Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Ilana Levine and Scott Hogan

Theme:  Head Over Heels or Tumbling.  

Here is today's theme song. 

This theme is unusual. Instead of the meanings of theme fill words, it's based on the placement and repetition of a certain syllable within longer words in the grid.  That syllable is "END, " which is also a word meaning the extreme part of something.   Let's start with the unifier.

66. One way to tumble, or what can be found four times in this puzzle: END OVER END.   "End over end" describes an object rotating end over end, like a football flipping vertically in the air, rather than spinning on its axis, similar to "head over heels," and often implies an uncontrolled or tumbling motion.  In the puzzle it indicates the physical placement of the letters "END," in vertically adjacent fill. 

I placed the grid here instead of at the bottom for easy reference.

Here are the relevant word pairs.

First -

14 A. Bike trick also called a stoppie: ENDO.  An endo (short for end-over-end - imagine that) is a fundamental bike trick where you use the front brake and body weight to lift the rear wheel, balancing on the front wheel, often used for tight turns or as a base for other tricks.

17 A. Neurochemicals that act as natural painkillers: ENDORPHINS.  Any of a group of hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system and having a number of physiological functions. They are peptides which activate the body's opiate receptors, causing an analgesic effect.

Second -

26 A. "Peter Pan" protagonist: WENDY.   Wendy Moira Angela Darling is a fictional character and one of the main protagonists of the 1904 play and 1911 novel Peter and Wendy by J. M. Barrie, as well as in most adaptations in other media. Her exact age is not specified in the original play or novel by Barrie, though it is implied that she is about Peter's age as she is "just Peter's size".

As a girl on the verge of adulthood, she stands in contrast to Peter Pan, a boy who refuses to grow up, the major theme of the Peter Pan stories. Wendy hesitates at first to fly off to Neverland, but she comes to enjoy her adventures. Ultimately, she chooses to go back to her parents and accepts that she has to grow up.

31 A. Low-calorie sweetener: SPLENDA.    A global brand of sugar substitutes and reduced-calorie food products. While the company is known for its original formulation containing sucralose, it also manufactures items using natural sweeteners such as stevia, monk fruit and allulose.

Third -

49 A. Classifications for nouns in some languages: GENDERS.   In languages, "gender" means a system for classifying nouns, which can be related to biological sex (like he/she in English), but often isn't, applying to objects (French: la table, le canapé) or animacy (Swahili), serving grammatical functions like marking agreement on adjectives and verbs, with some languages having many genders (Zulu) and others none (Finnish), reflecting diverse cultural and linguistic approaches to categorizing the world. 

54 A. Lets use: LENDS.  Grants to someone the use of something on the understanding that it shall be returned.

Forth -

66 A. One way to tumble, or what can be found four times in this puzzle: END OVER END.

70 A. Hawk: VEND.   To peddle or sell goods aggressively, often by shouting in public, like "hawking newspapers on the street". It also means to advertise or promote something intensely, such as a product or idea. 

For a final, elegant touch for this thematically rich puzzle, the ENDs are all symmetrically placed.  A tremendous amount of thought went into this construction.

Hi, Gang - JazzBumpa here to stumble and tumble through the rest of the puzzle.  Let's try to keep our footing.

Across:

1. Old car from Sweden: SAAB. Made by a Swedish company known for its defense and security solutions (aircraft, naval systems, radar) and its legacy as a unique automobile manufacturer, which ceased production in 2011,

5. __ Rica: COSTA.   Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Though its capital, San Jose, is home to cultural institutions like the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity.

10. Distance runner Ztopek: EMIL.   Emil Zátopek (misspelled as "Ztopet") was a legendary Czech long-distance runner, nicknamed "The Locomotive," famous for his distinctive, gasping running style and for being the only person to win the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon at the same Olympics (1952 Helsinki)

15. Poker buy-ins: ANTES.   Stakes put up by players in poker and similar games before receiving cards.

16. "Ciao": TATA.  Adios.  Later.

19. Fluid-filled cavity: CYST.  In the body, a membranous sac or cavity of abnormal character containing fluid.

20. Italian staple: PASTA.   A dish originally from Italy consisting of dough made from durum wheat, extruded or stamped into various shapes and cooked in boiling water, and typically served with a sauce.

21. Story-sharing app, briefly: INSTA.  Short for Instagram,  a popular, free photo and short video-sharing social media app (owned by Meta) where users post visual content, apply filters, use hashtags, and follow others to see their posts in a personalized feed, featuring formats like permanent posts, disappearing Stories, and short-form Reels

23. "I'm on vacay" notification: OOO. Out Of Office [I assume.]

24. Prisoner: INMATE.  A person confined to an institution such as a prison or hospital.

28. "Bon __!": APPETIT.   French people say "Bon appétit" (meaning "good appetite") as a polite way to wish someone a good meal before they start eating, signaling the beginning of the dining experience, similar to "Enjoy your meal." 

33. Source of minerals: ORE.   A naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be profitably extracted.

34. Garden pest with tentacles: SLUG.   Any of several tough-skinned terrestrial mollusks which typically lacks a shell and secretes a film of mucus for protection. They can be a serious plant pests.   Like other pulmonate land gastropods, the majority of land slugs have two pairs of 'feelers' or tentacles on their head. The upper pair is light-sensing and has eyespots at the ends, while the lower pair provides the sense of smell. 

36. __ Mujeres, Mexico: ISLA.   Isla Mujeres is a Mexican island in the Caribbean Sea, 13 kilometers off the coast from Cancún. It's a vacation destination known for beaches such as northern Playa Norte, resort hotels and for snorkeling and scuba diving on the surrounding coral reefs. At Punta Sur, the southern tip, there's a lighthouse, the remains of a Mayan temple and a sanctuary for sea turtles.

37. One way to stop a cab?: CORK.  Here, a cab is a cabernet wine in a bottle stopped with a cork.  Cute and clever clue

39. JD seekers' hurdles: LSATS.  The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is a standardized exam for aspiring law students, assessing reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and analytical skills through multiple-choice sections and an argumentative writing sample, 

41. Baking instruction: SIFT.   Put a fine, loose, or powdery substance through a sieve so as to remove lumps or large particles.

44. German article: EINE.  Meaning "one" or "a."

46. "Heads up!": DUCK.  Move your head or body downwards to avoid being hit or seen. A bit ironic, I think.

48. __ Paulo, Brazil: SAO.   São Paulo (pronounced "Sow Pow-loo") means "Saint Paul" in Portuguese, named after Saint Paul the Apostle, as the city was founded by Jesuit priests on the feast day of his conversion (January 25, 1554). It refers to both a major Brazilian state and its capital city, a vast economic, cultural, and cosmopolitan hub in South America. 

52. Wild: BERSERK.    Erupt in furious rage, become crazily violent. This expression is believed to allude to the name of Norse warriors renowned for their ferocity in battle and for wearing no armor but a bearskin shirt (or berserkar).

55. Saved option: PRESET.   A setting on a device that is adjusted or applied before use or by the manufacturer, especially on electronic audio or video equipment.

