Thursday September 17, 2026 Katy Steinmetz

Katy Steinmetz is a poet and she knows it. She should try her hand at songwriting!

(with apologies to Paul Simon)

All of the following themers rhyme a "newsworthy" object with a synonym for a reporter's point of view.

17. Reporter's approach to a story about a bracelet?: BANGLE ANGLE. But this could've been an entertainment reporter's review of a BANGLEs concert...

23. Reporter's approach to a story about a doppelgänger?: TWIN SPIN. ...or a Bee Gees concert.

TWINs born on December 22, 1949

35. Reporter's approach to a story about a male duck?: DRAKE TAKE. ...or a DRAKE concert.

50. Reporter's approach to a story about a picnic pest?: ANT SLANT. ...or an Adam ANT concert.

57. Reporter's approach to a story about a spring bloom?: CROCUS FOCUS. ...or even of FOCUS playing Hocus Pocus. (There also was a rock band in the '80s called KROCUS.) 
 

Well, this one from our bard wasn't hard. Once you gleaned the scheme of the theme (which was after the first one), knowing they all were rhymes made it easy peasy. And with five of them, the rest was pretty much run-of-the-mill fill.

Let's continue from different perspective:

Across:

1. Necklace clasp spot: NAPE.

5. Rather peculiar: SCREWY. I'm not SCREWY, although I may have one loose...

11. Implore: BEG.

14. Tandoor, for one: OVEN. In the '70s, we had a tan door OVEN.

It's called Espresso. Avocado and Harvest Gold were also popular.

15. Sub: HOAGIE. If they're out of HOAGIEs, you can always sub a grinder...but not one from Lowe's!

16. Credit card fig.: APR. Annual Percentage Rate.

17. [theme]

19. Game cube: DIE. Not to be confused with it's bigger sibling.

Nintendo GameCube

20. "Cheap Thrills" singer: SIA. I so wanted ZAPPA instead.

21. Lowe's purchase: TOOL. Try their grinders!

22. Lariat: ROPE. ROPE is in Lowe's aisle 23.

23. [theme]

26. Workers featured in the opening scenes of "Frozen": ICEMEN.

28. Greet someone from a distance: WAVE HI.

29. Gets a rise out of, in a way: LEAVENS. This year, RightBrain challenged herself to make sourdough bread. After several months of trial and error, she's nailed it. Her latest thing is mini-loaves.

Clockwise from top: cinnamon swirl; artisanal plain; everything bagel; strawberry with chocolate chips

30. Spanish "Listen!": OYE. 

31. Soy block: TOFU. A vegan in Maine loves TOFU, but the DMV made him surrender his license plate anyway.

34. Phoenix team: SUNS. The SUNS professional basketball team.

35. [theme]

38. Small jazz combo: TRIO.

40. Provide a fake alibi for, say: ABET.

41. Swelter: FRY.

44. Tap dancer Hines: GREGORY. He is celebrated for his intricate phrasing, cool style, and for reviving tap popularity in the late 20th century.

46. "You're right!": I AGREE.

49. Make changes to: REVISE.

50. [theme]

52. Prayer ender: AMEN. 

53. Lamb wrap with tzatziki: GYRO. A GYRO is usually wrapped in a PITA.

55. Charged particle: ION.

56. Tennessee athlete, for short: VOL. The University of Tennessee Volunteers.

57. [theme]

61. Before, in old poetry: ERE.

62. Compilation: DIGEST. Such as Reader's DIGEST. I haven't seen one in years, but print subscriptions are still available.

63. Subway Series squad: METS. The local rivalry of the New York METS vs. the New York Yankees.

64. Acid letters: LSD. I was given a hit of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in college, but I dropped it.

65. __-sense: SPIDEY. SPIDEY-sense refers to an early warning of immediate danger before it happens, as evidenced by Peter Parker aka Spiderman.

66. River through Flanders: YSER. YSER flows in French Flanders, the north of France.

Down:

1. San Francisco's __ Hill: NOB. NOB Hill is a posh historic neighborhood overlooking San Francisco.

I don't mean to brag, but I live near Nob Hill (Road).

