Sunday, June 16, 2019 Matt McKinley

Theme: "Low-Tech Glossary"- Punnily rephrasing some computer software terms.
 
23A. Part of a parallel parking lesson?: BACKUP PROCEDURE.

46A. Cookie recipe?: BATCH FILE.

65A. Déjà vu?: VIRTUAL MEMORY.

87A. Spider-Man?: WEB MASTER.

112. What a jittery camera operator may be having?: TROUBLE SHOOTING.

32D. "I'll skip it, thanks"?: PASS WORDS.

35D. Poirot's note-to-self about locating the Orient Express murder weapon?: SEARCH ENGINE.

39D. Meteorologist's rainfall prediction measure?: CLOUD STORAGE.
  
57D. Tide table?: FLOWCHART.

I think there's no extra layer. Just software terms, right? TTP will explain the theme better than I do.

I like how the middle entry crosses two Downs. Often the ease up filling. Sometimes it creates expected knotty spots.

Across:

1. Next to nothing?: CENT. It's indeed next to nothing: 0.99

5. New newts: EFTS.

9. Trying to break a tie, briefly: IN OT.

13. Battle zone journalist: EMBED. Sebastian Junger stopped reporting on war after his partner died. Sebastian also wrote "The Perfect Storm" and "Tribe".

18. Courier alternative: ARIAL. Font.

20. Area below Greenwich Village: SOHO.

21. Equivalent of neener: NYAH. When repeated.

22. Weeper of myth: NIOBE. You can see her face at here at Turkey's Weeping Rock.

26. "I might": MAYBE.

27. Redundant modifier of "bit": TEENY.

28. Sealskin boot: MUKLUK.They don't look comfortable.

29. Castle defense: MOAT.

31. City west of Boise: NAMPA. Third-most populous city in Idaho.

33. "__ for Alibi": Grafton novel: A IS.

34. Sch. in Manhattan: KANSAS ST. Manhattan, Kansas.

38. One of Mary Stuart's people: SCOT.

40. When one might have a late lunch: AT TWO. We have lunch around 11:00am. How about you?

42. Pet store array: CAGES.

43. Lead-in for worm: EAR.

44. Hesitates: FALTERS.

48. 1977 Steely Dan album: AJA.

49. Pleasing application: ALOE. The fresh aloe juice stings.

50. Nonfiction piece: ESSAY.

52. Mayall of "Drop Dead Fred": RIK. Unknown to me.

53. Go right to the top?: PRAY. Ha.

54. Monetary promises: IOUs.

55. Pretty pitcher: EWER. Here is a Chinese ewer.

56. Starbucks order: DECAF.

58. Stats for NFL defensive linemen: SACKS.

59. Fishing __: ROD. And 45. Land with a 59-Across: REEL IN.

60. Tar Heel State campus: ELON. Our standard pre-Musk clue.

61. Corporate agreement finalizer: SEAL.

62. Basic security feature: LATCH.

64. USN rank: ENS.

68. Shore bird: ERN.

71. Graph's depiction: TREND.

73. Schulz's "psychiatric help" dispenser: LUCY.

74. Tot's scrape: OWIE.

75. New beginning: NEO.

76. Devious intentions: PLOTS.

78. Scrap: SET-TO.

80. Soft shoes: MOCS.

81. PC scrolling key: PGDN. Page Down.

82. Not often seen: RARE.

83. "What __ the odds?!": ARE.

84. Get clean: BATHE.

85. Board game with a lawsuit card: LIFE.

86. Org. with a two-leaved flower logo: EPA.

91. Best way to play, teamwise: AS A UNIT.

93. Wrinkly-faced dog: PUG.

94. Bars on the road: AXLES. Great clue. We have two more bars: 104. Springfield bar: MOE'S. "The Simpsons". Also 111. Bar order: BUD.

95. Actress Samantha: EGGAR.

97. Tax-evasion agts.: T-MEN. And 101. Not quite first-stringers: B TEAM. And 41. Skier's aid: T BAR. A few letter openers.

