Sunday February 18, 2024 John Lieb

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

John Lieb

Across:

1. "Doctor Who" airer: BBC.

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

7. North African expanse: SAHARA.

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

19. Traffic regulator in a construction zone: FLAGMAN.

21. Chemical cousin: ISOMER.

22. First-string units: A TEAMS.

25. Xterra maker: NISSAN.

26. Yalies: ELIS.

27. Promo: TEASER.

28. Altercations: SET-TOS.

29. Commoner: PLEB.

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

31. Canoe material: BIRCH.

34. Foreign policy gp.: NSC.

36. Support: AID.

37. Rooney of "Women Talking": MARA.

38. Guitar accessories: CAPOS.

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

46. Drift: TENOR.

47. Captain Nemo creator: VERNE.

49. Geek: DWEEB.

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

53. Major work: OPUS.

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

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

58. "Monday Night Football" channel: ESPN.

61. Pod members: WHALES.

63. Everyone: ALL.

65. Missed the mark: ERRED.

71. Physicist Mach: ERNST.

72. Squeeze (out): EKE.

73. Gaming tile: DOMINO.

74. Retired jets: SSTS.

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

76. Informal greetings: HIS.

78. Sonic the Hedgehog platform: SEGA.

79. Gaming cubes: DICE.

81. Paris river: SEINE.

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

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

95. Granola bar bits: OATS.

96. Sag: DROOP.

97. Private aid gps.: NGOS.

98. "Insecure" star Issa: RAE.

99. Sample on a swab: DNA.

100. Soul singer Baker: ANITA.

102. Gear parts: COGS.

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

104. Like hot yoga: SWEATY.

108. Venus flytrap snack: INSECT.  Carnivorous plant.

110. Sandy sediment: SILT.

111. Margaret Atwood's homeland: CANADA.

116. Spring river phenomenon: ICE RUN.

117. Amp toter: ROADIE.

118. Takes the plunge: RISKS IT.

119. Talks to online: SKYPES.

120. Bays, e.g.: INLETS.

121. Sigma follower: TAU.

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

Down:

1. Fave pal: BFF.

2. Offside boundary in hockey: BLUE LINE.

3. Picked in class: CALLED ON.

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

5. Southeast Asian language: LAO.

6. Yet to be delivered: IN UTERO.

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

8. Nile vipers: ASPS.

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

10. Alaskans, Hawaiians, etc.: AMERICANS.

11. Hi or low follower: RES.

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

13. "Citizen __": KANE.

14. Bickering: AT IT.

15. Jay's home: NEST.

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

17. Stockpiles: AMASSES.

18. Yahoo! rival: MSN.

20. Smooth-talking: GLIB.

24. Post-injury regimen: REHAB.

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

29. Bygone: PAST.

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

32. Broccoli __: RABE.

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

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

39. In stitches: SEWN.

40. Mimic: APE.

42. Hurts: WOUNDS.

43. Increase in complexity, perhaps: EVOLVE.

44. Passionate activists: CRUSADERS.

45. Moral principle: TENET.

48. Fencing sword: EPEE.

51. Yelps of pain: OWS.

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

56. Tuckered out: BEAT.

57. Ice cream brand: EDY'S.

58. Peepers: EYES.

59. Vexed: SORE.

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

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

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

64. Wearable wreath: LEI.

66. Met, as a challenge: ROSE TO.

68. Set of principles: ETHIC.

69. Enticing sales acronym: BOGO.

70. Showy carp: KOI.

77. With sharp resolution: IN HD.

78. Having doubts: SKEPTICAL.

80. Cleveland NBAers, for short: CAVS.

82. Nav. rank: ENS.

83. Mine, in Marseille: A MOI.

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

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

87. Copyright symbols: CEES.

89. Rifle: RANSACK.

90. Cyclotron particle: ION.

92. Pre-flood Biblical patriarch: ENOCH.

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

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

101. Battery terminal: ANODE.

102. Hands over: CEDES.

103. Flamingo hue: PINK.

105. Wyatt of the Old West: EARP.

106. Together, in music: A DUE.

107. Souvenirs from an island vacation?: TANS.

109. Bit of pique: SNIT.

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

111. Prefix with gender: CIS. 

112. __ Lanka: SRI.

113. Geological stretch: EON.

114. "Candyman" director DaCosta: NIA.

115. Gateway Arch city, for short: STL.

C.C.

Sunday February 4, 2024 Zhouqin Burnikel

Title:  "Signs of the Time" - The first part of each theme entry is a Vietnam Zodiac animal. 

23. *Canaries: RAT FINKS.

24. *Bar food served with blue cheese and vegetable sticks: BUFFALO WINGS.

 36. *Orange flowers that represent wealth in some Asian traditions: TIGER LILIES.

43. *"Peace Train" singer: CAT STEVENS.

