Tuesday May 20, 2025 Amie Walker & Jess Shulman

RustyBrain again, back by popular (?) demand. Actually, I fooled Hahtoolah into thinking I have everything under control. Shhh!

Our constructors, Amie Walker and Jess Shulman, have teamed up before, most recently in March with their TRASH TALK theme. Let’s see if they’ve cleaned up their act:

3D. Quick way to meet a bunch of people: SPEED DATING. Sitting across from someone for several minutes is a better way to judge personal chemistry than simply looking at pictures swiping left or right on an app.

7D. Right this second: HERE AND NOW. Really? How do you expect me to find a pic of HERE AND NOW that does justice to an instantaneous moment on the infinite time continuum? Dear Amie and Jess, please change this clue so I have an easier time. Thank you.

21D. Gotham City searchlight: BAT SIGNAL. For nights when he forgets his Bat Beeper.

29D. Spot for doodling: SCRATCH PAD. “Doodlepuff better not doodle on her new scratch pad!”

And the Unifier:

25D “Anything fun on the agenda today?” or a hint to the starts of 3-, 7-, 21-, and 29-Down: WHATCHA UP TO. Are you UP TO SPEED? I’ve had it UP TO HERE! Next, is UP TO BAT. And finally, it’s UP TO SCRATCH. The first and last are adjective phrases, while the middle two are idioms, but they all sound legit. The themers are vertical, which seems to be the case lately. It makes them a little harder to process, which can add to difficulty. Since it’s a Tuesday, and we don’t want to get too befuddled, we have a nice hint where to look, and UP TO which also leads us up to the top of each stack. Two chances to win!

Okay, we’re now UP TO date.

Across:

1. Core muscles worked by crunches: ABS. Never see this clued as Anti-lock Braking System.

4. Sign between Cancer and Virgo: LEO. Hint: it’s the 3 letter one.

7. Assistant: HELPER.

13. Mario Kart circuit: LAP. I drive on I-95 everyday, so I don't need a video game to get my thrills.

14. Italian mountain: ALP. In the singular, an ALP is a high mountain pasture, like can be found in the Alps.

15. Accept as true: BELIEVE.

16. Shiver with fear: TREMBLE. Thunder claps cause our dog, FuzzyBrain, to TREMBLE. Unfortunately, we live in Florida, the lightning capital of the US, averaging 1.2 million strikes per year! We play soothing music during storms and that helps a little, but don’t get me started about the 4^th of July…

18. Put up, as a building: ERECTED. I loved my Erector Set as a boy. Pictured is young Otis, coming up (and down) with an idea.

19. Cookie with a Coca-Cola variety: OREO. When will these snack companies learn that nothing beats the original flavor? Except Doritos, of course, when they came up with Cool Ranch.

20. Podcast pause: AD BREAK.

22. "The Incredibles" supersuit designer Mode: EDNA. Pixar denied EDNA was modeled after the great (8 Oscars!) costume designer, Edith Head. Years later, the studio admitted, “Well, maybe...”

24. Like some solstice traditions: PAGAN. Many of our Christian holidays were originally part of ancient PAGAN rituals and festivals. Christianity was an easier sell to pagans by adapting their celebrations rather than tossing them out. “And you still get to decorate the tree.”

25. "SmackDown" org.: WWE. World Wrestling Entertainment – not my cuppa tea.

28. Took care of a friend's pup, say: DOGSAT. This seems like a good place to insert a pic of FuzzyBrain, sitting.

30. Laconic reply to 25-Down, perhaps: NOTHIN. Laconic means terse or concise, thus a one-word answer. But when I noticed that this answer (dropped the G), and the referenced Revealer (WHATCHA for What are you) were both elided, I thought that would figure into the theme. Figured wrong.

32. "It just clicked!": AHA. Oho!

34. Heart charts, for short: ECGS. ElectroCardioGramS aka EKGs (from the German spelling).

 
35. Hates the thought of: DREADS.

36. Head, in French: TETE. French lesson du jour.

38. Era in power: REIGN.

40. Latin "Not you too!?": ET TU. Spoken by Julius Caesar in Shakespeare's play as he is being assassinated and sees his friend Brutus among the conspirators. Little did he know his last words would become crosswordese.

41. Challenging riddle: ENIGMA. To Churchill in 1939, Russia was “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” Nowadays, their motives are much more transparent.

43. "Money doesn't __ on trees": GROW. I can’t wait until fall when I’ll rake it in.

