Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Pam Amick Klawitter

 This is a SHADY CROSSWORD...

Pam Klawitter has done it again, with a solid themed puzzle with (mostly) easy perps that make this a perfect headscratcher for a Tuesday!

3 Down. Omnivorous shark with a distinctive face: BONNETHEAD.

BONNETHEAD (one word) related to the Hammerhead Shark, but smaller, with a distinctive head often called a Shovelhead Shark.

Typical Bonnet

9 Down. Horses awarded garlands of roses, perhaps: DERBY WINNERS.

Typical Derby

21 Down. Course that may be taught by the Coast Guard: BOATER SAFETY.

Typical Boater

31 Down. Collectible stuffed toy of the 1990s: BEANIE BABY.

Typical Beanie

AND THE REVEAL:

25 Down. Places where magicians' rabbits may hide, or what can be found in 3-, 9-, 21-, and 31-Down: TOP HATS.

Since all the Themers are in the downs, the hats can indeed be found "on top" of their theme answers! 

Silly Theme Link.

Reality...

Onward!

Across:
1. Kit prepped by many soon-to-be parents: GO BAG.

6. Hourglass filler: SAND.

10. Cruise ship amenity: SPA.

13. "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" spinoff: RHODA.

(Fictional) Name #1.

14. Arboretum growth: TREE.

15. Massaman curry cuisine: THAI.

16. Declare void: ANNUL.

17. Not seasonal, as an indoor ski resort: YEAR ROUND.

19. Hither and __: YON.

20. Grampa Simpson: ABE.

(Fictional) Name #2.

22. Hearty steaks: T BONES.

23. Petrol pump brand: ESSO.

25. Aromatic herb: THYME.

26. Writer/actor Rogen: SETH.  Name #3

28. "Yo te __": AMO. "I love you" too...

30. Sing with a trill: WARBLE. (Reminds me of John Denver...)

34. Texter's qualifier: IMHO. In My Humble Opinion.

35. Gratuity: TIP.

36. Pants measurement: INSEAM.

37. Alphabet ender: ZEE.

38. Pheasant family members with showy mates: PEAHENS.

The male is a Peacock, the female is a Peahen.

40. Home screen icon: APP.

41. Pencil part: ERASER.

43. Writer Rand: AYN. Name #4

44. Tech review site: CNET. CNET stands for Computer NETwork.

45. Some van rentals: RYDERS. I have not seen a Ryder rental van in recent memory, everything around here is U-Haul. Have you seen any?

46. Caddie's stand: TEE. ( I question this clue, sounds like a stretch. Maybe Caddie's support?)

47. Like some skin: OILY.

48. Stockpile: AMASS.

50. Intense anger: RAGE. Imagine the golf course groundskeeper, upon finding Caddies were standing on tees, and squashing them into the greens...

52. Pass on, as an unwanted present: REGIFT. Did you know that there was only ever one fruit cake? It's been regifted ever since...

54. Forensics letters: CSI. Crime Scene Investigation.

55. Quite popular: BIG. (I wanted hot...)

58. Idaho city named for a Shoshone chief: POCATELLO. Name #5, note: I wanted to search for more info on the Person, a Shoshone Chief. But in scrolling down, was stopped by the trivia that "it is illegal not to smile" in Pocatello. The mayor enacted a tongue in cheek law after a bad 1948 winter, but the law was never repealed, and is still on the books...

60. Fixed gaze: STARE.

62. Make, as a salary: EARN.

63. Sort of blue?: TEAL. 

64. Part of a regular routine: HABIT.

65. "Minions: The Rise of __": GRU. 

(Fictional) Name #6

66. Class with asanas: YOGA. Body Positions, names of which are showing up in x-words more frequently these days... You had better study up...

67. Bottomless pit: ABYSS. (Or the list of asana names...)

Down:
1. Word before scale or whale: GRAY. Heard of Gray Whale, but you don't hear Gray Scale so much...

(Besides, it's a grey area...)

2. "This is really bad!": OH NO.

3. [Theme]

4. Soccer star Freddy who played for D.C. United: ADU.Name #7

5. Fancy parties: GALAS.

6. Lid inflammation: STYE.

7. "You __ My Sunshine": ARE.

8. Under, poetically: NEATH.

9. [Theme]

10. Elisabeth of "Cobra Kai": SHUE. Name #8

11. Chef's vessels: PANS.

12. Assistance: AID.

15. Products often applied before moisturizers: TONERS.

18. "Friends, __, countrymen ... ": ROMANS.

