Monday August 29, 2022 Fred Piscop

Theme: Shangri-La

17. John Steinbeck novel set in the Salinas Valley: EAST OF EDEN.

27. Fourth film in a series starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour: ROAD TO UTOPIA.

47. Epic poem by John Milton: PARADISE LOST.

61. Grammy-nominated Keyshia Cole hit song: HEAVEN SENT.

Boomer here.  

Happy Monday to all. I remember when I was a working stiff and we did not think too much of EDEN or UTOPIA etc.  I'm surprised that Elon Musk did not name one of his cars one of these titles. As for me, a short visit to the VA on Wednesday for a checkup of my shoulder. It seems to be healing, however I still cannot pick my nose or scratch my butt with my left hand.

 Across:

1. Threaded fastener: SCREW.  Some baseball card plastic holders have one SCREW.  I usually only use them for cards like a Pujols or Trout rookie.

6. Grilled sausage, for short: BRAT.  My sons name is BRET.  Maybe I spelled it wrong.

10. "__ the night before Christmas ... ": TWAS.  And all through the house.

14. Slacks fabric: CHINO.

15. Lasso: ROPE.  A four letter word - my specialty.

16. "How disappointing": OH NO.  LA Angel pitcher who hits a few home runs.

19. Algebra, trig, etc.: MATH.  I was pretty good at this stuff.

20. Suffix with neat or beat: NIK.  This was one of my NIK names. BurNIKel.

21. Whacks with an ax: HEWS.

22. Numerical relationship: RATIO.  Probably 2-1 that all will finish this puzzle.

23. Make an attempt at: TRY FOR.  Our association is TRYing FOR new driveways.  Right now it is a bit of a mess.

25. Delta Sigma __ sorority: THETA.

32. "If the __ fits ... ": SHOE.  Change into for bowling or golf.

35. Loewe's partner: LERNER.

36. Post-op recovery area: ICU.  I was there for both the tumor and busted shoulder.

37. Iron-rich meat: LIVER.  Not the favorite of many.  I used to enjoy a piece now and then.

39. Girl of the fam: SIS.  I have three.  I also had an aunt who was a Benedictine.

40. Wild West film: OATER.  Hi Oh Silver!

42. Sailor's yes: AYE.  Maybe two of these.

43. Cover stories: ALIBIS.  I did not do it.  I was counting baseball cards.

46. Supermodel Banks: TYRA.  

50. Feature of italic letters: SLANT.  My computer is not Italian.

51. Principality on the French Riviera: MONACO.  You may go there for a change and a rest.  Bartenders get the change and the hotel gets the rest,

55. Provide food service for: CATER.

57. Prom couple's ride: LIMO.  I have never had the pleasure.

59. Parking area: LOT.  Not today.  Driveway has been demolished.  Gravel will suffice until new asphalt is spread.

60. Actor Sharif: OMAR.

64. Baseball glove: MITT.  Look at me, I can be, Centerfield!

 

65. Apex: ACME.

66. Evade skillfully: ELUDE.

67. Poetic tributes: ODES.  3rd of June to Billie Joe.

68. A++: TOPS.  Add another "P" and you have baseball cards.

69. Helicopter blade: ROTOR. Never had a ride - never wanted one either.

Down:

1. Potpourri emanation: SCENT.  A penny's worth of S.

2. Part of a dinette set: CHAIR.  Ours are very comfortable.

3. Full of uncertainty: RISKY.  When Kramer plays Newman in Jerry's apartment.

4. Sinus specialist, for short: ENT.

5. "Yippee!": WOO HOO.  Not heard much at Twins Target Field these days.

6. Make, as coffee: BREW. Every morning thank you. I cannot afford Starbucks.

7. Drapery holders: RODS. Or a go fishing necessity.

8. Big galoot: APE.

9. Low card in a royal flush: TEN.  Number of pins for a one ball strike.

10. Gazpacho ingredient: TOMATO.  Drought in California has created a shortage

11. "That's too bad": WHAT A PITY.

12. __-lock brakes: ANTI.  Don't have them, don't want them.

