google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Sunday

Advertisements

Showing posts with label Sunday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunday. Show all posts

Mar 17, 2024

Sunday March 17, 2024 Doug Peterson

Theme: "County Fair" - Each common phrase contains an Irish county.

23. Subway request: HOLD THE MAYO.

33. Light verse best not shared with kids: DIRTY LIMERICK.

53. Actress who plays Anita Hill in the HBO film "Confirmation": KERRY WASHINGTON.

67. New Year's Eve popper: CHAMPAGNE CORK.

91. "C'mon, live a little": LET YOUR HAIR DOWN.

102. Italian saint who founded a Franciscan religious order: CLARE OF ASSISI.

120. Matinee idol of the 1930s and 1940s: TYRONE POWER.

A perfect puzzle for our Irish Miss and Steve Marron. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm not familiar with County Down or County Tyrone, but any puzzle by Doug Peterson is a treat. His grids, including Saturdays, are always super clean and smooth. Doug is also a super solver. This pic is from ACPT 2008.

Doug Peterson & Will Shortz

Across:

1. Ancient fabulist: AESOP. Also a pricey soap brand.


6. Pesky insects: GNATS.

11. Shelter org.: SPCA.

15. __ capsule: TIME.

19. Set of beliefs: CREDO.

20. Betray, in a way: RAT ON. I know OMERTA.

21. Chalky powder: TALC.

22. Make muddy: ROIL.

25. Bibliography abbr.: ET AL.

26. Roadside retreats: INNS.

27. Club music genre, familiarly: EDM. Electronic Dance Music.

28. "We can seat you now" buzzer: PAGER. Pagers were very popular when I was in college. We only had one phone in school building.

29. "Funny, right?": GET IT.

30. Travel document: VISA.

31. Beach town atmosphere: SEA AIR.

37. Geek (out): NERD.

39. Unit of resistance: OHM.

40. Travelers' gp. with annual dues: AAA.

41. Vehicle in many a Jack London story: SLED.

44. Filling station number: OCTANE.

47. Unbelievably impressive: SCARY GOOD. Great fill.

56. "I Can't Drive 55" singer Hagar: SAMMY.

57. "Until we meet again, chérie": ADIEU.

58. Drought relief: RAIN.

59. Elizabeth's role in Marvel movies: WANDA. Elizabeth Olsen. Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch.


61. Leonine feature: MANE.

62. Like a small vineyard, perhaps: TEN-ACRE.

64. Clothing pioneer Strauss: LEVI.

65. Sign-on need: USER ID.

72. Like a live fumble: IN PLAY.

76. "What __ is new?": ELSE.

77. Hind site?: TAIL END. So many fun clues in this puzzle:  113. Kick starters?: FEET. 112. Santa Fe foursome: TIRES. 121. Passing remark?: YEA.

82. Editor's "Lose this": DELE.

83. "Open wide!": SAY AH.

85. Shopper's reference: LIST.

88. Revved up: EAGER.

89. Pixel pattern: IMAGE.

94. Stagnate: GO NOWHERE.

96. Refuse to be associated with: DISOWN. 109. Refuse to yield: INSIST.

97. "Which __ say ... ": IS TO.

98. Bud visitor: BEE.

99. Dowel: PEG.

100. Hand sanitizer ingredient: ALOE.

114. __ apso: LHASA.

115. Browning spots: OVENS.

117. Non opposite: OUI.

118. Driver of many trailers: ADAM. Adam Drive the actor.


119. Recover from a run: PANT. Oh guys, my 25-meter freestyle record is now 30 seconds. It was 35 seconds last December. Butterfly is still a mess. I'm in the stage between butterwhy and buttercry.

123. Arizona landform: MESA.

124. "Laugh-In" comedian Johnson: ARTE.

125. Tackle again: RE-TRY.

126. Sidestep: EVADE.

127. Elysian locale: EDEN.

128. Cherished: DEAR.

129. Cinch of a course: EASY A.

130. December candy shapes: CANES.

Down:

1. Is tender: ACHES.

2. Slowly cut into: ERODE.

3. One of Marge Simpson's sisters: SELMA.

4. Somewhat strange: ODD.

5. Course with a crust: POTPIE.

6. Hall of Fame pitcher Maddux: GREG. We used to have a ton of his cards.

7. Known as: NAMED.

8. Gaming trailblazer: ATARI.

9. 75-Down, e.g.: TOY. 75. Figure included in the Gotham City Cycle Chase set: LEGO BATMAN.