57. Lennox of R&B: ARI.  Courtney Shanade Salter [b. 1991] known professionally as Ari Lennox, is an American R&B singer-songwriter from Washington, D.C. She signed with J. Cole's Dreamville Records, an imprint of Interscope Records as the former label's first female artist in 2015.

58. Weasellike critter: STOAT.  The stoat (Mustela erminea), also known as the Eurasian ermine or ermine, is a species of mustelid native to Eurasia and the northern regions of North America.  The name ermine  is used especially in its pure white winter coat of the stoat or its fur. Ermine fur was used in the 15th century by Catholic monarchs, who sometimes used it as the mozzetta cape. It has long been used on the ceremonial robes of members of the United Kingdom House of Lords. It was also used in capes on images such as the Infant Jesus of Prague.

60. First lady of the 1950s: MAMIE.   Mary Geneva "Mamie" Eisenhower [1896 - 1979] was the first lady of the United States from 1953 to 1961 as the wife of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Born in Boone, Iowa, she was raised in a wealthy household in Colorado. She married Eisenhower, then a lieutenant in the United States Army, in 1916.

64. Obsolete phone part: DIAL.  A rotary dial is [or was] a component of a telephone or a telephone switchboard that implements a signaling technology in telecommunications known as pulse dialing. It is used when initiating a telephone call to transmit the destination telephone number to a telephone exchange as a succession of individual digits.

68. Scope prefix: TELE.  The prefix "tele-" means "far off," "at a distance," or "over a distance," coming from the Greek word tēle. It's used in English to describe things that operate remotely, involve long-distance communication, or are performed electronically across space

69. Wide-mouthed: AGAPE.   Wide open, especially with surprise or wonder.

71. Rough words?: OR SO.  Roughly speaking, so to speak, but not speaking roughly.  Sort of.

72. Brusque: TERSE.  Short and to the point.

73. Marketplace with personalized gifts: ETSY.   An online marketplace for unique, handmade, vintage, and creative goods, connecting independent sellers with buyers globally, and its name was inspired by the Italian phrase "eh, si" ("oh, yes") and the Latin/French "etsi" ("what if"), chosen by founder Rob Kalin for its nonsensical yet evocative sound to build a brand from scratch

Down:

1. Leak slowly: SEEP.  Flow or leak slowly through porous material or small holes.

2. "The Piano" Oscar winner Paquin: ANNA.   Anna Helene Paquin [b. 1982] is a New Zealand-born actress who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at age 11 for her role in The Piano. She is the second-youngest Oscar winner in history. 

Best Supporting Actress

3. Puts two and two together: ADDS.  Or 3 and 1.  There are options.

4. Part of a knitted outfit for a baby: BOOTIE.   A baby bootee (or bootie) is a soft, sock-like, knitted or crocheted footwear for infants, designed to keep their feet warm and protected, acting as a cozy alternative to shoes, often used for warmth in cribs, strollers, or during crawling.

5. Part of a knitted outfit for a baby: CAP.  As for the feet, so for the head.  Also a clecho.

6. Taking a gap year, say: ON HIATUS.   A pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process.

7. Spell: STINT.   A STINT is a limited period spent doing a particular job, activity, or serving in a place.  A spell is a short, continuous stretch of time or weather (e.g., "a cold spell,"). Do these match?  You decide.

8. Reacts to suspense: TENSES.   As a verb, "tense" means to make or become tight, stiff, or strained, often due to nervousness, fear, or readiness for action, 

9. Admin. aide: ASST.   ASSISTANT.  Note ebbrvs. in cl. & ans.

10. Succinct "I could go on": ETC.   "Etc." is the common abbreviation for the Latin phrase "et cetera," meaning "and the rest," "and so forth," or "and other things," used at the end of a list to show that more items of the same kind could be added.

11. Thousand Island base: MAYONNAISE.    A thick, creamy sauce with a rich and tangy taste that is commonly used on sandwiches, hamburgers, bound salads, and French fries. It also forms the base for various other sauces.

12. "This ain't normal": IT'S ODD.  Said of something different from what is usual or expected; strange.

13. "Heart Don't Lie" singer Jackson: LATOYA.   La Toya Yvonne Jackson [b. 1956] is an American singer, songwriter, actress, model, and television personality. She's also the older sister of Janet and Michael Jackson. Jackson first gained recognition on the family's CBS variety show, The Jacksons, from 1976–1977. 

18. __ and raves: RANTS.  Shouts and complains angrily and at length.   Not a good time.

22. Piercing tools: AWLS.   An AWL is a small pointed tool used for piercing holes, especially in leather.

25. Playwright Arthur: MILLER.  Arthur Asher Miller (1915-2005) was a 20th century American playwright and actor who explored social and psychological themes in the human experience. His work, influenced by the Great Depression and World War II, captured the American psyche's unrest and dissatisfaction. Marilyn Monroe was his second of his three wives.  He was her third husband.

27. Bed fellows?: EELS.   Eels are ray finned, elongated fish, ranging in length from 5 cm (2 in) in the one-jawed eel (Monognathus ahlstromi) to 4 m (13 ft) in the slender giant moray.     They inhabit both saltwater (marine) and freshwater (brackish/fresh) habitats, preferring to hide in mud, sand, or under rocks, [hence the "bed" in the clue] and are often nocturnal. 

28. Rep. from the Bronx: AOC.   Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [b. 1989] is an American politician and activist who has served since 2019 as the U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

29. Expert: PRO.  A professional, especially in sports.

30. Plants with a long life cycle: PERENNIALS.   Perennials live for multiple years, often dying back to the roots in winter but regrowing each spring for long-term garden presence.

32. Star fish?: PISCES.   Pisces (Latin for "fishes") is the 12th and final zodiac sign (Feb 19 - Mar 20), symbolized by two fish swimming in opposite directions, representing the pull between fantasy and reality. As a mutable water sign ruled by Neptune, Pisceans are known for deep empathy, intuition, creativity, and compassion, having absorbed lessons from all other signs, though they can struggle with escapism and getting lost in emotions.   Nice double meaning in the clue.

35. Knock (about): GAD.   Go around from one place to another, in the pursuit of pleasure or entertainment.

38. "The Secret Life of Bees" novelist: KIDD.   The Secret Life of Bees is a bestselling coming-of-age novel by Sue Monk Kidd [b. 1948], set in South Carolina in 1964, about a young girl named Lily Owens who escapes her abusive father with her caretaker, Rosaleen, and finds refuge with three Black beekeeping sisters who hold the key to her mother's past. 

40. Garments that may lead to cold shoulders: TUBE TOPS.   A strapless, sleeveless, tight-fitting top for the upper body, shaped like a tube, that wraps around the bust without covering the shoulders or arms. 

Only $9.99

42. Not close: FAR.   At a distance.

43. Tik's partner: TOK.  "Tic toc" (or tick-tock) primarily means the sound of a clock, but colloquially, it signifies that time is running out, urging someone to hurry or warning of an approaching deadline, like a countdown. 

