Monday September 22, 2025 Robert E. L. Morris

Round 2 of RustyBrain's Tour de Lundi's in lieu of sumdaze.

Robert "Everyone Loves" Morris is no stranger to the square dance here at the Corner. In this puzzle, he shows off his fancy footwork.

58A. Jukebox musical featuring Gloria Estefan songs, or where to find the ends of 17-Across and 10-, 24-, and 33-Down: ON YOUR FEET. The end of each themer is also a part of one's foot. Simple and effective - except I didn't know a jukebox musical was a show that uses preexisting songs to tell a story. 

17A. Architectural component of many a stained glass window: GOTHIC ARCH. The tall, pointed GOTHIC ARCH was an improvement over the round Roman ones because the steeper sides directed forces down more vertically. So, rather than having massive columns as in the Romanesque churches, the new columns could be more slender. 

10D. Pencil game that often has no winner: TIC-TAC-TOE. Known as "Noughts and Crosses" in Britain, TIC-TAC-TOE's origins can be traced back to ancient Egypt where the game has been found on roofing tiles. Therefore, workers have been screwing around on the job for millennia before I came along and turned it into an art form.

24D. Billiards game: SIX-BALL. In pocket billiards (pool), SIX-BALL is a shortened form of nine-ball. But, for some oddball reason, eight-ball is a longer version of both. 

33D. Flatfish native to the northern Atlantic: DOVER SOLE. DOVER SOLE is a highly-valued, sweet and mild-flavored flatfish from European waters. And eating fish is good for your soul.

I found too many proper names, including an insurance company mascot, but my only real QUIBBLE was a few wayward abbreviations (see 43A & 4D).

And now, the game is afoot:

Across:

1. Animation pioneer Disney: WALT. If WALT had lived long enough, he might have created a CGI emu.

5. CGI emu who wears sunglasses in insurance ads: LIMU. Newest Disney character: Lester LIMU.

9. Chichén __: Mayan ruins: ITZA. ITZA site to see!

13. Word of woe: ALAS.

14. Ain't right?: AREN'T. Yes it is.

16. "Carpe __!": "Seize the day!": DIEM.

17. [theme]

19. Ranch division: ACRE. The smallest division is the single-serving size.

20. Lures: ENTICES. 

21. 2,240 pounds: LONG TON. The LONG TON is also known as an imperial ton, a displacement ton, or a British ton, but there's not a ton of difference between them.

23. Big name in tractors: DEERE. This old piece of farm equipment is manure spreader. Nowadays, we call it a politician.

24. Lady of Spain: SENORA.

25. Shape-fitting video game: TETRIS. I have very good spatial sense and amaze my friends with how much I can pack into a small moving van. I think of it as 3-D TETRIS. 

28. Computer pros: TECHS. Computer cons: BUGS

31. Puts in: ADDS. "You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out..." I'm also available for weddings!

34. Bit of black magic: HEX. 

35. Cape __ Island, Nova Scotia: BRETON. 

36. Summer zodiac sign: LEO. It's LEO again. We've seen this constellation all summer long.

37. Nitpick: QUIBBLE. QUIBBLE is just like Scrabble. Well, maybe a little different...

39. Lisbon greeting: OLA. The Portuguese version of "hola," which is the Spanish version of "hallo," which is the German version of "hello," which is...

40. Scarf down: DEVOUR. 

42. One seeking platonic love, informally: ARO. AROmantic is becoming a crossword staple due to its common letters.

43. Slugger Matt who led the NL in homers in 2011: KEMP. Since National League is abbreviated, so is Kempinski. Just kidding! I don't know why the clue uses NL (Matt is technically abbreviated as well).

44. Puccini work: OPERA.

45. Pester continually: PLAGUE.

47. Scamp: RASCAL.

49. Mookie of the Dodgers: BETTS. The only BETTS I know is Dickey, founding member and former guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band.

53. Stronghold: BASTION. 

55. Get ready: PREPARE.

57. French for "mine": A MOI. 

58. [theme]

60. Approximately 2.2 lbs.: KILO. Kilogram.

61. Marshmallow treats: PEEPS. They're not just for Easter anymore!

62. Words often said sarcastically: I BET.

63. Genesis garden: EDEN. 

64. Small amount: DASH. 

65. __ list: TO DO. My wife, RightBrain, calls them "honey do" lists. I sure hope she gets around to them soon.

Down:

1. Fought, as a war: WAGED.

2. Unaccompanied: ALONE.

3. Starbucks order: LATTE. Cafe LATTE is an espresso-based coffee drink from Italy. "Scusi, but why is my order taking so long?"