13. Nabe in London and Manhattan: SOHO.

18. Like many an alley cat: FERAL.  It's not an alley, it's a lane!

22. Fashionably nostalgic: RETRO.  Knickers.

24. Available for an appointment: FREE.  Some grocery stores are now offering free discounts on gas.

25. Throat tissue: TONSIL. I still have mine.

26. Shade on a paint color strip: HUE.

28. Cease and __ order: DESIST.

29. Native American group: TRIBE. We have many in Minnesota. Some live poorly while others own casinos.

30. Cake prettifier: ICER.  Do not misspell Happy Birthday.

31. Subtle glow: AURA.

32. High-five sound: SLAP.  Often after sinking a long putt.

33. "How's it goin'?": HI YA.  Hi back!

34. Exaggerate: OVERSTATE.  Route of I-90 .

38. Storm tracker: RADAR.  Do not speed on I-90

41. Mailing label abbr.: ATTN.

44. "Hamilton" creator __-Manuel Miranda: LIN.

45. French river to the English Channel: SOMME.  I thought it was the Seine

48. Tips off: ALERTS.  Lots of floods and tornadoes causing trouble this year.

49. "__ rather than later, please": SOONER.  Oklahoma OK!

52. Alaskan native: ALEUT.

53. Time-share unit, typically: CONDO.  We have a townhome.  I think it's more comfortable than a condo.

54. Playful river animal: OTTER.

55. "¿__ está usted?": COMO.  Minnesota's famous Zoo. Como Park.

56. Bunched in with: AMID.

57. Reading light: LAMP.

58. Currier's partner: IVES.  Burl.

61. Fez or fedora: HAT. I prefer a baseball cap, but I might exchange Twins logo for Vikings.

62. Green prefix: ECO.

63. __-pitch softball: SLO.  I did this for years but I spelled it SLOW.

Boomer

Sunday February 20, 2022 Fred Piscop

Theme: "On the Job" - Each theme entry is humorously reinterpreted as if it's a job fitting the person in the clue.

23A. M.D. on "Wheel of Fortune"?: SPIN DOCTOR.

25A. Fast-working "Downton Abbey" woman?: MINUTE MAID.

43A. Painter in prison?: CON ARTIST.

63A. CIA operative in the Arctic?: NORTHERN SPY.

88A. One rating singles bar come-ons?: LINE JUDGE.

109A. Gofer at a ballpark?: SPORTS PAGE.

111A. Displayer of truck-stop equipment?: SCALE MODEL.

37D. Bank worker with lots of stories?: TALE-TELLER.

42D. Farmland tour giver?: FIELD GUIDE.

Here's the article about Fred Piscop in case you missed it last time I linked. 

For Sunday grids, Fred often uses a pinwheel design, 5 or 7 theme entries in Across, two in Down. Don't be misled by easy fill. It takes longer time and effort to create such a clean grid.

Across:

1. With 21-Across, marching band instrument: BASS. 21. See 1-Across: DRUM. Fred is a musician.

 

5. Feline weapons: CLAWS.

10. Vineyard measure: ACRE.

14. Valuable find: TROVE.

19. James who co-wrote and sang "I'd Rather Go Blind": ETTA.

20. Monsieur __: classic Jacques Tati role: HULOT. Learning moment for me.

22. Had one's fingers crossed: HOPED.

27. Indian menu word: TANDOORI. Amazing tandoori chicken.

28. "... a grin without a cat!" thinker: ALICE.

30. How aspirin is taken: ORALLY.

31. Restful state: REPOSE.

32. Promising moment, as of wit: SPARK.

33. Till stack: ONES.

34. Madness: IRE.

35. Coward's lack, figuratively: SPINE.

36. Aparicio in Cooperstown: LUIS. First Venezuelan in Cooperstown.

37. Dress (up): TOG.

40. Float like smoke rings: WAFT.

45. Crime novelist Paretsky: SARA. From Ames, Iowa.

46. Crop up: ARISE.

48. "Nixon in China" role: MAO. Here's the second wife Yang Kaihui and her two kids, one of them died in the Korean War.

49. Mutual influence: INTERPLAY.

51. Speak like a rug?: LIE. Ha.

52. Ideal for farming: ARABLE.

55. Quilting events: BEES.

56. Hurricane of 2011: IRENE.

57. The Who co-founder: DALTREY (Roger)

59. Prepare for a race: TRAIN.

61. Hot rod?: SPIT. Another nice clue.

62. Shoppe preceder: OLDE.

67. Dry run: TEST.

70. Happy cap tosser: GRAD.

72. Delete: ERASE.

73. "And Still I Rise" poet: ANGELOU. Maya.