21. [Theme]

24. "The Chi" airer, briefly: SHO. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  Name #9?

25. [Theme Reveal]

26. Jeweler's gadget: SIZER. 

Methinks this clue/answer should have been plural...

27. Abrasive board: EMERY.

29. The Dolphins, on scoreboards: MIA. Miami.

31. [Theme]

32. Spot for a pin: LAPEL.

33. Meaningless, as a promise: EMPTY.

38. Student driver's document: PERMIT.

39. Spud bud: EYE.

42. One with a plant- and fish-based diet: SEAGAN. If you say so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
44. Small part of a gear: COG. Hmm, this clue/answer appears to be correct. I only question it because I learned about Cogs from The Jetsons, and Spacely's Sprockets, and Cogswell's Cogs were not small parts... (hmm, what is a sprocket anyway...)

49. First pope called "The Great": ST. LEO.

51. Hinds of "9-1-1": AISHA. Ack! The names! I've lost track!

52. Rumble in the jungle: ROAR.

53. Linen shade: ECRU. 

Learning moment...

54. Soda choice: COLA.

56. Purple spring flower: IRIS.

57. Is hip to: GETS.

58. Cribbage piece: PEG.

59. Streaming hitch: LAG.

61. Bar bill: TAB.

The Grid.

Ah, how many Chapeau's could you have added?

You can toss your hat into the ring,  by writing in the comments...

CE:D out...

ฅ≽(•⩊ •マ≼

Hello from Portland Maine!

(Names omitted to protect the innocent....)

The irony of this photo, is that we were walking from one brewery to another.

(How did they know?)

Sunday July 20, 2025 Pam Amick Klawitter

Theme:  "C'est le Puzzle" - LE is added to each common phrase.

23. Hypothesis about the origin of oversized bracelets?: BIG BANGLE THEORY. Big Bang Theory. 

33. Must-have cookbook in every Maine kitchen?: LOBSTER BIBLE. Lobster bib. 

52. "Wait, don't forget the most important hamburger topping!": TAKE YOUR PICKLE. Take your pick.

71. Highlight of a military band's museum tour?: BUGLE COLLECTION. Bug collection. 

89. Display models made for a palace renovation?: PLASTER CASTLES. Plaster casts.

105. Silliest cart on a hayride?: CHUCKLE WAGON. Chuck wagon. 

121. "Why is my faucet dripping all the time?," e.g.: TRICKLE QUESTION. Trick question. 

This is a perfect companion puzzle for the "Elimination" puzzle Ross Trudeau made for us a long while ago. 

Pam's style shone through in this grid. Her witty wordplay and fondness for cross-referencing.  

XWord Info 

Across:

1. Sonoma neighbor: NAPA. Napa Valley is in Napa County. 

5. Colt's mama: MARE. And 8. Lambs' mamas: EWES.

9. 22-Across letters: AM FM. 22. Rock medium: RADIO.

13. Unseasoned: BLAND.

18. Yellow shape on Ikea's logo: OVAL.

19. K2 cover: SNOW.

20. Green course, in Germany: SALAT. German for "salad".

26. Marital acquisition: IN-LAW.

27. Deplete: USE UP.

28. Shed: LOSE.

29. Soars behind a boat: PARASAILS.

31. Classic Angela Lansbury role: MAME. Also 74. Broadway opener: SCENE I.

36. GI address: APO.

39. Checklist items: TASKS.

42. Use Zelle, e.g.: PAY. Zelle is integrated in my Wells Fargo app.

43. Scuba spots: SEAS.

44. Like some beach reads: TRASHY. What's the nicest beach you've been to?

46. Hill staffers: AIDES.

48. Actor Penn: SEAN.

49. Blockhead: OAF.

55. Two under par: EAGLE.

57. Piece of mind?: IDEA. Also loved these:: 126. Sleep soundly?: SNORE. 9. Fire sign?: ASH.

58. Boss Tweed cartoonist: NAST. Thomas. 

59. Mythological ship: ARGO.

62. Scooby Gang leader: FRED.

63. Legal agreement: CONTRACT.

66. Brewery fixtures: TAPS.

69. Postage scale units: OUNCES.

76. Cambodia's continent: ASIA.

77. "You flatter me!": OH STOP IT.

