google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Robert E. Lee Morris

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Showing posts with label Robert E. Lee Morris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert E. Lee Morris. Show all posts

Jan 12, 2016

Tuesday, January 11 2016, Robert E. Lee Morris

Theme: It's a wash.


17A. *Alabama team : CRIMSON TIDE


11D. *Raspberry : BRONX CHEER
 24D. *Tinseltown trade : SHOW BIZ
28. *Dieter's concern : WEIGHT GAIN
62. Lengthy litany ... and, literally, what the ends of the answers to starred clues comprise : LAUNDRY LIST

Perfect Tuesday level puzzle. Needed perps to fill in the long acrosses, and a couple initial guesses were wrong but other than that, sailed right through.

Melissa here.

Across       

1. In any way : AT ALL

6. Brief : SHORT

11. Pack the groceries : BAG

14. Actress O'Donnell : ROSIE

15. "Peter, Peter, pumpkin __" : EATER

16. TV brand : RCA


19. Boston Bruin great Bobby : ORR

20. Fisherman's Wharf entrée : SEA BASS

21. Kevin of "Dances With Wolves" : COSTNER

23. Honey makers : BEES

25. Okla. neighbor : TEX

26. Fighting : AT WAR

30. Item inserted through eyelets : SHOE LACE

34. Nappy leather : SUEDE

35. Woodwind instrument : OBOE

36. "Veep" channel : HBO

38. x or y, on graphs : AXIS

39. Dickens' Drood : EDWIN. The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

41. Crystal ball gazer : SEER

42. Cribbage marker : PEG

43. One of 14 in a pro's golf bag : CLUB

44. Like xenon and krypton : INERT

45. Dietary supplement obtained from predatory fish : SHARK OIL

48. Up on a map : NORTH

49. Letter before upsilon : TAU

50. Clearasil targets : ZITS. Tried acne first.

52. Vein in the neck : JUGULAR

56. Actress Wood : NATALIE

61. Eggs : OVA

64. Hawaiian wreath : LEI

65. Cubs Hall of Famer Banks : ERNIE

66. One committed to a military career : LIFER

67. Coppertone user's goal : TAN

68. Lear daughter : REGAN. Unknown to me. Middle child of King Lear, married to the Duke of Cornwall.

69. Cosmetician Lauder : ESTEE

Down

1. Circle segments : ARCS

2. Ripped : TORE

3. Cambodia's continent : ASIA.

 Locator Map of Cambodia

4. Swing support : LIMB

5. Longtime Buick model : LESABRE

6. Feels : SENSES

7. Boater or bowler : HAT

8. Suffix with psych : OTIC. Psychotic.

9. Decorate again : REDO

10. Railroad bridge support : TRESTLE

12. 43,560 square feet : ACRE

13. Actress Teri : GARR. Impressive career.

18. Sugary ending : OSE

22. Earl Grey, for one : TEA

26. "Now!" in memos : ASAP

27. Monkey suits : TUXES

29. Newspaper revenue source : ADS

31. __-Wan Kenobi : OBI

32. Very long time : EON

33. Longtime partner of Siskel : EBERT

37. Sports MD's specialty : ORTH. Don't remember hearing this shortened version of the word before.

39. Yellowstone grazer : ELK

40. Batman and Robin, e.g. : DUO

41. __-cone: shaved ice dessert : SNO

43. Doughnut with a twist : CRULLER

44. Fashionable : IN STYLE. Trendy didn't fit.

46. Nonpro sports org. : AAU. Amateur Athletic Union.

47. Tree also called basswood : LINDEN

51. La Brea goo : TAR

52. Quite a blow : JOLT

53. Eye layer containing the iris : UVEA

54. Swiss river : AARE

55. Step on a ladder : RUNG

57. Boxers Muhammad and Laila : ALI'S

58. English elevator : LIFT

59. "Gotcha" : I SEE

60. French I infinitive : ETRE

63. Actress Vardalos : NIA. Did not remember her name, but her face is very recognizable, from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."


Melissa


Note from C.C.:

Yesterday was the first day at pre-school for Lemonade's adorable granddaughter Charlotte.  

 

 This is picture of Charlotte and her Dad Arron and sister Harper. (Correction: Aaron)

Click here for a few more.

Nov 16, 2015

Monday, November 16, 2015 Robert E. Lee Morris

Theme: More than a job - Four types of jobs.

