

23. Winter fishing tool: ICE-SAW.

25. Converted, in a way: REBORN. I assume this has a religious connotation. The clue made me think of things like turning a lawnmower into a go-kart.

28. "It is a tale / Told by an __": Macbeth: IDIOT. Or, an ID-10-T error code a young helpdesk consultant writes on the invoice [guilty].

29. Prudential alternative: AETNA. I inked EATNA. #UNTIE!

30. [See: Theme]

32. Zilch: NIL. Nada.

34. Achievement: FEAT.

35. Anklebones: TARSI.

38. Tie the knot: SAY I DO. Just a Sec (not 51d),.. Here's another HITCH! :-)

40. [See: Theme]

41. Crushes the final: ACES IT. I nailed the Continuous & Discrete Signals final bringing my D up to a B. Took me all semester to learn the math.

42. Monet flowers: LILIES.
 

Pond Lilies - Time to bring in a little class to the expo

45. Says nay: VOTES NO.

46. Meddles: HORNS IN. I wanted "noses IN" but it didn't fit. Nor did any of the Mystery Machine kids. [a Scooby Doo ref.]

47. "The Things They Carried" writer O'Brien: TIM. If you say so.

49. Tony winner Neuwirth: BEBE. ibid.

50. Sanchez who voiced Dora the Explorer: CAITLIN. ibid. I had to Google this but Kathleen Herles kept coming up(???). I kept Googling until CAITLIN matched the clue. #Cheat

51. Just a __: TAD. Who else ink'd "sec"?

53. Island feast: LUAU.

54. Originate (from): STEM.

55. Sounded like a loose floorboard: CREAKED. Squeaked was too long.

57. Got older and wiser, perhaps: MATURED. We may age but nobody said we had to grow up.

61. GarageBand device: IPAD. GarageBand is an app for your iThing to aid in mixing music.  My (CEO) Bro uses it for his Dad Band.

62. Oberlin's state: OHIO. Oberlin is a Uni.

63. __ Kombat: video game franchise: MORTAL. Body-blow, Body-blow! I played this but never had enough quarters to get good AT IT.  //Oh, wait that was Punch-Out!

64. Beach shelter: CABANA. Oh,... Should I tell the story of a helpdesk new-hire that confided in us that he worked as a cabana-boy to help pay for college? And, that every time a MATURE lady had a problem with her computer, we'd tell him to grab the Coppertone and don his Speed-Os?
No, I probably shouldn't embarrass him like that.

66. Lose it: WIG OUT. Really lose your cool.

67. Power measure: WATT. 1 Joule/Second. [Exercise left to the reader: Calculate in BTUs]

69. Drink in a mug: ALE. Joe [coffee] fit :-(

71. Tennis great Monica: SELES. BigE probably didn't need perps.

73. Rain-__ gum: BLO.
 

76. Freshwater ducks: TEALS.
 

77. Dress of draped silk: SARI. They are so colorful/beautiful.
 

79. "__ Shop": Macklemore & Ryan Lewis hit: THRIFT. I sussed it w/ a few perps.

81. Theme: MOTIF. The motif of this puzzle is an "issue" ;-)

82. Twofold: BINARY. There are 10 types of people in this world. Those who understand binary and those who don't.

85. The Dave Clark Five, e.g.: QUINTET. Even if you don't know who The Dave Clark Five is, the answer is(ish) in the clue.
 

Glad All Over

86. Farm area: PEN. Wait, I thought it was a STY [117a]. Nice clecho.

87. Comment: REMARK. Not quite a RETORT.

88. Friendly: AMIABLE. Ok, that's a better definition for "nice" when KIND was asked for.

90. Consumer Reports data: PRICES. Anyone still subscribe? I have the eScription but DW says everything I buy on their recommendation sucks. I'm not sure that's fair -- the DustBuster we purchased sure does. *rimshot*

91. Proof of purchase: BOX TOP. Hand-up: You collected these from Kellogg's'/Post's' boxes to get pencils or whatever for school. They also had us collect Campbell's soup can labels [which was easy-peasy to SNAG [another "issue"] from Maternal Grand's kitchen bin.]

93. Colorful songbird: ORIOLE. Did I mention Baseball is back?

95. Have to have: NEED. Oy!, I found out two weeks ago that you NEED salts.

 
//Story I promised: 

I'd gone to drinking nothing but water (except when commuting T,W,Th - a coffee FIX is NEEDed at 6am!).
To make water fun, I got a SodaStream to give it bubbles and little squirty-flavors (cucumber-lime is my Fav!) to add.
I ended up washing out my salts by drinking too much water(? what a PICKLE!) and landed in the ER thinking I was having a heart attack.  My BP has always been high (~140/99) but 168/112 scared me (a good buddy had a stroke and he's younger than I!)  and I had shortness of breath.
ER gave me a swig of potassium (nasty stuff) and a saline drip.  Within an hour I was right as rain!
Here I was trying to be healthy and... 

