Saturday, July 18, 2026, Ricky Sirois

 Saturday Themeless by Ricky Sirois

Ricky provided me with a very pleasant 29-minute solve that evolved from the bottom up with long fills emerging and becoming the seeds from which the rest of the fill emerged.

When this picture was taken in 2022, Ricky was the Assistant Director of the Concord, MA Public Library and a participant in The National Scrabble Players Championships.

Across:

1. Doctrines: DOGMATA - Dogma leapt to my mind and so its plural filled the bill.

8. Incomplete Wikipedia article: STUB - ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ A stub is an article that is deemed too short and incomplete to provide in-depth encyclopedic coverage of a subject.

12. 1990s sketch comedy show: IN LIVING COLOR - This show ran on the then-new Fox Network and launched some very famous careers such as Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Lopez.

15. PBS series hosted by librarian Mychal Threets: READING RAINBOW - I fondly remember when this show first appeared in 1983 with LeVar Burton as the host.

LeVar                         Mychal

17. Lemon juice?: GAS 😀

 

18. Javelin: SPEAR.

19. Strong suit: ASSET.

21. Conditional word: ELSE - If you issue a threat that ends in "OR ELSE", you'd better have an idea what that ELSE might be.

23. Senior: OLDER.

25. Mother of Apollo and Artemis: LETO.

26. Shaping tool: LATHE.

28. Tillamook's state: OREGON - Where you can find the home of great cheese and ice cream 

30. Blast: BALL.

32. "Am I free to go?": ARE WE DONE - AREWE _ O _ _ first gave me ARE WE GOOD?

34. Complex trap: WEB.

35. Nail salon brand: OPI - A frequent cwd polish brand

37. Gen __: XER - We two Boomers raised two Gen-XERS, born 1967 and 1971

38. __ États-Unis: LES - lez-ay-taz-yoo-nee

39. Recklessly: HEAD FIRST.

42. Has a summer job?: ADDS - 😀 We crossword peeps always suspect that a flower might be a river and a summer might be someone finds sums by adding. 

44. Recently: OF LATE.

45. Birds paraded on Saint Stephen's Day in Ireland: WRENS - No, they don't get those little birds to line up 😀 More

47. Pressing need: IRON.

48. Hardship: TRIAL - PP&M sing that TRIALS don't last forever.

50. Grow friendlier: THAW.

54. Squeals: SINGS - Or rats or tells or narcs 

56. __ nerve: OPTIC.

58. Like: ALA.

59. "Regardless of what you think ... ": BELIEVE IT OR NOT - A vintage 1930 version. Wow, power steering forecast almost 100 years ago!

62. "I deserved that": SERVES ME RIGHT.

63. "Do-Re-Mi" figure: DEER a female deer...

64. Spanish wives: ESPOSAS - Hmmm...

Down:

1. Expression of grief: DIRGE.

2. Youngest Oscar winner: O'NEAL.

1974 Candidates

3. Part of a frame job?: GLASS 😀 - Could be used for art 

4. Just OK: MID.😐 Meh...

5. Dollar alternative: AVIS.

6. Second-rate: TINPOT - This TINPOT leaped to my mind

7. Capellini: ANGEL HAIR.

8. Alarm: SCARE.

9. French pronoun: TOI.

10. Pinkie-side bone: ULNA.

11. Gravity-powered racer: BOBSLED - SOAPBOX fit so nicely but...

13. Equipment that may level the playing field: GRADER.

14. Copper alloy popularized by its use in Fabergé eggs: ROSE GOLD.

 

16. Wipes brand: WET ONES.

20. Vocal qualities: TONES.

22. Lens opening?: ELL - A meta clue we see often here

24. Sports reporter Holly: ROWE - Holly is a proud cancer survivor and sometimes works with no or very little hair.

27. Up in the air: ALOFT.

29. Played over: RERAN.

30. Barbecue option: BEEF RIB.

31. Snacks for sea otters: ABALONES.

33. Leeway for a test-taker: EXTRA TIME - Standardized tests forbid this

34. Start of some "Jeopardy!" responses: WHO IS - The correct question is at the bottom of this write-up. 

36. Neoplasticism pioneer Mondrian: PIET  - Composition with Red, Yellow, and Blue' (1939-41). Experts say the original would sell for $20M or more today.

40. Offered as an inducement: DANGLED.

41. App gestures: SWIPES.

43. Setting not observed by most of Arizona: Abbr.: DST.

46. Ruling classes: ELITES.

49. Opportunity on Mars, e.g.: ROVER 😀

51. Chills: HANGS - Derived from "hang out"

52. Word in many Polynesian languages: ALOHA.

53. Los Angeles neighborhood where many Walter Mosley novels are set: WATTS ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

55. Royal address: SIRE.

57. Business org.: CORP.

60. Anticipatory period: EVE.

61. Duran Duran album with the hit "Hungry Like the Wolf": RIO - Some serious Saturday cluing for RIO

Correct Jeopardy question is: WHO IS Celine Dion?