61A. Employment opportunity, and a hint to the first word of the answers to starred clues : JOB OPENING

17A. *Malicious prank : DIRTY TRICK. Dirty Job...but somebody's got to do it.

37A. *Winter storm school closing : SNOW DAY. Snow Job. Deceptive flattery.

11D. *Humor among friends : INSIDE JOKE. Inside Job. Most big heists require someone on the inside.

27D. *Employee who does the firing : HATCHET MAN. Hatchet Job. A calculated attempt to ruin someone's reputation.

Argyle here. Good theme but the rest seemed inconsistent. No real stinkers but some clues and answers that weren't Monday friendly. YRMV.

Across:

1. Honolulu "howdy" : "ALOHA" to our friends on the islands.

6. Cozy eatery : CAFÉ

10. Exasperated sound : [SIGH!]

14. Access the Internet : LOG ON

15. Word-of-mouth : ORAL

16. Merely : ONLY

19. Memo writer's "Pronto!" : ASAP. (As Soon As Possible) and it better be PDQ.

20. White Monopoly bills : ONES

21. Church recess : APSE

22. Sarcastic in a mean way : SNIDE

23. Approximately 3.26 light-years : PARSEC

25. One doing simple math : ADDER. One who adds.

26. Written in few words : SHORT. ?

28. Has __ for news : A NOSE

30. Flood : SPATE

31. Trumpeter Alpert : HERB

33. Spanish eyes : OJOs



36. House cat, e.g. : PET

40. Cries of pain : OW!s

41. Part of IRA: Abbr. : ACCT.

43. Corrida cheers : ¡OLÉ!s

44. Like the old bucket of song : OAKEN

46. The __ Boys: fictional detectives : HARDY


48. Moorehead of "Bewitched" : AGNES. CSO to Irish Miss.

49. Last Greek letter : OMEGA

51. Speak sharply to : SNAP AT

54. Fall guy : PATSY

55. Japanese detective Mr. __ : MOTO. There were eight films in the Mr. Moto series.

56. Director Kazan : ELIA. Elia Kazan (1909 – 2003)

60. Bombeck of household humor : ERMA. Erma Bombeck (1927 – 1996)

63. Iranian currency : RIAL

64. Similar (to) : AKIN

65. Govt.-backed investment : T-NOTE. 'Treasury Note'

66. Ill-fated Boleyn : ANNE. (Second wife of King Henry VIII)

67. George Eliot's "Adam __" : BEDE. Published in 1859.

68. Boat with an outrigger : CANOE

Down:

1. Gucci of fashion : ALDO. I'm not on a first name basis with the man.

2. Pork cut : LOIN

3. Storybook meanie : OGRE

4. Trendy club : HOT SPOT

5. " ... have you __ wool?" : ANY. Three bags full.

6. The "C" in USMC : CORPS. Semper Fi!

7. Get up : ARISE

8. Kings, queens and jacks : FACE CARDS

9. Antlered grazer : ELK

10. Son-of-a-gun : SO AND SO

12. Forest clearing : GLADE

13. Really keyed up : HYPER. Hyper-agitated fits the bill.

18. Small fruit pie : TART

22. __ Paulo, Brazil : SÃO. According to Times magazine, São Paulo has the world’s worst daily traffic jams. Who knew?

24. Greek war god : ARES

26. Design detail, briefly : SPEC. Specification this time, not speculation.

29. L.A. Clippers' org. : NBA. (National Basketball Association)

30. Place for a mani-pedi : SPA

31. "Gee whiz!" : "HOLY SMOKE!"

32. Barnyard female : EWE

34. Has obligations : OWEs

35. Govt.-issued ID : SSN. (Social Security number)

38. Drop (off) : NOD. My specialty.

39. Discipline using mats : YOGA

42. Bric-a-brac disposal event : TAG SALE

45. Rabbit ears : ANTENNA

47. Unit of hope or light : RAY

48. Per person : A POP

49. "Aida," for one : OPERA

50. County on San Francisco Bay : MARIN

52. "I pass" : "NO BID". Probably no face cards.

53. Make amends : ATONE

57. Animal Crackers feline : LION

58. Really digging, as a hobby : INTO. Or like archaeology.

59. "A Death in the Family" author James : AGEE. James Agee (1909 – 1955)

61. Quick poke : JAB

62. List-ending abbr. : ETC. (et cetera) "and other things"
Argyle




Note from C.C.:

Happy Birthday to Ergo (Husker Chuck), who was quite active on our blog last year. How's the new job, Chuck?


