Theme? To finish this puzzle, you must climb the MESA, or BUTTE, or PLATEAU, to arrive at the TABLELAND.
4 Down. One who switches sides: TURNCOAT.
Turn table
11 Down. Basic flotation device: POOL NOODLE.
Pool Table
21 Down. Brewery vessel?: COFFEE POT. (Maybe in Starbucks, but the clue seems out of place in your kitchen...)
Coffee Table
29 Down. Purse at a boxing match: PRIZE MONEY.
Prize Table
40 Down. Soccer pitch boundary: SIDELINE.
Side Table
55 Across. Like some game night games, or a feature of 4-, 11-, 21-, 29-, and 40-Down: TABLE TOP
Because all the themers were Downs, the reveal indicates that the tables can be found on top...
Across: 1. Sticky and stinky sealant: TAR. ( for turncoats, add feathers...)
4. Yank (on): TUG.
Carol Burnett
7. Agrees to: ACCEPTS.
14. Purple yam from the Philippines: UBE.
The Ube.
15. Game with red, yellow, blue, and green cards: UNO. And purple Ube chips on side for snacks...
16. Steel mill material: IRON ORE.
17. Barbecue choice: BEEF RIB. I wanted Baby or Back, but that would be Pork.
19. Find and remove: ROOT OUT.
20. "Across the pond" pond: ATLANTIC. A British euphemism for The Atlantic Ocean, because they would not want to make a tempest out of a teapot...
22. __ in comparison: PALES.
23. Hotel amenity: ICE.
24. Chooses to participate: OPTS IN.
27. Help desk techs: I.T. PROS. Stands for information Technology Professional, This field covers the development, maintenance, and use of computer systems, software, and networks for processing and distributing data.
30. Bank charge: FEE. Do not cross go, Do not collect $200-
31. Got the highest score in golf, say: LOST. The average par for a standard 18-hole golf course is 72 strokes, which consists of a combination of par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes. For most newbies playing whack-a-mole, breaking 100 would be a good day...
34. Jazz pianist Chick: COREA.
Chick Corea
35. Execs focused on the bottom line: CFOS. Chief Financial Officers
36. 10th grader, briefly: SOPH. Sophomore. As opposed to Freshman, or Senior.
37. Singer-songwriter DiFranco: ANI. Name #2
38. Special skills: TALENTS.
41. Kaitlin's "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" role: DEE. Technically names #3 and #4, because to know this, you must know one is real, and the other fictional... The A.I. Overview
42. Totally dismantle: RAZE.
44. California-based candy company: SEES. This name #5 must have been filled in by kind perpage, because if I saw it, I am sure I would have complained it was too regional. Unless you tossed me a candy...
5. Fuses together: UNITES. Strange clue for Unites. You would think unites would be a voluntary thing, where fuses, sounds kinda forceful...
6. Mongolian for "waterless place": GOBI.
7. Atmosphere: AIR.
8. __-Magnon: CRO.
9. Henhouses: COOPS.
10. Necessitates: ENTAILS.
11. Theme
12. "Good point": TRUE.
13. Hardens, as concrete: SETS.
18. Word with laissez or savoir: FAIRE. (Frawnch...) Should not be in an English puzzle, maybe a better clue would be Olde English Festivities.
21. Theme
25. Low-level workers: PEONS. A.I. Overview (of course, A.I. is not one of those...)
26. Trial: TEST.
27. "You matter to me": I CARE. (If A.I. ever says this to you,,, RUN!)
28. Like many Chinese dialects: TONAL.
29. Theme
32. Piece of fishing gear: SPEAR. Hmm, singular, 5 letter, could have been creel. But I find this unfair, because who ever heard of a singular piece of fishing gear...
33. Motif: THEME.
35. G-rated: CLEAN. (In the eyes of "who.")
39. Prosecco kin: ASTI. Sparkling wine that cannot be called Champagne...
40. Theme
43. Pops up: EMERGES.
46. Vans or Crocs: SHOES. Crocs I knew, Vans? Not so much,
Apparently, these things I used to call "boat shoes."
49. Empire State capital: ALBANY.
51. Like a clarinet's sound: REEDY. (Really?)
53. Pet sounds: ARFS. (Or a great Beach Boys Album...)
54. Rooney of "Women Talking": MARA. (Name #,,, I dunno, I lost track...)
56. Like the 6-Down: ARID. (6 down was Gobi Desert, if you lost track...)
57. Spruce (up): TIDY.
58. "I'm buying!": ON ME.