98. Deceptively convincing: SPECIOUS.

100. Bearded bovine: GNU.

103. Fords whose initials didn't actually stand for anything: LTDS.

104. West Coast surfing mecca: MALIBU.

106. Musical symbols: CLEFS.

109. Just not done: TABOO. In China, we never share a pear, homophone of "separation".

116. Candy heart words: I LUV U.

117. Barely made it, with "by": EKED.

118. Where Zeno taught: ELEA.

119. Cellphone group pic, in slang: WEFIE. Most still call selfie.

120. Military rookie: CADET.

121. Upbeat: ROSY.

122. Snippy return: SASS.

123. Macy's div., e.g.: DEPT.

Down:

1. Locomotive compartment: CAB.

2. Q.E.D. word: ERAT.

3. "Impressive!": NICE.

4. What most do in class: TAKE NOTES. Do kids still take notes by hand these days?

5. Medium power?: ESP.

6. Configuration: FORMAT.

7. Bank heist unit: THOU. Thousand.

8. Save, as money: SOCK AWAY.

9. Pakistan's longest river: INDUS. Originating in Tibet.

10. Stooge laugh: NYUK.

11. Row: OAR.

12. Travelers celebrated annually: THE MAGI.

13. How tour groups move: EN MASSE.

14. Mazda two-seater: MIATA.

15. Youngster: BOY.

16. Go out on the beach?: EBB. New clue angle.

17. Bad mark: DEE.

19. Crescent-shaped: LUNATE. Spell check does not like this word.

24. Poe title stowaway: PYM. Refers to "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket".

25. Jennyanydots' creator: ELIOT. Cats.

30. Turow memoir: ONE-L.

34. "The Trial" author: KAFKA.

36. "Solve or spin?" host: SAJAK.

37. Cafeteria staples: TRAYS.

38. Swinging-doors site: SALOON.

42. Gum source: CHICLE. Wiki says "The word chicle comes from the Nahuatl word for the gum, tziktli , which can be translated as "sticky stuff".

44. Renaissance __: FAIRE.

47. Like many shakes: CREAMY.

51. On its way: SENT.

53. Ms. __-Man: PAC.

56. Car battery pioneer: DELCO.

58. Apt rhyme for "eye": STYE.

60. Times to prepare: EVES.

61. Cooks in oil: SAUTES.

63. Happens: ARISES.

66. Michelob diet beers: ULTRAS.

67. Like arguments no longer worth having: MOOT.

69. European perch: REDFIN. With red fins.

70. A chamber work by Louis Spohr was the first to bear this title: NONET. No idea. Wiki says
"Spohr was a noted violinist, and invented the violin chinrest, about 1820."

72. W. Coast's 101, e.g.: RTE.

76. Jobs before the main job: PREPS.

77. Really enjoy: LAP UP.

79. Eponymous chair maker: EAMES. So low. Boomer won't be able to get up.

80. "CSI" actress Helgenberger: MARG.

81. Crashed: PLUMMETED.

84. Enchants: BEGUILES.

87. Bide one's time during, as a storm: WAIT OUT.

88. Bk. after Genesis: EXOD. Exoducs.

89. Much ado about nothing: BLUSTER.

90. Workout wt.: TEN LB.

92. As far down as it's been: AT A LOW.

96. Rule violations: ABUSES.

99. Garlic unit: CLOVE. Steve probably has tried black garlic.

100. Overly showy: GAUDY.

102. Prefix with tourist: ECO.

105. Composer Bartók: BELA.

107. Wind similar to a piccolo: FIFE.

108. Small cut: SNIP.

109. Involuntary habit: TIC.

110. Phrase on a menu: A LA.

113. "Top Hat" studio: RKO.

114. Already acquired: HAS.

115. Acquire: GET.
 

Here is the Pisa guy I was looking for last week. Once you meet Gary and hear his voice, you'll never forget him.

Husker Gary

Here is a picture of dear Bill G and his wife Barbara "at our favorite restaurant, Il Fornaio, celebrating our 54-year anniversary". Congratulations, Bill!

Barbara and Bill G

C.C.

