Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Prasanna Keshiva

 Theme: Measure Four Measure.  The circled letters in the answers to the starred clues spell various units of measurement.  But, as we shall see, there's a bit more to it than that.

17. *Calling the shots: IN CHARGE.  This indicates being in control with overall responsibility.  An INCH is a unit of linear measure equal to 1/12 foot, or 2.54 cm.

25. *Tear apart: RIP IN TWO.  Forcefully break or tear something into two separate pieces.  A PINT is a unit of liquid or dry volume equal to half a quart.

49. *In the soup: UP A CREEK.  To be in severe difficulty or trouble, especially with no clear means of escape.  An ACRE a unit of land area equal to 4,840 square yards, or 1/640 square mile. 

61. *Request from a photographer: BIG SMILE.  Say "Cheese" or in some other way look happy.  A MILE is a unit of distance equal to 1760 yards or 5280 feet. 

37. Paltry effort, or a literal description of the answer to each starred clue: HALF MEASURE.  An action or policy that is not forceful or decisive enough.  Like the Maple Leafs against the Panthers. <sigh>. But how does this relate to the theme fill?  I had to stare at if for a while until I realized that each fill is 8 letters, and each unit of measurement is 4.  So each MEASURE is HALF of the answer.  I'm impressed by the ability to first conceive of this theme, and then find the elements that fit.  Very well played!

Hi Gang, JazzBumpa here to give a measured presentation of today's puzzle.  Let's dig in.

1. Book after the Gospels: ACTS.  Of the Apostles.   It is the fifth book of the New Testament; and tells of the founding of the Christian Church and the spread of its message to the Roman Empire. 

5. "__ the season ... ": TIS.  It is.

8. Lawyer Clarence who inspired a character in "Inherit the Wind": DARROW.  Clarence Seward Darrow [1857 - 1938] was an American lawyer who became famous in the 19th century for high-profile representations of trade union causes, and in the 20th century for several criminal matters, including the Leopold and Loeb murder trial, the Scopes "monkey" trial, and the Ossian Sweet defense.  "Inherit the Wind" is a parable that fictionalizes the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial as a means to discuss McCarthyism. Written in response to the chilling effect of the McCarthy era investigations on intellectual discourse, the film is critical of creationism.

14. Consider to be: DEEM.  To hold something as an opinion or to regard it as a certain way. 

15. "That's awful!": UGH.  Expression of disgust.

16. Golden Crinkles maker: ORE-IDA.   Ore-Ida is a brand of potato-based frozen foods owned by Kraft Heinz's, H.J. Heinz Company Brands LLC. based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ore-Ida's primary production facility is located in Ontario, Oregon, near the Idaho border where the company was originally founded in 1949.

19. __-than-life: LARGER.    Attracting special attention because of unusual and flamboyant appearance or behavior.

20. Start of a kids clothing line name: OSH.  OshKosh B'gosh is an American children's apparel company founded in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is a subsidiary of Carter's. OshKosh B'gosh has become best known for its children's clothing, especially bibbed overalls.

21. Actress Taylor-Joy of "The Queen's Gambit": ANYA.   Anya-Josephine Marie Taylor-Joy [ b. 1996] is an award-winning actress born in Miami and raised in London and Buenos Aires. After studying ballet and modeling, she left school at 16 to pursue acting. Her breakthrough role came in 2015 as Thomasin in the horror film "The Witch", which earned her an Empire Award and a Saturn Award nomination.  She starred in the fictional Netflix miniseries "The Queen's Gambit" as Beth Harmon, an orphaned chess prodigy on her rise to the top of the chess world while struggling with drug and alcohol dependency. The series and her performance received widespread critical acclaim.

22. Atty.'s group: ABA.  American Bar Association.

23. Former Seattle team, familiarly: SONICS.  The Seattle SuperSonics (commonly shortened to Sonics) were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle. The SuperSonics competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Division (1967–1970), and later as a member of the Western Conference's Pacific (1970–2004) and Northwest (2004–2008) divisions. After the 2007–08 season ended, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, where it now plays as the Oklahoma City Thunder.   The Thunder are now facing the Timberwolves in the Weseren Conference Final

30. Roping and riding contests: RODEOS.   A sport involving a series of riding and roping contests, showcasing the skills of cowboys and cowgirls [cow persons? bovine folk?] It originated from the working practices of cattle herding and evolved into a popular public performance. Rodeos typically feature events like bull riding, bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, and barrel racing. 

32. Bag-checking org.: TSA.   TSA stands for the Transportation Security Administration, an agency within the United States Department of Homeland Security responsible for securing the nation's transportation systems, particularly airports. 

33. Charged atomic particle: ION.  Scientific Term: In chemistry, an ion is an atom or molecule that has a net electrical charge due to the loss or gain of electrons. 

34. Spritelike: ELFISH.   Charmingly mischievous or sprightly; impish.  Not sure Tolkien would agree. 

36. "Uh, I doubt it": UM - NO.   A response indicating hesitation and a refusal or disagreement.
 
40. Potato spots: EYES.   Potato "eyes" are actually small sprouts that develop on potatoes when they are stored for too long. These sprouts are not harmful to eat, but they do contain a higher concentration of a natural toxin called solanine, which can cause digestive issues if eaten in large quantities. If the sprouts are small, they can be removed before cooking, and the potato is still safe to eat. If the sprouting is extensive, it's best to discard the potato. 

42. Walking back and forth: PACING.   Walking at a steady and consistent speed, especially back and forth and as an expression of one's anxiety or annoyance.

43. Mo. of "Madness": MAR.   March Madness is a period during the month of March when the annual NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) basketball tournament takes place.

44. Ga. capital: ATL.  Atlanta, the capital of the U.S. state of Georgia. It played an important part in both the Civil War and the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Atlanta History Center chronicles the city's past, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is dedicated to the African-American leader’s life and times.

46. Shoelace tips: AGLETS.  A metal or plastic tube fixed tightly around each end of a shoelace.  The hole it passes through is an eyelet. The space between the eyebrows is the glabella; the space between the toes is called the interdigital space.  Everything has a name.

52. Umpire's cry: HE'S OUT.

54. Reddit tell-all sesh: AMA.   Ask Me Anything session.

55. Has: EATS.  Frex, for breakfast.

57. SSW's opposite: NNE.  North-northeast.

58. Extemporizes: AD LIBS.   Speaks without previous preperation.

63. We Are Toonz dance style: NAE NAE.  The Nae Nae is a hip-hop dance move that involves placing one arm in the air and swaying from side to side. The Atlanta hip hop group We Are Toonz is credited for inventing the phrase with their hit song "Drop That NaeNae" in 2013.

64. Computing pioneer Lovelace: ADA.  Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, [1815 - 1852] also known as Ada Lovelace, was an English mathematician and writer chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage's proposed mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. She was the first to recognize that the machine had applications beyond pure calculation.

65. Working hard: AT IT.  Deeply involved in something.

66. Oasis site: DESERT.  An oasis is a fertile spot in a desert, where water is found.  A desert is defined by its aridity: receiving less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of precipitation per year. This lack of rainfall, along with high evaporation rates, results in a dry, barren environment with little plant life. 

67. Implore: BEG.  Ask someone earnestly or desperately to do something.

68. "The Studio" creator/star Rogen: SETH.  Seth Aaron Rogen [ b. 1982] is a Canadian actor, comedian, and filmmaker who has received nominations for three Golden Globes and five Primetime Emmys. He's known for his comedic leading roles in films. 

Down:

1. "Sayonara!": ADIOS.  Farewell.

2. One who refuses to take an oath?: CENSOR.  An official who examines material that is about to be released, such as books, movies, news, and art, and suppresses any parts that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.  I guess refusing to take an oath refers to suppressing obscene language, but that's a stretch.

3. Music genre related to trance: TECHNO.  A style of fast, heavy electronic dance music, typically with few or no vocals.

4. Texter's "What a mess": SMH.  "Shaking My Head," expressing  dismay or disapproval.  Reaction to the Maple Leafs loss.

