Sunday January 27, 2019 C.C. Burnikel

Theme: "Extreme Weather" - Each themer is bookended by a bad weather term.

23. Many a character in "The Americans": SLEEPER AGENT. Sleet.

29A. Jenna, to Barbara: TWIN-SISTER. Twister.

55A. Amtrak service: HIGH-SPEED RAIL. Hail.

91A. Elegant carousel rider?: DELUXE LUGGAGE. Deluge.

112A. Bit of racket sport equipment: SQUASH BALL. Squall.

124A. "Enough already!": STOP RIGHT NOW. Snow. (Thanks, Paul!)

38D. Place to keep things: STORAGE ROOM. Storm.

45D. PlayStation 4, for one: GAME CONSOLE. Gale.

Rich helped me with the deluge entry. I originally had another 13-entry FLESH AND BLOOD (Flood). Rich said "Flood isn't weather, it's a consequence of weather". 

Would be cool to have tornado, monsoon, cyclone or blizzard, but I just could not find solid in-the-language phrases.

Across:

1. Navajo relative: APACHE.

7. Main points: GISTS.

12. They're thrown in anger: FITS.

16. Germany-based shipper: DHL. Last time when I talked to Splynter, he was expecting a new job offer.

19. Tank-emptying gadget: SIPHON.

20. According to script: ON CUE.

21. Burger King beverage option: ICEE.

22. Dinner order?: EAT. There was no black square between 21A and 22A when I started. Added it later as I just could not get clean fill.

25. "Seriously!": NO REALLY. 60. "My bad": PARDON ME. 73. "By all means!": PLEASE DO. 88. "Methinks ... ": I DARE SAY. And 94. "Pay attention": LOOK AT ME. I like spoken phrases.

27. Four years, in some cases: TERM.

28. Out of the sack: RISEN.

31. Teen heartthrob: IDOL.

33. Author Zora __ Hurston: NEALE.

35. DDE's wartime command: ETO. European Theater of Operations.

36. Martini go-with?: ROSSI. Rich's great clue. Lots of clues in my puzzles are Rich's creation. I had a straightforward "Martini's partner".

39. Flower in la Seine: EAU. Rich's "flow-er" as well.

41. Almost-ready software products: BETAS.

44. Premium beef: ANGUS.

48. Most likely: APTEST.

50. Today's fortysomethings, e.g.: XERS.

52. Empty storefront sign: FOR LEASE. And 54. Sellout sign: SRO.

59. Pin cushion?: MAT.

62. "To sum up ... ": IN A WORD.

63. Photo sources: NEGS. Negatives.

64. Snowboarder White: SHAUN. Very successful. A la Wik: He is a three-time Olympic gold medalist. He holds the record for the most X-Games gold medals and most Olympic gold medals by a snowboarder, and has won 10 ESPY Awards.

65. Stud location: EAR.

67. Green Day drummer __ Cool: TRE.

68. Draw forth: EDUCE.

70. Punished, as a teen: GROUNDED.

76. Discover: LEARN.

77. Online forum VIP: MOD. Moderator.

79. Original "Nashville Now" airer: TNN.

80. Snap: CINCH.

83. Animal house: BARN.

84. University of Wisconsin city: MADISON. D-Otto's alma mater.

90. Blood system letters: ABO.

93. Eggs, to a biologist: OVA.

96. Neeson of "Silence": LIAM.

97. Tablet download: APPLET.

99. 1983 Michael Keaton role-reversal movie: MR. MOM.

100. 1836 battle site: ALAMO.

103. Delta rival: Abbr.: UAL.

105. "Here will __ me till the break of day": Shak.: I REST. Rich's clue, of course.

106. Common practice: LAW.

108. November birthstone: TOPAZ.

110. Due cubed: OTTO. Oh hi, how's the new TV? (Added later: Due is Italian for "two".)

117. Vacation twosome, perhaps: WEEKS. Also Rich's misdirect.

119. Acquired, with "by": CAME.

123. Get more points than: OUTSCORE.

127. Untruth: LIE.

128. Backup military org.: USAR. U.S. Army Reserve.

129. Heroic Schindler: OSKAR.

130. Play the piccolo: TOOTLE.

131. Covert __: OPS.

132. Lily variety: SEGO.

133. Can't do without: NEEDS.

134. World __: SERIES.

Down:

