Monday, September 4, 2017 ~ John Lampkin

Theme: Chill! It's Labor Day! times three (like a three-day weekend).

17A. "Chill! It's Labor Day!": "SIT BACK AND RELAX!"

38A. "Chill! It's Labor Day!": "LET YOUR HAIR DOWN!"

61A. "Chill! It's Labor Day!": "DON'T LIFT A FINGER!"

Argyle here; some of us have to work. John sent us this note: 

"No pics this time. How on earth did I manage to make a puzzle with no critters in it?!

Sometimes people ask, “How long does it take to make a puzzle?” I submitted another version of this in 2013 but Rich rejected one of the 15’s and it took two years for me to find a replacement. It was supposed to run last year but there was a conflict with an August puzzle that had a similar entry in an unrelated context so it got bumped to this year. So the answer is, “Sometimes, four years!”

Across:

1. Jam holder: JAR

4. Nike logo: SWOOSH

10. H.S. junior's exam: PSAT. (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test)

14. "__ Beso (That Kiss!)": Paul Anka song: ESO

15. Stephen King's telekinetic high schooler: CARRIE. Sissy Spacek received a nomination for Best Actress but lost to Faye Dunaway(Network).

16. Short car trip: RIDE

20. Open, as a Chablis: UNCORK. "Chill! It's Labor Day!"

21. Toy block brand: LEGO

22. NYC airport on Flushing Bay: LGA. (LaGuardia Airport)

23. Gas for signs: NEON

25. "Actually, you're right": "WELL, YES"

27. Oared: ROWED

30. More than zero: ANY

32. Trail behind: LAG

33. Señora Perón: EVA

34. River, in Mexico: RIO

35. Kick out of office, as a dictator: DEPOSE

42. Early ball game score: ONE-ONE

43. "... at the __ ball game!": song lyric: OLD

44. Speak: SAY

45. Coax (out), as a genie: RUB

46. Letters in a certain bachelor's ad: SWM. [Single White Male]

47. "Bye!": "SEE YA!"

49. Unanalyzed info: RAW DATA

52. Came home in a cloud of dust: SLID

54. Inventor Whitney: ELI

55. Hawkeyes' home: IOWA

57. Historic cold period: ICE AGE

64. "Young Frankenstein" seductress: INGA

65. Big name in little trains: LIONEL

66. Prefix with verse: UNI

67. Yappy dog, e.g.: PEST

68. Holy female fig. in a Renaissance painting: ST. MARY

69. Lumberjack's tool: AXE

Down:

1. Son of God, in a Bach cantata title: JESU. Cantata: a medium-length narrative piece of music for voices with instrumental accompaniment, typically with solos, chorus, and orchestra. Bach - Cantate BWV 41 - Jesu, nun sei gepreiset, Full Length(27:36)

2. B __ bravo: AS IN

3. Campus mil. unit: ROTC. (Reserve Officers' Training Corps)

4. Chicken or cowed: SCARED

5. Ridiculously silly: WACKO. (tsk, tsk) 11D. Foolish one: SILLY GOOSE

6. Mork's planet: ORK. Now that was silly.

7. Like a dental exam: ORAL

8. Stringy, as meat: SINEWY

9. Row of foundation bushes: HEDGE

10. Antonym of post-: PRE

12. "Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit," e.g.: ADAGE

13. Lone Star State: TEXAS

18. Leftover for Fido: BONE

19. Painting gadget: ROLLER

24. Former Neet rival: NAIR. (depilatory lotions)

26. SoCal cop force: LAPD. (Los Angeles Police Department)

27. Move, in realty ads: RELO. (relocate)

28. Roast roaster: OVEN

29. Student swimmer's aid: WATER WINGS. Good or bad?

31. "Ain't happenin'!": "NO HOW!"

34. Feel regret over: RUE

35. "The butler __ it": DID

36. Persuade: SWAY

37. Irish New Age songwriter: ENYA

39. "__ be surprised": YOU'D. (You would)

40. One way for a jailed suspect to get out: ON BAIL

41. Aid to the poor: ALMS

46. Considered appropriate: SAW FIT

47. Italy's largest island: SICILY. 

(Valley of the Temples, Sicily)

48. Biblical garden: EDEN

49. Immerse in salsa again, as a chip (only do this if you're 50-Down!): REDIP. "Don't be a George." "Chill! It's Labor Day!"

