Monday April 15, 2019 Paul Coulter

Theme: INNER PEACE (60. Meditation goal hinted at by this puzzle's circles) - Three peace words span across each theme entry.

 17. Ancient mariner's fear: SEA SERPENT.

 25. Chain reaction requirement: CRITICAL MASS.

 46. Nation that promotes its people's economic and social prosperity: WELFARE STATE.

Boomer here.

Tough to be calm here in Minnesota where we were blessed with about 10 inches of snow last week.  It is melting and does not affect the bowling season however golf is on hold for two or three weeks.  The Twins cleared Target Field and after one postponement they played in 40 degree weather.


Across:

1. Cuts off: LOPS.

5. Member of a strict Jewish sect: HASID.

10. Artistic Chinese dynasty: MING.  The Chinese are very good at that game - Ming Pong.

14. Ohio's Great Lake: ERIE.  Of the five great lakes, (Not counting Utah Salt) This one appears in crosswords more than any other.

15. Justice Kagan: ELENA.  Appears more often than other justices. Three vowels.

16. Egg-shaped: OVAL.

19. Flexible mineral sheet: MICA.

20. Persuade with flattery: SOFT SOAP.

21. Fossil resins: AMBERS.

23. "Beowulf," poem-wise: EPIC.

24. Rubs the wrong way?: ABRADES.  There once was a girl whose mom tied her braids so tight that when she cried, the tears ran down her back.  Her name was Bacteria.

29. Stagecoach puller: HORSE.  A horse is a horse, of course, of course, and no one can talk to a horse of course, unless of course the name of the horse is the famous Mr. Ed.

30. Allied gp. since 1948: OAS. Organization of American States.

31. Dangerous snakes: ASPS. So for all of her glamour and her whoop-tee-doo
And her house in the best neighborhood
Would you take that lousy life if it was offered to you
You can bet Cleopatra's asp, you would! (What kind of life is that - Chad Mitchell Trio)

35. Antipollution org.: EPA.

36. Hit, as a fly: SWATTED.  There were a few flies swatted at Target Field this past weekend.

40. Alphabetically first of two Hawaiian maunas: KEA. The other is LOA. Reminds me of a Korean SUV  Kia Sorento.

41. Like some coll. courses: REQ'D

43. Gp. getting many returns in April: IRS.  Supposed to be postmarked by midnight tonight, however some nice post offices will backdate it for you on Tuesday.

44. Regular's bar order, with "the": USUAL.  Mine used to be a VO Manhattan with cherry juice.  Now it is diet Pepsi.  Don't get me wrong, I was never a heavy drinker, but now the doctors told me no more alcohol with the pills I am taking.  So I donated two full bottles of gin and vodka from my booze closet to my Monday bowling banquet for door prizes, and was rewarded with a door prize of two rounds of golf on a cart at a local course, which of course I will share with my teammate and league secretary.

50. Malicious rumors: CANARDS.

53. "Do __ others ... ": UNTO. "As you would have others do unto you."

54. Judge, e.g.: HEARER. What ??

55. Like faces at a fireworks display: UPTURNED.  I never liked fireworks too much.  I was always afraid something would go wrong and I would get burned.  I am sure C.C. has stories. Although cities and groups spend a lot of money to the Chinese economy with the purchase of fireworks, many accidents happen in the factories that create them.

59. "Dream on!": AS IF.  AS IF you thought Tiger would win the Masters.  Yup, Surprised me too !

62. Wander: ROVE.  Mr. Karl Rove worked in the Whitehouse on George W 's staff.

63. Close-knit group: CADRE. This is what they called the G.I.'s who had permanent training positions at Fort Campbell. KY.

64. Fairway club: IRON.  I guess so.  I will normally take a five wood to hit a shot from 150 to 170 yards.  I notice the pros use a 7 Iron from 190.  All these years I have been using the wrong club!!

65. Didn't dillydally: SPED.

66. Act with excessive passion: EMOTE.

67. The Big Apple, in addresses: NY NY.  I usually spell it New York, NY.  It looks better.

Down:

1. Make-do amount?: LESS.  WKRP -- More music and Less Nessman

2. Two-tone cookie: OREO.  Congratulations to Nabisco!  This is the 12,365th time the cookie has appeared in a crossword.  A new world record!! ( It passed lake ERIE).

3. Chanteuse Edith: PIAF.

4. Six-line stanzas: SESTETS.

5. Brave: HEROIC.

6. Llama relative: ALPACA.  I wonder if they use these photos when they join eharmony.

7. Ooze: SEEP.

8. Quaint stopover: INN.  Just say Bodda Book, Bodda Boom!  ( I cannot stand that commercial).

9. Sortable information source: DATABASE. I wonder where people kept their notes before computers.

10. Kenya's major port: MOMBASA.

11. Like Wrigley Field's walls: IVIED.  Yup, I have been there.  Saw the Cubs take the Dodgers.  It was before the lights, about 28 years ago.  I remember there was "already been chewed" wads of Wrigley's gum stuck under my seat.  I paid a local $10.00 to park on his lawn.  I wonder what they get now.  Maybe TTP knows.  

12. Mother-of-pearl: NACRE.

13. Water or wine vessel: GLASS.  It can also hold a VO Manhattan on the rocks with cherry juice.

18. Catches sight of: ESPIES.

22. Dash in a spice rack?: MRS.  A name brand seasoning.  Maybe they should change the name to Heinz now.  There must be about 57 different kinds.