59. Hushed summons: PSST.
61. Blini topping: ROE. Apparently, a Blini is some sort of crepe, or thin pancake, that you could top with practically anything. So, why not Roe? Hmm, what would you top your thin pancake with? I'm thinking cream cheese, bacon, scallions, and jalapeño, but I have an iron stomach...
62. Texting format initials: SMS. Short Message Service (limited to 160 characters) useful in customer service responses where they don't want you to complain too much...
This was a very taxing puzzle! But daughter no. 1 helped me with it, so call her my CPA!
17 Across. Tries something earnestly: HAS A GO AT IT. The circled SAG backwards = Gas Tax.
25 Across. Uploads again, say: RESUBMITS. The circled ESU backwards = Use Tax.
49 Across. "That's so typical": IT FIGURES. The circled TFIG backwards = Gift Tax.
58 Across. "Just enjoy this victory": A WIN IS A WIN. The circled NIS = Sin Tax
And the reveal:
35 Across. April 15 filing, or what can be found in each set of circled letters in this puzzle: TAX RETURN.
Across: 1. Sore after a run, say: ACHY.
5. Pastel hue: LILAC.
10. Trident-shaped Greek letters: PSIS. (Looks weird without an apostrophe...)
14. Pump or clog: SHOE.
15. Comic actor Cheri: OTERI.
On the right, (name #1)
16. "Field of Dreams" locale: IOWA.
17. [Theme]
19. Glitzy genre: GLAM.
20. Plumbing fitting under a sink: P TRAP.
21. Two-time Oscar nominee Rooney: MARA.
Name #2
23. Singer Yoko: ONO. (Name #3, every time she sings, I cover my ears and yell "Oh No!")
24. Some spa treatments: PEELS.
They whack you with flat wooden sticks,
Supposed to make your skin look rosy...
25. [Theme]
27. Afro-Caribbean sound: CALYPSO.
29. Soda brand named for a mountain: SHASTA.
30. Fishy, in slang: SUS. I suppose short for "suspect." But it sounds fishy to me...
31. Grains that might be rolled: OATS.
34. Not duped by: ONTO.
35. [Theme Reveal.
38. Text incessantly: SPAM. Yes, the dreaded Spam...
Be sure to read the credits at the end...
40. Salty septet: SEAS. Let's hope Misty can convert this puzzle into a poem for us... ( or at least a good story, it's very taxing when these puzzles don't rhyme...)
41. Org. in 66-Across: CIA.
44. Like a well-earned comeuppance: KARMIC.
46. Films that often end in weddings: ROMCOMS. (I am not going to link the wedding singer, )
49. [Theme]
The clue was "that's typical=It figures."
I posted the pic before I moved the Themers,
And now I don't know how to move it, or delete it...
52. Loses one's hair: BALDS.
53. Avril follower: MAI. (Frawnch...) should not be in an English puzzle if you ask me...
54. Since: AS OF.
55. Like beaches: SANDY.
56. Laptop shortcut key: CTRL.
58. [Theme]
61. Laptop shortcut key: HOME.
62. Ariz. neighbor: CALIF.
63. "Well, fudge": DANG.
64. __ facto: IPSO.
65. Prepared to be knighted: KNELT.
66. Best Picture winner set in Iran: ARGO.
Ok, they went undercover as film makers making a movie...
Wait! Which one is the real movie?
Down: 1. Barbecue detritus: ASH.
2. Béret, par exemple: CHAPEAU. (French for hat, how do I know this? Dr. Seuss...)
3. Budget lodgings: HOSTELS. I did not know this... Reasonably priced overnight lodging in NYC?
4. Like birthdays: YEARLY.
5. Roller coaster section: LOOP. (Not to be confused with 4. Down)
6. Winner of four FIFA World Cups, for short: ITA. Italy, I wanted USA, but it was not to be...
7. Phrase during a handover: LET ME. Curious clueing, sounds more like "gimme" during a hold up.
8. Met highlights: ARIAS.
9. Satsuma, e.g.: CITRUS.
Learning moment.
Specifically, Satsuma Mandarin Orange.
10. Certain truffle hunter: PIG.
One does not live by Aroma alone...
11. Recital performer: SOLOIST.
12. Expression of desire: I WANT TO.
13. Appetizer at an Indian restaurant: SAMOSA.
Yummers! Choose your filling!
18. Sound of shock: GASP. What! We're out of Samosas?
22. Detest: ABHOR.
24. Dells, e.g.: PCS. Personal Computers
25. Bellows: ROARS.
26. "Ferrari" director Michael: MANN.
Name #4
28. Rivals of the Yanks: SOX. Baseball: Boston Red Sox.
32. Merch table buy: TEE. This could be either at a flea market, or a Golf Pro Shop...
33. Marks on some items of note: STARS. ⭐️
35. Roman of "Basketball Wives": TAMI.
Tami Roman, name #5
36. Latina chum: AMIGA. Latin"o" chum: Amigo.
37. Mil. morale booster: USO. United Service Organizations.
The face of The USO.