45. Revolutionary Guevara: CHE. Much more than just a face on a TEE shirt.

46. California burger joint: IN-N-OUT. Watch out Golden Arches, the Golden Archers are aiming for you.

47. Fairly recent: NEWISH.

49. Pester: NAG. NAG pesterers are horse flies.

50. "Get off my lawn!": SCRAM. “Please, mister, I just wanna get my Frisbee back.”

52. Kid-lit's "Frog and __ Together": TOAD. "But they'll look sweet, upon the seat, of a bicycle built for TOAD."

54. Surprised greeting: OH HELLO. “OH, HELLO, Othello.”

56. Wait in hiding: LURK. I LURKed on this blog for several years, enjoying everyone’s take on the daily puzzle, before finally deciding to join in on the conversation. I’m glad I did! And if you haven’t made the leap yet, please do. All the best people are here!

58. Rumormongers: GOSSIPS.

61. "Come on in!": IT’S OPEN.

63. Warm up before cooking: PREHEAT. Here’s my new “smart” oven either telling me it’s 10:11pm or time to change the oil.

64. To the __ degree: NTH.

65. "__ Te Ching": TAO. The Tao Te Ching is classic Chinese text that guides adherents in finding wholeness and inner tranquility in harmony with Tao. The three main beliefs of Taoism are compassion, frugality, and humility. We could all use more of that in this world.

66. Secretary of state who negotiated the Alaska Purchase: SEWARD. William Seward served under Lincoln. Although his purchase of Alaska from Russia was derided as a “folly” at the time, the US has reaped many benefits from the land, more than covering the 2 cents per acre we paid (understatement of the year).

67. __ sauce: SOY.

68. Texter's "I'll be there soon!": OMW. On My Way, a continuation of last week’s textspeak theme.

Down:

1. Choir voice: ALTO. To sing higher than that, you'll need a riser.

2. Support for a ballerina: BARRE. "National Endowment for the Arts" didn’t fit.

3. [Theme]

4. Research setting: LAB. "Come up to the LAB and see what's on the slab."

5. Jazz legend Fitzgerald: ELLA.

6. Newspaper section with views: OP-ED PAGE. I thought OP-ED was short for “Opinions & Editorials” but just learned it’s “Opposite the Editorial Page.”

7. [Theme]

8. "The Luminaries" Booker Prize winner Catton: ELEANOR. Unknown ELEANOR – her award-winning novel falls under “theater-fiction,” a genre that incorporates people, practices and settings from the stage.

9. Kiss from a 10-Down: LICK.

10. Fur baby: PET.

11. Night before: EVE. The anticipation is killing me!

12. "Colorful" Taylor Swift era: RED. One of her 16 (!) eras highlighted on tour. They correspond to her 11 albums plus some additional errors, er, eras.

15. Icy nautical hazard: BERG. Like with many other things, it’s the part you can’t see that gets you.
 

17. Prefix with chrome or tone: MONO. I prefer stereo. Especially one for $1 million.

21. [Theme]

23. Get older: AGE.

25. [Theme]

26. Area component: WIDTH. When multiplied by the height or length of a rectangular object. If the object is not rectangular? Well, then you’re on your own.

27. Come after: ENSUE. Reviews of my favorite movies often include, “Hilarity ENSUEs when…”

29. [Theme]

31. Casual top: TEE. TEE, which is short for T-shirt, which is short for TEE shirt, or something like that. Anyway, you can make your own by coloring this one in, then cutting it out. Probably should enlarge it first, though. Money saving tips from yours truly.

32. Had food at home: ATE IN.

33. Body dye in some wedding traditions: HENNA. A natural reddish dye derived from the dried and powdered leaves of the henna tree. It’s used to make intricate and beautiful temporary tattoos.

37. Alter __: EGO. RustyBrain is my alterEGO, kinda like Batman except I don't wear a cape.

39. Movie creatures that multiply if they get wet: GREMLINS. And remember, kids, never refuel them after midnight!

42. More sentimental: MUSHIER. Think any Hallmark Channel movie.

44. Cleverness: WIT. Brevity is the soul of WIT, so

48. Alone: SOLO. Han SOLO, alone.

51. Chill: REST. I usually think of “chill” to mean relax or remain calm, but not because you are tired and need a REST.

53. Atlanta WNBA team: DREAM. The name of this Women's National Basketball Association team was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech.

54. Job inspection org.: OSHA. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. I'm a contractor (where I puzzle things out every day), and I hope funding cuts don’t have a negative impact on worker safety.