Pop has oft said: "All my 'healthy' friends are dead." (I should go back to beer & coffee, eh?)
//End PSA.

97. Hazards: RISKS. I didn't think water would be a Hazard outside of a golf-course.

98. Scruffs: NAPES. Cats pickup kittens by the scruff/nape of their neck.

100. IRS form experts: CPAS. Welcome to April Americans :-). Internal Revenue Service forms require a Certified Public Accountant if/when your taxes get more complicated than just income of simply working a 9-to-5. If nothing else, a CPA gives you peace of mind you didn't mess up/get in a PINCH [issue] with the IRS.
//D-O: What/who certifies you? Is the cert good across state-lines (unlike Law)?

101. Solo often sung in Italian: ARIA. I wish I had a video of Eldest singing Ava Maria to share - brought Pop to tears, she did.

102. Soufflé recipe word: FOLD. Any Cornerite ever make one of these right? I just settle for Frittata [what real-men call quiche 'cuz we don't eat that (see: Sunday 4/2) :-)]

103. Glimpse: ESPY. Not to be confused with the ESPN Award you've eyed for your physical prowess.

105. Cy Young winner Saberhagen: BRET. Pitcher from Chicago Heights who played with the Royals, Mets, Rockies and Bo. Sox.  While with the Royals, Bret won Cy Young (and World Series against St. Louis) in '85 and another Cy Young in '89 with an ERA of 2.16.
 

Bret Saberhagen

108. "That sounds painful": OOF. An onomatopoeia.

109. Guff: LIP. Usage: "Don't give me your guff." Sass, RETORT, LIP.

110. Make (out): EKE. Not smooching/snogging but just getting by.

111. Club __: MED. I was thinking about last Tuesday and, first to mind, Club Fed :-)

The Grid:
 

The Grid

Whew!  That was long winded.  The skinny:
WOs: aplenty in the NW; sec->TAD.
ESPs: names save LAHR; INRI (I really was thinking 1st Cav #Ft.Hood)
Cheats: Google for CAITLIN, dictionary for CAFFEINE's spelling.
Fav: KOOK is just such a fun word. Shakespeare's IDIOT was also a hoot.

I know -- Sunday's grids are a lot of words but I hope y'all had as much fun as I.
//end expo|brain ramble.

Cheers!, -T

Sunday August 28, 2022 Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Theme: "Game for Anything" - Each theme entry is humorously reinterpreted as if it's a sports competition.

22. Track competitions for nudists?: MEETS IN THE FLESH.

40. Cross-country competitions for grounds workers?: COFFEE RUNS.

42. Football competitions for Pepperidge Farm employees?: GOLDFISH BOWLS.

67. No-holds-barred competitions for mixed martial artists?: STRIKE ANYWHERE MATCHES.

93. Field competitions for electricians?: CURRENT EVENTS.

96. Baseball competitions for collectors of compact cars?: MINI-SERIES.

115. Boxing competitions for comedians?: BOUTS OF LAUGHTER.

In case you missed this, our Gary Larson was a comedian for cruise ships for many years.

I'm not familiar with Strike Anywhere matches. I have not used matches for years. Such an apt description for the clued competition.

Across:

1. Airplane __: cellphone setting: MODE.

5. Hefty slice: SLAB. Has any of you tried cod roe (mentaiko)? So tasty!

9. Dutch semisoft cheese: EDAM.

13. Spanish "this": ESTA.

17. Windows alternative: UNIX.

18. Group activity at a Jewish wedding: HORA. Guess how many 4-letter entries in this grid?

19. Corporate symbols: LOGOS.

21. Fireplace outlets: FLUES.

25. Visual puzzle: REBUS.

26. Figures of speech: TROPES.

27. Nada: NIL.

28. Fragile: DELICATE.

30. Asian archipelago: JAPAN. Probably the cleanest country on earth.

32. Cub's home: DEN.

33. Soccer great nicknamed "O Rei": PELE. The King.

34. Relaxed pace: TROT.

35. Oscar winner Mahershala: ALI.  2 Oscars.

36. View sharer: OPINER.

45. __-mo replay: SLO.

46. "Star Trek" role for Takei and Cho: SULU.

47. "The Lion King" lion: NALA.

48. Lift: HOIST.

51. The Gem State: IDAHO.

55. Support: BACK.

57. One who spins yarns?: KNITTER. Not storyteller.

59. Irish-speaking New Age singer: ENYA.

60. Secret drawer full of snacks, e.g.: STASH.

62. Fair-hiring org.: EEOC.

63. Actor Kaplan or MLB manager Kapler: GABE. Giants' manager.

66. Lifesaving skill, for short: CPR.

72. __ lime pie: KEY.

