Sunday May 10, 2026 Katie Hale

 Theme: "GARDEN VARIETY" - Part of a familiar phrase is replaced by the name of a flower.

24. Show off very pale linseed plants?: WAVE THE WHITE FLAX. Wave the white flag. 

32. Monarch who wears an oxeye crown?: DAISY QUEEN. Dairy Queen.

53. Finds the best way to get thorns in one's hand?: STRIKES A ROSE. Strike a pose. 

70. "If you buy another showy pink bloom, so help me ... "?: NOT A PEONY MORE. Not a penny more. 

90. Throw a tantrum in a springtime meadow?: POUND POPPIES. Pound puppies. 

111. Fall wedding with a purple theme, perhaps?: ASTER PARTY. After party. 

Reveal: 

119. FTD Mother's Day slogan, or an alternate title for this puzzle?: SAY IT WITH FLOWERS.

Such a great reveal. Super consistent. Each theme entry has a one-letter change. That's a very tight constraint. The workable set is quite small.

I imagine this puzzle went through few clue changes. Katie is a pro at making smooth 21x21s. 

Katie Hale

Across:

1. Backpack, e.g.: BAG. 

4. "__ in Cincinnati": WKRP.

8. Go down: SINK.

12. Most eccentric: ODDEST.

18. Small matter: ATOM.

20. Grateful Dead co-founder Bob: WEIR. Another Grateful Dead guy who shows up from time to time is the bassist Phil LESH.

21. McFlurry cookie: OREO.

22. Nothing, in Italian: NIENTE.

23. "Tick that off my bucket list" hashtag: YOLO. You Only Live Once.

27. Eventually become: END UP.

29. Mandarin "hello": NI HAO. Ni = You. Hao = Good. 

30. Plunder: LOOT.

31. State of the __: ART.

34. Overwhelming desire: LUST.

36. Dramas set in Vegas and Miami: CSIS.

38. "Minaret" novelist Aboulela: LEILA. Sudanese writer. Born in Cairo and raised in Khartoum.

39. Collect copious amounts of: RAKE IN.

41. Swear: AVOW.

43. Like light yogurt: NON-FAT.

45. "That's so nice": AAH.

46. Advantage to get in competition: A LEG UP.

50. Sweetener in some 13-Down: SPLENDA. 13. Sugar-free soda: DIET COLA.

56. God of love: EROS.

57. Prized violin: AMATI. Paganini reportedly lost a valuable Amati violin because of gambling debts.

60. Chest muscles, briefly: PECS.

61. No. 2: VEEP.

62. Creamy drink: LASSI. Yogurt drink.

64. Major artery: AORTA.

67. "The Wild Robot" voice actor Ving: RHAMES. He also plays Luther Stickell in the "Mission: Impossible" films.

69. Caustic solution: LYE.

74. PD call: APB.

77. "Shabbat __": SHALOM.

79. "Same for me!": SO DO I.

80. Poolside need: TOWEL.

82. Baseball dynasty name: ALOU.

84. Farm cart: DRAY.

86. __ nous: ENTRE.

89. Cast a ballot: VOTE.

94. Future attorney's study material: CASE LAW.

96. Clay shaper: POTTER.

97. Old Hollywood studio: RKO.

98. "Fourth Wing" creature: DRAGON. Not famliar with the book, fantasy romance by Rebecca Yarros.

100. Nobel subj.: ECON.

102. Tiny, cutesily: EENSIE.

104. Wild West brothers: EARPS.

107. Farr co-star: ALDA.

109. Thessaly peak: OSSA.

114. Skater Midori: ITO.

115. Ephron who directed "You've Got Mail": NORA.

117. Ancient market: AGORA.

118. Give a start: SCARE.

124. "China Rich Girlfriend" novelist Kevin: KWAN. He also wrote "Crazy Rich Asians"