24. Amo, amas, __: AMAT.  I love, You love, she loves this clue.

25. "Moonstruck" star: CHER.  "I got you babe"

26. Weapon in Clue: ROPE.  I think it was done by Professor Plum in the Ballroom.

27. Baghdad's land: IRAQ.

28. Gobs of: LOTSA.  There's an expensive frozen pizza called Lotzza Mozza.  I save by buying Jack's and adding more mozzarella before I slide it in the oven.

32. Arctic seabird: SKUA.

33. __ moss: PEAT.  Randy had too many letters

34. Markdown event: SALE.  Pitcher Chris of the Red Sox.

37. Whole-grain food: WILD RICE.  This is a notable Minnesota crop, mostly harvested by Native Americans.  (Where did you think they got the money to build those casinos ?) It generally takes an hour or more to prepare it, but it is delicious with walleye!

38. Pound sounds: ARFS.

39. Quarrel: DUST UP.

42. Towered over: DWARFED.

45. Preserve using barrels, as wine: STORE IN.

47. Bard's "before": ERE.  "And I heard him exclaim ere he rode out of sight, 'Next year wash your socks before you hang them up !'" 

48. Buffy the Vampire Slayer's "Watcher" __ Giles: RUPERT.  Notable Quotable.

49. Main course: ENTREE. That would be the walleye.

50. Burns a bit: CHARS.

51. Legendary fabulist: AESOP.  I have never met anyone named Aesop.  I think most people think his last name was Fables.

52. Easily deceived: NAIVE.

55. "Go back" PC command: UNDO.  I checked the entire keyboard and I do not have an "undo" or a "go back" key.  (I do have a funny looking left arrow on F2).

56. __ a one: none: NARY.  Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

57. Supply-and-demand subj.: ECON.

58. Reject as false: DENY.

61. "The Deer Hunter" war zone, for short: NAM.

No more Monday bowling until September.  Several more weeks on Thursday - Then defend my title in the 700 club tournament in May.  Yeah, I was healthier a year ago but you never know.  I am in the Geezer division.  (Over 70).

Boomer

Sunday April 7, 2019 Paul Coulter

Theme: "Just Desserts" - One word in each common phrase is replaced by a soundalike dessert.

22A. Sure sign that Spot got into today's dessert?: PUDDING ON THE DOG. Putting on the dog.

35A. Krispy Kreme rep's agenda?: DOUGHNUT CALL LIST. Do Not Call list.

52A. Ice cream order toppings?: SUNDAE SUPPLEMENTS. Sunday supplements. I call it "Sunday magazines".

77A. Final roadside stop for an eggy treat?: CUSTARDS' LAST STAND. Custer's Last Stand.

92A. "You've made the Heath bar perfectly!"?: THAT'S A REAL TOFFEE.

113A. "Nice apple tart, Christopher"?: GOOD PIE, COLUMBUS. Goodbye, Columbus.

Is the original phrase for 92A "That's a real doozy"?
 
Paul is a very creative constructor who loves food and find inspirations in his food. Remember this "Top This" puzzle? See how he approaches his food themes so differently.

Paul Coulter/Matt G Contest

Across:

1. "Beat it!": SCAT.

5. Rubberneck: GAWK.

9. Preserve, in a way: SALT. You all know I love pickled veggies. Herrings too.

13. Grammar topic: USAGE.

18. "East of Eden" director Kazan: ELIA.

19. Only part of Egypt in Asia: SINAI.

20. Brio: ELAN.

21. Bedouin, e.g.: NOMAD.

25. Doubtful story: FABLE.

26. Cause of a stir?: TEASPOON. Nice clue.

27. Nutritious beans: SOYAS. Countable?

28. Metaphorical fate of a hatchet?: BURIAL. Bury the hatchet.

29. HuffPost owner: AOL.

30. Prefix with phobia: ACRO.

31. Damage: MAR.

32. APO mail recipients: GIS.

43. Medicinal plants: SENNAS. Laxative.

45. Beams: RAYS.

46. Give birth to: HAVE.

47. Boris Godunov, for one: TSAR.

48. Broadcast sign: ON AIR.

49. NFL six-pointers: TDS.

50. Kopf, across the border: TETE. German/French for "head".

51. Agitate: RILE.

58. Prof's aides: TAS.

59. Appear that way: SEEM SO.

60. Record holder: LINER.

61. Rose garden pests: APHIDS.

63. Run out, as a subscription: LAPSE. We need our local Star Tribune. Important part of our morning routine.

65. NYSE debut: IPO.

66. Request before a shot: SMILE.

68. Remain at home: STAY IN.

71. Coil of yarn: SKEIN.

73. Passes: ENACTS.

76. Campaign trail pro: POL.

82. Ness, for example: LOCH.

84. Soviet news acronym: TASS. Xinhua for China. Literally "new China". Largest news agency in the world.

85. Double curve: ESS.

86. One washing off the driveway: HOSER.

87. Langston Hughes poem: I TOO.

88. Light-seeking flier: MOTH.

89. Slew: SCAD.

91. __ Beach: South Carolina resort: MYRTLE. Boomer and I went there for a golf trip hundreds of years ago.

96. One of two in seven: Abbr.: SYL. Syllable.

97. Exist: ARE.

98. Blows it: ERRS.

99. Bygone Ford: LTD.

101. Tropical lizard: IGUANA.

105. "The __ Witch Project": BLAIR.