1. Part of ADA: Abbr.: ASST.

2. Tidy sum: PILE.

3. Copycat: APER. Gluey fill.

4. Lingerie top with spaghetti straps: CHEMISE.

5. Triple-jump element: HOP.

6. Calendario starter: ENERO. Calendar.

7. Dress like: GO AS.

8. Roles for young women: INGENUES.

9. Movie clip: SCENE.

10. Large wine cask: TUN.

11. Not get everything you want: SETTLE. Rich's clue as well. I tend to be confused with this type of "Not..." clue.

12. Done, in Dijon: FINI.

13. Desktop image: ICON.

14. Far from talkative: TERSE.

15. Get everything you want: SEE IT ALL.

16. Pec neighbor: DELT.

17. Robust: HALE.

18. Approx. 5.88 trillion miles: LT-YR. Light year.

24. Really peeve: RILE.

26. In unison: AS ONE.

30. Like nail polish being blown on: WET.

32. Shame: DISHONOR.

34. Playing hooky, say: ABSENT.

36. Carpentry files: RASPS.

37. "Queen Sugar" co-producer: OPRAH. The other producer is Ava DuVernay,

40. Business end of a cutting tool: AX HEAD.

42. "The Mod Squad" hairdo: AFRO.

43. Rise dramatically: SOAR.

46. Lexicographer's concern: USAGE.

47. Venn diagram regions: SETS.

49. Pewter metal: TIN.

51. N.Y. tech school: RPI. Spitzboov had a great suggestion for me: DREADNOUGHT.

53. Travels: RIDES.

56. Fed. agents: G MEN.

57. Tombstone lawman: EARP.

58. Resided: DWELT.

61. When repeated, rock group named for the villain in "Barbarella": DURAN. Learning moment for me. Rich's clue of course.

63. Skin flick: NUDIE.

66. Dance track, often: REMIX.

69. Falling apart: DECREPIT.

71. Like goals not attained: UNMET.

72. Doctor's order: DOSE. That Zytiga is sure toxic. It makes Boomer light-headed at times.

74. Real puzzle: ENIGMA.

75. Arm-leg connector: AND A. Gluey partial.

76. Delivery process: LABOR.

78. Sour cream blob: DOLLOP.

81. Stalagmite sites: CAVES.

82. Ritz-Carlton alternative: HYATT.

83. Soothing ointment: BALM.

85. __ mater: ALMA.

86. Fight with seconds: DUEL. Again, Rich's misdirecting "seconds".  Thanks, Rich!

87. Rapa __: Easter Island: NUI.

89. Turkish dignitary: AGA. Also 91. West Asian capital: DAMASCUS.

92. Wound cover: GAUZE PAD.

95. Caffeine-rich nuts: KOLAS.

98. Exam monitor: PROCTOR.

101. The NBA's Hawks: ATL.

102. It merged with Coors in 2005: MOLSON. Their stock symbol is TAP.

104. Norse prankster: LOKI.

107. "__ fault is that?!": WHOSE.

109. Got up: AWOKE.

111. Some USAF NCOs: TSGTS. Technical sergeants.

112. Tune sung alone: SOLO.

113. One-liner: QUIP.

114. Western natives: UTES.

115. Act the blowhard: BRAG.

116. Sleek, in car talk: AERO.

118. Goofs: ERRS.

120. Opponent: ANTI.

121. Lawn problem: MOLE.

122. Woolly mamas: EWES.

125. "The Waste Land" monogram: TSE.

126. Plot device?: HOE.

Not much updates on Boomer this week. No doctor visit or blood draw. He's been busy sorting and moving various baseball cards, books and other sports collectibles. Now I have my own dedicated bookshelves.

C.C.

Monday January 14th, 2019 C.C. Burnikel

Theme: ISH (62. "Give or take" suffix ... that can be added to the end of 18-, 23-, 51- and 60-Across to form a sort of set) - ISH can be added to the last word in each theme entry to form a language.

 

18. Recall ability: MEMORY SPAN. Spanish.

23. Well-groomed guy: DAPPER DAN. Danish.

51. One making a living in government, briefly: CAREER POL. Polish.

60. Knockout drink, in old gangster movies: MICKEY FINN. Finnish.

Boomer here. Makes me think of Denard Span and Dan Gladden of the Twins. And Mickey Mantle had a great Career.

Good morning everyone and I hope you enjoyed the nitty-gritty of football winding down soon to the Superb Owl.  Bowling is getting better. This weeks scores for the three game sets were Monday - 585 and Thursday - 583.  (note to TTP) I only missed one ten pin in the 6 games. I left at least a dozen.

Across:

1. Parks who wouldn't give up her bus seat: ROSA. I wish I could have met her. She had spunk!

5. Jewel box item: CD ROM. Compact Disc and a Real Old Man. 

10. Colored eye part: IRIS.

14. Cartel acronym: OPEC. Organization of Petroleum Exporters. Iraq, Iran and others. I bet they are flush with cash to pay their help.

15. Prizefight venue: ARENA. Prize fights don't seem to have the attraction that they once had.  (When Ali was "The Greatest").  It seems that the arenas are now filled with All Star Wrestling.