75. Unacceptable, as punishment: CRUEL.

77. Caramel-topped dessert: FLAN.

78. Exodus obstacle: RED SEA.

81. Chem class part: LAB.

82. Partied hearty: ROISTERED. Not a word I use.

84. Site for used cars: LOT.

85. Short-vowel mark: BREVE.

87. "The West Wing" Emmy winner, 2006: ALDA (Alan)

92. Smelter metals: ORES.

93. __ hours: WEE. The hospital stay messed up Boomer's sleep routines. Now he gets up at 3:30 every morning, sometimes earlier.

94. "Don't play" music notation: REST.

95. Gazetteer stats: AREAS. I only know "gazette".

96. Drink from a snifter: SIP.

98. Wall map marker: TACK.

99. Princeton mascot: TIGER. 2022 is the Year of the Tiger!

100. Cell feature: CAMERA.

103. Trip up: ASCENT. Noun "trip".

106. Derby drink: JULEP.

107. Hill hundred: SENATORS. The Capital Hill.

113. Flirt with, say: TEASE.

114. Sign of spoilage: ODOR.

115. Marquesses' inferiors: EARLS.

116. 100-year-old chip brand: WISE. Never tried this brand.

117. Ran standing still: IDLED.

118. Digs for pigs: PENS.

119. Surprise ending: TWIST.

120. Put one over on: SNOW. More snow is coming on Monday and Tuesday.

Down:

1. Awards adjective: BEST.

2. For face value: AT PAR.

3. "Fear Street" series author: STINE. R. L. Stine, the "Stephen King of children's literature", according to Wikipedia.

4. Kids' play places, across the pond: SANDPITS.

5. Settle on: CHOOSE.

6. Ill-gotten loot: LUCRE. Always with "filthy".

7. Some choir members: ALTI. Altos.

8. Try to win over: WOO.

9. Secure for the trip: STRAP IN.

10. Fan: ADMIRER. You're amazing, Jinx!

11. Pain in the neck: CRICK.

12. Mystical character: RUNE. Alphabetic character.

13. Liberty's LiMu, for one: EMU.

14. Beatles' "__ a Place": THERE'S.

15. Oblong tomatoes: ROMAS. Have you heard of "Reisetomate"?

16. Birthstone after sapphire: OPAL.

17. Bridal shop buy: VEIL.

18. Hot tub feature: EDDY.

24. One of a coupe's pair: DOOR.

26. Time on a marquee: TONITE.

29. Clark's teenage crush: LANA. Kent Clark. Lana Lang.

32. Fishing line holder: SPOOL.

33. Gives the heave-ho: OUSTS. You guys probably don't remember Zhao Ziyang. Such a confusing time when he was ousted.

35. Nature's bandage: SCAB.

36. White sale purchases: LINENS.

38. City across the Mediterranean from Cartagena: ORAN. As shown in this map.

39. Marvin of Motown: GAYE.

40. Guy hiding in a red-and-white striped shirt: WALDO.

41. Sans-serif font: ARIAL.

44. Advertising gimmick: TIE IN.

45. Elf: SPRITE.

47. Melodic sense: EAR.

48. Eponymous surgical family name: MAYO. The Mayo Clinic.

50. Tear: RIP. And 53. Tear: REND.

54. Hawke of "Sinister": ETHAN.

55. Less carpeted: BARER.

58. One of Barbie's best friends: TERESA. Here are more.

60. Hi-__ graphics: RES.

61. Seasonal song word: SYNE.

64. Back off: RELENT.

65. Give this for that: TRADE.

66. Historian's subject: PAST. When I was a kid, this bag was hugely popular. So surprised to see Cameron Diaz wore it.

68. Dry Italian wine: SOAVE.

69. Straws, e.g.: TUBES.

71. Cockpit gauge fig.: ALT. Altitude.

74. Be a chatterbox: GAB.

75. Metaphorical sticking place: CRAW.

76. Auditioner's goal: ROLE.

77. Pat down: FRISK.

79. English composer of the symphonic study "Falstaff": ELGAR (Edward)

80. "That __ it!": DOES.