107. Italian almond biscuits: AMARETTI. Never had it.

112. Boy with a bow: CUPID.

115. Chip away at: ERODE.

116. It's sometimes enough: ONCE.

117. They're not idlers: DOERS.

118. "Buddenbrooks" author: MANN.

119. One tweaking pitches: TUNER.

120. Style: VEIN.

121. "As I Lay Dying" father: ANSE. Regular in our old Tribune Media days.

122. Q.E.D. part: ERAT.

Down:

1. Half of quatorze: SEPT. 14/7 in French.

2. Whodunit game: CLUE.

3. "O patria mia" singer: AIDA.

4. Young boys: TADS.

5. Paid male escort: GIGOLO. I learned this word from the Richard Gere movie.

6. Like some quotes: Abbr.: ANON.

7. Pale: WAN.

8. Like plastic pink flamingos: KITSCHY.

9. "Later": SEE YOU.

10. "The West Wing" actor: ALDA.

11. Golden Triangle country: LAOS. They eat long-grain sticky rice every day. In China, we mostly use sticky rice (short grain) in desserts.

12. Sci-fi spin-off before "DS9": TNG. The Next Generation.

13. Roll out: UNFURL.

14. Enjoy a view from on high: SOAR.

15. Both: Pref.: AMBI.

16. Big party: GALA.

17. Henry James biographer Leon: EDEL. Another old regular.

19. Hair holders: SNOODS.

23. Draft pick: IPA.

24. They're heard in jams: HORNS. Traffic jams.

28. Barn bundle: BALE.  Spitzboov grew up on a farm.

30. Dumbfounded: AGASP.

31. Expert: MAVEN.

32. Classification between family and species: GENUS.

33. Absurd: INANE.

34. Dudley's toon foe: SNIDELY. Where's our Dudley?

36. Hindustani language: URDU.

37. English assignment: THEME.

38. Does a reception job: CATERS.

39. Env. enclosure: LTR.

40. Query in Matthew: IS IT I.

41. Food at a bar: SALAD. Have any of you tried lotus root salad? Delicious! Lotus roots are hard to harvest and are very expensive here in our Asian stores.

Harvesting Lotus Roots

42. Head lock: TRESS.

43. "Help!": SOS.

44. Biblical language: ARAMAIC.

49. Chinese menu possessive: TSO'S.

50. Mortise inserts: TENONS.

53. "College Football Live" channel: ESPNU.

54. Grasping tool: PLIERS.

55. Fat, e.g.: LIPID.

56. Corrupt: TAINT.

57. Ostentatious: SPLASHY.

62. Bullies: HECTORS.

64. Focus of an heir war?: ESTATE. Air war.

67. Clutter: MESS.

68. Small Champagne bottle: SPLIT. Learning moment for me.

69. Zipper part: TOOTH.

70. Big name in kitchen foil: ALCOA.

72. Buckwheat porridge: KASHA. I need to try this some day.

74. "Yum!": TASTY.

75. Fishhook fastener: SNELL.

78. Supply: STORE.

79. Flips (through): LEAFS.

80. Typist's left hand home keys: ASDF. Sunday grids need a few gluey entries.

81. "__ Day": 1993 rap hit: DRE.

83. All the rage: HOT.

88. Kate of "The Martian": MARA.

89. Bacon portion: STRIP.

90. Contest with picadors: CORRIDA.

91. Iron and zinc: METALS.

93. Carpenter's need: SANDER.

94. Dull gray, as winter skies: LEADEN.

95. "Get Shorty" novelist __ Leonard: ELMORE. Terry Gross had a terrific interview with him.

100. R&B group __ Hill: DRU.

101. "Rhyme Pays" rapper: ICE-T.

102. Expert: GURU.

103. Informed about: UPON.

104. Right hand: AIDE.

105. Cram, with "up": BONE.

106. Centers of activity: LOCI.

107. First-rate: ACES.

108. Plus-size supermodel: EMME.

109. Alpine transport: T BAR.

110. Toon Charlie, memorably: TUNA.

111. "This __ working": ISN'T.

113. Statehouse VIP: GOV.

114. Long, long time: EON.

C.C.

Tuesday, February 19, 2019 Paul Coulter

"Tastes"

17. *Sore loser's reaction: SOUR GRAPES. 

58. *Valentine recipient: SWEETHEART. 

11. *Finale to fight to, with "the": BITTER END.

34. *Hip-hop trio with a condimental name: SALT-N-PEPA. 

38. Fifth and newest member of the set that includes the starts of the answers to starred clues: UMAMI.


Across:

1. Deep opera voices: BASSI.  Learned this word from doing crosswords.   Before that, I only knew of Shirley Bassey.

6. Quaint "you": THOU.

10. "SOS" pop group: ABBA.  

14. From square one: AGAIN.   Anew.

15. Pair on a Disney World hat: EARS.  Overheard while walking on Main St. USA, "I want one ! "

16. Little brook: RILL.

19. Live __: party hearty: IT UP.

20. Temporary period: INTERIM.

21. Clytemnestra's son: ORESTES.  It's all Greek to me, but the perps made it evident.

23. Soap-making chemical: LYE.

24. Often: A LOT.  Often, a lot is a ton.

26. Road's end?: STER.  This powerful little two-seater was the first Shelby Cobra.  It sold for $13.75M.

27. Versatile vehicle, for short: UTE.

28. Handel's "Messiah" is one: ORATORIO.  I found this article to be a good read.

32. Vertical billiards stroke: MASSE.  The masse is often not allowed because if it is not executed properly, the cue tip can rip the felt.  