2. Janelle's "Abbott Elementary" role: AVA. Janelle James plays principal AVA Coleman.

3. Deep in thought: PENSIVE.

4. Tuneup target: ENGINE. I wanted GUITAR, of course. 😉 I never had a Ric 12-string, but while it's an engineering marvel, it looks daunting to tune up.

Rickenbacker 360/12 headstock

5. "__ sells seashells ... ": SHE. "I have the world's largest collection of sea shells. I keep it scattered on beaches all over the world. Maybe you've seen it." Steven Wright

6. Tropical ring-tailed mammal: COATI. A COATI is a member of the raccoon family and is native to South America.

7. Built one's campaign around: RAN ON.

8. Breakfast brand: EGGO. Crossword constructors will never leggo EGGO because its contains such common letters.

9. Country great Nelson: WILLIE. We should all chip in and buy him a new guitar.

WILLIE Nelson and "Trigger"

10. "__-haw!": YEE. I wanted HEE-Haw because of another country great, Roy Clark.

Roy's playing a Gibson Les Paul Custom "Black Beauty"

11. Sign of trouble: BAD OMEN.

12. Camp nurse's supply: EPIPENS.

13. Salad leaves: GREENS.

18. Mascara target: LASH.

22. Variety show: REVUE.

23. Wee hour: TWO. As we learned a week ago, TWO may also be the wee-wee hour.

24. Modus operandi: WAY. Per the Mandalorian, "This is the WAY."

25. 53-Across bread: PITA. Although a GYRO may be served on a platter.

27. Champagne barrel: CASK.

29. Mandolin kin: LUTE. For comparison to Roy's, here's a pic of my blonde Les Paul Custom, a distant cousin of a LUTE.

20th Anniversary model from 1974 aka "the Fretless Wonder"

32. "... Fine.": OKAY.

33. Shortest mo.: FEB. My oldest son was born on February 28th of a leap year, just hours before not having a birthday very often. 

35. "Dinner is served!": DIG IN.

36. Some big hoppers: ROOS. ROOS is short for kangaroos, even if they're tall. 

37. Fighting: AT IT.

38. Small quakes: TREMORS.

39. Took deep pleasure (in): REVELED.

41. Three-time Best Actress Oscar winner McDormand: FRANCES. She also won a fourth Oscar for Best Picture as producer of Nomadland.

42. Driver's "Star Wars" role: REN. Adam Driver plays Kylo REN in the Star Wars franchise, but he never met a Mandalorian. 

43. Up to today: YET.

44. Rough road surface: GRAVEL.

45. Fix, as a tennis racket or golf club: REGRIP.

47. "Yeah, right!": AS IF.

48. Down in the dumps: GLOOMY.

50. Like an eyebrow: ARCED. I'd rather have ARCHED.

51. Pointless: NO USE.

54. Asana expert: YOGI. If you do it right, you won't have boo-boos. 

57. LP successors: CDS. Kids ask me, "What's an LP?" I tell them they came before CDs. "What's a CD?"

58. Farm pen: STY. 

59. Great Basin native: UTE. 

60. Georgia, once: Abbr.: SSR. This Soviet Socialist Republic was part of the Soviet Union from 1921 to 1991.

Be good. RB

Sunday September 21, 2025 Katy Steinmetz & Rich Katz

Theme: "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?" - Each phrase you might hear during a bad cell connection is humorously reinterpreted in a non-call context.

22. "There's not enough chocolate for the both of us!": I ONLY HAVE ONE BAR.

30. "Our waiter's wearing leopard-print pants!": THE SERVICE IS SPOTTY.

43. "Stop switching lanes so aggressively!": YOU'RE CUTTING IN AND OUT.

65. "We could get separated in this crowd!": I MIGHT LOSE YOU.

83. "Our next flight leaves 10 minutes after we land!": WE HAVE A BAD CONNECTION.

99. "I've been to more enjoyable weddings!": THE RECEPTION IS WEAK.

110. "It sounds like that relationship is over!": YOU'RE BREAKING UP.

This is a fun set. The static is replaced with humor. Super tight theme. 

This marks the fourth collaboration from Katy and Rich, the third Sunday. Both of them seem to be fond of this type of rephrasing theme.