81. Aretha's genre: SOUL.

82. Trade jabs: SPAR.

84. Phanaeng cuisine: THAI. Often spelled as panang curry.  So hot. 

86. Novelist Jaffe: RONA.

87. Medicare section: PART D.

94. Mimic: APE.

95. Act as an accomplice: ABET.

98. Take a shot: GUESS.

99. Accomplice: COHORT.

100. Like most folklore: ORAL.

101. May honoree: MOM.

102. Number of tiles played for a Scrabble bingo: SEVEN. 

104. Farm enclosure: STY.

110. Make a montage, say: EDIT.

112. 2-Down offering: RENTAL CAR. 2. Budget alternative: AVIS.

113. Persia, today: IRAN.

116. Rapper __ B: CARDI.

120. Pre-honeymoon destination: ALTAR.

125. Quick flash of light: GLINT.

127. Hamilton-Burr showdown: DUEL.

128. Alma mater of Bear Grylls: ETON. Did not know Bear Grylls, a British adventurer who hosted "Man vs. Wild".

129. Boot bottoms: SOLES.

130. Tight: SNUG.

131. Cheek: SASS.

132. Hits head-on: RAMS.

Down:

1. Big name in fusion cuisine: NOBU. Known for its misdo-marinated black cod. (Miso. Thanks, D-Otto.)

3. Hill helper: PAGE.

4. Taylor Swift's "Red" or Joni Mitchell's "Blue": ALBUM.

5. Early web portal: MSN.

6. Pool shot considerations: ANGLES.

7. Gold-wrapped candy: ROLO.

10. Whitman of "Good Girls": MAE.

11. Cottontail's kin: FLOPSY. Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail are Peter's sisters.

12. French Revolution figure: MARAT.

13. 2032 Summer Olympics host city: BRISBANE. LA next. 

14. Covered patios: LANAIS.

15. Improviser's forte: AD LIB.

16. Singer Horan of One Direction: NIALL. I confused him with Liam Payne.

17. Use a divining rod: DOWSE.

21. Gibson of "The Collective": TYRESE.

24. "Who cares?" attitude: APATHY.

25. Contact no.: TEL.

30. __ code: AREA.

32. Club spread: MAYO.

34. Crude outfit?: OPEC.

35. Lie in the sun: BASK.

36. Common web site: ATTIC. Spider web. 

37. Madrid museum: PRADO.

38. "The Old __ Bucket": Woodworth poem: OAKEN.

40. Sport that may involve chopping boards: KARATE.

41. Takes a taste: SIPS.

45. "Click It or Ticket" restraint: SEAT BELT. 53. Release, as a 45-Down: UNCLIP.

47. Old-school paper copies: DITTOS. Didn't know this meaning.  

48. Sun. message: SER. Sermon. 

49. Shrek's sort: OGRE.

50. Bass offerings: ALES.

51. Made a meal for: FED.

54. Use a surgical beam: LASE.

56. Steelers' div.: AFC NORTH.

60. Poe-like: GOTHIC.

61. Avignon approvals: OUIS.

64. "Go, go, go!": RUN.

65. Grows older: AGES.

67. Actor Mahershala: ALI.

68. Nebraska divider: PLATTE.

70. Part of NSFW: NOT.

72. "Bad Monkey" novelist Hiaasen: CARL.

73. Sandpapery: COARSE.

74. Cake by the sink: SOAP. Bar soap. 

75. Turn salmon into lox, say: CURE.

78. Some Ralph Lauren casuals: POLOS.

79. Nonreactive, in chemistry: INERT.

80. Appetizing: TASTY.

81. Upscale amenity: SPA.

83. Bldg. unit: APT.

85. Music scholar known for a Beethoven catalog: HESS. Willy Hess. Another learning moment for me. 

88. Sorcery: DARK ARTS.

90. Open-mouthed: AGOG.

91. Heavyweight battle: SUMO.

92. Crushed, as an exam: ACED.

93. Some fast-food outlets: SONICS.

96. Fancy party: BALL. Here is a picture of Big Easy and his wife Diane from their annual Woodstock charity dance. 

97. Opts for: ELECTS.

100. Pump number: OCTANE.

101. "La Vie en Rose" Oscar winner Cotillard: MARION. So pretty. 

103. Stadiums, e.g.: VENUES.

105. Rugged rocks: CRAGS.

106. "Are you listening to me?": HELLO.

