Sunday August 27, 2023 John-Clark Levin

Theme: - "DIY" - Anagrams of six pieces of furniture are hidden.

23. "The Mousetrap" playwright: AGATHA CHRISTIE. Chair.

32. Fishy bagel topper: SMOKED SALMON. Desk.

48. Dinner table question: WHAT'S FOR DESSERT. Dresser.

80. Colorful Galápagos bird: BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY. Bed.

95. Free rein: CARTE BLANCHE. Table.

109. "You must be joking!": I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. Cabinet.

Reveal:

64. Ikea task, and a task that can be applied to the sets of circled letters in this puzzle: FURNITURE ASSEMBLY.

The CABINET answer is such an inspired choice.

I'm thinking John-Clark could not find another workable entry to hide one more piece of furniture, hence the reveal for 64A, which could be the title as well.

Across:

1. Talmud scholars: RABBIS.

7. Always and forever: ADVERBS. Fun to clue NOUNS, VERBS, ADJECTIVES, etc.

14. Test runs: TRIALS.

20. Wide of the mark: ERRANT.

21. Italian aperitif: CAMPARI. Ingredient in a Negroni.

22. "What a piece of work is a man" speaker: HAMLET.

25. Magazine sale: AD PAGE.

26. A, in braille: DOT.

27. "The Westing Game" novelist Raskin: ELLEN. Unfamiliar to me. Wikipedia says the book won the Newbery Medal.

28. Fort Knox block: INGOT.

30. Press: URGE.

31. Green Toyota: PRIUS.

35. Turn down: DECLINE.

38. Dry-spell relief: RAIN. We're having a very dry and hot summer.

39. Non-neutral atoms: IONS.

40. Really bothered: ATE AT.

41. Objectives: AIMS.

42. Greyhound, e.g.: BUS.

44. Former quarterback Tim: TEBOW. What is he doing now? He was once so promising.

52. Mimic: APE.

53. Spot for a Hindu bride's nath: NOSE. Nath is a nose ring.

54. Winter sport where competitors wear spiked gloves: LUGE.

55. "Queer Eye" fashion expert France: TAN. He popularized the French tuck.

56. Lassie, for one: COLLIE.

59. NNW opposite: SSE.

60. Camera option: AUTO.

61. Answered charges: PLED. And 63. Released early: PAROLED.

68. Car care franchise that started as a muffler specialist: MEINEKE.

70. Recess: NOOK.

71. Beanies and berets: CAPS.

72. "That'll be the day!": HAH.

75. Crossword heading: ACROSS. We also have 24. Escape room find: CLUE.

76. Club door requests: IDS.

77. Jabot material: LACE. Jabot is a new word to me.

78. Deep sleep: COMA.

79. "__ Wolf": Shakira song: SHE.

84. Puccini opera about an opera singer: TOSCA. 103. 84-Across solos: ARIAS.

87. Scrape (out): EKE.

88. Bird with a down-curved bill: IBIS.

89. "21" and "25" Grammy winner: ADELE. I've listened to her "Hello" a million times.

90. USAF no-show: AWOL.

92. Egyptian fertility goddess: ISIS.

93. False fronts: FACADES.

100. Rubbernecks: GAWKS.

101. Some keg contents: ALES.

102. "Gymnopédies" composer: SATIE. Erik.

104. OB-GYNs, e.g.: DRS.

107. Swindle: FLEECE.

113. Gimme courses: EASY A'S.

114. Possible to make out: LEGIBLE.

115. Bring down a Giant, say: TACKLE. New York Giant.

116. Mocking looks: SNEERS.

117. Went viral on Twitter, say: TRENDED. X now. Look, I even have an account. But I'm not there.

118. Actress with the most Oscar nods: STREEP.

Down:

1. __ receipts: READ. Blue ticks on WhatsApp.

2. Fictional movie in a real movie of the same name: ARGO.

3. Tantrum thrower: BRAT.

4. Baseball club: BAT.

5. Comes into: INHERITS.

6. Yalta conferee: STALIN.

7. Some flu symptoms: ACHES.

8. "Shucks": DARN.