10. __-Cat: winter vehicle: SNO.

11. Girder alloy: STEEL.

12. Soul icon LaBelle: PATTI.

13. Insurance filing: CLAIM.

14. Knee injury common among athletes: ACL TEAR. And 15. Pub entertainment with a host: TRIVIA GAME. Doug is terrific themeless constructor.

16. Like some bonds: IONIC.

17. Belarus capital: MINSK.

18. Disney character loosely inspired by "The Snow Queen": ELSA.

24. Soil-loosening implement: HARROW.


29. Athletic center: GYM.

32. Tenor Bocelli: ANDREA.

34. Samurai without a lord: RONIN.  浪人. Literally "wanderer".  Same in Chinese.

35. In those days: THEN.

36. Sunshine, slangily: RAYS.

38. Region with many Commanders fans, briefly: DC AREA.

41. Card game in which 10s score higher than kings and queens: SKAT.

42. News article intro: LEDE.

43. "__ go bragh!": ERIN.

45. Airport security org.: TSA.

46. Sushi tuna: AHI.

47. Barrel strip: STAVE.

48. Like some water cooler cups: CONIC.

49. Plus: AND.

50. Ilhan of Congress: OMAR. The 5th district. I live in the 3rd district.


51. Luxury hotel chain headquartered in Dallas: OMNI.

52. Recolored: DYED.

54. Desert plant in the asparagus family: YUCCA.

55. "The Sweet Escape" singer Stefani: GWEN.

60. Paranormal vibe: AURA.

63. "House of the Dragon" actor Ifans: RHYS.


64. Shirt size abbr.: LGE.

66. Slalom competitor: SKIER.

68. __ lemon: citrus hybrid: MEYER.


69. Dish: PLATE.

70. Pallid: ASHY.

71. Capital west of Montreal: OTTAWA.

72. "Yeah, man": I DIG.

73. Pixar clownfish: NEMO.

74. Course of action: PLAN.

78. Part of LPGA: LADIES.

79. Swelled heads: EGOS.

80. Semiaquatic salamander: NEWT.

81. 007's first film foe: DR NO.

84. Flagon beer: ALE.

85. Video game brother: LUIGI. The Mario Brothers.


86. Org. with auditors: IRS.

87. "Dexter: New Blood" airer, for short: SHO.

90. Still-life jug: EWER.

92. "To a ... " poems: ODES.

93. Waiting to buy tickets, say: IN LINE. Boomer and I used to stand in line for over 4 hours to get those Twins bobbleheads. He loved those activities. He could talk up a storm with anyone.

95. Shoe insert: HEEL PAD.

99. Educational ad: PSA.

101. Unsolicited, as a manuscript: ON SPEC.

102. Relinquished: CEDED.

103. Charter: LEASE.

104. Chicago airport: O'HARE.

105. Soda with a Piña Colada flavor: FANTA.

106. Autumn blossom: ASTER.

107. Classifies: SORTS.

108. Off-white shade: IVORY.

110. Sioux City resident: IOWAN.

111. Upholstery choice: SUEDE.

113. Struggling actor's dream: FAME.

116. Singer born in County Donegal: ENYA. One more county reference.

120. Uno + due: TRE.

122. Reproductive cells: OVA.

C.C.





Mar 3, 2024

Sunday March 3, 2024 Amy Johnson & Katie Hale

Theme: "Academic Clubs" - Each group-ending common phrase is punnily rephrased as if it's a club for some majors.

23A. Club for music majors?: INSTRUMENT PANEL.

36A. Club for geology majors?: HEAVY METAL BAND.

56A. Club for astronomy majors?: HEAVENLY BODY.

80A. Club for paleontology majors?: SKELETON CREW.

99A. Club for philosophy majors?: REFLECTING POOL.

116A. Club for botany majors?: FLOWER GATHERING.

15D. Club for genealogy majors?: BIRTHDAY PARTY.

55D. Club for urban planning majors?: TRAFFIC CIRCLE.