50. By oneself: ALONE

51. Works hard: TOILS

53. One devoted to a single profession: LIFER

56. Itty-bitty bit: ATOM

58. 34-Across filler: AGUA

59. Group after boomers: GEN X

60. Spooky-sounding lake: ERIE

62. Tit for __: TAT

63. Santa __, California: ANA

Argyle

Monday, August 28, 2017 ~ Gail Grabowski

Theme: Puff Piece - Items of light weight.

17A. Exploit a situation for personal wealth: FEATHER ONE'S NEST

27A. Textured overhead interior feature in some homes: POPCORN CEILING. Google pictures.

48A. Large final loan remittance: BALLOON PAYMENT

64A. Has little significance ... and to all intents and purposes, what the first word of 17-, 27- and 48-Across does: CARRIES NO WEIGHT

Argyle here with Gail's solo effort. Some entries will test your crossword knowledge.

Across:

1. Plastering strip: LATH. Not many plaster walls left.

5. Go here and there: ROAM

9. Performs a full-body scan on?: OGLEs. New clue for an old favorite.

14. "Wonderfilled" cookie: OREO

15. Arizona county or its seat: YUMA

Gateway Park

16. Decoratively patterned fabric: TOILE

1950's nautical toile cocktail dress

20. Decorator's asset: TASTE

21. Black & Decker rival: SKIL. Power tools.

22. Membership fees: DUES

23. Embarrassing shirt-pocket stain: INK

25. Range above tenor: ALTO

34. Soup aisle container: CAN

35. Director Kazan: ELIA

36. Walk-on role: CAMEO

37. Feels remorse over: RUEs

39. Sock away: AMASS

42. Works on a seam: SEWS

43. Identity-concealing name: ALIAS

45. Yr.-end consultants: CPAs. (Certified Public Accountant)

47. "The fresh air is delightful!": "AAH!"

52. iPod download: TUNE

53. Tofu source: SOY

54. Dating from: AS OF

57. Give the band a hand: CLAP

60. Brings in from the field: REAPS

67. German steel town: ESSEN. Actually, a quite 'green' town.

68. "I've got the tab": "ON ME"

69. Like some art class models: NUDE

70. Places for laces: SHOES

71. Call for: NEED

72. Shocked reaction: GASP

Down:

1. Artist's digs: LOFT. They get the best light.

2. Flooring calculation: AREA

3. Drinks with crumpets: TEAs

4. Inside racetrack info: HOT TIP

5. Loaf in a deli: RYE

6. For you and me: OURS

7. Wild way to run: AMOK

8. Hit song from "Flashdance": MANIAC

               'Firewind' is a Greek power metal band.

9. Extra NFL periods: OTs. (overtime)

10. Ski resort transports: GONDOLAs. Will take you where a t-bar could only dream.

11. "In __ of gifts ... ": LIEU

12. Otherwise: ELSE

13. Sinks out of sight, as the sun: SETS

18. Therefore: HENCE

19. Couture monthly: ELLE

24. Beverage nut: KOLA

26. Personal quirk: TIC

27. Former "American Idol" judge Abdul: PAULA

28. Roger of NBC News: O'NEIL. Roger O'Neil has been a reporter for NBC News for over 30 years.

29. Volcano edge: RIM

30. Anti-discrimination org.: NAACP. (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)

31. "In other words ... ": "I MEAN ... "

32. Not experienced in: NEW AT

33. "Golly!": "GOSH!"

34. Clawed crawler: CRAB. I miss Sally.

38. Like foods for a low-sodium diet: SALT FREE

40. Body wrap offerer: SPA

41. Comes out with: SAYS

44. Not worth a __: SOU. A former French coin of low denomination.

46. Camper's dessert: S'MORE

49. On a single occasion: ONCE

50. Willie of country: NELSON

Willie Nelson and his guitar, 'Trigger'.

51. Watching closely: EYEING

54. Golf rarities: ACES. A hole in one.

55. Beauty pageant band: SASH

56. Roughly: ORSO

58. Celebrity chef Burrell: ANNE

59. Fleshy fruit: POME. A fruit consisting of a fleshy enlarged receptacle and a tough central core containing the seeds, e.g., an apple or pear.