38. Led, as a leaderboard: SAT ATOP.
39. Image-shaping cos.: PR FIRMS. Public Relations Firms.
41. Conflict that may feature proxy battles: COLD WAR.
42. "Too funny!": I'M DYING.
Could also refer to a failed stand up gag...
43. Pack animal: ASS.
44. Bibimbap topping: KIMCHI.
Bibimbap=Korean Rice Bowl
Kimchi=Fermented vegetables, usually cabbage, with a variety of spices.
45. John or Joan of "High Fidelity": CUSACK. Names #5 and 6?
47. Enterprise trainees, for short?: MBA'S. Master of Business Administration Degree for the budding entrepreneur...
48. Ontario's country: CANADA.
50. Atkinson of "Mr. Bean": ROWAN. Name #7.
Oh, but he has done so much more than just Mr. Bean.
51. Option for a 35-Across: EFILE. File Taxes Electronically.
55. Comb (through): SIFT.
57. Astrological cat: LEO.
59. Naught: NIL. Zip, Nada, Zilch, or just a big fat Goose Egg...
60. WWF, e.g.: NGO. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 1961 that works in over 100 countries to conserve nature, protect endangered species, and address environmental threats. It is the world's largest independent conservation organization, focusing on forests, oceans, freshwater, wildlife, food, and climate.
Here is the grid:
Here is a link to Saturday April 12, 2025 puzzle write up, where Husker Gary tells us all about our Constructor, Hoang-Kim Vu.
54 Across. Prince: HEIR TO THE THRONE. This simple answer is not as simple as you might think...
But which one is the true Heir?
You will have to watch the whole move to find out...
(Or, just read the book...)
I believe this is Kathy's 6th contribution to The L.A.Times, and is becoming quite the prolific Constructor. I look forward to seeing many more puzzles from her here in future... (if we can steal her away from The New York Times... : )
15. Job inspection org.: OSHA. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
16. "Uh, I doubt that": UM, NO...
17. [ Theme }
20. Makes a request: ASKS.
21. "Yo!": HEY.
22. Warm welcomes?: ALOHAS. (I like this clue/answer...)
23. Part of UCLA: LOS.
24. Lacking scruples: AMORAL.
25. Many a social media pic: SELFIE.
A famous example.
29. Action in Uno: DRAW. Not Go Fish?
30. Egg-shaped: OVOID.
31. Tortellini filling option: MEAT. First choice, followed by Cheese, followed by anything you can imagine... A piece of curious trivia: In Italian regional slang, particularly in Bologna, "tortellino" (singular) or "tortellone" (large tortellini) is used to describe a person who is naive, not very bright, or slightly chubby. So if planning to visit Italy, please be very careful in your pronunciation at a restaurant. You don't want to accidentally insult your waiter...
32. Graph paper pattern: GRID.
36. [ Theme ]
39. Flamenco cheers: OLES.
40. Redding of R&B: OTIS. Best known for [sitting on] The Dock of the Bay. But has had so many more hits if you delve deeper.
41. Painter's prop: EASEL.
42. Long, long time: AGES. (I wanted Eons...)
43. Alloy in some decorative plates: PEWTER. Mostly Tin (92%) hardened with Antimony and Copper.
47. Letters at the end of a proof: QED. AI Overview
Q.E.D. stands for the Latin phrase
quod erat demonstrandum, meaning "which was to be demonstrated" or "thus it is proven". It is used at the end of a mathematical proof or philosophical argument to indicate that the theorem or proposition has been fully proven.
Doesn't work at Starbucks...
48. Fix for a noisy car: TUNE-UP. Being a DIY Mechanic, I would think of this as one word. However linguistically:
"Tune-up" is typically written as two words connected by a hyphen (
tune-up) when used as a noun or adjective, or as two separate words (tune up) when used as a verb.
49. First word of the Lord's Prayer: OUR.
50. DIY tutorial site: EHOW.
54. [ Theme ]
57. "Are you __ out?": IN OR.
58. Liu of "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings": SIMU. His full Wiki, he has a long list of appearances.
59. Broadcaster: AIRER.
60. PlayStation maker: SONY.
61. Word in a vague ultimatum: ELSE.
62. Tied up in knots: TENSE. Guy goes to a shrink, says, "Doc' I can't tell if I am a Teepee, or a Wigwam." Doctor says, " Your two tents... "
Down: 1. Chapati flour: ATTA. Chapati is a simple, unleavened flatbread from the Indian subcontinent, made from whole wheat flour (atta) and water, cooked on a griddle (tawa).
