Sunday May 27, 2018 Gail Grabowski

Theme: "Suppressed Urges" - YEN spans across each theme entry.

25A. No-fuss course: EASY ENTREE. Surprised to see ENTREE and ENTRY (104A). Thought they have the same root. 

27A. "Spin" that really doesn't affect the ball: BODY ENGLISH. Is this a golf term?

44A. Invitation enclosure: REPLY ENVELOPE.

83A. "Curious though it may seem ... ": FUNNILY ENOUGH. Lovely debut answer.
    

99A. Fairy tale feature: HAPPY ENDING.

104A. Frank account, e.g.: DIARY ENTRY. Anne Frank.

35D. Focusing completely: FULLY ENGAGED.

40D. Military construction expert: ARMY ENGINEER.

Reveal:

107. Urge hidden in this puzzle's eight longest answers: YEN.

YEN is trapped in the middle, hence "suppressed".

Simple but never-done theme from Gail. That's her hallmark. Looks easy, but it's not. The grid design is also very Gail, with six in Across and two in Down slot.

Across:

1. Read digitally: SCAN.

5. Songs in Bollywood soundtracks: RAGAS. Don't think I know any Indian song.

10. Stopped stalling: ACTED.

15. Nincompoop: BOOB.

19. __ Bell: fast-food chain: TACO.

20. Donovan of "Clueless": ELISA.

21. 45 player: PHONO.

22. Alternative to de Gaulle: ORLY.

23. Back up on a job?: ABET. We also have 34. Help dishonestly: LIE FOR

24. On the take: DIRTY.

30. Motive: REASON.

31. Berkshire jackets: ETONS.

32. Cardiology concern: AORTA.

38. Floods: SPATES.

41. Katz of "Hocus Pocus": OMRI.

42. Rural expanse: PASTURE.

43. Rarity for a duffer: PAR. Not hard to get a par on a short par 3 though.

49. Inc. relative: LLC.

50. Governing gp.: ADMIN. Ah, no comments have been forwarded to my email since Thursday night. Widespread Blogger glitch.

52. Property attachment: LIEN.

53. Signs often numbered: EXITS.

54. Entreaty: PLEA.

55. "You wouldn't dare!" response: TRY ME.

56. Wood-shaping tool: ADZ.

57. Apothecary's measures: DRAMS.

58. Like some early hieroglyphics: MAYAN.

59. Trickle: SEEP.

60. They may rest on sills: Abbr.: ACS. What temp do your set your thermostat in summer? Ours is 76.

61. Wine label first name: CARLO.

62. Gift: TALENT.

63. "Affliction" actor: NOLTE (Nick). Never saw the movie.

65. Key next to F: G FLAT.

66. Cheney's successor: BIDEN.

67. Document often framed: DEGREE. I've only seen them framed at the doctor's office.

69. Landlord's sign: TO LET.

70. Surfer's shade?: TAN. Here's the master. Kai Lenny.

71. Eligibility factors: AGES.

74. Skips past: OMITS.

75. Cope: GET BY. Do you guys sleep on your side or on your back? I wonder if sleeping on the back will relieve Boomer's shoulder pain. But that's not a comfortable position. He's used to sleeping on his left side.

76. Part of LGBTQ: GAY.

77. Texas tourist spot: ALAMO.

78. Gimlet options: GINS.

79. Language group that includes Swahili: BANTU.

80. Lengthy lunch?: HERO. Sweet clue.

81. "Night Moves" singer: SEGER (Bob)

82. L, at times: Abbr.: LGE.

86. Sinus dr.: ENT.

87. By and by, to a bard: ERELONG. We also have 28. Perpetual, poetically: ETERNE.

89. Needing a nap: BEAT.

90. Feuding (with): AT ODDS.

92. He pardoned Richard: GERALD

93. Syrian leader: ASSAD.

95. "Li'l Abner" critter: SHMOO.