49. *Atlanta event for sci-fi fans: DRAGONCON.

65. *Sacred Hopi ritual: SNAKE DANCE.

71. *Western, slangily: HORSE OPERA.

 90. *Absurdly chaotic situation: GOAT RODEO.

92. *Playground fixture: MONKEY BARS.

98. *Spray behind a speedboat: ROOSTER TAIL.

113. *Sheet with a folded corner: DOG-EARED PAGE.

116. *Ashtray for trash, e.g.: PIG LATIN.

Reveal:

126. Vietnamese New Year, which is represented by the Zodiac animals at the starts of the answers to the starred clues: TET.

I originally submitted RAT RACES, Patti thought the plural form was awkward and suggested RAT FINKS instead. She also redid the section between CAT STEVENS & HORSE OPERA. Can you guess why? I think I know the problem.

 

Ten of the Vietnamese zodiac animals are the same as the Chinese ones, but they have buffalo and cat instead of rabbit and ox.

Across:

1. Muscles toned by planks: ABS.

4. Does, e.g.: SHES.

8. Goes out swinging?: GOLFS. I like Ben Hogan's swing.

13. Longest reptile in the world: PYTHON.

19. "Gosh, that was a long time ago": I FEEL OLD.

21. Buck in the Baseball Hall of Fame: O'NEIL. Looks who's behind O'Neil.

22. Bring back on board: RE-HIRE.

26. Gets slippery: ICES UP.

28. Patronize, as a hotel: STAY AT. 42. Really bothered: ATE AT. Dupes.

29. Hush-hush docs: NDAS.

30. Bundle of hay: BALE.

32. Caustic cleaners: LYES.

34. Enter stealthily: SNEAK IN.

40. __ Domani: Italian wine brand: ECCO.

41. Promising letters?: IOU.

52. Actress Shawkat: ALIA.

53. Museum item: RELIC.

54. "Thumbs up" answers: YESES.

55. Smashing success: HIT.

56. Provided at no cost: COMPED.

59. Wealthy: RICH.

60. "r u coming soon?": ETA.

62. Call to the on-deck circle: BATTER UP. 106. Some ballpark figs.: ERAS.

64. Beads on blades: DEW.

73. "One Mississippi" star Notaro: TIG.

74. Dulse and nori seaweeds, e.g.: RED ALGAE.

76. __-mo video: SLO.

77. Coup target: ETAT.

79. "You can't do that!": NO FAIR.

80. Aggravate: IRK.

83. Top-tier celebs: A LIST.

87. Basic font: ARIAL.

89. Window shade: TINT.

95. Russian crepes: BLINI.

96. Short "Stop!": TMI. Patti's clue.

97. Vinaigrette acronym: EVOO. Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

101. Act omnipotent: PLAY GOD.

104. Burkina __: FASO.

105. Assns.: ORGS.

107. Total accord: UNISON.

109. Mogadishu resident: SOMALI.

120. "Let me rephrase that ... ": I MEANT.

121. Appointed: NAMED.

122. Soul mate: TRUE LOVE.

123. Sandwiches made with bolillos: TORTAS.

124. Secret rendezvous: TRYST.

125. Black bit inside a papaya: SEED. Ripe papaya of course. The inside of a green papaya is like this. And you all know I love green papaya salad. Mild. No peppers please.

Down:

1. Cause of inflation: AIR.

2. Graphic designer's deg.: BFA.

3. Part of a match: SET.

4. Deli apparatus: SLICER.

5. Fine-tune: HONE.

6. Community group with a deer logo: ELKS.

7. SoCal campus with Mission Revival architecture: SDSU.  San Diego State University.

8. Lump of goo: GOB.

9. Heavy loads: ONUSES.

10. Some boxing punches: LEFTS.

11. World Cup overseer: Abbr.: FIFA.

12. Leaves in stitches: SLAYS.

13. Safeguard: PROTECT.

14. Tree with flexible wood: YEW.

15. Weigh, in a way: THINK OVER. 

16. Main language of India: HINDI.

17. Heart, but not soul: ORGAN.

18. Legendary loch: NESS.

20. Use TurboTax, perhaps: E-FILE. Have not bought the 2023 version yet.

25. Pool divisions: LANES. What's the temp in your local pool, Glenn/Renee/Wendy? Ours is 79F (I used to think it's 80F). And it was 76.5 on Friday. They were replacing the pump.

27. Easily influenced: PLIANT.

30. "Free your pores" brand: BIORE.

31. __ frescas: fruity Mexican drinks: AGUAS.

33. So far: YET.

35. Maker of eco-friendly Vero computers: ACER.

36. Neat and clean: TIDY.

37. PC hookup: LAN.

38. Rash symptom: ITCH.

39. Sainted pope called "the Great": LEO I.

43. Put into gear?: CLOTHE.

44. Have the intention of: AIM TO.

45. Thin candle: TAPER.

46. Drop in pronunciation: ELIDE.

47. More pleasant: NICER.

48. Phonetic symbol: SCHWA.

50. __ Squad: Best Buy tech support team: GEEK.