83. Awards a seat to: ELECTS.

86. Skiers' aids: ROPE TOWS.

89. Corrections staffers: JAILERS.

90. Push for: URGE.

91. Like Jennifer Aniston's eyes: DEEPSET. Not as these two.

94. Typed in ALL CAPS, maybe: RANTED.

96. Least wacky: SANEST.

97. Mosque leader: IMAM. Fred could have used "Muslim leader" to trick you with EMIR.

98. Not given to speeches: TERSE.

99. Yank at: TUG ON.

100. Amoebae, e.g.: CELLS.

101. "The Kiss" sculptor: RODIN.

102. Recess rebuttal: ARE SO.

103. Piedmont wine region: ASTI.

104. Hustled: SPED.

105. Longtime Kentucky resource: COAL.

106. Green hue: JADE. I've mentioned before, girls in Guangzhou like to wear jade on a red string for good luck.

107. Bollywood attire: SARI.

108. Whole lot: SLEW.

110. Uncorking sound: POP.

112. Rook's call: CAW.

Last week was a bit stressful. The side effects from the new chemo seem to have made Boomer weaker. He was not really up to do any extra activities suggested by the PT & OT ladies.

Hopefully things get better next week. We have four more appointments to deal with.

C.C.

Monday October 11, 2021 Fred Piscop

Theme: EAT IN A HURRY (61. Gobble down food, and hint to the ends of 17-, 31- and 45-Across)

17. "Born to Be Wild" rock band: STEPPENWOLF.

31. Cold-weather neckwear: WINTER SCARF.

45. Flash of lightning: THUNDERBOLT.

Boomer here. 

 

I do not think I gobble down food, but I guess I am known to finish a pizza in less than 10 minutes.

 

Bowling news.  Last Thursday I took my new bowling balls out and made 29 of 30 possible marks (Spare or Strike) and rolled 222-180-188 - 590.  It's not a big deal but it is my highest score since I started taking Xtandi. 

Across:

1. Dull paint finish: MATTE.  Yes it's dull.  I like the glossy stuff.

6. Make furious: ANGER.  I hope there is no anger here today with this nice crossword.  Wait until Friday and then you can shout a few words of ANGER.

11. Cry loudly: SOB.  So much death from Covid.  I hope the vaccine makes it go away. 

14. Handle on a rap sheet: ALIAS. Smith and Jones.

15. Short and sweet: TERSE.

16. Actress Longoria: EVA.

19. Mo. after February: MAR.  Shouldn't this clue be "Month after Feb. ?"

20. Like a poor loser: SORE.  I suppose if you went a few rounds with Cassius Clay.

21. Figure in red ink: LOSS.  The stock market has been a little red the past few weeks.  I really do not understand the debt ceiling but I understand my social security payment, and I sure don't want to delay it.

22. Submit tax returns online: E-FILE.  We have been doing this for the past two years.  It works pretty good.

24. Single-handedly: SOLO.  I had several SOLO songs in the Benilde H.S. Glee Club.

26. Clear kitchen wrap: SARAN.

28. One of the political Bushes: JEB.  He was the Governor of Florida and thought about moving into the White House after his dad and brother finished their terms.

35. Is crazy about: ADORES.

37. FDR's successor: HST.  Seems like every President in my time went by three initials until Barack Obama came along.  The press was afraid to call him BO.

38. Pants, in slang: TROU.

39. Gives the thumbs-down: NIXES.

40. Egyptian boy-king: TUT.

41. Gesture while giving directions: POINT.  Or how to blame Who Done It?

42. "__, Brute?": ET TU.  "How many eggs did you have for breakfast Ceasar ?"

43. __ out: depress: BUM.  "The great historical BUM built the rock of ages it was in the year of one, and that's about the biggest thing that man has ever done." Chad Mitchell Trio at the Bitter End.

44. Texas border city: LAREDO.

48. Part of the Trinity: SON.  "And the three men I admire the most. the Father, SON and Holy Ghost; They caught the last train for the coast, the day the music died."  American Pie.