97. Miss the beginning: BELATE. I've only used "Belated". (Added later: BE LATE. Thanks, Lemonade and D-Otto.)

108. Sarcophagus holder: CRYPT.

109. Bonkers: LOCO.

110. Parcel measure: ACRE.

111. Bring together: UNITE.

112. One in training, perhaps: HIREE.

113. City near Vance Air Force Base: ENID. Unaware of this trivia.

114. Test release: BETA.

115. Mixed nuts tidbit: PECAN.

116. Dubai dignitaries: EMIRS.

117. Attitude: SASS.

Down:

1. Shot in the dark: STAB.

2. Baja resort: CABO.

3. Completed with a stroke: ACED.

4. "Have patience": NOT YET.  Hopefully the Blogger team can solve the Comments forwarding glitch soon.

5. Common cold sign: RED NOSE.

6. Square up: ALIGN.

7. Some Little Leaguers: GIRLS.

8. Wine city near Turin: ASTI.

9. Ends a prayer: SAYS AMEN.

10. Make fun of: APE.

11. Plan, as a course: CHART.

12. Where sailors go: TO SEA.

13. "A Day Without Rain" New Ager: ENYA.

14. Exercises in a pool: DOES LAPS. Nice fill.

15. Invasive spam spreader: BOTNET.

16. Hockey immortal: ORR.

17. Shout after un pase: OLE. So I googled "un pase", this showed up.  Pass.

18. Playoff pass: BYE.

26. __ pollution: NOISE.

29. Road warning: HORN.

33. Semiaquatic rodent: RIVER RAT. Another great fill.

36. "The Orchid Thief" author Susan: ORLEAN. Hahtoola probably read this book.

37. Go back on one's word: RECANT. Followed by 38. Words with friends?: SPATS. Cute word play.

39. Base adviser: PADRE.

41. Courtroom cry: OYEZ.

42. Piles of chips: POTS. Oh, poker.

45. __ mat: PLACE.

46. Starbucks stack: LIDS.

47. Glorify: EXALT.

48. Long ride?: LIMO.

51. Corona and Tsingtao: IMPORTS. I worked at Lai Yang for a short period of time. Traveled to Tsingtao frequently. Amazing seafood there.

54. Light beer?: PALE ALE. Great clue/fill.

57. Mayor before Emanuel: DALEY.

58. Boiling: MAD.

60. Worked on a course?: ATE. Gimme for our regulars.

61. Spiral-shaped light sources, briefly: CFL BULBS. Consonants-rich.

62. Old star makeup: TIN. Tin star.

64. Guitarist Paul: LES.

65. '80s-'90s crime boss: GOTTI.

66. Louisiana wetland: BAYOU.

67. Fairway challenge: DOGLEG. What's your best round, Gary?

68. Asylum seeker: EMIGRE.

69. Home to Dollywood: Abbr.: TENN.

70. Islands staple: TARO.

72. Fix text: EMEND.

73. Puts in order: SORTS.

75. Our __: GANG.

76. Refined chap: GENT.

77. He plays Steve in "Jobs": ASHTON. Kutcher.

79. "It's cold out there": BUNDLE UP.

80. Big pain: HEADACHE.

83. Scott of "Scandal": FOLEY. I first learned his name while watching "Felicity". That's the annoying Ben on the left.

84. Fist-pump cry: YEAH.

85. Reproductive cells: GAMETES.

88. Attraction in L.A.'s Hancock Park: LA BREA.

91. Tons: OODLES.

93. Web site: ATTIC.

94. Perfect Sleeper, e.g.: SERTA. We bought this for summer. Alas, there's no gel. It's not cool.

95. "Heidi" author: SPYRI (Johanna). I forgot. We had her before.

96. Excited to the max: HYPER.

98. Celebrity chef Burrell: ANNE. Always bubbly.

100. Proper partner: PRIM.

101. Macbeth's burial isle: IONA.

102. CBS military drama: NCIS.

103. Jupiter and Mars: GODS.

104. Small application: DAB.

105. Word with pack or pick: ICE.

106. Creative works: ART.

C.C.

Sunday May 20, 2018 C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Shifting - G is shifted back one position in each theme entry.

21A. Steepin' oats in water?: SOAKIN' GRAIN. Soaking rain.

27A. Marathoner's lookin'-happy flush?: RUNNIN' GLOW. Running low.

53A. Result of tossin' an old mitt on the fire?: BURNIN' GLOVE. Burning Love.

82A. Layin' off football legend Red?: FIRIN' GRANGE. Firing range. Red Grange.
 
111A. Takin' first place at the Olympics?: GETTIN' GOLD. Getting old.