Good to see Amy's byline again. She was a frequent Sunday constructor a few years ago. For those who are new, Katie Hale is the assistant to Patti Varol. She has been generously helping many constructors with their themes and grids. Here's Katie (picture from Gary's blog)

Patti allows Sunday theme queries. Some of Amy's original theme entries probably did not work for Patti. Then she suggested some new ones. Then Amy & Katie brainstormed more and got the current set. Katie probably also added the extra clue layer to further tighten up the set also.

Across:

1. Sorrowful sigh: ALAS.

5. Crude cartel since 1960: OPEC.

9. Blue, in Barcelona: AZUL. Alliteration.

13. Shady plot: ARBOR.

18. Actress Sorvino: MIRA. She speaks Chinese.



19. City in Victor Hugo novels: PARIS.

21. "Catch ya later!": CIAO.

22. Jazz singer Cleo: LAINE.

26. Agent concerned with spots: AD REP.

27. Heredity units: GENES.

28. Causing shudders, maybe: EERIE.

29. Key holder, often: JANITOR. Nice clue.

31. Was successful in: WON AT.

32. YouTube alternative: VIMEO.

34. Stage name intro: AKA.

35. "How tragic": OH NO. And 33. "How tragic": IT'S SAD.

40. Still in the sack: ABED.

42. Monogram on some high-end handbags: YSL.

43. Many corny jokes: PUNS.

44. Go on the lam: BOLT.

46. Biblical name of ancient Syria: ARAM. Root of Aramaic spoken in "The Passion of the Christ".

48. "__ Christ Superstar": JESUS.

49. Makes a connection: TIES IN.

51. Howled loudly: BAYED.

53. Wasatch Mountains ski town: ALTA.

59. Standard: PAR. And 60. Standards: NORMS.

62. __ jockey: DISC.

63. Rough guess: STAB.

64. Vague quantity: ANY.

65. Like extreme measures: DRASTIC.

68. Reebok rival: ASICS. Dr. Nina's favorite brand.



71. New citizen, perhaps: EMIGREE.

73. NFL flag thrower: REF.

74. Dull pain: ACHE. 76. Treat 74-Acrosses, maybe: SOAK.

78. Wee: BITSY.

79. Christmas helper: ELF.

85. Storage unit: BYTE. Computer storage.

86. __ station: WEIGH.

88. Music industry drama series starring Taraji P. Henson: EMPIRE.

89. NAACP __ Awards: IMAGE.

91. Cold, slushy treat: ICEE.

92. Nemo's home: REEF.

93. Mystery writer Paretsky: SARA. From Ames, Iowa.



94. Victoria's Secret purchase: BRA.

97. Haggler's concern: COST.

104. Middle Eastern title: EMIR.

106. Short greetings: HIS.

108. How tempura is fried: IN OIL. I  love shrimp tempura the most.


109. Scrooge visitor: GHOST.

110. Come really close to: VERGE ON.

112. African language family: BANTU.

114. Square: PLAZA.

115. Spanish folk hero: EL CID.

121. Pass along: RELAY.

122. British aristocrat: EARL.

123. Changed direction, nautically: YAWED.

124. Uber Eats display: MENU.

125. Many first-time voters: TEENS.

126. Some bourbons: RYES.

127. Cincinnati ballclub: REDS. Pete Rose continues to bet in Las Vegas. Signing autographs at Mandalay Bay. His full-time job there.


128. Chariot-riding god: ARES.

Down:

1. "Who __ to judge?": AM I.

2. Legalese and computerese: LINGOES.

3. Longtime Tottenham football rival: ARSENAL.

4. GPS tech: SATNAV. Satellite Navigation.

5. Bloom County penguin: OPUS.

6. "I Said a Prayer" singer Tillis: PAM.

7. Browning's before: ERE. I love love stories.


8. Show place: CINEMA.

9. Smoothie berry: ACAI.

10. Online pub: ZINE.

11. Abu Dhabi's fed.: UAE.

12. Texter's "I didn't mean that :)": LOL JK.  Just Kidding.

13. Rickman of "Die Hard": ALAN.

14. Time of Roosevelt's fireside chats: RADIO ERA.

16. Walk result, maybe: ONE ON.

17. Brief copy: REPRO.

20. Kind of drum or guitar: STEEL.

24. Enter again: RE-TYPE.

25. "Not my __": PROB.

30. Moody's top bond rating: AAA.

31. Question of motive: WHY.

32. Wedding planner's concern: VENUE.

34. Freestyle raps: ADLIBS.

37. "Go faster, huskies!": MUSH. A few sled dog races in Minnesota were canceled due to our warm weather. Odd winter.