5. Alienates: TURNS OFF.  Eliminates interest, desire or approval; perhaps eading to a head shake.

6. "The End of an Era" artist Azalea: IGGY.  Amethyst Amelia Kelly [b. 1990], known professionally as Iggy Azalea, is an Australian rapper, songwriter, model and businesswoman. Born in Sydney, Australia, Azalea moved to the United States at the age of 16 in order to pursue a career in music

7. Shave wool from, as sheep: SHEAR. Ovine trip to the baa-baa shop.

8. Work out in a pool: DO LAPS. "Laps" refers to one complete trip around a track or course, or from one end of a pool to the other and back again

9. Saudi __: ARABIA.   Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about 2,150,000 km2 (830,000 sq mi), making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the largest in the Middle East, and the 12th-largest in the world

10. Played over: RERAN.  As, frex. a show or movie on TV.

11. Semi: RIG.   A large commercial truck, typically a tractor-trailer combination, used for hauling freight over long distances. The term "semi" comes from the trailer being partially supported by the tractor unit. 

12. Many a poem by Shelley: ODE.   A lyric poem in the form of an address to a particular subject, often elevated in style or manner and written in varied or irregular meter.

13. Tolstoy's "__ and Peace": WAR.   A literary work published in 1867 by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the work comprises both a fictional narrative and chapters in which Tolstoy discusses history and philosophy. 

18. Small power source: AA CELL.  A standard size battery widely used in electronic devices. It measures approximately 51 mm in length and 14 mm in diameter. AA cells come in various chemistries like alkaline, lithium, and rechargeable Ni-MH. 

24. Notions: IDEAS.  Conceptions of or beliefs about something.  Or maybe concepts of plans.

26. Home of Cornell: ITHACA.  Cornell University is a private Ivy League land-grant research university based in Ithaca, New York, United States. The university was co-founded by American academic and philanthropist Ezra Cornell and historian and educator Andrew Dickson White in 1865.  Ithaca is a city on Cayuga Lake, in New York’s Finger Lakes region. 

27. Person of the Year magazine: TIME.   Time is an American news magazine based in New York City. It was published weekly for nearly a century. Starting in March 2020, it transitioned to a biweekly publication. It was first published in New York City on March 3, 1923, and for many years it was run by its influential co-founder, Henry Luce.

28. Came out on top: WON.   Was successful or victorious in a contest or conflict.  Unlike the Maple Leafs, alas.

29. Artist Yoko: ONO.   Yoko Ono is a Japanese artist, musician, filmmaker, and peace activist who has been a prominent figure in the art world for almost 60 years. Born in Tokyo in 1933, Ono was classically trained in voice and piano as a child. She became a pioneer of multimedia art and a key figure in the 1960s New York avant-garde scene.

31. Easy-peasy: SIMPLE.  Easily accomplished.

35. __ urchin: SEA.    A marine invertebrate belonging to the Echinodermata phylum, characterized by  spiny, globular bodies. They are found in various ocean depths and habitats, from intertidal zones to deep seas. Sea urchins are omnivorous, feeding on algae and other marine organisms. 

36. Yens: URGES.  Desires.  

37. Mother of Hephaestus: HERA.   Hephaestus, in Greek mythology, was the god of fire, blacksmiths, metalworking, and sculpture. He was also the blacksmith of the gods, crafting their weapons and armor. He was known for his skills and was often depicted as a master craftsman with a lame foot.    Hera is a central figure in Greek mythology, revered as the goddess of marriage, family, and childbirth, and the queen of the gods. She is also known as the sister and wife of Zeus, the king of the gods. Hera is often depicted as a powerful and jealous figure, fiercely protective of her position and known for punishing those who wronged her, especially Zeus's lovers and illegitimate children. The Greeks created their gods in man's own image.

38. Common element of vaudeville: SIGHT GAG.    Anything which conveys its humor visually, often without words being used at all. The gag may involve a physical impossibility or an unexpected occurrence. The humor is caused by alternative interpretations of the goings-on. Visual gags are used in magic, plays, and acting on television or movies.   Types.

39. "Wait, what if ... ": UNLESS.  Consider another contingency.

40. Flightless Down Under bird: EMU.  The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a species of flightless bird endemic to Australia and horrible Liberty Mutual ads, where it is the tallest native bird, dwarfing the absurd Aflac duck. It is the only extant member of the genus Dromaius and the third-tallest living bird after its African ratite relatives, the common ostrich and Somali ostrich. 

41. Shrill bark: YAP.  

44. Cross pin, in martial arts: ARM BAR.   An arm bar hold, or arm lock, is a grappling technique where the elbow joint is forced into hyperextension, potentially causing a tap-out or injury. It's commonly used in sports like Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts, and wrestling, and can be applied from various positions. 

45. Collection that includes cups and saucers: TEA SET.  They're fragile.  Don't ruin the set.

47. This evening, in adspeak: TONITE.   Creative spelling.

48. Bathed in rays: SUNLIT.   Not under clouds.

50. "The Cider House Rules" Oscar winner Michael: CAINE.  Sir Michael Caine (born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite; 14 March 1933) is an English retired actor. Known for his distinct Cockney accent, he has appeared in more than 160 films over a career that spanned eight decades and is considered a British cultural icon. He has received numerous awards including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. As of 2017, the films in which Caine has appeared have grossed over $7.8 billion worldwide.

51. Shish __: KEBAB.  Shish kebab or shish kebap is a popular meal of skewered and grilled cubes of meat. It can be found in Mediterranean cuisine.  It is traditionally made of lamb, but there are also versions with various kinds of meat, poultry, or fish.

53. Pearly whites: TEETH.  Metaphorically speaking.

56. Staffer: AIDE.  Assistant.

58. "Then what?": AND.  How does this continue?

59. Daniel __ Kim of "Lost": DAE.   Daniel Dae Kim (b. 1968) is an American actor. He is known for his starring roles in a variety of roles in network television and theater. In 2025, Time magazine listed him as one of the world's 100 most influential people.

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

62. More, in Spanish: MAS.  Literal.

Sorry, no mas!  Lo Siento.  Así termina otro miércoles.  I liked this puzzle.  What do you think?  Did it measure up?

If anyone is interested, here is a vid of our performance from April 27.  I introduce my original song Blues For Nate at 1:17.

Cool regards!

JzB

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 Katherine Simonson

Theme: It's the unifier - FAILURE TO LAUNCH.   At my age, I think of this as an unsuccessful attempt in rocketry.  But the modern usage refers to young adults who struggle to achieve expected milestones of independence and self-sufficiency.  This seems to be Google's preference.  More generally, it can be any unsuccessful venture.  Here, we have an imbedded word or phrase in each theme fill that represents the concept.  Ironically, it seems like a success.

17 A. *Call to Rapunzel: LET DOWN YOUR HAIR.  Rapunzel is the main character in a German folk tale recorded by the Brothers Grimm in 1812.   She is trapped in a tower with a window and no other entrance.  Her long, golden hair, when dropped down from the window, becomes a type of ladder.  A LET DOWN is a failure to provide some expected assistance.

Wikipedia

22 A. *Outmoded forms of payment for some commuters: BUS TOKENS.    Physical or digital tickets that allow passengers to ride a bus or other public transport service.  A BUST is a failed endeavor of almost any variety. 

33 A. * Like a beagle but not a corgi: FLOPPY EARED.  A description of an animal's ears that hang down the sides of the head, rather than standing upright.  A FLOP is an unexpected failure of some activity.  Our oldest granddaughter just returned from 15 months in Japan, where she was dancing at Tokyo Disney.  When she returned, I called her "cookie," because she was away fer so long.  As you can imagine this joke was a complete FLOP.  But I was amused.

Not Snoopy, probably

49 A. *Western vacation destination: DUDE RANCH.  This is a vacation site where city dwellers can experience some aspects of cowboy or old west living.  A DUD is an object that doesn't work, like a fire cracker that doesn't crack.

 55. Rocket mishap, or what can be found at the start of the answer to each starred clue: FAILURE TO LAUNCH.  Still, this gets the puzzle off to a good start.

Hi Gang, JazzBumpa here, hoping to continue with success in this puzzle journey.  

Across:

1. Fish tacos fish, familiarly: MAHI.  More formally, mahi-mahi, a tropical fish also known as dolphinfish. 

5. Give a ring: PHONE.  Call someone on a telephone.  They don't necessarily ring any more, though that alert sound setting is usually an option.