49. Aired again: RERAN.  I think I have watched enough "Law & Order" shows by now.

50. Former: PAST.

52. Flag maker Ross: BETSY.  Heavens to her.

54. In Touch Weekly twosome, usually: ITEM.

56. Film spool: REEL.  Years ago I went fishing with a cane pole.  Then I got a little older and learned how to use a rod and REEL.

60. Every bit: ALL.

64. Fail a polygraph test: LIE. Or get into bed.

65. River of Lyon: RHONE.

66. Role player: ACTOR.

67. __ Cruces, N. Mex.: LAS.  Like LAS Vegas, however some people spell it Lost Wages.

68. Less loony: SANER.

69. V-formation fliers: GEESE.  I see flocks of GEESE daily in open fields looking for food.

Down:

1. Sunday service: MASS.  I go on Saturdays these days.  Not too crowded but I still wear a mask.

2. Voice above tenor: ALTO.  I was a BASS.  Not a fish, just a guy with a low singing voice. That's me on the most right.

3. Stadium level: TIER.  These current baseball and football teams really have huge fancy stadiums.

4. Cassettes and eight-tracks: TAPES.  A bit old fashioned, mine are on a closet shelf.  I have nothing to play them on anymore.

5. Sixth sense letters: ESP.

6. When both hands are straight up: AT NOON.  "Blocking a basketball shot" did not fit

7. Anchor's delivery: NEWS.  How many read the NEWS before turning to the crossword ?

8. Icky to the max: GROSSEST.

9. Bilingual subj.: ESL. English as a second language.

10. Mentions, with "to": REFERS.

11. Schools for ministers-to-be: SEMINARIES.

12. Mirror shape: OVAL.  Also the shape of our president's office.

13. Uncarpeted: BARE.  Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard.

18. New York Harbor's __ Island: ELLIS.  "Give me your tired, your poor.  Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

23. The "F" in SPF: FACTOR.  The MAX in creamy make up.

25. Hasn't paid yet: OWES.

27. Music or dance: ART.  Mr. Garfunkel.

28. Pop star Jackson: JANET.  The youngest of the luffly Lennon Sisters.  Wunnerful Lawrence Welk.

29. Writer Wharton: EDITH.  Archie's wife in All in the Family.

30. Hard-shelled terrarium pets: BOX TURTLES.  Chocolate and peanut candy that I cannot eat anymore.

32. "Opposable" digit: THUMB.

33. Lively sonata movement: RONDO.

34. Bed that's easily stored: FUTON.  Never had one of these.

36. Attends homecoming, say: REUNES.  I just went to my 56th H.S. reunion.  I am pretty sure I was the youngest one there.

40. Activate the TV, say: TURN IT ON.

41. New England NFL team: PATS.  Wonder why they let Tom Brady get away.

43. Arthur of "The Golden Girls": BEA.  I watch reruns frequently.  Betty White is the lone survivor.

44. Andean pack animal: LLAMA.

46. Laundromat array: DRYERS.  Thankfully, Gone are the days when I used to use a Laundromat.

47. Bottle cap remover: OPENER.  Patiently waiting for the Major League Season to start.  I hope the Twins improve.

51. Feud ender: TRUCE.

52. Matzo __ soup: BALL.  Yup who cares about the World Series. I am waiting for Base BALL, 2022. 

53. Kazan who directed "On the Waterfront": ELIA.

55. Fork prong: TINE.

57. One-named Art Deco notable: ERTE.

58. Erotic god: EROS.

59. Ancient harplike instrument: LYRE.

62. "Caught ya!": AHA.

63. Witchy woman of folklore: HAG.  "I'll get you my pretty, AND YOUR LITTLE DOG TOO !"

Boomer

 

Monday, August 23, 2021 Fred Piscop

 

Theme: DOWN IN FRONT (59A. Cry to one blocking your view at a concert ... and a hint to the answers to starred clues) - The first words are all synonyms of "sad".

17A. *Hitchhiked: BUMMED A RIDE.

11D. *Something kept to avoid attention: LOW PROFILE.

29D. *Dressing with Buffalo wings: BLUE CHEESE.

Boomer here.  

