Home is Where the Heart Is, Redux. This is the second Tuesday in a row where home was the theme. Last week, we were in actual living spaces. This week the word House is combined with another word to give us a new concept, most of which are not actual human living spaces.
17-Across. "Go," to a driver: GREEN LIGHT. Green House / Light House
26-Across. Insurance company whose slogan begins "Like a good neighbor": STATE FARM. State House / Farm House
37-Across. Trip of a lifetime: DREAM VACATION. Dream House / Vacation House
49-Across. Boost for a hockey team after a penalty: POWER PLAY. Power House / Play House
And the Unifier:
60-Across. People who share a living space, and what both parts of 17-, 26-, 37-, and 49-Across can be?: HOUSE MATES. Because Room Mates was too few letters.
15. Friend in Oaxaca: AMIGO. Today's Spanish lesson.
16. Silicon Valley's __ Alto: PALO.
19. NBA and WNBA: ORGs. Both the National Basketball Association and the Women's National Basketball Association are sports Organizations. // And 42-Across. Basketball venues: ARENAS. Teams in both the above organizations will play in an Arena.
20. Tile floor covering: MAT.
21. Sworn statement: OATH.
22. Go nuts for: ADORE.
24. Classic video game maker: ATARI.
29. Garden shovel: SPADE.
31. Easily reached, in a way: LOW. I recently had to move some of my dishes to a LOWer shelf to make it easier for me to reach.
32. Scattergories game piece with 20 sides: DIE.
33. Frozen treats in Roma: GELATI. Today's Italian lesson. What's the difference between Gelato and Ice Cream?
36. Serum container: VIAL.
41. Hosted, for short: MC'ED. As in acting as the Master of Ceremonies. Not to be confused with Einstein's theory of special relativity.
43. Med. condition featured in the novel "Turtles All the Way Down": OCD. Were you aware that the expression Turtles All the Way Down refers to the concept of infinite regress, or the idea that any explanation always requires a further explanation? It is also the title of a young-adult novel by John Green about a teenager with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
44. "Bien sûr": OUI. Today's French lesson.
46. Garden statue with a pointy hat: GNOME. This clue made me think of this scene from The Full Monty.
53. Disappear, as a puddle: DRY UP. Because Evaporate was too many letters.
55. Time-saving options for bakers: MIXES. Because Betty Crocker wouldn't fit into the spaces provided.
56. Post re-re-reshared on social media: MEME.
58. Sign of B'way success: SRO. Standing Room Only.
59. __ golf: MINI.
63. Blackjack cards: ACES.
64. Fertile spots in a desert: OASES.
66. Furtive "Hey!": PSST.
67. Length of hair: TRESS.
68. Leave a mark: SCAR.
Down:
1. Lava, while underground: MAGMA. Everything you wanted to know about Magma but never thought to ask.
2. "Darn it!": OH, RATS!
3. Keep a beat, digitally?: TOE TAP.
4. Organ on a dollar bill: EYE. Does the Eye really have a secret meaning?
5. Charity ball, say: GALA.
6. Sends out: EMITS.
7. Like an inflated blood pressure cuff: TIGHT.
8. "Yuck!": UGH.
9. Shepherd's pie topper: POTATO. Yummers! Here's a recipe.
10. Parody: SPOOF.
11. Dashboard feature: CAR RADIO.
12. Native of Africa's largest country: ALGERIAN. Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in North Africa. Algeria is bordered to the northeast by Tunisia; to the east by Libya; to the southeast by Niger; to the southwest by Mali, Mauritania, and Western Sahara; to the west by Morocco; and to the north by the Mediterranean Sea. Speaking of Africa, do you know which US State is closest to Africa? *
13. Calendar divs.: MOs. As in Months.
18. "I'm stumped": NO IDEA. I wasn't stumped by today's puzzle.
23. __ point: condensation temperature: DEW.
25. Ranted and raved: RAGED.
27. Wonderland visitor: ALICE. The original name of the book, which was published in 1864 was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. [Name # 1, fictional.]