10. Portland-to-Boise dir.: ESE.  East-south-east.

13. Revered figures: ICONS.  Originally depiction of religious figures, now often referring to famous athletes or entertainers.

15. Ingested: EATEN.  Consumed.

16. Bolt: RUN.  Run away suddenly.

20. Largest African antelope: ELAND.   A spiral-horned African antelope that lives in open woodland and grassland. 

Built like a cow

21. Party with a piñata: FIESTA.  A Latin-American party.  The piñata is a decorated vessel (such as of papier-mâché) filled with candies, fruits, and gifts and hung up to be broken with sticks by blindfolded persons as part of especially Latin American festivities 

26. Move stealthily: CREEP.  Move slowly and carefully in order to avoid being heard or noticed.

27. Tension: UNEASE.  Mental or emotional strain.

28. Home to three of Massachusetts' Five Colleges: AMHERST.  Actually, there are five colleges there:  Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  The greater Boston area has dozens more.

30. Bagel shop: DELI.  A store where ready-to-eat food products (such as cooked meats and prepared salads) are sold; short for delicatessen.

31. Free, in a way: UNTIE.  Remove a restraining rope or cord.

38. Puffed on an e-cigarette: VAPED.  Inhaled and exhaled vapor containing nicotine and flavoring produced by a device designed for this purpose.

39. Honey liquor: MEAD.   An alcoholic drink of fermented honey and water.

42. Innocence: NAIVETE.   Lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.  Is this innocence?  You decide.

46. NPR White House correspondent __ Keith: TAMARA.  Tamara Dawnell Keith [b. 1979] is an American journalist. She is the White House correspondent for NPR and co-hosts the NPR Politics Podcast with Scott Detrow. She regularly appears on the PBS NewsHour weekly segment "Politics Monday". Keith is on the board of the White House Correspondents' Association, of which she served as president from 2022 to 2023

48. Big name in kitchen appliances: OSTER.  Oster is an American manufacturing company specializing in small kitchen appliances, known for its blenders, toasters, and roaster ovens. 

52. Vitriolic rant: TIRADE.  A long, angry speech of criticism or accusation.

54. Get fit for competition: TRAIN.  Prepare someone or yourself for a job, activity, or sport, by learning skills and/or by mental or physical exercise.

60. Stone or ice follower: AGE.  These are notable periods on planet earth.  The Stone Age is a prehistoric period characterized by the use of stone tools and weapons. It spans roughly 3.3 million years, from the first evidence of stone tools to the introduction of metalworking, marking the beginning of the Bronze Age.  An ice age is any geologic period during which thick ice sheets cover vast areas of land. Such periods of large-scale glaciation may last several million years and drastically reshape surface features of entire continents. A number of major ice ages have occurred throughout Earth history.  The last major ice age, also known as the Last Glacial Period, occurred between approximately 115,000 and 11,700 years ago. 

61. Eco-friendly vehicles: BIKES.  A two-wheeled vehicle powered by peddling.

62. Smooth change in topics: SEGUE.  A movement without interruption from one piece of music, part of a story, subject, or situation to another:

63. K'Nex connector: ROD.  K'Nex is a building toy with a variety of interlocking shapes.

64. Clairvoyants: SEERS.  Persons who claim to have a supernatural ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact.

65. "So many!": LOTS.  An unspecified large quantity.

Down:

1. Domain suffix for a private employer: MIL.  You expect this to be COM, for a private company, but it's MILitary, the employer of privates.  Clever clue.

2. Star pitcher: ACE.   A person who excels at a particular sport or other activity.

3. Like cayenne: HOT.  Spicy! 

4. With painstaking precision: IN DETAIL.  With close attention to particulars; thoroughly.

5. Tubular pasta: PENNE. Penne pasta, a popular Italian pasta shape, derives its name from the Italian word "penna," which translates to "pen" or "quill" in English. The name reflects the pasta's shape, a short, cylinder-shaped pasta with diagonally cut ends, reminiscent of a quill or writing pen. 

6. Composer Joseph who mentored Mozart and Beethoven: HAYDN.  Franz Joseph Haydn [1732 - 1809] was an Austrian composer and a central figure in the development of Classical music. He's often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" for his contributions to establishing their forms and styles. 

7. Great Plains Native: OTO.   A Native American people of the Midwestern United States. The Otoe language, Chiwere, is part of the Siouan family and closely related to that of the related Iowa, Missouria, and Ho-Chunk tribes.

Historically, the Otoe tribe lived as a semi-nomadic people on the Central Plains along the bank of the Missouri River in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri. They lived in elm-bark lodges while they farmed, and used tipis while traveling, like many other Plains tribes. They often left their villages to hunt buffalo.

8. Nine, in Normandy: NEUF.  9

9. Agent that gets good results: ENRICHER.  A component or entity that improves or adds to the quality, value, or richness of something.  This generally refers to things, not persons.

10. Soft end of a pencil: ERASER.  It's soft because it made of rubber; and it's called rubber because it erases pencil marks by rubbing them out.

11. Multiroom accommodations: SUITES.  A set of rooms designated for one person's or family's use or for a particular purpose.

12. Mesmerized: ENRAPT.  Fascinated, enthralled.

14. Pilots' milestones: SOLOS.   The experience of flying an aircraft alone, without an instructor or other pilot in the flight crew. It's a significant milestone in flight training, signifying a student pilot's proficiency and readiness to operate an aircraft independently. 

18. Ship follower: WAKE.  The track left by a moving body (such as a ship) in a fluid (such as water)

19. Present: HERE.  In or at this place or position.

22. Sign of spring: BUD.   A compact growth on a plant that develops into a leaf, flower, or shoot.

23. Half of deux: UNE. 1/2 * 2 = 1.

24. Subject of an autobiography: SELF.  A person's essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action.

25. Quenched: SATED.   Satisfied fully, regarding drink or food.  Truly equivalent?  You decide.

29. Soccer star Hamm: MIA.  Mariel Margaret "Mia" Hamm [b. 1972] is an American former professional soccer player, two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion. Hailed as a soccer icon, she played as a forward for the United States national team from 1987 to 2004.

31. Boosted: UPPED.  Augmented of amplified.

32. "Science Guy" Bill: NYE.  William Sanford Nye [b. 1955] also known as "Bill Nye the Science Guy", is a scientist, comedian, inventor, author, and television personality. He's best known for hosting the Emmy award-winning PBS show Bill Nye the Science Guy, which first aired in 1993 and educated millions about basic science. 

34. Layers audio tracks: OVERDUBS.   Overdubbing is a technique used in audio recording in which audio tracks that have been pre-recorded are then played back and monitored, while simultaneously recording new, doubled, or augmented tracks onto one or more available tracks of a digital audio workstation or tape recorder.

35. Gentle touch: PAT.  Touch quickly and gently with the flat of the hand.  With the back of the hand, it's a TAP.

36. President of France Macron: EMMANUEL.  Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron [b 1977] is a French politician who has served as President of France and Co-Prince of Andorra since 2017. He was Minister of Economics, Industry and Digital Affairs under President François Hollande between 2014-16. He has been a member of Renaissance since he founded it in 2016.

37. College bigwig: DEAN.  a senior administrator who oversees a specific academic unit, such as a college or department. They are responsible for academic, programmatic, managerial, and fiscal responsibilities within that unit. Deans typically ensure the adequacy of instruction, monitor academic integrity, and are involved in student recruitment, admission, and academic progress. 

40. Path of a fly ball: ARC.   A continuous portion of a curved line, as part of the circumference of a circle.  Sometimes the result of a launch.

41. "Well, lah-di-__!": DAH.  Describes someone who behaves in an affectedly elegant or refined way, often in a way that seems unnatural and intended to impress others. It implies a pretentious or upper-class manner that is considered to be an over-the-top show of sophistication. 

42. In the vicinity: NOT FAR.  Near by.

43. Italian cheese with a nutty flavor: ASIAGO.  A cow's milk cheese, first produced in Asiago in Italy, that can assume different textures according to its aging, from smooth for the fresh Asiago (called Asiago pressato, which means "pressed Asiago") to a crumbly texture for the aged cheese (Asiago d'allevo, which means "breeding farm Asiago"). 

