Sunday October 23, 2022 Pam Amick Klawitter

Theme: "I Needed a Change" - Long I sound is changed into short A sound.

26. Parliamentary official overseeing strollers?: BRITISH PRAM MINISTER. British Prime Minister.

33. Brave showing at the bug zapper?: ONE GNAT STAND. One-night stand.

52. Clean halfheartedly?: BAT THE DUST. Bite the dust.

63. Guy who invented tiny nails?: FATHER OF THE BRAD. Father of the Bride.

81. Excellent reason to avoid a career as a milliner?: FEAR OF HATS. Fear of heights.

93. Evidence that leads to identity thieves?: HACKING TRAIL. Hiking trail.

99. How one kisses a famous rock at Blarney Castle?: NOSE TO THE GRAND STONE. Nose to the grindstone.

Another creative sound change gimmick from Pam. I would never came up with the title. Husker Gary-ish. Amazing!

Across:

1. Chunks of marble: SLABS.

6. Private eye: TEC. Detective.

9. Wild hog: BOAR.

13. Word of welcome: HELLO. Ni hao!

18. Sly: CAGEY.

19. Brand of sport sandals: TEVA. Meaning "nature" in Hebrew.

20. Blue area on a map: LAKE.

21. Universal principle: AXIOM.

22. Broadcaster: AIRER.

23. U.S. citizen: AMER.

24. "No warranties": AS IS.

25. Speed-reads: SCANS.

30. Poke bowl tuna: AHI.

31. Wine sediment: LEES.

32. Calendar boxes: DAYS.

39. Côte d'Azur view: MER.

40. Barge: SCOW.

44. California's __ Alto: PALO.

45. Fake ID flashers: MINORS.

46. Charge toward: RUN AT.

48. Pie __ mode: A LA. Can't even interest Boomer with pies or cookies these days. Sigh.

49. Like this answer: ACROSS.

51. Blue chip called "Big Blue": IBM. Juliet Wu was the GM of IBM China back in the late 1990s.

54. Horned African grazer: RHINO.

55. Farm enclosure: STY.

56. Trees with caffeine-rich nuts: KOLAS.

57. Zero out: RESET.

58. Besides: TOO.

59. OB or ENT: DOC.

61. Bounded: LEAPT.

62. Putting spots: GREENS.

67. Breakfast cereal magnate: CW POST.

70. "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" Oscar nominee: DAVIS. Viola.

71. Cartoonist Chast: ROZ.

72. Spot for withdrawals: ATM.

75. "Yeah, sure": UH HUH.

76. "For sale by" sign poster: OWNER.

77. John of the "Harold & Kumar" films: CHO.

79. Allende novel about a masked hero: ZORRO. Isabel Allende.

83. __ goo gai pan: MOO.

84. "Hurry up!": MOVE IT.

85. Notes before sols: FAS.

86. Mates: PAIRS.

87. Betting tactic: PARLAY.

89. Kin of -trix: ENNE.

90. Fr. holy women: STES. Saintes.

92. Dad __: BOD.

95. Animation collectibles: CELS.

97. Xperia Tablet maker: SONY.

98. Forest female: DOE.

107. "Cancel the launch!": ABORT.

109. Suffix with buck: AROO. And 3. Farming prefix: AGRI.

110. NFL analyst Tony: ROMO.

111. Light fabric: LINEN. Looks nice. Wrinkles so easily though.

112. Free-for-all: MELEE.

113. Dash dial: TACH.

114. Profess: AVOW.

115. "Miss Congeniality 2: __ and Fabulous": ARMED.

116. Stop: CEASE.

117. Humboldt River city: ELKO.

118. "That's correct": YES.

119. Watermelon leftovers: SEEDS.

Down:

1. Sign of healing: SCAB.

2. Dragon's digs: LAIR.

4. Vegetable in red flannel hash: BEET. Google shows Red flannel hash is just corned beef hash with beets.

5. Aleppo native: SYRIAN.

6. Fill-in worker: TEMP.

7. At any time: EVER.

8. Parking lot siren: CAR ALARM.

9. Threw under the bus: BLAMED.

10. Desert hangout: OASIS.

11. Analogous: AKIN.

12. Doctors-in-training: RESIDENTS. Have seen quite a few in VA radiology.

13. Rash: HASTY.

14. Surplus: EXCESS.

15. "That's not true!": LIAR.