107. Up to, timewise: UNTIL.

108. Cautions: WARNS.

109. Zip: NIL.

111. __ tot: TATER.

114. Some M&M's: REDS.

115. Caribbean color: AQUA.

117. Hayworth of "Gilda": RITA. She was married to Orson Welles for a while.

118. Gloom partner: DOOM.

119. Cozy quarters: INNS.

122. Wine label word: CRU.

123. Beer barrel: KEG.

124. Raised trains: ELS.

Constructor Andrea Carla Michaels has been in town for the National Puzzlers' League Convention. She kindly invited me for a walk around Lake Harriet. We stopped by her childhood home, and by sheer luck luck, the current owner's daughters were there and invited us inside. The house, now on the market, is absolutely gorgeous. Afterwards, we rode the streetcar. When we got off, Andrea struck up a conversation with a French couple visiting Minneapolis. She spoke with them in fluent French for about 10 minutes. Stunning. Andrea also speaks Italian. 

Sunday February 2, 2024 Pam Amick Klawitter

Theme: "Silent Partners"- A silent letter is added to one word in each common phrase, forming a homophone.

23A. "The cherry, apple, and strawberry candles are all sold out!"?: NOT ONE RED SCENT.

53A. Unmounted jouster?: KNIGHT CRAWLER.

72A. Outdo a rolled entry in a sandwich battle?: BEAT THE WRAP.

88A. Where guys hang out in a big box store?: THE AISLE OF MAN.

121A. Urgent addition to the end of a song?: EMERGENCY CHORD.

15D. Podcast series on how to build a door frame?: JAMB SESSIONS.

65D. Macrame enthusiast's appraisal of a painting class?: I'D RATHER KNOT.

I really love the last entry and its clue. 

We've had B, K & W addition puzzles in the past. I don't recall a puzzle with a mix of silent letters. Pam is known for her originality and creativity.

 Pam Amick Klawitter

 

Across:

1. REM opener: RAPID.

6. Genesis mountain: ARARAT. Where Noah landed his ark.

12. Spanish table wines: RIOJAS.

18. Goldfish or oyster: ANIMAL.

20. "Bubble" drink: BOBA TEA. I love chewing the tapioca balls at the bottom.

22. Gasoline number: OCTANE.

25. Musical-comedy legend Ethel: MERMAN.

26. Give a silent signal: NOD AT.

27. Ryukyu Islands island: OKINAWA. Known for their milk tea. Tapioca pearls at the bottom also.

29. Early education topic: ABCS.

30. Palm berry: ACAI.

33. Ousted Russian ruler: TSAR.

35. Lose energy: TIRE.

36. Nail salon brand: ESSIE.

37. "Rigoletto" setting: MANTUA. City in northern Italy.

40. Many NFL MVPs: QBS. Quarterbacks.

42. Suppress: SIT ON.

44. Word with loose or tight: END.

45. Make a choice: OPT.

46. Utter fiasco: SNAFU.

49. Subway Surfers and Candy Crush Saga: APPS.

51. Military drama franchise: NCIS.

56. Comedic tribute: ROAST.

58. Jewish school: YESHIVA. Google shows that yeshiva comes from the Hebrew yesibah meaning "academy".

 59. "Unbelievable!": WOW.

61. Idolize: ADMIRE.

63. Flighty notions: WHIMS.

66. Menzel with a "Wicked" cameo: IDINA. Powerful voice.

68. Maker of Giant Rubber Bands and Dehydrated Boulders: ACME.

70. Ref. that added "mic drop" in 2024: OED.

71. Relieves (of): RIDS.

75. Grab hold of: SNAG.

76. Miscalculate: ERR.

77. Like a slasher film: GORY.

78. Building blocks smaller than Lego: ATOMS.

79. Red-blooded: LUSTY. Have any of you seen "Red Sorghum"? Masterpiece by Zhang Yimou, the most famous Chinese director. He grew up in Xi'an also.

80. Set to rights: NEATEN.

82. Guarded ID digits: SSN.

85. Postal creed start: NEITHER.

87. Community values: ETHOS.

93. Dance performed in concentric circles: HORA.

94. Guitarist Guthrie: ARLO.

95. Post-polish luster: SHEEN.

96. Good Grips maker: OXO.

97. Omar Sharif title role: CHE.

99. Greedy demand: GIMME.

101. "The Muppets" eagle: SAM.