Sunday June 9, 2019 Pam Amick Klawitter

Across: "Water Music" - SEA spans across each long theme entry.

22. It happens without warning: SURPRISE ATTACK.

43. Reason for an ankle monitor: HOUSE ARREST.

96. It's more than right: OBTUSE ANGLE.

118. Fringe benefit for some reps: EXPENSE ACCOUNT.

14D. Frontier transport: HORSE AND BUGGY.

54D. Item on the best man's checklist: PROPOSE A TOAST.

Reveal:

67. Keyboard centerpiece, and a phonetic hint to six long puzzle answers: MIDDLE C.

I like that the reveal entry is placed in the very middle of the grid. Would be extra nice if every entry is like OBTUSE ANGLE where SEA is in the very middle of each themer. But it's impossible in this case.

Always great to see Pam Amick Klawitter, one of the most creative constructors in this country.

Across:

1. Reading aid: LAMP. My aid prior to 1981.

5. __ Office: OVAL.

9. Resort amenity: SPA.

12. Allergic reactions: ACHOOS.

18. DQ Blizzard flavor: OREO. Our neighborhood Dairy Queen is closed in winter.

19. Bridal gown decoration: LACE.

20. First one cast, usually: STAR.

21. Speaks in a boring way: DRONES.

25. Buzzard's snack, perhaps: VERMIN.

26. Avoid, as a puddle: STEP OVER.

27. Big piece: HUNK.

28. Truck propeller: DIESEL.

29. Finish off, as a cake: ICE.

30. __ Bridge, which connects Buffalo, NY, to Fort Erie, Ontario: PEACE.

31. Carnival destination: ISLE. Carnival Cruise Line.

32. Old car starter: CRANK.

35. "Tarzan" critter: APE.

37. Took off again: RE-ROSE.

39. Skeptical reply: AS IF.

46. Phishing target: USERNAME. And 122. Online break-in: HACK. And 17D. Identity theft target, briefly: SSN.

48. Payroll service co.: ADP.

49. Exam given intradermally, for short: TB TEST. Never had one.

50. "Chicago" actor: GERE.

52. "Do ___ to eat a peach?": Eliot: I DARE.

53. Cut the crop: REAP.

55. Salt on the Seine: SEL.

56. Word with bed or board: ROOM.

58. Bellyached: CRABBED.

60. "ABC World News Tonight" anchor David: MUIR. Also co-host for 20/20.

61. Rate of speed: CLIP.

63. Fond du __, Wisconsin: LAC. And 10. Member of the first Super Bowl-winning team: PACKER. If you go to Wisconsin Dells, stop by Ishnala Supper Club. Look hard, you might see D-Otto's footprints.

64. 90-Across garb: TUTU. And 90. See 64-Across: BALLET.

65. Hollywood tease: PROMO.

70. Loose, pants-wise: BAGGY. This just drives me nuts.

73. Blood donation unit: PINT.

75. Before, before: ERE.

76. "Piece of cake!": EASY.

78. Shapely school subj.?: GEOM.

80. Milk sources nowadays: ALMONDS. Not fond of the flavor.

83. One-in-a-million: RARE.

85. Young fellow: LAD.

86. Quotable "Star Wars" character: YODA.

87. "North Woods Law" critter: MOOSE. Wiki says "North Woods Law is an American reality television series that debuted on March 11, 2012, on the Animal Planet channel."

88. Head of the party?: HOST. Nice clue. And 51. Event host: EMCEE.

93. Short bylaw?: REG. Regulation.

94. "Wheel" coup: FREE SPIN.

98. Western skyline sight: MESA.

99. Skilled speaker: ORATOR.

102. Craft beer letters: IPA. After I graduated in college, I worked in Laiyan, Shandong Province for a short period. It's very close to Tsingtao. I liked the beer and the fresh seafood there. Some were too hot for me. Locals sure love hot red peppers.