35. Not fresh: STALE.

36. Ambient music pioneer Brian: ENO.

37. Apple computer: IMAC.

39. NYPD rank: INSP.   Inspector

40. Zero, like chances: NIL.

41. "Full court" NBA defense: PRESS.   Pistol Pete's basketball coach father was known as Press.  But not for an obsession of coaching that style of defense.  He got that nickname as a boy selling the Pittsburgh Press newspaper on the streets of Aliquippa, PA.   LSU fans know that Dale Brown succeeded Press as head coach of the Tigers
 
42. Pat Conroy's "The Prince of __": TIDES.

43. Corporate info-sharing system: INTRANET.   The internet is the information superhighway for the masses.  It is public.   An intranet is a limited access information superhighway used by companies,  corporations and government entities to disseminate information internally.  It is private. 

45. Hawaiian dish: POI.

46. "Chestnuts roasting __ open fire": ON AN. Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Seems like it was only yesterday.


47. Online craft store: ETSY.

49. Rap sheet abbr.: AKA.   Also Known As.

52. Elks, in Canada: WAPITIS.

55. __ Kodak: EASTMAN.  "You press the button. We'll do the rest." 

57. Top poker cards: ACES.

60. Ready for harvesting: RIPE.

61. Half of Mork's sign-off: NANU.


62. Novelist Joyce Carol __: OATES.

63. Smartphone ancestors, briefly: PDAS.  Personal Digital Assistants

64. Cookbook amt.: TBSP.    Cookbooks sometimes abbreviate it as just a capital T, but that would not work as an answer in crossword puzzles.

65. "Elder" Roman scholar: PLINY.

Down:

1. Fragrant herb: BASIL.

2. Ecstasy's opposite: AGONY.

3. Fry: SAUTE.

4. "Your Highness": SIRE.

5. Unappreciative one: INGRATE.

6. Pedro's "I love you": TE AMO.

7. WWII General __ Arnold: HAP.  One of only five 5 Star Generals in the US Army.   Also, the only General in the US Air Force to have attained the 5 Star rank.

8. Crumbled sundae-topping cookie: OREO.

9. Cold War power: Abbr.: USSR. СССР (Союз Советских Социалистических Республик) is a Russian abbreviation for the Soviet Union or Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

10. Noble Brit: ARISTO.

12. Treatment for gray hair: BLUE RINSE. New to me, but now I know what my friend meant when talking about those blue haired ladies.  I thought it was figurative.

13. Swiss peaks: ALPS.

18. Irritate but good: RILE.

22. 90° from sur: ESTE.

25. How food may be seasoned: TO TASTE.   Altitude can change taste.   The combination of dryness and low pressure reduces the sensitivity of your taste buds to sweet and salty foods by around 30%.

27. Trojans' sch.: USC.  The University of Southern California athletic teams are known as the Trojans.

29. Male sheep: RAMS. 

30. Thrilla in Manila boxer: ALI.

31. "My bad!": OOPS.

32. Revealing skirt: MINI.

33. Protein building block: AMINO ACID.

35. "Peter Pan" pirate: SMEE.  Captain Hook's bosun.

38. Reception server: URN.  Not a person employed as wait staff at a reception.

39. Three, on a sundial: III. 

41. Breathe heavily: PANT.

42. Kid's favorite store, often: TOY SHOP.

44. Elevates: RAISES.

45. 10th-grader's exam, for short: PSAT.  Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test. 

48. Start a golf hole: TEE UP.

49. Vintage violin: AMATI.

50. Megan's "Will & Grace" role: KAREN.


51. Anxious: ANTSY.

52. __ speed: "Star Trek" rate: WARP.   "A reaction between deuterium and antideuterium, tempered through a dilithium crystal assembly, allows 24th century Federation vessels to travel at warp speeds."   If interested, you can read more about the technology in this explanation.

53. Fails to be: ISN'T.  The third person singular (he, she, it) present tense of  To Be is IS.  The negative contraction of To Be is isn't,  but it isn't ain't.   Shakespeare (paraphrased) summed it up nicely: "Is or isn't, that is the question."

54. Q-tip: SWAB.

56. Greenish-blue: TEAL.

59. Nav. rank: ENS.   Ensign. A commissioned officer in the Navy.

Thursday February 7th 2019 Paul Coulter

Theme: Minor to Major - The nouns at the start of the theme entries age gracefully:

16A. Mature gentle treatment?: GOAT GLOVES. Kid Gloves

26A. Mature sprightly piano classic?: CAT ON THE KEYS. Kitten on the Keys. This was new to me. I discover it's a ragtime piece by the splendidly-named Zez Confrey.

35A. Mature young infatuation?: DOG LOVE. Puppy Love. Then-teenybopper Donny Osmond broke into the UK pop charts with this Paul Anka song which reached number 1 in 1972, much to my disgust. I was growing my hair and putting my head between the speakers listening to rock, much to the disgust of my father. Happy days!

45A. Mature news newbie?: BEAR REPORTER. Cub Reporter. I like that old reporters are sometimes described as "grizzly" which aligns nicely with this theme entry.

59A. Mature "Agnus Dei" translation?: SHEEP OF GOD. Lamb of God. Food! Wait, no, sorry.