16. Brit's "Later!": TA TA.

17. Version to debug: BETA.  I just remember when beta competed with VHS.  Not me.  Anyone want to buy my VHS tapes ?

20. Blew like Etna: ERUPTED.  Sorta like the KC Chiefs erupted over the Colts at Arrowhead.

22. Black as night, e.g.: SIMILE.

26. __ XING: crosswalk sign: PED.  Short for pedestrian.

27. Noteworthy period: ERA.  Earned Run Average.  Pitchers with low ones are getting huge raises for 2019.  Take me out to the ballgame.

28. Removes, as a cork: POPS.  Did anyone ever call their Dad Pops ?

30. Nowhere close: FAR. "She wore it for her soldier who was far, far away." Marching tune.

33. Places to swim: POOLS.  If your SLOOP turns over, you may be in a pool.

36. Geek's cousin: NERD.  These guys got revenge on "Animal House".

37. Fodder storage site: SILO.  There's one of these on every barn.  I am not sure if they are used much anymore.  South Minneapolis has miles of grain elevators.

38. Hauls with effort: SCHLEPS.

40. Japanese warrior: SAMURAI.

42. "Right back __!": "Me, too!": AT YA. George Bush was a student AT Yale.

43. Flashy promotion: HYPE.

45. Turn topsy-turvy: UPEND.  Maybe FLIP,  His son is now coaching the Timberwolves.

46. Water-testing digit: TOE.

47. "__ With the Wind": GONE.  Pee Wee Reese describing a Mickey Mantle fly ball.

48. Map app path: Abbr.: RTE. "Get your kicks on RTE 66"

49. Cantina condiment: SAL.

56. Small piano: SPINET.  What Pat Sajak tells contestants to do to the Wheel of Fortune. 

59. Motivate: INSPIRE.  INSPIRE could inspire you to clean energy.  (Wind Power)

63. Puma rival: AVIA.  These tennis shoes cost more than $4.95. 

64. Australian gem: OPAL. October Birthstone.

65. So last year: PASSE.

66. Cafeteria staffer: COOK.  Chef fits too.  I think it was Nixon who said "I am not a cook".

67. Heredity carrier: GENE.  I think of Gene Rayburn on "The Match Game".  He thinks he's funny but he's not. 

68. "Some __ time": "Not now": OTHER.

69. RR stops: Abbr.: STNS.  Take a ride.  If you pass GO, collect $200.

Down:

1. Dressed like a judge: ROBED.

2. Mozart work: OPERA.  Not to be confused with "You get a car" Oprah.

3. Arrange in advance: SET UP.  Paul Newman and Robert Redford did this in 1973.  They called it a Sting.

4. Like singing sans instruments: A CAPPELLA. I will be singing "Lucy Baines" at the retirees reunion soon.

5. GoPro product: CAMERA.  "Old Friends"  I have a photograph.  Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you.  - Simon and Garfunkel

6. "Judge __": Stallone film: DREDD.

7. Sleep acronym: REM.  Rapid Eye Movement.  But it was also the name of a rock band years ago.

8. Lennon's love: ONO. Oh no, not another Yoko Clue

9. Red planet: MARS.  At night sometimes, you can see Mars in the sky, but it is not red, it looks yellow/orange.

10. "Who's there?" reply: IT'S ME.

11. In quick succession: RAPID FIRE.  Like the questions on "Jeopardy".

12. Emphatic type: Abbr.: ITAL.

13. Fit to be tried: SANE.  Fit to be Tied would probably be INSANE.

19. Puppy's barks: YIPS.

21. Succinct: TERSE.

24. Orangutan, e.g.: APE.  I'll bet his name is Hairy.

25. Swedes' neighbors: NORSE. Ya Shure, I have Scandinavian heritage Don'tcha know.

29. Kissing at the mall, for short: PDA.

31. Actor Cumming: ALAN.

32. __ rage: bodybuilder's concern: ROID.  They have a preparation for that.

33. H.S. junior's exam: PSAT.  I'd like to meet the genius that writes these questions.  I would ask him a few bowling questions, or what is a Square D Wiggy.

34. Numerical prefix with -pus: OCTO. The month of my birthday.

35. Self-affirming retort: OH YES I CAN.

36. "Bye Bye Bye" band: NSYNC.  Very tough to pronounce.

37. Large political spending gps.: SUPER PACS. Our new congressman Dean Phillips would not take their money.  I wonder how long that will last.

39. Rice noodle soup: PHO. Vietnamese noodle soup.

41. Trumpet mufflers: MUTES.

44. Veggie in a pod: PEA. Split it and it could go in soup.

47. Sheer joy: GLEE. Indeed, in high school I was in the Glee Club.  I think they call it choir now.

48. Jeremy of "The Avengers": RENNER.

50. Often-twisted joint: ANKLE.

52. Washer cycle: RINSE.  Wash, Wash, Wash the Blue Cheer way, Rinse, Rinse, Rinse the dirt away.

53. Whirl on one foot: PIVOT.

54. Hunter constellation: ORION.  Constellation are so interesting.  We looked forever into the night sky.  The only one that made sense was the Big Dipper.  Then I found out it was actually supposed to be a Bear.  Ursa Major - I told you I had four years of Latin.