 

Good morning, Fred. Nice to see your name on a puzzle once more. I was not bummed or blue last week. I returned to my high school alma mater for the 55th reunion.  Actually it's been 56 years but last year was postponed since something of a virus was going around. The president (Principal) of the school was there and I made everyone jealous, because he did not know anyone there except the current assistant bowling coach. 

 

Across:

1. Periods of history: ERAS.  Twins pitchers ERAs are higher than a kite.

5. __ Pujols, fourth MLBer to reach 6,000 total bases: ALBERT.  Future Hall of Famer, we have sold a few of his cards on eBay.

11. Area for experiments: LAB.  A black dog.

14. __ Raton, Fla.: BOCA. Seems as though every city in FLA is running rampant with Covid.  SAD!.

15. Ballerina, at times: LEAPER.  Quite a few were running hurdles in Tokyo.

16. Bullfight "Bravo!": OLE.

19. Take the gold: WIN.  And a few took the Gold.

20. Took the wheel: STEERED.  My first couple of cars did not have power steering.  I don't know how I managed to drive!

21. Drained of energy: SAPPED.  I do feel this way sometimes after my Monday Golf game.  Not sure what it might be next week when bowling starts.

23. Firebug's crime: ARSON.  Fires are burning everywhere.  Dry weather is the firebug.

26. Changes direction: TURNS.  Yup, that's when I wished I had power steering.

27. Create a raised logo on, say: EMBOSS.

31. "My pleasure": LOVE TO.  Bowl and Golf.

33. Señor's squiggle: TILDE.

34. Said further: ADDED.

35. Put money in, as a parking meter: FED.  I visited St. Paul's downtown area a couple of years ago and I had to feed the parking meter with a credit card!

38. Board game with nine rooms: CLUE.  I think it was done by Professor Plum, with a Knife, in the Kitchen.

39. Picture within a picture: INSET.

40. Heap, as of wood: PILE.  Not Gomer's last name.  For that you need a "Y".

41. Weeding tool: HOE.

42. Judicial orders: WRITS.  "Order in the court, Here comes the Judge." Number 99 Aaron of the Yankees.  

43. Zesty dip for tortilla chips: SALSA.

44. Line in pressed pants: CREASE.  I don't have any pants like that anymore.  Funny how some things just fade away. 

46. Movie theater feature: SCREEN.

47. Throbbed: ACHED.  I have had one of these in my back recently.  Can I still BOWL ??

49. CNN journalist Hill: ERICA.

51. Doctoral candidate's project: THESIS.  Interesting, I have a bowling buddy Named Don Theis,  We call him DOC because he was a gas passer at the UofM Hospital.

53. Beers served with lime: CORONAS.

58. Tell a tall tale: LIE.  I never said that.  I only tell short tales.

62. Classifieds, e.g.: ADS.  We just don't see a lot of classified ADS in our paper anymore.  Most people are using the internet to buy, sell, or trade. 

63. Apple device featuring Siri: IPHONE.  Hey Siri!

64. Italian wine region: ASTI.

65. Go out with: SEE.

66. Skimpy swimsuits: THONGS.

67. Wanton look: LEER.

Down:

1. Recedes, like the tide: EBBS.

2. Sports blowout: ROUT.  Happened to the Vikings a week ago.  They should have asked Siri how to get to the end zone.

3. Wile E. Coyote's supplier: ACME.  Beep Beep, and fast bird or Plymouth.

4. "The __": "What she's having": SAME.  Not me.  C.C. and I seldom have the same food.  That's why we go to buffets.

5. Trees with catkins: ALDERS.

6. Takes charge: LEADS.

7. Granola __: BAR.  Do they serve beer there?

8. Prefix with dermis: EPI.

9. Wine list heading: REDS.  Cincinnati baseball team, formerly known as Redlegs.  They should have worn long pants at the beach.

10. Picked up the check: TREATED.  I'll get it, you leave the tip.

12. Sci-fi visitor: ALIEN.

13. Gives a little: BENDS.  What my Putts usually do.  I wish the greens were level.

18. Clear of data, e.g.: ERASE.  Maybe I should just ERASE my scorecard.

22. Erect, with "up": PUT.  Add a "T".  Do not count more than two on any hole.

24. Golden-ager: OLDSTER.  Never been called that, I'll settle for Senior Citizen.

25. Network junctions: NODES.

27. Mark with acid: ETCH.  Remember the ETCH - A - Sketch ??  You only need to turn it over and shake it to erase,

28. Venus de __: MILO.

30. Tribute in verse: ODE.  I remember the one to Billy Joe. On the 3rd of June.

32. Dog doc: VET.

34. Biscotti flavoring: ANISE.  Tastes like licorice to me.

36. "If all __ fails ... ": ELSE.  If all ELSE fails, kick your ball out of the rough with your foot.