119A. Muttered complaint about a toe woe that's really hurtin'?: BLEEPIN' GOUT. Bleeping out.

3D. Lettin' the family elder onto the plane?: BOARDIN' GRAMPS. Boarding ramps.
 
58D. Preparin' husbands-to-be?: TRAININ' GROOMS. Training rooms.

Rich helped me tweak the clues. I original forced all the elided "Ing" word in the starts of the clues.

After Rich OK'ed my theme entries (you don't need to send-in clued grids for Sunday puzzles), I fiddled with a few grids. Was super-excited when I discovered that I could intersect four of the Across theme entries with two other Down entries. This does not happen often. 

Across:

1. Fatah party chairman: ABBAS.  Mahmoud.

6. Battle souvenirs: SCARS.

11. Vanilla extract meas.: TSP. Time for overnight oats again. You need a little big vanilla extract..

14. Super Bowl stats: TDS.

17. Fairy tale villain: CRONE.

18. Saintly glows: AURAS.

19. "Desperate Housewives" character: BREE.

20. __ & Chandon Champagne: MOET.

23. Take, as advice: HEED.

24. A few: SOME.

25. Provider of a big lift: CRANE. Oh, I like the image. Rich's clue.

26. Bush and Nixon: Abbr.: VPS. Bush Sr.

29. Whale group: POD.

30. Lack of trouble: EASE.

32. "See ya later": I GOTTA GO.

34. Processed food?: ATE.

35. Hopkins' role in "Thor": ODIN.

37. Johnson Space Center humanoid project: ROBONAUT. Gary probably knew this.

39. Put faith in: TRUSTED.

41. Dunham and Horne: LENAS. Bad fill. Plural name is always undesirable.

43. Disallow: BAN.

44. "Cool it!": STOP.

46. Great Lakes natives: ERIES.

47. Beaufort scale word: GALE.

49. Pol. neighbor: LITH. Lithuania.

51. __ wait: lurk: LIE IN.

56. Chinese ethnic group that's the world's largest: HAN. I'm a Han. We have 56 ethnic groups in China. 92% are Han people.

57. Org. seeking far-out life: SETI.

60. Physicians' org.: AMA.

61. 50% of MIV: DII.

62. Fledgling: NASCENT.

64. Goat sound?: HARD G. Just the letter in Goat.

66. 2007 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee: HAMM. Mia. Thanks for correcting my clue errors, Rich!

68. 1995 Stallone title role: DREDD.

70. Stand for a canvas: EASEL.

72. Base information?: DATA. Lovely. Rich's clue. Not DATA plan yet, Big Easy, the front door was prioritized. Always took me forever to open it and remove the keys, but things got impossible the past few weeks. 

73. Energize: AMP UP.

75. Split into thirds: TRISECT.

77. Gym exercise unit: REP.

79. "__ the Senate!": Darth Sidious: I AM. Not familiar to me.

80. Snippy retort: IS SO.

81. Occurrence: HAP. Not a word I use. Wish I could have removed it. Gluey.

85. Unrefined: CRASS.

87. Custardy pastry: FLAN.

88. Voice-activated iPad app: SIRI.

89. Blink, say: REACT.

91. Sign word beckoning a Canadian driver: ESSO.

94. Waze lines: Abbr.: STS.

96. Surprise in a bottle: GENIE.

99. In an edgy way: TESTILY.

101. Pigs with four tusks: WARTHOGS. Wiki says "The tusks are used for digging, for combat with other hogs, and in defense against predators – the lower set can inflict severe wounds."

104. Petri dish gelatin: AGAR.

105. Blur in a tabloid pic: UFO.

106. "Cheers" actress Bebe: NEUWIRTH.

108. Escalator handle?: OTIS.

110. Cape Town locale: Abbr.: RSA. Republic of South Africa.

113. Phase out: END.

115. First king of Crete: MINOS.

117. Mushroomed: GREW.

118. Brownie, maybe: GIRL.

122. Yale's Ingalls Rink designer Saarinen: EERO.

123. Males who meow: TOMS. D-Otto and his wife take care of quite a few meowers. The other Tom is a dog person. 

TTP's buddy Charlie

124. "Nothing for me": I'M SET.

125. Cause for a pause: COMMA.

126. "L.A. Law" actress: DEY (Susan).

