Sunday December 31, 2023 Matthew Stock & Miranda Carson

Theme: "Squad Goals" - The end of each theme entry is a WNBA team.

23. *Symptom of isolation, perhaps: CABIN FEVER. Indiana Fever.

28. *Leave the nest: SPREAD ONE'S WINGS. Dallas Wings.

48. *No. 1 Katy Perry album featuring the No. 1 song "Firework": TEENAGE DREAM. Atlanta Dream.

56. *Oscar-winning role for Rami Malek: FREDDIE MERCURY. Phoenix Mercury.

82. *One of Sheriff Woody's catchphrases in "Toy Story": REACH FOR THE SKY. Chicago Sky.

91. *Concurrence of many negative possibilities: PERFECT STORM. Seattle Storm.

114. *Lorraine Hansberry play whose title comes from a Langston Hughes poem: A RAISIN IN THE SUN.  Connecticut Sun.

 121. Championship series where fans hope to find the ends of the answers to the starred clues?: WNBA FINALS. 

And something extra: 38. Group seen seven times in this puzzle: TEAM.

Total 12 teams in the WNBA. Missing are the Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces & Washington Mystics. 

Liked this puzzle. Reminds me of the "Single Ladies" for the Universal a while ago. I had a set of teams with singular nouns.

Congrats on your LAT debut, Miranda! You found a brilliant collaborator.

Across:

1. Flub: FUMBLE.

7. Tell (on): RAT.

10. Barbershop service: SHAVE.

15. Santa __: home of the Charles M. Schulz Museum: ROSA.

19. Without principles: AMORAL.

20. Word with devil or dog: SLY. Also 22. Extremely bad: EVIL.

21. Patio stone: PAVER.

25. Oahu's __ Stadium: ALOHA.

26. Actress Rowlands: GENA. "The Notebook" is so moving.

27. French novelist Zola: EMILE.

31. Cash collector: TILL.

32. Yearbook superlative: MOST.

33. Distillery tub: VAT.

34. "What was I __ to do?": MEANT.

35. Looking for, in ads: ISO. In Search Of.

37. Jackal cousin: COYOTE.

39. Bring up: RAISE.

42. Contrail makeup: VAPOR.

44. Shape of the three-point line: ARC.

45. Illustrator's tools: PENS.

47. Recipient of a classic shout-out: MOM.

52. Fender bender: ACCIDENT.

55. Itty-bitty kitties: RUNTS.

58. Cup holder spot, perhaps: ARM. This refers to armrest, right?

59. Demeanor: MIEN.

61. Prov. that borders all but one of the Great Lakes: ONT.

62. Scrutinize: EYE.

63. No longer consequential: MOOT.

65. Yearbook gp.: FROSH.

68. Busch Gardens city: TAMPA.

71. Brief quarrel: TIFF.

75. "Let's __!": EAT. Went to my sister-in-law Connie's place on Christmas eve. She made poached salmon (unpictured: tzatziki sauce), wild rice salad and roasted Brussels sprouts. That piece of seeded bread is from a local bakery that stone-mills its own flour. So lucky to have such a great sister-in-law!

77. Gomez's hairy cousin: ITT.

79. Soothing YouTube genre, for short: ASMR. Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.

81. "You think I did that!?": MOI.

88. Accompanist?: USHER. Quite a few nice clues in this grid.

90. Mark on a garage floor: OIL STAIN.

93. Rd. with a no.: RTE.

94. Very, in Biarritz: TRES. French city on the Bay of Biscay.

96. "__-hoo!": WOO.

97. Try to swat: HIT AT.

98. Supports on Kickstarter, say: BACKS.

101. Taco truck dips: SALSAS.

103. "Gangnam Style" rapper: PSY.

104. "The Secret History" writer Donna: TARTT.