37. Faculty head: DEAN.  Our District Congressman from Minnesota, DEAN Phillips. Made his money selling Vodka.  Dear Abby's Grandson.

 

39. Nest egg acronym: IRA.  Everyone my age should have one.

40. Four, for most golf holes: PAR. SIX! My score on most golf holes.

42. "Way to go, team!": WE DID IT.  Twins did not care much for Yankee Stadium last weekend.

43. Winter neck warmer: SCARF.

45. Hi-__ audio: RES.  What??  I cannot hear you over the noise.

46. Biscuits at teas: SCONES.  I've had ice cream cones.  Never had an S CONE.

47. Book with maps: ATLAS.  No one needs these any longer. Just a cellphone.

48. Reprimand: CHIDE.

50. Cake topping: ICING.  Now that you have completed Fred's puzzle, this blog is for ICING on the cake.

52. Many a jayvee player: SOPH.

54. Taken by mouth: ORAL.  My breakfast, lunch and dinner are all ORAL.

55. Carrot, on a snowman: NOSE.  Sometimes the winning margin in the Kentucky Derby.

56. Start the kitty: ANTE.  It was always a nickel when I played.

57. Mix, as a liquid: STIR.

60. Abbott and Costello's first baseman: WHO.  What ?? Where??  I don't know who the shortstop was.

61. Oui's opposite: NON.

Boomer

Notes from C.C.:

Happy birthday to Tinbeni, who's been with this blog for about 12 years. Cheers, Tin!

Monday August 9, 2021 Fred Piscop

Theme: THROW (63. Light bed cover ... and a verb that goes with the first parts of this puzzle's four longest answers) - What you can do to the first word of each theme answer.

17A. Performance featuring Gene Simmons: KISS CONCERT.  Throw a kiss.

55A. Speaker of the House, e.g.: PARTY LEADER. Throw a party.

11D. Meet one's needs: FIT THE BILL. Throw a fit.

28D. Enforcer of hunting laws: GAME WARDEN. Throw a game.

Boomer Here. Happy to see a work by Mr. Fred Piscop. Hope you are doing fine.    

I never throw anything away.  Something I learned from my dear Mom.  As a result, I seem to have thousands of baseball cards from the 80s through 2019.  Years ago I had a complete set of 1952 baseball cards that all looked like they just came out of a pack. I made a little money on the deal, but if I had saved the Mickey Mantle for a while, my Santa Fe might be a Cadillac.

Across:

1. Dutch-speaking Caribbean island: ARUBA.

6. Sharp conflict: CLASH.  Can you believe that Vikings QB Kirk Cousins refuses to get vaccinated?

11. Butcher's trimmings: FAT.  I trimmed mine with diabetes.

14. More ticked off: SORER.

15. Video's partner: AUDIO. I always leave the AUDIO off when I play Pac-Man.

16. Wedding promise: I DO.

19. Shipping weight: TON.

20. Deck chair piece: SLAT.

21. Meat ending for "sir": LOIN.  Sirloin. Or when you trim down with diabetes.

22. Don't disturb: LET BE.  "LET it BE." The Beatles.

24. Outdoor chimes player: WIND.

25. Went for stripers, say: FISHED.  I never heard this word in Minnesota. Most folks go fishing.  

26. Wins back: REGAINS.  I don't hear this word much in Las Vegas.

30. Hora or hula: DANCE.

31. Dead-on: EXACT.

32. Convertible sofa: HIDE A BED.  We had one of these on the porch when I was a kid.  Very Handy.

35. Stop on a __: DIME.

36. Queeg's ship: CAINE.  The senator from Virginia, who ran for Vice President in 2016, is KAINE.

38. Old King Cole's smoke: PIPE.  He was a Merry Old Soul.

39. Broad-brimmed hats: STETSONS.  You just don't see many goofy hats around anymore.  Only baseball caps.  Mine have a TC on them.