4. Some concert merch: T-SHIRTS. T-SHIRT is not an abbreviation (as suggested by "merch" which is an abbrev. for merchandise). The "T" refers to the garment's shape when laid flat.

5. Lingerie trim: LACE.

6. Golden yrs. funds: IRAS. Individual Retirement Accounts.

7. Crème de la __: luxury skin care product made with kelp: MER. MER is French for "sea." I should try it because I need all the kelp I can get.

8. Parents' brothers: UNCLES.

9. "Can't argue with that": I'D AGREE. No complaints from me.

10. [theme]

11. Goose egg: ZERO. Because a ZERO looks like an egg, the tennis term for "no score" is love - from the French word for egg, l'oeuf.

12. Prayer ending: AMEN.

15. Suffix for a lengthy fundraising event: THON. As in teleTHON.

18. Slushy drink: ICEE.

22. __ Dame: South Bend school: NOTRE. The Fighting Irish.

24. [theme]

26. Calendar abbr.: THUR. This clue is kinda week.

27. L.L.Bean rival: REI. Recreational Equipment, Inc. In clothing, however, Bean's rival is Lands' End.

29. Ian of "The Hobbit": HOLM. He played Bilbo Baggins, Middle Earth's ringleader.

30. Break sharply: SNAP.

31. Gucci of fashion: ALDO. 

32. "Take a __ breath": DEEP. 

33. [theme]

35. Internet journal: BLOG. Just like the one you're reading now!

37. Somewhat: QUASI. That seems about right.

38. Lingerie item: BRA. 

41. Formal speech: ORATION. 

43. Stay in shape: KEEP FIT. Bent out of shape: THROW A FIT.

45. Reviewed harshly: PANNED. The term "being roasted" was a historical slang term for severe criticism (similar to today). That morphed into expressions like "on the pan." 

46. Lyft rival: UBER.

48. Member-owned grocery: CO-OP. IGA (Independent Grocers Alliance) supermarkets are an example of a Retailers' Cooperative. Collectively, CO-OPs give local store owners the buying power to compete with the big chains. We stopped at this one on the way to the Cascade Mountains this summer. Neat as a pin with perfect pyramids of produce and super friendly folks. Buy local!

50. 1990s fitness fad: TAE BO. The opposite of this fashion fad:

51. Trapped on a branch, as a cat: TREED. Tripped on a branch: FLOORED.

52. Minor scuffle: SET TO.

53. Make a cake, say: BAKE.A rhyming clue and answer! 

54. Within: AMID.

55. Unwelcome sounds for a balloon artist: POPS. These are very prickly to make:

56. Work with haste: RUSH. Work with waste: FLUSH. More silly rhymes.

59. Affirmative vote: YEA.

Did you keep instep as we moved along?

Monday September 15, 2025 Freddie Cheng

And just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…ba-dum…ba-dum…it’s RustyBrain!
Sumdaze is taking some well-deserved time off, so you’re stuck with me for a month of Mondays. It’ll be difficult, but I’ll try to be as charming as she is.

Freddie Cheng has been constructing professionally for fifteen years. In this, his 8th puzzle in the LAT, he has the confidence to dare us to rank his puzzle.

17. Half expecting a terrible outcome: FEARING THE WORST. 

28. "What a pity": THAT'S TOO BAD.

39. Demographic statistical standard: NATIONAL AVERAGE.

46. "No problems yet": SO FAR, SO GOOD.

63. Classic family sitcom starring Robert Young: FATHER KNOWS BEST.

Freddie squeezes in five themers, three of which go wall to wall. I zoomed right through to the end as one would expect on a Monday. No revealer, so once I finished I had to backtrack to discover the secret. I found he's incorporated a basic rating system which could apply to almost anything such as star reviews, with 1 star being the worst and 5 stars being the best. The answers are also in proper order, so I give it *****.

Across:

1. "Darn!": RATS. I guess you could darn these?

5. Bubble tea "bubbles": BOBA. BOBA balls are made from tapioca starch and are designed to clog your straw.

9. Subside, as rain: LET UP.

14. Otherwise: ELSE.

15. Many a Dubai resident: ARAB.

16. Clean thoroughly: ERASE. As a reward (?) for being a good student in elementary school (I was an angel *blush*) I was chosen for the privilege of clapping the chalkboard erasers, sometimes creating works of art on the brick walls outside. Sadly, my path to being a pre-Banksy was blocked by teachers unimpressed with my genius.

17.[theme]

20. Clean thoroughly: SCRUB. I'm calling a clue like this (duplicating 16A) a reclusive (re-clue-sive).

21. "In all probability ... ": ODDS ARE. "I don't think you have a royal flush, so..."