Across:

1. Facing the pitcher: AT BAT.

6. Closely guarded areas in soccer: SHINS.

11. Korean-style __: BBQ. I just call it Korean BBQ. They often use lettuces and perilla leaves as wraps.

14. Brunch side: HASH.

18. Sunday singers: CHOIR. 

19. Window parts: PANES.

20. __ deco: ART.

21. Alexander of "Rizzoli & Isles": SASHA.

25. Up to: UNTIL.

26. Failure: DUD.

27. __ firma: TERRA.

28. Not trans: CIS.

29. Give heart to: ASSURE.

34. Former NPR host Norris: MICHELE. Soothing voice. She's born in Minneapolis.

37. Frosts: ICES.

38. Main ideas: THEMES.

39. Workout reminders?: ACHES.

40. Opera set in Egypt: AIDA.

42. Viewed: SEEN.

51. "My treat!": ON ME.

52. Elderly: AGED.

53. Wax-coated cheese: EDAM.

54. Sandwich choice: WRAP.

56. Spot for a pot: SILL.

58. Following: AFTER.

60. Big batteries: D CELLS.

62. Moody genre: EMO.

69. Board alternative: SKI. OK, snowboard. 

70. Coco Gauff's sport: TENNIS.

72. MeTV fare: RE-RUN.

73. German auto: AUDI.

75. __-Cola: COCA.

76. Singer Halliwell: GERI. Ginger Spice.

77. Gentlemen: SIRS.

79. __ terrier: SKYE.

89. Nearly all: MOST.

90. Bygone GM line: OLDS.

91. Drummer Starr: RINGO.
 
92. Portmanteau pastry: CRONUT. Croissant & donut.

95. Swit co-star: ALDA.

97. Steering committee's output: AGENDAS.

103. Salad slice: RADISH. Have any of you tried watermelon radishes? Very pretty. They taste like daikon radishes.

104. Due-in hr.: ETA.

105. Gets bogged down: MIRES.

106. "__ Twist, Scientist": kid-lit bestseller: ADA.

109. Start: ONSET.

114. Rather wee: TEENY.

115. Spot for the night: INN.

116. Intended: MEANT.

117. Standards flouted by rebels: NORMS.

118. Blind part: SLAT.

119. TV's "Science Guy": NYE.

120. Arm bones: ULNAS.

121. Purple flavor: GRAPE.

Down:

1. Low-pH stuff: ACID.

2. The old you?: THOU.The Ten Commandments are part of my classes.

3. No fighter: BOND.

4. Suffer: AIL.

5. "Have a few samples": TRY THESE. These go well with your Korean BBQ. Banchan.

6. Few and far between: SPARSE.

7. Le __: French port: HAVRE.

8. Like some headsets: IN EAR.

9. Keanu role: NEO.

10. W-2 fig.: SSN.

11. Some pediatric patients: BABIES.

12. Luca of "The Godfather": BRASI. Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes.

13. NBA div.: QTR. Quarter.

14. Horse-drawn carriage: HANSOM.

15. Insightful: ASTUTE.

16. Skins' opponents: SHIRTS.

17. Jay and Gloria's oldest grandchild on "Modern Family": HALEY.

21. Leave dangling: SUSPEND.

23. Stiletto, for one: HEEL.

24. Latin "behold": ECCE.

29. Wan: ASHEN.

30. "__ no easy way to say this ... ": THERE'S.

31. Center of a historic boast: VIDI.

32. Declaration of ability: I CAN.

33. Cook dim sum, say: STEAM. Any of you are Costco members? Their Prawn Hacao are amazing.

34. Subway spread: MAYO.

35. Touchscreen image: ICON.

36. Fish used to fish for other fish: CHUM.

40. Chowed down: ATE.

41. "__ be my pleasure": IT'D.

42. Trap: SNARE.

44. Soothes: CALMS.

45. Fruit that sounds unattractive: UGLI.

46. "All aboard!": GET ON.

47. March day for a historic coup: IDES.

48. Face late charges, maybe: OWE.

49. Browser links: URLS.

50. "__ is cheap": TALK.