61. Isla surrounder: AGUA. Spanish for island and water.

62. Advanced degrees: Abbr.: PHDs. (Doctor of Philosophy)

63. Staircase unit: STEP

65. State Farm's bus.: INS. (Insurance)

66. Exchange rings: WED

Argyle

Note from C.C.:

Dear Peg sent me these two pictures on Sunday morning (before they were pounded with more rain). She said this:

"Here’s a pic or two from all the rain we’ve gotten….. over 24” in the last 12 hours!

No water in the house but it came within half inch. Receding slowly.  First pic is of our front yard.  Second is neighbor’s house across the street!"

Monday, August 21, 2017 ~ Roger & Kathy Wienberg

Theme: Things that go BUMP ... in a Monday puzzle.

16. *Feature of gated community entrances: GUARD HOUSE. Bumper Guards.

21. *GEICO product: CAR INSURANCE. Bumper cars.

33. *Plaything for a backyard swimming spot: POOL TOY. Bumper pool.

44. *Source of showroom shock?: STICKER PRICE. Bumper sticker.

53. Abundant farm yield ... and what the first words of the answers to starred clues comprise?: BUMPER CROP

Argyle here. A lot of classics today.

Across:

1. DEA agent: NARC

5. Traveller in London's Tube: BRIT

"I took the tube back out of town

Home to the rolling pin."

9. With 15-Across, Apple media player since 2005: iPOD. and 15A. See 9-Across: NANO

13. Over the hill: AGED. Ageism!

14. Colorado-based brewery: COORS

18. Sprouted: GREW

19. Like checks, when splitting the tab: SEPARATE

20. Dungeness and Alaskan king: CRABS

24. "I got a great break!": "LUCKY ME!" Two rock-n-roll classics today.

27. ID card picture: PHOTO

28. Adam's grandson: ENOS

29. "... disguised as Clark Kent, mild-__ reporter": MANNERED

32. Hoopla: ADO

36. Fifth month: MAY

37. Warns of: PORTENDS

39. Batman's hideout: CAVE

40. Donna Summer's music: DISCO

41. Spun, as a baton: TWIRLED

47. The Stones' "__ Tonk Women": HONKY

48. Subscribers' continuations: RENEWALS

52. And others, in Lat.: ET AL.

55. Past the deadline: LATE

56. Foreign relief org. created by JFK: US AID

57. Pac-12 sch.: UCLA

58. Hotfooted it: FLED

59. Curve in a road: BEND

60. Easier said __ done: THAN

Down:

1. Badgers: NAGS

2. Fever with chills: AGUE

3. Garner from the fields: REAP

4. Music media holders: CD RACKS

5. Infant foot warmer: BOOTIE

6. City where Joan of Arc died: ROUEN

7. Tax form org.: IRS. (Infernal Revenue Service)

8. "The Waste Land" poet's monogram: TSE. (T. S. Eliot)

9. Thankless sort: INGRATE

10. Like "X-Files" cases: PARANORMAL

11. Year before AD yrs. started: ONE BC

12. Wield a divining rod: DOWSE

14. Captivate: CHARM

17. Low, sturdy cart: DRAY

20. Close friend: CRONY

22. Quarrel: SPAT

23. "Sorry, that's not happening": "UH-NO"

24. Jump: LEAP

25. "Go back" computer command: UNDO

26. Match, as clothing colors: COORDINATE

29. Chicago Fire's org.: MLS. (Major League Soccer)

30. Roof projection: EAVE

31. Colored like Easter eggs: DYED

33. Bothersome: PESKY

34. Fairy tale start: ONCE

35. Skunk's defense: ODOR

38. Got giggles out of: TICKLED

39. Close-cropped hair style: CREW CUT

41. Apprehensive: TREPID

42. __ and dined: WINED

43. Cake decorator: ICER

44. Bookcase unit: SHELF

45. Sum: TOTAL

46. Image maker, briefly: PR MAN. (public relations) Sometimes called a spin doctor.

49. Curved foot part: ARCH

50. 1970 Kinks hit: LOLA

51. Stretch across: SPAN

53. Fella: BUB

54. Employ: USE

Argyle

Monday, August 14, 2017 ~ Gail Grabowski & Bruce Venzke

Theme: Bookends - Same letters at start and end of theme entries.