45. Loch for monster hunters: NESS.   The Loch Ness Monster, known affectionately as Nessie, is a mythical creature in Scottish folklore that is said to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. It is often described as large, long-necked, and with one or more humps protruding from the water.

47. Last word in doughnuts: KREME.   Krispy Kreme, Inc. (previously Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.) is an American multinational doughnut company and coffeehouse chain. Krispy Kreme was founded by Vernon Rudolph (1915–1973), who bought a yeast-raised recipe from a New Orleans chef, rented a building in 1937 in what is now historic Old Salem in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and began selling to local grocery stores.   The brand name is a deliberate non-standard spelling of "crispy cream", for marketing effect.

49. "My pleasure": GLAD TO.  Happy to be of service.

50. More spine-tingling: EERIER.   More strange or frightening.

51. Freeload: SPONGE.  Take advantage of other people's generosity without giving anything in return.

53. "Feed a cold, __ a fever": STARVE.  "Feed a cold, starve a fever" is an old saying, but modern medicine says your body needs energy and fluids for both, so it's best to eat nutritious foods and stay hydrated when sick with a cold or fever, rather than skipping meals, as your immune system needs fuel to fight infection.

56. Meteorology tool: RADAR.    An  acronym for "radio detection and ranging," it is a system that uses radio waves to determine the distance (ranging), direction (azimuth and elevation angles), and radial velocity of objects relative to the site.  It's used to detect and track aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations and terrain. 

59. Udder part: TEAT.   A nipple of the mammary gland of a female mammal, from which the milk is sucked by the young. 

61. Bump into: MEET.   Encounter someone by chance.

62. Stops along the way: INNS.   Establishments providing accommodations, food, and drink, especially for travelers.

63. Sink hole feature, perhaps: EDDY.   A circular movement of water, counter to a main current, causing a small whirlpool.   Sinkholes and eddies are related by water dynamics, where strong water flow (like floods or even leaking pipes) can create eddies that erode soil, leading to sinkholes.

65. Novelist Tolstoy: LEO.   Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy [1828 - 1910] , usually referred to in English as Leo Tolstoy, was a Russian writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential authors of all time.   His works include the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina and novellas such as Hadji Murad and The Death of Ivan Ilyich. 

67. Vendetta's origin?: VEE.  This awkward self-referential clue refers to the first letter of Vendetta.  Meh!

This is otherwise a fine puzzle with a creative theme, some clever clues, and lots of high quality fill.  Hope you enjoyed it.  And are enjoying the winter.  It's been brutally cold here in south-east Michigan.  I'll be back next month.

Cool [and hoping for warmer] regards!

JzB

Notes from C.C.:

1) Happy 78th birthday to Madame DeFarge, who used to be a regular on our blog. We miss you, Janice,  hope you're doing well.

 

2) Happy birthday to dear Sumdaze! I really struck gold a few years ago when I invited her to be a Corner blog author, and I’m just as grateful for our friendship off the blog. She is not only creative and hardworking, but also exceptionally organized.

 

3) Today our blog turns 18 years old. There were some difficult stretches, but I'm proud to say we have not missed a single day of the writeup. This milestone would not be possible without the dedication of our past and current team members, or the steady support of our readers over the years. Thank you for showing up, day after day, and for being part of our Corner family.

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Adam Shapiro

Theme:  Triple doubles.  Each theme fill contains three groups of doubled [or more] letters.

 

 (Edited later: Each theme entry consists of three parts, each part can follow "Double":

 

CROSS-OVER STAR:  Double cross. Double over. Double star.

BEDROOM DOOR - Double bed. Double room. Double door.

TAKE UP SPACE - Double Take. Double up. Double space.

 

 

 

First, the unifier --  58 A. Impressive basketball feats, and what 20-, 36-, and 43-Across have: TRIPLE DOUBLES.  A triple-double in basketball occurs when a player achieves double digits (10 or more) in three of the five main statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocks, with points, rebounds, and assists being the most common combination

20 A. Artist with success in more than one genre: CROSS-OVER STAR.    A celebrity who successfully moves from one entertainment field (like music) to another (like acting) or from a niche genre to mainstream success, broadening their appeal.  The three doubles here are R, O and S, though the S's over-achieve.

36. What an angsty teenager may slam: BEDROOM DOOR.  A bedroom door primarily provides privacy, security, and noise control for a personal space.  The psychology behind door slamming involves expressing intense, often negative, emotions like anger, frustration, and helplessness when words fail, acting as a physical release or symbolic boundary-setting against overwhelming situations or people, and sometimes it's a learned behavior or a passive-aggressive way to signal displeasure without direct confrontation, serving as a powerful, non-verbal declaration of ending something or needing space.  The three doubles here are D, R and O.  The O's have a doubled double.

43. Be useless: TAKE UP SPACE.  In a non-constructive way.  The doubles here are A, E, and P.

Hi Gang - JazzBumpa here, with only two doubles, though they bookend the alphabet.  Let's dig into this puzzle.  I promise not to have a tantrum.

Across:

1. Biblical kingdom east of the Dead Sea:  MOAB.    A people and a land east of the Dead Sea, descended from Lot, known for their frequent conflicts with Israel but also for figures like Ruth, a Moabitess in Jesus's lineage, showcasing grace amidst rivalry.

5. "But there is __ in Mudville ... ": NO JOY.   " . . .mighty Casey has struck out."  I once had an occasion to write a parody of Ernest Lawrence Thayer's famous poem.  It can be seen here.

10. Pack and send: SHIP.  My lovely wife does this with her cookies to our grands in remote locations.

14. Poet __ St. Vincent Millay: EDNA.   Edna St. Vincent Millay [1892 - 1950] was an American lyrical poet and playwright.   Millay was a renowned social figure and noted feminist in New York City during the Roaring Twenties and beyond. She also wrote prose under the pseudonym Nancy Boyd. 

15. Abruptly end an engagement?: ELOPE.  Well - this is ending it in a hopeful way, getting married.

16. Nevada city on the Truckee River: RENO.   A city in the northwest section of the U.S. state of Nevada, along the Nevada–California border. It is the county seat and most populous city of Washoe County.  Reno is a tourist destination known for its casino gambling and proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.

17. Pros and __: CONS.  Good and bad points.

18. Relentlessly protect the line on the battlefield: MAKE A STAND.   To adopt a firm position or opinion about an issue and be prepared to defend it, often in the face of opposition or a majority consensus. 

22. To this point: AS YET.  Until now.

23. Snacked: ATE.  Consumed victuals, like those in 33 A.

24. Scratch, say: MAR.   Cause a defect.

27. Fortuneteller's deck: TAROT.   Tarot card reading is a form of cartomancy whereby practitioners use tarot cards to purportedly gain insight into the past, present or future. The process typically begins with formulation of a question, followed by drawing and interpreting cards to uncover meaning. 

31. Home for Sharks or Kraken: ARENA.  This is kind of sneaky, since OCEAN also fits. but no - this refers to two west coast teams in the National Hockey League, located in San Jose and Seattle, respectively.