9. Rival sch. of The Citadel: VMI. Virginia Military Institute. The Keydets.

10. Mini-albums, briefly: EPS.

11. Parcel out: RATION.

12. Cliff's edge: BRINK.

13. 10-year event in the "Iliad": SIEGE.

14. "You don't say": THAT SO.

15. Wicked cool: RAD. You guys should ask Steve Marron to show his railway models.

16. Itch: IMPULSE.

17. Freak out: ALARM.

18. "Hands off my waffle!": LEG GO.

19. Dutch painter of "Peasants Before an Inn": STEEN (Jan)

29. Horace, for one: ODIST.

31. Saucer: PLATE.

32. __ old story: SAME.

33. Overlook: MISS.

34. Amazon worker?: ANT. Amazon Ant. 69. Amazon gadget: ECHO.

 35. Begins: DAWNS.

36. Value system: ETHOS.

37. Engagement breakers?: CEASEFIRES.

38. Heckle relentlessly: RIDE.

41. Shoptalk: ARGOT.

42. Miyuki bracelet elements: BEADS. Another learning moment for me.

43. Banquet dispenser: URN.

45. Heavily hyped: BALLYHOOED. We had BALLYHOOS a few years ago, clued as [Hypes].

46. Ryan Hurst's "Sons of Anarchy" role: OPIE. Opie Winston.

47. Quack grass or crabgrass: WEED.

 49. Doesn't pass: FLUNKS.

50. Protruding navel: OUTIE.

51. Swordfish cut: STEAK. Our Asian store has a ton of swordfish steaks. Also 81. Catch some rays?: FISH.

56. Was in tents?: CAMPED.

57. Spheres: ORBS.

58. IM giggle: LOL.

60. Mars counterpart: ARES.

61. Narrative writing: PROSE.

62. Soccer great Messi, to fans: LEO. Inter Miami.

63. "See ya!": PEACE.

65. __ Flip!: Mattel card game: UNO.

66. Excessive: UNDUE.

67. Improvises vocally: SCATS.

68. Sailboat pole: MAST.

73. Hike leisurely: AMBLE.

74. Sean of "Will & Grace": HAYES.

76. Variety: ILK.

77. Reporter Lane of "Superman": LOIS.

78. Musical closings: CODAS.

80. "Twilight" heroine: BELLA.

82. Drama honor: OBIE.

83. Spot for an irritating "driver": BACKSEAT.

85. Colorful marble: CAT'S EYE.

86. Feeling reported by astronauts viewing Earth from space: AWE.

91. Fixate (on): OBSESS.

92. Animated film featuring a sloth named Sid: ICE AGE.

93. "Words __ me!": FAIL.

94. Lies ahead: AWAITS.

95. Latte art sites: CAFES.

96. "Ulalume" author's middle name: ALLAN.

97. Witherspoon with a book club: REESE.

98. Uneven: ATILT.

99. More spruced-up: NICER.

100. Selfish desire: GREED.

103. Up to it: ABLE.

104. Hockey term derived from "decoy": DEKE. Good to know.

105. Agitate: RILE.

106. Fitbit unit: STEP.

108. Budget rental: CAR.

110. "Delta of Venus" author Anaïs: NIN.

111. Like postseason matchups before the end of the season: Abbr.: TBD.

112. Old TV hookup: VCR.

Happy Birthday to Lemonade, our Friday sherpa for a long long time. In a couple of weeks, Lemonade & Oo will be in Thailand for a month to celebrate the 100th birthday Oo's mother.

Happy Birthday to Vidwan as well! So glad you're back to the blog. 

C.C.

Sunday January 9, 2022 John-Clark Levin

Theme:  "Across America" - The first word in each theme entry consists of state abbreviations.

23. Tournament pairings in Fort Wayne, Denver and Kennebunkport?: IN CO ME BRACKETS.

33. Regular observance in Bangor, St. Louis, Providence and Mobile?: ME MO RI AL DAY.

50. Bread spread in Montgomery, Jefferson City and Fargo?: AL MO ND BUTTER.

66. Tableware in Boston, South Bend, Baton Rouge and Bismarck?: MA IN LA ND CHINA.

86. What can capture Santa Barbara, Grand Forks and Boise?: CA ND ID CAMERA.

98. Olympiads in Little Rock, Fresno and Dover?: AR CA DE GAMES.

114. Traffic cone color in Quincy, Minot, Bentonville and Bloomington?: MA ND AR IN ORANGE

Wow, I'm so impressed by the theme and the execution, esp those 8-letter entries. Just amazing. There are some state dupes, unavoidable for a Sunday grid.

