Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Daniel Hrynick

 WORDS THAT ARE REMOTELY FAMILIAR...

19 Across. Build a snow fort or catch frogs: PLAY OUTSIDE. (Play)

27 Across. What a deeply regretful person may wish to do: REWIND THE CLOCK. (Rewind)

44 Across. Stop mid-story to add suspense, say: PAUSE FOR EFFECT. (Pause)

55 Across. Convenient car feature on a cold winter morning, or a feature of 19-, 27-, and 44-Across?: REMOTE START.

And... We're off!

CrossEyedDave here, filling in again.  Starting out, this easy Tuesday puzzle seemed so straightforward, that I was beginning to think there was nothing to explain, or provide silly links for... but given enough time, there wasn't a remote chance I wouldn't come up with anything...

Across:
1. Pizza crust option: THIN.

5. 24 hours: DAY.

8. Some: A FEW.

12. Nevada gambling town: RENO.

13. Penalized for littering, say: FINED.

15. Tilt-A-Whirl, e.g.: RIDE.

16. Overnight __: breakfast dish: OATS.

17. Flatscreen, maybe: LED TV.

18. At no cost: FREE.

19. [Theme]

22. Conclude: END.

23. Startled cry: EEK.

24. Married name follower: NEE.

25. Put in the overhead bin: STOW.

27. [Theme]

33. Boiling: HOT.

34. Spoil: ROT.

35. Qatar's capital: DOHA.

36. Intel mission: RECON.

39. Wrinkly little dog: PUG.

40. Ran out of patience: HAD IT.

41. "Am __ late?": I TOO.

42. Mined-over matter?: ORE.😀

43. Insurance giant bailed out in 2008: AIG. American International Group

44. [Theme]

49. Food Network figure: CHEF.

50. __ Lanka: SRI. (Formally Ceylon)

51. "For __ a jolly good fellow ... ": HE'S.

53. Volcanic eruption residue: ASH.

55. [Theme Reveal]

59. Drops behind: LAGS.

61. Bright celestial events: NOVAS.

62. Creole vegetable: OKRA.

63. Important phases in history: ERAS.

64. __ Valley, California: DEATH.

65. Ancient city in modern Turkey: TROY.

66. __ of the times: SIGN.

67. Mets' div.: NLE. National League East.

68. Mr. Potato Head attachments: EARS. (I wanted eyes first, guess it could have been arms too...)

Hmm, legs, hat,, does every attachment have three letters? Complete? List here...

Down:
1. Familiar plot device: TROPE. Apparently, there are many types...

2. Medic in role-playing games: HEALER.

I wanted Doctor, but you need a good imagination for role playing games...

3. Amount of food consumed: INTAKE.

4. Likely to snoop: NOSY.

5. Tried to reduce one's 3-Down: DIETED.

6. "No ifs, __, or buts": ANDS.

7. Bigfoot cousin: YETI.

8. Dog kennel greeting: ARF.

9. Fuel that can be stacked: FIREWOOD.

10. Perfect place: EDEN.

11. Invasive plant: WEED.

13. Able to speak a language with ease: FLUENT.

14. Movie franchise package, perhaps: DVD SET.

20. Bagel flavor: ONION.

21. "And more of the same" abbr.: ETC.

26. Golden years: OLD AGE.

28. Blow (by): WHOOSH.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

29. More realistic: TRUER.

30. One who isn't good at sharing: HOG.

31. The Blackhawks, on scoreboards: CHI. Chicago.

32. Actress Dennings: KAT. 

Name #1

36. Unfortunate sound to hear while bending: RIP.

Not always unfortunate...

37. Landing hr. guess: ETA.

I wanted to post a different pic of this,

But the language didn't pass the breakfast crowd test...

38. Long-running joke in the opening credits of "The Simpsons": COUCH GAG. For some reason, my YouTube App is refusing to let me share videos. In the meantime, search YouTube for 30 best Simpson couch gags. Very funny...