Jul 2, 2015

Thursday, July 2, 2015 Robert E. Lee Morris

Theme: Word Scramble

I probably would have eventually figured out the theme without the reveal, but it was a clever addition:
61-Across. Cocktail garnish, and a hint to letters hidden in the answers to starred clues : LEMON TWIST.

17-Across. *Serious swearing : SOLEMN OATH.

24-Across. *Hunt's rival : DEL MONTE.

37-Across. *Brunch choice : WESTERN OMELET.

51-Across. *Camera attachment : ZOOM LENS.


Across

1. "Elementary" network : CBS.

4. Eponymous obstetrician Fernand : LAMAZE. I needed the "Z" before this name popped into my head. His "natural" childbirth method was very popular in the '70s, but I think it has gone out of favor now.

10. "Oh, go on!" : PISH.

14. __ provençale : À LA. Prepared in the style of Provence - usually with olive oil and garlic.

15. Part of the plot : IN ON IT.

16. Gardening tool : RAKE.

19. Banded gemstone : ONYX.

20. Dorm room item : TWIN BED.

21. Really trouble, with "at" : EAT.

23. Help on the way up : RUNG.

29. 31-Down, for one : OPERA. And 31-Down. "Habanera" singer : CARMEN.


31. Former Honda model : CRX. Immediately followed by 32-Across. Honda division : ACURA.

33. Perform for : PLAY TO.

36. Target of some sprays : ODOR.

41. Ref. book : DICT.ionary.

42. Come to light : EMERGE.

43. Not from a bottle : ON TAP.

45. Expected amt. of repairs : EST.imate.

46. It may be blessed : EVENT.

53. Hip bones : ILIA.

54. Modern detective fiction pioneer : POE.

55. Captain's heading : DUE EAST.

58. Shade similar to bright turquoise : AQUA.

64. Managing ed.'s concern : CIRC.

65. List closing : ET ALIA.

66. Burns negative : NAE. Robert Burns.

67. Adjust for space, say : EDIT.

68. Webster's shelfmate : ROGET'S.

69. Come to a conclusion : END.


Down

1. Longtime maker of convertibles : CASTRO. Couches and ottomans provide extra sleeping room for the in-laws. And they are usually uncomfortable enough, so that they don't visit too long.

2. Have a tantrum : BLOW UP. See 48-Down.

3. Solution for contacts : SALINE.

4. Trunk projection : LIMB. Oh my. My first thought was bathing trunks...

5. Actress Heche : ANNE. Probably more noted for her relation with Ellen DeGeneres than any of her supposed acting skills.

6. Attitude : MOOD.

7. Santa __ : ANA.

8. Proactiv target : ZIT.

9. Great-aunt of Drew : ETHEL. The famous Barrymore family.

10. Diplomatic code : PROTOCOL.

11. John, in Scotland : IAN.

12. __ blue : SKY.

13. Bewitch : HEX.

18. MIT grad, often : ENGR.aver?

22. Doctor's org. : AMA. American Medical Association.

24. Sarcastic quality : DRYNESS.

25. Use a threat to get : EXTORT.

26. Like Botticelli's Venus : NUDE. I have seen it at the Uffizi in Florence. Breathtaking.

27. Easy pace : TROT.

28. Place for a plug : EAR.

30. Rental ad abbr. : APT. "Apt to rent"

34. Jeans giant : LEE.

35. "Wow!" in texts : OMG. "Oh My Gosh!"

37. Skid row regular : WINO.

38. Plasm lead-in : ECTO.-plasm.

39. Statute opposed by the Sons of Liberty : STAMP ACT.

40. Wide size : EEE.

41. Dairy dept. quantity : DOZ.en

44. Mideast initials : PLO. Palestine Liberation Organization.

47. Mountaintop allure : VIEW.

48. "Airplane!" heroine : ELAINE. Funny movie.

49. Xterra maker : NISSAN.

50. Covered in ink, with "up" : TATTED.

52. Conger catcher : EELER.

55. Former North Carolina senator Elizabeth : DOLE.

56. Cohesive group : UNIT.

57. Cockpit announcements, briefly : ETAs.

58. Solitaire base card : ACE.

59. Four times a day, in an Rx : QID. Quater In Die.

60. Ocean State sch. : URI. University of Rhode Island.

62. WWII arena : ETO. European Theater of Operations.  I just finished reading the 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner "All the Light We Cannot See," by Anthony Doerr.  I highly recommend it!!