125. Go places: TRAVEL.

126. Promising letters: IOUS.

127. Shuffle cousin in the Apple family: NANO.

128. Fit of pique: SNIT.

129. Pre-Titans team: OILERS. The Houston Oilers later became the Tennessee Titans.

130. Wolfe created by Rex Stout: NERO.

131. Snapdragon Stadium sch.: SDSU. San Diego State University. 

132. Inspo for the Curtis Sittenfeld novel "Romantic Comedy": SNL.

Down:

1. Howled like a wolf: BAYED.

2. Like a composition without a key: ATONAL.

3. Oscar winner Hawn: GOLDIE.

4. Address bar letters: WWW.

5. Reeves of "Speed": KEANU.

6. Saint-Tropez region: RIVIERA.

7. Warm up: PREHEAT.

8. Old Compton Street's district: SOHO. Katie lives in London. 

9. Rage: IRE.

10. Fresh: NEW.

11. Department store chain with TV ads starring Ellie Kemper: KOHL'S.

12. Latch __: ONTO.

14. Rock's __ Leppard: DEF.

15. Zhou of China: ENLAI.  Zhou Enlai remains one of the most respected political figures in modern Chinese history.

16. Sky lights: STARS.

17. Send a message: TEXT.

19. Meek quality: MOUSINESS.

25. Go down: TANK.

26. Wee bit: IOTA.

28. Traffic cone: PYLON.

33. Post-presentation sesh: Q AND A.

34. "I don't buy it": LIAR.

35. Not hot and not cool: UNHIP. Fun clue.

37. Veer: SWERVE.

40. Snack: EAT.

42. Poughkeepsie college: VASSAR. Notable alumni include Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, who later co-starred in "The Devil Wears Prada."

44. Some group chat members, for short: FAM.

47. Takes unofficial R&R: GOES AWOL. Rare in the Chinese military because penalties are historically very severe.

48. Find purpose for: USE.

49. __ rally: PEP.

50. Trading floor call: SELL.

51. Say grace, say: PRAY.

52. Misses the cut: LOSES OUT.

53. Fathers: SIRES.

54. "Rainbow Connection" singer: KERMIT.

55. Warehouse sound: ECHO.

58. Road trip aid: AAA MAP.

59. Spinning toy: TOP.

63. "Be My Guest With __ Garten": INA. Her voice is so calming.

65. Plus: TOO.

66. Llama habitat: ANDES.

68. Chanced upon: MET.

71. Experienced expert: OLD PRO.

72. Sushi bar tuna order: TORO. The cut from the belly. Melt-in-your-mouth.

73. Hither's partner: YON.

75. Animal rights org.: PETA.

76. Huffed and puffed: BLEW.

78. Looked (for): HUNTED.

81. Cookie sheet holders: OVEN RACKS.

82. iPhone download: APP.

83. Bath facilities: LOO.

85. WWI Belgian battle site: YPRES. Google AI says this city witnessed four years of near-continuous, intense fighting and over 1 million total casualties across five major battles.

87. Classic TV brand: RCA.

88. More than ready: EAGER.

91. Sommelier's prop: DECANTER.

92. Flatpack furniture chain: IKEA.

93. Long, long time: EON.

95. Dial, Dove, and Irish Spring: SOAPS.

98. Denies any association with: DISOWNS.

99. Go back over: RETREAD.

101. Tuna roll wrap: NORI. We call it "zicai" in Chinese, literally "purple veggie". Nori turns dark green when it's roasted. 

103. Palm stem product: SAGO.

105. Shrimp kin: PRAWNS.

106. Drain in a sieve: STRAIN.

107. Pitfall! platform: ATARI.

108. Unwaveringly true: LOYAL.

110. Ballet slipper material: SATIN.

112. Brings home: EARNS.

113. Streisand title role: YENTL.

114. Analogy words: IS TO.

116. Barn birds: OWLS.

117. Plus: ALSO.

120. "__ never been better": I'VE.

121. Plot device?: HOE. Garden plot.

122. Calico coat: FUR.

123. Small amount: SOU.

C.C. 

Sunday May 3, 2026 Ben Wildman-Tobriner & Shaun Phillips

 Theme: "PERIODIC UPDATES" - The chemical element in each common phrase is replaced by its periodic table symbol. 