44. "Did my best": I TRIED.  Sometimes one's best u=isn't good enough.

45. Scaloppine meat: VEAL.  Veal is the meat from young cattle, typically those under one year old. It's a lighter, more tender meat than beef and is often pale pink in color. Veal production involves raising calves, many of whom are male calves from dairy breeds that are not needed for milk production. 

46. Blue-green hue: TEAL.  Or aqua.  Always need perps.

47. Prima donnas' songs: ARIAS.  Accompanied, elaborate melodies sung (as in an opera) by a single voice. 

50. Vocalize: UTTER.  Speak.

51. Trivial matter: DROSS.  The scum or unwanted material that forms on the surface of molten metal, hence something useless or worthless.

53. Great Lake that drains into the Niagara River: ERIE.  Lake Erie is the fourth-largest lake by surface area of the five Great Lakes in North America and the eleventh-largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and also has the shortest average water residence time. At its deepest point, Lake Erie is 210 feet (64 m) deep, making it the only Great Lake whose deepest point is above sea level.

56. __ out a living: EKE.  Manage to support oneself or make a living with difficulty.

57. Private aid gp.: NGO.  Non-Governmental Organization.
 
58. Trim: CUT.  Make something smaller by cutting away or otherwise removing a portion.

59. "__ making a list ... ": HE'S.  Keeping a record, to use for cataloging or decision making,   Sung of Mr. Claus.

And here we land after today's successful launch.  Hope you enjoyed the ride.

If you're in the Dearborn area on Sunday, come on down to the Michael Guido Theater in the Civic Center on Michigan Ave.  The Dearborn Big Band is playing a free concert at 3:00.  You can hear a song I wrote.

Cool regards!

JzB

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2025 Tara Holland

div>Theme:  Each theme clue today is the same word, in search of different ways of expressing its meaning.  This is called a definition theme, or, in Corner parlance, a clecho [clue echo.]. The theme word here is MOLE.  Let's dig into it.

17. Mole: BEAUTY MARK.  A benign (non-cancerous) growth on the skin, often appearing as a small, dark spot. It is formed by clusters of pigment-producing cells called melanocytes, and can be brown, tan, black, blue, red, or pink.  I've had one on my left cheek forever.  It does not make me feel pretty.

23. Mole: SLEEPER AGENT.  A sleeper agent is a spy or operative who infiltrates a target country or organization, living undercover for an extended period, often years, to act as a potential asset if activated in the future.  A mole is a person who works for an organization or government and secretly gives information to its competitor or enemy.  These are related ideas of someone working under cover, but not really identical.

37. Mole: UNIT OF SUBSTANCE.   It's the base unit in the International System of Units (SI) for the amount of a substance, representing 6.022 × 10²³  of elementary entities (atoms, molecules, etc.). of that substance (Avogadro's number).  It is used to express the concentration of substances in solutions (moles per liter).   The molecular weight of a substance is the weight of one mole of molecules.

59. Mole: GARDEN PEST.  A small, burrowing mammal with velvety fur, small eyes and ears, and powerful forelimbs adapted for digging.   Moles live in tunnels underground, primarily in North America, Europe, and Asia.  They are insectivores, feeding on earthworms and other small invertebrates.   They aerate the soil and help control insect populations, while messing up your lawn.

48. Mole: MEXICAN SAUCE.   In contemporary Mexico the term is used for a number of sauces, some quite dissimilar.  They can contain fruits, nuts, chili peppers, and spices like black pepper, cinnamon, or cumin.

Hi Gang, JazzBumpa here to disambiguate the various meanings of today's repeated theme clue.  Let's see what else we can uncover.

Across:

1. Maker of the first graphing calculator: CASIO.  This was the model FX-7000G, introduced in 1985.  

6. Mediterranean volcano: ETNA.  This is an active volcano that erupted just last month.

10. Tournament passes: BYES.  In a tournament, a "bye" means a player or team advances to the next round without playing a match in the current round, often awarded to top-seeded participants or when there's an uneven number of competitors. 

14. Acrylic fiber: ORLON.  My first thought was Nylon, but that's a polyamid.   Orlon is known for it's  known for its softness, durability, and resistance to sunlight, chemicals, and mildew.  Alternatively, an R&B group that formed in 1960.

Probably not 1960

 
15. Blistex targets: LIPS.  Blistex Medicated Lip Balm helps prevent dryness and chapping. They tell us that its easy glide formula also soothes irritated lips.

16. Goddess born to the Titans Coeus and Phoebe: LETO.  In Greek mythology, Leto is the Titan goddess of motherhood, childbirth, and modesty. She is the mother of Artemis and Apollo, 

19. Lots and lots: A TON.  A non-specific large quantity.

20. Wager: BET.  Risk something, usually a sum of money, against someone else's on the basis of the outcome of a future event, such as the result of a race or game.

21. Declare with confidence: AVER.  Assert that something is true.

22. Pressing into service: USING.   Taking, holding, or deploying something as a means of accomplishing a purpose or achieving a result;

27. Not as expensive: LESS.  Not costing as much.

28. "U slay me!": LOL. Expressions of mirth.

29. Ornamental pond fish: KOI.   In Japan, the koi is a symbol of luck, prosperity, and good fortune, and also of perseverance in the face of adversity. Ornamental koi are symbolic of Japanese culture and are closely associated with the country's national identity.

32. 6-Across output: LAVA.  Molten rock.  Refer to the video above.

35. Pines, e.g.: CONIFERS.   Trees that bear cones and needle-like or scale-like leaves that are typically evergreen. Conifers are of major importance as the source of softwood, and also supply resins and turpentine.

41. Rose up: REBELLED.  Rose in opposition or armed resistance to an established government or ruler.

42. Wine quality: NOSE.  The "nose" of a wine is the wine's aroma or smell. It's a term used by wine experts and enthusiasts to describe the scents that come from the wine. 

43. Wool producer: EWE.  A female sheep.

44. Not exactly talkative: MUM.  "Be silent," 1560s, from a verb mum (Middle English mommen) "make silent" (c. 1400); "be silent" (mid-15c.), from mum, mom (late 14c.), "an inarticulate closed-mouth sound" indicative of unwillingness or inability to speak, probably imitative. As an adjective meaning "secret" or "silent" from 1520s. Phrase mum's the word is recorded by 1704.

45. "Hold on!": WAIT.  I'll be right there.

53. Open mic night figure: COMIC.  Stand up comedian.

56. Palo __, California: ALTO.   Palo Alto (Spanish for 'tall stick') is a charter city in the northwestern corner of Santa Clara County, California, United States, in the San Francisco Bay Area, named after a coastal redwood tree known as El Palo Alto.  The city of Palo Alto was incorporated in 1894 by the American industrialist Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane Stanford, when they founded Stanford University in memory of their only child, Leland Stanford Jr. 

57. Skillet: PAN.  A skillet is a type of pan, often called a frying pan, characterized by a flat bottom, slightly sloped or flared sides, and a long handle, making it suitable for various cooking methods like frying, sautéing, and searing. 

58. North __ Sea: Central Asian lake: ARAL.  The Aral Sea was an endorheic [has no outflow to the sea or ocean, instead, water is lost primarily through evaporation or seepage into the ground] lake lying between Kazakhstan to its north and Uzbekistan to its south, which began shrinking in the 1960s and had largely dried up into desert by the 2010s. It was in the Aktobe and Kyzylorda regions of Kazakhstan and the Karakalpakstan autonomous region of Uzbekistan.   The North Aral Sea is the portion of the former Aral Sea that is fed by the Syr Darya River. It split from the South Aral Sea in 1987–1988 as water levels dropped due to river diversion for agriculture.

62. Demolish: RAZE.  Completely destroy a building, town, or other site.   Etymologically "to scratch, slash, scrape, erase," from Old French raser "to scrape, shave," from Medieval Latin rasare.

63. Advantage: EDGE.  An improved position or advantage in some sort of competition.

64. Soeur de la mére: TANTE.  The clue indicates the mother's sister.  The fill indicates a mature or elderly woman who is related or well known to the speaker (often used as a respectful form of address).  None of tis was known to me.