106. Smallish batteries: AAS.

107. Degrees for corp. execs: MBAS.

110. Cake layer: TIER.

118. Food processor's output: PUREE.

119. Burgles: ROBS.

120. Papa: DADDY. Ba ba, in Chinese.

123. Fit: ABLE.

124. Fireplace hazard: EMBER.

125. Flow back: EBB.

126. Early online forum: USENET.

127. Brewed beverage: BEER. And 64. Brewed beverages: TEAS.

128. Prophets: SEERS.

129. Early broadcasting co.: RCA.

130. Low points: NADIRS.

Down:

1. Diamond side: FACET. 4. Diamond cut: BRILLIANT.

2. Parmesan quality: UMAMI. Connie is cheese connoisseur. She lived in Italy for a few years. She  still visits Italy and France regularly.

3. Gas giant?: MOBIL. 90. Round figure?: ORB. I like both clues.

5. Track assignment: LANE.

6. Beauty brand whose name stands for three body parts: ELF. Eyes Lips Face.

7. Sends regrets, perhaps: RSVPS.

8. Heads-up: ALERT.

9. Spare in a boot: TYRE.

10. "Me time" option: SPA DAY.

11. Low-calorie ice cream brand: HALO TOP. Boomer liked Breyers No Sugar Added.

12. Maker of Skin So Soft products: AVON.

13. Fervor: VEHEMENCE.

14. Delete: ERASE.

15. "Fidelity" pop artist Spektor: REGINA. Born in Moscow.

16. Kitchen beeper: OVEN TIMER.

17. Snitch: SING.

18. Woeful sigh: ALAS.

24. Spanish "that": ESO.

29. Green smoothie ingredient, perhaps: AVOCADO.

30. Simple card game: WAR.

32. Synthesizer pioneer: MOOG.

36. Involuntary jerk: SPASM.

37. Rep: CRED.

40. JumboTron maker: SONY.

41. First responder, briefly: EMT. And 43. Send to a specialist: REFER.

42. Cash app: VENMO.

44. "Blessed __ ... ": ARE.

46. Say "aaahh!": SCREAM.

48. Disneyland ride: TRAM.

49. Malta money: EURO.

50. James Bond's first movie foe: DR NO.

51. Pristine, as a baseball card: MINT. So easy to get Boomer Christmas gifts. He loved baseball cards.

53. Like some roads in January: ICY. We finally got some snow last night. Odd not to have snow on ground for Christmas.

54. Pair's performance: DUET.

57. "on ur way?": ETA.

60. "Or perhaps less": IF THAT.

66. Chivalrous title: SIR.

67. URL starter: HTTP. More HTTPS these days.

69. Fashion: MAKE.

70. "Kidding!": PSYCH.

72. "Turn on the AC!": I'M HOT.

73. Author Jonathan Safran __: FOER. His founder Joshua Foer co-founded Atlas Obscura.

74. Like some mattresses: FIRM.

76. Fake it: ACT.

78. Dirty laundry destination: THE WASH. And 95. Dirt, so to speak: SLANDER.

80. Oxidizes: RUSTS.

82. Pop singer Ora: RITA.

83. Fit for a seat?: ELECTABLE. Government seat.

84. Birth certificate entry: FIRST NAME.

85. Top classification: ONE A.

86. Bow-wielding god: EROS.

87. Hub near Marin Co.: SFO.

89. "Don't touch that dial": STAY TUNED.

92. Gratuities: TIPS.

99. Crusty roll: KAISER.

100. Yearbook gp.: SRS.

102. Mythical forest flutists: SATYRS.

105. Surfer's concerns: TIDES.

107. "Morning Joe" network: MSNBC. 109. 107-Down anchor Cabrera: ANA.

108. NASCAR racer Wallace: BUBBA.

111. Afghani neighbor: IRANI. More often Iranian.

112. Conger hunter: EELER.

113. Musical breaks: RESTS.

114. Like many North Africans: ARAB.

115. Judicial garb: ROBE.

116. "__ happy to!": I'D BE.