63. GQ, e.g., briefly : MAG.azine. I remember when MAGs referred to these.

Time for LEMONade!
Marti

Speaking of which, Lemonade714 stopped in to visit me last week while he was here for his reunion. Here's a pic of us relaxing on the deck.

Jun 18, 2015

Thursday, June 18, 2015 Robert E. Lee Morris

Theme: (I don't even have to wrack my brain for a theme, because it was handed to me by Mr. Morris) 33-Down. Bar freebie, and this puzzle's theme : MIXED NUTS.

24-Across. As hidden in 17-Across, one of this puzzle's 33-Down : CASHEW.
17-Across. 1996 Fox launch : NEWS CHANNEL.

37-Across. As hidden in 57-Across, one of this puzzle's 33-Down : PECAN.
57. Seattle landmark : SPACE NEEDLE.

47-Across. As hidden in 11-Down, one of this puzzle's 33-Down : ALMOND.
11-Down. He and Don Shula share the NFL record of 36 playoff games coached : TOM LANDRY.

24-, 37- and 47-Across were icing on the cake - the puzzle could stand nicely on its own without them.

Across

1. Military decoration : MEDAL. Like many of the answers today, this was my first thought.

6. Supporting structure : TRUSS.

11. Leading : TOP.

14. Solitary : ALONE.

15. Silent brother of comedy : HARPO. Did you know, they got their nicknames in a poker game?

16. Valuable deposit : ORE.

19. NFL players, e.g. : MEN. OK, I know it's Thursday and we have to have vague clues.  But still...

20. Cozy lodge : INN.

21. Fail, in slang : TANK.

22. Only city on California's Catalina Island : AVALON. Just 26 miles across the sea.

26. Netherlands city near the Belgian border : BREDAMap.

27. Mork's planet : ORK.

28. Italian mathematician who was a contemporary of Euler : LAGRANGE.

31. "Good Will Hunting" actor : DAMON. One of my favorite movies with Matt DAMON and Robin Williams.

34. Flightless birds : EMUS.

35. Small amount : DAB. "Just a little DAB'll do ya!"

36. Landed : ALIT.

39. Rice-shaped pasta : ORZO. I often serve this with a shrimp  & fennel dish that I make. Here's the recipe. (You could also substitute gorgonzola for the feta.)


40. Latin law : LEX.

41. Aloe __ : VERA. Difficulty could have been ramped up for a Thursday by clueing it as Designer Wang.

42. "Breaking Bad" star Cranston : BRYAN.  He's a real baddie.

43. Restaurant freebie : ICE WATER.

45. One of the Pep Boys : MOEManny, MOE and Jack are the iconic figures in the logo.

46. Breaks bread : DINES.

51. 1976 Olympics decathlon gold medalist : JENNER. Caitlyn née Bruce.

53. Parched : ARID.

55. Stop working : DIE.

56. __ Claire : EAU. Wisconsin.

60. D.C. clock setting : EST. Eastern Standard Time.

61. Spa offering : SAUNA.

62. Guide : STEER.

63. Legal thing : RES. More Latin.

64. California pro : ANGEL. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Go figure.

65. Not likely to run on : TERSE.


Down

1. Highly excited : MANIC.

2. Justice Kagan : ELENA.

3. Eats : DOWNS.

4. T or F, maybe : ANS.wer.

5. Speaker's stand : LECTERN.

6. "Better late __ ..." : THAN...never.

7. General, e.g. : RANK. Filled it in without even thinking about it.

8. Coffee container : URN.

9. Fishing tool : SPEAR GUN.

10. Crossword enthusiasts : SOLVERS. Gimme for everyone here, right?

12. Creme-filled treat : OREO.

13. Ivy League school : PENN. I already had the P from TOP, so this was a gimme, too.

18. Swooping predator : HAWK.

23. Oral health org. : ADA. American Dental Association.

25. Real card : HOOT.

26. The Crimson Tide : 'BAMA. Gimme. DH's old rivals.

28. Aptly named Renault : LECAR.

29. __ Strip : GAZA.

30. Black, to a bard : EBON.

31. "The Persistence of Memory" artist : DALIMelty watches. Gimme.