2. Very, in Versailles: TRES. (French)
3. Sty sound: OINK.
4. ICU employees: LPNS. Licensed Practical Nurse.
5. Island ring: LEI. I didn't know there were so many types of Leis.
How to make a Haku Lei.
6. Spa attire: ROBES.
7. "By Jove!": I SAY. Or, "they are real, and they are spectacular!"
8. Org. whose members play at a 6-Across: NHL. National Hockey League.
9. Greek city with a namesake olive: KALAMATA. Cured in Brine, "and Red Wine Vinegar."
Explore the best places in 3 minutes? 4K
10. One of 12 in "12 Angry Men": JUROR.
Why I never get selected for Jury Duty...
11. Nebraska city that's home to the Great Plains Black History Museum: OMAHA. More Here...
13. Signs of recognition: NODS. What happens when I read the A.I. Overview above...
18. Manolo Blahnik creation: SHOE.
This Guy.
19. "Let's __ this popsicle stand": BLOW. ("But not without new shoes above.")
23. __ deck: pool's spot on a cruise ship: LIDO.
But Wait! Where's the Poop Deck? (I have to go!)
24. Many Mecca residents: ARABS.
25. NYC nabe: SOHO. (South Of Houston Street.)
26. Like one twin in a soapy drama, typically: EVIL.
How and Why The Evil Twin was invented...
(Bring a towel...)
27. Shake: LOSE.
28. Trees at a Christmas tree farm: FIRS. As a whole, yes. But there is Douglas, Fraser, Noble, Scotch Pine, and many many more...
Douglas Fir is known to give heartburn...
29. Sub contractors?: DELI'S. (Very cute...)
31. Swabbie pal: MATEY. This is cute too...
Swabbie at 1st made me think of this guy,
Which had me imagining cotton ear swab imaginary friends,
But it was all just Sailors Jargon...
32. Chew like a beaver: GNAW.
33. Musical pause: REST.
34. Words of comprehension: I SEE.
35. High-end camera, for short: DSLR. Digital Single Lens Reflex.
37. Element of a Sun Salutation: YOGA POSE.
38. Property transfer need: DEED.
42. Border on: ABUT.
43. Cheeky: PERT.
44. Good, in Spanish: BUENO.
45. Pico de gallo ingredient: ONION. Turns out, onion is the only 5 letter ingredient. Unless you count "spice" as an optional ingredient, (Cumin, Black Pepper.) but of course, you would never use just one spice (singular). However, you could go all out, and add fruit! Fruit has 5 letters, (but which fruit...?)
46. In high spirits: MERRY. Hmm, could you add Gin to Pico de gallo?
47. Waiting line: QUEUE. Hmm, if you tried the above at your next party, would your guest wait in line?
48. Not that: THIS. (Or the other thing...)
49. Units of electrical resistance: OHMS.
50. Ohio border lake: ERIE.
I always think Ohio is where Illinois is...
51. Noisy car part: HORN. Unless your driving a piece of junk...
52. Column to the left of the decimal point: ONES.
53. "And __ off!": WERE. (This clue/answer is in the wrong place...)
55. Ending at, briefly: TIL. (Til we meet again...)
56. Cap: HAT. Yes, as a Noun, but if used as a verb...
And here's the Grid:
See you in the comments, I'm sure I must have left "something" out.
Well, let me be the first to "make some noise" by applauding our "Fearless Leader" for this Sunday contribution! I only wish my Across Lite App highlighted the acrosses that corresponded with the reveal, because I actually had some trouble figuring what went where... I can't say I DNF'd, because, obviously, I did finish (or this write up would not be making any noise at all...) but, here is my "almost" completed grid, with what got me to WAG mercilessly right at the end...
CE:D "Almost Crash and Burn..."
In hindsight, it should have occurred to me that the clues with the question marks were trying to make some noise...
22 Across. Corn?: KITCHEN EARS (Kitchen SHears) This is what started me off not knowing what the heck was going on without the reveal...
39 Across. Bailing out of a storied couples' cruise?: JUMPING THE SHARK. Very Clever, Couples Cruise... But when you add the missing "SH" it becomes:
How to bail out of a SitCom when you run out of plots...
54 Across. Toymakers who really help with the holiday rush?: STORE ELVES. Now, this is where i really got confused. Because this statement stands by itself... I would not have even thought this part of the Theme, but if you add SH, it becomes Store Shelves... Which makes me think I should type less, because some one out there is shouting Shhh! Like this is some kind of Library...
Well, I will not be silent!
Here's the full episode!