117. Spout sporter: EWER.

118. City with an iconic tower: PISA.

122. Lots of laughs: FUN.

Jaelyn and Harper now have a baby sister. Melissa's third granddaughter was born on December 1, 2023. She sent me these few precious pictures. Melissa will take an extended break from blogging due to personal matters. We'll be thinking of you and looking forward to your return, Melissa!

 

 

Jaelyn and Harper

Sunday December 24, 2023 Robin Stears

Theme: "Reindeer Games" - Part of each common phrase is a reindeer.

23. Men's clothing retailer: HABERDASHER.

28. Elton John hit with the misheard lyric "Hold me closer, Tony Danza": TINY DANCER.

49. Fitness method with "a springy, rhythmic way of moving forward": PRANCERCISE. Unfamiliar to me.  

 58. Mythological fox destined never to be caught: CADMEAN VIXEN. Also new to me.

82. Celestial object next visible from Earth in 2061: HALLEY'S COMET.

92. Connie Francis hit with a rhyming title: STUPID CUPID.

115. Thor's son in the role-playing game Scion: ERIC DONNER.

122. German roadster that once held the world speed record: BLITZEN BENZ.

Timely theme from Robin. A bit name-heavy, but it's the nature of this theme. I'm amazed that she found a full set. 

 Across:

1. Monastery head: ABBOT.

6. Unrefined: CRUDE.

11. Devilish creatures: IMPS. Spitzboov was one.

August 23, 2014, Washington County Fair

15. Like some reports: ORAL.

19. Swap: TRADE.

20. More vast: HUGER.

21. Awkwafina's real first name: NORA. Nora Lum. Lum is the same character as Lin, meaning "forest".

22. Fried cornbread: PONE.

25. Action in Uno: DRAW.

26. Sicilian volcano: ETNA.

27. 2-Down accompaniers: OVATIONS. 2. "Great show!": BRAVO.

30. Not the worst: SO SO.

31. "__ I say more?": NEED.

33. Give comfort to: REASSURE.

34. Lunch hours, e.g.: MEALTIMES.

37. Messy handwriting: SCRAWL. Mine is so messy.

41. Teakettle output: STEAM. I invited the nice church couple Bill and Margret to our home for a Christmas lunch last week. They loved my matcha. Bill said my almond-crusted walleye was "perfection". They also enjoyed my wild rice salad. I put in black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, sliced green onions and the amazing mixed nuts Agnes gifted to me. So good. Sure wish Agnes lived closer by.

44. Hanover Ivy: DARTMOUTH.

48. __ alai: JAI.

53. UPC bar code developer: IBM. Great trivia.

54. Public persona: IMAGE.

56. Cereal grain: OAT.

57. "Orinoco Flow" singer: ENYA.

61. Circle widths: DIAMETERS.

64. Agnus __: DEI.

65. Org. created by the 1957 Treaty of Rome: EEC.

66. Suffix akin to -ule: ETTE.

67. Physicist Newton: ISAAC.

69. Permanent marks: SCARS.

72. Longtime PBS "Mystery!" host Diana: RIGG.

76. Digital asset: Abbr.: NFT. Non-Fungible Token.

78. Dent or scratch: MAR.

80. Office supplier: STATIONER.

88. Sign: OMEN.

89. Singer DiFranco: ANI.

90. "Middlemarch" novelist: ELIOT.

91. Polish tennis champ Swiatek: IGA. Currently the No. 1 player. She was born in 2001.

95. Wall St. takeover: LBO.

96. Some errand runners on a yacht: CABIN BOYS.

99. Starts a fresh pot: ANTES.

100. Tungusic people of northeast China: MANCHU. I did not know the word "Tungusic". Wikipedia says they are "native to Siberia, China, and Mongolia". They're called "man zu" in China. Chinese map is shaped like a rooster.

102. Cat hair, pollen, dust mites, etc.: ALLERGENS.

106. One held for questioning: DETAINEE.

110. Plastic shoe wearer: DOLL.

111. __ Bora: Afghan region: TORA.