51. KitchenAid rival: OSTER.

52. Covered California statute, for short: ACA.

57. Critical-care ctrs.: ERS.

58. Club fees: DUES.

61. Major Yemen port: ADEN.

62. Starts: BEGINS.

63. Quite cold: POLAR. Not cold here. Been an incredibly mild winter.

65. Cook dim sum, say: STEAM. The three squares on the top left are taro cakes, traditional Spring Festival food in Guangzhou. I'm going to make them next Saturday.

66. Part of TNT: NITRO.

67. "Encore!": AGAIN.

68. Big deal: ADO.

69. Trade pact from 1994 to 2020: NAFTA.

70. Debussy's "__ de lune": CLAIR.

72. Casual collared shirt: POLO.

75. Sketchy subject?: ART.

78. Waiting room directive: TAKE A SEAT. Not many snazzy fill in the grid. 12 theme entries & a short reveal in the exact order is demanding.

80. Digs in the snow: IGLOOS.

81. Versailles residents: ROIS.

82. Philosopher Immanuel: KANT.

84. Pet pendant: ID TAG.

85. Tractor-trailers: SEMIS.

86. Plug away (at): TOIL.

88. Impose, as a tax: LEVY.

91. Hair __: TIE.

93. Cultured products?: YOGURTS.

94. Bret with four Gold Gloves: BOONE. Sorry for another name. Bret Boone was at his height when I arrived in the US. I was following Ichiro then.

95. Red Sox, on scoreboards: BOS.

98. Hot spots: RANGES.

99. Got going: ROLLED.

100. "Judge Judy" event: TRIAL.

101. Product pitch: PROMO.

102. Light brew: LAGER.

103. Failed to: DIDN'T.

104. Like bubble baths: FOAMY.

106. Make a long story short?: EDIT.

108. Trade jabs: SPAR.

110. Makes a choice: OPTS.

111. Bog down: MIRE.

112. Shivering fit: AGUE. Patti's least favorite entry in the grid.

114. "Blonde" star de Armas: ANA.

115. Summer hrs. in Philly: EDT.

117. Kiddo: TOT.

118. "Or so __ heard": I'VE.

119. Pickleball need: NET.

Belated "Happy Birthday" to Bill G. How's everything, Bill? How's Jordan?

Here is a picture of Barbara, Bill and their three grandkids. This picture was taken a while ago when Bill still went out daily for his bike ride and coffee.

 

My friend Lesley sent me these few pictures from the festive Guangzhou. The second one is a winter plum tree.

Sunday January 14, 2024 Darryl Gonzalez

Theme: "Posted" - Each sign is phrased as if it's in a place in the clue.

23. Sign in a stadium locker room?: DON'T TURN OFF THE FAN. Sports fan.

32. Sign in a writer's room?: AUTHORIZED STAFF ONLY. Author.

58. Sign in a therapist's reception room?: VISITORS MUST SHOW ID. The id in psyche. 

84. Sign at a law firm specializing in the Fifth Amendment?: NOTICE NO ADMITTANCE. Admit.

107. Sign at a cafeteria?: CAUTION FORKLIFT AREA. Fork.

120. Sign at a used bike shop?: PLEASE RECYCLE HERE. Cycle.

Where do you see "Don't Turn Off the Fan" sign?

I like this type of literal rephrasing type. Always makes me think of the great John Lampkin. Have not seen his byline for a long time. Also, where's our Jeffrey?

Across:

1. Old Route 66 city: TULSA.

6. Hindu "sir": BABU. Remember this Babu on "Seinfeld"?

10. Subway fare: HEROS.

15. Audit asst.: CPA.

18. By the seat of one's pants, e.g.: IDIOM.

19. Mil. pilot's branch: USAF.

20. Players between midfield and defense in lacrosse: ATTACK. Never watched lacrosse.

22. Not 'neath: O'ER.

26. Industrial tank: VAT.

27. Cabinet dept. with a windmill on its seal: ENER.

28. Eur. realm until 1806: HRE. Holy Roman Empire.

29. Outrage: IRE.

30. Food mill substitutes: RICERS.

38. Bedroom piece: BUREAU.

40. Trick for a treat, perhaps: SIT. I also like these clues: 41. Bank buildings?: LEVEES 15. Cast party?: COVEN. 49. Full bore?: YAWNER. 47. Cutting edge of fashion?: HEM.

42. Every bit: ALL.

43. "Black" or "white" mammal that is actually gray: RHINO.