Sunday June 7, 2026 Ricky J. Sirois

Theme: "FIVE STARS" - Each phrase that starts with a synonym of "excellent" is rephrased as a glowing review of the work/product/performance associated with people/group/place in the clue. 

23. Glowing review for a groundskeeper's work?: FLAWLESS DIAMOND.

41. Glowing review for a preprandial prayer?: AMAZING GRACE.

60. Glowing review for a wrestling team?: PERFECT MATCHES.

69. Glowing review for a cheerleading squad?: GREAT PYRAMIDS.

81. Glowing review for a purchase from a vintage music store?: SPOTLESS RECORD.

96. Glowing review for a bootlegger?: AWESOME SAUCE.

120. Glowing review for a chairmaker?: FIRST-CLASS SEATS.

The cluing is the key in this type of theme. I especially enjoyed the playful imagery of a chairmaker earning praise for FIRST CLASS SEATS and a bootlegger being complimented for AWESOME SAUCE. A fun, consistently executed set.

Across:

1. Boxer's attire: ROBE.

5. Cries and cries: SOBS. Valerie's cat ran away then found his way back home. 

9. Stretched to the limit: TAUT.

13. Implant: EMBED.

18. Took a hatchet to: AXED.

19. Freckles, e.g.: TRAIT.

21. Sch. in Sin City: UNLV. Located just east of the Las Vegas Strip. 

22. Disney film with the song "Shiny": MOANA. Sung by Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement).

26. Nickname for the NFL's Chargers: BOLTS.

27. Like modern microchips vis-à-vis those of the past: TINIER.

28. "Physician, __ thyself": HEAL.

29. Digital painting?: NAIL ART. 61. Turning points for ballerinas?: TOES.  Fantastic clues.

31. Mooched: SPONGED.

33. Oil barrel: DRUM.

35. Repeated word in the unofficial USPS motto: NOR.

36. Owned: HAD.

39. Tennis great Björn: BORG.

45. Hasbro's "game of unspeakable fun": TABOO.

49. Stretch that may be named for a music genre: ERA. The Swing Era, e.g.

51. Ready to serve: RIPE.

52. Moves like lava: OOZES.

53. Grande of "Wicked: For Good": ARIANA.

55. Show stoppers?: ADS.

57. Tangle: SNARL.

59. Chocolate confection: BARK. Chocolate bark. 

63. Arab rulers: EMIRS.

65. Odds and __: ENDS.

66. Star on a Christmas tree, often: TOPPER.

67. French bread: PAIN. Pane in Italian. Pan in Spanish.

68. Dorm VIPs: RAS.

73. Loops in via email: CCS.

76. Caustic cleaners: LYES.

77. Far from rude: POLITE. 

78. Solo at the Met: ARIA.

79. Decorative pillow covers: SHAMS.

85. Garage: SHOP. I've had two weeks of weed-free days. Amazing. The HOA finally came hard on that renter in 5505. Sometimes he smoked a storm in his garage.

86. Welcome at the door: SEE IN.

88. Result of a foul bunt with two strikes: OUT.

89. World's largest subtropical desert: SAHARA.

90. Become overwhelmed: PANIC. 111. "Just be calm ... ": BREATHE. 

92. Bouquet holder: VASE.

93. Rooibos, for one: TEA.

95. "Does that make sense?": GET IT.

100. Money in Oman: RIAL. RIEL is the Cambodian currency.

102. Tricksy: SLY.

103. Coq au __: VIN.

104. Nespresso inserts: PODS.

106. Library receipt info: DUE DATE.

115. Younger Gallagher brother: LIAM.  Younger brother of Noel Gallagher.

117. Sugar substitute: STEVIA.

118. Indigenous people of Nunavut: INUIT.

123. Metaphorical spot for the undecided: FENCE. On the fence.

124. "This can't be good ... ": UH OH.

125. George of the original "Star Trek": TAKEI.

126. Highway sign unit: MILE.

127. "What a pity": SO SAD.