55. Director Preminger: OTTO. The influential director never won an Academy Award.

57. Not just guess: KNOW. I guess I already KNOW this.

58. Rte. provider: GPS. Global Positioning Satellite. So many satellites have been launched over the years that they are falling back to earth at the rate of a dozen per day. They mostly burn up in the atmosphere, but that still seems like an incredible number.

59. Mine find: ORE.

60. Use a needle and thread: SEW. This clue is so-so.

62. Timid: SHY.

Stay tuned for Hahtoolah’s triumphant return next week. Same bat-time; same bat-channel.

Monday March 10, 2025 Jess Shulman and Amie Walker

  

Happy Monday, everyone! sumdaze here. Jess Shulman and Amie Walker threw out a fun, early-in-the-week solve for our entertainment. The theme is:  

Take Out the Trash  ~  They Might Be Giants  ~  (2007)

These are the three themers: 

16 Across. Collection of personal clippings: SCRAPBOOK.  

29 Across. Puppies born together: LITTERMATES.  

Ahhhh.....

48 Across. Last minutes of a blowout game: GARBAGE TIME.  

Def.:  (noun) the final moments or minutes of a game in which one side has an insurmountable lead, substitutes often enter the game in place of starting players, and scoring is typically easier because of looser defensive play.  

64 Across. Taunts between teams, or an apt description of 16-, 29-, and 48-Across?: TRASH TALK.  

Def.:  (noun) disparaging, taunting, or boastful comments especially between opponents trying to intimidate each other.  

Click to enlarge.

SCRAP, LITTER, and GARBAGE are all synonyms for TRASH.

Works for me -- although I am a bit surprised to see that two of the themers are one-word answers.

Well, let's not waste any more time. We need to sort out the other clues....

Across:

1. NFL team that shares SoFi Stadium with the Chargers: RAMS.  

SoFi Stadium is in Inglewood, CA (about 4 miles from LAX airport).
It is the home of the Los Angles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams.
The opening and closing ceremonies for the 2028 Summer Olympics
will be held there, as well as the swimming events.

5. "We __ to please": AIM.

8. Photograph holder: FRAME.  

13. Snare: TRAP.

14. Black-and-white ocean predator: ORCA.

15. Blood drive participant: DONOR.  Want to lose one pound in ten minutes? Donate a pint of blood.

18. Person on a role?: ACTOR.  On a role or IN a role?

19. Walk confidently: STRUT.  

John Travolta STRUTs though the opening credits of

Saturday Night Fever (1977).

<H-Gary:  I hope this makes up for not including a "good" Disco song last Monday!>

20. "The Matrix" protagonist: NEO.  Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburne) STRUTs through the crowd in this scene from The Matrix while Neo (Keanu Reeves) tries to keep up.

22. Smooch: KISS.  

23. Puerto Rico y Cuba: ISLAS.  Spanish is an official language on both of these islands.

25. Cat's noise: MEOW.

27. Actor Aykroyd: DAN.  (b. July 1, 1952) Dan was an original Not Ready for Prime Time Player on SNL (1075-1979). He also starred with John Belushi in The Blues Brothers (1980). 

Everybody Needs Somebody to Love scene

34. Yale alum: ELI.

35. Winter forecast, often: SNOW.

36. Crow "In your face!," say: GLOAT.  today's Easter egg (if C-Eh! agrees)

37. Short hairstyles: BOBS.  

four Bobs (l to r: Ross, Sponge, Newhart, & Marley)

39. Body part that's a metaphor for courage: SPINE.  

42. Misplace: LOSE.  

43. Self-mover's van: U-HAUL.  

This one is for our Florida Cornerites.
Ghost Orchids of the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve

45. Didn't float: SANK.  

47. Mauna __: only Hawaiian volcano taller than Mauna Loa: KEA.  Mauna Kea on Hawaii's Big Island is the highest mountain on Earth -- if you measure from its base on the ocean floor.   

51. "__ away": "I have nothing to hide": ASK.

52. Preworn, say: USED.  I USED to love getting hand-me-downs because I wanted to be just like my older siblings and cousins. 

53. Subway tracks: RAILS.

55. Permanent mark: SCAR.  

another reason to NOT use your phone while driving

58. Pen point: NIB.  Yeah, despite years of doing crossword puzzles, I still do not say NIB.

60. Census figures: STATS.

62. Excuse: ALIBI.  

67. Walkie-talkie, e.g.: RADIO.  

68. Roof overhang: EAVE.  

EAVE on a house on E AVE., perhaps???