32. Actor Baldwin : ALEC.

37. Broadway flier : PETER PAN. Were you thinking pamphlets and playbills?

38. Cockney toast starter : 'ERES.

39. Utah city : OREM.

41. "Colors of the Wind" singer Williams : VANESSA. Pretty song from Disney's animated film "Pochahontas."

42. Most daring : BOLDEST.

44. Take the checkered flag : WIN.

45. Chief : MAIN.

48. Farther out? : ODDER.

49. Frasier's brother : NILES. He was so good in that show.

50. Big name on the farm : DEERE.

51. Catcall : JEER.

52. Comfort : EASE.

53. Cause of adolescent angst : ACNE.

54. Unfeigned : REAL.

58. Summer mo. : AUG.ust. And we end with a partial clecho:
59. Somme summer : ETE.

Toodles!
Marti
Note from C.C.: 

Kazie and her husband Barry traveled to China last month. They visited all the top traveling stops in China, including my hometown Xi'an. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (3rd picture here) is not far from my own home.


Kay said:
"Our general direction was from Beijing to Xi'an, to Guilin, to Shanghai. Also, I need to say everything there was fascinating--such a learning experience for us both. We were in a small group of only 17 people until Shanghai, when there were only 6 of us. The others stayed behind to cruise the Yangtze for several days, the week before the terrible sinking of another boat similar to the one they took!

All in all, I would recommend this trip to anyone! Incidentally, our national guide was also from Xi'an, probably about your age, very nice, and extremely good at explaining everything."

Here are a few pictures. Please click here for more. 



Kay and Barry ride in a rickshaw to the Hutong district in Beijing
Barry and Kay in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven


Kay in front of the Buddhist Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an. China has four main religions: Buddhism, Muslim, Christianity and Taoism 


Family outing? We couldn’t believe this!

Apr 28, 2015

Tuesday, April 28, 2015 Robert E. Lee Morris

Theme: Hey buddy, can you spare a medi? - The sequence of the letters in the word SPARE have been changed and scrambled inside 17-, 32-, 38-Across and 11-, 29-Down. If you have the circles, that's fine. If you don't, then it's an added challenge.

17A. Airport security indignity : STRIP SEARCH

32A. Flour packaging : PAPER SACK

38A. Diva's big moment : OPERA SOLO

11D. Social gathering at a home : HOUSE PARTY

29D. Region beyond our atmosphere : OUTER SPACE

54A. Pocketful of coins, and what literally occurs in the circled letters in five puzzle answers : SPARE CHANGE

Lyegar here. I found having the circles and knowing the gimmick helped a skosh in the solve. Otherwise, a standard grid with mostly standard fill. Too many proper names?

Across:

1. Tennessee senator Alexander : LAMAR. (Andrew Lamar Alexander, Jr) Unknown to me.

6. Disgusting : GROSS

11. Summary on a timecard: Abbr. : HRs. (hours)

14. Olds model : ALERO

15. Emotionally expressive, as poetry : LYRIC. Dictionary approved.

16. OPEC commodity : OIL

19. Charlottesville sch. : UVA. (University of Virginia)

20. "Mazel __!" : TOV. ("good luck!")

21. Flair : ELAN

22. NFL Network talk show host Rich : EISEN. A journalist who attended the University of Michigan and was NOT an athlete although he was co–sports editor of the school's paper.

24. Father of Cain and Abel : ADAM

25. "The Maltese Falcon" novelist : HAMMETT. (Dashiell Hammett)

27. "That's enough!" : "STOP IT!"

30. Get started, as a grill : FIRE UP. Oh, yeah!

31. One-eighty : U-TURN

35. Bon __: witticism : MOT

36. Animal skins : PELTS

37. __ v. Wade : ROE

41. "Another card, dealer" : "HIT ME". Playing Blackjack.

43. Citizens under Caesar : ROMANS

44. Gorge : CANYON

45. Pure joy : ECSTASY

47. Quaint dagger : DIRK. 'Tis the one ye Scots wear in their hose.

48. Controversial Nixon records : TAPES

49. Blue jay or oriole : BIRD

50. Down in the dumps : SAD

53. Actress Thurman : UMA

58. Mo. with the shortest day of the year : DEC. Day meaning the period of sunlight.

59. Elaborate display : ECLAT

60. The "A" in "CAT scan" : AXIAL. (computed axial tomography) Older and less preferred term. per Wiki.

61. Fair-hiring abbr. : EOE. (Equal Opportunity Employment)

62. Thick-furred dog : SPITZ


Finnish

63. Colorful tank fish : TETRA

Down:

1. "The __ of the Mohicans" : LAST

2. Choir voice : ALTO

3. "Jeopardy!" creator Griffin : MERV

4. The D-backs, on scoreboards : ARI. (Arizona Diamondbacks)

5. Tricked by a scam : ROPED IN

6. Sparkle : GLEAM

7. Meg of "You've Got Mail" : RYAN

8. Bruin legend Bobby : ORR

9. Attack, to Rover : SIC

10. One with a devious plan : SCHEMER

12. Metal fastener : RIVET

13. Bias : SLANT

18. Bed support : SLAT

23. Don of morning radio : IMUS. "Don Imus Leaving Fox Business Network". Didn't know, don't care.

24. Auto financing abbr. : APR. (annual percentage rate)

25. Aware of : HIP TO

26. Greek god of war : ARES

27. Japanese wrestling : SUMO

28. 'Vette roof option : T-TOP. The '68 Corvette coupe was the first U.S.-built car to feature a T-top roof.

30. Niagara __ : FALLS

32. Showy flower : PEONY


33. Crooner Perry : COMO. If it's hip to be square, this dude was.

34. Sharp : KEEN

36. "The more you know" TV ads, e.g. : PSAs. (Public Service Announcement)

39. Repetitive learning : ROTE

40. Builds up : AMASSES

41. Construction site headgear : HARD HAT

42. Bic filler : INK

44. Newspaper sales no. : CIRC. (circulation)

45. Technique-mastering piano piece : ETUDE

46. Short film role : CAMEO

47. "Legion of the Damned" series writer William : DIETZ. What? His website.

49. Naughty kid : BRAT

50. Cranky state : SNIT

51. Biology lab gel : AGAR

52. Fashion's Oscar __ Renta : DE LA

55. Narc's find, briefly : PCP. Angel Dust.

56. Boxing immortal : ALI

57. Firefighter's tool : AXE
Yes, too many names.


Argyle

Note from C.C.:

Kerry S, a long time lurker on our blog, sent me this fun picture yesterday: 1-A: Town in Italy!



Oct 9, 2014

Thursday, October 9, 2014 Robert E. Lee Morris

Theme: "No rubbernecking!"


17-Across. *Tricky puzzle : BRAIN TEASER.

37-Across. *"Let me give it a shot?" : CAN I TRY.

59-Across. *Historic route west : OREGON TRAIL.

11-Down. *Unvarnished facts : PLAIN TRUTH.

And the reveal:

29-Down. Calamity, and what's literally hidden in the answers to starred clues : TRAIN WRECK.

Each starred entry has the letters in T-R-A-I-N all jumbled up.  Fun reveal, but I didn't need it to get the theme entries. When I came across the clue, I just glanced at what was already filled in: Check! Anagram puzzle!


Across

1. Kid-lit classic "__, Plain and Tall" : SARAH. A story of grief, loneliness and abandonment. Kid-lit? Really?

6. Dust Bowl refugees : OKIES. Think of the Joad family here.

11. Part of many a texting request : PLS. Short for "please."

14. Unborn, after "in" : UTERO.

15. "It's a Wonderful Life" director : CAPRA. Ah, my favorite movie, and personal mantra.

16. Pitcher rim : LIP. I am getting gun-shy, and was actually thinking of a baseball pitcher!

19. Tenn. neighbor : ALA.bama.

20. Commuter's woe : JAM.

21. Astronomy : Urania :: poetry : __ : ERATO. Respective muses.

22. Basic chord : TRIAD.

24. City between Paris and Marseille : LYONMap.


25. "Just this time ..." : FOR ONCE.

27. Mensa membership consideration, perhaps : IQ TEST. There are many different tests that would qualify you for membership, so "perhaps" is appropriate in this clue.

30. Most plucky : GAMEST. Not to be confused with "gamiest."

31. Myanmar, formerly : BURMA.

32. SeaWorld attraction : ORCA.

33. Stonestreet of "Modern Family" : ERIC. Never saw the show, so was not familiar with this actor, who plays Cameron Tucker.

36. Actress Wasikowska : MIA. Never knew the name of this actress, who played Alice in Tim Burton's movie version of "Alice in Wonderland." Needless to say, this section relied heavily on perps!

40. __ Today : USA.