38. Genesis figure: ABEL.

39. Like some neighbors: NOSY.

41. Highchair wear: BABY BIB.

45. Safe IRA option: T NOTE.

47. Most lowdown: MEANEST.

48. Some spreads: JAMS.

49. Hardy title character: TESS. "Tess of the d'Urbervilles".



50. Sharp front tooth: INCISOR.

52. Systane target: DRY EYE.

53. "Bizarre Foods" host Zimmern: ANDREW. He's based in Minnesota.



54. Singing nymph of the Rhine: LORELEI.

57. Passing through: VIA.

58. Three Gorges structure: DAM. Called San Xia in Chinese. San means "three".



61. Stockpiles: STASHES.

66. "I'm not eating that!": ICK.

67. Merriment: CHEER.

69. Baskin-Robbins treat: CONE. And 111. "Grand" ice cream: EDYS.

70. Word with ink or egg: SAC.

72. Barb: GIBE.

75. Sticky brand: ELMERS.

77. Governor Noem of South Dakota: KRISTI. She looks like a TV news host.

81. Olympic sword: EPEE.

82. Petty squabble: TIFF.

83. Inbox buildup: EMAIL.

84. Alert: WARN.

87. Architectural style between 1714 and 1830: GEORGIAN.

90. Bunch of honkers: GAGGLE.

94. Stronger, as mixed drinks: BOOZIER.

95. Cash of country: ROSANNE.



96. Ctrl-__-Del: ALT.

98. Albeit, briefly: THO.

100. Dash or slash: LINE. Love this clue also.

101. Diary passage: ENTRY.

102. Mountain lion: COUGAR.

103. Big __: drug industry, colloquially: PHARMA.

104. Tennis great Chris: EVERT.

105. Fracas: MELEE.

107. Conclude: INFER.

112. Cause of some nodding: BORE.

113. Shoemaker's tools: AWLS.

114. Many profs: PHDS.

117. Install, as brick: LAY.

118. Bedazzle: AWE.

119. Sam player on "Cheers": TED.

120. "Breaking Bad" villain Fring: GUS.


Feb 25, 2024

Sunday February 25, 2024 Ed Sessa

Theme: "Free Booze" - BOO is added to each theme entry.

22. Air freshener in the monkey house?: BABOON DEODORANT. Ban deodorant.

31. Ready to take reservations?: FIT FOR A BOOKING. Fit for a king.

53. Container for firecracker flowers?: BOOMING VASE. Ming vase.

69. Jump-start?: BOOSTING OPERATION. Sting operation.

88. Apparel for linksbabies?: GOLF BOOTEES. Golf tees.

102. (Soup or salad) and (chicken or fish), e.g.?: BOOLEAN CUISINE. Lean Cuisine.

120. Train conductor's "That's the end of the ride for you!"?: GET OFF MY CABOOSE. Get off my case.

This would have been a perfect Halloween's puzzle, but it's a Tuesday last year when Ed sent in this puzzle idea. Thursday this year.

I love the title and theme clues. "Jum-start" is so simple, so perfect.

Across:

1. God often depicted in a helmet: ARES.


5. "Gracias a la vida" singer Mercedes: SOSA. Don't know her. Argentine singer. From Wikipedia:
"Her music made people hail her as the "voice of the voiceless ones". She was often called "the conscience of Latin America." She died in 2009.


9. Fire sign: SMOKE.

14. Marble piece: SLAB.

18. Lopsided win: ROMP.

19. K-12 appropriate: EL HIElementary High. This is my old high school. 200-meter tracks.

 

20. Dust-up: RUN-IN.

21. Fuel: STOKE.

25. Artist Matisse: HENRI.

26. Secondhand music purchase: USED CD.

27. Boxer Laila: ALI.

28. "__ you see that!?": DID.

29. "Game of Thrones" beast: DRAGON.