The fill is also so good. Look at those stacked 10's in Downs.

Across:

1. Band with horns: CHICAGO. Three horns.

8. Some fits: SPASMS.

14. "Or perhaps less": IF THAT.

20. Go on a rampage: RUN RIOT.

21. November pardon recipient: TURKEY. Google shows that JFK was the first president to pardon a turkey.

22. End of a sentence: PAROLE.

25. Without delay: AT ONCE.

26. Personnel groups: STAFFS.

27. A 20-sided one may be used in Dungeons & Dragons: DIE.

28. Bit of Lab love: LICK.

30. Pericles foe: CLEON. Wikipedia says he was an "Athenian general during the Peloponnesian War."

31. Hot Wheels item: TOY CAR.

35. Grandpa Simpson: ABE.

38. Cheering noise: RAH.

39. Fill up: SATE.

40. They may have EIKs: APTS. EIK = Eat-In Kitchen. Xi'an is still under strict lockdown. Total 42 cases yesterday. Several officials were fired already. Here the officials are picking up the vegetable package for residents. I can see Napa cabbage, daikon radish & green onions. Staple in Xi'an winter cooking.

41. They may be uncut: GEMS.

43. __ Díaz de Vivar (El Cid): RODRIGO. I only know El Cid, not his real name.

46. Reddit Q&A sessions: AMAS. AMA = Ask My Anything.

47. Bagel topping: LOX.

52. Showed the way: LED.

53. "Murder, She Wrote" setting Cabot __: COVE. Is this gimme to you?

54. Formal topper: TIARA.

55. Screenwriter James: AGEE.

56. Fronts divide them: AIR MASSES.

58. Cleave: HEW.

59. Hilton rival: OMNI. I don't remember seeing one Omni in Minnesota.

61. Ancient Dead Sea kingdom: MOAB. In modern-day Jordan.

64. Far less friendly: ICIER.

65. "A Wrinkle in Time" director DuVernay: AVA.

70. Old draft org.: SSS.

72. Amazon's sector: E-TAIL. Boomer likes this walker I got from Amazon. He needs it to get around our house. It has a seat in the middle. Thanks again for the recommendation, Nina!

74. Did: APED.

75. Base opposite: ACID.

76. Cable station for 45 yrs.: SHO.

77. "Shape of You" Grammy winner: ED SHEERAN. British singer.

80. Moderate, with "up": EASE.

82. Religion of Mecca: ISLAM.

84. Some Kias: RIOS.

85. Gadot of "Wonder Woman": GAL.

89. Journalist Curry: ANN.

90. Cry hard: BAWL.

91. Pasta order: AL DENTE. I start to like Thin Spaghetti, thicker than Angel Hair.

92. Shoe part: HEEL.

93. Route-finding app: WAZE.

94. Writer Bombeck: ERMA.

95. Contractor's no.: EST.

97. Power-washing meas.: PSI. Pounds per Square Inch.

102. Modesto Nuts' baseball level, historically: CLASS A.  Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

105. Tackle neighbor: GUARD.

106. Giants manager Kapler: GABE.

107. Orc, to an Elf: FOE.

108. JFK's 109: PT BOAT.

112. Name of six popes: ADRIAN. When Boomer was at the VA hospital, two chaplains visited him regularly.

117. Supply: SELL TO.

118. Big Easy cuisine: CREOLE. I never had jambalaya or gumbo.

119. Coffeehouse job: ROASTER.

120. Implored: PRAYED.

121. Patronizing words, maybe: OK DEAR.

122. Mountain wind: ALPHORN.

Down:

1. NFL analyst Collinsworth: CRIS.

 