128. Ditch: LOSE.

129. Nod off: DOZE.

130. Vehicle pulled by huskies: SLED.

Down:

1. Simple flotation devices: RAFTS.

2. Primrose variety: OXLIP. Lovely. 

3. Digestive aid brand: BEANO.

4. Gold medal hurdler Moses: EDWIN.

5. Playing both sides?: STEREO. Left side speaker & right side speaker.

6. Med. theaters: ORS.

7. Wingding: BASH.

8. Stood (with): SIDED. 

9. Tot's belly: TUM.

10. By and by, quaintly: ANON.

11. Radius neighbor: ULNA.

12. Heat-and-serve option: TV DINNER.

13. Targeted trade ban: EMBARGO.

14. Tie up to a pier: MOOR.

15. One of the Magi: BALTHAZAR. The other two are Caspar & Melchior. 

16. Sinus specialist, briefly: ENT.

17. Court figs.: DAS.

20. Prom queen's headgear: TIARA.

24. Femur, for one: LEG BONE.

25. Last year's sr.: ALUM.

30. Run-of-the-mill object?: LOG. A log can indeed be run through a sawmill.

32. Famous "Dr." from Compton: DRE.

34. Wetland: MARSH.

37. Some Taiwanese laptops: ACERS.

38. Home office need: DESK.

40. Pop's pop: GRAMPA.

42. Fan pub: ZINE.

43. Some high-ABV brews: IPAS. ABV stands for Alcohol by Volume. 

44. Williams of "Good Will Hunting": ROBIN.

45. Narrow: TAPER.

46. Sports center: ARENA.

47. Aviary inhabitants: BIRDS.

48. Lummoxes: OAFS.

50. Take from page to screen: ADAPT. And 54. Word on some Oscars: ACTRESS.

56. One foot forward: STEP.

58. Chairs: LEADERS.

62. Underground vault: CRYPT.

64. Start to behave?: MIS. Misbehave. 

67. Avocado centers: PITS.

69. Press room?: GYM. Bench press.

70. Candy wrapped in gold foil: ROLO.

71. Language from which "Alaska" is derived: ALEUT. Google AI says Alaska derives from the Aleut (Unangax) word alaxsxaq (or alaxsxix), meaning "mainland" or "great land."

72. Houseplant sprayer: MISTER.

73. Zagreb resident: CROAT.

74. Wispy clouds: CIRRI.

75. Nobel Peace Prize honoree Anwar: SADAT.

76. __ lazuli: LAPIS.

78. Yearn (for): ACHE.

79. Wrapped garment: SHAWL.

80. Glazed treats from Hostess or Little Debbie: HONEY BUNS.

81. Vast expanses: SEAS.

82. Fibonacci's birthplace: PISA.

83. Get the better of: ONE UP.

84. Aerie newborns: EAGLETS.

85. Pampering places: SPAS.

87. Action-packed: EVENTFUL.

91. Highly sought-after: COVETED. Kevin, our flea-market friend from 2005, owns one of the finest Twins collectibles in the country.

94. Succor: AID.

97. "Mamma __!": MIA.

98. Young horse: COLT.

99. Order from on high: EDICT.

101. Bluey, for one: AUSSIE. The puppy's younger sister is Bingo. Their father is Bandit and their mother is Chilli.

105. Light meal: SALAD.

107. Regards: DEEMS.

108. Be of use to: AVAIL.

109. Library receipt info: TITLE.

110. Simplified: EASED.

112. Costa __: RICA.

113. Chipper greeting: HI HO.

114. Greek god of love: EROS.

116. Fast shark: MAKO.  Literally "shark" in Maori.

118. Stipulations: IFS.

119. Prefix with classical: NEO.

121. Her partner, sometimes: SHE.

122. "Oh yeah? __ who?": SEZ.

C.C.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Ricky J. Sirois

 Theme? To finish this puzzle, you must climb the MESA, or BUTTE, or PLATEAU, to arrive at the TABLELAND.

4 Down. One who switches sides: TURNCOAT.

Turn table

11 Down. Basic flotation device: POOL NOODLE.

Pool Table

21 Down. Brewery vessel?: COFFEE POT. (Maybe in Starbucks, but the clue seems out of place in your kitchen...)

Coffee Table

29 Down. Purse at a boxing match: PRIZE MONEY.

Prize Table

40 Down. Soccer pitch boundary: SIDELINE.

Side Table

55 Across. Like some game night games, or a feature of 4-, 11-, 21-, 29-, and 40-Down: TABLE TOP 

Because all the themers were Downs, the reveal indicates that the tables can be found on top...

Across:
1. Sticky and stinky sealant: TAR.  ( for turncoats, add feathers...)

4. Yank (on): TUG.

Carol Burnett

7. Agrees to: ACCEPTS.

14. Purple yam from the Philippines: UBE.

The Ube.

15. Game with red, yellow, blue, and green cards: UNO. And purple Ube chips on side for snacks...

16. Steel mill material: IRON ORE.

17. Barbecue choice: BEEF RIB. I wanted Baby or Back, but that would be Pork.

19. Find and remove: ROOT OUT.

20. "Across the pond" pond: ATLANTIC. A British euphemism for The Atlantic Ocean, because they would not want to make a tempest out of a teapot...

22. __ in comparison: PALES.