(Um, the excessive scotch consumption was an accident, i swear!)
81 Across. King Kong after his glow-up?: CHANGED APE. Ack! How can I splain this? I don't know what a "glow up" is... Hmm, Google says: A significant, positive transformation in a persons appearance, confidence, or lifestyle... Hmm, the only glow up I've ever had was after the excessive scotch consumption incident...
Oh, I forgot to add, "Changed SHape"... (hmm, makes me wonder what King Kong looked like after losing 200 pounds on that diet...)
94 Across. Unwilling to lace up skates?: RINK RESISTANT (reimagined SHrink resistant...) OK, I get it, but do we really want to be assaulted with this image again?
I think not...
112 Across. Material used to make Nuggets uniform tops?: JERSEY ORE. I had to take a break here, and come back, because this was confusing until I separated the twurds... Uniform Tops = Jersey. Nuggets come from Ore. Denver Nuggets are a team. I still am not sure why they would be at the Jersey SHore...
114 Across. Missions to obtain keepsakes?: SOUVENIR OPS. Ah! Of course! It is starting to make sense! Souvenir Ops! Excellent! I think I'm starting to see a Theme here... =Souvenir SHops!
(See, you didn't have to yell... I would have figured it out eventually...)
102 Down. Holler, or when parsed differently, an alternate title for this puzzle: SHOUT.
Ah! Here it is, hidden way down in the Downs! The Reveal that makes it all make sense! SH-out!
Ops become Shops, Ore becomes Shore, Rink becomes Shrink, Ape becomes Shape, Elves become Shelves, Ark becomes Shark, and Ears become Shears! So that's what all the shouting was about!
Unless your CrossEyed like me, and mix up a puzzle from a couple of days ago, that had "Hollar" instead of "Holler," and your shouts become hoots, and you have to WAG (Wild A** Guess) your way through...
Anywho! Onward!
Across: 1. Buckled accessories: BELTS. (I could have used a couple of these under my belt...)
6. Talk a big game: BRAG. (The above is not one...)
10. "Macbeth" quintet: ACTS. I wanted "Hags" getting confused with the trio of fates, Lachesis, Clotho, and Atropos. Of course, if I had read the clue correctly, I would have been in a different play...
14. Pet rescue org.: S.P.C.A. I always wonder if it is A.S.P.C.A. or just S.P.C.A... I was this many years old when I discovered: The Difference: The ASPCA is a national charity with high-profile advertising, while your local SPCA is the shelter in your community helping local pets.
18. Dollar alternative: ALAMO. Rent A Car options...
20. Seasonal song: NOEL. I don't mean to opine, but I always wondered about this, so I Googled.
"Noel" is derived from the Latin word Natalis, meaning "birth" or "birthday." It specifically refers to the birth of Jesus Christ (the nativity,) evolving into the old French word Noel (or Nael) which became a standard French term for Xmas... Apparently, even Google does not know why Noel became a name for a seasonal song...
Um, er,, apologies... I blame Daughter #1, who said, "I should stop being so lazy, and research more for the benefit of others." So, here is what Google said when I "re-asked" :)
"The First Noel" is a traditional English Christmas carol from the 13th-14th century that tells the story of the Nativity, specifically the announcement of Jesus’ birth to shepherds and the journey of the Wise Men
. "Noel" comes from Latin/French roots meaning "birth" or "news," functioning as a shout of joy.
21. Give a ring: CALL.
22. [ Theme ]
24. "Naked Lunch" in a lunchroom, say?: TRAY NOVEL. This was my downfall... immediately after Kitchen Ears, and not yet having a clue, I left this for the end, and wound up trying to turn it into an aSHtray... Luckily, like the Phoenix, I arose from this mess....
26. Part of i.e.: EST. I.E. is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase id est, meaning "that is," "in other words," or "namely." Used to define or restate a preceding statement, kind of like trying to make whole the explanation of my ashtray of a puzzle solving attempt...
27. More mature: OLDER. (Not today...)
28. "Happy __!": June greeting: PRIDE. I wanted Fathers Day, but, to each their own...
30. Cookie invented in Manhattan: OREO. What? This is another one of those Clue/Answers I never saw till the write up! More Research Needed! In a nut(sh)ell, the Chelsea Factory located at Ninth Avenue and 15th Street in NYC is on a Block now called "Oreo Way." (Who Knew?)
31. Instagram video: REEL. (I sincerely doubt there has ever been an Instagram video that was "ever" on a reel...)
33. __ school: MED. Actually, this 4 years is just a prerequisite. It takes 11 to 16 years to become a Doctor, depending on your specialty... For instance, it took me almost 70 years to learn how to post this kind of silliness on this venue...