39. Seasoned vet: PRO.

40. Old audio systems: HI FI'S. hi Fidelity.

42. Cause resentment: OFFEND.

43. From the top: AFRESH.

45. Eternally, in poetry: E'ER. In poetry, e'er (pronounced "air") is a poetic and archaic contraction of the word ever. Poets use it to remove a syllable, making it easier to fit the rhythmic meter (such as iambic pentameter) of a line.

46. Sprawling property: ESTATE.

47. Yoga energy point: CHAKRA. Everything you ever wanted to be told by A.I. here:

48. Abject fear: TERROR.

52. Doesn't leave: STAYS.

53. Hoppy pintfuls: ALES.

54. Hindi cinema dress: SARI.

56. Faucet brand: MOEN.

57. Racket head shape: OVAL.

58. Reusable bag: TOTE.

60. Target of ID thieves: SSN. Social Security Number.

The Grid.

A puzzle with only one name? This is very remote!

Is there a remote chance something on this puzzle tripped you up? If so, please tell us in the comments... of not, come anyway! Maybe by then my YouTube share button problems will be fixed, and we can commiserate on sticky remote buttons that don't work. (Isopropyl Alcohol is a solution!) and there is a way to use tiny bits of aluminum foil for when they really go kerblooey...

CE:D out.

≽ܫ≼

Sunday, June 14, 2026 Zhouqin Burnikel

  IF YOU ASK ME...

CrossEyedDave here, fresh off my bout with a Noro-Virus. Our own CC asked me to write up her Sunday Spectacular at the last minute, and while I am glad to do it, I am still under the weather, and cranky to boot. Let's hope it doesn't show...

I say this because, while a very enjoyable puzzle, there were a few places that had me stumpted. Here is the grid with all my mistakes:

The black chevrons in the upper right of certain grid squares, is where I fat fingered typo's, or chose the wrong letter outright. I didn't have time to do it ink on dead tree sadly.

The red chevrons indicate where I hit the reveal button...

Which leads me to ask you a question: I am not sure to call this a DNF, (Did Not Finish) or a FIW (Finished It Wrong) as I did neither. Can anyone out there come up with a suitable abbreviation for:

I hit the reveal button when I should have given it more thought!

Oh well, Onward!

22 Across. Trick question?: COULD IT BE MAGIC?

The remote does sorta seem like magic...

53 Across. Good question?: IS THAT CORRECT?

87 Across. Gotcha question?: AM I BEING CLEAR?

112 Across. Leading question?: WHO'S IN CHARGE?

119 Across. Quick question?: ARE YOU IN A HURRY?

31 Down. Burning question?: IS THE STOVE ON?

Yes.. but...

42 Down. First question?: WHERE TO START?

Is everybody here? Are you ready? Ok let's go!

As you can clearly see, CC has cleverly made each answer revert back to the question.

Ok! Now onward...

Across:
1. Fellow student: PEER. A peer is a person who belongs to the same group as you in terms of age, social standing, rank, or abilities. (So why do the people in my Jury look like people you couldn't pay me to hang out with...)

5. Inner ears?: COBS.  (Cute.)

9. Wrap (up): SEW. Not end...

12. Braid: PLAIT. As a noun, it can also mean a fold or pleat in fabric. As a verb, it means to interweave or braid. 

17. Crowning point: ACME.

Acme as in high point, the Coyotes source of paraphernalia is not one of them...

18. Critter who snoozed and lost: HARE.

19. Shared intimacies, briefly: PDAS. Public Displays of Affection.

21. Impressionist Monet: CLAUDE. (Name #1)

22. [Theme]

25. Take care of: HANDLE.

26. Forever and ever: EONS.

27. [Theme]

29. Cheese in some bagels: ASIAGO.  Ew, scallion cream cheese for me please...

32. Catch: SPY. Or espy... (but that could be misinterpreted as an award...)

34. Don vestments: ENROBE. (How did my neighbors pajamas get in this puzzle?)

35. Fuzz on a rock: MOSS.

We guitarists could also misinterpret this...

36. Mountain climber: SKI LIFT. Some might say this is not a twurd, (2 word answer) but the only other way to write it is with a hyphen. Ski-lift.