65. Cold drafts: ALES.  Move away from the window and enjoy one sitting by the fire.

66. Once in a blue __: MOON.  Rarely.  Alternatively,  a wheat beer brewed with tangerine peel. Not an ale.

67. General delivery?: ORDER.  Hmmm.  An authoritative command issued by a high ranking military officer. 

Down:

1. Some hearty salads: COBBS.  An American garden salad typically made with chopped salad greens (authentically romaine lettuce), tomato, bacon, chicken breast, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, chives, blue cheese or other cheeses and red wine vinaigrette.

2. Staggering: AREEL.  Walking unsteadily - perhaps from too many ales.

3. Roof option: SLATE.  A roof made of natural stone tiles

4. Letters for debtors: IOU.  A phonetic acronym of the words "I owe you," that is a document that acknowledges the existence of a debt. 

5. Recorded: ON TAPE.  In the language, but probably anachronistic by now.  Does anybody actually record on tape these days?

6. Big name in glue: ELMER'S.  Elmer's Products, Inc. or simply Elmer's, is an American-based company that has a line of adhesive, craft, home repair, and office supply products. 

7. Diadem: TIARA.  Each is jeweled head band.  A diadem can also be more crown- like, symbolizing royalty. 

8. "Fresh Air" airer: NPR.  National Public Radio.

9. "That's a pretty big __": ASK.  Something you request someone to do that will be difficult for them.

10. Really fun time: BLAST. An enjoyable experience or lively party.

11. Himalayan recluse: YETI.    A mythical creature that's said to live in the Himalayan mountains.

12. Historic English school: ETON.   Eton College is a public school providing boarding education for boys aged 13–18, in the small town of Eton, in Berkshire, in the United Kingdom. It has educated prime ministers, world leaders, Nobel laureates, Academy Award and BAFTA award-winning actors, and generations of the aristocracy, and has been referred to as "the nurse of England's statesmen"

13. "Call Me" or "Call Me Maybe": SONG.  

18. __ Saint Laurent: YVES.   Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent 1936 – 2008)better known as Yves Saint Laurent or YSL, was a French fashion designer who, in 1962, founded his eponymous fashion label. He is regarded as being among the foremost fashion designers of the twentieth century.

22. Like birthday candles during dinner: UNLIT.  This assumes the dinner precedes the dessert, which the natural order of things.  But somebody once said - life is uncertain, eat dessert first.

24. Absolutely delight: ELATE.  Make someone ecstatically happy.

25. Goopy lump: GLOB.  An amorphous and possibly sticky mass.

26. Ages and ages: EONS.  A long, non-specific time period.

29. Lotto game: KENO.   Keno is a lottery-like gambling game often played at modern casinos, and also offered as a game in some lotteries.

30. Middle-earth menaces: ORCS.   

31. "Understood": I SEE.  Got it.

32. Fishing aid: LURE.   An artificial bait, often made of plastic or metal, designed to attract fish by mimicking prey or triggering their instincts, and is used to catch fish during angling

33. Once more: ANEW.  Starting over.

34. General feeling: VIBE.  The overall feeling, atmosphere, or energy of a place, person, or situation, often used to describe a positive or negative feeling or mood. 

35. Bovine mouthful: CUD.   Partly digested food returned from the first stomach of ruminants to the mouth for further chewing.

36. Crush alternative: FANTA.  Fanta is an American-owned brand of fruit-flavored carbonated soft drinks.  Crush is a brand of carbonated soft drinks owned and marketed internationally by Keurig Dr Pepper, originally created as an orange soda, Orange Crush. Crush competes with Coca-Cola's Fanta.

38. Early Mesoamerican civilization: OLMEC.   he Olmec were an ancient Mesoamerican civilization that flourished in the Gulf Coast states of Veracruz and Tabasco, modern-day Mexico, between roughly 1200 and 400 BCE.  The Olmec are often considered the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica because their practices and beliefs influenced later civilizations like the Maya and Aztec. 

39. __ capacitor: "Back to the Future" device: FLUX.   A piece of technology in the 1985 time-travel film Back to the Future and its sequels. Although it's described as the thing that makes time travel possible, the precise mechanism it works by isn't ever explained.  It's a bit of fun sci-fi technobabble made up of two pieces of genuine scientific terminology. In physics, flux is the amount of something (like electricity) that’s passing through a given object’s surface and a capacitor is a device that stores electronic charge.

40. Final Four game: SEMI.  The two winners advance to the final, to determine the champion.

45. Thoreau work subtitled "Life in the Woods": WALDEN.  An 1854 book by American transcendentalist writer Henry David Thoreau. The text is a reflection upon the author's simple living in natural surroundings. The work is part personal declaration of independence, social experiment, voyage of spiritual discovery, satire, and—to some degree—a manual for self-reliance

46. Stake: ANTE.   The initial wager in a poker game.

47. Can't be fooled by: IS ON TO.  Has it figured out.

48. Marathon units: MILES.  A unit of linear measure equal to 1,760 yards (approximately 1.609 kilometres).

49. __ pants: CARGO.  Loosely cut pants originally designed for rough work environments and outdoor activities, distinguished by numerous large utility pockets for carrying tools.

50. Overturn: UPEND.  Turn something over so that it ends up upside down; alternatively, to abolish, invalidate, or reverse a previous system, decision, situation, etc.

51. Isabel Wilkerson book that inspired the Ava DuVernay film "Origin": CASTE.   A nonfiction book by the American journalist Isabel Wilkerson, published in August 2020 by Random House. The book describes racism in the United States as an aspect of a caste system—a society-wide system of social stratification characterized by notions such as hierarchy, inclusion and exclusion, and purity. 

52. "Come in!": ENTER.  Go into a building or other structure.

53. "Scars to Your Beautiful" singer Alessia: CARA.  Alessia Caracciolo, known professionally as Alessia Cara, is a Canadian singer and songwriter who was discovered on YouTube at age 13 for her covers and impressions of artists like Lorde and Alanis Morissette. She has won 25 awards out of 74 nominations, including being Canada's first Grammy winner for Best New Artist. Cara is known for encouraging support for real music and artists. 

54. Spoken: ORAL.  As opposed to written.

55. Puzzle with paths: MAZE.  a network of paths and hedges designed as a puzzle through which one has to find a way.

59. Peridot, for one: GEM.   A precious or sometimes semiprecious stone cut and polished for ornament

60. Fuss: ADO.  And now, without further ----

61. __ for the course: PAR.  An average or normal amount or result; just what one might expect.  This term comes from golf, where it refers to the number of strokes needed by an expert golfer to finish the entire course.

That finishes another Wednesday.  Hope you enjoyed the adventure.

Cool Regards!

JzB

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Brian Callahan

Theme: Dorothy was FLAT OUT WRONG!  There are lots of places like home.

17 A. *Completely and utterly incorrect: FLAT OUT WRONG.  Like the beliefs of flat earthers, I suppose.  A FLAT is also an apartment.  This is more common in British than in American usage, I think.

24 A. *Cheat sheets: CRIB NOTES.  Written notes used as an aid in "remembering' things, sometimes used to cheat on a test.  I vaguely remember a prof allowing us to have a crib sheet in a physics test once upon a time.  I had to google to learn that CRIB could also be ones house of apartment.  I don't recall ever seeing or hearing it use in this way.   Then, within a couple of hours of typing this, I did see it.  Irony strikes again.

 35 A. *Tries to uncover old scandals, say: DIGS UP DIRT.  Searches for negative information in order to damage someone's reputation, or influence public opinion. DIGS also refers to a person's place of residence.

47 A. *Thai dish also called "drunken noodles": PAD KEE MAO.  This is a Thai stir-fried noodle dish.  Anecdotally, its name refers to it being popular among the inebriated; alcohol is not part of the ingredients or preparation.  PAD also refers to someone's home. 

And the unifier -- 56 A. Change for a dollar, and what can be found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues: FOUR QUARTERS.   QUARTERS refers to  rooms or lodgings, especially those allocated to people in military or domestic service.   