127. CDC overseer: HHS. Health & Human Services.

128. Sounds shocked: GASPS.

129. Big Bertha's birthplace: ESSEN. 

Down:

1. Apt. coolers: ACS.

2. Etiquette on frat row: BRO CODE.

4. "My Way" lyricist: ANKA.

5. It flows below the Pont Neuf: SEINE. Pont Neuf = New Bridge.

6. Droop: SAG.

7. Slider option: CURVE BALL. Bert Blyleven! Also 98. Nolan Ryan's 1.69 in 1981: Abbr.: ERA. And 42. Dove into home, say: SLID.

8. "I don't give __!": A RAP.

9. Granola morsel: RAISIN. I love throwing in raisins in my coleslaw.

10. Job application no.: SSN.

11. Former Senator Lott: TRENT.

12. Witnessed visiting: SEEN AT.

13. Purebred family tree: PEDIGREE.

14. "You missed it": TOO LATE! Left my aloe vera plant on our deck two days ago. It rained unexpectedly. I hope my plant survives.

15. Reduces in rank: DEMOTES.

16. __ prunes: STEWED.

19. Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir: BHUTTO.

20. Chinese sauce additive: MSG. Here is the hugely popular sauce in China. With MSG of course. What Jayce said before, MSG never gave me headache or other discomfort.

22. In the area: NEAR.

27. Beat soundly: ROUT.

28. Keep healthy: NOURISH.

29. D.C. dealmaker: POL.

31. One may be choked back: SOB. Still tear up easily thinking of Argyle. Always thought he would be back.

33. Deep cuts: GASHES.

36. Chapati alternative: NAAN. Chapati is also called Roti.

38. Chip topper: ONION DIP.

40. "Nothing Compares 2 U" singer O'Connor: SINEAD.

45. Prepares (for): PLANS.

48. Geraint's beloved: ENID.

50. Show stoppers: TV ADS.

52. Trainee: INTERN.

53. Island band The __ Men: BAHA. No other way to clue BAHA.

54. Fish sauce taste: UMAMI. Fish sauce is an important ingredient in Kimchi making.

55. Saddle bands: GIRTHS.

56. Summer itch cause: HEAT RASH. I developed sun rash on my arms a few summers ago. Very odd. All gone now.

59. Luggage tie-on: ID TAG.

63. Director DeMille: CECIL.

65. Up for it: GAME.

67. Mideast capital: MUSCAT.

69. Wipe clean: ERASE.

71. Centipede's many: LEGS.

74. Popular soup mushroom: PORCINI. Porcini Risotto for Blue Hen, our gourmet chef.

76. Diligence: EFFORT.

78. Fuddy-duddy: PRIG.

83. Unable to back out: IN TOO DEEP.

84. 58.4 square miles, for Minneapolis: AREA. The first time I heard of Minneapolis was when I was watching "In the Line of Fire". The lady was killed simply because she was from Minneapolis.

86. Verbosely: AT LENGTH.

89. Foul caller: REFEREE.

90. Arcane stuff: ESOTERY. Spell check does not like this word.

92. Gulps down: SWILLS.

93. Reddish-brown chalcedony: SARD.

95. SFPD rank: SGT.

97. Postulate starter: I ASSUME.

99. Pulled: TUGGED.

100. Manga series about gaming: YU-GI-OH. Yu-Gi = Game. Oh = King.

102. Louise's pal: THELMA.

103. __ Valley: SIMI.

107. They often get hooked: WORMS.

109. From that time: SINCE. My grandma and me in our little kitchen. She was kneading that big dough when I came into the kitchen. She was about 80 or 81 then. All her clothes were hand-made.

112. Quantity in a brace: TWO.

114. Capone adversary: NESS.

116. Oxfam and PETA, for two: NGOS. Non-Governmental Organizations.

119. Trending: BIG.

120. Hoops stat: Abbr.: PTS.

121. What a Hawaii vacationer may come home with: TAN.

C.C.

Sunday May 13, 2018 Amy Johnson

Theme:  "Mother's Day" - MA is added to each theme entry.

23A. Foppish fed?: MANICURED LAWMAN. Manicured lawn.

37A. Hotel housekeeper's concern?: BLANKET FORMAT. Blanket fort.