40. Biggest holiday in Vietnam: TET. Lunar New Year! Celebrating the arrival of Spring!🎆

41. Quaint contraction: TWAS. Now that's how you avoid the dreaded "twurd..."

45. Started a fresh pot: ANTED. Poker, not coffee...

47. Get on in years: AGE.

48. Sleeve: ARM.

50. Bakery serving slices: PIE SHOP. Now this one almost had me asking CC if this was a typo! But just as I was about to email, the V8 can came whistling in! It's not the serving slice sizes, it's about the bakery!

52. "Pass": NAH.  (I hit reveal one this one, because I thought, "Nah!" That can't be right...)

53. [Theme]

57. Historical period: ERA.

58. Bridal boutique array: DRESSES. This one flummoxed me, I was thinking flowers, like a corsage...

60. Group with Mind Games competitions: MENSA.

61. Needs some ice, perhaps: HURTS.

63. Corporate title abbr.: ASST. Assistant.

64. Take offense to: RESENT.

67. Put two and two together: ADD.

69. Late bedtime hr.: ONE AM.

70. Feline with a striped coat: TABBY CAT.

72. Watch a friend's monstera, say: PLANT SIT.

Doesn't seem monstrous to me...

74. Ring-shaped island: ATOLL.

76. Buy high and sell low, e.g.: ERR. This is another one that fooled me, because I didn't read it right. You might say I erred...

77. Double-cross: BETRAY.

78. Lady Justice's garb: TOGA. Not robe?

There have been many depictions, and many do not look like togas or robes.

So if this one fooled you, give yourself a break...

81. Flood barrier: LEVEE. See taco flight 110 for the miracle landing on a levee!

Even more miraculous was how they flew it off the levee again, when it was supposed to be too short to land on!

82. Take out of a sack: UNBAG.

84. Checks for fit: TRIES ON.

86. Intense anger: IRE.

87. (Theme]

92. Rummage sale label: TAG.

93. Picturesque caves: GROTTOS.

95. Julius Erving, to fans: DR J. (Basketball.) ( name #2)

96. Hi-__ photo: RES. High resolution.

97. Wee: SMALL.

99. Billionth: Pref.: NANO.

100. West of old Hollywood: MAE. (Name #3)

Are ya happy to see me? Or is that a gun in your pocket?

102. Museum guides: DOCENTS. A docent is a knowledgeable guide or lecturer, typically a trained volunteer in a museum, art gallery, or zoo, who explains exhibits and educates visitors. The term derives from the Latin docere, meaning "to teach".

105. "Songversation" singer India.__: ARIE. Name #4, and I overloaded my photo files. So now the Cloud is saying I have to pay money...  you will have to look her up yourself, I'm broke...

106. Accordion features: PLEATS.

109. Replayed tennis serve: LET. I put Ace first, which would you rather rewatch...
 
110. Repeats verbatim: QUOTES.

112. [Theme]

117. Harbor fleet: TUGS.

This beloved story from my youth got me fascinated with tugboats for the rest of my life...

118. Dish with bubbling broth: HOT POT.

119. [Theme]

125. Vidalia bulbs: ONIONS.

126. Within reach: NEAR.

127. X-rated material: SMUT. (No photo...)

128. Clever notion: IDEA.

129. Crop threats: PESTS.

130. Cap'n Jazz genre: EMO. Sort of name #5?

131. Pointillism marks: DOTS.

132. Corkboard pin: TACK. All my cork boards have had pushpins. Thumbtacks are too dangerous...

Down:
1. Campaign funding org.: PAC. All you ever wanted to know...

2. __ mode: hybrid setting: ECO. Ah,! Economy mode, as in cars! I couldn't figure out the hybrid reference until now... gas/electric...

3. Ostrich's shorter cousin: EMU. Shorter than an Emu would be a Rhea...

4. Drop, as an album: RELEASE. (Music talk.)

5. Casual slacks: CHINOS. The Origin: Originally designed for military use in the 19th century, the pants are believed to take their name from the Spanish word for "Chinese" due to the fabric's origins in China.

6. Grains in a crumble: OATS.

7. Texter's "Gimme a sec": BRB. Be Right Back.

8. "Understand?": SEE.