23. Hotel amenity: ICE.

24. Chooses to participate: OPTS IN.

27. Help desk techs: I.T. PROS. Stands for information Technology Professional, This field covers the development, maintenance, and use of computer systems, software, and networks for processing and distributing data.

30. Bank charge: FEE. Do not cross go, Do not collect $200-

31. Got the highest score in golf, say: LOST. The average par for a standard 18-hole golf course is 72 strokes, which consists of a combination of par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes. For most newbies playing whack-a-mole, breaking 100 would be a good day...

34. Jazz pianist Chick: COREA.

Chick Corea

35. Execs focused on the bottom line: CFOS. Chief Financial Officers 

36. 10th grader, briefly: SOPH.  Sophomore. As opposed to Freshman, or Senior.

37. Singer-songwriter DiFranco: ANI. Name #2

38. Special skills: TALENTS.

41. Kaitlin's "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" role: DEE. Technically names #3 and #4, because to know this, you must know one is real, and the other fictional... The A.I. Overview

42. Totally dismantle: RAZE.

44. California-based candy company: SEES. This name #5 must have been filled in by kind perpage, because if I saw it, I am sure I would have complained it was too regional. Unless you tossed me a candy...

(I can be swayed easily...)  Another A.I. Overview

45. Five Pillars religion: ISLAM. The 5 core acts are Faith, Prayer, Alms, Fasting, and Pilgrimage.

47. Grade sch.: ELEM. Elementary, 

Apparently, that's as far as Watson got...

48. Alternative to sparkling: TAP. (As in water, as in restaurants.)

49. Stick: ADHERE.

50. Fine wool: MERINO.

No comment

52. Summer sign: LEO.

53. Love, in Firenze: AMORE.

55. Theme Reveal

60. Some park employees: RANGERS.

63. Common oatmeal cookie ingredient: RAISINS.

64. First Amendment word: FREEDOM.

65. Place to spend the night: INN. (This could also have been out, as opposed to in...)

66. One-on-one chats on soc. media: DMS. DM stands for Direct Message...

67. Agrees: SAYS YES.

68. Easter egg need: DYE. (And rabbits for some strange reason...)

69. Up to now: YET.

Down:
1. Bulky horn: TUBA. Bulkier horn: Sousaphone 

Yep, definitely bulkier...

2. Stand watch for, say: ABET. Yeah, but as a grandparent, watching a grandchild, would you say I was abetting?

3. Instagram feed feature: REEL. Not familiar with this...

4. Theme

5. Fuses together: UNITES. Strange clue for Unites. You would think unites would be a voluntary thing, where fuses, sounds kinda forceful...

6. Mongolian for "waterless place": GOBI.

7. Atmosphere: AIR.

8. __-Magnon: CRO.

9. Henhouses: COOPS.

10. Necessitates: ENTAILS.

11. Theme

12. "Good point": TRUE.

13. Hardens, as concrete: SETS.

18. Word with laissez or savoir: FAIRE. (Frawnch...) Should not be in an English puzzle, maybe a better clue would be Olde English Festivities.

21. Theme

25. Low-level workers: PEONS. A.I. Overview (of course, A.I. is not one of those...)

26. Trial: TEST.

27. "You matter to me": I CARE. (If A.I. ever says this to you,,, RUN!)

28. Like many Chinese dialects: TONAL.

29. Theme

32. Piece of fishing gear: SPEAR. Hmm, singular, 5 letter, could have been creel. But I find this unfair, because who ever heard of a singular piece of fishing gear...

33. Motif: THEME.

35. G-rated: CLEAN. (In the eyes of "who.")

39. Prosecco kin: ASTI. Sparkling wine that cannot be called Champagne...

40. Theme

43. Pops up: EMERGES.

46. Vans or Crocs: SHOES. Crocs I knew, Vans? Not so much, 

Apparently, these things I used to call "boat shoes."

49. Empire State capital: ALBANY.

51. Like a clarinet's sound: REEDY. (Really?)

53. Pet sounds: ARFS. (Or a great Beach Boys Album...)

54. Rooney of "Women Talking": MARA. (Name #,,, I dunno, I lost track...)

56. Like the 6-Down: ARID.  (6 down was Gobi Desert, if you lost track...)

57. Spruce (up): TIDY.

58. "I'm buying!": ON ME.

59. Hushed summons: PSST.

61. Blini topping: ROE. Apparently, a Blini is some sort of crepe, or thin pancake, that you could top with practically anything. So, why not Roe?  Hmm, what would you top your thin pancake with? I'm thinking cream cheese, bacon, scallions, and jalapeño, but I have an iron stomach...

62. Texting format initials: SMS. Short Message Service (limited to 160 characters) useful in customer service responses where they don't want you to complain too much...

And here's the Grid.

CE:D out...

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