16. Chaney of horror: LON.

17. Sounds in a yoga studio: OMS.

19. Island where Gauguin painted "Vahine no te tiare": TAHITI.

27. Fancy pillow covers: SHAMS.

28. Clothing department: MEN'S.

29. Figure skater Hughes: SARAH.

33. Eyeball benders: OP-ART.

34. Snack chip: NACHO.

35. California town whose name means "the river": EL RIO.

36. "Continue, please": GO ON.

37. Fit of pique: SNIT.

38. Kate's husband on "This Is Us": TOBY. Here they're.

39. Change into something new: MUTATE.

41. Bring about: CAUSE.

42. Jimmy of the Daily Planet: OLSEN.

43. Actress Naomi: WATTS.

46. "Invisible Man" writer Ellison: RALPH.

47. Mosaic flooring: TERRAZZO. Learning moment for me.

50. Malted spot: SODA SHOP.

52. Coast Guard fleet: BOATS.

53. Monopoly card: DEED.

55. UCLA or USC: SCH.

56. Mideast drink made from fermented milk: KEFIR. I don't drink milk, so never tried this.

60. Polo Grounds legend Mel: OTT. Big Easy sent me this a while ago.

61. Dotes on: LOVES.

62. Garden product syllable: GRO.

63. __ Corners: FOUR.

64. Norton of "Fight Club": EDWARD. Here with Brad Pitt.

65. Goes off: RANTS.

66. Sis's playmate: BRO.

67. Escape artist's props: CUFFS.

68. Whole __ bread: WHEAT.

69. Moon stage: PHASE.

72. Concert venue: ARENA.

73. "Lemon Tree" singer Lopez: TRINI.

74. Drive-up lodging: MOTEL.

76. Brutus Buckeye's home: OHIO STATE. Boomer paid closer attention to the Guardians this season because of his pen pal (and our blog reader) Janice.

77. Screw cap alternative: CORK.

78. Hindu festival of colors: HOLI.

80. "Back to you," on a walkie-talkie: OVER.

82. Aesop work: FABLE.

83. "I Try" Grammy winner: MACY GRAY.

84. Astonished cry: MY GOD.

87. French door piece: PANE.

88. "Here comes the next act": AND NOW.

91. Recap numbers: SCORES.

93. Syllables from Santa: HO HO HO.

94. Cars at a charging station: TESLAS. I'm terrible with cars. I don't even know what a Tesla looks like. OK, here's one.

 96. Cosmetician Lauder: ESTEE.

97. Inventory: STOCK.

99. French Quarter city, informally: NOLA.

100. Not written down: ORAL.

101. Wander around: ROVE.

102. "Silent All These Years" singer Tori: AMOS.

103. Flag: TIRE.

104. "Drinks are __": ON ME.

105. Call for: NEED.

106. Fades to black: ENDS.

107. "Preacher" network: AMC.

108. Quilting party: BEE.

We had a busy week. On Monday, Boomer visited his traveling league and said goodbyes to his longtime bowling buddies. On Tuesday he had another fall. His legs just gave in while I tried to get him off the toilet seat. Thankfully he did not get hurt. He was just a bit embarrassed to see the same fire department guys who helped us last month.

On Wednesday, the VA nurse removed the glucose monitor and the doc took Metformin off his med list. On Thursday, the Headland Hospice started the in-home hospice care and the Eucharistic Minister Bill Pavlik visited him.

Then on Friday and Saturday, we received lots of birthday cards with sweet notes from you guys! Boomer said "I did not know I have so many friends ..." He was surprised but delighted by your attention and love. We're only opening a few cards at a time so he can savor and have something to look forward to every day. It's Boomer's goal to live past January 1, 2023. 

C.C.

Boomer & His Friend Bill Whritenour, 10/17/2022

Sunday, July 3, 2022 Pam Amick Klawitter

Theme: "Ease Off" - Long E sound is replaced by a long A sound.

22A. Cleaner who doesn't bother with corners?: STRAIGHT SWEEPER. Street sweeper.

45A. Soft sounds from the barnyard?: GENTLE BRAYS. Gentle breeze.