55. Tire meas.: PSI.

57. Junior's junior: III.

58. Heart parts: ATRIA.

59. Winter bug: FLU. So relieved that my cough is almost gone. Almost a repeat of my ordeal last summer.

60. Drench: DOUSE.

61. Meadow mouthful: CUD.

62. "Yada yada" abbr.: ETC.

63. Copy cats?: MEOW. The clue is 66. Awesome: GREAT.

64. Frost's "__ by the Pacific": ONCE.

67. Sage, for one: HERB. 

68. Raw material for some bees: YARN.

71. "Hard pass": NAH.

74. Self-critical remark: I STINK.

76. Noble deed of yore: GESTE.

77. Supply that might be ready to roll: SOD.

78. __ and outs: INS.

80. Ilk: KIND.

81. Lenovo laptop whose screen bends over backward: YOGA. Not famliar with this.

82. Actress Mireille: ENOS.

84. Blanket forgiveness: AMNESTY. Margaret said all my sins will be forgiven when I'm baptized. Sounds like the ultimate Control + Alt + Delete for the soul.

85. __ for: attest to: VOUCH.

86. "Ice Age" bird: DODO.

87. Family: CLAN.

88. Folding: CREASING.

92. French fashion house: CHANEL.

93. Biblical site of long division?: RED SEA. Parting the Red Sea.

94. Get one's bearings: ORIENT.

95. Unify, in a way: ATTUNE.

96. Perjurer: LIAR.

97. "That's a shame": AW RATS.

98. Nerd (out): GEEK.

99. Unlikely gaits out of the starting gate: TROTS. Ha.

100. Garden flower: PEONY.

101. Former Pakistan prime minister __ Khan: IMRAN.  He was a pro cricketer.

102. Tuscan city that's home to the oldest bank in the world: SIENA. Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena. Founded in 1472. Learning moment for me.

106. Taj Mahal site: AGRA.

107. Garbage truck destination: DUMP.

108. Sanctuary area: APSE.

110. Yang counterpart: YIN.

111. Big bird: EMU.

112. __ canto: BEL.

113. Scand. kingdom: NOR.

C.C.

Sunday June 16, 2024 Katy Steinmetz & Rich Katz

Theme "Get Cooking" - Cooking phrases are rephrased as non-cooking.

22. Instruction for the host of a comedic takedown?: ROAST UNTIL TENDER.

37. Meditate ahead of a big tennis match?: CHILL BEFORE SERVING.

56. An icy winter?: SEASON WITH SALT.

65. Open a joint savings account?: MIX THE DOUGH.

77. Toss and turn all night?: STIR FREQUENTLY.

96. Defect to the prosecution midtrial?: FLIP HALFWAY THROUGH.

115. What the best mystery writers know how to do?: FINISH WITH A TWIST.

I like that the FINISH entry is the last of the set. Super consistent, all verb phrases, though 56A is re-phrased as a noun.

I just checked our blog Labels, this is the third collaboration from Katy and Rich.

Across:

1. Secret repository: CACHE.

6. Speed-of-sound ratio: MACH. Named after physicist Ernst Mach.

10. Overactors: HAMS.

14. More than a stone's throw: AFAR.

18. Buenos __: AIRES.

19. Nueve menos uno: OCHO. 113. Roman 19-Across: VIII.

20. Tyler Perry character: MADEA. Nice tweed jacket.

21. Wolfe of "Three at Wolfe's Door": NERO.

25. "Gimme a break!": C'MON.

26. 1980s sitcom ET: ALF.

27. __ board: SOUNDING.

28. Whole-grain cereal brand: KASHI. Boomer had to have Grape-Nuts on Monday mornings.

30. Andes lake: TITICACA.

33. Ballet __: FLAT.

35. Ford Field team: LIONS.

42. Washington's "Lilac City": SPOKANE.

45. Singers Green and Yankovic: ALS.

46. "I'm off": BYE.

47. "Leaping lizards!": I SAY.

48. Head, as a meeting: CHAIR.

49. Prestreaming devices, for short: DVRS.

51. __ House: "Jane Eyre" setting: MOOR.