So, my homies, the four stared clues all indicate someone's living QUARTERS.  I'd give 25 pennies for your thoughts.

Hi Gang -- Jazzbumpa here, reporting from the cozy comfort of my own living quarters.  We've had lots of cold and snow, so I'm happy to not be anywhere else

Across:

1. Reading while propped up by pillows, say: ABED.  Getting comfy in the coziest part of one's quarters.

5. Peach __: MELBA.   A dessert of peaches and raspberry sauce with vanilla ice cream. It was invented in 1892 or 1893 by the French chef Auguste Escoffier at the Savoy Hotel, London, to honor the Australian soprano Nellie Melba.

10. Casual greetings: HIs.   Hi, and Hi again.  I'm not fond of this.  It's a tortured plural you are very unlikely to ever see or hear in the real world.  And it is spelt like the singular male possessive pronoun.

13. Black bird: RAVEN.  Any large black bird, of which the RAVEN is one example.

15. "It's our time to shine!": WE'RE ON.  It's our turn to perform or present something.

16. German cry: ACH.   An exclamation or interjection. It is similar to the English “Oh.” 

19. Quilting party: BEE.  A gathering of people for a specific purpose

20. Texas city that forms the Petroplex with Midland: ODESSA.   Odessa is a city in western Texas. Downtown, Jack Ben Rabbit is an 8-foot-tall statue of a jackrabbit. Another 37 Jamboree Jackrabbits dot the city. The Presidential Archives and Leadership Library exhibits presidential memorabilia. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin's Stonehenge is a replica of the famous English site. To the southwest, meteorite fragments are on display at the Odessa Meteor Crater.  

21. Activist Yoko: ONO.   Yoko Ono is a Japanese multimedia artist, musician, singer, author, filmmaker, and peace activist. A pioneer of conceptual and participatory art in the 1960s, her work is known for its political messages, feminist themes, and audience participation.

22. Venue: SITE.  A specific location for an event or meeting.

23. Worldwide social welfare org.: UNICEF.   Originally the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, officially United Nations Children's Fund since 1953, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.

26. Lease: RENT.   Pay someone for the use of (something, typically property, land, or a car).  A lease is a legal contract regarding the details of a rental agreement.

27. Meadow: LEA.   An open area of grassy or arable land.

29. Expression of awe: OOH - AAH.  An informal idiom that means to express pleasure, surprise, or both.

30. NFC East team, on scoreboards: NYG.  The New York Giants are an American Football team competing in the East Division of the National football Conference.

31. Pre-GPS navigation aid: AAA MAP.  A paper map obtained from the American Automobile Association

34. Rugrats: TOTS.  Very young children.  I fondly remember those days.  Most of our grands are adults now.

37. Wineglass part: STEM.  True story -- One time a few years ago we were eating at one of those small plate restaurants when the waitress accidentally dropped a utensil.  It hit my wine glass, breaking the bowl from the stem.  The bowl landed upright on the table and didn't spill a drop.  I felt like I witnessed a miracle.

39. Pricey property: ESTATE.  An extensive area of land in the country, usually with a large house, owned by one person, family, or organization.

40. Gas additive brand: STP.   STP® Gas Treatment claims to improve the quality of gas by adding powerful cleaning agents that help fight the accumulation of harmful deposits in the fuel system that can reduce performance.

43. Like meat rubs: SPICED.  Seasoned with various flavorful spices.

45. Air marshal's org.: TSA.   Transportation Security Administration, a US agency that protects the country's transportation systems. The TSA was created after the 9/11 attacks to prevent future attacks. 

46. Formal address: SIRE.  An archaic form of respectful address for someone of high social status, especially a king.

50. More svelte: LEANER.  More slender and elegant.

52. Midmonth time: IDES.   In the ancient Roman calendar, a day falling roughly in the middle of each month (the 15th day of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th of other months) from which other dates were calculated.

53. As well: TOO.  Also.

54. Groom-to-be: FIANCE.   A man to whom someone is engaged to be married.

55. Knock: RAP.  As knuckles on a door, to gain entrance.

59. "The Bear" Emmy winner Edebiri: AYO.  Ayo Edebiri [b. 1995] is an American actress, comedian, and television writer who has solidified her star status in recent years. Since 2022, she has played chef Sydney Adamu in the comedy-drama series The Bear, winning a Golden Globe Award for her performance.

60. "Sense and Sensibility" novelist Jane: AUSTEN.   Jane Austen [1775-1817] was an English novelist known for her six novels that critique and comment on the English landed gentry in the late 18th century. Her works are celebrated for their social commentary, particularly on class, status, and gender barriers. 

61. __ Lawrence College: SARAH.  Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college in Yonkers, New York, United States. Founded as a women's college in 1926, Sarah Lawrence College has been coeducational since 1968. The college's campus in Yonkers maintains a Bronxville mailing address and sits roughly 20 miles from New York City.   Founder William van Duzer Lawrence named the college for his wife, who was a bog proponent of higher education for young women

My son went to Lawrence Technological University here in Michigan.  No relation.

62. Acid: LSD.  Lysergic acid diethylamide is a psychedelic drug that can cause hallucinations and alter thoughts and emotions. It's considered a soft drug, which means it's not thought to be as addictive as harder drugs. However, LSD is still considered unsafe. 

63. Dough: BREAD.  Synonyms for money.

64. Actor Rogen: SETH.   Seth Aaron Rogen (b.1982) is a Canadian actor, comedian, and filmmaker. Known primarily for his comedic leading man roles in films, the accolades he has received include nominations for three Golden Globe Awards, five Primetime Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an Independent Spirit Award.

Down:

1. Sound in a vet's office: ARF.  Canine utterance.  Perhaps a reaction to a lab test.

2. "My eye!": BALONEY.  Expression of unbelief or disdain.  There are more colorful alternatives.

3. Ducking: EVADING.  Slipping away from, especially by cleverness or trickery,

4. Catch a hint of: DETECT.   Discover or identify the presence or existence of something.

5. Sound in a vet's office: MEW.   Feline utterance, and a clecho.  Perhaps a reaction to a cat scan.

6. Blunder: ERROR.  A blunder is a particularly dumb or careless mistake.

7. Téa of "Madam Secretary": LEONI.  Téa Leoni (b Elizabeth Téa Pantaleoni, 1966) is an American actress. In her early career, she starred in the television sitcoms Flying Blind (1992–93) and The Naked Truth (1995–1998). Her breakthrough role was in the 1995 action comedy film Bad Boys. Leoni had lead roles in films such as Deep Impact (1998), The Family Man (2000), Jurassic Park III (2001), Spanglish (2004), and Fun with Dick and Jane (2005). From 2014 to 2019, she starred as Elizabeth McCord, Secretary of State, in the CBS political drama series Madam Secretary.

8. Chimpanzee kin: BONOBO.   The bonobo (Pan paniscus) is a great ape that lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are endangered and have experienced a significant population decline in recent years.  Bonobos are distinguished from common chimpanzees by relatively long limbs, pinker lips, a darker face, a tail-tuft through adulthood, and parted, longer hair on their heads.

9. "Sense and Sensibility" director Lee: ANG.   Ang Lee OBS is a Taiwanese filmmaker. His films are known for their emotional charge and exploration of repressed, hidden emotions. During his career, he has received international critical and popular acclaim and numerous accolades including three Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards.

Since :Sense and Sensibility" is another clecho, here is a little bit about the movie based on the novel.  When Elinor Dashwood's (Emma Thompson) father dies, her family's finances are crippled. After the Dashwoods move to a cottage in Devonshire, Elinor's sister Marianne (Kate Winslet) is torn between the handsome John Willoughby (Greg Wise) and the older Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman). Meanwhile, Elinor's romantic hopes with Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant, aka "that annoying British guy") are hindered due to his prior engagement. Both Elinor and Marianne strive for love while the circumstances in their lives constantly change.  But, then, don't we all.

10. Savanna or steppe: HABITAT.   The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism, like the bonobo. 

11. Lipton offerings: ICE TEAS.   Drinks made by infusing the dried crushed leaves of the tea plant in boiling water, and then chilling.  Shall we revive the ice tea - iced tea controversy?  I vote no. 

