Sunday November 20, 2022 Doug Burnikel & C.C. Burnikel

Theme:  "Place Setting" - Each theme entry is literally rephrased as if it's a "place".

23A. Park place?: COMMUTER LOT.

25A. Busy place?: BEE COLONY.

39A. First place?: GARDEN OF EDEN.

73A. Hard place?: GRAVEL PIT.

107A. Private place?: MILITARY BASE.

124A. Last place?: SHOE STORE.

126A. Remote place?: SLEEPER SOFA.

38D. Safe place?: BANK VAULT.

54D. Sesame place?: BAGEL SHOP.

Ha, no theme clue change. I'm getting better :-)

COMMUTER LOT & MILITARY BASE are Patti's suggestions. Boomer and I started the brainstorming with MOUNT KILIMANJARO 16 [High place?]. Patti felt it was arbitrary, since it could be any mountain. So, go general if you have similar ideas.

This is the last puzzle Boomer and I made together. These days, he only has enough energy for his Monday blog.

 Across:

1. "Is anybody here?": HELLO. In Chinese, it's just "Wei".

 

6. "Get outta here!": SCAT.

10. Box office receipts: GATE.

14. People with all-access passes: VIPS. Guess how many 4-letter entries in this grid?

18. Short and sweet: BRIEF.

19. Head lights?: HALOS.  Also 88. Surrounding vibe: AURA.

21. "Really?": IT IS.

22. Taquería freebie: AGUA.

27. Patriotic chant: USA USA. We attended the Solheim Cup in Edin a while ago. Very patriotic crowd.

28. Hangout for hog lovers: BIKER BAR. Also 34. They could use a welcome sight: SORE EYES. I like both fill.

30. Shots on the green: PUTTS. Also 69. Duffer's do-over: MULLIGAN.

31. Cost of living?: RENT.

33. To be, in Marseilles: ETRE. Gluey.

36. Hailed wheels: CABS.

42. Bother: ADO.

43. "Barefoot Contessa" host Garten: INA.

44. List that may drop down or pop up: MENU.

45. __ West-Allen: "The Flash" character: NORA.

 

46. Sunflower part: STEM.

48. Semi unit: TON.

49. Beginning stage: ONSET.

51. The Vitamin Shoppe rival: GNC.

53. Many Mecca residents: ARABS.

56. Calligrapher's container: INK POT. We used to bring this to school for Chinese calligraphy.  Abacus too. So ancient.

58. Aria, e.g.: SOLO.

61. Dress seen on Indian runways: SARI. Pretty.

63. Marathon, e.g.: RACE.

65. Vice __: VERSA.

67. Precious rocks: GEMS.

71. Words of empathy: I CARE.

76. Chemically inactive: INERT.

77. Quivers in fear: SHUDDERS. to think.

79. Composer Stravinsky: IGOR.

80. Eye shade: HAZEL.

82. Hindu spring festival: HOLI.

83. Five-star review: RAVE.

85. Mil. truant: AWOL.

87. Volkswagen sedan: PASSAT.

90. In __: before birth: UTERO.

92. Faux __: PAS.

94. Reason for celeb damage control: BAD PR. Also 115. Promo pro: AD REP.

96. Choice on a color chart: HUE.

97. Like a play about a play: META.

99. Often-ignored email: SPAM.

102. Not so hot: MILD.

103. "For You" singer Rita: ORA. Married to Taika Waititi.

104. "__ about that!": HOW.

110. Some PwC employees: CPAS. PricewaterhouseCoopers.

111. League for Guardians and Angels: AMERICAN. Hi there Janice!

113. __-Alt-Del: CTRL.

114. Go a few rounds: SPAR.

116. Closer's goal: SALES.

117. Wasn't honest: MADE IT UP.

120. Translator's challenges: IDIOMS.

128. Girl: LASS.

129. One with star power: IDOL.

130. Thompson of "Westworld": TESSA. 

131. Director Coen: ETHAN. Going solo now.

132. Where el sol rises: ESTE.

133. Colorful salamander: NEWT.

134. Put into storage: STOW.

135. Entertainer's crew: POSSE.

Down:

1. Spelman, e.g.: Abbr.: HBCU. Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

2. God with wings: EROS.

3. Peru's largest city: LIMA.

4. Madagascar primates: LEMURS.

5. Functional: OF USE.

6. __ shed: SHE.