67A. Woman's surprise party for her kids' kids?: GRANDMA SCHEME. Grand scheme.

96A. "One man's trash ... "?: JUNKYARD DOGMA. Junkyard dog.
 
115A. Sniffle over some Austen?: READ EMMA AND WEEP. Read 'em and weep.
 
16D. Ask for a doggie bag?: TAKE THE REMAINS. Take the reins.

49D. Frequent February craft project?: MAKING OF HEARTS. King of hearts.

Reminds me of the "Main Events" I did for the club. Same gimmick. MA-in.

Great selection of original phrases. MANICURED LAWMAN probably should have been avoided due to the straying MA in MANICURED.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms on our blog!

Across:

1. Stops up: DAMS. Yep, D-Otto, Yangtze river is called Chang Jiang in China, as Jayce mentioned.

5. Some shells: AMMO.

9. Blokes: CHAPS.

14. Bee's landing place: PETAL.

19. Abbr. covering unlisted items: ET AL.

20. Part of the rural scenery: BARN. Very soon Santa's 23-acre farmland where he grew up with will be someone's.

21. Yoga term meaning "force": HATHA. Easy guess. HATHA yoga.

22. Elevate: EXALT.

26. National capital on Cape Verde: DAKAR.

27. Dr. __ Hahn on "Grey's Anatomy": ERICA.

28. Best possible: IDEAL.

29. They hang at parties: STREAMERS.

31. Word from the French for "little wing": AILERON. Learning moment for me.

33. Tech tutorials site: CNET. Unaware that they offer tutorials there.

35. Dadaism pioneer: ERNST (Max).

36. Federal hush-hush org.: NSA.

41. Easter entrée: HAM.

44. Rockies roamer: MOOSE.

45. Some HDTVs: SANYOS. Sanyo is now owned by Panasonic. Been dreaming of this. Someday.

 

46. Like San Francisco's Coit Tower: DECO.

47. It's everything, they say: TIMING.

50. 1910s conflict: WWI.

53. Spike with films: LEE. Just Spike Lee.

54. "Two mints in one" sloganeer: CERTS.

55. Brazen: BRASSY.

56. Muppets watchers: TOTS. Followed by 58. Muppets' address, briefly: SESAME ST.

61. Upscale retailer: SAKS.

62. Gave a leg up: BOOSTED.

65. Rattler's weapon: VENOM.

66. Air pump letters: PSI. Pounds per Square Inch.

70. Edwards, e.g.: Abbr.: AFB.

73. Net, but not Jet or Met: NBAER.

75. Like some massages: SENSUAL. The TAO has a prominent ad in Las Vegas. Steve will see it again next week. Big Easy probably did not see his TAO (way).

76. Bitter __: PILL.

77. Certain dietary abstinence: VEGANISM. Then you've got to eat more soy products for protein, including Natto rice. Do you guys eat raw eggs?

80. Civil War topper: KEPI.

81. Part of a squirrel's stash: WALNUT.

83. __ for the ride: ALONG.

84. BOLO equivalent: APB. BOLO = Be On the LookOut.

87. Old atlas letters: SSR.

88. Burdens: ONUSES.

89. Plentiful: RIFE.

90. Potato often used for fries: RUSSET. Also 118. Hanukkah fare: LATKE.

93. Pub stickers: DARTS.

95. Slangy assent: YEH.

99. Toss in: ADD.

102. IRS convenience: E-FILE.

104. Like four-leaf clovers: RARE.

105. The one that got away: ESCAPEE.

107. "Do tell!": I'M ALL EARS. Sparkly fill.

111. Shot in the dark: GUESS.

113. Openings for Tolkien and Rowling?: Abbr.: INITS. J. R. R. & J.K.

114. Nursery rhyme dieter: SPRAT.

119. Sporty old Ford: T-BIRD.

120. So: ERGO.

121. Beginning to bat?: ACRO. Acrobat.

122. Lessened: EASED.

123. Jack of "The Wizard of Oz": HALEY. OK, the Tin Man.

124. Celine of pop: DION.

125. Staff notation: REST. 

Down:

1. Hardly dignify: DEMEAN.

2. Pioneering game consoles: ATARIS.

3. Heavy envelope makeup: MANILA.

4. Pizza purchase: SLICE. Pizza Hut is very popular in China.

5. Monkey in "Aladdin": ABU.

6. Places to tie up: MARINAS.

7. "A horse, of course, of course": MR ED. Mister Ed is the preferred entry. DR WHO is also frowned upon by editors. DOCTOR WHO is the entry.