30. D or C, in D.C.: STREET.

34. IJBOL equivalent: LOL. I Just Burst Out Laughing.

36. Jiffy: SEC.

37. Before now: AGO.

38. Pink shade: CORAL.

42. Strange: ODD.

45. Doohickey: THING.

48. College focus: MAJOR. What did you study in college, Splynter?

56. Fun time: GAS.

57. Jiffy __: LUBE.

58. Pest in a cloud: GNAT.

59. The Mel-Tones lead singer: TORME.

60. Rooked: HAD.

61. Add yeast to: LEAVEN.

63. Broken mirror, for some: BAD OMEN.

65. Better than expected, except on the links: ABOVE PAR. I broke 90 a few times at Cedar Creek, a very ladies-friendly course here in Minnesota. Very flat.

68. Storm center: EYE.

73. Tina Fey's former show, for short: SNL.

75. Hunter-gatherer period: STONE AGE.

76. Low bar?: GIN MILL. I did not know the meaning of "gin mill". Cheap bar.

79. Takes as one's own: CO-OPTS.

81. White Claw container: CAN. Never had this.



82. __ seas: SEVEN.

85. Pelvic bones: ILIA.

86. With the bow, in music: ARCO.

87. One hanging around a cave: BAT.

90. Used the oven: BAKED.

92. Mushroom in miso soup: ENOKI.  Mushroom and tofu. Classic miso soup.



94. __ Jima: IWO.

95. Edition: ISSUE.

96. Actress Thurman: UMA.

98. O'er and o'er again: OFT.

100. Brynner of "The King and I": YUL.

110. Ready for fresh paint: PRIMED.

115. Smithy fixtures: ANVILS.

116. Co. interested in net neutrality: ISP.

117. Potassium-rich fruit: FIG. I served Tom Pepper fresh figs a while ago. He liked the taste. He also liked ripe papaya slices, but could not stand green papaya salad.

118. Patti who won a Tony as Evita: LUPONE.

119. French royal: REINE.

123. Took some courses: DINED.

124. Sports venue: ARENA.

125. "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" actor Omar: EPPS.

126. Big barrel: DRUM.

127. Husky's load: SLED.

128. __ longlegs: DADDY.

129. Sports figure: STAT.

130. Bishoprics: SEES.

Down:

1. "Identical Twins" photographer Diane: ARBUS.
 

2. Use the oven: ROAST.

3. Campfire remnant: EMBER.

4. Fine English china: SPODE.

5. Phrase on a mailing label: SEND TO.

6. Hardly fresh: OLD.

7. Harvest bundle: SHEAF.

8. Remoulade kin: AIOLI. Never had remoulade or aioli or tartar.



9. "All seats taken" sign: SRO.

10. "The Sea, the Sea" novelist: MURDOCH. Iris.



11. Studio sign: ON AIR.

12. "Yes and no": KINDA.

13. Doc with a tongue depressor: ENT.

14. Tuna cut: STEAK.

15. Sound heard in libraries?: LONG I.  The i sound in "libraries".

16. Ohio tire city: AKRON.

17. Person: BEING.

21. Psychedelic fungus, casually: SHROOM.

23. Spots on a peacock feather: OCELLI.

24. Morse clicks: DITS.

29. Fetch player: DOG.

32. Swanky do: FETE.

33. Luggage: BAGS.

35. Access, as a network: LOG ONTO.

38. Legendary NYC punk club: CBGB.

39. Actress Chaplin: OONA.

40. Reason for a detour: ROADBLOCK.

41. "Are not!" retort: AM TOO.

43. TiVo, for one: DVR.

44. Power generator: DAM.

46. "__ it my all": I GAVE.

47. Four-time presidential candidate Ralph: NADER.

49. __ mode: A LA.

50. Youth: JUVENILES.

51. Follow directions: OBEY.

52. "The False Mirror" painter Magritte: RENE.



54. Arms treaty subjects, briefly: N TESTS.

55. One who avoids all animal products except fish: SEAGAN. I only knew the term "pescetarian". My sister-in-law Connie is one.

60. Words spoken with crossed fingers: HOPE SO.

61. "__ USA": NPR program hosted by Maria Hinojosa: LATINO.


62. Environmentalist Brockovich: ERIN.

64. Lion's share: MOST.

66. Cranberry field: BOG.

67. Bobbed hairstyle: PAGEBOY.

70. Like some Peruvian ruins: INCAN.

71. "Terrif!": NEATO.

72. Glosses over: OMITS.

73. Wound cover: SCAB.

74. Filmmaker Ephron: NORA.

77. In __ of: LIEU.

78. Cut with a beam: LASE.

80. "The Last Jedi" pilot Dameron: POE.