73. Old geopolitical states: Abbr.: SSRS.

74. And others, briefly: ET AL.

75. Goes up and down: YO-YOS.

76. Purina rival: IAMS.

78. German-made camper: EUROVAN. Learning moment for me. Volkswagen model. We also have 95. Beetle, briefly: VW BUG.

81. Seat in un parc: BANC.

82. Kilt fold: PLEAT.

84. River through Paris: SEINE.

85. Much loved: DEAR. In Chinese, it's Qin an de.

87. Bridal veil trim: LACE.

91. Zip: VIM.

101. Donkey's bray: HEE HAW.

102. Parka sleeve: ARM. Never wore a parka.

103. Ex-Dodger Hershiser: OREL. Still the broadcaster for the Dodgers

104. Fix: MEND.

105. Nurse: SIP.

106. Emma's "Beauty and the Beast" role: BELLE. Emma Watson.

108. Some facial surgeries: NOSE JOBS. Great fill.

110. Sky light?: SUN.

111. At work: ON DUTY.

114. Foreword, for short: INTRO.

120. Time punctuation: COLON. 9:30am.

121. The blahs: ENNUI.

122. Gutter spot: EAVE.

123. Dublin's land: EIRE.

124. Again: ANEW.

125. Departed: GONE.

126. Spud growth: EYES.

127. Allied flyers during WWII: RCAF. The Royal Canadian Air Force.

Down:

1. Tight-lipped: MUM.

2. Till bill: ONE.

3. Appetite suppressant: DIET PILL. Oral chemo pills definitely suppress your appetite.

4. Uncredited actor: EXTRA.

5. FedEx, say: SHIP.

6. __ Star State: LONE.

7. Crafts partner: ARTS.

8. "Pshaw!": BAH.

9. Spritelike: ELFIN.

10. Bratz toy: DOLL. With big, glossy lips.

11. Get old: AGE.

12. Longtime stage name of Yasiin Bey: MOS DEF.

13. Conductor in a circuit: ELECTRODE.

14. Crosstrek automaker: SUBARU.

15. Ancient German: TEUTON.

16. Portfolio listings: ASSETS.

20. Bookcase part: SHELF.

21. Workwk. end for some: FRI. And 24. Año start: ENERO.

23. "__ a gun!": SON OF.

29. Some jeans: LEES.

30. Binges: JAGS.

31. Six-time MLB All-Star Moisés: ALOU.

32. Pioneering cardiovascular surgeon: DEBAKEY. Michael DeBakey. Learning moment for me. He died at the age of 99.

33. Theorize: POSIT.

37. Lifts: PINCHES.

38. "Out of Africa" novelist Dinesen: ISAK. Her real name is Karen Blixen.

39. Org. with Ducks and Penguins: NHL.

40. Coagulate: CLOT.

41. Former quarterback Manning: ELI.

43. Persian Gulf emirate: DUBAI.

44. "Eh, either is fine": WHICHEVER.

49. Jason of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall": SEGEL.

50. Airport shuttle on rails: TRAM.

52. Dried chili pepper: ANCHO.  Dried poblano.

53. Really pushes: HYPES.

54. Rowboat set: OARS.

56. Makes a request: ASKS.

58. Without delay: NOW.

60. Base runner's ploy: STEAL.

61. "You think I'm kidding?": TRY ME.

62. Follow: ENSUE.

64. San Francisco and environs: BAY AREA. Where two of my sisters-in-law live.

65. Historic British prep school: ETON.

67. 116-Down card: SKIP. 116. Game with an edition for colorblind players: UNO.

68. Trojan War god: ARES.

69. Lyft driver's guess: ETA.

70. Were strongly felt, as emotions: RAN DEEP.

71. Ride a bike: CYCLE.

77. Well-suited London street name?: SAVILE ROW. Tailored suits.

79. Finely chopped: RICED.

80. Weighty obligation: ONUS.

81. __ & Body Works: BATH. Amazing shower gels. Here's my favorite.

83. Carol contraction: TIS.

86. Charlotte-to-Raleigh dir.: ENE.

88. __ psychology: ANALYTIC.

89. PC key below Shift: CTRL.

90. Salinger heroine: ESME.

92. Staff note: MEMO.

94. African herbivore: RHINO.

96. Santa __: West Coast city known for its pier: MONICA.

97. Patch type: IRON-ON.

98. Get cozy: NESTLE.

99. Yeshiva leader: REBBE. Not RABBI.

100. Joyous way to break out: IN SONG.

105. "Calvin and Hobbes" girl: SUSIE.

107. Upper regions of space: ETHER.

109. Actor Hamm: JON. "Mad Men".

110. Wow: STUN.

111. Body wash brand: OLAY.

112. Central church section: NAVE. And 113. Members' payments: DUES. And 117. Fixed payment: FEE.

118. Historical period: ERA.

119. Slo-mo reviewer: REF.

We had a very productive meeting with the VA Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) nurse. We still have to go to the VA for oncology or other specialty meetings, bone strengthener injections, MRI scans, etc, but we don't need to see Boomer's primary care doctor anymore. The HBPC covers it, plus it also has a PT & an OT.  

We're going to the VA next Wednesday for a 3-month orthopedic follow up. Boomer's left shoulder is getting stronger, but he still can't type with his left hand and his legs are getting weaker every day. Daunting task to get him from the basement to our bedroom now.

C.C.