 22. Upside found periodically in a bad situation?: AG LINING. Silver lining. 

29. Queen singer played periodically by Rami Malek?: FREDDIE HG. Freddie Mercury. 

46. Cary Grant film that airs periodically on classic movie channels?: AS AND OLD LACE. Arsenic and Old Lace

41. Baking ware that's only used periodically?: MUFFIN SN. Muffin tin. 

96. Dickens novel that's only read periodically?: DAVID CUFIELD. David Copperfield. 

100. Perfect stand-up material performed periodically?: COMEDY AU. Comedy gold. 

115. Hairstyling device applied periodically?: CURLING FE. Curling iron.

124. Periodically prone to breaking the speed limit?: PB-FOOTED. Lead-footed. 

Reveal:

 69. Advantage in some situations, or an alternate title for this puzzle: ELEMENT OF SURPRISE.

This is a very straightforward symbol substitution theme. The constructors probably spent more time on the theme cluing then finding the theme set. 

Constructor Ben Wildman-Tobriner is also an Olympic swimmer. See this Wikipedia page.  He won a gold medal as part of the world-record 4x100 freestyle relay, one of the most exciting relays ever.  In the heats, he swam alongside Nathan Adrian, Cullen Jones, and Matt Grevers. Adrian and Jones also swam in the final, along with Michael Phelps and Jason Lezak. 

Across:

1. Cheerful: GLAD.

5. Wrigley product: GUM.

8. Ocean liner?: COAST. Literally. 

13. Brazilian coins: REALS.

18. Govern: RULE.

19. Inspired by: A LA.

20. Per __: CAPITA.

21. Kaitlin of "High Potential": OLSON. She also voiced the whale shark Destiny in "Finding Dory".

24. On the wrong path: ASTRAY.

25. Shelter org.: ASPCA.

26. __ turtle: SEA.

27. Fills with love: ENAMORS.

31. "Come on now!": PSHAW.

33. In the past: EARLIER.

35. Takes a rideshare: UBERS.

36. MLB stat: RBI.

38. Flavor of many a bright green martini: SOUR APPLE.  Granny Smith is the only sour apple I can think of.

51. Due-in hr.: ETA.

52. Parroted: ECHOED.

54. Swimmer's wear: CAP.

55. Midsize car: SEDAN.

56. Word: TERM.

58. Clutched: HELD.

59. Must pay: OWES TO.

62. Pagoda instrument: GONG. You can visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an, very close to my childhood home. 

63. Fancy tie: ASCOT.

65. Tyler of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?": AISHA.

67. Anise aperitif: OUZO.

75. Beauty aisle brand: OLAY. Been into CeraVe the past few years. 

76. Dorm digs: SUITE.

77. Coins of the realm?: PENCE.  Kingdom "realm".

80. Basketball stuff: DUNK.

83. Civil rights icon Mandela: NELSON.

86. Olaf's creator in "Frozen": ELSA.

89. Udder part: TEAT.

90. Physicist Newton: ISAAC.

92. __ Quixote: DON.

93. Bee keeper: APIARY.

95. "Rocky III" actor: MR T.

102. Portrayal: DEPICTION.

104. "What a treat!": YAY.

105. "All the Light We Cannot See" novelist Anthony: DOERR. He won a Pulitzer Prize for the book. 

108. Perseveres with: KEEPS AT.

111. Warms: HEATS.

118. Like tiramisu and cannoli: ITALIAN.

120. Letter before sigma: RHO.

121. Desert near the Sinai Peninsula: NEGEV. Abraham lived in and moved through the Negev.

122. Victory celebration: PARADE.

126. Elevator stop, in Paris: ETAGE. French for "floor".

127. Fit to be farmed: ARABLE.

128. Chart topper: HIT.

129. Rae who plays President Barbie in "Barbie": ISSA.

130. Broadway awards: TONYS.

131. Bristlelike grippers on gecko feet: SETAE. Learned from doing crosswords.

132. Batteries in some remotes: AAS.

133. Soapmaking supplies: LYES.

Down:

1. Clutch: GRASP.

2. Olympic sleds: LUGES.

3. God of Islam: ALLAH.

4. Agnus __: DEI. Lamb of God.

5. Choice when the Tide runs out?: GAIN. Detergent. 

6. Lower arm bones: ULNAE.

7. Pre-eruption lava: MAGMA.

8. Conspirator in "Julius Caesar": CASSIUS.  He was the brother-in-law of Brutus. There are total 60 conspirators. We also have 79. "Not you too!": ET TU.