2. Track: HUNT.

3. Atahualpa, e.g.: INCA. Atahualpa was the last Inca Emperor.

4. Lara of "Tomb Raider" games: CROFT.

5. Try to achieve: AIM FOR.

6. Homers, in baseball lingo: GOES YARD.

7. Gambling initials: OTB. Off-Track Betting.

8. Part of a flight: STAIR.

9. Purplish shade: PUCE.

10. Target of Indy's quest: ARK.

11. He-Man nemesis: SKELETOR.

12. Relaxing bubble bath, say: ME TIME.

13. Food service giant: SYSCO. Jeannie, who commented on our blog in the earlier days, worked for Sysco.

14. Pub pick: IPA.

15. Campaign funders: FAT CATS.

16. Online harassers: TROLLS. Thank you for ignoring them. You make my and TTP's life easier.

17. Worked to perfect: HONED.

18. Big name in metal: ALCOA. Stock symbol AA.

19. Itsy-bitsy: TEENY.

24. Food label fig.: RDA.

29. "Seinfeld" doofus: KRAMER.

32. Greek-style yogurt brand: CHOBANI. Sometimes we see OIKOS, the Dannon brand.

33. Old wizard: MAGE.

34. Small tablet: IPAD MINI. Agnes might be on iPad Mini 5 or 6.

35. First name in mystery: AGATHA.

36. Trusted: BELIEVED IN.

37. Hermione Granger portrayer: EMMA WATSON. Argyle liked her.

39. Browsing blueprint: SITE MAP.

42. Campus org.: SOR.

44. Started eating: DUG IN.

45. Hwy., e.g.: RTE.

46. Clay became him: ALI.

47. Worries too much (over): LOSES SLEEP. Stacked with 48. Evokes a "TMI," say: OVER-SHARES.

49. Strikes (out): XES.

51. "Moonlight" actress Harris: NAOMIE. British actress. She was also in a few Bond movies.

53. TV forensics letters: CSI.

56. Easy as __: ABC.

57. Maine coastal park: ACADIA.

60. Feminist film-criticism subject: MALE GAZE. And 99. Less tactful: RUDER.

62. __-horse town: ONE.

63. Riders, e.g.: ADDENDA. Legislative riders.

67. Office PC linkup: LAN.

68. Invites over: HAS IN.

69. Summer quencher: ICED TEA. Hong Kong-style. Plenty of lemon slices. Sugary.

71. Kenyan's neighbor: SOMALI.

73. "I see" reactions: AHS.

77. Important period: ERA.

78. Caesar salad dressing ingredient: RAW EGG. Wow, really? I never made Caesar salad dressing.

79. Tie word: ALL. One-all.

81. Gator's tail?: ADE. Gatorade.

83. Texter's "No way!": SMH. Shaking My Head.

86. Lurched: CAREENED.

87. Donation to the poor: ALMS.

88. Corruption metaphor: CESSPOOL. The Ryan Reynolds movie is "Deadpool".

90. Disappointing social outing: BAD DATE.

93. In a watchful way: WARILY.

94. Head to sea: EMBARK.

96. Sandal style: T-STRAP.

98. Audibly shocked: AGASP.

100. "Cheers" waitress: CARLA. Played by Rhea Perlman. 

101. Big name in transmission repair: AAMCO.

102. Apple pie-making tool: CORER.

103. Welcoming garland: LEI. Lucky to have received a bouquet of fresh lei.

104. Bring shame to: ABASH.

107. FDR's Scottie: FALA.

109. Not duped by: ONTO.

110. New __: AGER.

111. Migratory seabird: TERN.

113. Quiet go-ahead: NOD.

115. One looking for a buck?: DOE. Great clue.

116. Food service trade org.: NRA.

 

 

Boomer left the VA hospital last Monday, earlier than what was recommended, but he was so frustrated. It's unfortunate that he landed there during the holiday periods. VA kept a skeleton crew and PT just took a few days off. Thankfully the kind doctor did not put AMA (Against Medical Advice) on his discharge papers. 

We went back to VA last Thursday (1/6/2022) for a consultation with the radiation doctors. Boomer was tattooed and he'll have 5 sessions of radiation from Jan 24th to Jan 28th to shrink the bad cells (impossible to eradicate them). After that, he'll have new chemo. He had been taking oral chemo every day.

Next Tuesday, Dr. Downs will let us know more details. The week after, Boomer will have a few sessions with the PT and the OT.

I'm sure we have a rough road ahead. Please continue to keep Boomer in your thoughts and prayers.