8. In a circle near a diamond: ON DECK.

9. Skiers' retreats: CHALETS.

10. Hesitate while speaking: HAW.

11. 24-hr. banking spots: ATMS.

12. Old-style "Wicked!": PHAT.

13. Riviera resort: SAN REMO. Alfred Nobel died here.

14. Know-it-all: PEDANT.

15. High school hurdles: EXAMS.

17. Banned orchard spray: ALAR.

18. P.O. box fillers: LTRS.

24. Copies made on onionskin, probably: CARBONS.

25. Word with fast or passing: LANE.

30. Baseball stats: ERAS.

32. Informal science: OLOGY.

34. Big name in nonstick cookware: T-FAL. Red in the center.

38. Unit of force: NEWTON.

39. Scrabble vowel value: ONE.

40. Bartender's array: RYES.

42. Fifth book of the New Testament: ACTS.

43. More than half: MOST. This is my good friend Lesley and her son Eric. Many kids in Guangzhou wear the jade-on-a-red-string (good luck talisman) as Eric does. 

44. Unsuccessful swing: MISS. I could still hear John Gordon's dramatic "Swing and a miss.."

46. Test-drive car, e.g.: DEMO.

47. Recipe meas.: TBSP.

48. Some S&L plans: IRAS.

51. "The __ are lovely, dark and deep": Frost: WOODS.

52. "Who's there?" reply: IT'S ME.

54. House prop: CANE. Dr. House.

57. Really bombed: STANK.

59. First name in ramp-to-ramp jumping: EVEL.

60. Univ. term: SEM. Semester.

62. You may hum a few: BARS.

63. Trio of asses?: ESSES. Just the three letters in asses.

64. Bikini specs: D CUPS.

67. Funk band Kool & the __: GANG.

68. Outdoorsy sort's retailer: REI.

69. Dresser's concern?: HAIRDO. Dress-er.

71. Harmful gas outlet: FLUE.

72. Crunchy lunches: BLTS. We finally planted our Big Girl/Boy tomato plants.

74. Nemesis: BANE.

76. Favorable aspect: PLUS.

77. What prices may do: VARY. I bought these amazing Carolina Herrera for Target set for $10. Been storing all my precious stuff in. It was that much and more A PIECE (99. For each one) in the start.

78. Wiesel with a Nobel: ELIE.

79. Halloween staple: MASK.

81. Bait, often: WORMS.

82. Hot wings chaser, perhaps: ANTACID. Thank God I don't have a stomach problem.

85. Aspiring therapist's maj.: PSY.

86. Black or brown critter: BEAR.

90. "No cellphone at dinner," say: RULE. Everyone lives on WeChat now.

91. Dig up: UNEARTH.

92. Shakespearean genre: TRAGEDY.

94. Back in the day: AGES AGO.

96. Unexpectedly and unhappily single: JILTED.

97. Starr-struck one?: DRUM. Nice clue. Ringo Starr.

98. Held: DEEMED.

100. Tries to prevent: DETERS.

101. Pharaoh, for one: DESPOT. And 106. Egypt's Sadat: ANWAR.

103. Space cadet: FLAKE.

107. Cartographer's speck: ISLE.

108. Hollywood rating gp.: MPAA. Motion Picture Association of America.

109. Sitcom that starred a singer: REBA.

110. Windsurfing need: SAIL.

112. Wrapped wear: SARI.

116. "Compton" album maker: DRE.

117. Rouen rejection: NON. Alliteration.

C.C.

Sunday May 6, 2018 Pam Amick Klawitter

Theme: "Where Have You Gone?" - U is removed from each theme entry.

27A. Soil expert's observations?: CLOD FORMATIONS. Cloud formation.

44A. Contest where anglers compete while jogging on the shore?: TROT FISHING. Trout fishing.

 

68A. Where all the Aberdeen lads get together?: BOY SCOT JAMBOREE. Boy scout jamboree.

93A. Knee-socks, essentially: HALFWAY HOSE. Halfway house.