9. Go (for): OPT.

10. Carrier whose primary hub is Charles de Gaulle: AIR FRANCE.

11. Headliner: STAR.

12. Diggs of "All American": TAYE. He was married to our crossword regular Idina Menzel for many years. 

13. Surfaces that hold tracks and ties: ROADBEDS.

14. Borden mascot: ELSIE.

15. In accordance with: AS PER.

16. Scottish waters: LOCHS.

17. Hiccup: SNAG.

20. Bunch of clowns, maybe: CARLOAD. I like the visual image in this clue.

23. Greenhorn: NEWBIE.

28. RN workplaces: ORS.

30. Boring: DULL.

32. Shelter sound: ARF.

34. Significant stretch: ERA.

37. Inseam unit: INCH.

39. BlackBerrys, e.g.: Abbr.: PDAS.

40. Can opener: POP TOP.

41. Like a movie making fun of its own plot holes: META.

42. Great Basin people: UTES.

43. Mockery: FARCE.

44. __ shed: SHE.

45. Sports podcaster Katie: NOLAN. Wikipedia says she won a Sports Emmy Award in 2016 for her podcast Garbage Time with Katie Nolan.

47. The 587-piece Pok mon Eevee, e.g.: LEGO SET.

48. Big fuss: ADO.

49. "You __ do it!": CAN.

50. Cornwall lang.: ENG.

53. Exchange words?: EDIT.

57. Fifth-largest Hawaiian island: MOLOKAI.

59. "What a treat!": OH FUN.

60. "Now, where __?": WAS I.

61. Team's adjective: OUR.

64. Business card no.: TEL.

66. Only OK: SO SO.

68. Oomph: ZIP.

70. Fellow: MAN.

71. Got the measure of: EYED UP.

72. The Miners of the NCAA: UTEP.

73. Museum piece: RELIC.

74. Syndrome in "The Incredibles," e.g.: ENEMY. He's the archenemy of Mr. Incredible. Learning moment for me.

78. Model Delevingne: CARA.

80. Pulled off: DID.

81. Mex. neighbor: USA.

82. Pt. of USNA: NAV.

84. Lacking sharp sound quality, briefly: LO-FI.

85. Ridicule: SNICKER AT.

87. __ Paulo, Brazil: SAO.

88. Military force: ARMY.

91. Features of PC towers, once: CD DRIVES.

93. Rescue dog, e.g.: ADOPTEE.

94. "Hard pass": YEAH NO.

97. Home of the Large Hadron Collider: CERN. The European Organization for Nuclear Research. Based in Geneva.

98. Summer in la cit : ETE.

99. Go unused: LIE IDLE.

101. Give some shade?: DYE. Ha. I just pluck the white hair if I see one. Often I pluck the wrong strand.  

103. Intel org.: NSA.

105. As a result of: DUE TO.

106. Church instrument: ORGAN.

107. John Milton's "Lycidas," for one: ELEGY.

109. Letter before beta: ALPHA.

110. Lower leg bone: TIBIA.

112. Like many indie films: ARTSY.

113. "If __ walls could talk ... ": THESE.

114. Bar mixers: SODAS.

115. Tech news site: CNET.

116. College figs.: GPAS.

117. Grub: FARE.

119. Times before eves, in classified ads: AFTS. Afternoons.

123. Legal org.: ABA.

125. Snake __: OIL.

C.C.

Sunday April 26, 2026 Zhou Zhang & Kevin Curry

Theme: "A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT" - A well-known river runs through each theme entry between the letters I & T. 