53. Take effect: SET IN.

54. Gory, perhaps: RATED R.

59. Applies: USES.

60. Reuters peer: UPI. United Press International. Feels like it has faded away.

62. Sweltering: HOT.

63. Opposing vote: NAY.

64. The "B" of BFF: BEST.

69. Elemental unit: ATOM.

73. "Am __ the right track?": I ON.

74. Perch output: ROE.

75. Antidiscrimination inits.: EEO.

76. Used a snowboard: RODE.

84. Pleases no end: ELATES.

86. Furniture designer Charles: EAMES. The chair man.

87. Took legal action: SUED.

88. NBA star Westbrook, to fans: RUSS.

90. Australian mine finds: OPALS. 1. Measure for 90-Across: CARAT.

91. Singer Dua __: LIPA.

92. Feathery accessory: BOA.

93. Emer. message: SOS.

94. One way to analyze music: TONALLY.

101. Petal support: SEPAL.

102. Twain character: FINN.

103. Not mandatory: OPTIONAL.

107. Terrycloth wrap: TOWEL.

109. Compliment on the green: NICE PUTT. I love watching those pitch-ins from a greenside bunker.

112. "Sorry, it's __ from me": A NO.

119. Grace period?: AMEN.

120. East Coast rd.: US ONE.

121. Not on land: ASEA.

122. Barn nestling: OWLET.

123. Confused: LOST.

124. Sp. or Ital.: LANG.

125. Condé __: NAST.

126. Cybertruck maker: TESLA.

Down:

2. Garlicky emulsion: AIOLI.

3. Make paper bag puppets, perhaps: CRAFT. So cute.

4. Toms and drakes: HES.

5. Parts and labor fig.: EST.

6. Like Mr. Peanut: MONOCLED.

7. Honest-to-goodness: ACTUAL.

8. Facial feature unique to humans: CHIN. Really? Other animals don't have chins?

9. Callback alternative: HOLD.

10. Building with wings?: HANGAR. 29. Title of a medieval tale?: SIR. Great clues.

11. Join together: ADD.

12. Spineless: MEEK.

13. Big name in baked goods: SARA LEE.

14. Divisive pizza topping: ANCHOVIES. If you don't like anchovies, then you won't like fish sauce, then you won't like green papaya salad. Too bad.

15. Advocate para las mujeres: FEMINISTA. Spanish for "feminist".

16. One not into amorous love, briefly: ARO. Aromantic.

17. "Parks and Rec" character Swanson: RON.

20. __ Park: Meta site: MENLO.

23. Olympian Bolt: USAIN.

24. Small disputes: TIFFS.

31. Most foul: ICKIEST.

32. Leafy green also known as silver beet: CHARD. I never had chard before. Does it have edible root?

34. 2007 Heisman winner Tim: TEBOW.

36. Slug cousin: SNAIL.

38. Uncover: BARE.

39. Disney queen who says, "You can't marry a man you just met": ELSA. "You can if it's true love."

40. Vaccine tool: SYRINGE.

41. Ibsen's "Peer __": GYNT.

42. Go after grime: SCRUB.

43. Developmental period: PHASE.

44. Musical Hall partner: OATES.

50. Powerful engine: V SIX.

51. "I can relate," online: MOOD. What do you think this song is about?

52. Not bamboozled by: ONTO.

53. Prone to shrinking?: SHY. Shrinking violet.

55. A bit of tea, in a way: RUMOR.

57. Gloss: SHEEN.

58. Sierra Nevada lake: TAHOE.

61. Clorox brand: PINE-SOL.

66. HBO's "__ Detective: Night Country": TRUE.

67. Got into the weeds?: HOED. Garden weeds.

68. Turnarounds: UEYS.

69. Great Plains people: ARAPAHO.

70. Come to: TOTAL.

71. NFL star __ Beckham Jr.: ODELL. Dating Kim Kardashian now.

72. Like a toddler with finger paints: MESSY.

73. Uncertainties: IFS.

77. "Solitude is the richness of __": May Sarton: SELF.