22. Ran into: MET. 

24. __ Lanka: SRI.

25. "That's the fellow!": HIM. Sounds British, like "He's the chap!" A lot of clues today seem to evoke the UK.

28. [theme]

35. Japanese noodle: UDON.

37. Cookbook writer Garten: INA. She grows her herbs in a garden.

38. Mario Kart brother: LUIGI.

39. [theme]

43. Yours, once: THINE.

44. Promos: ADS.

45. Small opening: SLIT. 

46. [theme]

50. "Certainly!": YES. (and the obligatory album cover)

51. "__ the season ... ": TIS. Certainly looks like it already in the big box stores.

52. Pinterest pin: PIC.

54. Spiraling: IN A SPIN.

59. Dads: PAPAS.

63. [theme]

67. "The X Factor" judge Cowell: SIMON. British TV personality and record producer.

68. Architectural overhang: EAVE.

69. "By Jove!": I SAY. Something SIMON says.

70. Elizabeth of "WandaVision": OLSEN. "WandaVision" is a surrealistic miniseries by Marvel Comics where each episode is a decade newer than the last, starting with the 50s in black & white and on up through full-color present day. OLSEN plays Wanda, a woman with telepathic powers. 

71. Audition (for): READ.

72. Casual denial: NOPE.

Down:

1. Game officials: REFS. Now you can play at home! For the sanity of your family, a whistle is not included.

2. Oscar winner Guinness: ALEC.

3. Ruler of Imperial Russia: TSAR. Rule of xwords: Russian rulers are TSARs while government policy wonks are czars. Ideally.

4. Clear component of blood: SERUM.

5. Exile: BAN. Expel underarm odor!

6. URL ending for nonprofits: ORG. Short for ORGanists, I think. Ask Splynter.

7. Cricket club: BAT. I couldn't find a cricket bat, so I settled for one with a grasshopper.

8. Detests: ABHORS.

9. Off-color or blue: LEWD.

10. God with a bow and arrow: EROS. The Greek god made people fall in love by striking them with EROS.

11. Actress Reid: TARA.

12. Sputnik power, briefly: USSR. Sputnik was actually powered by three zinc-silver batteries designed to last two weeks, but they made it 22 days and kicked off the space race. Amazing something so small had such a huge impact.

13. Cubs slugger __ Crow-Armstrong: PETE.

18. Skeptical reply: I BET. "I don't believe you have a royal flush, so I BET it all."

19. Amend: EDIT. 

23. Slender: THIN. "I'd like a half pound of salami cut slender, please."

24. German prison camps: STALAGS. The popular 60s TV sitcom, Hogan's Heros, was set at fictional STALAG 13. It took until 1992 for reruns of the anti-Nazi satire to air in Germany. It failed to connect with audiences until scripts were rewritten to make the Nazi characters seem even more foolish.

25. Chases game: HUNTS. Unless the hunter simply sits in a blind and waits for the game to come to him.

26. Boise's state: IDAHO.

27. Recurring theme: MOTIF.

29. "SNL" alum Gasteyer: ANA. She's' more popular in xwords than she was on Saturday Night Live.

30. Flamenco cry: OLE. Flamingo cry: HONK! (They are very noisy birds.)

31. Yours and mine: OURS. Different from "yours, mine and ours."

32. Bagel alternative: BIALY.

33. A&M student, familiarly: AGGIE. Texas A&M is the AGGIEs, but Florida A&M is the Rattlers (rattlesnakes). There are several other A&Ms, including ones in Alabama and Louisiana, so this clue doesn't hold up.

34. Intake guidelines: DIETS. 

36. Totenberg of NPR: NINA.

40. "__ the ramparts we watched ... ": OER. According to my national park guide, Francis Scott Key used the term spangled in his poem "Defense of Fort McHenry" to mean the stars were tilted or askew on the garrison flag. His work was later set to music and re-titled "The Star-Spangled Banner."

41. Brouhaha: ADO.

42. Abbr. on a brandy label: VSOP. Very Superior Old Pale indicates that it has been aged for a minimum of four years in oak barrels for a smoother, more complex flavor.

47. Use a swizzle stick: STIR. British spy 007 would probably kill you with one of those little swords if you did this to his martini. He's very particular.

48. Pig, cutely: OINKER. Meh. This one's a stinker.

49. Quick swims: DIPS.

53. Airplane seating area: CABIN. This one is preparing for takeoff.

54. "Assuming that's true ... ": IF SO.