26. Performs for only one side of the audience?: EXISTS STAGE RIGHT. Exits stage right. Crossing 27. Slithering reptile: SNAKE. 

35. Support for a fractured fruit?: BANANA SPLINT. Banana split. Crossing 12. Seattle-based retail giant: AMAZON.

69. Sew angry?: RAGE QUILT. Rage quit. Crossing  60. "Slow down" light color: YELLOW.

 94. Mass celebrations?: PIETY PARTIES. Pity parties. Crossing 78. __ blue: biology stain: NILE.

110. Needs size EEEEEE shoes?: HAS A PROBLEM WIDTH. Has a problem with. Crossing 100. "Song Sung Blue" Oscar nominee: HUDSON.

Very creative theme. Notice all the rivers are clued in the non-river direction. You can't have GANGES as there's no other way to clue it other than the river itself. So this grid has an extra layer of constraint. 

Our first Sunday from Zhou Zhang & Kevin Curry, a true puzzle family. Their kids are crossword constructors also.  

Across:

1. Salad follower?: BAR. Salad bar. 

4. Like clothes after a spin cycle: DAMP.

8. Dream state, briefly: REM.

11. Savors the sun: BASKS. Spring is finally here.

16. __ carte menu: ALA.

17. Cookies that debuted with a lemon meringue variety: OREOS. 

19. French friend: AMIE.

21. Italian fashion giant: ARMANI. 

22. Understand: GET.

23. "Don't interrupt!": I'M SPEAKING.

25. Longs for: CRAVES.

29. Puzzle pieces?: ZEES.

30. "Bleeding Love" singer Lewis: LEONA. British singer. 

31. "Otello" baritone: IAGO.

32. Herd word: MOO.

33. Like mackerel: OILY. Good fat. 

34. Natural rope fiber: SISAL.

40. Supermodel Heidi: KLUM.

43. Use a keyboard: TYPE.

44. Caterpillar roll ingredient: EEL. Eel sauce on top. Yummy! We also have 87. California roll ingredient: CRAB.

45. Calendar col.: FRI.

48. Ye __ Apothecary: OLDE.

51. Snoop (around): NOSE.

53. Snoop: PRY.

55. Leave for a minute: STEP OUT.

57. Beach volleyball team, e.g.: DUO. 64. Pair in a ring: TAG TEAM.

58. Kitchen gloves: MITTS.

59. First woman to be head writer on "SNL": FEY. Tina. 

61. Applies, as influence: EXERTS.

62. Head of the class: EDUCATOR.

67. Crush it, informally: SLAY. And  68. With competence: ABLY.

71. Wild guess: STAB.

72. Org. that sells "I Read Banned Books" bookmarks: ACLU. I always like the trivia angle. 

73. Headache remedy: ASPIRIN.

74. Texas symbol: LONE STAR.

77. Primps: PREENS.

79. High-end camera initials: SLR.

80. Was victorious in: WON AT.

81. Sense of self: EGO.

82. Cobbler container: PIE DISH.

84. Poorly lit: DIM.

86. Flabbergasts: AWES.

88. Donkey: ASS. I'm still searching for my lost donkeys. 

89. Gymnast Suni with six Olympic medals: LEE. Minnesotan!

90. Direction in a Steinbeck title: EAST.

92. Hindi film star __ Rukh Khan: SHAH.  "King Khan" of Bollywood. 

99. Shanghai salutation: NI HAO. Ni = You. Hao = Good.

103. Prop for Zach Galifianakis's talk show: FERN. Super funny show. "Between Two Ferns".

105. "__ out!": YER.

106. Home run run: TROT.

108. Poor skiing condition: SLUSH.

109. Graph lines: AXES.

114. Benefit: UPSIDE.

116. Ability to spot details: TRAINED EYE.

117. Moo __ pork: SHU.

118. Scottish monster, affectionately: NESSIE.

119. Chow for a Clydesdale: OATS.

120. American Red Cross visitor: DONOR.

121. Yoga chants: OMS.

122. Coin receivers: SLOTS.

123. Sound of disapproval: TSK.

124. Apprehends: NABS.

125. "I don't wanna": NAH.