41. __ of Troy: HELEN.

42. Astronaut Schirra: WALLY.  Beaver's older Brother, Tony Dow.

43. Graceland surname: PRESLEY.  "The Mississippi Delta was shining like a National Guitar".   Paul Simon.

45. Expressed in words: STATED.

47. Word after Joe or low: BLOW.  Looks like a clue from "America Says" with John Michael Higgins.

48. "Gay" city in a Porter song: PAREE.

49. Blue-green shade: TEAL.  Popular game duck in Minnesota.

50. Bluish part of blue cheese: MOLD.  Yuck!        

54. Wrap up: END.  Tight guy on the front line.

58. Biography datum: AGE.  My High School reunion is coming up in a couple of weeks.  There I will be a 73 year old hanging out with a whole bunch of 74s.

59. Bring joy to: ELATE.

60. Tearoom biscuit: SCONE.

61. "Anchorman: The Legend of __ Burgundy": RON.  All I know he was a goofy weatherman in a San Diego TV station who always wore a Burgundy Jacket.

62. Closer to maturity: RIPER.  Our vegetables are no longer getting RIPER.  Squirrels ate the plants. I think the drought might have something to do with this.  We never had this problem before.

Down:

1. Requests: ASKS.  And you shall Receive.

2. Stir up: ROIL.  I had the OIL changed in the Santa Fe last Friday.  They did not have any with "R".

3. Astronomical bear: URSA.  Major or Minor?

4. Oscars category adjective: BEST.  And you receive a goofy trophy.  In the Olympics you get a gold medal!

5. Lob trajectory: ARC.  Great for a nine iron, not so good on a putt.

6. Church decrees: CANONS.  We do not hear much about CANON laws at church anymore. 

7. Clear-thinking: LUCID.

8. Port of Yemen: ADEN.  Back when I lived in a three bedroom home, my dad turned one of the bedrooms into A DEN.  I slept in the basement.

9. Knightly title: SIR.  Gold or silver bars, oak leaves, or stars on the collar.  Sorry Spitzboov, I only know about the Army.  Maybe you can fill me in on Naval officers, Sir? 

10. Emergency phone link: HOTLINE.

12. Photoshop creator: ADOBE.

13. In good muscular shape: TONED.  I wish I were.

18. Lena of TV's "Riviera": OLIN.

23. Houdini feats: ESCAPES.  Houdini was truly an ESCAPE artist.  However he could not escape an appendix attack and died at the age of 52.

24. Gag writer's asset: WIT.  I try.

25. Lose brilliance: FADE.

26. Many lipstick shades: REDS. Cincinnati baseball team.  Doing pretty well in the NL.

27. Off-ramp: EXIT.  Also a lighted sign in a dark theater.

29. Clear overlay: ACETATE.

30. Annoying racket: DIN.  The only annoying DIN heard at Target Field this year is the sound of opponent's bats on white baseballs.

32. Casual hellos: HIS.

33. Sword with a three-sided blade: EPEE.

34. Declare false: DENY.  I didn't do this.

36. Faucet handle word: COLD.  We don't have COLD on our faucets.  We have to guess.

37. At least one: ANY.

40. Surprise success: SLEEPER.  I think I will use this to call a putt that goes in over ten feet away.  That will be a surprise !

41. Chop down: HEW.

43. Team member: PLAYER.

44. Breadbasket item: ROLL.  Or a shot at the Craps table.

45. Pickle serving: SPEAR.

46. Letter after Sierra: TANGO.  It takes two to do this.

47. Midler of "The Rose": BETTE.  I remember the Seinfeld episode at a softball game where Kramer gets her a Popsicle.

49. Lint catcher: TRAP.  They also work on mice.  Maybe not quite as well.

50. Speed-of-sound word: MACH.

51. Garlic tip-off: ODOR.

52. Lantern-jawed Jay: LENO.  He's really got some fancy old cars.  They look new.

53. Neither won nor lost: DREW.

56. Oscar winner Mahershala __: ALI. "Moonlight" and "Green Book".

57. Charlotte winter hrs.: EST.

Boomer