65A. Wander aimlessly ... and a hint to a divided word in the answers to starred clues: BUM AROUND

17A. *Half a percussion pair: BONGO DRUM

24A. *Fill-in-the-blanks agreement, e.g.: BUSINESS FORM

34A. *Cake soaked in alcoholic syrup: BABA AU RHUM

44A. *Brand for bubble blowers: BAZOOKA GUM

52A. *Security device that may be silent: BURGLAR ALARM

Argyle here. A lot of entries for a Monday but little trouble. Gotta love a puzzle with FONZARELLI.

Across:

1. Rifle range rounds: AMMO

5. Rainfall measure: INCH. Lately, that should be plural.

9. Transitional state: LIMBO

14. Bread buy: LOAF

15. NYC area above Houston Street: NOHO. Not as famous as SOHO.

16. Hunter constellation: ORION

19. "__ bleu!": SACRÉ

20. From India, say: ASIAN

21. Civil uprising: RIOT

23. Account exec: REP. (representative)

28. Post-WWII feminine flier: WAF. Women in the Air Force (WAF), organized in 1948 and active until 1976.

31. Small swallow: SIP. No, not a bird.

32. __ bubbles: SOAP

33. Bigheadedness: EGO

39. Cake pan trademark: BUNDT

42. Zilch: NIL

43. Africa's Sierra __: LEONE

47. Trivial point: NIT

48. Yet again: ANEW

49. High-arcing tennis shot: LOB

51. Purported UFO fliers: ETs. (Extra-Terrestrial)

57. Opposite of WNW: ESE

58. __ about: roughly: ON OR

59. Soothed: EASED

63. Golf analyst Nick: FALDO

68. Get ready to compete, bodybuilder-style: OIL UP

69. Parting words?: OBIT. (Obituary)

70. Actress Hayworth: RITA

National Screen Heritage Award of the National Film Society (1978)

71. Crisscross frameworks: GRIDS. The answer is right there in front of us!

72. London gallery: TATE

73. __-bitsy: ITSY

Down:

1. Actress Jessica: ALBA

2. Cattle chorus: MOOs

3. Salon service with a pedi: MANI. (pedicure/manicure)

4. Gift __: chattiness: OF GAB

5. Hoosier St.: IND. (Indiana)

6. Here-there link: NOR

7. Butter-making device: CHURN. I found one like this in our horse barn.

8. Bro: HOMIE

9. One in need of spiritual guidance: LOST SOUL

10. Gershwin brother: IRA

11. Emcee's need: MICROPHONE

12. Destructive insect: BORER

13. Hr. after noon: ONE PM

18. Burden: ONUS

22. Mount of Greek myth: OSSA. In Greek mythology, the Aloadaes attempted to pile Mount Pelion on top of Mount Ossa in an attempt to scale Mount Olympus.

25. Bro, to a sis: SIB. (sibling)

26. "Brusha, brusha, brusha" toothpaste: IPANA

27. Cab ride price: FARE

28. Jack of "Dragnet": WEBB

Jack Webb Harry Morgan Dragnet 1968

29. Water, to Juan: AGUA

30. Full last name of a "Happy Days" cool dude: FONZARELLI

35. Gargantuan: BIG

36. __ in the conversation: A LULL

37. Self-storage compartment: UNIT

38. Citi Field team: METS. The New York Mets, National League East division.

40. Doorbell sound: "DONG!" (the DING! is broken.)

41. Figure skating jumps: TOE LOOPS

45. Nine-time U.S. skating champ Michelle: KWAN

46. Extinct emu-like bird: MOA

50. Uncle Remus rabbit's title: BR'ER

52. Confuse: BEFOG

53. TWA competitor: USAIR. Both names are no longer in use.

54. Many a modern assembly-line worker: ROBOT

55. Caribbean resort isle: ARUBA

56. New Zealand settler: MAORI. What they think of us? Pic

60. Hearts or clubs: SUIT

61. Sinus docs: ENTs. (ears, nose, throat)

62. WWII turning point: D-DAY. June 6, 1944.

64. Defective firecracker: DUD

66. Cambridge univ.: MIT. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

67. Munched on: ATE

Argyle

Monday, August 7, 2017 ~ Bruce Haight

Theme: Monday Jumble - The key word letter order is changed and placed in circles.