C.C.

Sunday November 7, 2021 John-Clark Levin

Theme: "Shh!" - Part of each theme entry is a car model. Clues only refers to the non-car parts.

23. *Discerning: EDGEWISE. Ford Edge.

24. *Building manager: SUPERCHARGER. Dodge Charger

37. *Performer's period on the job: CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. Honda Civic.

53. *Electricity: BEETLE JUICE. VW Beetle.

67. *Apportion: CONTINENTAL DIVIDE. Lincoln Continental.

84. *Follow: TRAILBLAZER. Chevy Blazer.

94. *Work a side hustle: MOONLIGHT SONATA. Hyundai Sonata.

113. *Infatuated with, with "on": SOUL-CRUSHING. I don't quite get this. Can you give me a sentence? Kia Soul.

Reveal:

116. Place for Amtrak passengers to unwind ... and a hint to how to interpret eight puzzle answers: QUIET CAR.

I'm not a car person. I can only tell a few car models. Here we have 8 car models from 8 different car makers, right? 

Our Santa Fe is pretty good, except the passenger seat which can't be raised. It's very smart. It beeps at you when you cross the lane lines.

Here's President Xi Jinping's luxury car: Hongqi, literally "red flag".

 

Across:

1. Dried meat snacks: SLIM JIMS. Had quite a bit of dried fruit when I grew up. Never dried meat.

9. Whitewater craft: CANOES.

15. Son of Abraham: ISAAC.

20. Got emotional: TEARED UP.

21. Greek island named for a storied flier: ICARIA. Named after Icarus, whose wings melted in the sun.

22. Rousey who was the first American woman to win an Olympic judo medal: RONDA. Gimme!

26. "Little Red Book" writer: MAO. My dad could recite the whole book. He served in the Chinese Army.

27. Author Tolstoy: LEO. Carmen just mentioned "War and Peace". I never read it.

29. Land between hills: VALE.

30. Mensa prereq: IQ TEST.

31. Big __: Red Sox nickname: PAPI. He was so so with with the Twins.

34. Truckers' loads: HAULS.

36. Call, old-style: DIAL.

43. "A Hymn to __": "My Fair Lady" song: HIM.

46. Not attentive: ASLEEP.

47. Bauxite, to aluminum: ORE.

48. Conquer a hero?: EAT. Hero sandwich.

50. Chaplin accessory: CANE.

51. Decked out: CLAD.

52. Victoria's Secret purchase: BRA.

57. Is down with: HAS.

58. Smelting by-product: SLAG. Hot!

60. Corp. alternatives: LLCS.

61. Unwitting test taker: LAB RAT.

62. Longtime U.K. record label: EMI.

63. Greek fabulist: AESOP.

65. Bilbao bear: OSO.

66. Locks in a barn: MANE. Horse barn.

72. Point after deuce: AD IN.

73. Sticking point?: RUT. Stuck in a rut.

74. Jefferson Memorial column type: IONIC.

75. Catch a few winks: NAP.

78. Handles clumsily: PAWS AT.

81. Give up: CEDE.

82. "__ la France!": VIVE.

83. "The History of the Standard Oil Company" author Tarbell: IDA.

86. Neighbor of Ill.: WIS. Where D-Otto grew up. So you have to change this sign every 4 years?

87. Obstacles to good teamwork: EGOS.

88. Picnic crashers: ANTS.

89. Play it by __: EAR.

90. Many Ph.D. students: TAs.

91. Reminder: PROMPT.

93. Make out: SEE. Such a comfort to SEE Irish Miss on the blog!

99. __ old age: RIPE. What is exactly the age for ripe old age?

103. Poppycock: HOOEY.

104. Votes in favor: AYES.

105. Rod user: ANGLER. Fishing rod.

107. Teeny, tiny bit: IOTA.

108. Kind of PC port: USB.

110. Place for a mask: SPA. Facial mask.

120. Fiji neighbor: TONGA. Just had their first COVID case.

121. Tenant: ROOMER.

122. Paragon of prestige: CLASS ACT. Harmon Killebrew came to mind. He was so nice to every fan, unlike Rod Carew.

123. Mork's leader: ORSON.

124. Hider's revelation: IN HERE.

125. Fish with the largest brain: MANTA RAY. Good to know.

Down:

1. Originate (from): STEM.

2. Mother of Castor: LEDA.

3. "Aladdin" parrot: IAGO.