113A. Adventurous Centennial State motto?: BOLDER COLORADO. Boulder, Colorado.

14D. Like the studio forced to quit making 007 movies?: OUT OF BONDS. Out of bounds.

73D. How some insects get their news?: WORD OF MOTH. Word of mouth.

We have 7 themers today, totally 85 theme squares. Relatively light. Rich's minim requirement is 84 squares.

Classical pinwheel design. Two themers in the Down slots. Would be wonderful if there were no straying U's in the grid. But sometimes grid does not allow it. The fill is so clean.

In case you missed last time, read this article about Pam.

Across:

1. Hogwarts' Mrs. Norris is one: CAT. Here she is.

The Real Mrs. and Mr. Norris

4. Long-dist. threat: ICBM. InterContinental Ballistic Missile.

8. Night vision?: DREAM. Sweet clue.

13. Bed covering: SOIL. Nice too.

17. Wearer of hot pants?: LIAR.

19. Milhous : Nixon :: __ : Garfield: ABRAM.

21. Goosebump-inducing: EERIE.

22. Big wind: TUBA. Also 60. Penetrating wind: OBOE. Wind instrument.

23. One of the British?: ISLE. British Isles.

24. Progressive rival: GEICO. We're using Progressive.

25. Common sights on Roman roads: FIATS. Hilly Rome. 

26. Louisiane, par exemple: ETAT.

30. Fully enjoys: SAVORS. Picard, egg rolls (spring rolls) are popular in Guangzhou, but not in other parts of China.

32. Alaska's __ Peninsula: KENAI.

33. Kid's backyard apparatus: SWING SET. There's an Amish carpenter in our flea market. He makes rustic swing sets.

35. "What's the __?": DIF.

36. Pixar clownfish: NEMO. Ellen voiced Dory, that's all I recall.

39. Grafton's "__ for Outlaw": O IS.

40. Tiny shape-shifters: AMOEBAS. Not E-ending.

49. Musical array: TONES.

51. Tokyo sash: OBI. Theses are called Yukata. Casual Kimonos.

52. Debtor's list: IOUS.

53. Highlands group: CLAN.

54. Sumatran swingers: ORANGS. I use the full name Orangutans.

56. It might be square: KNOT.

57. Sudoku box fillers: Abbr.: NOS.

58. Tennis garb: SKORTS. Followed by 61. Steffi's tennis-playing spouse: ANDRE. Also 55. Aviator __ Garros, French Open stadium namesake: ROLAND

62. In the know: ASTUTE.

64. Show eager anticipation: DROOL.

66. In vogue, with "the": LATEST.

72. Logo on many sneakers: SWOOSH. This pair looks nice.

74. __ roll: HONOR.

75. Prepare to ride, in a way: SADDLE.

79. Coral Sea sight: ATOLL.

80. She plays Hermione in "Harry Potter" films: EMMA. Watson.

83. Big-headed club: DRIVER.

85. Rocket end?: EER. Rocketeer. Similar clues in 47. Basic finish?: HARD C. The last letter in Basic. 56. Knock follower?: KNEED. Knock-kneed. Also 82. Start to print?: MIS.

86. Spanish muralist: SERT. Jose Maria Sert.

87. Vegas table postings: LIMITS.

89. It feels like forever: AEON.

90. IRS enforcers: T MEN.

91. "Mansplain" was added to it in Jan. 2018: OED. Here is Wiki's explanation of Mansplaining (a blend of the word man and the informal form splaining of the verb explaining) means "(of a man) to comment on or explain something to a woman in a condescending, overconfident, and often inaccurate or oversimplified manner".

92. Reward units: MILES.

96. Jupiter's locale: FLORIDA. Not the planet.

98. Bad in Barcelona: MAL. I thought it's only French for "bad".

99. Boring: SLOW.

100. Wide companion: FAR. Far and wide.

101. Cafés and such: EATERIES.

106. K, to Kay: KARAT. Kay Jewelers.

110. Tried to sink, maybe: RAMMED.

116. Greek love god: EROS. AMOR in Latin.

117. All together: AS ONE.

119. "That's really spiffy!": NEATO.

120. Long journey: TREK.

121. __ noire: BETE.

122. Barbie's original bestie: MIDGE.

123. Rx: SCRIP.

124. Ward of "Sisters": SELA.

125. Spa sounds: AAHS.

126. __ corps: PRESS.