41. Essentially fat-free : SKIM.

43. Credit report blot : REPO.ssession.

44. Film with dusty streets, typically : OATER.

46. Seconds flat : NO TIME. I really wanted "in" at the beginning.

48. Eight dry gallons : BUSHEL.

49. "Hiya!" : HOWDY DO. Let's sing to the tune of "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay":

It’s Howdy Doody time
It’s Howdy Doody time
Bob Smith and Howdy too
Say “HOWDY DO” to you
Let’s give a rousing cheer
’Cause Howdy Doody’s here
It’s time to start the show
So kids, let’s go!

51. Genesis creator : SEGA. Arcade game, not the bible book...

52. Pasture measures : ACRES.

53. User's shortcut : MACRO.

55. Meditation beginning? : PRE. Premeditation.

58. Marine pronoun : SHE. I'm sure that Spitzboov has linked the explanation of "SHE" referring to ships before, but I couldn't find it.

62. Noir hero : TEC. The '40s-'50s era of crime drama films often involved a detective ("TEC") or undercover cop .

63. Large jazz combo : NONET.

64. Tourist __ : MECCA.

65. Origin of an egg-shaped spaceship : ORK. "Mork and Mindy" ran from 1978-82. RIP Robin Williams.

66. Locations : SITES.

67. Praise : EXTOL.


Down

1. Alg. or geog. : SUBJ.ect.

2. Razor brand : ATRA.

3. 20 quires : REAM. Factoid: The quire got its name from Old English "quare," meaning "by fours." Four sheets of vellum or parchment would be folded in half -giving a total of 8 sheets, or 16 sides. When pulp paper made it easier to stitch pages together, this meaning was quickly lost, and a quire usually contained 24 or 25 sheets. The modern ream is made up of 500 sheets, or 20 quires.

4. First name in shipping : ARI. Onassis was a Greek shipping magnate.

5. Bee's nectar reservoir : HONEY SAC. I never heard this term.  It is also called a "honey stomach."

6. Vast expanse : OCEAN.

7. Longtime pitcher Jim with the nickname "Kitty" : KAAT. I defer to people who know more about baseball than the fact that it does, indeed, require a baseball for the game. Here's the wiki.

8. By its very nature, in law : IPSO FACTO. The embedding of a wiki link does not, IPSO FACTO, turn me into a baseball expert!

9. Afore : ERE.

10. "Being and Nothingness" philosopher : SARTRE. Jean Paul.

12. Fragrant bloom : LILAC. I have both white and purple ones on my property.

13. Fictional falcon seeker : SPADE. Sam Spade, "The Maltese Falcon."

18. Relaxed pace : TROT. Unless you are trying to find the W.C.

23. Left the runway : ROSE.

24. Apollo lander, briefly : LEMLunar Excursion Module.

26. General Bradley : OMAR. One of the very few five star generals in U.S. history.

27. AT and PS/2 computers : IBMS.

28. Nestlé __ : QUIK.

30. Complain : GRIPE.

32. "Be right with you" : ONE MOMENT. I had to check perps before deciding between "minute" or MOMENT.

34. "Ah! Say no more" : I SEE.

35. Poet Sandburg : CARL. One of my favorites is this poem:
Fog

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

38. Like New Mexico's climate, largely : ARID.

39. "Darned if I know!" : YOU GOT ME.

42. Style : MODE.

45. Cool-cucumber link : AS A.

47. Poultry magnate John et al. : TYSONS.

48. Alpine capital : BERN. Béarnaise sauce is also sometimes spelled "Bernaise," leading people to believe that it originated in Bern, Switzerland. But there is no truth to that. Béarnaise is strictly of French origin.

49. Must : HAS TO.

50. Yellowish pigment : OCHERRGB 204.119.34

51. Highland Games participants : SCOTS.

54. "A Death in the Family" author : AGEE. Such a vowel-friendly name.

55. Agreement : PACT.

56. Wealthy, in Juárez : RICO.

57. Ben Gurion airline : EL AL.

I totally missed these last two clechos, because I had filled them in with the across answers:
60. King at Versailles : ROI.
and
61. King in old Rome : REX.

Tag, you're it!

Marti

Aug 26, 2014

Tuesday, August 26, 2014 Robert E. Lee Morris

Theme: Letter Combo - Today's puzzle brought to you by the letters A and C.

35A. Summer coolers, briefly, and a hint to this puzzle's six longest answers : AC UNITS

17A. Church area for enthusiastic responses : AMEN CORNER


21A. Painting course : ART CLASS

48A. Road service provider : AUTO CLUB. web site

53A. Morning warning provider : ALARM CLOCK

3D. One often precedes it : AREA CODE

36D. Military uniform jacket : ARMY COAT. Surplus favorite.