103. Like a gymnast: LIMBER.

105. Stable neigh-bor: HORSE. Such a fun clue.

107. "The Mammoth Hunters" novelist: AUEL.

109. Settings symbol: GEAR.

112. Rae of "Insecure": ISSA.

113. Ancient Egyptian cross: ANKH.

114. Faint reminder: VESTIGE.

116. Some hand-me-downs: GENES. I also like this clue.

119. One of TV's "Friends": MONICA.

126. Target for Target: PROFIT.

127. Fill up: SATIATE.

128. Capital markets worker: TRADER.

129. Heated conflicts: SET-TOS.

130. Dads, sometimes: POPPAS.

131. Many prom coifs: UPDOS.

Down:

1. Hoofed it: RAN.

2. "We're in __-win situation": A NO.

3. Hardest part of a date?: PIT. Sweet clue also.

4. "You can trust me with this!": I'M ON IT.

5. "Love & Mercy" actor Paul: DANO. He played Brian Wilson.

6. Enables a crime: ABETS.

7. Diviner's device: ROD.

8. Take, as a loss: ABSORB.

9. Pool hall staple: RACK.

10. Took a loss: ATE IT.

11. Court figure: TENNIS PRO. Tennis court.

12. Fontana di Trevi locale: ROMA.

13. Hockey surface: ICE.

14. Spanish "others": OTRAS.

16. Pain reliever since 1916: ANACIN.

17. Had a hunch: SENSED.

19. Took charge: LED.

21. Retro gaming consoles: ATARIS.

24. Cluny the Scourge in "Redwall," e.g.: RAT.

28. Drenched: WET.

30. Totally wild: AMOK.

31. Crunch on a cereal box: CAP'N.

32. Dissenter, at first?: ANTI. And 72. Growing art form?: BONSAI. 97. En-titled ones?: CHAMPS. All brilliant clues.

34. Caraway-flavored spirit: AQUAVIT.

36. Make unreadable, in a way: ENCODE.

38. Seats, slangily: USHES.

39. Crumb seekers: ANTS.

41. McCloskey's blueberry picker: SAL. "Blueberries for Sal"

43. Freeway feature: ON RAMP.

47. Feeling more fluish: ACHIER.

48. Starts of some long weekends: FRIDAYS.

50. Hymn singer's seat: PEW.

52. Reba McEntire's "All the Women __": I AM.

54. Spots for sweaters?: GYMS. Sweat-ers.

55. Wish list item: WANT. Andy just visited my 70-year-old aunt during Chinese New Year. She made him rabbit stew. They also found this pic of me and my grandma.

 

Me and My Grandma

57. "Trick or __!": TREAT.

60. On the hot side: WARMISH.

62. Pushing boundaries: EDGY.

63. Little brown bird: WREN.

64. New payroll member: HIREE.

67. "I just knew it!": AHA.

69. Sand structure: CASTLE. Always associate this word with Splynter. Sorry about your knees.

73. Volcano near the Ionian Sea: ETNA.

74. Pity party line: WOE IS ME.

75. Half a combo entree: SURF. Surf and turf.

77. "Curious" monkey: GEORGE. Hi there Big Easy!

79. Actress Téa: LEONI.

81. Ne'ertheless: THO.

83. Local guide: STREET MAP.

84. Penguins' org.: NHL. Pittsburgh Penguins.

86. "Stay by me, Fido": HEEL.

89. Early morning goddess: EOS. Greek goddess of dawn.

90. Disorderly hordes: MOBS.

91. Hacking tools: AXES.

92. Romance writer Roberts: NORA.

94. Keeps entertained: AMUSES.

98. Novelist de Balzac: HONORE.

100. Space traveler Jemison: MAE.

102. Sibling difference: AGE GAP.

104. Small slipup: MISHAP.

106. Work period: SHIFT.

108. Intentionally deceive: LIE TO.

110. Edith and Margo's sister in "Despicable Me": AGNES. And our Irish Miss. Will be thinking of you on Tuesday.

111. Button for making a voice note, briefly: REC.

114. Brewery tanks: VATS.

115. Film set assistant: GRIP.

117. WSJ competitor: NYT.

118. Earth tone: ECRU.

120. Part of a big union merger: CIO. AFL-CIO.

122. Fig. texted en route: ETA.

123. Like most prime numbers: ODD.

124. __ Speedwagon: REO.

125. Some ER staff: DRS.

C.C.