118. Greeted with a ceremonial bow: SALAAMED.

120. Dublin Murder Squad series novelist French: TANA.

121. "Shining Vale" actress Sorvino: MIRA.

125. Trains for a marathon, say: RUNS.

126. U.S. passport holder: AMER.

127. Flood defense: LEVEE.

128. Tank nuisance: ALGAE.

129. "What __ can I say?": ELSE.

130. Turner and Knight: TEDS.

131. Stadium levels: TIERS.

132. Marsh ducks: TEALS.

Down:

1. Aramis companion: ATHOS.

3. Rum-soaked cakes: BABAS.

4. Tribute in "Antigone": ODE TO MAN.  Sophocles tribute. Learning moment for me.

5. Hatcher of "Lois & Clark": TERI.

6. Fashion house whose logo is two interlocking C's: CHANEL. Their most iconic bag.

7. Oft-baked potato: RUSSET.

8. "That's gross!": UGH.

9. Low grade: DEE.

10. Make the team's blooper reel, perhaps: ERR.

11. Home to more than 1.4 billion people: INDIA.

12. Eves' counterparts: MORNS.

13. Appeals to a higher power: PRAYS.

14. Carpentry debris: SAWDUST.

15. Game 1: OPENER.

16. Campus mil. group: ROTC.

17. Celebrity chef Burrell: ANNE. Known for her spiky hair.

18. King who says to Cordelia, "Nothing can come of nothing": LEAR.

24. Portuguese title: DONA.

28. End-of-unit classroom event: TEST.

29. Gmail option: ARCHIVE.

32. "Rugrats" mom: DIDI. Pickles.

33. Go back to Chapter 1: RE-READ.

35. Ceremony host: EMCEE.

36. Counterpart of fem., in grammar: MASC.

38. "Stronger than dirt" brand: AJAX.

39. Payment for labor: WAGE.

40. Property claim: LIEN.

41. Name in fine china: SPODE.

42. Eye color, e.g.: TRAIT.

43. Trouble: EAT AT.

45. Does impressions: MIMICS.

46. Honor given by HM King Charles III: OBE. Order of the British Empire.  HM (His Majesty) suggests an Abbr.

47. Actress Thurman: UMA.

50. Thing: ENTITY.

51. Some deli loaves: RYES.

52. Irene of "Fame": CARA.

55. Extremely small: MICRO.

59. __ Moines, Iowa: DES.

60. Fit snugly inside: NESTED.

62. __ Park: Edison lab site: MENLO. New Jersey. The Facebook HQ is Menlo Park, CA.

63. Polynesian language: SAMOAN.

68. Word with sky or spy: CAM.

70. Upon: ATOP.

71. Malek of "Oppenheimer": RAMI.

73. Hardly appropriate: INAPT.

74. "Your wish is my command" speaker: GENIE.

75. Formula 1 starting positions: GRIDS.

77. Went to collect: FETCHED.

79. Fix a worn-out shoe: RESOLE.

81. Quechua speaker: INCAN.

82. Command post: HELM.

83. "Dark Angel" star Jessica: ALBA.

84. King of the jungle: LION.

85. Member of the fam: SIB.

86. Like the dinos in "Jurassic Park": CGI. Computer-Generated Imagery.

87. Texter's "I'm out!": TTYL.

93. Thrift shop condition: USED.

94. Not firmly fixed: UNSTABLE.

97. Bygone coin-op eatery: AUTOMAT.

98. Boxer Max: BAER. Have not seen this name for a long while.

101. Jewel box: CD CASE.

103. List: ROSTER.

104. Sugarcoats: GLAZES.

105. Vogue rival: ELLE.

107. "Demon Slayer" genre: ANIME.

108. How Santa dresses, mostly: IN RED. Our Santa.

109. Approaches: NEARS.

112. Luxury timepiece: OMEGA.

113. Kidney-related: RENAL.

114. Carving tools: ADZES.

115. Raison d'__: ETRE.

116. "The Addams Family" actor Julia: RAUL.