16A. High-altitude pilot's equipment: OXYGEN MASK

22A. Cellphone setting during flights: AIRPLANE MODE

35A. "Nobody's successful every time": "YOU CAN'T WIN 'EM ALL"

46A. Deli supply: LUNCHEON MEAT

56A. Postnuptial alteration, and a hint to each set of puzzle circles: NAME CHANGE

Argyle here with Bruce on a Monday. I haven't looked but I don't think Bruce does these jumble puzzles much. A nice grid spanner, lower left to upper right slash. Nothing really stood out to me but, all in all, quite pleasant.

Across:

1. "Hogwash!": "PSHAW!"

6. Group selfie: USIE. (us-e)

10. Hanes competitor: BVD. Named after the three founders of the New York City firm Bradley, Voorhees & Day (thus "B.V.D.").

13. Sierra __: Freetown's country: LEONE

14. Lace place: SHOE

15. Take wing: SOAR

18. Injection source, briefly: HYPO. (hypodermic needle)

19. Fundraising school gp.: PTA. (parent-teacher association)

20. Country singer McCoy: NEAL

21. Tub for water: BASIN

25. Like the house in a Hawthorne classic: GABLED. "The House of the Seven Gables", published in April 1851.

28. Elevate a golf ball: TEE UP

29. Eye impertinently: OGLE

30. Beer vessel: STEIN

32. Genre with spoken lyrics: RAP

39. Cake candle count: AGE

40. Hall of Fame pitcher Ryan: NOLAN. The Ryan Express, of the New York Mets (1966, 1968–1971), California Angels (1972–1979), Houston Astros (1980–1988), and Texas Rangers (1989–1993).

41. Facts, for short: INFO

42. Help desk prompt: [ASK ME]

44. "The Wind in the Willows" character with a "Wild Ride" at Disneyland: MR. TOAD

50. Fancy burger beef: ANGUS. The all black bovine.

51. Rowing tools: OARS

52. Baseball topper: CAP. I bet Nolan has a collection.

55. Author Silverstein: SHEL. {insert favorite poem here.}

59. Window ledge: SILL

60. Patron saint of Norway: OLAV

61. Fall zodiac sign: LIBRA

62. Photo __: media events: OPS. (informal term for photo opportunity)

63. Get one's feet wet: WADE

64. Some fitness ctrs.: YMCAs. We're getting some mileage from this old favorite.

Down:

1. Sit (down) unceremoniously: PLOP

2. Send a racy message to: SEXT

3. Georgetown athlete: HOYA

4. "Hulk" director Lee: ANG

5. Dog on a bun: WEENIE. Among other names.

6. Hawaii and Alaska are usually inserts on one: Abbr.: US MAP

7. "__ We Dance?": SHALL

8. iPhone platform: IOS

Ios Island, Greece.

9. "A mouse!": "EEK!"

10. High-voiced choir lad: BOY SOPRANO

11. Dull: VAPID

12. Robotic aerial spy: DRONE

15. SeaWorld orca: SHAMU

17. Square one: NERD

21. Designer Geoffrey: BEENE

22. Knighted actor Guinness: ALEC

23. Enjoyed home cooking: ATE IN

24. Opposite of ja: NEIN. German.

25. "The Naked Maja" artist: GOYA. (Hot stuff for a Monday.)

26. In awe: AGOG

27. Navy/Marines aerobatics squad: BLUE ANGELS

30. Florida univ. named for a canonized pope: ST. LEO. In St. Leo, Florida, 35 miles north of Tampa.

31. Pan Am rival: TWA

33. NATO alphabet word for "A": ALFA

34. Trudge: PLOD

36. Egyptian crosses: ANKHs

37. Alaskan seaport: NOME

38. Catcher's glove: MITT

43. Racing shell: SCULL

44. Cougar automaker, for short: MERC. (Mercury is defunct.)

45. How a poor decision might be made: RASHLY

46. Dogie catcher: LASSO. Dogie definition: a motherless calf on the range.

47. Far from cool: UNHIP

48. Wanderer: NOMAD

49. Novelist Binchy: MAEVE. Maeve Binchy.

52. "Mad Money" network: CNBC

53. Taj Mahal city: AGRA. India.

54. Little veggies in pods: PEAS. Petits pois in French.

56. Right away: NOW

57. In the style of: À LA

58. Objective: AIM. Accomplished.

Argyle

Monday, July 31, 2017 ~ Lila Cherry

Theme: Play Ball! - We can't! All the bats are broken.