103. Witherspoon of "Wild": REESE.

104. Pup __: TENT.

106. Directly: RIGHT.

108. Big name in luxury cars: BMW. And 121. Korean exports: KIAS. And 40. Swedish wheels: SAAB.

109. Nightly news segment: SPORTS. And 111. First name in '70s tennis: ILIE (Nastase)

112. Gets some air: BREATHES.

117. "I Love __": Irving Berlin song with the line "So you can keep your fiddle and your bow": A PIANO. Rare 6-letter partial.

120. "Othello" role: CASSIO.

123. Actress Campbell: NEVE. So innocent in "Party of Five".

124. New York's __ Island: STATEN.

125. Military VIP: GEN. Congrats on your 60-year-anniversary, Commander Spitzboov!

126. Products of 66-Down: ORES.  And 66. See 126-Across: MINES.

127. Part of GPS: Abbr.: SYST.

Down:

1. Leader leader?: LOSS. Loss leader.

2. Stuck in __: A RUT.

3. Trifling: MERE.

4. Magical Mary: POPPINS.

5. Garden of eating?: OLIVE. Olive Garden. Not this garden with this sandwich.

6. Spray holder: VASE.

7. HP rival: ACER.

8. Michele of "Glee": LEA.

9. Position: STANCE.

11. Boat for couples: ARK.

12. Client: ADVISEE.

13. Fishing basket: CREEL. Never saw one in person.

15. Generous words: ON ME.

16. Trompe l'__: OEIL.

20. Little created by E.B. White: STUART.

23. Zoom: ROCKET.

24. With 112-Down, classic Faulkner story: THE. 112. See 24-Down: BEAR.

28. Examine in detail: DISSECT.

30. Preppy trio?: PEES. Just the three letters in Preppy.

32. Bracelet ornament: CHARM.

33. Arrived on wheels: RODE UP.

34. Childcare aide: AU PAIR.

35. Russian workers' cooperative: ARTEL. China had cooperative also. It's called Gung Ho, literally "working together".

36. Opening bout, for short: PRELIM.

38. Word for us: OUR.

41. Nagy of Hungary: IMRE. Died in 1958.

42. Put coins into: FEED.

44. Sneak off and hide: ABSCOND. I confused this word with ABDICATE.

45. Bering, e.g.: Abbr.: STR. Strait.

47. Calf catcher: RIATA.

50. World Cup cry: GOAL.

57. More mature: OLDER.

59. Actress/activist married to Ossie Davis: RUBY DEE.

62. Waterside sights: PIERS.

68. "Curses!" cousin: DRAT.

69. Bring to the majors, in baseball: CALL UP.

71. Presidential name in three centuries: GEORGE. Oh, Washington. Bush Sr. and Jr.

72. Alpine songs: YODELS.

74. Wearable ads, maybe: T SHIRTS.

77. Spicy dip: SALSA. Hahtoolah loves salsa.

79. Kid-lit "Maniac": MAGEE. Unknown to me.

80. Car radio letters: AM FM.

81. It's handed down: LORE.

82. Chili's competitor: MOE'S. Google shows they don't have a store in MN.

84. Flow counterpart: EBB.

89. Off-tangent link: ON A.

91. Arguing: AT IT.

92. Airport surface: TARMAC.

95. Floatplane feature: PONTOON.

96. Wild revelries: ORGIES.

97. Units of force: NEWTONS.

100. "Call the Midwife" nurse: TRIXIE. Unfamiliar with the show.

101. Crankcase reservoir: OIL PAN.

105. Bert's pal: ERNIE.

107. Barnyard mama: HEN.

108. Stella Artois alternative: BECK'S.

109. Minor fight: SPAT.

110. Italian tower town: PISA. Odd. I put "site:crosswordcorner.blogspot.com Pisa Gary" in Google but could not find Gary and Joann.

113. Human __: RACE.

114. Toon nephew: HUEY.

115. USPS stack: ENVS. Envelopes.

116. Editorial "let it stand": STET.

117. They run often in summer, initially: ACS.

118. ER graph: EKG.

119. MAX rival: SHO.

C.C.

Sunday June 2, 2019 Gary Larson

Theme: "Getting Along" - A-long. Short A sound becomes long A sound, changing spellings as needed.