117. Road-trip stops: INNS.

119. Future dr.'s class: ANAT.

122. Diner fave: BLT.

123. Luau neckwear: LEI. Probably the most delicate gift I've ever received. JimmyB had it delivered from Hawaii directly the day our puzzle was published. So beautifully wrapped. Jim still solves the LAT every day.

124. "__ seen worse": I'VE.

Merry Christmas, everyone. I hope you're with your loved ones and your house is full of love.

C.C.

Sunday December 17, 2023 Rebecca Goldstein & Rachel Fabi

Theme:  "Creatures of Habit" - Each common phrase, in the pattern of *ING + creature, is humorously rephrased.

22. Canine that thinks it's an old-timey news announcer?: CRYING WOLF.

32. Bird that thinks it's a television show host?: TALKING TURKEY.

48. Marsupial that thinks it's an actor?: PLAYING POSSUM.

67. Tabbies that think they're collies?: HERDING CATS.

86. Insects that think they're outfielders?: CATCHING FLIES.

99. Lambs that think they're census takers?: COUNTING SHEEP.

115. Bird that thinks it's a restaurant critic?: EATING CROW.

I wonder who came up with the title. So perfectly captures the theme/clue approach of this puzzle.

Here is a short bio of Rebecca. Here is Rachel's website. Both are amazing constructors.

Across:

1. Squirrel's cheekful: ACORN.

6. Whole bunch: SCAD.

10. "I did it!": TA DA.

14. Spumante specification: BRUT.

18. Faith with a shrine in the Hanging Gardens of Haifa: BAHAI. I bet Hahtoolah has been here.

19. Healing succulent: ALOE.

20. Silent stars?: MIMES. Lovely clue.

21. "The Chi" creator Waithe: LENA.

24. Bikini in the Pacific, e.g.: ATOLL.

25. Eager: AVID.

26. Any minute now: SOON.

27. Corvallis sch.: OSU. Oregon State University. The Beavers. Tom Pepper graduated from University of Oregon. The Ducks. This picture was taken on Nov 1, 2013. He likes that hat.

(Left to Right: George Barany, David Liben-Nowell, Matt Ginsberg, C.C. & Tom Pepper)

28. Ridiculous: INANE.

29. Flanged fasteners: T NUTS. Also 74. Minor in Hollywood: D LIST. 81. Cable network that's a nonprofit: C SPAN.

30. Willingness to support: BUY IN.

36. Contacted privately, in a way: DM'ED.

38. Craps cube: DIE.

39. Egyptian peninsula: SINAI.

40. Ingredient in some vegan marshmallows: AGAR.

42. "The curl experts" hair care brand: OUIDAD. Unfamiliar to me. What does the word mean?

45. Tourney favorite: TOP SEED.

51. Agcy. that oversees PubMed: NIH.

52. Snare: NET.

54. Cambridgeshire cathedral city: ELY.

55. Brewery shipments: CASES.

56. Cheer syllable: RAH.

58. Snapple rival: NESTEA.

60. "Homeland" org.: CIA.

61. Opposite of 33-Down: HOLA. 33. Opposite of 61-Across: ADIOS.

62. Sets to zero, as a scale: TARES. Learned from doing crosswords.

64. Runs very slowly: SEEPS.

65. Alight: LAND.

71. Pound sounds: ARFS.

72. Pot payments: ANTES.

75. Inflict upon: DO TO.

77. Italian three: TRE.

78. Big name in financial services: SCHWAB. They bought TD Ameritrade last year.

80. Fashion monogram: YSL.

82. Trouble: AIL.

83. Observe: SEE.

84. Cozy room: DEN.

 90. Teensy bit: SMIDGEN.

93. Wool type: MERINO.

94. Olympic swimmers Crocker and Thorpe: IANS. Ian Thorpe is known for his powerful 6-beat kicks. We also have 104. Swim events: MEETS.

95. "Groovy": NEATO.