9. Bridge distance: SPAN.

10. Provocative: EDGY.

11. Forgo: WAIVE.

12. Backup strategy: PLAN B.

13. Stickers in glucose monitoring kits: LANCETS. Ouch!

14. Automaker headquartered in Ingolstadt: AUDI.

15. Inactive: IDLE.

16. Shirts with slogans: TEES.

20. Barely sufficient: SCANT.

21. Like a kitchen during the dinner rush: CHAOTIC.

23. Obedience school attendee: DOG.

24. "Allow me": MAY I.

28. French kin of a dosa: CREPE.

29. "Mamma Mia!" star Seyfried: AMANDA. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  Name #6

30. Submarine trackers: SONARS.

31. [Theme]

32. Weary sound: SIGH. Something I do every time I have to post a pic of a name I don't know...

33. Entreaty: PLEA. No more names, please?

37. "Gnarly" and "Gabriela" girl group: KATSEYE. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ name #7. (@##$&%) um, sorry, sigh...

38. Diamond side: FACET.

39. "__: Ares": TRON. Is this two names?!?! Splynter! I need a word for this!

42. [Theme]

43. Major artery: AORTA.

44. Involuntary twitch: SPASM.

46. Bad-mouth: DIS. Disrespect.

49. Mrs. Pepper's partner on "Blue's Clues": MRSALT. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Name #8.

51. Community spirit: ETHOS. From the Greek, meaning character.

54. Tesla, for one: SERB. Name #9. His Wiki

55. Leonardo's group, for short: TMNT. This was below the belt. Who in their right mind would know that this name #9 refers to The Mutant Ninja Turtles!  Read The Three Musketeers and get your mind out of the Sewer!  (Um, i'm not feeling good, remember?)

56. Storm tracker: RADAR.

59. Like week-old mantou: STALE. Hmm,  you can't make up for TMNJ with delicious looking food when I have a stomach bug! (And it's stale no Less!)

62. Join forces: UNITE.

65. Wash vigorously: SCRUB.

66. Merited: EARNED.

68. Genealogy research aid: DNA TEST.

71. Sound sheepish?: BLEAT.😀 ok, that's a good one...

72. Simon of "Hot Fuzz": PEGG. Name #10

You may know him as Scotty in later Star Trek movies.

I must ask DW what streaming service we are using this month, as it is not free on YouTube...

73. Banks on many covers: TYRA.  Name #11

I'm not complaining mind you...

74. Make straight: ALIGN.

75. __ cotta: TERRA. You know, flower pot containers etc...

77. Bluegrass strings: BANJO.

79. Water polo shot stopper: GOALIE. Interesting choice of clue...

80. Right features of every square: ANGLES. Can't argue with that...

83. Frequent flier?: BIRD.😀

85. Org. with complex schedules: IRS. Infernal Revenuers...

88. Brief periods of time: MOMENTS.

89. Calculus pioneer Newton: ISAAC. Name #12, I'll post a pic when he gets a Sports Illustrated Cover...

90. First Nations people of Canada: CREE. There are over 630 1st nation governments in Canada.

91. Season that begins on Ash Wednesday: LENT.

94. Leader's position: TOP SPOT.

98. Outfit sometimes worn by Xi Jinping: MAO SUIT. No name in the answer, but he still needs a sports illustrated cover to get a pic...

101. Slater of "Wicked": ETHAN. 

Name #13

103. "Pinocchio" goldfish: CLEO. 

Name #14

104. Exercises that work quads and glutes: SQUATS.

107. Penn State's Nittany __: LIONS. All you ever wanted to know...

108. Bridal wear in Bangladesh: SAREE. 

111. "How gross!": UGH. (Placed inappropriately below Saree, above...)

112. Strike forcefully: WHOP. (They don't even use this in Marvel comics...)

113. Sharpen, as skills: HONE. 

Yes, it definitely takes skill...

114. Soul icon Redding: OTIS. Name #15

115. Stack of paper: REAM.

116. Greek dish similar to shawarma: GYRO.

Shawarma

117. Threaded fastener: T Nut

Not what I thought it was...