55. Plumbers' problems: LEAKS. We finally got our bathroom fixed. No more leaks into the garage!!!

56. Air quality concern: SMOG.

57. Frosty's corncob accessory: PIPE.  And a button nose, and eyes made out of coal.

8. Autocorrect target: TYPO.

61. Budgetary excess: FAT. I am sure those poor federal workers do not have this problem this month.

Boomer

Note from C.C.:

Happy Birthday to dear JD, who joined our blog not long after I started it. It always brings me joy to see the pictures of her grandkids.

JD & Bob

Monday December 31, 2018 C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Say it Again - The last words are all homophones

17A. Persistent ache: NAGGING PAIN.

23A. Window section: GLASS PANE.

48A. Heartthrob in the band One Direction: LIAM PAYNE.

57A. "Common Sense" author: THOMAS PAINE.

Boomer here. 

Hello Auld acquaintances! Trust me, you will not be "forgot".  Happy New Year!  Now for the bowling scores - Monday 171-209-188, Thursday 158-179-158. The Thursday bowling center has changed the oil pattern and it's fairly difficult for me because I am still weak and my ball speed is around 10 MPH.  I think as I get healthier my Thursday results will improve. 

I peeked in on last week's blog about the West Virginia and noticed someone mentioned that John Denver replaced Chad Mitchell in the trio. They changed the name to the "Mitchell Trio" but did not last long after that. This vaulted a solo Mr. Denver to huge success.  I might add that I attended a single performance by Chad Mitchell at a crummy speakeasy bar in a Minneapolis west suburb back in the sixties and he was terrible.

Across:

1. Actress Vardalos: NIA. I had only heard of Nia Peeples

4. Chapel vow: IDO.

7. Fine apparel: ATTIRE.

13. Bird that gives a hoot: OWL. In Minnesota, we used to have a grocery called "Red Owl".  An interesting name and logo.

14. Stock horror film servant: IGOR.

15. Came down and spoiled the picnic: RAINED. Uh Huh, Oh No Don't let the rain come down.

16. Open __ night: MIC.

19. Ski resort feature: SLOPE.  Chad Mitchell Trio -

Well, they called him Super Skier
As he sat around the sun-deck,
For he swore that he would never take a spill
When they finally took him down
They had to use three toboggans
To carry all the pieces down the hill

21. Self-defense spray: MACE.  This is nasty stuff.

22. Fey of "Date Night": TINA.  On SNL she looked more like Sarah Palin than Ms. Palin did.

25. D.C. pro: POL.

26. Yard sale caveat: AS IS.

27. Bar for circus swingers: TRAPEZE.  "He flies through the air with the greatest of ease."

31. Long-faced: SULLEN.

34. Tire, with "out": WEAR.  Replace your tires when they wear out.

35. Controlled Substances Act org.: DEA.  Drug Enforcement Administration.  One of the decent ideas of Richard Nixon around 1973.  I wonder if they are working during the shutdown.

36. Hyde Park buggy: PRAM.  I thought they called these "Handsome Cab".  Reminds me of when Kramer fed his horse beans.

37. Madison Ave. pro: AD MAN.  Now we get hundreds of ads on Facebook.

39. Main point: GIST.

40. Lincoln or Ford: CAR.

41. Poker variety: STUD.  5 cards without a draw, or where they send retired racehorses.

42. Lawn service company that merged with TruGreen: SCOTTS.  I have never found anything that works. Maybe because winter messes up lawns and it takes until May just to start turning green again. 

44. Fairbanks resident: ALASKAN.

46. Period of prosperity: BOOM. Not reason for my boom. I am part of the "Baby Boom" of 1947.

47. Windy City train org.: CTA.  If the Chicago Transit Authority, (Better known as the CTA) raises their rates, "Charlie may never get off of that train."

53. Off-kilter: AWRY.

55. Fuzzy green plant that grows on rocks: MOSS. Number 84 Randy of the Minnesota Vikings.  Was controversial, however now headed for the hall.

56. Dimwit: IDIOT.

60. Down Under bird: EMU.  It's a pretty big bird, but also an acronym for Eastern Michigan University.

61. Make pure, as sugar: REFINE.  This could happen if you park in a restricted zone more than once.

62. Maker of Aspire laptops: ACER.

63. Young fellow: LAD.

64. Show up at: ATTEND.  Did anyone attend a bowl game this year?  I did not go, but our Gophers took care of Georgia Tech in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit.