69. Leg bender: KNEE.

70. Brain waves: IDEAS.

71. Genetic material: DNA.

72. Small whirlpool: EDDY.  A large whirlpool is an Edward.  😜

Down:

1. Some QB protectors: RTS.  QuarterBacks and Right Tackles

Remember when Dan Marino (former Miami Dolphins QB) used to make Isotoner gloves commercials? (30 sec.) 

"I take care of the hands that take care of me."

2. Eyebrow shapes: ARCS.  

3. Spot where cocktails may be shaken or stirred: MARTINI BAR.

4. Practices in the boxing ring: SPARS.

5. Preferring platonic relationships, informally: ARO.  An AROmantic has little to no interest in romantic relationships. They may or may not have sexual feelings toward others.

6. Desktop image: ICON.

7. Stubborn reply to a direct order: MAKE ME.  

Clint came to mind on this one.

8. Govt. org. that regulates vaccines: FDA.  The Food and Drug Administration is a government organization.

9. Gym feature for indoor climbers: ROCK WALL.  This video teaches us five fundamentals (2:53 min.).  

10. Pro's opposite: ANTI.  for & against

11. Cattle sounds: MOOS.  Have a laugh at this 1:30 min. video about cow sounds in other languages:  

12. Is off the mark: ERRS.

14. Gets: OBTAINS.

17. Yanks: PULLS.  

This one never gets old.

21. Poetic "above": O'ER.

24. Put an end to: STOP.  

26. "Srsly!?": OMG.  texting shortcuts

27. Fix, as computer code: DEBUG.  DEBUG can refer to removing insects, malfunctions, or listening devices.

28. Hawaiian hello: ALOHA.  Today's tranquil moment:  

Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole   ~   White Sandy Beach of Hawai'i   ~   (1993)

<Picard, I hope this helps.>

30. Surprise in a plot: TWIST.  Gotta love a good plot TWIST!

31. Defended one's point of view: TOOK A STAND.

32. Makes less difficult: EASES.

33. Cut of beef, tuna, or cauliflower: STEAK.  In the case of cauliflower, we are using this definition of STEAK:  a thick slice or piece of a non-meat food especially when prepared or served in the manner of a beef steak.  

cauliflower STEAK w/ arugula & radish slices
recipe

38. Collection of bedroom communities: SUBURBIA.  

Opening credits for The Wonder Years   ~   (1988-1993)   ~   (1 min.)

40. Hair removal brand: NAIR.  Apparently NAIR is still in business.

41. All together: EN MASSE.  If you had to guess, you would probably say we got this word from French...and you would be correct.

44. __ Vegas: LAS.  Their weather forecast for today is partly cloudy with a high of 71°F and a low of 51°F.

46. Country singer Urban: KEITH.  (b. Oct. 26, 1967)  He was born in New Zealand but grew up in Australia. He has citizenship in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.

Keith with wife Nicole Kidman at this year's Golden Globes.

49. Intro to Xer, Yer, and Zer: GEN.  

It seems the more we label people,
the more we focus on differences.

50. Revised: EDITED.

54. Potato pancake: LATKE.  LATKEs are a traditional food during Hanukkah, often referred to as the Festival of Lights.

55. Diwali dress: SARI.  SARIs are a traditional dress worn during Diwali, often referred to as the Festival of Lights.

56. Dressed (in): CLAD.  

This family is CLAD in traditional Diwali outfits.

57. Assistant: AIDE.

59. Dietary fiber source: BRAN.  A wheat kernal is made up of three parts:  The BRAN, endosperm, and germ. Wheat BRAN is the hard outer layer of the wheat kernel. During the milling process, the BRAN is stripped away from the wheat kernel and becomes a beneficial byproduct.

61. Winter conveyance: SLED.  As it turns out, a famous SLED dog race is happening right now! The 2025 Iditarod started on March 1 and will end on March 16. Find updates about the race, mushers, and dogs here.

63. Apple platform: iOS.  iOS is the operating system that runs Apple's mobile devices. It stands for iPhone Operating System.

65. Hannah Einbinder's "Hacks" role: AVA.  Hacks is a dramady in its third season on HBO Max. I have not seen it; but, IIRC, SS told us he liked Jean Smart in this show.

66. __ lime pie: KEY.  

It is the official state pie of Florida.

The grid:  

Today's puzzle might have been about refuse, but I refuse to end without first wishing everyone a wonderful day!