17A. Popular pool game: EIGHT BALL

32A. Nearly: JUST ABOUT

40A. Bulletin board sticker: THUMB TACK

5D. Healthful cereal: OAT BRAN

42D. Doctor's order: LAB TEST

58A. Cause of wood splinters in the infield ... and what each set of puzzle circles represents: BROKEN BAT

Argyle at the plate and "Really Rich" pitching. You should draw a walk but you still could be caught in a "pickle".

Across:

1. Outdoor party area: PATIO

6. Hot tub: SPA

9. In-the-wall security devices: SAFEs

14. Andes beast of burden: LLAMA. Two 'L'. In 29A. Great Wall continent: ASIA we have 60A. Tibetan beast of burden: YAK

15. Fox foot: PAW

16. Flashy display: ECLAT

19. Pretense: GUISE

20. Sneaks out after being grounded, say: DISOBEYS

21. Spinach-eating sailor: POPEYE

22. College dorm VIPs: RAs. (resident assistant or resident advisor)

23. Loo: LAV. (lavatory)

24. Blame for the crime: RAP. Noun usage: take the RAP, Slang. to take the blame

25. Capital One's "What's in your wallet?," e.g.: SLOGAN

31. Singer Rimes: LEANN

37. Eduardo's eight: OCHO. Spanish.

38. Brown-toned photo: SEPIA

39. Crowd silence: HUSH

42. Doone of Exmoor: LORNA

Badgworthy Water, a small river flowing through Malmsmead on Exmoor.

43. Israeli statesman Abba: EBAN. Abba Eban died in 2002.

44. Poland's capital: WARSAW where you might see 26D. Peace Nobelist Walesa: LECH. Lech Wałęsa.

45. Sophs, two yrs. later: SRs

48. Milk buys: Abbr.: QTs

49. Kernel holder: COB

50. Bernadette of "Into the Woods": PETERS

52. Surprise winner of fable: TORTOISE

57. Japanese mushroom: ENOKI

59. Hollywood VIP: CELEB

61. Barely enough: SCANT

62. Garden plantings: SEEDS

63. Ambulance initials: EMS. (Emergency Medical Services)

64. Short and not so sweet: TERSE

Down:

1. Asked earnestly (for): PLED. Pleaded, plead, or pled, per Dictionary.com, et al.

2. Et __: and others: ALII

3. Clothing price sites: TAGS

4. Texter's "If you ask me": IMHO. (in my humble opinion)

6. Neuters: SPAYS

7. Buddies: PALS

8. Punching tool: AWL

9. Classical guitarist Andrés: SEGOVIA

10. __ of coffee: A CUP

11. Advertising handout: FLIER

12. No-sweat grade: EASY 'A'

13. Precipitous: STEEP

18. Lima or fava: BEAN

21. Linguine or tortellini: PASTA

23. Eye surgery acronym: LASIK

25. One in a casino row: SLOT

27. Honolulu's island: OAHU

28. Pointy-hatted garden decoration: GNOME

30. Detest: ABHOR

32. Lees on your legs: JEANS

33. Scannable mdse. bars: UPC. (Universal Product Code)

34. For us: OURS

35. Pres. Carter's alma mater: USNA. (United States Naval Academy)

36. Unfreeze: THAW

38. Runs, hits and errors: STATS

41. Backyard beef on the bone, briefly: BBQ RIBS

44. Employment: WORK

45. Project details, for short: SPECS

46. Actress Zellweger: RENÉE. Post surgery.

47. Took badly?: STOLE

49. Broth-spoiling excess?: COOKS. "Too many cooks spoil the broth".

51. Barely managed, with "out": EKED

52. Theme park transport: TRAM

53. At a former time: ONCE. Once upon a time. (In to the Woods?)

54. Letter-shaped beam: I-BAR

55. Without, in France: SANS

56. Suffix with kitchen: ETTE. (kitchenette)

58. "Ciao!": "BYE!". "See ya later!"