65. Winter hrs. in Minneapolis: CST. While you are reading your L.A. Times, I'll be getting ready for lunch.

66. Beats by __: audio equipment brand: DRE.

Down:

1. Chinese menu assurance: NO MSG.

2. Volunteer's words: I WILL.  Who will take out the trash ?

3. Reynolds Wrap maker: ALCOA.  Also producer of Aluminum wire of which Graybar sold many thousands of miles.

4. Grocery chain letters: IGA.

5. Rigid beliefs: DOGMAS.

6. Church instrument: ORGAN.  Here's my experience. I sang in a church choir back in the 60's and there was an organist who played wonderfully. The church I attend now has an electronic piano which can sound like an organ, a flute, bongo drums, an accordion, a trumpet, two guitars, and a tambourine.  It sounds like a bit much, but they are well- rehearsed and don't play everything at the same time.  

7. Obama Education secretary Duncan: ARNE.

8. Garment label: TAG.  You're it.  Played in Minnesota in the summer.

9. First-rate: TIPTOP.  Retailers have used this as an adjective for their business.  I seem to remember Tiptop Bread.

10. "Aced that test!": I NAILED IT. Hit a golf ball 300 yards.

11. Horse rider's strap: REIN.

12. Writer Ferber: EDNA.

14. Actually existing: Lat.: IN ESSE.

18. Summer pitcherful: ICE TEA.  I think I saw this before.  I prefer to call it "Iced tea."

20. Biblical song: PSALM.

24. Whacked gift holder: PINATA.

25. Links standard: PAR. A rare event for me these days (especially in winter).  A piece of cake for Dustin Johnson.

28. Coerced payment: RANSOM.

29. Citrus peel: ZEST.  A tricky clue.  I would prefer soap or energy.

30. Puts away dishes?: EATS.  I am not too fond of these tricky clues.  Especially in a Monday Puzzle.

31. Animal welfare org.: SPCA. I only know them as ASPCA from TV commercials where they ask for donations.

32. Eurasian border river: URAL.  What Peggy Bundy calls her husband. ("Married with Children")

33. "Tomb Raider" heroine: LARA CROFT.

34. Iraq War armament: Abbr.: WMD.

38. Big name in tires: DUNLOP.  They have also sneaked into the Tennis market, balls and racquets.

39. Lose one's marbles: GO MAD.  Which loss made you madder?  Peeries, steelies, agates, or shooters ?

41. Jamaican music genre: SKA.

43. Paper jam site: COPIER.

45. Thwart: STYMIE.  The only Stymie I remember appeared with Buckwheat in the our gang comedies back in the 1930's.  No, I am not THAT old, I saw replays in the 1950's.  When I watched, I did not realize it was a racist characterization.

46. Nuts and bolts: BASICS.

49. Sir __ Newton: ISAAC.

50. Give ground: YIELD.  A triangular yellow sign.

51. Red Sox great Garciaparra: NOMAR.  Great Major League.  He received his unique first name from his father, Ramon.

52. Practice piece: ETUDE.

53. Razor brand: ATRA.  I don't use these.  I like the Bic 5 blade.

54. Spark, as an appetite: WHET. I think this can also mean sharpen like a knife, dear Liza.

55. Grad. degree for teachers: MSED. Master of Science in Education.  This is a highly scholarly degree so why break acronym rules by using the first two letters of Education

58. Landers of letters: ANN.  The sister of Abby Van Buren, who is grandmother of Minnesota's new congressman Dean Phillips.  (3rd Congressional District where C.C. and I live).

59. Driving range barrier: NET.  Not too often on the range, but how might you get the fish into the boat ?

Boomer

Notes from C.C.:

Here are three more pictures of Baby Boomer. The older girl is my sister-in-law Barbara, who lives in San Francisco. (Note from Boomer: I believe this is a Cushman motor scooter, owned by my dad.  We did not have a car when I was young.)

Sunday December 23, 2018 C.C. Burnikel

Theme:  "Quick Visit" - STOP spans across each theme answer.

23A. *Chances that slipped away: LOST OPPORTUNITIES.

62A. *True view: HONEST OPINION.

70A. *Often the best choice, in retrospect: FIRST OPTION.

82A. *Swindlers: FAST OPERATORS.

124A. *Ristorante appetizers: ANTIPASTO PLATTERS.

16D. *Former Chilean dictator: AUGUSTO PINOCHET.

45D. *Bending over backward, say: ANXIOUS TO PLEASE.

Reveal:

103. Visit briefly ... and a hint to the answers to starred clues: STOP IN.

Very simple theme, with three different STOP split.

I originally has EID in 34-Across and NEIL in 25-Down. Rich was concerned that the crossing would creative a tricky square, even if I clued NEIL as obvious as possible. So a change was made.

I do hope EID appears in LAT soon. 