7. Pasta or bread, e.g., for short: CARB. I used to have the upper left one for breakfast. Youtiao.

8. In a partnership: ALLIED.

9. Rested a while: TOOK TEN.

10. Disco family name: GIBB. The Bee Gees.

11. Totally relaxed: AT EASE.

12. Steering system parts: TIE RODS.

13. Key hit in panic: ESC.

14. Hold in high regard: VALUE.

15. Successful prankster's cry: I GOT YA.

16. Gave up, in a way: PUNTED. I watched a little bit of Vikings' game last Sunday. Very confusing. 

17. States as fact: SAYS SO.

20. Camper's fuel: STERNO.

24. Digressions: TANGENTS.

26. Doubleheader half: OPENER.

29. Corp. shuffling: REORG.

32. Catches some rays: TANS.

35. Target field: RETAIL. This clue probably does not mean much to those who don't know Target Field.

36. __ Field: Mets ballpark: CITI.

37. Unknown author, for short: ANON.

40. Bitterly regrets: RUES.

41. Support group?: FANS.

44. Secured in a slip: MOORED.

47. "Semper Fidelis" group: MARINES.

50. Lady Justice's garb: TOGA.

52. Sleeveless top, briefly: CAMI.

55. Permanent mark: SCAR.

57. Business trip allowance: PER DIEM.

59. Stubbs of the Four Tops: LEVI. Patti's clue. Learning moment for me.

60. Roar __ Roar: "Monsters University" frat: OMEGA. Patti's clue also. Another learning moment for me.

62. Negga of "Passing": RUTH.

64. Med. specialty: ENT.

66. Taj Mahal city: AGRA.

68. __ food movement: SLOW.

70. Komodo dragon, e.g.: LIZARD.

71. "Thereabouts": ISH.

72. Jay of "The Green Hornet": CHOU. Taiwanese. His CHOU is the same as my Zhou.

74. Answer an invite: RSVP.

75. "No __!": "Sure thing!": PROB.

78. Steamy: EROTIC.

81. Baked dessert: APPLE PIE. 98. 81-Down order: A LA MODE.

84. All-Star side: EAST.

86. Tibetan priest: LAMA.

89. Tazo products: TEAS.

91. Careless: REMISS.

93. Setting of the Sandra Bullock film "Gravity": SPACE.

95. Talk trash about: DISS.

100. Oil producer?: ARTIST.

101. Fragrant shrubs: MYRTLES.

104. Pain in the neck: HASSLE.

105. Nebraska natives: OMAHAS.

106. "They outplayed us": WE LOST.

108. Consecutively: IN A ROW.

109. Like the most clear sky: BLUEST.

110. Monte __ sandwich: CRISTO.

112. Actress Witherspoon: REESE.

118. Triangular shoulder muscle, for short: DELT.

119. Monterrey jack?: PESO.

121. Sounds amazed: OOHS.

122. Degs. for curators: MFAS.

123. Levelheaded: SANE.

125. Foil metal, once: TIN.

127. Pussy foot: PAW.

Boomer received an Army Black Knights sweatshirt, but we could not figure out who sent it. Must be someone on our blog. Thank you, you!

We had good days and bad days. Mostly good. On Tuesday Father Tom Kadera visited us and gave Boomer the Sacrament of the Sick and the Apostolic blessing. Then on Saturday Tom Pepper braved the snow and wind and helped us install a floating shelf. Tom has a tool bag with all kinds of stuff. Pretty Taskrabbit-y.

C.C. 

Sunday July 17, 2022 Doug Burnikel & C.C. Burnikel

Theme: "All-Star Break" - Seven stars are broken up by the black squares.

21. Stopped suddenly: SCREECHED TO A HALT. And 24. Makes public: AIRS. (Altar)

30. Summons for a certain assistant: HEY SIRI. And 32. Medication warning: USE AS DIRECTED (Sirius)

48. "Marie Antoinette" director: SOFIA COPPOLA. And 53. Gets higher: RISES. (Polaris)

69. Zen temple feature: ROCK GARDEN. And 72. Tide fluctuation: EBB AND FLOW. (Deneb)

87. Thyme unit: SPRIG. And 89. Many a Pro Bowl player: ELITE ATHLETE.  (Rigel)

109. News program format: LIVE BROADCAST. And 113. Dessert with a crushed cookie crust: OREO PIE. (Castor)

119. Glowing review: RAVE. And 120. Get an advantage over: GAIN THE UPPER HAND. (Vega)

Boomer came up with this idea during one of our All-Star talks. We brainstormed together and I made this skeletal grid and sent to Patti for a query. In case you don't know, she's a diehard Mets fan.