120. Capital of Amer.: USD. U.S Dollar.

121. Texter's qualifier: IMO. In My Opinion.

122. Nutrition fig.: RDA. Recommend Daily Allowance.

123. Suggestion, casually: REC. Recommendation.

124. Tibetan source of butter: YAK.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section.

CE:D out 

/ᐠ - ˕ -マ

Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Aidan Deshong

 TEAMWORK! 

18 Across. Sharp reply to unsolicited advice: DID I ASK YOU. The Chicago Sky ( Basketball) A Team?

29 Across. Rib cut with a long bone: TOMAHAWK STEAK. The Atlanta Hawks (Basketball) A Team?

50 Across. News that may interrupt regular programming: BREAKING STORY. The Sacramento Kings (Basketball) A team?

66 Across. Bodies beyond the Solar System: EXOPLANETS. The Brooklyn Nets (Basketball) A Team?

75 Across. Elite squad, or what's found in each set of circled letters: A TEAM. 

CrossEyedDave here, to try and dribble you through this puzzle without drooling...  Note that each Basketball Team's name is preceded by the letter A.  I am not very savvy when it comes to sports, and I thought there might be a deeper rabbit hole here, as here in the East, The Brooklyn Nets could be considered the "A" team, while the Long Island Nets might be the "B" team. So I asked CC for her expertise, and she replied, "it's just an A in front of the team name, and it is a very tight theme!"

I started reading this Blog years ago because I don't understand Crosswords...

Aidan Deshong is a prolific, widely published crossword constructor who gained national recognition while still a college student. Originally from Los Angeles, he is a student at Harvey Mudd College who regularly constructs clever grids for publications like The New York Times, Defector, and Spyscape. 

Known for his creativity, his thematic crossword puzzles frequently feature pop-culture references, trivia, and engaging wordplay. 

Notable highlights from his crossword career include:

• The New York Times: He has authored multiple NYT puzzles, including several co-creations with other young constructors like Jacob Reed and his former high school classmate Oren Hartstein. His works feature distinct grid designs ranging from clever themes to Saturday-level challenges. 
• Defector: He constructed the Monday crossword for Defector (published in partnership with AVCX), featuring unique middle-of-the-grid designs. 
• Spyscape: Deshong has been a regular contributor to the Spyscape Consider the Following series, offering unique themed puzzles. 

Aidan Deshong debuted on the LAT with Nate Cardin January 5th, 2024. This 15x16 grid is another example of his style and fresh approach. While A Team has probably been used as a theme before, no one has thought to put "A" ahead of a team name before...  Circles are definitely needed to point out the quirkiness of the themers.

Across:
1. Always complaining: WHINY. Hmm, reminds me of certain Anons. (Go Blue! Yay Team!)

6. Dog tail motions: WAGS.

10. Storyline: PLOT.

14. Navaratri celebrant: HINDU. Navaratri is a major Hindu festival spanning 9 nights and 10 days, dedicated to the worship of the Divine Feminine (Shakti/Devi). It celebrates the triumph of good over evil and culminates in Vijaya Dashami (or Dussehra), commemorating Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura.

15. Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions: AIDAN.

Name #1

16. Courtroom pledge: OATH.

17. Luggage dangler: ID TAG.

18. [Theme]

20. So-so: MEH. The origins and evolution of the word involve three key milestones:

• Yiddish Roots (1928): Etymologists, including those at the Oxford English Dictionary, trace "meh" to the Yiddish word me (meaning "so-so" or "be as it may"). It was documented in this context in Alexander Harkavy’s Yiddish-English-Hebrew dictionary published in 1928. 
• Early Internet Use (1992): Before it became a pop-culture phenomenon, the earliest known written evidence of "meh" in modern English appeared in a 1992 online discussion board about the show Melrose Place. 
The Simpsons (1994–2001): The term was popularized by The Simpsons. It was first uttered by a store clerk in a 1994 episode and later famously spelled out by Lisa Simpson to express complete disinterest in 2001. 

21. Magazine copy: ISSUE.

23. Like an apple pie's apples, typically: PEELED. I wanted Green, or Granny...(as in Granny Smith.)

24. Business maj.: ECON. Economics.

26. Knocks: RAPS.

28. Burro: ASS.

29. [Theme]

34. Lab assistant of cinema: IGOR.

Obligatory insert...