68A. Gardeners who can tend a plot really, really fast?: SPADE DEMONS. Speed demons.

93A. Words on a sale poster?: PRICE PHRASE. Price freeze.

120A. Squabble over whose turn it is to get the car fixed?: MAINTENANCE FRAY. Maintenance-free.

15D. Interruption during the America's Cup?: SUSPENDED SAILING. Suspended ceiling.

37D. Race official?: JUSTICE OF THE PACE. Justice of the peace.

I really admire the creatively into this type of sound change theme. I can only do the letter replacement.

I think newbies can reference this grid when they design a seven-theme for the LAT. It's very well done. Pam is a total pro.

 
Across:

1. Pretend: FEIGN. Injury, interest, etc.

6. Came down: ALIT.

10. Sweets: HON.

13. Playwright Henrik: IBSEN. We have not seen GYNT for sometime.

18. Jetson canine: ASTRO.

19. Actor MacFarlane: SETH.

20. 92-Down base: RICE. 92. Ristorante dish: RISOTTO. Here's Blue Hen's cheater risotto recipe.

21. Timid: MOUSY.

25. Celeb's entourage: POSSE.

26. Epic journey: ODYSSEY. We made two VA trips on Wednesday due to an extra CT scan. Boomer was totally exhausted afterwards.

27. Long skirt: MAXI.

28. Director DuVernay: AVA. Just had her last Sunday.

30. Ad: SPOT.

31. Signature piece?: PEN. Great clue. 

32. Encore presentation: RERUN.

33. Nullify: NEGATE.

35. Army bigwigs: Abbr.: MAJS. Majors. I think 90% of the VA patients I've seen are guys.

38. __ Jima: IWO.

40. Nursery purchase: TREE.

42. Occasion: EVENT.

44. Terre Haute sch.: ISU. Indiana State University.

49. Urgent-care pro: ER DOC. Always takes a long long time to get discharged from the ER. Those doctors tend to disappear.

51. Cotton thread: LISLE.

53. Rosary unit: BEAD.

54. Sporty Chevy: VETTE.

56. Self-image: EGO.

57. Some D.C. pros: NATIONALS. I remember the craze over Bryce Harper's rookie card.

59. Many a middle schooler: PRETEEN.

61. Family man: DAD.

62. Head-scratcher: ENIGMA.

63. Fencing sword: EPEE.

65. Mortise inserts: TENONS.

67. Expert: ACE.

72. __ de cologne: EAU.

74. Deletes: ERASES.

76. Farm tower: SILO.

77. Accommodate: OBLIGE.

80. Loving murmur: COO.

82. Trio-quartet combos: SEPTETS.

84. Rainy day gear: UMBRELLAS.

87. "Walk me!": ARF.

88. More faithful: TRUER.

89. "The Checklist Manifesto" surgeon/author Gawande: ATUL.  Google shows that Atul has the Sanskrit origin, means "matchless or an incomparable person".

90. Besmirch: TAINT.

91. D.C. subway: METRO.

97. Confidentiality contract: Abbr.: NDA. Non-Disclosure Agreement.

98. "Keep your __ on!": SHIRT.

100. Applaud: CLAP.

101. __ Dhabi: ABU.

102. Thickener used in molecular gastronomy: AGAR. Not familiar with "molecular gastronomy", but "thickener" is enough a clue. Agar is widely used in Asian desserts.

103. Prose pieces: ESSAYS.

106. Cybersales: E-TAIL.

108. Helena hrs.: MST.

110. Tit for tat, say?: TYPO. Another great clue.

112. Furry friend: PET.

113. Broadcasts: AIRS.

114. Lactose-free coffee additive: OAT MILK. I use this extra creamy oat milk for my matcha latte.

118. Literature Nobelist who served in the Irish Senate: YEATS. I knew this!

123. Hard-to-handle plants: CACTI.

124. Goes astray: ERRS.

125. Alaskan seaport: NOME.

126. Earring in a Vermeer painting: PEARL. We also have 48. Dutch painter Jan: STEEN.

127. Creme-filled cookies: OREOS.

128. Surname separator: NEE.

129. Short "So long!": TTYL.

130. Common __: SENSE.

Down:

1. Burkina __: West African country: FASO. Capital city: Ouagadougou.

 

 

2. Cornerstone abbr.: ESTD.

3. "It was nothing": I TRY.