28. Filmmaker Brooks: MEL. Mel Brooks (né Melvin James Kaminsky; b. June 28, 1926) was the creative genius behind the television series Get Smart. He is best known, however, for some really funny movies, including Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, Space Balls, and High Anxiety. [Name # 2]
30. Street in a horror franchise: ELM. What a nightmare!
34. To no __: unsuccessfully: AVAIL.
35. Sticky stuff: TAR.
36. Ski helmet part: VISOR.
37. Batman publisher: DC COMICS. Did you know that the DC is short for Detective Comics?
38. Merlot, Malbec, Montepulciano, etc.: RED WINES. I am familiar with Merlot, but Not Malbec or Montepulciano.
39. "The Ice Storm" director Lee: ANG. Ang Lee (b. Oct. 23, 1954) makes frequent guest appearances in the crossword puzzles. [Name # 3.]
40. With 65-Across, two-person vehicle: TANDEM. // And 65-Across: See 40-Down: BIKE.
41. Bucket partner: MOP.
44. Smelter input: ORE. A crossword staple.
45. Conclusion: UP-SHOT.
47. Occult practitioner: MYSTIC.
48. "Aha!": EUREKA.
50. Live: EXIST.
51. Bring on a smile: AMUSE.
52. Some RSVPs: YESES.
54. Tough question: POSER.
57. Clutter: MESS.
59. Geography class display: MAP.
61. Canoeist's need: OAR.
62. Crunched muscles: ABs.
Here's the Grid:
חתולה
* The closest US State to Africa is Maine. The closest point in Africa to the United States is El Beddouza, Morocco.
Theme: "In Tune" - Each theme clue
is a song. The synonym of the first word in each song is hidden inside
each theme entry, which defines the remaining part of each theme clue.
23. Friends in Low Places?: DEEP SEA TRENCHES. Dears.
38. Dust in the Wind?: SOPRANO CLARINET. Soot.
54. Party in the U.S.A.?: THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY. Do.
77. Dancing in the Street?: SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD. Samba.
91. Crazy in Love?: ABSOLUTELY ADORE. Outre.
110. Down in the Boondocks?: MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. Low.
Just in awe of this theme. So many layers. So much work involved finding workable theme entries. 77A is amazing.
Our blog tags show that this is the Kyle and Dylan's second collaboration. The first one isthis themeless Gary blogged last year. Kyle is known for his clean and sparkly themeless grids.
Across:
1. Capital known as "The City of Trees": BOISE. And 19. Capital known as "The City of Stairs": AMMAN.
6. HS course for a future poli-sci major: AP GOV. Also 61. Capitol Hill fig.: POL.
11. "How silly of me!": DOH.
14. Cook brisket, perhaps: SMOKE.
20. Quinceañera accessory: TIARA. So pretty, everything.
21. Singer profiled in the 2022 Netflix documentary "Halftime," familiarly: J. LO. And 85. "__ Kai": Netflix series: COBRA.
22. Ancient manuscript: CODEX.
26. Outkast rapper __ 3000: ANDRE.
27. Org. whose logo features crossed clubs: PGA.
28. Oct. 24 observance: UN DAY.
29. Chemical in bagel-making: LYE.
30. Cream-filled pastries: ECLAIRS.
32. Way off: RANCID.
34. Some truffle hunters: BOARS.
36. Colorado State's sports team: RAMS.
37. Jellicle Ball attendee: CAT. The musical "Cats".
44. Love, in Verona: AMORE.
46. Walking tall: PROUD.
47. Half-inning trio: OUTS.
48. Can opener: TAB.
49. Pixar swimmer: NEMO.
50. Lacking proper punctuation, perhaps: RUN-ON.
51. Delight: AMUSE.
53. School member: FISH.
58. "Am __ blame?": I TO.
59. Presto, musically: FAST.
60. 20s dispensers: ATMS.
62. Amsterdam waterway: CANAL.
64. "Just watch me!": CAN SO.