96. Picture of Pluto?: CEL. Pluto the dog.

97. "Star __": WARS.

107. Takes a victory lap, maybe: TROTS.

108. Reads (over): PORES.

109. Frozen solid?: ICE.

111. Caramel candy sold in a tube: ROLO.

113. Word after "Lavender" and "Purple," in song titles: HAZE.

114. Red Monopoly piece: HOTEL.

118. Finished: OVER.

119. __ City: Pittsburgh: STEEL.

120. "__ did I just watch?": WHAT.

121. Don: PUT ON.

122. Try again: REDO.

123. Little helper?: ASST. Little hints at Abbr.

124. Simplicity: EASE.

125. Pedometer units: STEPS.

Down:

1. Basics: ABCS.

2. Pod used as a chocolate substitute: CAROB.

3. "Such a flirt!": OH YOU.

4. Occasion to carry an umbrella: RAINY DAY. Cloudy, rainy here, but not cold.

5. Diarist Anaïs: NIN.

6. Carpentry tools: SAWS.

7. Social capital: CLOUT.

8. Pioneering ISP: AOL.

9. Pt. of HDTV: DEF.

10. Phoebe or Cronus: TITAN.

11. Surrounded by: AMONGST.

12. Mutation that removes a DNA sequence: DELETION. Might be Rachel's clue.

13. Interpretation first provided for a SOTU address in 2021: ASL.

14. Comfort item for some tots: BLANKIE.

15. Light show?: REVUE.

16. Principle celebrated on the first night of Kwanzaa: UNITY.

17. Iotas: TADS.

20. __-pedi: MANI. Someone asked about my hand cream last week. This saved me.

23. Used up: GONE.

28. Stores with Småland play areas: IKEAS.

29. Gives a zero-star review, say: TRASHES.

31. Cry from a Mega Millions winner: I'M RICH.

34. Ball caps or bottle caps: LIDS.

35. Remove from the top of an inbox, say: UNPIN.

37. Musher's conveyance: DOGSLED.

40. Partnerships: ALLIANCES.

41. Jam at a Pride Parade: GAY ANTHEM.

43. Awake before the alarm: UP EARLY.

44. Headwear sported by Rihanna on the cover of British Vogue: DURAG. Preferred over DORAG

46. Consider, as an idea: ENTERTAIN.

47. Prepares at a state fair, perhaps: DEEP-FRIES. Come here and try our fried pickles.

48. Gym: PE CLASS.

49. Lye, in a lab: NAOH.

50. Syst. between Baltimore and D.C.: MARC. OK, Maryland Area Rail Commuter. Unknown to me.

53. Fez danglers: TASSELS.

57. Enters: HEADS IN.

59. __ cucumber: SEA.

62. Blast letters: TNT.

63. "This is your last warning!": STOP NOW.

66. Droplets on a cobweb: DEW.

68. LP or EP, e.g.: DISC.

69. Official religion of Djibouti: ISLAM.

70. Deer sir: STAG.

73. Turns blue?: SADDENS.

76. Burning: ON FIRE.

79. Sired: BEGAT.

81. Easter Island's country: CHILE.

85. Nasal irrigation vessels: NETI POTS. Looks uncomfortable.

87. Backstage crew: TECHS.

88. First Nations people: CREE.

89. Like some intricate designs: LASER CUT.

91. Before birth: IN UTERO.

92. "I love everything you've done here": NO NOTES.  Just perfect.

98. "I'll drink to that": AMEN.

99. Hunger for: CRAVE.

100. Ran very slowly: OOZED.

101. Receive: GREET. I mentioned last time that I bumped into Boomer's old colleague Steve at the pool last month. He kindly invited me as his guest to the annual Graybar Retiree Luncheon. The couple in the second picture told me about their granddaughter, who received the very last Debra Burnikel Scholarship.

C.C. & Steve Bauer, 12/14/2023

 

Joan, Allen Silver & C.C.