33. Frito-__ snacks: LAY.  Salty, crunchy, carby, bet-you-can't-eat just one delights, as in 23A.

39. Skin care brand: OLAY.   A skincare brand owned by Procter & Gamble (P&G), that originated in South Africa in 1952 as "Oil of Olay". Founded by Graham Wulff, the brand was acquired by P&G in 1985. The brand offers moisturizers, cleansers, and serums, and is a market leader in the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. 

41. Decorate: ADORN.  Make more beautiful or attractive.

42. BMW competitor: AUDI.   German cars.  Audi of America, Inc., a subsidiary of Audi AG, markets Audi vehicles in the United States. The company, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, sells sedans, crossovers, coupes, SUVs, and convertibles. 

46. Sum of the first three prime numbers: TEN.  These primes are two, three and five.  One looks like it should also be a prime, but for some technical reason, it isn't.

47. __ legend: URBAN.   A humorous or horrific story or piece of information circulated as though true, especially one purporting to involve someone vaguely related or known to the teller.  Or - such a story about country singer and former spouse of Nicole, Keith.  Or [and this is a reach] a high-performance race car built as a 5/8-scale replica of 1930s and 1940s American automobiles, driven in the city.  

48. Choose: ELECT.  Opt for.

50. Big D sch.: SMU. Southern Methodist University, a private research university in University Park, Texas, United States. SMU was founded on April 17, 1911, by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South—now part of the United Methodist Church—in partnership with Dallas civic leaders.

51. Org. that may confiscate liquids: TSA.  Transportation Security Administration, a United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agency, secures U.S. transportation systems. Created in 2001 after the September 11 attacks, its main focus is airport security, preventing aircraft hijackings and other threats. 

54. Torah teacher: RABBI.   A spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. A person becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi—known as semikhah—following a course of study of Jewish history and texts, including the Tanakh, Midrash, Mishnah, Tosefta, Talmud, Halakha, and rabbinic commentaries thereon.

63. Find an extra level, ala Spinal Tap: GO TO ELEVEN.   One more better higher louder.

65. Help (out): BAIL.    Rescue someone from a bad spot, often financially or from trouble, by analogy to paying bail to get released from jail.   One of my trombone buddies bailed me out with an extra stand light when mine went out in the middle of performing for a Christmas party on Sunday.

66. Innovator's first step: IDEA.  A thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action.

67. Like a baseball bat's symmetry: AXIAL.    Symmetry around an axis or line (geometry). An object is said to be axially symmetric if its appearance is unchanged if transformed around an axis.  In a bat, this axis is the center line along the length of the bat.

68. Squeeze (past): EDGE.   To win or advance by a very small margin; or to narrowly slip by an obstacle.

69. Square figure: NERD.   A nerd is a term for someone deeply passionate about intellectual, academic, or niche subjects, often seen as socially awkward.   A square is someone uncool, conventional, old-fashioned, or out of touch with current trends.

70. Running total: TALLY.  The current amount at any given moment.

71. Juicy bit of info: DEET.  Slang for detail[s.]. They don't have to be juicy, so I have my doubts about this clue

Down:

1. Hajj destination: MECCA.   A hajj the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca that takes place in the last month of the year, and that all Muslims are expected to make at least once during their lifetime.  Mecca is Islam's holiest city, located in Saudi Arabia, known as the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad.

2. Smells: ODORS.  Aromas, if they're pleasant. If not, other synonyms may apply.

3. Pester: ANNOY.   Bug or irritate someone, or make them a little angry. 

4. Type of dog serenaded by Elvis on "The Steve Allen Show": BASSET.  It's a hound.

5. Fictional clownfish: NEMO.  More than you want to know, probably.

6. Royal name of Norway: OLAV.  The name of 5 Norwegian kings over the last 1000 or so years.

7. Card material: JOKE.  In slang, "card" often means an amusing, eccentric, or unique person.  Which card?  The Joker, probably. 

8. Jake Heggie's "Dead Man Walking," for one: OPERA.  A renowned contemporary American opera by composer Jake Heggie with a libretto by Terrence McNally, based on Sister Helen Prejean's memoir about her spiritual work with death row inmates, exploring themes of justice, compassion, and humanity.

9. Beer foam producer: YEAST.   Yeast makes beer foam by producing carbon dioxide during fermentation, which forms bubbles that get trapped by foam-stabilizing proteins from malt and yeast, creating the frothy head

10. Mex. miss: SRTA.    A form of "señorita", a noun which is often translated as "young lady". "Srta." is an abbreviation which is often translated as "Ms.".

11. "I can explain": HEAR ME OUT.  "Hear me out" means "listen to my full explanation or perspective before you judge or respond," asking for patience to fully convey an idea, often something unusual or potentially controversial, so the listener understands the complete thought. 

12. Travel stop: INN.   A place to spend the night in.

13. Orca family group: POD.    A whale pod is a social group, usually of related whales (like orcas or dolphins), that travels, hunts, and lives together, often centered around a matriarchal line, providing protection and cooperative benefits.

19. Boiling water output: STEAM.  Water vapor condensing in the air.

21. Guess: STAB.  An attempt to answer, without a sound basis in knowledge or evidence.

25. Cathode's counterpart: ANODE.  The negative and positively charged electrodes, respectively, of a device.

26. __ to go: RARIN'.   Eager and enthusiastic.

28. Gather, as crops: REAP.  Bring in the harvest.

29. Against all __: ODDS.   Succeeding or happening despite extremely low chances, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, or expectations that it wouldn't happen, emphasizing perseverance and unlikely triumph over difficulty. 

30. Familiar theme: TROPE.    A writer's usage of commonly recurring or overused literary techniques and rhetorical devices (characters and situations), motifs, and clichés in a work of creative literature.

32. Nutrition fig.: RDA.   Recommended Dietary Allowance, the average daily nutrient intake level that meets the needs of nearly all (97-98%) healthy people in a specific life stage and gender group, serving as a key guideline within Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) to ensure adequate nutrition

33. Seated meditation pose: LOTUS.  An advanced yoga and meditation pose where each foot rests on the opposite thigh, creating a stable, upright seat with knees pointing out, resembling a lotus flower. 

34. False follower?: ALARM.   Misdirecting clue.  The word "alarm" can follow the word "false."  It means a warning given about something that fails to happen.

35. Calorific tea ingredient in Tibet: YAK BUTTER.   Yak butter tea, or po cha, is a traditional, hearty Himalayan drink made from strong tea, yak butter, salt, and sometimes milk, providing essential fats and energy in harsh climates, often described as savory, oily, and creamy, serving as sustenance, a ritual drink, and even a skin moisturizer. It's prepared by boiling tea leaves, churning the strong brew with yak butter and salt, and sometimes milk, resulting in a frothy, soup-like beverage that's central to Tibetan culture and diet. 

37. Like much medication: ORAL.  Taken by mouth, rather than injection.

38. __ in a lifetime: ONCE.  An event, experience, or opportunity that is extremely rare, special, and unlikely to happen again in a person's life.  And this famous song.