Down:
 
1. Deli staples with cream cheese: BAGELS. 

2. Vronsky of "Anna Karenina": ALEXEI. Anna's lover. 

3. Mathematical comparisons: RATIOS.

4. Be good at everything: DO IT ALL.

5. Upper limbs: ARMS.

6. First MLS player to win consecutive MVP awards: MESSI. Leo. 

7. Can opener: POP TAB.

8. Zen garden tool: RAKE.

9. Mideast dignitary: EMIR.

10. A maximis ad __: MINIMA.  Latin for "from the greatest things to the smallest".

11. Sweater weather sound: BRR.

13. "Now's not the time": SAVE IT FOR LATER. 50. Risky late-night coffee order: DOUBLE ESPRESSO. We seldom see a pair of 14s as fill on a Sunday grid. Lovely.  

14. Pay respect, in a way: KNEEL.

15. Actress Spacek: SISSY.

18. Channels that provide ocean access: SEA GATES.

20. Freezer aisle waffles: EGGOS.

21. Playbill word: ACT.

24. Suffering: AGONY.

28. Crosses one's fingers: HOPES.

36. Where a QR code may lead: APP.

37. Toy ball blaster: NERF GUN.

38. "Who cares if they do": LET EM.

39. Holly genus: ILEX. Learned from doing crosswords. 

41. Foot or stone: UNIT.

42. Parts of e-bikes: MOTORS.

46. Root vegetable high in vitamin C: RUTABAGA. Didn't know this. Boomer always prepared us boiled rutabaga for Thanksgiving. So hard to cut. 

47. Tiny: ITSY.

48. Words of praise: ODE.

49. Rapper in the "Fast & Furious" franchise: LUDACRIS.

52. Thin parts on tanks: STRAPS.

54. Cooler named for a cryptid: YETI.

56. Younger siblings, stereotypically: PESTS.

58. Month that's rarely abbreviated: MAY.

63. Like crosswords: CLUED.

64. Yorkie, for one: TERRIER.

65. Pollution stat: AQI.

66. Makes amends (for): ATONES.

70. Give an expensive coat to: GILD.

71. Adjust, as an alarm: SET.

72. Dad, in Korean: APPA. Mom is eomma.

73. Liability opposite: ASSET.

75. Basketball Hall of Famer Steve: NASH.

76. Actor Corddry: ROB. Was a correspondent on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart".

80. Furniture prohibited in many apartment leases: WATER BED.

83. OutKast hit: HEY YA.

85. Small rug: MAT.

87. __ crisp oil: CHILI.

91. Hold back, as information: SIT ON.

93. Gets back to: ANSWERS.

95. Stand firm: INSIST.

96. Sauce made with pine nuts: PESTO.

97. Genesis mountain: ARARAT. Noah's Ark landed here.

98. Convinced of: SOLD ON.

101. Respiratory condition: ASTHMA.

102. "Quiet, you": OH HUSH.

103. Followers of Bacchus: FAUNS.

104. Boot: EXPEL.

107. "Congo Square" singer-songwriter __ Marie: TEENA.

110. Laugh syllable: HEE.

111. Bits of butter: PATS.

112. Game whose board has 42 territories: RISK.

113. "Stay out of this," for short: MYOB. Mind Your Own Business.

115. Put down: DIS.

In case you missed yesterday. I mentioned a thoughtful initiative from the Minnesota-based constructors Will Eisenberg and Hannah Slovut-Einertson: Midis for Minnesota, a pack of 13 midi puzzles tied to donations supporting immigrant families in need. The puzzles are edited by Will. Contribute to a mutual aid organization, send in proof, and the puzzles are yours. I made the preview puzzle. Give it a solve. 

C.C.

Sunday April 19, 2026 Adam Landau

 Theme: "SUPERMARKET SWEEP" - Each theme entry strings together three familiar product brands  in the aisle named in the clue.