Argyle

Monday, July 24, 2017 Robert E. Lee Morris

Theme: Two Letters - S & A (essay)

35A. Anthology of personal writings ... and a phonetic hint to what is literally comprised by the answers of 17-, 23-, 46- and 56-Across: ESSAY COLLECTION. Words starting with S and A.

17A. Wise guy: SMART ALECK

23A. Original "Tonight Show" host: STEVE ALLEN

46A. Home safety feature: SMOKE ALARM

56A. Home of the NBA's Spurs: SAN ANTONIO

Argyle here. Easy-peasey Monday.

Across:

1. Part of a flower: PETAL

6. Not working: IDLE

10. Final notice?: OBIT

14. "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" playwright Edward: ALBEE

15. "Hud" actress Patricia: NEAL

16. Foreshadow: BODE

19. Highway off-ramp: EXIT

20. Major Can. city: TOR. (Toronto)

21. Composer Stravinsky: IGOR

22. Reverse of a hit 45: B SIDE

26. Computer antivirus brand: McAFEE

28. Dugout rack lumber: BAT

29. Neon or Freon: GAS

32. Oyster gem: PEARL

33. Tasseled topper: FEZ

34. "City of New Orleans" singer Guthrie: ARLO

39. Madeline of "Paper Moon": KAHN. Trixie Delight(1973)

40. Lennon's lady: ONO

41. "Grey's Anatomy" patient who proposed to Izzie: DENNY. I'm sure some Cornerite can fill us in on this.

42. Suffix with legal: ESE. (legalese)

43. __ de plume: NOM. Pen name.

44. Yanni's genre: NEW AGE. Music.

49. Helped with the dishes: DRIED

51. Spice Girl Halliwell: GERI. Ginger Spice.

52. "Sorta" suffix: ISH

55. Charged particles: IONS

59. "Famous" cookie guy: AMOS

60. Saint Laurent of fashion: YVES

61. Surplus: EXTRA

62. Madcap: ZANY

63. Small salamander: NEWT

64. Status symbol watch: ROLEX

Down:

1. Over and done with: PAST

2. Red Muppet: ELMO

3. Ski lift: T-BAR

4. __ Lingus: AER

5. Shoot the ball, in hoops lingo: LET IT FLY

6. Totally smitten: IN LOVE

7. Big name in field equipment: DEERE

8. Fond du __, Wisconsin: LAC

9. Antlered animal: ELK

10. More than a little heavy: OBESE

11. Where Ali did his rope-a-dope: BOXING RING

12. Confession to "Who broke this?": "I DID"

13. Noggin in Nice: TÊTE. Nice, France.

18. Tommie Ageeof the Amazin' Mets: AGEE. Tommie Agee, the center fielder who made two of the most spectacular catches in World Series history, died in 2001 in Manhattan. He was 58.

22. Sandwich initials: BLT. (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato)

23. Transparent wrap: SARAN

24. Brother of Cain: ABEL

25. Lounge (about): LAZE

26. Flat-topped formations: MESAs

27. Profits from: CASHES IN ON

30. Unaccompanied: ALONE

31. Walkman maker: SONY

32. Chinese lap dog, for short: PEKE. Pekingese

33. Progressive insurance spokeswoman: FLO

34. Elite group: A TEAM

36. Man the grill: COOK

37. Treater's words: ON ME

38. PC device also called a burner: CD WRITER

43. Wordless acknowledgment: NOD

44. Washington Nats' div.: NL EAST

45. Make, as money: EARN

47. In disarray: MESSY

48. Nixon's first veep: AGNEW. (Spiro Agnew)

49. Actress Cameron __: DIAZ

50. Tomato type: ROMA. Not the type for a BLT though.

52. Part of IOC: Abbr.: INTL. (International Olympic Committee)

53. Stable father: SIRE

54. Fraud: HOAX

56. Thesaurus abbr.: SYN. (synonym)

57. Fifth in NYC, e.g.: AVE. (Fifth Avenue)

58. Kitchenware brand: OXO

Argyle