102. Put on the market: SELL.

103. Breads with pockets: PITAS.

105. Rich cake: TORTE. Graybar had this and carrot cake on their menu.

106. Single-masted sailboat: SLOOP.

107. Mjölnir wielder: THOR.

110. Give credit to: CITE.

112. Possesses: OWNS.

114. Employee benefit option, for short: HSA. Health Savings Account.

115. Manchego source: EWE.

116. Cry of recognition: AHA.

117. Path finder in a Pathfinder, briefly: GPS.

C.C.

Sunday December 10, 2023 Amie Walker & Hoang-Kim Vu

Theme: "Gains" - Five different muscles are inserted in to each common phrase.

24. Nearly fails Poseidon's shop class?: BARELY MAKES A TRIDENT. Barely makes a dent.

36. Karaoke outing that won't allow Aretha's classic song?: RESPECTLESS NIGHT. Restless night.

57. Time in the Peace Corps?: SERVICE ABROAD. Service road.

63. The x- or y-axis, perhaps?: END OF QUADRANT. End of rant.

83. Request to an ophthalmologist on a busy afternoon?: DILATE ANOTHER DAY. Die Another Day.

101. "Use all your strength!," or an alternate title for this puzzle?: PUT SOME MUSCLE IN TO IT.

TRI is used. I wonder why BI is not used. Then the reveal could be the title. We'd have a more muscly puzzle.

Across:

1. "Couldn't agree more!": AMEN.

5. Tapenade, e.g.: DIP.

8. Pride __: FLAG.

12. Chicago daily, familiarly: TRIB. We have Star Trib here.

16. Forum robe: TOGA.

17. Bread with falafel: PITA.

18. Princess Tiana costume topper: TIARA.

19. Taiga or tundra: BIOME.

20. Collage of fabric swatches, paint chips, etc.: MOOD BOARD. 

22. Birch kin: ALDER.

23. Send payment: REMIT.

27. Considerate of others: POLITE.

28. Iowa State town: AMES.

29. Activity in a humidified room: HOT YOGA. So many nice fill in this grid.

30. Corp. leader: CEO.

31. Monopoly pair: DICE.

33. Desertlike: ARID.

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

41. Twirl: SPIN.

45. Some saxes: ALTOS.

46. __ Eisley: spaceport in the "Star Wars" universe: MOS.

 

47. Take to court: SUE.

48. __ Island: RHODE.

49. Harris, e.g., informally: VEEP.

50. Shout at the slots: I WON.

52. Best Original Song, e.g.: OSCAR. 116. 52-Across honoree for "Fight for You": HER.

54. Gretzky, once: OILER. Boomer used to have his rookie cards. And Mantle's. He had lots of stories of "I wish I kept his cards."

55. Blunder: ERR.

56. Nursing __: BRA.

60. Close securely: SEAL.

61. High card, often: ACE.

62. Skeptical expression: IS IT.

69. Fizz liquor: GIN.

70. Weeding tool: HOE.

73. Native New Zealander: MAORI.

74. Numbered clubs: IRONS.

75. Pound sound: WOOF.

77. "The Powerpuff Girls" voice actress Strong: TARA. She voiced Bubbles.

78. With 79-Across, entry in the periodic table's last column: INERT. 79. See 78-Across: GAS.

80. Auction action: BID.

81. Gets, as a job: LANDS.

82. Flushed: ROSY.

88. Curling surface: ICE.

90. "I Will Wait" band Mumford & __: SONS.

91. Io or Europa, for Jupiter: MOON.

92. NCAA champion swimmer Thomas: LIA. First openly transgender athlete to win the title.

93. Clipped: SHEARED.

97. Hurt feelings?: PAIN.

99. Pot sticker kin: WONTON. I like plain wonton.

105. Problems for pipes or PR firms: LEAKS.

106. Insertion mark: CARET.

107. Carrot, so to speak: INCENTIVE.

110. Penn pals?: IVIES. 111. Locale for llamas: ANDES. 2. Low in the field: MOO. And 5. Talk of the town?: DIALECT. All nice clues.