78. Formal affair wear: TAILS.

79. Blasphemy and sacrilege: IMPIETIES.

80. Tap again, in a way: RE-APPOINT.

81. Big drink: QUAFF.

82. Dressage pace: TROT.

83. Like much of Hawaii: LUSH.

85. Sound heard twice in a lifetime?: LONG I. The sound in lifetime.

89. "Cut it out!": STOP THAT.

92. Sinister: BALEFUL.I did not know this meaning. Looks like baleful of hay to me.

93. Harmonize: SYNCH.

95. "I'm __ here": OUTTA.

97. Follower of hee and yee: HAW.

98. Schmoozing by boozing: WINING.

99. Ouzo flavor: ANISE.

100. Ways to go: ROUTES.

104. Aces: NAILS. Verb. Like I nailed it.

105. "Moon and Half Dome" photographer Adams: ANSEL.

106. Whole host o': LOTTA.

108. "Lady Tan's Circle of Women" novelist See: LISA.

110. Actor McGregor: EWAN.

111. Tuscan setting for novelty photos: PISA.

113. Actor Kilmer: VAL.

114. "FWIW" kin: IMO.

116. Part of enby: NON. Enby (NB) = Non-Binary.

117. Tater __: TOT.

118. Org. that maintains kayfabe during shows: WWE. OK, here's the definition of kayfabe: the fact or convention of presenting staged performances as genuine or authentic.

C.C.

Sunday May 5, 2024 Katy Steinmetz & Rich Katz

Theme:  "Name That Tune" - Each song is rephrased fitting the "what line" in the clue.

23. Power line?: WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS.

33. Life line?: I WILL SURVIVE.

49. Party line?: LET'S GET IT STARTED.

68. Opening line?: I'VE GOT A BLANK SPACE BABY.

91. Time line?: YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE.

107. Dividing line?: GO YOUR OWN WAY.

119. Shore line?: UNDER THE BOARDWALK.

Not sure about 68A. Is it a song title? I only know it's a line from Taylor Swift's "Blank Space". 

Otherwise, I really like this theme set. We've seen "... line" rephrase theme before, but not with the extra song layer. Congrats on your Sunday debut, Katy and Rich!

Across:

1. "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" novelist Jamie: FORD. His debut novel. He's half Chinese.

 

5. Low-end speaker: BASS. And 18. One throwing out the first pitch?: OBOE.

9. Emulate successfully: PASS AS.

15. Cooling units, for short: ACS.

19. __ research: some dirt-digging: OPPO. Opposition research.

20. Baseball level just below the Majors: TRIPLE A. And 22. Hall of Fame slugger Mel: OTT. 86. One of Nolan Ryan's record seven: NO-HIT GAME.

26. Parched: DRY.

27. Two-time Best Female Golfer ESPY winner Ko: LYDIA. Kiwi. She was born in Korea.

28. Leaf wrangler: RAKE.

29. Bewitch: ENTHRALL.

31. Fright: TERROR.

37. Like some candles: SCENTED.

39. Home of many Goyas and El Grecos: PRADO.

40. "Fire" gemstone: OPAL.

41. Unlikely duo?: ELS. The two L's in "Unlikely"

42. "The Boy and the Heron" genre: ANIME.

44. Gifts at some Honolulu hotels: LEIS.

46. The blue in blue cheese, e.g.: MOLD.

54. Follower of up, down, and mid: TOWN.

56. Shake: LOSE.

57. Ireland, to the Irish: EIRE.

58. Like some adoption records: SEALED.

60. "The Matrix" hero: NEO.

61. Train cos.: RRS.

64. Prehistoric: OLD.

66. Data on dashboards: MILEAGES.

75. Yoga asana that requires balance: TREE POSE.

76. MSNBC journalist Cabrera: ANA.

77. Like this clue's number: ODD.

78. "Am __ time?": I ON.

79. Require: ENTAIL.

82. High point of the "Odyssey"?: OSSA. Mount Ossa.

85. Meter or liter: UNIT.

89. Dirty: SOIL.

95. Swap __: MEET.

97. Room in una casa: SALA.

98. HS course covering the facts of life: AP BIO.

99. Curse: HEX.

100. Guides with keys: MAPS.

103. __-panky: HANKY.