4. Understands: GRASPS.

5. __-canceling headphones: NOISE. Our new neighbor has a kid who likes to play basketball in their garage for hours.

6. Like a used firepit: ASHY.

7. Allowed: LET.

8. Personal identification?: IT'S ME.

9. Scuppered: THWARTED. Consonants-heavy.

10. With it: HIP.

11. "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" novelist Vuong: OCEAN. Also famous for his "Night Sky with Exit Wounds". Here is why he's named Ocean. I have the same problem. My "bitch" and "beach" are the same.

12. Audacity: NERVE.

13. Troublemaking kid: IMP.

14. Second shot: BOOSTER.

16. Petro-Canada rival: ESSO.

17. Russian "no": NYET.

20. "The Princess Bride" director: REINER (Rob). "As you wish!". 

23. Fabled wish-granter: GENIE.

24. Outlying community: EXURB.

29. Info requested by winery websites: AGE. Also 111. Wine label number: YEAR.

32. Canned tomatoes brand: ROTEL. I just threw away an almost full jar of Ragu. I had no idea that the sauce only lasts a week in the fridge.

34. Active Naturals skin care brand: AVEENO. Oaty!

35. Writer who created Pooh and Roo: MILNE.

36. Seoul airline: ASIANA.

39. Org. whose 2021 MVP was Jonquel Jones: WNBA. Playing for the Connecticut Sun

41. Roof overhang: EAVE.

43. Easily improvised costume: TOGA.

45. Math subj.: GEOM.

46. Shined a light on?: LASED.

47. "The best is __ come": YET TO.

50. __ liver oil: COD.

52. Hybrid big cat: LIGER.

55. Stretching muscle: TENSOR.

58. Lake on the Nile: NASSER.

59. Mani-__: spa treatments: PEDIS.

60. Fishing line holder: REEL.

64. Irksome one: PEST.

66. Harlem Renaissance novelist Larsen: NELLA. Learning moment for me.

69. Caffeinate, perhaps: PEP UP.

70. Flower that sounds like a furrier: ASTER. And 75. Furriers who sound like flowers: ASTORS

71. River delta area: MOUTH.

73. Kenya neighbor: UGANDA.

78. __ noire: BETE.

79. Basic Spanish infinitive: ESTAR. To be.

80. GoPro product, briefly: CAM.

81. Mined finds: ORES.

83. Stonestreet of "Modern Family": ERIC.

85. Big picture?: MURAL. This works without the ? also.

86. Spill the beans: BLAB.

89. Plain to see: APPARENT.

94. Spruces up: CLEANS.

95. Totally face-plant: EAT IT. I overhead Boomer shouted "Take that, Janice" when he was watching a Twins & Guardians (Indians) game.

Janice and her daughter at an Indians Game Pre-COVID

96. Poison __: SUMAC. The one on the left is not poisonous.

99. Faucet: TAP.

102. Money paid to get money: ATM FEE.

104. Oman neighbor: YEMEN.

105. Fixed gaze: STARE.

107. Immature comeback: IS NOT.

109. Dance moves: STEPS.

110. Bygone name in toys: TYCO.

114. Turow book: ONE L.

115. Setting of the memoir "Reading Lolita in Tehran": IRAN.

116. Metallica drummer Ulrich: LARS.

117. "Friday Night Lights" actor Chandler: KYLE.

119. "__-boom-bah!": SIS.

121. Anger: IRE.

122. Minnesota senator Klobuchar: AMY.  We're a super blue state.

Thanks for the sweet birthday wishes. We were super busy that day with various appointments, but we enjoyed a chocolate cake, some red apricots (new to me) on a beautiful Minnesota summer day.

Boomer completed his radiation on Friday. Unfortunately his oncologist tested positive for COVID, so he was not able to get bone strengthener infusion, which is postponed to July 11th. 

Next week we'll meet with the spinal cord doctor. And his normal PT/OT. 

C.C.

Sunday June 12, 2022 Pam Amick Klawitter

 Theme: "Where R U?" - Part of each common phrase/word contains the letter (s) U/U's, the other part identifies the position(s) of the U/U's.