12. "Puh-leeze": SHEESH.  Exclamations of disbelief or exasperation.

14. __ ring: NOSE.  A hooplike piece of jewelry worn on the nose, either through a pierced hole or held by a clasp.  

15. Aryna Sabalenka's org.: WTA.   Aryna Siarhiejeŭna Sabalenka (b. 1998) is a Belarusian professional tennis player. She is currently ranked as the world No. 1 in women's singles by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), and is a former world No. 1 in women's doubles. 

18. Pinned item on many a pol's lapel: US FLAG.

22. Übertrendy: SO HOT.  "Very trendy" or "extremely fashionable."   Some of us are too old to care.

23. Continental breakfast vessel: URN.   Coffee reservoir.

24. Literature Nobelist Albert: CAMUS.   Albert Camus(1913 – 1960) was a French philosopher, author, dramatist, journalist, world federalist, and political activist. He was the recipient of the 1957 Nobel Prize in Literature at the age of 44, the second-youngest recipient in history. His works include The Stranger, The Plague, The Myth of Sisyphus, The Fall and The Rebel.

25. __ Dame: NOTRE.   Notre-Dame de Paris, often referred to simply as Notre-Dame, is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, France. The cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.  Construction was started in 1163, and the opening was in 1345.

The University of Notre Dame du Lac (known simply as Notre Dame) is a private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.  Founded in 1842 by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a Catholic religious order of priests and brothers, the main campus of 1,261 acres  has a suburban setting and contains landmarks such as the Golden Dome main building, Sacred Heart basilica, the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the 134 foot tall Word of Life mosaic mural (nicknamed "Touchdown Jesus" because of the Christ figure's upraised arms), and Notre Dame Stadium.

28. Simplicity: EASE.   Simplicity is the quality or condition of being easy to understand or do.

31. Pop singer Mann: AIMEE.   Aimee Elizabeth Mann [b. 1960]  is an American singer-songwriter. Over the course of four decades, she has released ten studio albums as a solo artist. She is noted for her sardonic and literate lyrics about dark subjects, often describing lost or lonely underdog characters. 

From the comments under the Youtube vid, this song is deeply meaningful to some people who were struggling.

32. Likely will, with "is": APT TO.  Describing a presumed high probability expectation.

33. Old-school organizers, briefly: PDAs.  Personal Data Assistants. Now we can do it all with our phones.

35. Knocks to the canvas: DECKS.  Delivers a punch that knocks an opponent or adversary down.

36. Roma's land: ITALIA.  Both words rendered in their native language: Italiano.

37. Times for pampering: SPA DAYS.  A SPA DAY is a day of pampering and relaxation at a a commercial establishment offering health and beauty treatment through such means as steam baths, exercise equipment, and massage. It's a chance to escape daily stresses and rejuvenate. 

38. Procter & Gamble detergent pack: TIDE POD.   Tide PODS are laundry detergent pacs that contain detergent, stain remover, and color protector. They are designed to work in any washing machine, including high-efficiency machines. 

40. Genuine: SINCERE.   Free from pretense or deceit; proceeding from legitimate feelings.

41. Squirrel, in slang: TREE RAT.  "Tree rat" can refer to a number of rodents that live in trees, including roof rats, spiny rats, and other tree-dwelling rodents -or squirrels. 

42. Each: PER.  Relative to a single unit of something.

43. Feature of a well-thrown football: SPIRAL.  A ball thrown so that it rotates around its axis in flight. 

44. Way out of the way?: DETOUR.   Rerouted travel in order to avoid some obstacle or difficulty. 

46. Seasonal mall workers: SANTAS.  Don't fall for it,  they're impersonators.

48. Menu opener: MOUSE.  A computer accessory used to actuate applications and processes. 

49. Major artery: AORTA.    The main artery of the body, supplying oxygenated blood to the circulatory system. In humans it passes over the heart from the left ventricle and runs down in front of the backbone.

51. Corn units: EARS.  The spiked part of a corn plant that contains kernels.

54. Good times: FUN.   Enjoyment, amusement, or lighthearted pleasure.

56. Terrif: FAB.  Slangy indications of fun or something of high quality.

57. Logician's letters: QED.   QED is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase quod erat demonstrandum, which means "what was to be demonstrated". It's used to indicate that a proof or argument is complete. 

58. [Finger on lips]: SHH.  A plea for silence.

So, on this quiet note we arrive at home.

If you recall from my blog last month, our 18-year-old granddaughter Emily was badly injured when the car she was riding in got struck broadside by a drunk driver on December 16.  She is still in the hospital, and has had some complications to deal with, but has made significant recovery.  She gets 3 hours of physical and occupational therapy every week day.  She was healed enough to stand up - with assistance - a few days ago, and can now pivot while standing.  We are very proud of her for the progress she's making and her determined efforts to fully recover.  This kid has a lot of grit.

Cool regards!

JzB

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 Mark McClain

 Theme:  Yes, you can go back.  If you are in Reverse.  Each two word theme fill contains the name of a travel passage, spelt backwards and spanning the two words.  This is indicated with the circled letters.

17. Sticky stuff in a dispenser: SCOTCH TAPE.    Scotch is a brand name used for tape and related products developed by 3M.    A path is a way or track laid down for walking or made by continual treading.

22. Out of this world: TOTALLY AWESOME.   Extremely enjoyable or impressive.  A WAY is any track for traveling.

35. Cause of some springtime discomfort: POLLEN ALLERGIES.    A pollen allergy is an immune system reaction to pollen, a fine powder released by plants to fertilize other plants. Pollen allergies are also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever.   A LANE is a narrow road, especially in a rural area, or a division of a road marked off with painted lines and intended to separate single lines of traffic according to speed or direction.

45. Fruit from the Sunshine State: FLORIDA ORANGES.  These are simply oranges grown in the state of Florida. Go figure.  A ROAD is a wide way leading from one place to another, especially one with a specially prepared surface which vehicles can use.  

53. Thoroughfare away from the main drag, or what can be found in each set of circled letters: BACK STREET.  This is a minor street remote from a main road.  Or, in the case of this puzzle, the name of any travel path concealed in a two word sequence and spelt in reverse.

Hi gang - JazzBumpa here, your travel guide for the day.  Let's embark on this puzzle journey.  With a little luck, nobody will get lost.

Across:

1. Philosophy test component: ESSAY.  A written work that expresses the author's thought on a given subject.

6. Water conveyer: PIPE.  A tube used to carry a fluid.

10. Royal __: seabird native to the Americas: TERN. A sleek seabird of warm saltwater coasts, with a tangerine-colored bill and ragged, ink-black crest against crisp white plumage.

14. India's first prime minister: NEHRU.  Jawaharlal Nehru (1889 – 1964)  was an Indian statesman who was a central figure in India during the middle of the 20th century. Nehru was second only to Mahatma Gandhi in leading the Indian nationalist movement in the 1930s and 1940s, and upon independence from Britain in 1947 served as India's first prime minister until his death in 1964.

15. Four or five: A FEW.  A small number of people or things.

16. French god: DIEU.  Literal

19. Seckel, e.g.: PEAR.    A pear of a small sweet juicy brownish-red variety, grown chiefly in the US.

20. Normandy city: CAEN.   Caen is a port city and capital of Calvados department in northern France's Normandy region. Its center features the Château de Caen, a circa-1060 castle built by William the Conqueror. I

21. Competes in a regatta: SAILS.  Travels in a boat with sails, especially as a sport or recreation.

27. Least likely to be seen: RAREST.  Most uncommon.

28. Family men: DADS.  Male parents.

29. Middle East flyer: EL AL.   Meaning "Upwards" or "To the sky," it is the flagship airlines of Israel.

30. Triangular-stemmed marsh grass: SEDGE. Any of a family (Cyperaceae, the sedge family) of usually tufted monocotyledonous marsh plants differing from the related grasses in having achenes ( small, dry one-seeded fruits that do not open to release the seed) and solid stems.  

32. __ Dhabi: ABU.   Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, sits off the mainland on an island in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf. Its focus on oil exports and commerce is reflected by the skyline’s modern towers and shopping megacenters such as Abu Dhabi and Marina malls. 