55. Emery board target: NAIL. 

56. Casino cash dispensers: ATMS. Automated Teller Machines were an early (1960s) volley in the battle to replace human jobs. And the war continues...

57. Casino card dispenser: SHOE. Almost another reclusive! 

58. Teller's partner in magic: PENN. Now celebrating 50 years together, I saw them with my family in Las Vegas around the turn of the century. Great show, but most impressive was afterwards when they both did a meet and greet in the hallway. They hung around chatting (yes, even Teller) and taking selfies until everyone in the audience had a chance to meet them. Class act.

60. Money in the Philippines: PESO.

61. "Now!" letters: ASAP. As Soon As Possible doesn't necessarily mean right now...unless it's my wife saying it.

62. Eye affliction: STYE. My STYE in my little eye...I'm fun on road trips, too!

64. Scottish refusal: NAE. Something James Bond would say if asked, "Should I use a swizzle stick?"

65. Lab eggs: OVA.

66. Tie the knot: WED. "Tying the knot" harkens back to the ancient ritual of handfasting, where a couple's  hands were tied together with ribbons or cords.

So, was this the best of times, or the worst of times? (Ain't I a Dickens?)

Monday September 8, 2025 Zachary David Levy

  

Happy Monday, everyone! sumdaze here.  

Theme:                  Based on Ball Teams

Constructor Zachary David Levy pitched four fun themers our way:

17 Across. Cheap wines at some restaurants: HOUSE REDS.  A HOUSE wine is generally less expensive than other wines on the menu but they often fit with the cuisine. 

Tip:  If the restaurant has red checkered tablecloths, try the HOUSE RED. 

25 Across. Large planets made mostly of hydrogen and helium: GAS GIANTS.  

We have four GAS GIANTS in our solar system.

52 Across. Some sinister siblings: EVIL TWINS.  I thought of The Shining (1980). 

62 Across. Emissions that turned Bruce Banner into the Incredible Hulk: GAMMA RAYS.  

The Incredible Hulk   ~   opening sequence to the 1977 TV series (1 min.)

Today's reveal spans the equator:

39 Across. Rough estimates, and what can be found at the ends of 17-, 25-, 52-, and 62-Across: BALL PARK FIGURES.  This U.S. English idiom refers to guesses that are close enough to be useful but not expected to be exact.

Sometimes we see this answer as a clue for "umps" or "refs". Today it points to players on MLB teams. 

 Next up, the remaining clues:

Across:

1. "While we're on the subject ... ": ALSO.

5. Georgetown athlete: HOYA.  Does this answer wander into foul territory?

9. Flower part: PETAL.

14. Business VIPs: CEOS.

15. Resigned expression: ALAS.  

16. Egg-producing organ: OVARY.

19. Big cat hybrid: LIGER.  Napoleon Dynamite 'pretty much' owns this one.

20. Loose organization unit: PILE.  This one makes me think of sorting laundry.  

21. Increasingly quaint phone sound: DIAL TONE.  Quaint is used here to mean "pleasingly or strikingly old fashioned".

23. Massachusetts city that becomes a tourist hot spot in October: SALEM.  

Hot Spot indeed

26. In the style of: À LA.

27. Set eyes on: SEE.

29. Pull behind: TOW.  

My dog does not like being left at home
so I TOW her behind my hybrid bike.

30. Discount grocery chain: ALDI.  

Click to enlarge.

32. Writer/actress Issa: RAE.  Rae's 2015 memoir, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, became a New York Times bestseller.

34. "Well, shucks!": OH, GEE.

43. Turtle cover: SHELL.  CSO to Misty and Gophie!

44. Impossibly long stretch: EON.     and     28-Down. Notable period: ERA.

45. Wrongful act: TORT.  Def.:  (noun) a wrongful act other than a breach of contract for which relief may be obtained in the form of damages or an injunction.

46. Tiebreakers, briefly: OTS.  sports overtimes

49. UFO occupants: ETS.  An abbreviation in the clue hints to an abbreviated answer.

51. Illegal turn, maybe: UIE.  

This one came from across the pond.

57. According to: AS PER.

59. Hibachi-style restaurant chain: BENIHANA.  Nice fill!  

Benihana owns 69 teppanyaki-style restaurants, one Samarai restaurant, and 13 RA Sushi restaurants. This link goes to their FAQs page. Below is a 1 min. video of a Benihana chef's performance.

60. Go downhill fast?: SLED.  SLED is a verb here, meaning to ride a SLED.

61. Pop singer Mars: BRUNO.  

66. Ford flop: EDSEL.

67. Neutral shade: ECRU.

68. Great Salt Lake state: UTAH.  The Great Salt Lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi River. It is salty because it does not have an outlet. Tributary rivers are constantly bringing in small amounts of salt dissolved in their fresh water flow. Once in the Great Salt Lake, much of the water evaporates, leaving the salt behind. Read more here, including which aquatic species it can support.