83. New Haven Ivy Leaguer: ELI.

84. Armed forces org.: VFW.

87. Burrito morsel: BEAN.

88. Some image files: GIFS.

89. Soothing massage option: OIL RUB.

91. Crossed swords: DUELED.

93. Water feature with ornamental fish: KOI POND.

97. Some humanities degs.: MAS.

99. Spat: TIFF.

101. Batting ninth: UP LAST.

102. Medieval poets: BARDS.

103. "The Rookie" actress Melissa: O'NEIL.


104. Ewe-like: OVINE.

105. Like loose-leaf paper: LINED.

106. Cutlass model: CIERA.

107. Spanish pronoun: USTED.

108. City in southern France: NIMES.

109. Country in two continents: EGYPT.

111. Apple players: IPODS.

112. Julianne of "Still Alice": MOORE.

113. Follow: ENSUE.

114. Judges: DEEMS.

120. Josh of "Frozen": GAD. He voiced Olaf.

121. Actress Wray: FAY.

122. Audit pro: CPA.

C.C.




Feb 18, 2024

Sunday February 18, 2024 John Lieb

Theme: "Position Papers" - Each common phrase is rephrased as if it's a periodical fitting the people in each clue. 

23. Periodical for prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges?: FULL-COURT PRESS.  A perfect clue to start with.

41. ... for con artists?: SNOW GLOBE.

44. ... for kitchen remodelers?: CABINET POST.

67. ... for aspiring entertainers?: YOU DESERVE A BREAK TODAY.

88. ... for potato chip aficionados?: CRUNCH TIMES.

91. ... for scuba divers?: DEEP VOICE.

112. ... for clockmakers?: SECONDHAND NEWS.

 I feel they all work great except 67A. Noun phrases work the best for this type of "Periodical for..." or "Favorite paper for ...", right?

So nice to see John's byline again. From Boswords website, John "teaches Math and coaches football and baseball at The Roxbury Latin School." I had a few email exchanges with John over the years. He's super nice and a true gentleman. He's one of those few who are skilled at both themed and themeless grids.

John Lieb

Across:

1. "Doctor Who" airer: BBC.

4. Comedian Wong: ALI. Her father is Chinese. Wong is Cantonese. In mainland China, we use Wang.

7. North African expanse: SAHARA.

13. Flying disc game: KANJAM. Wikipedia says this game is developed in Western New York.

19. Traffic regulator in a construction zone: FLAGMAN.

21. Chemical cousin: ISOMER.

22. First-string units: A TEAMS.

25. Xterra maker: NISSAN.

26. Yalies: ELIS.

27. Promo: TEASER.

28. Altercations: SET-TOS.

29. Commoner: PLEB.

30. Paint brand sold at Home Depot: BEHR. Exclusively at Home Depot.

31. Canoe material: BIRCH.

34. Foreign policy gp.: NSC.

36. Support: AID.

37. Rooney of "Women Talking": MARA.

38. Guitar accessories: CAPOS.

40. 880 square feet, for a pickleball court: AREA. Oh hi, Big Easy!

46. Drift: TENOR.

47. Captain Nemo creator: VERNE.

49. Geek: DWEEB.

50. Org. created two years before the 1896 Athens games: USOC. Fresh clue angle!

53. Major work: OPUS.

54. Cape __, Massachusetts: ANN. And 88. Cape __, Massachusetts: COD.  Must be John's clues.

55. Actor Vigoda: ABE. He was in "The Godfather".

58. "Monday Night Football" channel: ESPN.

61. Pod members: WHALES.

63. Everyone: ALL.

65. Missed the mark: ERRED.

71. Physicist Mach: ERNST.

72. Squeeze (out): EKE.

73. Gaming tile: DOMINO.

74. Retired jets: SSTS.

75. Kama Sutra topic: SEX. Any of you familiar with Shunga? I don't want to link and bring troubles to our blog.

76. Informal greetings: HIS.

78. Sonic the Hedgehog platform: SEGA.

79. Gaming cubes: DICE.

81. Paris river: SEINE.

83. Ohio home of Minor League Baseball's RubberDucks: AKRON. Makes sense. Rubber.



84. Shel Silverstein's "A Light in the __": ATTIC.

95. Granola bar bits: OATS.

96. Sag: DROOP.

97. Private aid gps.: NGOS.

98. "Insecure" star Issa: RAE.