40. Vote to pass a bill: YEA.  All opposed say Nae.

44. Loosen, as a shoelace: UNTIE.  Undo a knot.

45. Hosiery shade: ECRU.  A pale, creamy, grayish-yellow or light brownish-beige color, named from the French word for "raw" or "unbleached" linen, describing its original natural state.

49. Like busy browser windows: TABBED.  As I write this, I have 14 tabs open in my Chrome window.

52. Water balloon sound: SPLAT.  A slappy, splashy sound.
 
53. Amazon assistant with regional accents: ALEXA. Amazon's cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) voice service that powers smart speakers (like Echo) and other devices, allowing users to control them with voice commands to play music, get news, manage smart home devices, set timers, and more.  Alternatively, my 2nd oldest granddaughter.

55. Mandoline piece: BLADE.  A mandoline slicer is a kitchen tool with a razor-sharp blade for quickly slicing fruits and vegetables into uniform shapes and thicknesses.  

 I'll admit I was baffled by this for a while, since I misunderstood the clue.

56. Hosiery shade: BEIGE.   A pale, sandy, neutral color, like a grayish-tan or light yellowish-brown, named from the French for undyed, natural wool, offering a warm, subtle, and versatile backdrop often associated with dependability and relaxation, blending creamy off-white with light brown tones.   And a clecho.

57. Castaway's place: ISLET.  A small island.

59. Fork locale: ROAD.   A place where one must choose.

60. Villainous: EVIL.  Up to no good.

61. Bargain: DEAL.  A favorable purchase price

62. Hulu's "__ Murders in the Building": ONLY.  No one or nothing more besides; solely or exclusively.  The program is an American mystery comedy-drama television series created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman. The show focuses on a trio of strangers (played by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez) with a shared interest in true crime podcasts, who become friends while investigating a succession of suspicious murders in the Arconia, their upscale apartment building on Manhattan's Upper West Side, and producing their own podcast about the cases, titled Only Murders in the Building. It's been renewed for a 6th season.  I never got around to watching season 4.

63. Gimlet liquor: GIN.  A Gimlet is a classic, tart, and refreshing cocktail made with gin, lime juice, and a sweetener like simple syrup or lime cordial, traditionally shaken with ice and served up in a coupe glass, garnished with a lime wheel or twist.  Gin is a clear, distilled alcoholic spirit defined by its primary flavoring: juniper berries, combined with other botanicals like citrus peels, coriander, and angelica root, creating a fresh, piney, and complex flavor profile, popular in cocktails.

64. Lines from an admirer: ODE.  A lyrical, often ceremonial poem that praises or glorifies a specific person, place, thing, or idea.

That wraps up another Wednesday.  Happy holidays, and a joyous and prosperous New Year to all.  I'll be back in January.

Cool regards!

JzB

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 Joe Deeney

Theme:  Polish, garnish, embellish - all to make it better.  Let's start with the unifier.

61. Details that make things perfect, and what 18-, 24-, 39-, and 53-Across have: FINISHING TOUCHES.  Final details or actions completing and enhancing a piece of work.   The final word of each theme fill is a type of physical touch - thus, the finishing touch.

18. Wildflower with showy red bracts: INDIAN PAINT BRUSH.  Also, a BRUSH is a a slight and fleeting touch.

The Legend

24. Mockumentary about "one of England's loudest bands": THIS IS SPINAL TAP.  The comedy film satirizes the behavior and musical pretensions of rock bands and the hagiographic tendencies of serious rock documentaries.  It was Rob Reiner's feature directorial debut.  Also, a TAP is a quick light blow,

39. Line in Hamlet's "To sleep, perchance to dream" soliloquy: THERE'S THE RUB.   This means "that's the difficulty" or "that's the obstacle". It comes from the famous "to be or not to be" soliloquy in Hamlet, where Hamlet is contemplating suicide but is held back by the fear of the unknown afterlife.  Also, a RUB is the movement of one's hand, a cloth, or another object back and forth over a surface.

53. Style in a swimming medley: BUTTERFLY STROKE.   A swimming stroke characterized by both arms moving forward over the water simultaneously, while the legs perform a synchronized "dolphin" kick. It is the second-fastest swimming stroke and is known for its difficulty, requiring a rhythmic, wave-like body motion for propulsion and breathing.  Also, a STRoKE is the action of  passing the hand over something with a light, gentle pressure.

Hi gang, JazzBumpa here, fully enjoying the feel of this theme.  Let's move along and see what else touches us.

Across:

1. Debit card feature: CHIP.  A small computer on a card that encrypts transaction data to provide enhanced security against fraud. Unlike a magnetic stripe, which provides static information, the chip generates a unique, one-time code for each transaction, making it much harder for criminals to clone the card

5. Petro-Canada rival: ESSO.  The petroleum brand owned by ExxonMobil, used outside the United States.

9. God, in the Haggadah: ADONAI.  God is called Adonai because it is a Hebrew word meaning "Lord" or "Master," used to signify God's absolute sovereignty and authority over all of creation. 

15. Frost: HOAR.   Grayish white; by analogy to gray or gray-haired with age. [Like me.]

16. Flirty growl: RAWR.   If you say so.

17. Swerve dangerously: CAREEN.

21. Only: MERE.   That is solely or no more or better than what is specified.

22. MIT Sloan deg.: MBA. Master of Business Administration.

23. Photoreceptor cell: ROD.

All About Vision

30. "__ so fast!": NOT.  An informal idiom meaning to slow down, wait, or reconsider something because a conclusion or action is premature, or unwise. 

31. With 1-Down, martial art involving slow movements: TAI.  As described - TAI CHI is a Chinese martial art and system of calisthenics, consisting of sequences of very slow controlled movements.

32. Leaves partway through: BAILS.    Quit, leaves, or cancels plans, often suddenly. For example, someone might say, "I'm going to bail on this party," which means they are leaving.

33. Unexpected turn: TWIST.   As in the plot of a book or movie.

36. French article: LES.  Meaning "the."

38. Fabrication: LIE.   Something made up.

43. Peace activist Yoko: ONO.   A Japanese multimedia artist, singer, songwriter, filmmaker, and peace activist. A prominent figure in the Fluxus movement and avant-garde art scene, Ono's work blends visual and performing arts to explore themes of feminism, violence, joy, and human resilience.

44. Sigma follower: TAU.  Greek letters.

45. Ice cream utensil: SPOON.   An implement consisting of a small, shallow oval or round bowl on a long handle, used for eating, stirring, and serving food.

48. Fairy tale fiends: OGRES.    A hideous giant of fairy tales and folklore that feeds on human beings : monster. 

50. Gravel size: PEA.   Pea gravel is a type of landscaping material made of small, naturally rounded stones about the size of a pea. Its smooth, pea-sized pieces make it a popular choice for decorative purposes like pathways and garden beds, as it is comfortable to walk on and offers good drainage.