127. Detective Dick's love: TESS.

128. King of Spain: REY. The REY and his wife.

Down:

1. Select from a menu, with "on": CLICK.

2. Divider of rows: AISLE.

3. Prey grabber: TALON. Also 78. Seaside glider: ERNE. Spitzboov once linked a fantastic video.

4. Scheming Shakespearean soldier: IAGO.

5. Trucker, often: CBER.

6. Overflows (with): BRIMS.

7. Rain forest parrot: MACAW.

8. Clears of condensation: DEFOGS.

9. Bit attachments: REINS.

10. Clean the slate: ERASE.

11. Island in the stream: AIT. Sometimes it's CAY.

12. Barracks break: MESS.

13. Paul's "Ebony and Ivory" partner: STEVIE. Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder.

15. Strong support: I BAR.

16. Bodybuilder's pride: LATS.

18. Tiny stingers: RED ANTS.

20. Formal proposal: MOTION.

28. Feudal land: FIEF.

29. Architect Jones: INIGO.  No idea. I do know the "The Princess Bride" INIGO though.

31. Bothersome goings-on: ADOS.

34. Ugli, for one: TANGELO. Oo seems to be fond of tangelos.

37. Doctored drinks: MICKEYS.

38. Nobel Institute city: OSLO. What a mess.

41. TV Drs. Isles and Quincy: MES. Medical Examiners. Did not know former. Dr. Maura Isles of Rizzoli & Isles.

42. Pull the plug: ABORT.

43. Web destination: SITE.

44. Barrett of S Club 7: TINA. Unfamiliar with  S Club 7 or the singer.

45. Outback bounders: ROOS.

46. Force out of office: OUST.

48. Singer's cue: INTRO.

49. You might pick one up in a bar: TAB.

50. See 95-Down: ONO. 95. With 50-Down, "Double Fantasy" artist: YOKO.

58. Diner perch: STOOL.

59. To make sure: SO THAT.

61. Shed __: A TEAR.

63. Pipe fastener: U BOLT.

65. Eduardo's eye: OJO.

67. Storehouse: ARSENAL.

69. Percussionist who worked with Prince: SHEILA E. Her surname is Escovedo.

70. Fable lesson: MORAL.

71. Terse: BRIEF. Like Santa's emails.

72. "__ Magnolias": 1989 film: STEEL.

76. Floor model: DEMO.

77. Popular jeans: LEES. I like Kohl's Mudd.

79. Beginning: AS OF.

81. Fr. title: MME.

84. Altar exchange: VOWS.

87. Top at Starbucks: LID.

88. Glass fragment: SHARD.

90. Stymies: THWARTS. Consonants-rich.

92. Muck partner: MIRE. Muck and mire is a new expression to me.

94. "War of the Worlds" invaders: ALIENS.

97. Big name in pharaohs: RAMSES.

98. Wild fights: MELEES. Been a long winter, but nice and quiet in our neighborhood. I dread the noisy summer MELEES, esp when gun is involved.

102. Residence: ABODE.

103. Ice bucket accessory: TONGS.

104. Walking tall: ERECT.

105. __ tactic: SCARE.

107. More valuable, in some cases: RARER.

108. One-named singer: ADELE.

109. Wine from Hungary: TOKAY.

110. Portrayer of the first female Colonel Sanders, familiarly: REBA.

111. Geometry figure: AREA.

112. Needing a little more drying time: DAMP.

114. Publisher Chandler: OTIS.

115. Prunes: LOPS.

118. Title for Elton: SIR.

Here is a picture of Dave2 holding a special birthday cake pie baked by his friend and caretaker Lynn. He said "Start with a pecan pie made with honey. Add chocolate bits, and place ingredients in a graham cracker crust. While baking the crust migrates into the liquid, et voila, a delicious cake pie."

Thanks again for your kind words and sweet memories of Santa. They're comforting and heart-warming to Jennifer, Klista, all Santa's close friends and his family. It's great seeing our old regulars back. The power of Santa!

From now on, Boomer and TTP will blog our Monday and Tuesday puzzles, as they did the past two months. Like Argyle, both of them served in the military. Both love golf, bowling and other sports. Both have been quietly helping me for a long time.

C.C.