99. Sample on a swab: DNA.

100. Soul singer Baker: ANITA.

102. Gear parts: COGS.

103. Cross products: PENS. I've only used Pilot.

104. Like hot yoga: SWEATY.

108. Venus flytrap snack: INSECT.  Carnivorous plant.

110. Sandy sediment: SILT.

111. Margaret Atwood's homeland: CANADA.

116. Spring river phenomenon: ICE RUN.

117. Amp toter: ROADIE.

118. Takes the plunge: RISKS IT.

119. Talks to online: SKYPES.

120. Bays, e.g.: INLETS.

121. Sigma follower: TAU.

122. Show with an early a.m. after-party: SNL.

Down:

1. Fave pal: BFF.

2. Offside boundary in hockey: BLUE LINE.

3. Picked in class: CALLED ON.

4. Gremlins, or where some saw "Gremlins": AMCS.

5. Southeast Asian language: LAO.

6. Yet to be delivered: IN UTERO.

7. Instrument that dates to the Mughal Empire: SITAR.

8. Nile vipers: ASPS.

9. Biblical peak: HOREB. Learned from doing crosswords.

10. Alaskans, Hawaiians, etc.: AMERICANS.

11. Hi or low follower: RES.

12. "__ longa, vita brevis": ARS.

13. "Citizen __": KANE.

14. Bickering: AT IT.

15. Jay's home: NEST.

16. "All the President's Men" Oscar winner: JASON ROBARDS. He played Ben Bradlee.

17. Stockpiles: AMASSES.

18. Yahoo! rival: MSN.

20. Smooth-talking: GLIB.

24. Post-injury regimen: REHAB.

28. "Grey's Anatomy" production company: SHONDALAND. Founded by Shonda Rhimes.

29. Bygone: PAST.

30. The Orioles, in box scores: BAL. Baltimore. And 37. Baseball VIPs: MGRS.

32. Broccoli __: RABE.


33. Cost-of-living fig.: CPI.

35. Purr-former: CAT. Agnes-like clue.

39. In stitches: SEWN.

40. Mimic: APE.

42. Hurts: WOUNDS.

43. Increase in complexity, perhaps: EVOLVE.

44. Passionate activists: CRUSADERS.

45. Moral principle: TENET.

48. Fencing sword: EPEE.

51. Yelps of pain: OWS.

52. Charcuterie board accompanier: CHEESE TRAY.  Want some?

56. Tuckered out: BEAT.

57. Ice cream brand: EDY'S.

58. Peepers: EYES.

59. Vexed: SORE.

60. "Groundhog Day" town: PUNXSUTAWNEY. What a sparkly fill.

62. "Raiders of the Lost __": ARK.

63. Actor Assante: ARMAND. He's in "Private Benjamin".

64. Wearable wreath: LEI.

66. Met, as a challenge: ROSE TO.

68. Set of principles: ETHIC.

69. Enticing sales acronym: BOGO.

70. Showy carp: KOI.

77. With sharp resolution: IN HD.

78. Having doubts: SKEPTICAL.

80. Cleveland NBAers, for short: CAVS.

82. Nav. rank: ENS.

83. Mine, in Marseille: A MOI.

85. Indefatigable: TIRELESS. There's a guy who swims the whole session with his snorkel on, probably 30 laps non-stop. I think it's cheating.

86. "Things never go my way!": I CAN'T WIN.

87. Copyright symbols: CEES.

89. Rifle: RANSACK.

90. Cyclotron particle: ION.

92. Pre-flood Biblical patriarch: ENOCH.

93. Custardy dessert: EGG TART. Sure miss the smell of freshly baked egg tarts in Guangzhou. Very flaky.

94. Like a negative number squared: Abbr.: POS. John is a math teacher.

101. Battery terminal: ANODE.

102. Hands over: CEDES.

103. Flamingo hue: PINK.

105. Wyatt of the Old West: EARP.

106. Together, in music: A DUE.

107. Souvenirs from an island vacation?: TANS.

109. Bit of pique: SNIT.

110. California sch. of Padres legend Tony Gwynn: SDSU. San Diego State University

111. Prefix with gender: CIS

112. __ Lanka: SRI.

113. Geological stretch: EON.

114. "Candyman" director DaCosta: NIA.

115. Gateway Arch city, for short: STL.

C.C.