52. Mare's meal: HAY.   Grass that has been mown and dried for use as fodder.

58. Boxer Muhammad: ALI.   Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. [1942 – 2016] was an American professional boxer and activist. A global cultural icon, widely known by the nickname "the Greatest", he is often regarded as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time

59. Sweets: BAE.   The acronym "BAE" has several full forms depending on the context, but most commonly it means "before anyone else" and is used as a term of endearment for a significant other.

60. McDonald's magnate Ray: KROC.   Raymond Albert Kroc [1902 - 1984] sometimes called "fast food's founding father", was a businessman who played a key role in McDonald's becoming the world's most successful fast food chain. While not the founder, Kroc was a milkshake mixer salesman who convinced the McDonald brothers to franchise their restaurant nationwide in 1955. He served as CEO from 1967–1973 and developed the McDonald's Corporation franchising program. 

68. Timing of many first steps: AGE ONE.  Development stage for infants.  A somewhat misleading clue, since it could also refer to the first step of a process.

69. Ashram adviser: GURU.  In Hinduism and Buddhism, a spiritual teacher, especially one who imparts initiation.

70. Box __: KITE.    A type of cellular kite with a rigid, three-dimensional structure made of sticks and cloth or plastic, designed to be stable and strong. Unlike simpler flat kites, it uses multiple surfaces to generate lift, often in a box-like or cellular shape, which makes it highly stable in strong winds and typically eliminates the need for a tail. 

71. Good thinking: REASON.   The power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic.

72. Cranky state: SNIT.   A fit of irritation; a sulk.

73. "Get outta here!": SCAT.   Go away; leave.

Down:

1. See 31-Across: CHI.   TAI CHI is a Chinese martial art and system of calisthenics, consisting of sequences of very slow controlled movements.

2. Sweets: HON.   BAE.

3. Fault line?: I ADMIT IT.  I did it, and I'm glad!  Clever clue about owning up to some action.

4. Gets too personal: PRIES.   Inquires too closely into a person's private affairs.

5. "Ready Player One" author Cline: ERNEST.  Ernest Christy Cline is an American science fiction novelist, slam poet and screenwriter. He wrote the novels Ready Player One, Armada and Ready Player Two, and co-wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg. 

6. Tree goo: SAP.   The vital, sugary fluid that moves through a tree's internal tissues to transport water, nutrients, and energy. It can be collected for products like maple syrup, used as a natural adhesive or sealant.

7. Most bogged down?: SWAMPIEST.     The most boggy, marshy, miry, mucky, muddy, quaggy, sloppy, sloughy, soggy, squashy, waterlogged.  

8. Savanna grazer: ORIBI.   The oribi is a small antelope found in eastern, southern and western Africa. The sole member of its genus, it was described by the German zoologist Eberhard August Wilhelm von Zimmermann in 1783. While this is the only member in the genus Ourebia, eight subspecies are identified.

9. Do something: ACT.  As defined.

10. Blot: DAB.  To dry or lightly touch with blotting paper or a towel. 

11. NHL great Bobby: ORR.   Robert Gordon Orr OC [b. 1948] is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time. Orr used his skating speed, scoring, and play-making abilities to revolutionize the position of defenceman.

His most famous moment

12. Like brain activity: NEURAL.   Relating to a nerve or the nervous system.

13. __ Fables: AESOP'S.    Aesop [c. 620–564 BCE] was a Greek fabulist and storyteller credited with a number of fables now collectively known as Aesop's Fables. Although his existence remains unclear and no writings by him survive, numerous tales credited to him were gathered across the centuries and in many languages in a storytelling tradition that continues to this day. Many of the tales associated with him are characterized by anthropomorphic animal characters.

14. With crisp resolution: IN HD.  High-Definition, referring to a higher resolution than standard definition for video, audio, and images, resulting in clearer and more detailed content

19. D-backs, on a scoreboard: ARI.  For Arizona, the location of their home field.

20. Photographer Goldin: NAN.  Nancy Goldin [b. 1953]  is an American photographer and activist. Her work explores in snapshot-style the emotions of the individual, in intimate relationships, and the bohemian LGBT subcultural communities, especially dealing with the devastating HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s.

24. Big bang letters?: TNT.  Tri-Nitro Toluene, an explosive compound.  Another clever clue.

25. "That shouldn't have been possible!": HOW?  Inquiry into an extraordinary event.  

26. Holiday weekend retail event, often: SALE.  A period during which a retailer sells goods at reduced prices.

27. In a position (to): ABLE.   Having the power, skill, means, or opportunity to do something.

28. Hideouts: LAIRS.   Secret or private places in which a person, especially a criminal or enemy, takes refuge.

29. Bog down: TIE UP.   Have obstacles or impediments to progress.

34. Curt: SHORT.  Using or expressing in few words, in a way perceived as rude.

35. Article of faith: TENET.   A principle or belief, especially one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy.

37. Roofer's tool: STAPLE GUN.   A handheld mechanical tool for driving staples into a hard surface.

40. Followed a standing order?: ROSE.  Stood up, as requested.  Clever clue.

41. Lewis in the News: HUEY.   Hugh Anthony Cregg III [b. 1950] known professionally as Huey Lewis, is an American actor and former singer-songwriter. Lewis sang lead and played harmonica for his band, Huey Lewis and the News, until being forced into retirement due to hearing loss in 2018; he also wrote or co-wrote many of the band's songs.

42. Fashion style related to luxe grunge: BOHO CHIC.   A style that blends the free-spirited, unconventional elements of "bohemian" with the elegant, fashionable aspect of "chic," resulting in an eclectic look that is both free-spirited and curated.   First I've heard of it.

46. Bourbon barrel wood: OAK.   Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels. It’s a critical step in developing bourbon’s distinct flavor.  Freshly distilled bourbon doesn’t look anything like what you use to make an Old Fashioned. When it comes out of the still, it’s crystal clear, and smells and tastes like funky raw grain. Most of a bourbon’s character, and all of its color, come from the cask itself.  As the bourbon ages in the barrel, it soaks up flavor, aroma, and pigment from the oak. All barrels used to age beverages are heat-treated in some way, since raw wood has an unpleasantly green and sappy flavor. Wine barrels are usually toasted, while bourbon barrels are always charred, giving them a sweet, smoky tinge. 

47. Dec. 31: NYE.   New Year's Eve, the last day of the calendar year. 

48. Do a kindness for: OBLIGE.    Do as someone asks or desires in order to help or please them.

49. Liberia neighbor: GUINEA.   Guinea is a country in West Africa, bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. It's known for the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, in the southeast. The reserve protects a forested mountain range rich in native plants and animals, including chimpanzees and the viviparous toad. On the coast, the capital city, Conakry, is home to the modern Grand Mosque and the National Museum, with its regional artifacts. 

51. Invite to coffee, say: ASK OUT.  Request for someone to accompany you someplace.

54. Slugger's stat: RBI.  Runs Batted In, A statistic credited to a batter for driving in a run for their team. It's a key metric for evaluating offensive performance..

55. Viper teeth: FANGS.  Generally, the biting mouthpart of an animal; more specifically, the tooth of a venomous snake, by which poison is injected.