22A. Bash in a boxcar?: FREIGHT PARTY. Frat party.

24A. Capillary?: MINI VEIN. Minivan.

45A. Senior taking lessons?: GRAYED STUDENT. Grad student.

68A. Minor combat injuries?: BATTLE ACHES. Battle axes.

92A. Endure a Moscow heat wave?: BAKE IN THE USSR. Back in the USSR.

119A. Poorly executed karate move?: LAME CHOP. Lamb chop.

121A. Pretend a true story is made-up?: FEIGN FICTION. Fan fiction.

38D. Pancake cookbook photo session?: CREPE SHOOT. Crapshoot.

47D. Source of elegance?: GRACE ROOTS. Grassroots.

So consistent. All the key words change spellings. I'm always amazed at the creativity of constructors for this type of them with extra spelling change layer.

The six black squares at this grid were added later in the filling process. This grid started with 72 or even 68 black squires.

Across:

1. Observing Yom Kippur, say: ON A FAST. Never fasted. Takes discipline.

8. Gumbo pod: OKRA.

12. Location tools: RADARS.

18. Fiction genre: ROMANCE. And 2. 18-Across writer Roberts: NORA.

19. Complain: MOAN.

20. Radioactive element: URANIUM.

26. __ Mae: FANNIE.

27. Till fill: ONES.

28. Auditing pros: CPAS.

29. Back in the day, back in the day: ERST.

30. Some research aids: TOMES.

32. "My Way" lyricist: ANKA.

34. Tourist trap trinkets: KITSCH. Consonant-rich.

36. "I need a few __": SECS.

39. Continuously: EVER.

41. Entered carefully: EASED IN.

44. White wine apéritif: KIR.

47. Dubious "gift": GAB.

50. Goodnight woman of song: IRENE.

52. Marsh plant: CATTAIL.

53. California town whose name means "the river": EL RIO. Helpful clue. It's in Ventura County.

55. Stops: DEPOTS.

57. Field with many partners: LAW. Nice clue.

58. Golfer Trevino: LEE. He was in Minnesota every year for the 3M Championship (senior tour). Always in the same group as Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Now it's called 3M Open. Regular PGA Tour stop.

59. Understands, as a radio message: READS.

60. Gas supplied in Canada by Imperial Oil: ESSO.

61. Provide money for: ENDOW.

64. Cat food source: TUNA CAN. Any of you allergic to canned tuna?

66. Bind with a line: LASH.

72. Hideouts: DENS.

73. Aboveboard: ETHICAL.

75. Fluff or flub: ERROR.

76. Dubai dignitary: EMIR.

78. Birch of "American Beauty": THORA. The girl on the left.

79. __ result: AS A.

82. Title for Robinson: MRS.

83. Heavy rain aftermath: RUNOFF.

86. Riots: HOOTS.

87. Some discriminators: SEXISTS.

90. Capri, locally: ISOLA.

91. N.C. winter hours: EST.

97. Browning result: TAN. What's your favorite sunscreen?  Here's mine. No white cast.

98. How some desserts are served: A LA MODE.

99. Gait between walk and canter: TROT.

100. Invites: ASKS.

101. Longtime Indian leader: GANDHI. Featured in their banknotes.

105. May honorees: MOMS.

107. Tailgating fare: BRATS.

109. Biblical birthright seller: ESAU.

110. Transcript stats: GPAS.

113. Plant for a pet?: CHIA. Cute.

115. __ d'hôtel: MAITRE.

123. Small sizes: PETITES.

124. First name in scat: ELLA. Fitzgerald.

125. Like the darkest night: INKIEST.

126. In order that one might: SO AS TO.

127. Wings you can't eat: ELLS.

128. Refuses: NAYSAYS.

Down:

1. "Carmina Burana" composer: ORFF (Carl)

3. "Absolutely!": AMEN.