Nicely done by Paul. It was the newshound entry that tipped me off as to the theme, so a quick job was made of the blanks in the themers to that point. Plenty of sparkly fill to keep us happy too.

Across:

1. Correspondence sign-off: BEST. "Best wishes, Steve". What happened to worst and average wishes?

5. Musical series set at McKinley High: GLEE. Didn't see the show, but it pretty much filled itself in.

9. "Wealth of Nations" author Smith: ADAM. The father of economic theory. Published in 1776 this was required reading in my Economics class. We all read the Cliff's Notes version, naturally.

13. Pot for paella: OLLA. Crying foul here. Nothing wrong with the word, but the clue. Paella is made in a pan, not a pot which is more for casseroles.

14. Speaks up?: PRAYS

15. Bit of folklore: TALE

18. B'way hit signs: SROS. What? Is this a thing? "Standing Room Only" in the singular. As an aside, do they still have standing areas in Broadway theaters? I guess it depends on the production.

19. News letters: UPI. Our old (or new friend from last week) United Press International.

20. "Have some": EAT!

21. Decides not to dele: STETS. Used as a verb - I stet, you stet, he/she/it stets.

22. Bodega miss: SENORITA

25. Roe-producing fish: SHAD

30. Canaanite deity: BAAL

32. Half a cocktail: TAI. The Tai-mai. Lime juice, pineapple, orgeat syrup, curaçao, rum. You mix the ingredients in the reverse order for a Mai-tai. Just kidding.

33. Handler of "Sex and the City": EVAN

34. Costa del __: SOL

39. Taking a sick day, presumably: ILL. Because "ditching work to go to the beach" doesn't fit.

40. Trivial, as talk: IDLE

42. Versailles ruler: ROI

43. Mouselike animal: VOLE

49. Salty margarita glass spots: RIMS

50. Low-alcohol beverage: NEAR-BEER. Beer-flavored soda in other words. Sounds very appetizing.

54. Dries gently: BLOTS. Here's an great example of how crossword clues make you re-adjust your thinking. "Dries" in the passive voice leads you to the likes of "evaporates". In the active voice you find yourself blotting a spill. Little clue, small word, great stuff.

56. French menu word: JUS. One of my pet peeves is hearing someone saying "with au jus". Steak au jus already means "with the juice". You don't say "steak with au poivre" so quit with the with. So to speak. Grumble over.

57. Singer Grande's perfume brand: ARI. Ariana was in the news last week showing off her new tattoo, which was intended to be "7 Rings", the title of one of her hits, in Japanese. Unfortunately, the tattoo artist missed out a character, with the result that she was sporting something that read "Small charcoal grill". She tried to fix it, and today now reads "Small charcoal grill finger ♡". She's getting tired of people laughing about it.

58. "__ move": YOUR

63. Air: TUNE Another echo from last week. Do you think you don't know "Londonderry Air"? Yes you do.

64. Word with offering or officer: PEACE

65. "Who __ knows?": ELSE. If more than one person knows, it's no longer a secret.

66. Scandinavian literary work: EDDA

67. Lie next to: ABUT

68. Wedding couple?: DEES. Double-D. Nice clue.

Down:

1. Phony: BOGUS

2. Run secretly to the chapel: ELOPE

3. Dispatched, as a dragon: SLAIN. Or a Jabberwock:

And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? 

      Come to my arms, my beamish boy! 

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” 

      He chortled in his joy. 

Lewis Carroll, "Jabberwocky"

4. Ankle pic: TAT. Painful spot for a tattoo, I'm told.

5. Cavern: GROTTO

6. Brit's facilities: LAV. Tried LOO, was wrong.

7. Bud on a spud: EYE. The start of a new potato plant.

8. Snaky curve: ESS

9. On the line: AT STAKE

10. Stunt performer, say: DAREDEVIL. I get queasy watching people do things at a height, just watching gives me vertigo.

11. Boatloads: A LOT

12. Food in a hall: MESS

14. Braid: PLAIT

17. Notable Ford of the '70s: GERALD. Of course, I was on the Mustang muse at first. Nice clue.

21. "__ Persisted": children's book about inspirational women: SHE

23. Andean tuber: OCA

24. Pit-digging insect: ANTLION. I've never come across this little beastie before. The larva are the pit-diggers to trap their prey. The adults are pretty lacewing types.

25. Handmade blade: SHIV. Especially one made in prison.

27. Eastern "way": TAO

28. Second-oldest Ivy: YALE. Here's another one you might just pre-print in the grid with a clue like this. How many Ivies have four letters? Just one.

29. NBC show since 1975: SNL

30. Portend: BODE

31. Versatile: ALL-AROUND. To me, this has one specific use - it relates to the gymnastic competition. I'd call someone versatile as an "all-rounder". Slightly different.

34. Bro or sis: SIB.

36. Rich rocks: ORES

37. Political initials since 1884: GOP. I started toying with presidents' initials, then the penny dropped with a clang.

38. Exceedingly: EVER SO

41. Asmara's nation: ERITREA. Asmara is the capital. Did I know that? No, nary a clue. Thank you, crosses. I'll try and remember for next time. I won't though.