56. "Ur not wrong": TRU.  Short for true or correct.

57. Is awesome: ROCKS.   As a slang verb, "rocks" means something is very good, enjoyable, or impressive, 

58. In the distance: AFAR.  Over yonder.

62. Apple platform: IOS.   An operating system used for mobile devices manufactured by Apple Inc.

63. Commercial prefix that evokes winter weather: SNO-.  A common abbreviation for "snow" or "snowy". 

64. Female lobster: HEN.   This is the standard term for a female lobster.  When a female lobster is carrying eggs, she is specifically called a "berried hen".

65. Three-legged race, briefly?: TRI.  Generally, a prefix indication for three of anything.  Here, an abbrev.

66. Best guess as to when, initially: ETA.   Estimated Time of Arrival.

67. Matching game with diamonds, squiggles, and ovals: SET.   A real-time pattern-recognition game where players race to identify a "set" of three cards from a layout of 12. 

So this set, and this Wednesday, come to a close.  Thanksgiving day is next week.  Hope yours is joyous and food-full.  We'll have a house full of family members and significant others.

Cool Regards!

JzB  

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Victoria Fernandez Grande

Theme:  The POT has me running in circles.  

17. Like some fast planes: JET POWERED.   Refers to a vehicle or device that is propelled by a jet engine, which creates thrust by expelling a fast-moving jet of gas. While most commonly associated with high-speed aircraft, this principle is also used in jet-powered cars, boats, and even drones for various purposes.  

25. Exclusive excursion: VIP TOUR.   A VIP tour provides an elevated experience at an event or attraction, featuring exclusive perks like private guides, skip-the-line access, and behind-the-scenes looks. These

31. Chili dish served in a corn chip bag: FRITO PIE.   A dish consisting of Fritos corn chips topped with chili, cheese, and other optional toppings. It is not a traditional pie but gets its name from using Fritos as a base, and it's often served directly out of a slit-open bag of corn chips, sometimes called a "walking taco" or "taco-in-a-bag". 

45. Toaster pastry brand: POP TARTS.   An American brand of toaster pastries produced and distributed by Kellanova (formerly Kellogg's) since 1964. The pastry consists of a sweet filling sealed inside two layers of thin, rectangular pastry crust. 

50. Had a decent showing on the links: SHOT PAR.   Achieved the expected number of strokes for a hole or course in golf. It signifies completing a hole in the standard number of shots assigned to it, based on its length and difficulty, or finishing a full round at the course's total par score. 

62. Create tension among friends, or a hint to this puzzle's circled letters: STIR THE POT.  Cause controversy or challenge an established position.

In each theme fill the circled letter are an anagram of POT, hence, they are stirred into other letter sequences.

Hi, Gang - JazzBumpa here to unravel all the confusion.  Let's dive in.

Across:

1. Have a trying experience?: TASTE.  "Try some" is an invitation to taste something.  Could be a trying experience in a different way if it tastes awful.

6. Exceedingly: OH SO.  As in "Oh so much."

10. Torah chests: ARKS.  The Torah ark, or Aron Kodesh, is an ornate cabinet in Jewish synagogues that houses the sacred scrolls of the Torah. It is the holiest place in the synagogue, symbolizing the Holy of Holies in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem, and serves as the focal point for prayer and worship, with the scrolls often removed from it for readings.

14. Common font: ARIAL. Arial is a sans-serif typeface in the neo-grotesque style.  This sentence uses ARIAL.  The rest of the post uses Georgia.

15. Wallpaper unit: ROLL.  A wallpaper roll is a decorative covering for walls, with the standard size being either a single roll (often 21" x 16.5' in the U.S.) or a double roll, which is twice the length (33' long) and sold as a single piece. Rolls also vary by manufacturer, with widths often being 20.5" or 27". 

16. Former Iranian leader: SHAH.   Mohammad Reza Pahlavi [1919 - 1980] was the Shah of Iran from 1941 to 1979. He succeeded his father Reza Shah and ruled the Imperial State of Iran until he was overthrown by the 1979 revolution led by Imam Khomeini, which abolished the Iranian monarchy to establish the present-day Islamic Republic of Iran.

19. Link destination: SITE.  On the series of tubes known as the world wide web.

20. 2007 Apple debut: I-PHONE.    A line of smartphones from Apple Inc. that combines a mobile phone, music player, and internet-enabled device with a touchscreen interface and its own mobile operating system called iOS.

21. Sixth __: SENSE.  A supposed intuitive faculty giving awareness not explicable in terms of normal perception.

22. Mono alternative: STEREO.   Mono audio uses a single audio channel to deliver sound, combining all audio elements into one stream for a consistent listening experience, while stereo audio uses two channels (left and right) to separate sounds, creating a wider, more detailed, and spacious soundstage by directing different instruments to different speakers.

27. Clown: OAF.  a person, particularly a man, who is rough or clumsy and unintelligent.  I don't see this as a synonym for clown.

28. Make a home in: MOVE TO.  As I did to Michigan 40 years ago. 

34. Encrypted messaging software: SIGNAL.    "Signal" can refer to several different software products, most notably the Signal Private Messenger, a free and secure messaging app with end-to-end encryption, and other business or scientific software like Signal AI for risk intelligence, Signal Software (UK) for rail rostering, or Revvity Signals Software for scientific research. It's important to specify which "Signal" you are looking for, such as the messaging app or a specific industry software.  

39. Lion of Narnia: ASLAN.   He is a majestic and powerful lion, king of Narnia and an allegorical representation of Jesus Christ.  He has the power to create and recreate Narnia, bring spring to the land, heal, and has abilities related to teleportation and dream walking.

40. Microdosing study subj.: LSD.  An extremely potent illegal street drug that comes as a white powder or clear colorless liquid.  I can be derived from ergot or artificially synthesized.

42. Bubble bath accessory: LOOFA.   In everyday non-technical usage, the luffa, also spelled loofah or less frequently loofa, usually refers to the fruits of the species Luffa aegyptiaca and Luffa acutangula. It is cultivated and eaten as a vegetable, but must be harvested at a young stage of development to be edible.   The fruit section of L. aegyptiaca may be allowed to mature and used as a bath or kitchen sponge after being processed to remove everything except the network of xylem fibers. 

43. Waged a long campaign against: SIEGED.  A siege is a military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, cutting off essential supplies, with the aim of compelling the surrender of those inside.  Not sure this fill is a legitimate construction.  The verb form of siege is besiege.

47. Disquieted state: UNEASE.  Anxiety or discontent.

49. Song list: SET.  A list of the songs that a band or singer intends to perform at a particular concert.

54. Spuds: TATERS.  Potatoes, casually.

57. "Obvi!": TOTES.  Obviously and totally.  Are these equivalent?  You decide.

58. Microsoft business applications suite: OFFICE.   A collection of productivity software from Microsoft, including core programs like Word (for documents), Excel (for spreadsheets), and PowerPoint (for presentations). 