35. Old Navy parent company: GAP. Everything you ever wanted to know about Gap... well, Actually there is even more...

36. Steamed cantina dishes: TAMALES.

40. Wear away: ERODE.

42. Golden Globe winner Seehorn: RHEA. Name #2

44. "Wicked" co-star Cynthia: ERIVO. Name #3

45. Tries calling again: REDIALS. (It's shorter than re-buttonization...)

47. Lucy of "Elementary": LIU.

Name #4

49. Prayer ender: AMEN.

50. [Theme]

53. Cyberchats, briefly: IMS. (Instant Messaging.)

56. Doe's kid: FAWN.

57. In __ of: LIEU. Definition can be found here...

58. Synagogue text: TALMUD. Info can be found here...

60. Nail polish brand: ESSIE.

63. Plopped down: SAT.

66. [Theme]

68. Church steeple: SPIRE.

70. Silent performer: MIME.

71. Ratio punctuation: COLON. :)

72. Part of a skin care regimen: TONER.

73. Unhealthy haze: SMOG.

74. Recipe meas.: TBSP. (Tablespoon)

75. [Theme Reveal]

Down:
1. Sudden urge: WHIM.

2. Conceal: HIDE.

3. Game, in a way: IN THE MOOD.

4. Secret letters?: NDA. Non Disclosure Agreement.

5. Trading card game based on a manga series: YUGIOH.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

6. Game console that preceded the Nintendo Switch: WIIU. Wii, U, Me, Whatever...

7. Some venomous snakes: ADDERS. More here, (if you are into snakes...)

8. Moo goo __ pan: GAI.

Looks better than it sounds...

9. Green stir-fry ingredient: SNAP PEA. (See above.)

10. Jab with a finger: POKE.

11. Wrestler who won the WWE Women's Championship in 2010: LAYLA. Name #5

12. Missouri River Natives: OTOES. I went to get you a list, but it turns out there are 574 Federally recognized Native American tribes in the United States...

13. Lands heavily: THUDS. Like my search for a Native American tribe list...

15. Commercials: ADS. Advertisements, seen so many times, they shortened it to Ads, and then lengthened them...

19. Word in an opening line?: SESAME.😀

22. Grab: SNAG.

25. "Am I the Drama?" rapper: CARDI B. Name #6

27. Reach, as a goal: ATTAIN.

29. Stratum: TIER. Tier makes me think of cakes, stratum makes me think of dirt. Hardly compatible.

30. Fairy tale baddie: OGRE.

31. Capital of Poland: WARSAW.

32. Metric speed meas.: KPH. Kilometers Per Hour

33. Sport with belts: KARATE. 

37. Long car ride?: LIMOUSINE. 😀

38. "Will I __ learn?": EVER. ( Not if it's sports...)

39. Walkman maker: SONY.

41. Talking-to: EARFUL.

43. Yale alum: ELI.

46. Headliner: LEAD ACT.

48. Wrinkled tangelo: UGLI. I posted images of this too many times...

51. Genuflects: KNEELS. 

I only know this word from The Wizard of Oz.

"The chipmunks genuflect to me..."

52. Remedy for post-lunch drowsiness: SIESTA.

53. Inventory list: ITEMS.

54. Saying: MAXIM. A.I. Overview

55. Replay speed, familiarly: SLOMO. One word colloquial abbreviation of Slow Motion.

59. Video file format: MPEG. Did not know it stood for this...

61. "Knock it off!": STOP.

62. Hyphenated ID: SSN. Social Security Number.

64. Length x width: AREA.

65. Part of an academic year: TERM.

67. San Francisco's __ Hill: NOB.

If a picture is worth a thousand words,

What a short video worth?

69. Cauldron: POT. (Or an NYC nabe compared to Swanky Nob Hill...)

And, The Grid...

So, what do you think of this A Team puzzle? Were you a first rate solver, or did you get stuck on the bench...  spill your beans in the comments.

CE:D out...

≽^- ˕ -^≼

P.S.

Here's a freebie!

I was trying to "splain" the puzzle to Daughter #3

And she said, "there's a music tie in too!"