105. Writer of pastoral poems: IDYLIST. Spell check does not like this word.

111. Didn't cook, but didn't order in: ATE OUT.

112. Totalitarianism, metaphorically: IRON RULE.

113. Villain's hangout: LAIR.

115. Rims: EDGES.

118. Relieved (of): RID.

124. Female deer: DOE.

125. Spring agricultural machines: SEEDERS.

126. Beauty spot?: ULTA. Mecca of beauty products.

127. "That could work for me": I MAY.

128. "Weekend Update" show, casually: SNL.

129. Restoration poet dubbed "Glorious John": DRYDEN.

130. Headed to overtime: TIED.

131. __ pool: GENE.

Down:

1. Duck or goose: FOWL.

2. Comply: OBEY.

3. Consumer Reports tasks: ROAD TESTS.

4. "Merci" response: DE RIEN.

5. Social media annoyance: BOT.

6. Goddess of love who had five children with the god of war: APHRODITE. One of the kids is Eros.

7. Fishing tool: SPEAR.

8. "__ it to me!": SOCK.

9. Old school crowdfunding org.?: PTA.

10. Branch: ARM.

11. Wee drink: SIP.

12. Pitch: SPIEL.

13. Mets slugger Pete nicknamed "Polar Bear": ALONSO. New York Mets. Patti's team.

14. Mocked: SENT UP.

15. Vietnamese tunic: AODAI. Pretty. China's qipao is pretty too.

16. PC paste shortcut: CTRL V.

17. Flair: STYLE.

21. Place for a spiritual retreat: ASHRAM.

24. Livestock marker: EAR TAG.

25. Successor: HEIR.

30. KOA option: RV LOT.

32. Actress Russo: RENE.

34. Mickey's co-creator: WALT.

35. Brainstorming output: IDEAS.

36. French wine valley: LOIRE.

37. Go like hotcakes: SELL.

38. Egyptian queen, familiarly: CLEO. Cleopatra.

39. Gas, across the pond: PETROL.

43. Nintendo avatar: MII.

45. Snail mail need: STAMP.

47. Piece of cake?: LONG A. The A in "cake".

48. Square peg in a social circle?: DWEEB. Ha.

50. Durable twill fabric: SERGE.

51. Ward with two Emmy Awards: SELA.

52. Director Kazan: ELIA.

53. Big name in car batteries: DELCO.

55. Snoopy: NOSY.

59. Heroic act, say: DEED.

62. Tug of war need: ROPE.

63. Full of rocks: STONY.

65. Genetic letters: DNA.

67. Pop star Paula who was once a Lakers cheerleader: ABDUL. I did not know this.

68. "Can confirm": IT IS.

69. Noise made while playing with a Matchbox car: VROOM.

70. "__ Meenie": 2010 pop single: EENIE.

71. Regarding: AS TO.

72. Quaint baes: BEAUS.

73. Two half hitches, maybe: KNOT.

74. Verb that comes from a corruption of the ballet term "chassé": SASHAY. Another fun trivia.

80. Mogul Carl: ICAHN.

81. Former TV drama about SoCal attorneys: LA LAW.

83. "How's it hangin'?": SUP.

84. Get in the middle of, in a way: ARBITRATE.

87. Currier and __: IVES.

88. Words on a page: TEXT.

90. __ juice: LEMON.

92. Gran: NANA.

93. Log flume, e.g.: RIDE.

94. Went up and down, say: YOYOED.

96. Many a spring birth: TAURUS.

101. Cut back: PRUNED.

102. Machine shop alloy: SOLDER.

104. Six-time NBA All-Star Lowry: KYLE.

106. __ van Beethoven: LUDWIG.

107. Supports: GIRDS.

108. Constellation with a belt: ORION.

109. Sound that comes from on high: YODEL.

110. Like some unkempt gardens: WEEDY.

111. Garlicky sauce: AIOLI. This one seems to have egg yolks.

114. Border: ABUT.

116. Flair: ELAN.

117. Ione of "La Brea": SKYE.

120. __ velvet: RED.

121. Green Day drummer __ Cool: TRE.

122. Channel for bargain hunters: HSN.

123. "Gnarly": RAD.