23. Brief but strong infatuation in the beverage aisle?: BRISK MONSTER CRUSH.

38. Sly campaign to keep white birds out of the deodorant aisle?: SECRET DOVE BAN.

51. Huge supply of sled dogs in the household goods aisle?: HEFTY HUSKY BOUNTY.

66. Improve Alabama school spirit in the laundry aisle?: GAIN TIDE CHEER.

84. Ms. Witherspoon's Peruvian friends in the candy aisle?: REESE'S ANDES PEEPS.

92. Full commitment to benevolence in the cereal aisle?: TOTAL KIND LIFE.

114. Exclusive gathering around a cauldron in the snack aisle?: PREMIUM KETTLE CLUB.

In the old Tribune Media Daily days, we would have "three types of candy" or "three types of cereal" clues.

Adam elevates the concept beyond simple mashups. It takes real creativity to craft a coherent surface for each trio so that the brands read naturally when placed side by side.

Across:

1. Scary story emotion: FEAR.

5. Corrida star: TORERO. Spanish for "bullfighter".

11. Yogi's pose: ASANA.

16. "__ Is a Woman": Ariana Grande song: GOD.

19. Shakespearean villain: IAGO.

20. Putting in some miles, say: ON A RUN.

21. Trig function: COSEC.

22. Impersonate: APE.

26. __ of attrition: LAW.

27. Daytime show until 2022: ELLEN. "Call Me Maybe" era memories. Blurry images though.

28. Sundaes, e.g.: DESSERTS.

29. 2026 Olympics host country: ITALY.

31. Whiskey choice: RYE.

32. Spanish river to the Mediterranean: EBRO.

35. Evian, par exemple: EAU.

36. Sacramento daily: BEE.

37. French father: PERE. et Mere.

45. Opera solo: ARIA.

48. Ordinary: USUAL.

50. Financial: MONETARY.

56. Toledo's lake: ERIE.

57. Pitcher's rate?: AD FEE. Sales pitch. 

58. Cell service letters: LTE.

59. Check no.: ACCT.

60. Take by force: WREST. Not our normal USURP or SEIZE.

61. Vegan cafe order: SOY LATTE.

63. Farm insects: ANTS.

64. Bridal party attire: DRESSES.

69. Finalize, as a house purchase: CLOSE ON.

73. Exclude: OMIT.

74. Obscene: INDECENT.

79. Show runner?: AIRER. Literally. 

80. Borscht base: BEET.

81. "Here Comes the Hotstepper" singer Kamoze: INI. Learning moment for me. 

82. Radii neighbors: ULNAE.

83. Nota __: BENE.

88. Tool for an ENT: OTOSCOPE.

90. Have faith in: TRUST.

91. Campus group: FRAT.

96. Pet brand since 1946: IAMS.

98. Figure skater Alysa: LIU. She's stunning. 

99. Landlocked Eur. country: AUS.

100. Ocular issue: STYE.

101. Light-years away: FAR.

104. Dry shampoo target: SCALP. Not a fan of dry shampoo. 

107. Unleash: LET LOOSE.

111. Corn: MAIZE.

113. Sin City airport code: LAS.

118. Alias letters: AKA.

119. Consumed: EATEN.

120. City near Hueco Tanks: EL PASO. Hueco Tanks is a Texas state park. Unfamiliar to me. 

121. Neutral shade: ECRU.

122. __ in one's step: PEP.

123. Corp. shuffle: REORG.

124. Woven furniture material: RATTAN.

125. Ewes and does: SHES.

Down:

1. Nutrient found in most fruit: FIBER. I'm so looking forward to the peach season. 

2. At 4 a.m., say: EARLY.

3. Limber: AGILE.

4. "Titanic" heroine: ROSE.

5. __ yum: Thai soup: TOM. Tom means "boiling". Hot. 

6. Peace activist Yoko: ONO.

7. Stranger, in slang: RANDO.

8. Gaelic language: ERSE.

9. Tedious routines: RUTS.

10. "Be right back ... ": ONE SEC.