Across:

1. Bowling pin wood: MAPLE.

6. Princess Charlotte, to Harry: NIECE.

11. Hornets, e.g.: WASPS.

16. 2008 TARP beneficiary: AIG. Founded in Shanghai.

19. Think tank nuggets: IDEAS.

20. "The Thin Blue Line" director Morris: ERROL. Unknown to me. Rich's clue.

21. Mexican month: ENERO.

22. Stage coach Hagen: UTA.

26. Tricky bit: GAG.

27. Type of well: ARTESIAN. I learned from doing crosswords.

28. Fulda tributary: EDER.

29. Griller's flipper: SPATULA. I use wooden ones. I stir-fry every day.

31. Bird hangout: NEST.

32. Romance novelist Hilderbrand: ELIN. Alternative to Tiger's ex.

34. Gate datum: Abbr.: ETD.

35. Windows forerunner: MS DOS.

36. Type of jam in Sacher tortes: APRICOT. Never had apricot jam.

39. One of the original Warner Bros.: SAM. Learning moment also. Rich's clue again.

41. Sporty car roof: T-TOP.

44. Long story: SAGA.

46. Way to go: Abbr.: DIR.

48. Frees: LETS LOOSE.

52. Platform site: Abbr.: STN.

53. Twitter forwards, on Twitter: RTS. Retweets.

56. Kings Peak state: UTAH.

58. Just __ bit: A WEE.

59. Ramallah-based org.: PLO. Palestine Liberation Organization.

60. Make an ad spicier, say: SEX IT UP. Husker Gary would be a great ad writer.  I still can't get over his "Squeeze Play" title for a puzzle I made for WSJ a while ago. Genius!

65. Shower unit?: RAINDROP.

67. Gives someone a hand: CLAPS.

68. Flake or Duckworth: Abbr.: SEN. Tammy Duckworth. Jeff Flake, ex-senator.

69. Gin flavor: SLOE.

74. Catcher's place: HOME. And 4. Reason to challenge an out call: LATE TAG. And 8. Boot the ball: ERR.

77. Good times: UPS. Splynter used to be very busy during this period.

79. Bring down: LOWER.

80. One often includes a colon: EMOTICON.

87. Hearing range: EARSHOT.

88. Surreal ending?: IST. Jazzbumpa hates this type of clue: Surrealist. 

89. __ song: FOR A.

90. Trash: RUIN.

91. Pronoun for a princess: SHE.

92. "Mr. Blue Sky" band: ELO.

93. They can yield immediate results: SPOT TESTS.

96. Poker great Ungar: STU.

97. PlayStation handheld game: VITA. We had this clue a few months ago.

99. Baking amts.: TSPS.

100. Autobahn winter hazard: EIS. Ice.

102. Take no side: ABSTAIN.

106. Tibetan monks: LAMAS. Some very simple truths in Tibetan Buddhism.

110. Sports radio host Patrick: DAN.

112. Editor's retraction: STET.

113. Salinger character who says to the story narrator, "I don't think I shall tell you my full name": ESME. Rich's clue also.

117. First name in exploration: AMERIGO.

119. Noteworthy stretches: ERAS.

121. Fruit-flavored frozen treat: OTTER POP. Favorite treat at D-Otto's home.

123. Showy wrap: BOA.

127. Overhead rumblers: ELS.

128. "I'm with you": ME TOO.

129. Links hero, familiarly: ARNIE. Palmer.

130. __ Blue: old laundry soap: RINSO.

131. Graphic top: TEE.

132. "Uh-uh!": I WON'T.

133. Bonkers: LOONY.

134. Packed away: EATEN. I've been enjoying these roasted Asian sweet potatoes.

Down:

1. Lombardy's capital: MILAN. Look at some of the street scenes there.

2. Place on a pedestal: ADORE.

3. Raid targets: PESTS. The spray Raid.

5. Those, in Tabasco: ESOS.

6. Sherpa, usually: NEPALI.

7. Like a typical O. Henry story: IRONIC.

9. Dove's digs: COTE.

10. Slip past: ELUDE.

11. "Mandatory Fun" parodist, familiarly: WEIRD AL.

12. Red or army follower: ANT.

13. Earthshaking event: SEISM. Hi there Jayce!

14. Gets ready: PREPS.

15. "Such a pity": SO SAD.

17. Leaning type: Abbr.: ITAL.

18. Lady on stage: GAGA. Lady Gaga.

24. Place to tie up: PIER. Also Rich's clue.

25. Court dividers: NETS.

30. "... and your little dog, too!" dog: TOTO. I just told my friend Carmen (based in Guangzhou) to watch "The Wizard of Oz". She never heard of it.

33. "Ya think?": NO DUH.