61. First name in jazz: ETTA.   Jamesetta Hawkins [1938 - 2012] known professionally as Etta James, was a Grammy-winning American singer and songwriter who performed across multiple genres, including blues, jazz, R&B, and soul.   I think of her more as a blues singer.  Ella would be the first name in Jazz.

66. Some cold drafts: ALES.  Ale is a style of beer, brewed using a warm fermentation method.  As with most beers, ale typically has a bittering agent to balance the malt and act as a preservative.

67. Car freshener scent: PINE.  Pine oil, derived from the needles, twigs, and cones of pine trees, carries a distinctive coniferous scent that many associate with crisp forest air and serene walks through evergreen landscapes. Its fresh, terpenic, green, woody, and sharper aroma makes it a staple in aromatherapy, perfume, and cleaning products.

68. One of the Coen brothers: ETHAN.   Ethan Jesse Coen (b. 1957) is an American filmmaker. Working alongside his brother Joel, the duo have directed, written, edited and produced many feature films.

69. Musical instrument in Orpheus mosaics: LYRE.  A lyre is a stringed musical instrument with a U-shaped frame, often compared to a small harp, known for its use in ancient cultures like Greece.   Orpheus mosaics are found throughout the Roman Empire, normally in large Roman villas. The scene normally shown is Orpheus playing his lyre.

70. Amino __: ACID.  Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. Although over 500 amino acids exist in nature, by far the most important are the 22 α-amino acids incorporated into proteins. Only these 22 appear in the genetic code of life.

71. Low on cash: SHORT.  Lacking funds.

Down:

1. __ Mahal: TAJ.  The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum in Agra, India, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

From Wikipedia

Also this:

2. Equal: ARE.  Are they the same?

3. Basic command at obedience school: SIT.   Here is one way to teach it.

4. Mammal with a flexible snout: TAPIR.  Tapirs are large, herbivorous mammals belonging to the family Tapiridae. They are similar in shape to a pig, with a short, prehensile nose trunk. Tapirs inhabit jungle and forest regions of South and Central America and Southeast Asia.

Source

5. Wed without a guest list: ELOPE.  Runaway bride - and groom.

6. Cookie preserved in a vault as part of a 2020 publicity stunt: OREO.  Standard crossword confection.

7. Bike attachment: HORN.  Tooting device to avoid dangerous cycling situations.

8. Arm: SLEEVE.  Of an artice of clothing.

9. Ancient: OLD.  Having lived a long time; no longer young.  Like me.

10. Useful quality: ASSET.  A useful or valuable thing, person, or quality.

11. Safari herbivore: RHINO.   Rhinoceroses are large, herbivorous mammals from Africa and Asia that are known for their horns, which are made of keratin. There are five living species: the black, white, Indian, Javan, and Sumatran rhinoceros. All but one species are considered endangered, primarily due to poaching for their horns and loss of habitat.  These horns lead to dangerous situations.

12. Panko-breaded fried cutlet: KATSU.   A Japanese dish consisting of a breaded and deep-fried cutlet, typically made from pork (tonkatsu) or chicken (tori katsu). 

13. Like organza and chiffon: SHEER.    Transparently thin; diaphanous, as some fabrics. 

18. Clobber: WHOMP.   

21. Overly indulged, to a Brit: SPOILT.   Spoiled on this side of the pond.

22. Catnap spots: SOFAS.   A long upholstered seat with a back and arms, for two or more people - or cats; if you want to couch it in those terms.

23. Anklebones: TARSI.  A group of small bones between the main part of the hind limb and the metatarsus in terrestrial vertebrates. The seven bones of the human tarsus form the ankle and upper part of the foot. They are the talus, calcaneus, navicular, and cuboid and the three cuneiform bones.

24. Go paperless on April 15: E-FILE.   File a tax return electronically.

26. "__ my pleasure!": IT'S.  Happy to be of service.

29. Part of EVOO: OIL.  Extra virgin olive OIL.

30. "Roman Holiday" scooter: VESPA.   An Italian brand of scooters and mopeds manufactured by Piaggio.   Roman Holiday is a 1953 American romantic comedy film directed and produced by William Wyler. It stars Audrey Hepburn as a princess out to see Rome on her own and Gregory Peck as a reporter. 

32. Identify on social media: TAG.   Tagging on social media involves mentioning a user's account by using "@" followed by their username, which sends them a notification and links their profile to your post. 

33. Bests: ONE UPS.   "One up" is slang that means to surpass or outdo someone to gain an advantage, or to be in a position of advantage over someone. 

35. India's smallest state: GOA.   Goa is a state in western India with coastlines stretching along the Arabian Sea. Its long history as a Portuguese colony prior to 1961 is evident in its preserved 17th-century churches and the area’s tropical spice plantations. 

36. Viking language: NORSE.   "Norse language" most commonly refers to Old Norse, the language spoken in Scandinavia and areas of Viking expansion from about the 8th to the 14th century.

37. In search of: AFTER.   Used to indicate the object of a stated or implied action.

38. Holds up: LASTS.   Endures.

41. "Por qué no los __?": DOS.   "Why not both?"

44. Double helix molecule: DNA.  DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that contains the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of most living organisms. 

46. "Le __ Prince": de Saint-ExupÈry novella: PETIT.   The story follows a young prince who visits various planets, including Earth, and addresses themes of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss. Despite its style as a children's book, The Little Prince makes observations about life, adults, and human nature

48. Spicy, in a way: EROTIC.    Refers to something that arouses sexual desire or excitement, is related to sexual love, or is marked by strong sexual desire. 

50. Incredible bargain: STEAL.   "It's a steal" means something is being sold at a very good price, a great bargain, or is a surprisingly low cost. 

51. With anger: HOTLY.   In a passionate, excited, or angry way.

52. Sea animal with "pockets" to store food and tools: OTTER.

53. Poke fun at: TEASE.   Make fun of or attempt to provoke someone in a playful way.

55. Advil targets: ACHES.   Continuous or prolonged dull pains in parts of one's body.

56. Gear components: TEETH.   A gear tooth is an individual, raised element on the circumference of a gear that meshes with the teeth of another gear to transmit rotational motion and torque. 

59. "Doneski!": FINI.  Concluded

60. VanVleet of the NBA: FRED.   Fredderick Edmund VanVleet Sr. [b. 1994] is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association. He is also the current president of the National Basketball Players Association.

62. Venue offering LED light therapy: SPA.   A commercial establishment offering health and beauty treatment through such means as steam baths, exercise equipment, and massage.

63. Vietnam's national dish: PHO.   a type of Vietnamese soup, typically made from beef stock and spices to which noodles and thinly sliced beef or chicken are added.

64. Crew blade: OAR.   A pole with a flat blade, pivoting in an oar lock, used to row or steer a boat through the water.

65. Explosive letters: TNT.  TriNitroToluene, a high explosive formed from toluene by substitution of nitro groups for three hydrogen atoms. It is relatively insensitive to shock and can be conveniently melted. 

So, we have come full circle.  Hope you enjoyed the ride, and didn't get too dizzy.

Looks like this is Victoria's first puzzle publication.  Congratulations!  Hope there are many more.

Cool regards,

JzB