34. Indigo Girls, e.g.: DUO.
35. Showbiz quartets: EGOTS. A rare achievement of winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.
37. Winged archer: EROS. I dunno, it's Greek to me.... (you might be more familiar with the Roman "Cupid.")
39. [ Theme ]
44. Scotland's national dish: HAGGIS. (Do you really want an image?)
Seeing is better than knowing what's really inside it...
47. Planned (out): MAPPED. No! I am not linking a recipe for Haggis! (I would rather jump a shark...)
48. Victim of Iago in "Othello": CASSIO. I am led to believe that "Cassio" is the definition of "Unwitting Pawn," but. To explain further would require more time, and tickets to The Globe Theatre...
49. Latish lunch hr.: ONE PM.
Nonsense!
I am sorry, but I can't let this go! Some one must teach you Americans why The Shire was The Happiest Place In Middle Earth! Late-ish Lunch? One PM? Gore BeGoren! I'm stewing in my Haggis!
Would you be a fine Gentleman, and pass the pitcher of Guinness...
50. Out of sight: GONE. Hmm, what happened to Lunch?
51. Noche's opposite: DIA. I would have thought this to be Italian, but Google says its Spanish... Idunno, it's all Latin to me... (or is it Night and Day...). Hmm, more research needed...
53. "Groovy!": NEATO. Nope, not going there...
54. [Theme?]
56. Offhand comment: REMARK. (Excuse me...)
59. Chum: PAL.
60. Sandcastle destroyer: TIDE. ( I really liked this one;)
61. Fragrant ring: LEI.
62. "Best wishes": GODBLESS. Now, I know I going to get reprimanded for not separating this into twurds, but where I come from, this is One Word!
64. Pros: ACES.
65. Mayflower vehicle: VAN. (As in "moving.") (surely, no pic needed...)
66. Catchy tune: BOP. (There has got to be a better 3 letter word for a catchy tune? A little help here?)
67. Silence a growling belly: EAT. (Pls see elevenses, above...)
68. Cheryl of "Charlie's Angels": LADD. Unlike Mayflower Vehicle, this one needs a pic...
This one's for you Splynter!
72. Tries to hit: SWINGS AT. Hmm, is this a twurd? I'm not sure... I tried to Splain it, but I missed...
75. Narrow inlet: RIA. Now, this one has bugged me for years. I always wanted somebody to post a picture of a Ria. I'm sure it would be beautiful... So I tried,
But they wanted Money...
76. At any point: EVER.
Jeepers! I thought I would never. See a Ria!
Hmm, but now I want to see what it looks like from that point...
77. In the style of: ALA. (The above is brought to you in the style of CE:D)
80. Debit card provider: ISSUER.
81. [Theme]...
84. Gold __ flour: MEDAL. This seems a little strained as a clue, surely there could have been something better. Maybe "King Biscuit Flour Hour..." in my opinion, award winning concerts back in the day...
86. Part of mph: PER. Lessee, what fits, Mile? Hour?
87. President of Brazil since 2023, familiarly: LULA. OK, this freaked me out,,, because I thought He was a girl... full name: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva And no, you do not want a pic...
88. Small combos: TRIOS. Smaller combos: Duo's... I wanted to post a clip from Yellow Submarine, where the Blue Meanies Bonk the band with apples, and our guide announces, the quartet is now a trio, then a Duo... But when I went to look for the pic, I was presented with THE ENTIRE MOVIE!...
Oh My Gosh! This has not been available for years!
Catch it while you can!
89. Take too far: OVERDO. I hope I didn't above, and overdo is not a twurd...
91. Pre-election event: DEBATE. (Oh please, Not again...)
93. Props for hillside homes: STILTS. Doesn't work, i have videos...
94. [Theme]
97. Go first: LEAD. (Not Lead, that would be the first to sink...)
101. Best Play, for one: ESPY. I could use some help with this one, because, when I Google Espy, I get this... Um, Play? (You sure the "S" isn't for Shakespeare...?)
105. Zero-star reviews: PANS. My take on above...
107. Heartless monsters: OGRES. No I am not,, I just don't understand...
109. Record of the year?: ANNAL. Derived from the Latin, Annus. (Year) A historical record of events, listed in chronological order, by year...
111. Bit of a chuckle: HEE. (I'm not sure if this will transpose to the 3/22/26 Luann comic, but here goes...) La,La,,La...