4. Passes out: FAINTS.

5. Cardio procedure: ANGIO.

6. One creating plots: SCHEMER.

7. Asian holiday: TET. Traditional Tet food.

8. Land on its own gulf: OMAN.

9. Divided land: KOREA. Traditional Korean Lunar New Year food (same day as Tet).

10. Disorderly place: RAT'S NEST.

11. Vague number: ANY.

12. Beef cut: RUMP.

13. Song for a diva: ARIA.

14. Women's workout wear brand: DANSKIN. You can get them at Walmart.

15. Young Skywalker's nickname: ANI.

16. Fix firmly: RIVET.

17. Court figures: SUERS.

21. Catchall category: Abbr.: MISC.

23. "Best in Show" actress Parker __: POSEY.

25. Maximum: NTH.

28. Invitation notation: CASUAL.

31. Sister of Zsa Zsa: EVA.

33. William of "Carrie": KATT. Unknown figure to me.

35. Supervised hospital resident: INTERN.

36. Cause of a road mark: SKID.

37. The Auld Sod: EIRE.

40. Take back: RECANT.

42. Falco of "The Sopranos": EDIE.

43. Computer key: DELETE.

45. Comes down with: GETS.

46. Opposite of rush: DAWDLE.

48. Actor Quinn: AIDAN.

49. Petty officers, briefly: BOSNS.

51. First line of a three-line eatery sign: NO  SHIRT. "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service".

54. Introductions: LEAD-INS.

56. Japanese noodle: SOBA. Japanese for "buckwheat". Cold soba is very popular in Japan/Korea in summer months.

Soba noodles, Japanese style

Soba noodles, Korean Style

57. Tennis call: LET.

62. Done, to Donne: OER.

63. Hospitality: WARMTH.

65. Geek Squad client: USER.

66. Underworld river: LETHE. River of forgetfulness.

67. One of a Dumas trio: ATHOS.

69. Denali National Park state: ALASKA.

70. Victoria's Secret purchase: CORSET. Kim Kardashian wore one under her Met Gala gown. This is not a doctored picture, guys!

71. Store posting: Abbr.: HRS.

74. Algiers citadel: CASBAH.

77. "Our National Parks" author: MUIR (John)

80. Look: SEEM.

81. Geometry basics: AXIOMS.

84. Criticism: FLAK.

85. They're often for the home team: FANS.

88. __-European: INDO.

89. Recent medical research subject: STEM CELL. Great fill.

93. Sets down: ALIGHTS.

94. __ sprawl: URBAN.

95. Frat. counterpart: SOR.

96. Marathoner's need: STAMINA. Here is the amazing Iceman Wim Hof. He ran a marathon barefoot on ice and snow.

100. If nothing changes: AS IT IS.

101. Salon supply: GEL.

102. Stat relative: ASAP.

103. Directory entries: NAMES.

104. Because of: DUE TO.

106. Con man's partner: SHILL.

108. Tasteless: TACKY.

111. "Every great architect is ... a great __": Wright: POET.

112. Lhasa __: APSO. Lhasa  is Tibetan for "place of gods", Apso is "bearded".

114. Some groceries: IGAS.

116. "__ yellow ribbon ... ": TIE A.

117. Promising: ROSY.

118. Tolkien creatures: ENTS.

120. "Argo" spy gp.: CIA.

121. Doctor's charge: FEE.

122. Omen in "Jaws" (besides the music): FIN.

C.C.

Sunday May 26, 2019 Kevin Salat

Theme: "Abracadabra!"- IT is added then removed from each consecutive theme entry.

23A. For-display-only Greek deli items?: FAUX PITAS. Faux pas.

25A. Twenty minutes of juggling and acrobatics?: SHORT CIRCUS. Short circuit.

46A. Alien with high heat tolerance?: SUN VISITOR. Sun visor.

48A. Einstein's asset?: GREAT BRAIN. Great Britain.

87A. Play part for a giant god?: TITAN LINES. Tan lines.

89A. Bachelor pad?: SINGLE DIGS. Single digits.

111A. Musician evoking compassion?: PITIED PIPER. Pied Piper.

113A. Resist extra calories at Thanksgiving?: DEFY GRAVY. Defy gravity.