112. Alum: GRAD.

113. Library offering: LOAN.

114. Relayed: TOLD.

115. Long-standing rivalry: FEUD.

117. Fangorn Forest beings: ENTS.

Down:

1. Note dispenser: ATM.

3. Bit of self-promotion?: EGO BOOSTER. Great fill/clue as well.

4. Federer rival: NADAL.

6. "Nice job!" reply: I TRY.

7. Lakshmi who wrote the children's book "Tomatoes for Neela": PADMA. She used to host "Top Chef".

8. Enters one by one: FILES IN.

9. Chaps: LADS.

10. Zone: AREA.

11. Brooks of country music: GARTH.

12. Colorful garment that might feature a peace sign: TIEDYE SHIRT.

13. Shakespeare character in the lyrics of Taylor Swift's "Love Story": ROMEO.

14. Chatting online, for short: IMING. Question: "What would you like for Christmas?" Me: "Ventilator". I meant "snorkel" but I forgot how to say it in English.

15. Bright aquarium fish: BETTA.

17. Wax finish?: POETIC. Wax poetic.

18. "Any __?": "Who's in?": TAKERS.

19. Brolly carriers: BRITS.

21. "Say Yes to the Dress" figures: BRIDES.

25. Stockpile: AMASS.

26. Sound defeat: ROUT.

27. Mixology tool: PEELER.

30. Desire: CRAVE. Had a sore throat for a few days. Sure wish I had some frozen durian. My mouth is watering just looking at this picture.

32. Pal of Big Bird and Julia: ELMO.

34. Decathlon equipment: DISCI.

37. Fizzy drink: POP.

38. Ages and ages: EONS.

39. Avocado dish, for short: GUAC.

40. "Wish me luck!": HERE I GO.

42. Casual top: POLO.

43. Brainchild: IDEA.

44. Geeky type: NERD.

48. Batman's boy friend: ROBIN.

50. Modern location of Nineveh: IRAQ.

51. Evil doppelgänger in the Mario games: WALUIGI.

52. Some apex predators: ORCAS.

53. Reindeer pal of Olaf the snowman: SVEN.

56. Suit well: BEFIT.

58. Pocket: EARN.

59. Skeptical expression: AS IF.

60. "Didn't mean to open that can of worms": SORRY I ASKED. Another great fill.

63. Mideast title: EMIR.

64. Prefix between micro and pico: NANO.

65. "Easy __ it": DOES.

66. __ Sea: former endorheic lake: ARAL.

67. Rice pancakes served with sambar and chutney: DOSAS. Looks tasty.

68. Bed size: TWIN.

70. L'Occitane product: HAND LOTION. I've tried them all.

71. Appoint, as a rabbi: ORDAIN.

72. Undemanding class: EASY A.

76. Leslie __ Jr. of "Glass Onion": ODOM.

77. Roof goo: TAR.

80. Pho garnish: BASIL.

81. "Imagine" singer: LENNON.

83. View as: DEEM.

84. Heavy favorite: TOP SEED.

85. Passes, as legislation: ENACTS.

86. Longtime luxury sedan: TOWN CAR.

87. Partner of hollered: HOOTED.

89. Irritable: CROSS.

93. Share, as an appetizer: SPLIT.

94. Parte de un platillo "ranchero": HUEVO.

95. Online business: ETAIL.

96. Coffee choice: DECAF.

98. Whinny: NEIGH.

100. Proof of ownership: TITLE.

102. Thick tresses: MANE.

103. Lahore language: URDU.

104. Memo opener: IN RE.

108. Chocolate factory tub: VAT.

109. Nine Inch Nails quartet?: ENS. The letters in Nine Inch Nails. 

Been a long, surreal year since I lost Boomer. Tears still fall when I'm vacuuming his man cave, or walking on his favorite trails, or in the pool. I sob at odd moments, for odd reasons. I'll forever miss him.

C.C.