 

As you can see, the final 3rd and 5th entry spots were not where they were in the grid we sent to Patti. I moved them a bit for better fill. Quite a bit of theme material. 

 

Boomer is excited to make this L.A. Times debut. My sister-in-law Barbara & a few Graybar friends solve the LAT puzzles every day.

Across:

1. Lab warning: BARK.

5. Provence city that inspired van Gogh: ARLES. This is on the cover of my compact mirror.

10. Duolingo, e.g.: APP. Language-learning app.

13. One in a onesie: BABY.

17. Mystical glows: AURAE.

18. __ kebab: SHISH.

19. Utter delight: GLEE.

20. Ohio border lake: ERIE.

25. Initials between names: AKA.

26. Dada: PAPA. Baba in Chinese.

27. "Black Dog" singer Parks: ARLO. British singer.

28. Avoided a deer in the road, say: VEERED.

35. "Let's do this!": IT'S ON.

36. New Year celebrated with bánh chu'ng: TET. I showed this on the blog once. So tasty. Our Asian store carries this during Tet/Chinese New Year period. Sticky rice with mung beans.

38. Bic Clic __ pens: STIC.

39. Truly bizarre: OUTRE.

40. JFK alternative: LGA.

42. Princess who wields a chakram: XENA.

45. Place for a catnap: SOFA.

47. Statue bottom: BASE.

55. Vietnamese soup: PHO.

56. "I did it!": TA DA.

57. Comfy slip-ons: MOCS. Never had a pair. I wear these slides all-year long. 

 

59. Writer Anaïs: NIN.

60. County fair animal: PIG. Our state fair starts August 25 this year.

63. Stop on the Taj Express: AGRA. Taj Express is named after the Taj Mahal of course.

65. The least bit: ONE IOTA.

67. Jujitsu kin: AIKIDO. The ending "do" is the same as Chinese dao/tao, path.

75. Work boot tip: TOECAP.

76. Climbing needs: LADDERS. Got a nice one at the Home Depot, at D-Otto's recs.

78. "Pretty please?": CAN I.

79. Toss into the mix: ADD.

80. "You hate to see it": SAD.

82. Attempt: STAB.

83. Schedule info: ETAS.

86. Director Browning: TOD. Director for the original "Dracula".

92. Paul who plays the Riddler in "The Batman": DANO.

95. Cat costume part: TAIL.

97. "My goodness!": EGAD.

98. "Who, me?": MOI.

99. Like some watches: SMART.

101. Maasai Mara antelopes: GNUS. Game reserve in Kenya.

103. School in L.A.: USC.

105. Author Evelyn: WAUGH.

115. President after Jack: LYNDON.

116. Per person: EACH.

117. Court plaintiff: SUER.

118. Ohtani's team, on scoreboards: LAA. Boomer really likes Shohei Ohtani. Shotime!

124. Western Shoshone neighbors: UTES.

125. Colonnade trees: ELMS.

126. Borden spokescow: ELSIE.

127. Malt-drying kilns: OASTS. Never saw one in person.

128. Gets in a pool: BETS.

129. Ginger paste amt.: TSP. Used widely in Japanese cooking. Indian also.

130. Bench planks: SLATS.

131. Gumdrops brand: DOTS.

Down:

1. Fried chicken container: BUCKET. Have any of you tried Taco Bell's Cheesy, Double Meat burritos? $2. Boomer really loves them. 

 

2. Ordered displays: ARRAYS.

3. Issa of "Hair Love": RAE.

4. Persevering with: KEEPING AT.

5. Barbecue receptacle: ASH PIT.

6. Seehorn of "Better Call Saul": RHEA.

7. Kimchi jar top: LID. I always get the real deal at the Korean store. But you can find this at Walmart.

8. "¿Cómo __?": ESTAS.

9. Clambake locale: SHORE.

10. Pie __ mode: ALA.

11. Stabilizing appendage for a shark: PELVIC FIN.

12. Fizzle (out): PETER.

13. Grizzly youngsters: BEAR CUBS.

14. Short operatic piece: ARIETTA. Don't confuse it with Jake ARRIETA.

15. Cardinals' followers, say: BIRDERS. Not Pujols' team.

16. "You betcha!": YES.