66. [Crying emoji]: I'M SAD. When I pushed off the wall, I just could not submerge low enough to do the underwater dolphin kicks. Life is hard when you can't sink low.
70. Video art pioneer __ June Paik: NAM. Unknown to me. Wikipedia says he's "considered to be the founder of video art".
72. Licensed transport: TAXI.
73. Train, as a boxer: SPAR.
76. Hilton-owned hotel chain: TRU.
83. Basic ballet move: PLIE.
84. Antibiotic units: DOSES.
86. Central Plains tribe: OTOE.
87. Organ with a hammer: EAR.
88. Foie __: GRAS.
89. Ticket prices?: FINES. Parking ticket.
90. Tons and tons: SLEWS.
95. DOJ agency: ATF.
96. Bench press targets, for short: TRIS.
97. College administrators: DEANS.
98. High-end hair dryers: DYSONS. Very pricey.
101. Flatbread served with dal: PARATHA. And 118. Less spicy, in a way: TAMER. Indian food are a bit spicy for me.
104. Projectile's path: ARC.
105. Beach balls?: LUAUS. 114. Play place?: STAGE. 121. Oyster cracker?: OTTER. 82. Power base?: VOLTS. Fun clues.
108. Noisy fight: ROW.
109. Vessel implant: STENT.
115. To's opposite: FRO.
116. Model/actress Kate: UPTON. She's married to Justin Verlander.
117. "__ mañana": HASTA.
119. Bros: MEN.
120. __ profundo: low voice: BASSO.
Down:
1. Unflattering media coverage, briefly: BAD PR.
2. Rolex competitor: OMEGA.
3. "Seriously!?": I MEAN COME ON. 16. "Weird, right?": ODD ISN'T IT. I love these two long fill.
4. Maple syrup base: SAP.
5. Like a hotel bathroom, often: EN SUITE.
6. Teeny bit: A TAD.
7. Gyro wrapper: PITA.
8. "Slow Horses" actor Oldman: GARY. My favorite Gary. Gosh, 10 years already.
9. Deposit for processing: ORE.
10. Unit for soccer practice carpool, say: VAN LOAD.
11. Video game with a turntable-shaped controller: DJ HERO.
12. Copa América cry: OLE.
13. Slip 'N Slide need: HOSE.
14. Quantities such as mass and time: SCALARS. Opposite vectors.
15. Address for Hercule Poirot: MON AMI.
17. Steve with nine NBA titles as a player and coach: KERR.
18. Old flames: EXES.
24. Finish: END.
25. The "C" of the CMYK color model: CYAN.
31. Prepare to move, as artwork: CRATE UP.
33. Christmas tune: CAROL.
34. Pop star Mars: BRUNO. Loved his "Just the Way You Are".
35. Scrubs: SCOURS.
38. Root veggies: SPUDS.
39. " ... then again, we could try something else": OR NOT.
40. [It's gone!]: POOF.
41. Ardent desire: LUST.
42. "No sweat!": EASY.
43. "Truthfully," in a text: TBH. To be honest.
44. Shenanigan: ANTIC.
45. Conductor Zubin: MEHTA.
50. Genetic letters: RNA.
51. Many NYC addresses: APTS.
52. Tibetan dumpling: MOMO. Similiar to xiaolongbao.
53. Festival entry: FILM.
55. Major key of Chopin's "Heroic" Polonaise: A FLAT.
56. Spreading fear: PANIC.
57. Bête __: NOIRE.
63. "The Favourite" queen: ANNE.
64. Candy __: CANE.
65. Graph line: AXIS.
67. Minnesota's Paul Bunyan, for one: STATE FOREST. Maybe I should explore the trails there someday.
68. Item in a quiver: ARROW.
69. Bros: DUDES.
71. Wild hurry: MAD RUSH.
72. Threw out: TOSSED.
73. Serious: SOBER.
74. Coach purchase, perhaps: PURSE. Coach bags.
75. __ plancha: Spanish cooking method: A LA.
