Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Amanda Cook

Theme: YOWSA! (It hurts my eyes!)

CrossEyedDave here, and I am still trying to erase the after image of this puzzle out of my mind... most of the puzzle played out well, except the SW Corner, which took some sussing. The theme? Well, at first I couldn't see anything. So I asked Daughter #1 for help. She was as nonplussed as I... so I emailed CC for help. As I was typing, I realized that Lunch, Play, Couples, and Up, could all be preceded by the word "Power." But I could not understand how power lunch hour/power play station etc, had anything to do with clashing. CC replied Both words can follow "power", hence it's clashing. 

So...

17 Across. Midday break from work: LUNCH HOUR. (Power Lunch / Power Hour)

26 Across. Sony game console: PLAY STATION. (Power Play / Power Station)

52 Across. Vacation with friends and their significant others: COUPLES TRIP. (Power Couples / Power Trip)

62 Across. Artistically repurposing, as trash: UPCYCLING. And... even though it is one word,,, (Power Up / Power Cycling)

And the Reveal:

36 Across. Fashion trend that embraces a bold mix of patterns and colors, or what can be found in 17-, 26-, 52-, and 62-Across?: POWER CLASHING.

Yowsa! It hurts my eyes!

Still nonplussed, I asked Daughter #3 if she could see any clashing of the words, or how to explain it, and we are all not sure what is going on here, or if there is more we are blinded to. I said, I am not a conflicting person by nature, how can I explain this clashing I cannot see? And so that's how my review ended up saying this puzzle theme is just a powerful collection of friendly words getting together...

If you can see something different, by all means please enlighten us in the comments.

Onward!

Across:
1. Enjoyable: NICE. ( a devious start, as this start is just a deception. )

5. Not bad, not great: SO SO. (No comment )

9. Amazon smart speakers: ECHOS. (That's the name on the box, but everyone calls them Alexa's.)

14. Pedal pusher: FOOT.😀

15. Rocky outcrop: CRAG.

A familiar word for Rock Climbers.

16. Barely detectable amount: TRACE.

17. Theme.

19. Ninja Turtle home: SEWER. Ok, I'm supposed to splain things that may not be understood about the puzzle. How do I explain to the crossword solving breakfast club all about radioactive mutant turtles that live in the Sewer? That have Italian Renaissance names, and love pizza?

20. Shoe designer Jimmy: CHOO.

Name #1

21. Corp. VIP: CEO. Chief  Executive Officer

23. Word with garage or yard: SALE.

24. Low card in gin rummy: ACE.

26. Theme.

29. Ithaca Ivy: CORNELL.

31. Like some staff retreats: ONSITE. (Or On-Site)

32. Pledge drive gift: TOTE.

33. Little piece of land: ISLET. What is the difference between an islet, and a cay?  The A.I. Overview

36. Theme Reveal.

42. Swerves: VEERS.

43. Paper chain segment: LOOP. (I wanted Link.)

45. Equilibrium: STASIS. (The beginning of the difficult SW corner...)

49. Matures, in a way: EVOLVES. I was thinking ripens, but it wouldn't fit. You would think evolution is an ongoing process, and maturation is an end result. But they did say "in a way," so, anything goes...

52. Theme.

55. Historical period: ERA.

56. Scheme: RUSE. Or plot, plan, ploy, scam...

57. Tiny terrier, e.g.: TOY.

58. "Tulsa King" actor McDonough: NEAL.

Name #2

60. __ Park, Colorado: ESTES. Familiar to any model rocketeer...

62. Theme.

66. Gloss over, in speech: ELIDE. (Forgive me for skipping over the details...)

67. Barking marine mammal: SEAL.

68. Lost, metaphorically: ASEA.

Lost, literally...

69. Like pound cake: DENSE. But nowhere near as dense as a fruit cake, I mean, I've seen fruit cakes you can literally use as a door stop!

70. Contributes: ADDS.

71. Blended family prefix: STEP. Hmm, interesting clueing...

Down:
1. Org. with Lions and Bears, but not Tigers: NFL. National Football League League. Lions=Detroit, Bears= Chicago, Tigers= MLB (Major League Baseball)

2. Short note?: IOU.😀

3. Composition for soloist and orchestra: CONCERTO. There a whole book on it, just ask Daughter#3 who had to study it for Her Music Degree.

4. Engrave: ETCH.

5. Podiatrist with a namesake orthopedic brand: SCHOLL.

Everybody has seen these...

6. Gold, in Spanish: ORO. This has become an old crossword staple for its three letters, how Gold can become boring... hmm, how about, Walter Keonig's (Chekov) next SciFi role after The Original Star Trek?

Believe it or not,

His 1st role was in TV's Combat!

7. Pert: SAUCY. Could have been sassy, but the Constructor was being Pert...

8. Folklore brutes: OGRES.

9. UFO pilots, presumably: ETS. Extra Terrestrials.

10. Distinctive features of cockatoos: CRESTS.

11. The Big Island: HAWAII.

12. Spotted wildcat: OCELOT.

13. Peaceful: SERENE.

18. Dream: HOPE.

22. Central Plains people: OTOES. Another crossword staple. Could use some fresh clueing, perhaps "Ode to lower digits?"

24. "__ your age!": ACT. (Ok, maybe I'll delete the 22 down commentary...)