Argyle here. This is Robert's third puzzle so far this year. An easy puzzle in a complicated grid. Five sections with little connections and yet the themes interlock while the cheese, I mean unifier, stands alone.

Across:

1. Ancient calculators : ABACI


6. Off-ramp : EXIT

10. Makes a quick getaway : LAMS. Lam can be a verb or a noun.

14. Low-ranking noble : BARON

15. Move to another town, for short : RELO

16. Sheltered, at sea : ALEE

19. Bolivia neighbor : PERU

20. Open just a crack : AJAR

23. Point a finger at : ACCUSE

25. Clears a whiteboard : ERASES

26. English sculptor Henry : MOORE. “Man Enters the Cosmos”

27. Clairvoyant's claim : ESP. (extrasensory perception) 60A. Clairvoyant : SEER

30. 1-Down member: Abbr. : ATTY. (attorney)

31. Pie à la __ : MODE

32. SeaWorld tanks : AQUARIA. Plural.

34. Bullring bravo : "¡OLÉ!"

36. TV spots : ADS

39. Odd : STRANGE

40. Dagger in "Macbeth," e.g. : PROP. As in a stage production of the play.

41. Negotiator's goal : PACT. Had DEAL first.

43. Whopper : LIE

44. St. Petersburg neighbor : TAMPA. FLA., not RUS.

45. Local dialect : PATOIS. From French, as you might expect.

47. "Let's wait" : "NOT YET"

51. Cartel acronym : OPEC. (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries)

52. Excess : GLUT

57. German "a" : EINE

58. Actor Grant : CARY

59. San Antonio shrine : ALAMO

61. Banjo spot : KNEE So 40D. 61-Across bone : PATELLA. (knee cap)

62. Brit's bye-byes : "TA TA"s

Down:

1. Law gp. : ABA. (American Bar Association)

2. Emeril interjection : "BAM!"

4. Pull out of thin air, seemingly, with "up" : CONJURE

5. Words before "of emergency" : IN CASE

6. Goof : ERR

7. TV warrior princess : XENA

8. Robert who played a Soprano : ILER

9. Flourless cake : TORTE

10. Argentina's Río de __: River of Silver : LA PLATA

11. Yankees' div. : AL EAST

12. River to Liverpool Bay : MERSEY. Not a lip sync!



13. "Hop on Pop" author : SEUSS

18. Bauxite, e.g. : ORE

22. Award-winning detective fiction writer Robert : CRAIS. Crais began his career writing scripts for television shows such as Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, Quincy, Miami Vice and L.A. Law. - Wikipedia

23. Bullets and such : AMMO

24. Poised under pressure : COOL

27. Up (to), as a task : EQUAL

28. Branch of Islam : SUNNI

29. Baseball Hall of Famer Satchel : PAIGE



32. Unlike this ans. : ACR. (not down, across)

33. Hwy. : RTE.

35. Room accessed via ladder, maybe : ATTIC

37. Knucklehead : DOPE

38. Squabble : SPAT

39. Vespa, for one : SCOOTER

41. Talking parrot in a 1998 film : PAULIE. I did not watch it.

42. Bring into harmony : ATTUNE

44. '60s cartoon feline : TOP CAT. I did watch it.

45. Book parts : PAGES. So simple it's hard.

46. Hanging loosely : SLACK

47. Name, in Paris : NOM. As in NOM de plume.

49. Mongolia's __ Bator : ULAN. Population: 1.132 million (2010)

50. Like Hubbard's cupboard : BARE

54. Kind of whiskey or bread : RYE. A toast for Tinbeni.

55. Nashville awards org. : CMA. (Country Music Association)

56. Fight enders, briefly : KOs...and I'm down for the count.


Argyle

Note from C.C.:

Happy Birthday to Montana! Below is a picture of her birthday gathering in July. She said:

"...Mid-July was more  convenient than August for work schedules. My CT son rented a 10 bedroom condo in Vail, CO and invited all his siblings to come with their families. We had never all been at the same place at the same time before. It was a wonderful gift to me!..." 

Please click here for more pictures. Montana had to have furnace on the past few days. Are you still planning your autumn visit to Dudley area?


 My 5 children celebrated my 2014 birthday in Vail, CO