23A. U: PERCUSSION SECTION. U is part of PERCUSSION.

43A. U: UNION LEADER. First letter of UNION, hence "leader".https://twitter.com/jpdavidson?s=20&t=dNow059NQxtUA2CBTEU4lw

66A. U: COMMUNITY CENTER. Very center of COMMUNITY.

92A. U: COUNTERPART. Part of COUNTER.

116A. U's: PIECES OF FURNITURE. Parts of FURNITURE.

16D. U: HUNK OF JUNK. Part of JUNK.

71D. U: MID-JANUARY.  Very center of JANUARY.

t=dNow059NQxtUA2CBTEiilal

Very creative. We've seen puzzles with different letters in the clues, like this one. But I don't recall a puzzle that uses only one letter. Amazing, as the theme is super constraining.

Of the 7 entries, UNION LEADER, COMMUNITY CENTER & JANUARY point out precisely where the U's are. The others are just parts.

Across:

1. Language of many a motto: LATIN.

6. Sheepherding pig in a Best Picture nominee: BABE.

10. Some bowling feats: SPARES. The PT lady we met last Thursday loves bowling.

16. Chef's toque, e.g.: HAT.

19. Maine college town: ORONO. Hahtoolah!

20. Lena of "The Artist's Wife": OLIN.

21. Some Tuscany natives: PISANS.

22. Actress Thurman: UMA.

26. Neither here __ there: NOR.

27. Grand spreads: ESTATES.

28. Unproductive activity: TIME SINK. Also TIME SUCK.

29. Sitcom home of Johnny Fever: WKRP.

30. Embrace: HUG.

31. Made less stringent: EASED.

32. "I'm with you": DITTO.

34. Sound sleepers?: SNORERS. Fun clue.

37. Pet adoption org.: ASPCA.

40. On the up and up?: LOFTY.

46. Eye-related: OPTIC.

48. With 69-Down, MVP of Super Bowl III: JOE. 69. See 48-Across: NAMATH. "Broadway Joe".

49. Posted: SENT.

50. Verizon communications service: FIOS. For Fiber Optic Service.

51. Beatrix Potter's real first name: HELEN.

52. Cougar on a sneaker: PUMA.

53. Orchestra leader: MAESTRO.

56. 100 smackers: C SPOT. 60. Low-risk investments: Abbr.: CDS. Also 54. Govt. security: T BOND.

58. Conference session: SEMINAR.

61. Glacier breakaway: BERG.

63. College football fans sporting a blue "Y": ELIS.

65. Smells awful: REEKS. So nice to have a workable floor drain again. Ours was clogged. I had a hard time soaking dry the problem area on Friday. Thankfully I listened to D-Otto and did not use the washing machine. Otherwise, the whole basement carpet would have been ruined. 

70. __ acid: AMINO.

72. Trillion: Pref.: TERA.

73. Stand in line: WAIT.

74. Waze display: MAP.

77. Washer cycle: SPIN DRY.

79. Employee who works a lot?: VALET. Parking lots.

82. Team symbols: MASCOTS. Me and T.C. Bear. 11 years ago.

84. Senate staffer: AIDE.

85. Bar mixers: SODAS.

87. Greek earth goddess: GAIA.

89. Santa __: dry California winds: ANAS.

90. "The Big Bang Theory" astrophysicist with a Yorkshire terrier named Cinnamon: RAJ. Nice trivia clue.

91. Worked (up): KEYED.

95. Leaving nothing out: IN ALL.

97. National Forest northwest of Orlando: OCALA.

99. Wrinkly dog: SHAR PEI. Cantonese. In Mandarin, it's Sha Pi, literally "sand skin".

100. Wayfarer: NOMAD.

102. Break up: END IT.

105. Mai __: cocktail: TAI.

106. "Billions" actor Giamatti: PAUL.

108. Home for a pride: LION'S DEN. Pride of lions.

111. Road trip break: PIT STOP.

115. Old hoops gp.: ABA. American Basketball Association.

118. __ La Table: cookware shop: SUR.