Reveal:

68. Magic words ... and a hint to four side-by-side pairs of puzzle answers: NOW YOU SEE IT NOW YOU DON'T.

We've seen dropping IT and adding IT theme before, but never in the same puzzle.

Keven also elevated this puzzle by putting theme entries consecutively. Such an elegant way to display the theme. As a result, we have one grid spanner and four 20-worders. 


Across:

1. Mosque leader: IMAM.

5. Language from which "cummerbund" is derived: URDU.

9. Banjo sound: TWANG. Wish I had never seen "Deliverance".

14. Social division: CASTE.

19. Nixed, at NASA: NO GO.

20. Sisters: NUNS.

21. Oklahoma Air Force base: VANCE.

22. Lift up: HOIST.

27. Live: ON AIR.

28. Stumble over: TRIP ON.

30. Capital south of Oklahoma City: AUSTIN.

31. Like things that go bump in the night: EERIE.

34. Pasture sound: MOO.

35. Cubs' org.: MLB.

36. Actor Alda who wrote the best-seller "If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?": ALAN. Such a long title.

38. Game winner: OOO.

41. Dietary claim: LESS FAT.

43. Salsa singer Cruz: CELIA.

45. "If u ask me ... ": IMO

50. Backup group: B TEAM.

51. Starts after a crash: REBOOTS.

53. Get a feeling: SENSE.

54. Racetrack ratios: ODDS.

55. "SpongeBob SquarePants" setting: SEA.

58. Maryland coll. team: TERPS.

59. Season trio: Abbr.: MOS. Months.

60. Milne hopper: ROO.

61. Herculean acts: FEATS.

63. It may be matched: SET.

64. Hogwarts' first High Inquisitor __ Umbridge: DOLORES. We just had this name yesterday. Related to dolor.

72. Hosp. triage expert: ER NURSE.

73. Ear piece?: COB.

74. Rush's Neil known for his 360-degree drum set: PEART. Learning moment for me.

75. Foxlike: SLY.

76. Shares an email with: CCS. And 79. Driller's deg.: DDS.

77. It's fed on streets: METER.

80. Recover: HEAL.

81. Old calculators: ABACI. I'm probably the only one on the blog who used the abacus at school.

84. Tranquilized: SEDATED.

86. New Zealand native: MAORI.

93. NBA's Magic: ORL.

94. Cats in Cádiz: GATOS.

95. Simon & Garfunkel genre: POP FOLK.  I thought it's "Folk rock".

96. Rent: LET.

97. Palindromic bread: NAAN.

99. "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" channel: CNN. Anyone tried his classic spaghetti with garlic, anchovies, and parsley?

100. Toon collectible: CEL.

101. Après-ski drink: COCOA.

103. Bills featuring Ben: C NOTES.

105. Five o'clock phenomenon?: SHADOW. Five-o'clock shadow.

107. Microwaved: NUKED.

116. Poker strategy: RAISE.

117. Ten out of ten: IDEAL.

118. Standard Oil brand: ESSO.

119. On the calm side: ALEE.

120. Daily Planet name: OLSEN. Jimmy Olsen.

121. Pond critters: NEWTS.

122. Flabbergast: STUN.

123. Camera component: LENS.

Down:

1. Facts and figures: INFO. And 40. Info in this puzzle?: ONE DOWN.

2. Lamentation: MOAN.

3. Lo que un desierto no tiene: AGUA.

4. Spunk: MOXIE.

5. Aussie college: UNI. British college too.

6. Boring routine: RUT.

7. MyHeritage service: DNA TEST. No need for me. Just Han Chinese in my blood. Did you know China is shaped like a rooster?

8. KGB country: USSR.

9. Expensive Super Bowl purchase: TV SPOT.

10. "Yippee!": WAHOO.