44. Poetic sphere: ORB

46. Rental ad abbr.: RMS. Rooms.

47. Veto: REJECT

48. Brownish gray: TAUPE

51. Birdie topper: EAGLE. In the golf world, a birdie is one under par, an eagle is two under on a hole.

52. Jagged, as a leaf's edge: EROSE. My word of the day, I think. File under "new vocabulary".

53. Carnival attractions: RIDES. 

54. Data unit: BYTE. I like to think the Apple logo has a "byte" taken out of it. I know, I'm a geek.

55. Musician's forte?: LOUD. The pianoforte, to give it its "grand" name, is literally a soft-loud.

59. Place for a chemical peel: SPA. It sounds so brutal. A peel is horrible enough thought, then you add chemicals to the process. No thank you.

60. Lang. of the Torah: HEB. 

61. __ minérale: French spring supply: EAU. Mineral water to the non-francophones.

62. Gratified: FED. I can see this being a trap word for an ESL speaker - being "fed up" doesn't mean you're full of gratification.

And on that note, I'm fed by this puzzle. Here's the grid, and here's me saying toodle-pip.

Steve

Tuesday, January 22, 2019 Paul Coulter

"Punctuation Matters"

17. Mortgage check, say: PERIODIC PAYMENT. 

23. Brit's sausage-with-potatoes dish: BANGERS AND MASH.  The only one of the three that might need an explanation.   Bang is another word for the exclamation point in the lexicon of print terminology.   Also know as a screamer  to some printers.  My BIL was one.

49. 42-7, say, in an NFL game: COMMANDING LEAD.  At this point, let's give pause before moving on to the reveal.

58. What ends many a line, and what begins each of the puzzle's three other long answers: PUNCTUATION MARK.

Across:

1. Senegal's capital: DAKAR.  On the west coast of Africa. 

6. Website for techies: CNET.   "CNET tracks all the latest consumer technology breakthroughs and shows you what's new, what matters and how technology can enrich your life. "

10. Talk show runner: HOST.  Run as in manage.  Johnny Carson kept things moving along but frequently had to reschedule guests that were to appear at the end of the program.

14. 2018 romaine lettuce concern: E. coli.  Last time it was a Yuma, Arizona grower.  This time it was linked to a grower in Santa Barbara County, California.   As of January 9, 2019, the FDA continues to investigate, while the CDC reports that the current outbreak appears to be over.

It's not just you: There are more food recalls these days.

15. Drinking glass edges: RIMS.  As shown in this double walled tumbler:

No Coaster Needed

Hey, that gives Tinbeni an idea !  Sans ice, of course.

16. "What's gotten __ you?": INTO.  You have a burr in your britches ?

20. Italian three: TRE.  Uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei, setto, otto (desper-), nove, dieci.

21. Classified ad abbr.: EEO.  The Commission stresses that Equal Employment Opportunity is the law in the U.S.    The law provides for protection from certain discriminations.

22. "How exciting!": OOH. 

30. Benelux locale: Abbr.: EUR.  Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg location: Europe.

31. Furniture chain also known for Swedish meatballs: IKEA.

32. Wash. Nats' div.: NLE. The Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball are in the National League East division.

33. "Encore!": AGAIN.

36. Barbara of TV's "Mission: Impossible": BAIN.

37. Patriarch from Eden: ADAM.

38. Calls on for help: TURNS TO.  Relies on.   Sometimes a family member or trusted friend, sometimes an advisor or subject matter expert.  

40. Stash out of sight: SECRETE.

42. Highland caps: TAMS.  The traditional cap worn by Scottish men.

43. Blockheads: OAFS.

45. "I don't mind eels / Except as meals" poet Nash: OGDEN.

46. __ nutshell: briefly: IN A.  Brief and to the point.  Some are allergic to this concept.  To further elaborate, I can provide a comprehensive and thoroughly detailed explanation that extensively expands on this notion of brevity, from a to z or from top to bottom,  upon request.

47. Had on: WORE.

48. Évian water: EAU.  A natural mineral water drink.

54. Consume: EAT. 

55. Eggy drink: NOG.  I only know it as eggnog. 

56. Key lime __: PIE.  

64. Citizenship recitation: OATH.

65. Bad day for Caesar: IDES.

66. Intrude rudely, with "in": BARGE.  A barge is a somewhat awkward vessel.  Hard to steer and prone to bumping into things.   Like that unyielding fellow that interrupts an exchange of pleasantries to lecture on the "real" reasons for the current weather conditions.   

67. Cancún cash: PESO.

68. Whirling current: EDDY. 

69. Pretended to be: ACTED. 

Down:

1. Cabinet div.: DEPT.   A structure of U.S. government.    "The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General." - Whitehouse.gov 

2. Biting: ACERB.  Is Key Lime pie acerbic ?  I've never had it.  Oh wait, the sarcastic and stinging kind of acerbic.  Never mind.

3. South __, 2018 Olympics site: KOREA.

4. Boxing legend: ALI.   "The Greatest" was full of bravado.

5. 2016 Olympics city: RIO.   Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.   The Kia Rio is a model of a car, as some of us learned in Susan Gelfand's crossword last Wednesday. 

6. Colonial news source: CRIER.   The employment outlook for town criers waned as literacy rates improved.  Now pretty much ceremonial. 

7. Capital of Cyprus: NICOSIA.    Thank you perps. 

8. Old Rom. ruler: EMP eror.

9. Airport screening org.: TSA.   Transportation Security Agency.  Created after the Sept 11 attacks. First placed in the Department of Transportation, but moved to the (then) newly created department of Homeland Security in 2003. 

10. Greeting mouthed to a stadium cam: HI MOM.

11. Like home-run-robbing catches: ONE HANDED. Mike Trout demonstrates.

Pitchers and catchers report in about a month.