112. [ Theme ]
114. [ Theme ]
117. Diva's time to shine: ARIA.
118. Such a long time: AGES.
119. Noted New York Judge: AARON. Oooh,,, I see what you did here! Very Sneaky! IT'S A BASEBALL REFERENCE!
120. Botch (up): LOUSE. ( I believe I apologized already...)
121. Signs of spring: BUDS. Ah, relationships grow from Best Buds, to Summer, Fall, Winter, Compost...
(Note, come back and fix this...)
122. Event for swimmers: MEET. Hmm, in retrospect, this should be obvious... But in trying to take Daughter #1's advice, I Googled, and Autocorrect changed my "meet" to "How did Meat become a name for a swimming contest..." The little A.I. Wheel is still spinning,,, I think I broke the Internet...
123. Dental exam picture: X-RAY. OK, OCD time out for a sec, but does anyone like those new fangled gizmos that they re-use, and have been in dozens of other peoples mouths before you? I dont' care how many times you sterilize the Dang Thingie, you could run that thingie thru the Fires of Hell, and you still would not be able to put it in my mouth... (and yes, my Dentist loves me, he works very well with children. And yes, I do get a toy, but these days its a toothbrush and floss in a baggie...)
124. Himalayan cryptids: YETIS. Learning moment: Cryptids. You will have to Google this yourself, because when I went to link the explanation, the internet went Kerflooie... (It might have something to do with Swimming Meat above...)
Down: (Finally!) 1. One who typically kneads the job?: BAKER. (Haha!)
2. Beethoven dedicatee: ELISE. (Bagatelle No.25 in A minor)
3. Milky espresso drink: LATTE. (Phooey! I like my espresso strong! With 3 coffee beans...)
{oh wait! Sorry! That's my Sambuca...}
4. Cinemax alternative: TMC. (Or TCM, or TNT,,, no wait,,, that's an explosive blockbuster...)
5. Gallery-rich area near Tribeca: SOHO. New Yorkers are well aware this refers to "South" of "Houston" street... However, since the growth of NYC over the years, there is now a NOHO, And a WOHO (if you like swimming in the Hudson,,, I hear they are having a "meat" there...) And, a soon to be new development, the EOHO... (right now a landfill in the East River, the "E" stands for "Eeeeuw...!)
6. Beagle or bulldog: BREED.
7. Back end: REAR. (Nope, not hoping there...)
8. Earth Day mo.: APR. Short for April, Lovely Girl,,, You should meet her Sister "Dawn..."
9. Premium location?: GASPUMP. Ack?!? There's a (?) Could this be a Themer? Lessee, Gas(space)pump... Hmm, Where would you put an SH here? (I swear, Ocifer,, I did'nt haves drink... it's this puzzle just got me confused...)
10. Counter: ANTI. No. Ante, and then counter with a raise...
11. "Carpool Karaoke" co-creator: CORDEN. Hmm, not sure about this one (and the internet went Kerflooie...)
12. Savory snack with a cracked shell: TEA EGG. (OMG! I wouldn't eat this, let alone Parse it...)
Image deleted due to breakfast rules...
13. Cunning: SLY. Just try to sneak in a Tea Egg pic, I dare You!
14. "Casino" director: SCORSESE.
15. Improve, as a dirt road: PAVE.
16. Geppetto's goldfish: CLEO. (See Pinocchio.)
17. "It's __ good": ALL.
19. Mountain range that's home to Aconcagua: ANDES. Ok, This one kinda P'd me off, because I thought the Aconcagua were a people that lived in the Andes... A Google Search reveals It is just a mountain.
But, what a Mountain...
23. Saint __ fire: ELMOS. OK, this goes back to the early Seafaring Days, when masts would light up with electrical energy. Freaked Sailors out! (Understandable) In today's modern explanation of things, it is really just a bigger version of rubbing a balloon, and making it stick on the wall... Static Electricity...
Except, Yikes! Whataya rubbing? The Hindenburg!
25. "Hard pass": NO THANKS. (Obligatory space between twurds...)
29. Theme park opening ritual: ROPE DROP. Now, this really P'd me off... I had to ask DW for help, and she was like, "oh, of course...". ( all I can think, is how much you wanted for admission to this freakin' thing...)
Apparently, this is a "thing."
I'm sorry, I just dont get it... Now "if" they had a rope drop to get into "The Budweiser School of Beers,"
I would be first in line...
32. Exercise that targets quads and glutes: LEG PRESS.
34. Hoodwinks: DUPES.
36. Available without an Rx: OTC. (Over The Counter...) What I wanted to do recently at CVS, when they wanted me to type into a giant screen, all my personal info, on a skeevey thingie that God Knows how many sick people had touched before me,... Yes, I will be that guy on the news, who jumped over the counter, to grab my meds, which belong to me anyway, before they tried to make me touch all their skeevey crap! (Dont get me started on $4-off over priced crap that doesnt apply because its on sale...)