11. Auth. unknown: ANON.

12. ATM maker: NCR.

13. Earn a perfect report card: GET ALL A'S.

14. Phi followers: CHIS.

15. Ventricular outlet: AORTA.

16. Archimedes, by birth: SICILIAN.

17. Dangerous waves: TSUNAMIS. Literally "harbor wave" in Japanese.

18. Sci-fi staples: ETS.

24. Qualifying match, briefly: PRELIM.

26. Ark unit: CUBIT.

29. Turkish hospice: IMARET. Our old regular.

32. High-__ monitor: RES.

33. Grammar best-seller "Woe __": IS I.

35. Crosses paths: MEETS. This is indeed our Hahtoolah (Susan) with llama. So nice to finally see her. She's always the mysterious Corn Poppy. 

 

37. Zilch: NONE.

38. "One of Us" singer Joan: OSBORNE. We had her before.

39. Like some pet cats: OUTDOOR.

42. Backing: FOR.

43. Midriff-exposing shirt: CROP TOP.

44. Ruby Red vodka brand: ABSOLUT.

47. Biological duct: VAS. Also stranger to me.

48. Eames' "Law & Order: CI" partner Bobby: GOREN. I've only watched the original "Law & Order".

49. Fix a lawn: RESOD.

52. Wisest choice: BEST BET.

55. Gertrude McFuzz creator: SEUSS.

56. Effortlessness: EASE.

57. "No thanks, I already __": ATE. Common Chinese greeting: "Have you eaten yet?"

59. Keeps from drifting: MOORS.

61. Compelling: FORCING.

62. Formally withdraws: SECEDES.

64. Group of two: DYAD.

65. Perfume ingredient: ROSE OIL.

66. Make bigger: ENLARGE.

67. Job that requires cutting class?: STYLIST. Ha.

69. Joshua tree genus: YUCCA.

70. Minuscule bits: IOTAS.

71. Marry: WED.

77. Runners occupying bases: MEN ON.

78. Like many used cars: RESOLD.

80. "You __ to be there": HAD.

81. Heaps: A TON.

82. Like some children of mixed marriages: BIRACIAL.

83. Athens attacker, in Plato: ATLANTIS.

84. Dizzying Playskool toy, at times: SIT N SPIN.

85. Word with party or skinny: DIP.

86. Vietnam's __ Delta: MEKONG. Look at what she found! Dragon fruit. Quite pricey here in the US.

88. Tied, as skates: LACED.

90. Rams' football gp.: NFC WEST.

91. Sticky stuff: GOO.

92. Partners' abbr.: LLC.

95. Diver's quest: PEARLS.

98. Racket: NOISE.

100. Copier, maybe: CHEAT. One who copies.

102. Hearing-related: AURAL.

104. Many a gamer: TEEN.

105. Eject: SPEW.

106. Poems of praise: ODES.

108. Healthy salad green: KALE.

109. "Why __ bother?": EVEN.

110. Indigo and henna: DYES.

111. Backing: PRO.

112. Suffix with chlor-: IDE.

114. Seminoles' sch.: FSU.

115. "... the dew of __ high eastward hill": "Hamlet": YON.

C.C.

Inanehiker (Nina) just wrote me yesterday with below message. She also sent me two Before and After pictures.

"We have had a wild ride here in Jefferson City since the tornado went through on Wednesday night.
Lots of destruction -but only a few injuries and no loss of life. One of our congregation had the roof taken off her apartment building - but her ceiling and apartment was amazingly intact!

We had been rehabbing a 100 year old house in a low income neighborhood - to move into when it was done probably December to minister to the neighborhood. But is now pile of rubble. Good thing for insurance which will help some- we are planning at this point to just clear it out and start a new build, but we will see. 

We were in our current house and fine.  We have been out helping clear trees brush and rubble from the area. Our church building is fine- but another friends church is rubble as well.  School finished for the year that day before- so no scramble to figure that out.

Just wanted to give you a quick update - not a lot of time to be on the blog :)"

 

Here is video that shows not all but a portion of the damage. 

 

At the end of this this article, there is a link to their denomination's crisis relief. Here is the address again:

EFCA
901 East 78th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300
Designate the check with the memo: Tornado Response 3890

Or you can donate to the American Red Cross - with direction to Jefferson City Tornado Relief.

Thanks for your help!

C.C.