12. RR stop: STN.

13. Typical Nick Jr. watcher: TOT.  Programs like these:

18. Venison source: DEER.

19. "Patience you must have" Jedi master: YODA.

24. Bundestag nos: NEINS.  The German Bundestag is the equivalent to the U.S. House of Representatives. 

25. Tries hard (for): GUNS.

26. Part of SWAK: A KISS. Sealed With A Kiss.   This song reminds me of a 53. Mournful song: DIRGE.


27. Endangered Hawaiian goose: NENE.

28. Bluish gray: SLATE.

29. Studly dudes: HE MEN. and: 50. Like 29-Down: MACHO.

 He-Man and Battle Cat 

33. Heirloom storage spot: ATTIC.  If your attic exhaust fan is running in the winter in northern climates, it's probably the humidity sensor turning the fan on.  Heat escaping into the attic causes condensate against the cold roof.  Mold ensues.  The fan should turn on at 45 to 50 % relative humidity to exhaust the moist air.   The fix is to eliminate the heat escapes and to better insulate.

If your HVAC fan is running constantly, change the fan switch on the thermostat from the On to the Auto position.     

34. Organic fertilizer: GUANO.

35. Arsenal contents: ARMAMENTS.   The Rock Island Arsenal Museum has an extensive collection of armament.  It's open to citizens of the U.S. with free admission but you must secure a pass at the Moline gate as it is located on an active military installation.  The Rock Island Arsenal is the second oldest military museum in the U.S.


Can you name the five Quad Cities ?

36. Lumber unit: BOARD.

37. Bicker: ARGUE.

39. SpongeBob, e.g.: TOON.

41. What Frosty's eyes are made of: COAL.   His base may be a surprise...



44. Made a misleading move: FEINTED.

47. "W" on a light bulb: WATT.   Ex Wisconsin Badger and current Houston Texan JJ Watt saying "Hi Mom"

48. Thick & Fluffy waffle brand: EGGO. 

51. Clamorous: NOISY.

52. In different places: APART.

57. Barely managed, with "out": EKED.

58. Drop by, with "in": POP.

59. Federation in OPEC: UAE.   Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries : United Arab Emirates.

60. One-eighty: UIE.   How do you spell U-Turn ?  How do you spell food on a skewer K-B-BS ?

61. Do simple math: ADD.

62. Org. with Nets ... and nets: NBA.    Great clue with the "...and nets" added in.   The Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association.

63. Dude: MAC.  We'd barely parked the car, and the eager young salesman was rushing out the door to greet us.  Within minutes, he was guiding us to a round table just off the showroom floor.   I think he wanted to skip the part about showing showing us any vehicles and answering any questions, and  jump right into a purchase agreement.   Urged to "grab a seat" I declined because of my back;   standing sometimes helps.   "Whatever you want dude !" came the response.   My wife still chuckles when I say that phrase. 

Note from C.C.:

Happy 73nd Birthday to our constructor and friend John Lampkin, who always delights us with his superb crosswords and amazing nature photos. Thank you for the joy you've brought to us all these years, John!

Lemonade and John

Sunday January 20, 2019 Paul Coulter

Theme: "Pass" (P as S) - P is changed into S in each themer.

23. Imminent wordplay warning?: HERE COMES THE PUN. Here Comes the Sun.

33. "Is my account settled?"?: NEED I PAY MORE? Need I say more?

47. Nervous draft choice?: WORRIED PICK. Worried sick.

63. Agency that regulates test cheating?: PEEKING OFFICE. Seeking office.

83. Very first ATM password?: ORIGINAL PIN. Original sin.

96. Popular disco era pastimes?: PONG AND DANCE.Song and dance.

110. No longer be comprehensible ... and, with its first word divided in three parts, a hint to how to read this puzzle's title: STOP MAKING SENSE Read STOP as S to P.

What a great reveal, Paul! Letter addition/deletion/change theme type is more interesting with a rationale for the change.

There's one stray letter S in the first themer, but I really love the new phrase.

Across:

1. Brewer's need: HOPS.

5. "In the Land of Israel" author Oz: AMOS.

9. Barbershop tool: STROP.

14. Cremona artisan: AMATI. The famous violin-maker.

19. Skunk River city: AMES.

20. Hardly a revealing style: MAXI. Depends.

21. Quiet partner: PEACE.

22. Domed-top structures, perhaps: SILOS.

26. Peter, Paul or Mary: SAINT.

27. "Aladdin" prince: ALI.

28. Astronomy Muse: URANIA.

29. Disney's Cruella De __: VIL.

30. Many a Degas: PASTEL.

31. Oil sources: SESAMES. I sprinkle sesame seeds on everything.

36. Drive-__: THRU.

37. Types: GENRES.

39. Parmenides' home: ELEA. Or Zeno's home.

40. Apiece, in scores: ALL.

42. Others, in Latin: ALII.

43. You're looking at one: GRID. Crossword grid.

44. "Sunday Night Football" network: NBC.

51. 1982 sci-fi film: TRON.

52. "Mon __!": DIEU.  My god!

53. Field of study: AREA.

54. Workbench attachment: VISE.

55. Getting on: AGING.

56. Scary fairy tale beast: OGRE.

57. More mean: NASTIER.

59. Film festival entry: INDIE.

61. Half a luau serving?: MAHI. Had grilled mahi mahi at Red Lobster once.

62. French season: ETE.

68. Sched. uncertainty: TBA.

70. Really digging: INTO. My sister-in-law Connie sends me a package of walnuts every Christmas. So fresh. She gets them from this farm.