119. Clear up: SETTLE.

120. Nestlé chocolate bar with a bubbly texture: AERO. Helpful "bubbly" hint.

121. Time being: NONCE.

122. Barnyard pen: STY.

123. Dr. Scholl's purchase: INSOLE. Boomer likes this pair of Dr. Scholl's.

124. Prune: TRIM.

125. Discover bit by bit: GLEAN.

Down:

1. Relaxed stride: LOPE.

2. God of war pursued by Wonder Woman: ARES. Played by David Thewlis.

3. Civil wrong: TORT.

4. Conspiring: IN CAHOOTS. With.

5. Highway warning: NO U-TURN.

6. Order (around): BOSS.

7. Undefeated boxer Laila: ALI.

8. Flora and fauna: BIOTA.

9. Heath's "Brokeback Mountain" role: ENNIS. Heath Ledger.

10. Zooms: SPEEDS.

11. Snaps: PICS.

12. Hub of bubbly: ASTI.

13. Backup plans for outdoor events: RAIN DATES.

14. Ramen mushroom: ENOKI. Our fridge has been enoki-less for a while. I could easily get one pack for $0.99 to $1.99 pre-COVID days. Now it's $4.99 to $5.99.  Crazy.

 

15. Govt.-issued ID: SSN.

17. Love, in Spain: AMOR.

18. Waterproof cover: TARP.

24. Jason of "How I Met Your Mother": SEGEL.

25. Lipstick mishap: SMEAR.

29. GATT successor: WTO. The World Trade Organization.

31. Actor Morales: ESAI.

33. "Waterfalls" pop trio: TLC.

34. Golf legend Sam: SNEAD. Super flexible even in his 70s.

35. Dressed to the __: NINES.

36. Campaign promise: REFORM.

38. Written in verse: POETIC.

39. Certain NCO: CPL.

41. 2011 Literature Nobelist Tranströmer: TOMAS. Swedish poet. Learning moment for me.

42. 12 months: YEAR.

43. Camp Pendleton org.: USMC.

44. "What's up, __?": DOC.

45. Last letter of many plural nouns: ESS.

47. Subject of Newton's first law: INERTIA.

51. Sanctified: HOLY.

52. Santa Monica landmark: PIER.

55. Contrition: REMORSE.

57. Part of a flower: PETAL. So pretty.

59. Track events: MEETS.

62. __ reaction: GUT.

64. Wrap (up): SEW.

66. French film: CINE.

67. The Silver State: NEVADA.

68. Some long-term investments, briefly: IRAS.

70. Bee-related: APIAN.

74. "Hidden Figures" actress Janelle: MONAE.

75. "Pong" company: ATARI.

76. Hushed "Hey!": PSST.

77. Bollywood dress: SARI.

78. Inconsistent nutrition plans: YO-YO DIETS. My friend Carmen has been into turtle eggs the past few weeks. Turtle eggs are also called "Wang Ba Dan" in Chinese. Bad curse words. Don't use them.

80. Bigheadedness: EGO.

81. Kind of cross: TAU.

83. Noisy toy gun: CAP PISTOL.

86. Last mo.: DEC.

88. Research org.: INST.

91. Netherlands airline: KLM. In alphabetically order.

92. "On it": CAN DO.

93. Use DoorDash, say: EAT IN.

94. Classification for some violent films: R- RATING. Restricted.

96. "2 funny!": LOL.

98. One paying a flat fee?: LESSEE. That flat.

101. Extraterrestrial: ALIEN.

103. Make more lean: DEFAT.

104. Gather: INFER.

106. "No thanks": PASS.

107. Share a border: ABUT.

109. Quadri- doubled: OCTO. 4/8.

110. Georgia Tech basketball coach Fortner: NELL. Another learning moment for me.

111. Senior moment?: PROM.

112. Song: TUNE.

113. Keiko in "Free Willy," for one: ORCA.

114. Hammer end: PEEN.

116. Inflation fig.: PSI.

117. Ocean State sch.: URI.

Boomer will start his at-home PT tomorrow. Twice a week for six weeks. He'll also have a few OT sessions soon.

We'll go to the big VA for a consultation with the radiation doctor next Wednesday. We'll also meet with his oncologist for the next steps. And an ortho follow-up.

Thank you so much for always thinking of Boomer and keeping him in your prayers.

C.C.