37. Medicare prescription drug section: PART D.

38. Jackson 5 member: TITO.

40. Hearty pastry: MEAT PIE.

42. Capital on a fjord: OSLO.

43. Menial laborer: PEON.

44. Big bargain: STEAL.

47. Spiteful: RANCOROUS. This one connects three themers.

49. Masters Tournament weekend groupings: TWOSOMES.

50. Qtr.-ending month: SEP.

51. Luau souvenirs: LEIS.

52. Much of Eastern Eur., once: SSRS.

54. Tough's territory: TURF.

55. Unwelcome giveaways: SPOILERS.

57. Emergency menu: HELP. Computer. Keith, it's TTP who found the diagonal puzzle for you. I merely emailed it to you.

61. Butterfingered: INEPT.

63. Tended tots: SAT.

64. Classic grape sodas: NEHIs.

66. Divide fairly: PRORATE.

71. Giant among low-cost carriers: Abbr.: SWA. Southwest Airlines. We use Sun Country for our  Vegas trip (annual Graybar retiree gathering). They have the best price. Bad service.

72. Four: Prefix: TETR.

73. Biblical builder: NOAH.

75. Dough: MOOLA.

76. Opposite of exo-: ENTO.

78. Like comfy slippers: SOFT.

81. "Three Coins ..." fountain: TREVI.

82. Punch deliverer: FIST.

83. Venomous vipers: ASPS. I wonder if ancient Egyptians ate asps. Snakes are popular food in Guangzhou. Restaurants have live snakes in cages. You just pick up the snake you want, they'll prepare for you. 

84. "The Black Cat" author: POE.

85. "On the Bus With Rosa Parks" poet Dove: RITA.

86. Slights: SNUBS.

94. Nicholas, for one: TSAR.

95. Bet money an "all in" player can't win: SIDE POT. Rich's clue also.

98. Loafer's quality: INERTIA.

101. Actress Gilbert: SARA.  Executive producer for both "Roseanne" and "The Conners".

104. Bigelow alternative: TETLEY.

105. Lead-in to girl or boy: ATTA.

107. "Scarface" setting: MIAMI.

108. '60s-'70s veep: AGNEW (Spiro).

109. __ voce: softly: SOTTO.

111. Twangy-sounding: NASAL.

114. Tuckered out: SPENT.

115. Man with a code: MORSE.

116. Nagano-based printer giant: EPSON. Ours is HP Envy 4500.

117. Provide fake cover for, e.g.: ABET.

118. Sleeper agent: MOLE.

120. Texas MLBer: STRO.

122. To be, to Benoît: ETRE.

125. Non-neutral atom: ION.

126. "Wish Tree" artist: ONO.

Happy 74th birthday to our sweet Misty! Her kindness and compassion shine through in each of her blog posts. Here is a picture of Misty and her husband Rowland celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary in 2009.

Boomer Updates:

No doctor visits the past week, though there was a glitch in getting Zytiga, which can't be refilled and needs a monthly prescription. Boomer is going to get another blood draw next Thursday. His alkaline phosphatase has been high and creatinine is a bit low. Not unusual for bone cancer patients, according to Dr. Downs' assistant.

He continues to feel better and sleeps much better. His re-starter's luck at bowling alley quickly ran out last Thursday night, Inanehiker! He'll probably share with you his scores tomorrow.

C.C.

Saturday, December 22, 2018, C.C. Burnikel

Themeless Saturday Puzzle by C.C. Burnikel

Since 1999, December 22nd has been the day to celebrate Abilities Day. The school where I sub has a girl who lost her right forearm in a ATV accident. Here you can see her as she is competing in a recent swim meet where she won two events. If you need a hero, she would be someone you should consider.

C.C. has a Saturday themeless for the third time in two months and made me feel like I had limited abilities! It took me only 15 minutes to get to this NE corner and then I took a detour on the Natick Turnpike.  I had no shot on 10, 11 and 12 Down and 14 Across and had wrong answers on 20 and 24 Across. After another fifteen minutes, I threw in the towel and got help from the U.S.S. Google! I still had fun and humble pie is not fattening!

Personal note - It has been one year since I became the regular Saturday blogger and I appreciate C.C. giving me the chance and for you to not giving me the boot.