25. Henhouse: COOP.

27. Wonderland visitor who uses a flamingo as a croquet mallet: ALICE.

28. Scholarly collection: Abbr.: ANTH. Anthology is a curated collection of literary works, such as poems, short stories, plays, or songs. 

30. Unfamiliar: NEW.

34. Camera type, for short: SLR. Single Lens Reflex

The movable mirror between the viewfinder and the film

(Or electronic image sensor) makes a single lens possible.

35. __ pointer: LASER.

37. Downright rotten: EVIL.

38. Go back to zero: RESET.

39. __-at-ease: ILL.

40. Jane Austen, for one: NOVELIST.

Jane Austen

1775-1817 (aged 41)

No photograph available...

(Name #3)

41. Opera ending?: GOER. (Erm?) according to the Internet: Operagoer is a common nine letter word that fits the clue "Opera ending" in crosswords... (Common nine letter word?) Maybe when the fat lady sings...

44. Awareness-raising TV spot: PSA. Public Service Announcment

45. Lengthy diatribe: SCREED. This is the word to use to describe my unhappiness with the SW corner...

46. Muss: TOUSLE. The result of much head scratching, again in the SW corner...

47. "Keep __ Weird": motto of a Texas city: AUSTIN. (That SW corner again, really weird!)

48. Podcast playback options: SPEEDS. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

50. Audiophile's collection: VINYLS. (I wanted Albums)

51. Oil cartel acronym: OPEC. Organization of Oil Exporting Countries.

53. March composer John Philip __: SOUSA. Inventor of the Sousaphone

One you wear, the other you carry...

Which would you rather march with?

54. Not handwritten: TYPED.

59. "Sad to say ... ": ALAS.

61. "Catch my drift?": SEE.

63. Currency with toonies, briefly: CAD. Yikes! This takes some splainin'. First of all, the Loonie, is the Colloquial name for the Canadian One Dollar Coin. Ergo, the Toonie refers to the two dollar coin...(simple.) but what is the "A" in CAD? No one knows, and it doesn't matter, because the official ISO code for the Canadian Dollar is CAD, differentiating it from other dollars (like the U.S. Dollar). Who or what is this ISO you ask?  More info here...

64. Formerly named: NEE.

65. Hiatus: GAP.

And, The Grid...

I am looking forward to hearing from you in the comments. Because I am still not sure if I am missing something in this clash of words puzzle...

CE:D out...

(•˕ •マ.ᐟ

Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Ricky J. Sirois

 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...

(I can be swayed easily...)  Another A.I. Overview

45. Five Pillars religion: ISLAM. The 5 core acts are Faith, Prayer, Alms, Fasting, and Pilgrimage.

47. Grade sch.: ELEM. Elementary, 

Apparently, that's as far as Watson got...

48. Alternative to sparkling: TAP. (As in water, as in restaurants.)

49. Stick: ADHERE.

50. Fine wool: MERINO.

No comment

52. Summer sign: LEO.

53. Love, in Firenze: AMORE.

55. Theme Reveal

60. Some park employees: RANGERS.

63. Common oatmeal cookie ingredient: RAISINS.

64. First Amendment word: FREEDOM.

65. Place to spend the night: INN. (This could also have been out, as opposed to in...)

66. One-on-one chats on soc. media: DMS. DM stands for Direct Message...

67. Agrees: SAYS YES.

68. Easter egg need: DYE. (And rabbits for some strange reason...)

69. Up to now: YET.

Down:
1. Bulky horn: TUBA. Bulkier horn: Sousaphone 

Yep, definitely bulkier...

2. Stand watch for, say: ABET. Yeah, but as a grandparent, watching a grandchild, would you say I was abetting?

3. Instagram feed feature: REEL. Not familiar with this...

4. Theme

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...

And here's the Grid.

CE:D out...

≽(•⩊ •マ≼

Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Hoang-Kim Vu

 Many Happy Returns... (Hopefully...)

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.

CE:D out.

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, Kathy Lowden

  Lessee, Theme,, hmm,,,

I like AURORA, as in Sleeping Beauty... (As in, Her Prince has come...)

Or how bout: Favorite Pet Name. 

Not sure if above is "Mia,"

Prince is also famously known for gifting a dog named God to Nicole Richie.

Or how about, Your Photos Are Ready, (As in, Your Prints Have Come...) ?

No, it seems to be three things that can all be an explanation of the clue "Prince."

17 Across. Prince: TENNIS BALL BRAND.

36 Across. Prince: HIS ROYAL BADNESS. Complete Splaining can be found here...

This Guy...

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... : )

Across:

1. Island ring: ATOLL.

6. Skating venue: RINK.

10. "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" essayist Didion: JOAN.  Considered a landmark in new journalism

14. Hogwash: TRIPE.

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. 

44. __ Sapphire gin: BOMBAY. I always thought Gin was just flavored Vodka, But it is much, much more...

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...

12. Yearly record: ANNAL. A.I. Overview...

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.

CE:D 

(•˕ •マ.ᐟ