17. Sapporo competitor: ASAHI. Meaning "morning sun" in Japanese. I have no idea why it's said "spicy" on the bottle. Are you still there, MitziMouse?

 

19. Cuts off contact with: GHOSTS.

22. Jam ingredient?: CAR. Traffic jam.

23. "What a shame!": ALAS.

29. Fair-hiring letters: EEO.

31. Recital high points: SOLI. Sorry. Gluey. SOLOS please.

32. Sch. that hosts the Sun Bowl: UTEP.

33. J'adore perfumer: DIOR. I like Miss Dior Rose N'Roses these days.

34. "Bessie" director Rees: DEE. I wonder if she solves the LAT every day.

37. Open more stores, say: EXPAND. I know a TV star who solves the LAT every day.

41. Obamacare, initially: ACA.

43. Propose for an award: NOMINATE. That TV star was once nominated for an Emmy.

44. __ tikki: potato patties: ALOO. Literally "potato".

46. From China, e.g.: ASIAN. Also 68. Largest fast-food chain in China: KFC.

48. City-state known for its austerity: SPARTA. Hence Spartan.

49. "Happy to hear it!": OH GOOD.

50. Not natural: FORCED.

51. What hydrogen lacks: ODOR.

52. Feigned toughness: ACTED BIG.

54. Oklahoma city: ENID.

58. "¿Quién __?": Spanish "Who knows?": SABE.

60. "Jesus Christ Superstar" character: PILATE.

61. Emphatic denial: I DO NOT.

62. Miss a field goal attempt, say: GO WIDE.

64. "Best in Show" org.: AKC. 73. 64-Down concern: BREEDS.

66. Fish in Hamburg Aalsuppe: EELS. Eel soup from Hamburg.

70. Sound of surprise: GASP.

71. Not together: APART.

74. "The Thin Man" dog: ASTA.

77. Glass artist Chihuly: DALE.

81. Bishop's paths: DIAGONALS.

84. 20s source: ATM.

85. Bathroom fixture: SHOWER ROD. Our bathroom is probably safer than yours. We have 4 grab bars.

87. Post-marathon feeling: SORENESS. Also 111. Dull pains: ACHES.

88. "Suits" actress Torres: GINA.

90. Stretched tight: TAUT.

91. "Fuller House" actress Ashley: LIAO. Hope her name did not cause you trouble. Chinese uses "liao" a lot. See those characters when I type in "Liao"? It can mean "chat" (liao tian), or "understand" (liao jie), depending on the tones. It can also be a sign of past tense, which is always placed at the end of a sentence. Like "wo chi liao" (I ate already), or "wo shi guao liao" (I tried already).

Let me type in "Liao"

92. Cable alternative: DSL.

93. "Is there still time?": AM I LATE.

94. Former Seabee, say: NAVY VET. D-Otto is one.

96. Cough drops brand: LUDENS.

100. Not yet settled, briefly: TBD. To be decided.

102. "Get lost!": SCAT.

104. Two-door cars: COUPES.

106. Batting ninth: UP LAST.

107. Titans: GIANTS.

108. Coin flip choice: HEADS.

110. Word often used as a synonym for "thesaurus": ROGET.

112. Snail's home: SHELL.

114. "The Pioneer Woman" host Drummond: REE. Hugely popular.

117. Rotisserie part: SPIT.

119. Tofu steak coating: RUB.

121. Little rascal: IMP.

122. Erin Jackson's Olympic team: USA. Erin Jackson won a gold at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Wikipedia says "She is the first Black American woman to medal in speed skating".

123. "Ni __": "Hello," in Hangzhou: HAO. Hangzhou is a very beautiful city. There's a saying in China: "上有天堂，下有苏杭", meaning "In heaven there is paradise; on earth there are Suzhou and Hangzhou".

 

Boomer's ortho doctor is happy with the x-ray result. Now we just need more time and PT sessions to regain his range of motion. 

Boomer also received the Denosumab injection last Monday and started the oral chemo Olaparib last Tuesday.  

His legs are getting weaker. They suddenly caved behind the cart when we were checking out at our grocery store on Friday. Luckily I caught him. With the help of the checkout lady, we were able to pull him up. Then he had a few more wobbly moments behind the walker on Saturday.

We'll just keep fighting. Thanks for being here supporting us.

C.C.