77. Concrete piece: SLAB.
78. Classic travel trailer: AIR STREAM.
79. Castle defense: MOAT.
80. Sour compounds: ACIDS.
81. One-named Irish singer: BONO. Not ENYA.
83. Test subject for Gregor Mendel: PEA.
88. Nail polish enhancer: GLITTER.
89. Devotees: FAN CLUB.
90. "Oh, really?": SAYS WHO.
92. Mandarin, e.g.: ORANGE. Mandarin oranges were a must for Boomer's fruit salad.
93. "I'll follow you": LEAD ON.
94. Patio spot: YARD.
98. Green owl in a popular language app: DUO.
99. El __: America, in Mexico: NORTE.
100. Necessitate a bleep: SWEAR.
101. Soft "Over here!": PSST.
102. "__ boy!": ATTA.
103. Radio toggle: AM FM.
105. Oodles: LOTS.
106. Sci-fi craft: UFOS.
107. Latin dating word: ANNO.
111. Anger: IRE.
112. AirNow.gov partner: EPA.
113. Prominent part of a beefeater's uniform: HAT.
Kyle returns with another challenging Saturday exercise for us. This is his 14th Saturday puzzle for this reviewer. His stacks of ten took some time and generated a self-inflicted head slaps when they came to me. I will point out my adventures with all of them. Struggling with EXOPLANETS left a big dent in this NASA guy's tete. Mon dieu!
45. Course standards: PARS - My standard is closer to bogeys
46. Ax in a concert hall: EMANUEL - New to me
48. Handout to the hungry: MENU 😀 Gotta love this scene from My Cousin Vinny.
50. Peaked: WAN.
51. Crunchy side: SLAW 😀 Fun once I got it!
53. Roar: BELLOW.
57. God who helps the Trojans in the "Iliad": ARESIf you must...
59. Kerry Washington role: OLIVIA POPE.
61. Lo-cal: LITE.
62. Warhol, Johns, et al.: POP ARTISTS - Andy and Jasper
63. Finishing: LAST - I'll use this as a reason to post one of my favorite instrumentals
64. Correct: EMEND - A nice mnemonic
65. Try: TEST.
Down:
1. Some biotech products: GMOS - Genetically Modified OrganismS
The answer is D
2. Bluster: RANT.
3. "... against __ of troubles": Hamlet: A SEA - These words are surely among the most famous in the English language and remind me of our friend Jeffery Wechsler
4. Table cloth?: NAPKIN.
5. Taylor Swift hit with the lyric "You put me on and said I was your favorite": CARDIGAN - Perhaps less well known than Hamlet's soliloquy.
6. Duke's conf.: ACC.
7. Cows and sows: SHES.
8. Hebrew Bible: Var.: TANACH - An alternate spelling
24. Namesake of a famous alum, perhaps: DORM - Morey Hall was my college DORM and it was named for a former president, Victor Morey. It was old in 1964 and is still being used in sixty years later.
26. Many an oil-rich ruler: EMIR.
27. Zany: OFF THE WALL 😜 Robin Williams comes to my mind
28. Grammy-winning Santana song co-written by Wyclef Jean: MARIA MARIA.
29. Subjects that may be studied for life: EXOPLANETS - These are planets in orbit around stars other than ours. Are we alone? Fermi's Paradox
31. Stow away: STASH.
34. Individual account?: CENSUS 😀
37. Angels Landing's national park: ZION 😲
38. Don't just stand there: ROAM.
39. Duck, perhaps: GAME BIRD 😀
44. Course with gates: SLALOM.
45. Stand in church: PULPIT. 😀
47. Choose a running mate?: ELOPE. 😀
49. In a glass by itself: NEAT -😀 No ice for our Tinbeni
52. Erase: WIPE and 54. Get rid of: LOSE.
55. Goes (for): OPTS.
56. "La fanciulla del __": Puccini opera: WEST - The Girl Of The Golden West he wrote in Italy. It was his first opera that premiered in America. The story of this work. BTW, he wrote Madam Butterfly having never been in Japan.