38. Winter coat: RIME. Spring is here! Forget this clue/answer...
39. Primatologist Goodall: JANE.
40. "That was mortifying": IDIED. Ok, in our current political climate, this requires more "apostrophe" placement... Was it "I'Died", or was it, ID'ied. Either way, scary stuff...
A second look at this clue/answer begs the question of what was meant here. Mortifying describes something causes extreme shame, embarrassment, or humiliation. Or was it meant in the sense of a mortuary, (or funeral home.) that specializes in the storage, preparation, and care of human bodies before burial or cremation... in either case, I guess you could say, "I Died..."
41. "Quickly!" letters: ASAP.
42. Hayworth of the silver screen: RITA.
She was the first Poster, but got replaced by Racquel Welch when the hammer wore out...
(A Shawshank Redemption Reference...)
43. __ & the Gang: KOOL. Hmm,,,
44. Shade-loving plant: HOSTA.
45. Shenanigan: ANTIC.
46. Crystal-lined rock: GEODE.
Did you know you can buy and break open your own at Walmart?
47. Going places: MOVING UP.
50. Picks up bit by bit: GLEANS. (My CC puzzle solving strategy...)
52. Light suds: AMBER ALE. (I still prefer Lager...)
55. Graceland icon: ELVIS.
57. "Sitting Pretty on Top of the World" country singer Lauren __: ALAINA.
I have no idea what this even sounded like,
Because DW decided to Vacuum around me while I was working...
58. Put a new label on: RETAG.
62. Figured out: GOT.
63. Snowy day activity: SLED RIDE.
It's a Rite of Passage...
66. Hair clip: BARRETTE.
I had no idea...
69. To no __: in vain: AVAIL.
70. Train station: DEPOT.
71. Gown: DRESS.
73. Iowa's state flower: WILD ROSE. (A state Flower can be a Twurd? Who Knew?)
74. Core group?: SEEDS.
77. Love, to Bad Bunny: AMOR.
78. Denim pioneer Strauss: LEVI.
79. Yemen's Gulf of __: ADEN.
81. Clash heard in a swordfight: CLANK. Even more so if you get struck by lightning, and your Armor becomes magnetic...
But who has time for clanking when the poisons in the...
82. Jabba the __: HUTT.
OOPS! Sorry, wrong link...
83. "At Last" singer James: ETTA. (Crosswordese staple, over linked...)
85. The Natural State: ARKANSAS. Just try to say it, an spell it, there's nothing NAtural about it!
90. Contraction in some hymns: O'ER. A contraction of Over, but then they got even lazier, and left out the apostrophe. So now Oer is even more incomprehensible... (hmm, i wonder what a contraction of incomprehensible would be?)
92. Very low woodwind: BASS SAX. (Although, as one word, would be Basssax, hmm, kinda Bad A**...)
93. Car rental choice: SEDAN.
95. Curly, for one: STOOGE.
96. "So true!": I AGREE! (Needs an exclamation mark, so I added one...)
97. Wrinkle-prone fabric: LINEN. What irons were invented for...
100. Embassy go-between: ENVOY.
102. [ Theme ]
103. Sister brand of Aquafina: PEPSI.
104. Positive replies: YESES. Well, I can't be positive about this! You can't expect CrossEyedDave, who has trouble seperating twurds, to know if this needs an apostrophe... I mean, Even Google is conflicted...
105. Country where Inca Kola originated: PERU. What? I thought this was The Kola Nut in 7UP...
106. Like a vast, rainless plateau: ARID. (Or my mind, after learning Inca Kola...)
108. Take it easy: REST. (Yes, good idea...)
109. Radiant vibe: AURA.
110. Flower on a floating pad: LILY.
112. Poke: JAB.
113. Tuber in the Nigerian dish asaro: YAM. I would have clued this as "what Popeye is." (I yam what I yam,) but it probably would not make it past the editorial process...
115. Paddle kin: OAR.
116. Masago or tobiko: ROE. This was under the belt, (where most Sushi and Sashimi wind up...) Which begets the question, Is this Sushi, or Sashimi?
Anywho, you can all give CC a shout out in the comments for this Sunday Marathon.
(I, for one, yell "Thank You." And maybe throw in a Hoot and Hollar too...)
Ah yes,
The Completed Grid
CE:D (Quietly slipping out...)
Notes from C.C.:
Happy 85th birthday to dear Irish Miss (Agnes), who has brought so much joy and meaning to our lives. I'm deeply grateful for all the guidance and care she's given me through the years.
L-R: Anne, Agnes, Eileen, Mary, and Peggy. 3/17/2019