4. GI chow: MRE. Meals Ready to Eat for Chinese soldiers.

5. Yom Kippur observer: JEW.

6. Despot Amin: IDI.

7. Fabric from Iraq: MUSLIN. MADRAS has the same letter count. It's from India. We also have 15. Baghdad native: IRAQI.

8. Graf __: WWII ship: SPEE.

9. Opposite of trans: CIS. Cisgender.

10. Contact lens giant: ACUVUE. Might be tough for those who don't wear contact lens.

11. Morning smell in "Apocalypse Now": NAPALM.  "I love the smell of NAPLAM in the morning".

12. Vague threat: OR ELSE.

13. Emerald Isle: EIRE.

14. Egg container: SAC.

16. In a way, informally: SORTA.

17. Thin 77-Down: ANGEL HAIR. And 77. 17-Down, e.g.: PASTA. Do you see this brand in your area? 

18. Fruity thirst-quenchers: ADES.

19. Horse preceder, when things are amiss?: CART. Cart before the horse.

25. Laid low: HID.

28. "Gone With the Wind" family name: O'HARA.

31. Blotchy: PIED.

32. Team's #1 pitcher: ACE.

33. Get-up-and-go: PEP.

35. Sit in casks, say: AGE. I just sit in a chair and AGE.

37. Secret supply: CACHE.

38. Faith with Sunni and Shia branches: ISLAM.

39. Pickle brand with a stork mascot: VLASIC. Nothing compares to Claussen.

40. Medusa, for one: GORGON.

41. Neighbors of the Knicks: NETS.

42. Latvian chess champ Mikhail __: TAL.

44. Atahualpa subject: INCA.

45. Track competition: MEET.

49. Mideast port on the Mediterranean: TEL AVIV. Full name. We often just see TEL or AVIV as fill-in-the-blank.

50. Like chicken-fried steak: CUBED.

52. Washroom fixture: BASIN.

53. Police record: BLOTTER.

54. "Frozen" sister: ELSA.

55. Cause for a romaine recall: E COLI.

56. Muppet who plays lead guitar in the Electric Mayhem: JANICE. Learning moment for me.

58. Flip-flop: SANDAL.

59. The Beatles' last studio album: LET IT BE.

64. Rosie of "Do the Right Thing": PEREZ.

66. Tiny Oreos: MINIS.

68. Place of refuge: OASIS.

69. Manet's "Olympia," e.g.: NUDE. How many of you have seen this painting in person?

70. Anti-war: DOVISH.

71. "The Imitation Game" encryption machine: ENIGMA.

76. Rescue from a shelter: ADOPT.

78. K-12 fundraising gps.: PTAS.

79. "Rule, Britannia" composer Thomas: ARNE. Learned from doing crosswords.

80. Pool party arsenal: WATER GUNS.

81. Italian "dear": CARO.

85. Run for it: LAM.

86. Sought-after Japanese beef: WAGYU.

87. Ages and ages: EONS.

90. Dressy accessory: TIE.

91. "Gangnam Style" rapper: PSY. How times flies. Now it's all about BTS.

92. Sushi topping: ROE.

95. "Pick me! Pick me!": OH OH OH.

96. A jiffy: NO TIME.

97. Repair shop offer: LOANER.

98. __ rasa: blank slate: TABULA.

100. Volunteer's offer: I'LL GO.

101. Type of pie popular in Southern cuisine: PECAN. Thanksgiving is coming!

102. Mess up: ERR.

105. In the matter of: AS TO.

106. American-born Jordanian queen: NOOR.

107. Airs now: IS ON.

109. Area meas. about the size of a pinkie toenail: SQ CM. Square centimeter.

110. Part of the navel is one: SCAR.

111. Guinea pig look-alike: PACA.

112. Affectedly cultured: ARTY.

114. New England sch.: URI. University of Rhode Island.

115. Future Ph.D.'s test: GRE.

117. McKellen who played Gandalf: IAN.

118. February Va. hours: EST.

119. Flight safety org.: TSA.

C.C.