69. Big name in field equipment: DEERE.  

John Deere equipment in a corn field

70. Rotisserie rod: SPIT.  

71. Viral post: MEME.  Popular MEMEs often feature a recognizable image paired with a witty caption.  

Apparently MEME creators are above Copyright Infringement Law.

Down:

1. German "Bah!": ACH.  Bah is an interjection used to express disbelief or disgust.

2. Sign between Cancer and Virgo: LEO.  Read as "Three-letter astrological sign:  LEO."

3. Scoop in a tureen: SOUP LADLE.  A tureen is something the hostess asks you to carry to the table and you are petrified you will drop it. More specifically, it is a deep and usually covered bowl from which foods (such as soup) are served. They are generally not for preparing foods.  

Sometimes they have a slot for the SOUP LADLE's handle.

4. "Do the Right Thing" actor Davis: OSSIE.  (1917 - 2005)

5. Big hopper: HARE.  I watched about a dozen videos about HAREs, bunnies, and rabbits to bring you the best one. Stay tuned for the final fun fact.  (3:22 min.)

6. The Grand __ Opry: OLE.

7. When repeated, "et cetera": YADDA.  Here's the famous Seinfeld clip (54 sec.):  

8. Lend a hand: ASSIST.

9. Tadpole: POLLIWOG.  I liked this 8-letter fill, too!  The terms tadpole and POLLIWOG can be used interchangeably.

10. Andrew Lloyd Webber musical set in Argentina: EVITA.  

Don't Cry for Me Argentina  ~  Madonna

1996 film adaptation

11. Include as an extra: TAG ON.  The travel industry has been known to TAG ON extra fees.

12. "__ you sweet!": AREN'T.

13. Ancient harps: LYRES.  I always feel better after listening to composer and harpist Mary Lattimore. This song is called We Wave From Our Boats (2021).  

18. Stately trees: ELMS.  ...especially the state of Massachusetts.  

22. Previously: AGO.

23. Bygone Swedish autos: SAABS.

24. God of Islam: ALLAH.

25. Equipment: GEAR.  

31. Down and out: ILL.

33. __ out a living: EKE.

35. Modest home: HUT.

36. Social outing for couples: GROUP DATE.

37. Otherworldly: EERIE.  This woman is playing the opening theme to Dark Shadows on a theremin.  (52 secs.)

38. Poly- ending: ESTER.  

40. Logical oversight in a story: PLOT HOLE.  20 Movies with the Biggest Plot Holes

The first film on the list (#20) highlights a literal HOLE in Shawshank Redemption. Film #2 points out something I never noticed about Cinderella's glass slipper.

41. Enemies: FOES.

42. Picked-off pass, for short: INT.  INTerception  

Goal line interceptions are especially exciting.

47. Carrier whose JFK terminal is now a landmark hotel: TWA.  The TWA Hotel opened in 2019, using space originally designed to contain TWA's flight center. The original architect may be familiar to solvers -- Eero Saarinen. Reading this Forbes article makes me want to stay there!

48. Scorches: SINGES.

50. Casa chamber: SALA.  This Spanish answer matches its Spanish clue. A SALA is a large room or hall.

52. Receded: EBBED.

53. Colorado's Mesa __ National Park: VERDE.  park website

54. Not available: IN USE.  Perhaps if you wanted to rent a specific vehicle but someone else had already rented it, it would be not available/IN USE.

55. Cruise ship: LINER.

56. Civil rights org.: NAACP.  An abbreviation in the clue hints to an abbreviated answer.

58. Blood component: SERUM.  Blood SERUM is the liquid that remains after the blood has clotted. Plasma is the liquid that remains when clotting is prevented with the addition of an anticoagulant. Both are light-yellow to clear in color.

60. Filthy material: SMUT.

63. CT scan kin: MRI.  An abbreviation in the clue hints to an abbreviated answer.

64. Orange tuber: YAM.  

65. That girl: SHE.  ALAS, "Marlo Thomas" is too long. Nevertheless, here is video is the opening scene for Season 5 of the TV show That Girl (1966-1971): 

How cute is SHE? Right?

Today's grid:

All four of the themers are nine letters long.

I am wondering if you will give Zachary's puzzle straight A's.  😄

I will be traveling when this blog is published. Fingers crossed everything goes OK. Please address any questions you might have to the regulars. They are a smart and helpful group!