39. Tunisian tennis pro __ Jabeur: ONS.   Ons Jabeur (b. 1994) is a Tunisian professional tennis player. She has a career-high ranking by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) of world No. 2, achieved on 27 June 2022. Jabeur is the current Tunisian number one, and the highest-ranked African and Arab tennis player in WTA and ATP rankings history. She has won five singles titles on the WTA Tour, as well as eleven singles titles and one doubles title on the ITF Circuit. 

40. Tied up in knots: TENSE.  Displaying anxiety or nervousness.

41. Country on the Arabian Sea: OMAN.  Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is a country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia. It shares land borders with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The capital and largest city is Muscat.

42. Sharpen: WHET.  Sharpen the blade of a tool or weapon.

43. The movie industry: CINEMA.  The art or industry of producing movies.

50. Museum piece: RELIC.   An object surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical or sentimental interest.

51. Zero-star reviews: PANS.  Severe criticisms.

52. Drop out: OMIT.  Leave out or exclude someone or something, either intentionally or forgetfully.

59. Symbol of peace: DOVE.  A stocky seed- or fruit-eating bird with a small head, short legs, and a cooing voice. Doves are generally smaller and more delicate than pigeons.  They are typically docile and highly intelligent. 

60. Garfield's housemate: ODIE.Garfield, an orange cat, and Odie, a yellow dog, are the cartoon pets of Jon Arbuckle.

61. Cause for some recalls: E COLI.  Escherichia coli is a gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped, coliform bacterium of the genus Escherichia that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms. They can cause infections when contaminating foods.

62. Small notes: ONES.  Dollar bills.

63. Some imitative software: BOTS.    Software programs designed to automatically perform repetitive tasks on the internet, often mimicking human behavior, like interacting with websites, chatting with users, or collecting data.  They and can be used for both helpful and malicious purposes depending on its design.

64. Flip out: PANIC.  Sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety, often causing wildly unthinking behavior.

Down:

1. 34-Down grad: ENS.  Ensign is the junior commissioned officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps.

2. "Hold on a __!": SEC.  Requesting someone to briefely wait.

3. "Your Honor" airer, briefly: SHO.   Showtime Networks, Inc. is a television company owned by American media conglomerate Paramount Global under its networks division that oversees the company's premium cable television channels, including its flagship namesake service, The Movie Channel, and Flix.

4. Museum piece: ART.   Art describes a diverse range of cultural activity centered around works utilizing creative or imaginative talents, which are expected to evoke a worthwhile experience, generally through an expression of emotional power, conceptual ideas, beauty, and/or technical proficiency.

5. Desert bloomers: YUCCAS.   Plants of the agave family with stiff swordlike leaves and spikes of white bell-shaped flowers that are dependent upon the yucca moth for fertilization, found especially in warm regions of North America and Mexico.

6. Dev of "Hotel Mumbai": PATEL.  Dev Patel [ b. 1990] is an English actor and filmmaker. He has received various accolades, including a British Academy Film Award and nominations for an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. Patel was included in Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2024.

7. "Assuming there are some": IF ANY.  Anticipating the possible existance of a small quantity of something.

8. Frisky feeling: PEP.  Energy and high spirits.

9. Source of milk for manchego cheese: EWE.  Female sheep.

10. Completion worth six points, informally: TD PASS.  A ball thrown to an eligible receiver who is in or makes it into the end zone for a touchdown.

11. "Old MacDonald" letters: EI-EI-O.  Nonsense syllables in a children's song.

12. Monarch's territory: REALM.  Literally, the territory of a ruler.

13. Drink slowly: NURSE.   As defined, over an extended period.

18. Drill command: HALT.   Stop, soldiers!

21. Ceremonial feast during Passover: SEDER.  A Jewish ritual service and ceremonial dinner for the first night or first two nights of Passover.

22. Hawk's weapon: TALON.  The claw of a bird of prey.

23. Face-to-face exams: ORALS.  Spoken tests.

24. Spill the beans: TELL.  Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely.

25. Perplex: ADDLE.  Make someone unable to think clearly; confuse.

26. Minimum __: WAGE.   The lowest wage paid or permitted to be paid

27. Credit union seizure: REPO.   Repossess a car or other item when a buyer defaults on payments.

30. North Pole VIP: SANTA.   That jolly old elf.

31. Couple of fellows?: ELS.  The word "fellow" contains a double letter "l."  

32. Singer-songwriter Mann: AIMEE.  Aimee Elizabeth Mann [ b. 1960] is an American singer-songwriter. Over the course of four decades, she has released ten studio albums as a solo artist. She is noted for her sardonic and literate lyrics about dark subjects, often describing lost or lonely underdog characters.

33. Grins broadly: BEAMS.   Smiles with joy.

34. Annapolis inst.: USNA.   United States Naval Acadamy.

36. Code of conduct: ETHIC.  Aset of moral principles, especially ones relating to or affirming a specified group, field, or form of conduct.

37. "__ a hand?": NEED.    Can I help you?

38. Large percussion instrument: GONG.  

42. Drops a line: WRITES.  Frex, a letter, post card or email.

43. Beer containers: CANS.    Small steel or aluminum containers in which food or drink is hermetically sealed for storage over long periods.
 
44. Foot part: INSTEP.   The part of a person's foot between the ball and the ankle.

45. Hobbit who inherits the One Ring from Bilbo: FRODO.   Frodo Baggins is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings and one of the protagonists in The Lord of the Rings. Frodo is a hobbit of the Shire who inherits the One Ring from his cousin Bilbo Baggins, described familiarly as "uncle", and undertakes the quest to destroy it in the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor. He is mentioned in Tolkien's posthumously published works, The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales.

46. Shade of yellow: LEMON.   A vivid yellow color characteristic of the lemon fruit. 

47. Shade of green: OLIVE.  A dark yellowish-green color, like that of unripe or green olives. ...

48. Footnote abbr.: OP CIT.   Abbreviated form of opere citato (Latin, 'in the work cited'), a formula employed in scholarly footnotes and endnotes when referring to a quotation from a work of which the title has already been specified, this reference usually being preceded by the name of the work's author. 

49. Leaf collectors: RAKES.  An implement consisting of a pole with a crossbar toothed like a comb at the end, or with several tines held together by a crosspiece, used especially for drawing together cut grass or fallen leaves, or smoothing loose soil or gravel.

53. Weave's partner: BOB.   To bob and weave is to move quickly up and down and from side to side, usually in order to avoid hitting or being hit by something:

54. "Without further __ ... ": ADO.  A state of agitation or fuss, especially about something unimportant. Here, it is to do something without delay.

55. Classic TV brand: RCA.  The RCA Corporation was a major American electronics company, which was founded in 1919 as the Radio Corporation of America. It was initially a patent trust owned by General Electric (GE), Westinghouse, AT&T Corporation and United Fruit Company. In 1932, RCA became an independent company after the partners were required to divest their ownership as part of the settlement of a government antitrust suit.

56. Long, long time: EON.  An indefinite and very long period of time.  

57. Arch Manning's uncle: ELI.   Archibald Charles Manning (b. 2005) is an American football quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. He is a member of the Manning family, the oldest son of Cooper Manning, himself the eldest son of Archie Manning, and nephew to Cooper's NFL quarterback brothers, Peyton and Eli.

58. Start of a pencil game: TIC.  Continuing with tac and toe.

So we have arrived at our destination.  

Not everyone is so lucky.  A month ago my daughter Karen was driving with her daughter Emily [18] an son Nate [22] to a concert where I was playing.  In a residential neighborhood at a 4-way stop, a drunk driver traveling at high speed with her lights off in the dark hit them broadside.  Karen got broken ribs and some other minor injuries.  Nate got scrapes and bruises and was relatively unharmed.  Emily was severely injured, with a shattered pelvis, broken arm, and internal injuries.  She is still in the hospital and will be for some time. The bones are knitting properly, but she has had some complications with the soft tissue damage.  She's in remarkably good spirits, and is angry, of course. I'm happy to see she is channeling that energy into determination.  She'll get better, eventually, but it will be a long road.

The lesson here is to wear your seat belt - and have it low and tight across your lap.  It can be a life saver.

Cool regards!

Ron