72. Oldest Musketeer: ATHOS.

73. Became aware of: NOTICED.

75. Kind of guy you can count on: GO TO. So lucky for mine on our blog.

76. Bit: SHRED.

78. "I, Claudius" role: NERO. He succeeded Claudius.

80. A silly stunt may be done on one: DARE.

81. Cabinet dept.: ENER.

82. Swarm: TEEM.

86. "Dropped" '60s drug: LSD.

87. European capital: BERN.

88. Fruity cocktail word: PINA. Spanish for "pineapple". Pina colada.

89. "Comprende?": SEE.

90. Space opening: AERO. Aerospace.

91. International economic coalition: G SEVEN.

93. Link warning letters: NSFW. Not Safe For Work.

100. Moves unsteadily: TEETERS.

103. Heads off: AVERTS.

104. According to: A LA.

105. Shark hanger-on: REMORA. Suckerfish.

108. "What's __?": NEW.

109. Make a mash of: PUREE.

113. Young conger: ELVER. Baby eels are white?

114. Public commotion: FUROR.

115. Logician's link: ERGO.

116. Former gen.'s status: RET'D.

117. Orchestra section: REEDS.

118. Signs of the future: OMENS.

119. Running goal: SEAT. Running for office.

120. "Anything __?": ELSE.

Down:

1. Comedy club chorus: HAHAS.

2. Breakfast choice: OMELET. What do you have breakfast these days?

3. "... shall not __ from the earth": Lincoln: PERISH.

4. Atlanta-to-Miami dir.: SSE.

5. Love abroad: AMORE. Mangia!

6. Half a '60s quartet: MAMAS.

7. Beasts of burden: OXEN.

8. Spanish ayes: SI SI.

9. Planet shape: Abbr.: SPH. Sphere.

10. Best Buy buy: TEEVEE.

11. They may be shot in rafts: RAPIDS.

12. Eyelike openings: OCULI. Plural of oculus.

13. Ballpoint, e.g.: PEN.

14. Tested for gold, say: ASSAYED.

15. Really bad atmosphere: MIASMA.

16. Justice confirmed under Bush 43: ALITO.

17. Workplace cartridge contents: TONER. Also an important skin care product.

18. Basketry fiber: ISTLE. Been quite some time since we had this entry.

24. Puffy clouds: CUMULI.

25. Kind of acid in red wine: TANNIC.

30. Turning whiter: PALING.

32. Biblical debarkation point: ARARAT.

34. Estrada of "CHiPs": ERIK

35. Big name in Argentine politics: PERON.

37. Breaks: GAPS.

38. "Night" author Wiesel: ELIE.

41. Flood deterrent: LEVEE.

43. Annoying criticism: GRIEF.

44. Romantic evening extension: NIGHTCAP. Sparkly fill.

45. Thiamine deficiency disease: BERIBERI. Vitamin B1.

46. It could be a mere nod: CUE.

47. Decline: WANE.

48. Talks from Cicero: ORATIONS.

49. Took offense at: RESENTED.

50. Acute: DIRE.

51. "What a long week!": TGIF.

52. Classic O'Brien noir film: DOA. Edmond O'Brien.

55. Bothers: ADOS.

58. Nasdaq debut: IPO.

59. How many TV shows air: IN HD.

60. Private nonprofit: Abbr.: NGO. Non-Governmental Organization.

61. Ran into: MET.

64. The Carpenters' soloist: KAREN. I like "500 Miles".

65. Shopping list entry: ITEM.

66. Calvary inscription: INRI.

67. Relatives of b'ars?: COONS. Bears? Why abbreviation?

69. Arabian Peninsula port or its gulf: ADEN.

71. Crag: TOR.

74. Least occupied: IDLEST.

75. Come together: GEL.

76. Rears: STERNS.

77. Friend of Claudius I: HEROD.

78. Common opening time: NINE.

79. "A Visit From the Goon Squad" Pulitzer winner Jennifer: EGAN.

83. Crude gp.?: OPEC. Crude oil.

84. MLB leader in career saves: RIVERA. Mariano.

85. Virgil subject: AENEAS.

87. Clunky old cars: BEATERS.

90. Concurred: AGREED.

91. Aplenty: GALORE.

92. Designed to fit tightly: SNAP ON.

94. Herb commonly in five-spice powder: FENNEL. Fennel seeds.

95. Removes forcibly: WRESTS.

96. Mill output: PAPER.

97. Elementary seed: OVULE.

98. Audacity: NERVE.

99. Fact: DATUM.

100. Fiji's eastern neighbor: TONGA.

101. Cereal grass disease: ERGOT.

102. Bjorn Borg, e.g.: SWEDE.

106. Barely gets, with "out": EKES.

107. Bog: MIRE.

110. BART stop: SFO.

111. Simon & Garfunkel's "__ Robinson": MRS.

112. "... __ he drove out of sight": Moore: ERE.

VA Pharmacy Care called Boomer for a detailed drug side effect report, then they mailed us the Zytica and prednisone steroid on time. Hopefully we've settled on a routine drug-wise. His appetite has also returned to normal. Big bowl of chili!  This makes me very happy.

Dave2 continues to improve and is getting stronger every day. He gets along quite well with his roommate at the rehab place.

C.C.