11. Build over time: ACCRUE.

12. Spreadsheet action: SORT.

13. Taiwanese tech giant: ASUS. Named after Pegasus, the winged horse.

14. Console known as Famicom in Japan: NES. Famicom stands for Family Computer.

15. Realize: ACHIEVE.

16. Big do: GALA.

17. Fall birthstone: OPAL.

18. Damp in the morning: DEWY.

24. Leg joint: KNEE.

25. Foster: REAR.

30. Wobbles: TEETERS.

33. "Dude, are you serious?": BRUH.

34. Bring about: RESULT IN.

36. Like hard-to-eat fish: BONY.

37. Dev of "Monkey Man": PATEL. Made his breakthrough  in "Slumdog Millionaire"

38. Quaff with sushi: SAKE.

39. "Tarzan" actor Ron: ELY.

40. Cartoon quartet named for Renaissance artists, for short: TMNT. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael

41. Half of a colon: DOT.

42. Exposes: BARES.

43. Pop up: ARISE.

44. Russian denials: NYETS.

45. Clicking sounds?: AHAS. Good old clue.

46. Second chance: REDO.

47. Not certain: IFFY.

49. Route that includes a ferry between Wisc. and Mich.: US TEN.

52. Record-setting pilot Chuck: YEAGER.

53. Wild West robbers: BANDITS.

54. One set of pawns, in chess: OCTET.

55. Sch. whose mascot is Sammy the Banana Slug: UCSC. University of California, Santa Cruz.

60. "It's our turn!": WE'RE UP.

62. Eastern philosophy: TAO. Dao in China. 

63. Mann of alt-rock: AIMEE.

64. Fights an allegation: DENIES IT.

65. Like half of Indonesia's flag: RED.

67. Pedicure targets: TOES.

68. One performing puja: HINDU. Puja is Hindu worship ritual. 

69. American statesman Henry __ Lodge: CABOT.

70. Mislead: LIE TO.

71. "... but maybe I'm off base?": OR NOT.

72. Has a panoramic view, say: SEES ALL.

75. Staff figures: CLEFS.

76. Fed. power dept.: ENER.

77. __ cabbage: NAPA. We ate napa cabbage and daikon every day during winter when I was a kid.  Popular ingredients in Chinese paocai, our version of kimchi. 

78. Sample: TEST.

80. "It's __ a minute!": BEEN.

81. Memo starter: IN RE.

84. Smart TV option: ROKU.

85. Prefix with dermal: EPI.

86. DOJ bureau: ATF.

87. Lisa Loeb hit single: STAY.

89. Intuit Dome player: CLIPPER. NBA's newest arena in Inglewood, CA.

93. Seeing romantically: DATING.

94. Doozy: LULU.

95. Chemical cousin: ISOMER.

97. Viral post: MEME.

100. Adjust to: SET AT.

101. Pilfer: FILCH.

102. Bright blue hue: AZURE.

103. Picture puzzle: REBUS.

104. Smack: SLAP.

105. Birthday order: CAKE. I want this. 

106. "Stat!": ASAP.

107. Sister of Asteria in Greek mythology: LETO.

108. Pt. of EMT: EMER.

109. St. with a panhandle: OKLA.

110. Mo. in a Green Day title: SEPT.

112. Vegas team: ACES.

115. Issa of "American Fiction": RAE.

116. Screening org.: TSA.

117. Silent film star Chaney: LON.

On a sad note, I'm sharing that Bill G, who used to comment regularly on our blog, passed away in February 2025. I had emailed him a "Happy Birthday" message, his daughter Bonnie let me know the  news. Bill was a warm and thoughtful presence here, and he will be missed. 

Barbara, Bill & their grandchildren

Happy Birthday to to dear Kelly Clark, a regular and a terrific crossword constructor! Happy Birthday also to Anonymous PVX!

And a belated Happy Birthday to our Thursday Sherpa Rusty Brain. Hope you had a great celebration yesterday, Brian! Here's to continuing to age like a fine cheese!