And now let's see C.C.'s many abilities on this wonderful Weekend puzzle:

Across:

1. Hypoallergenic wool: ALPACA While similar to sheep’s wool, ALPACA fiber  is warmer, not prickly, and has no lanolin, which makes it hypoallergenic (unlikely to cause an allergic reaction)

7. Chinese way of life: TAOISM 

13. Be the victim of a slaying?: ROAR AT - Good comedians are said to "slay" the audience who are probably ROARing AT them

14. Taiwanese drink originally made with milk and tapioca pearls: BOBA TEA - I had no idea but here is the finished product and a kit to make said beverage

15. Sports cheaters: DOPERS - Jose Canseco's book blew the whistle on this practice

16. Series of celebratory visits: PUB CRAWL - This ritual seems to be de rigueur for some 21st birthdays

17. Squeeze (out): EKE.

18. Fixes, as a pump: RESOLES - C.C. loves shoes and I'm sure has many pairs of pumps

20. Green span: LEA - A wonderful play on Alan Greenspan for an old cwd friend

21. Convention: NORM - The NORM at this site is educated discourse 23. Because it fits: APTLY to the subjects at hand

24. Cat's hangout: SILL - Not the cat in its LAIR but the kitty on the window SILL

25. Prominent parade brass: TUBAS - If you're a musician you probably already know which of the below is a TUBA and which is a Sousaphone. If you aren't you probably don't care. Here's the difference

27. The Cuban?: LAS - A Cuban speaking Spanish would know LAS Vegas literally means "THE Meadows"

28. Wolf in "The Jungle Book": AKELA - The Disney Wolf was voiced by this gentleman. AKELA was also the name of the leader in our cub scout pack.

29. Kicks back: TAKES IT EASY

32. Place for a frozen treat: GELATO STAND - A ubiquity in Rome

34. Response to a welcome return: WE MISSED YOU - A common sentiment when a former blogger returns to our fold 

36. Apps with errors: BETAS - Fortunately, now they've got all the bugs out 😅

39. Avril follower: MAI - Les averses d'avril apportent des fleurs de MAI (April showers bring May Flowers)

40. Stopped lying: AROSE - As opposed to started telling the truth

42. Drained of color: ASHY.

43. Sharp picker-upper: TALON.

45. Put under: DRUG.

46. Early Melotone Records competitor: RCA -Melotone

47. Produce aisle option: ORGANIC - Is it really better?

49. Turn sharply: ZAG - After a zig

50. Factor in exit velocity, in baseball: BAT SPEED

52. Wore thin: GOT OLD - Remember the political ads this fall?

54. Life-saving devices, at times: EPIPENS 

55. In a calm manner: EVENLY.

56. Make drinkable, in a way: DESALT - This Carlsbad DESAL(T) plant will provide 7% of San Diego's water from the ocean

57. Two-day trip, often: RED EYE - Guide to conquering Red Eye Flights


Down:

1. Deeply devoted: ARDENT.

2. Guard: LOOKOUT - Bikers must LOOKOUT in the 33. Hazardous area for a bicyclist passing a parked car: DOOR ZONE 

3. Checkout choice: PAPER BAG - Or in the Dr.'s office

4. Equal: ARE.

5. __ Fire: 230,000-acre Northern California conflagration of 2018: CARR.

6. Bewildered: AT SEA.

7. Maguire of "Spider-Man": TOBEY.

8. Early lesson: ABC'S - Here's where you can begin!

9. Boat mover: OAR.

10. Ballet's birthplace, to Parisians: ITALIE - The word ballet comes from the country of ITALIE (French for Italy) where the Italian word ballade meaning to dance. C.C. at her best!

11. "Black Beauty" author: SEWELL - My Dad said, "That is the only book I ever remember reading"

12. __ Fund: org. supporting girls' education founded by a 2014 Nobelist: MALALA - Another hero!

14. Informal discussion: BULL SESSION.

16. Side with a dog: POTATO SALAD - Substitute CHIPS for SALAD for me










19. Elmore Leonard novel whose title overlaps itself on some covers: SPLIT IMAGES - Yup.

22. Step aside: MAKE WAY.

24. "Sweet Home Alabama" band, familiarly: SKYNYRD - (Lynyrd SKYNRD). That and Georgia On My Mind are two great songs about states

26. Four-time Australian Open champ: SELES - Monica the tennis player

28. Carne __: ASADA - Literally "meat grilled" because those pesky Spanish have the adjective follow the noun

30. Finger-pointing uncle: SAM  - Now 101 years old

31. Enjoyed a roll: ATE.

35. By and large: USUALLY.

36. Like fishhooks, as a rule: BARBED.

37. Pen pals' plan?: ESCAPE - Debate continues whether these penitentiary pals make it

38. "In other words ... ": THAT IS - Fourscore and seven, THAT IS, eighty seven years ago

41. Dip popular at Easter: EGG DYE.

43. 16th-century council site: TRENT - An 18 year series of meetings in TRENTo, Italy where Pope Paul III tried to end corrupt practices in the Catholic Church. Hmmm... 

44. African country with rich uranium deposits: NIGER - So far this month we have had Gabon, Burkina Faso and now NIGER

47. German auto: OPEL - 1964 Opel Ad. I wonder what the words Economisch, Rulm, Pitting and Handig below the picture mean

48. Dock setting: COVE.

51. Mother's Day destination: SPA.

53. Talk acronym: TED - Are you up to a 12 minute M.I.T.  TED talk about puzzles and constructors?