46. Propped (up): SHORED.

48. Autocorrect target: TYPO.

52. California's Point __ National Seashore: REYES. Bring me here.

54. N.K. Jemisin's Broken Earth trilogy, e.g.: SAGA.

56. The America's Cup, for one: EWER.

57. Bring to a near boil: SCALD.

62. Oven setting: BAKE.

65. Early virtual forum: USENET.

66. Leisurely walk: PASEO. I only use AMBLE.

67. Class reunion roster word: NEE.

68. Part of a vague threat: OR ELSE.

70. __ shanty: SEA.

72. Some backyard grills: WEBERS.

74. Home watcher: UMP. Home plate.

75. Not quite right: AMISS.

79. Brand for sensitive skin: AVEENO. They use oats in their products.

83. Long ago, in the past: ERST.

88. Beverage: DRINK.

89. Otis Redding's "__ Little Tenderness": TRY A.

90. Univ. applicant exams: SATS.

91. Shark hunters: ORCAS.

95. Harmonized, with "in": SYNC.

96. Starts working on: SETS TO.

98. Not this second: LATER.

100. Keep a stiff upper __: LIP.

101. Sysadmins, e.g.: IT PROS.

103. __-fi: SCI.

105. Just: MERELY.

113. Learn to live with: ACCEPT.

114. French word common in fragrance names: EAU. Eau de chlorine for me. And yes, Wendy, my flutter kicks are getting stronger, but my left shoulder acted up early this month. I can somehow do breaststrokes, but no freestyle or butterfly. Bummer!

115. 52, in Roman numerals: LII.

116. "Frozen" reindeer: SVEN.

119. Vietnamese soup: PHO. 2. Hokkaido noodle: UDON. 8. Stuffed bun: BAO. Tasty Asian food. 

126. Geological period: EON.

127. Barked sharply: YIPPED.

128. Cold and clammy: DANK. Winter is finally here. Our high is -2 today.

129. Child of Uranus: TITAN.

130. Put on: DON.

131. Secures, as a package: TAPES.

132. Takes responsibility for: OWNS.

133. Informal "Let's say ...": S'POSE.

Down:

1. Laundry brand: TIDE.

3. In a straightforward way: LINEARLY.

4. "Amen to that": SO TRUE.

5. Tsp. or tbsp.: AMT.

6. Small donkey: BURRO.

7. "Carl's Date" voice actor Ed: ASNER.

9. Gallery on the Arno: UFFIZI. "The Birth of Venus" is here.

10. Despised: HATED.

11. Biblical suffix: ETH. And 39. Diminutive suffix: ULE.

12. ETA determiner: RTE.

13. Clod: OAF.

14. Gobbled (down): SCARFED.

16. Oyster bead: PEARL.

17. Like some Pinterest boards: ARTSY.

21. Hibachi chef's need: KNIFE.

24. "Yup": UH HUH.

25. Worries: FRETS.

31. Sam's Club competitor: COSTCO. Everything there is so big. 

33. Anklebones: TARSI.

34. Shape with equal angles: ISOGON.

35. Ease off the gas: SLOW UP.

36. Saint of Ávila: TERESA.

37. Avoids: AVERTS.

38. Trivia night setting: BAR.

44. Goddess whose tears cause the Nile to rise: ISIS. Myth.

45. Corddry of "For All Mankind": NATE.

50. Wire-bending hand tool: PLIERS.

51. Most bizarre: ODDEST.

53. Stunt legend Knievel: EVEL.

55. Aphrodite's consort: ARES.

57. Clog or wedge: SHOE.

59. "What're you gonna do about it?": SUE ME.

60. Pressure cooker release: STEAM.

61. Stitch to: SEW ON.

62. Moves like a kangaroo: BOUNDS.

63. Weapons center: ARMORY.

64. Didn't edit out: KEPT IN.

69. Bag for a field day race: SACK.

71. Thrifty rival: AVIS.

73. Lagerita ingredient: BEER. I did not know the meaning of "Lagerita" : a Margarita cocktail for tough guys, according to Urban Dictionary. Made of lager beer and tequila.

 

76. Summer worker, perhaps: INTERN.

77. More or less: SORT OF.

78. Believes, vocally: SAYS SO.

80. Inclusive Latin term: ET ALII.

81. "Tell Mama" singer James: ETTA.

82. Condé __: NAST.

85. Stir up: INCITE.

86. Not "dis": DAT.

87. Apple tool: CORER.

92. Embrace: CLEAVE TO.

93. Have a bug: AIL. And 94. Have a bug?: SPY.

96. Under a Super Trouper, e.g.: SPOTLIT.  Super Trouper is a brand of spotlight.

97. Humanitarian Schindler: OSKAR.

99. Yahoo! service: EMAIL.

102. __-toe: TIPPY.

104. British name for a game with suspects: CLUEDO.

106. Send again: RE-SHIP.

107. Like many superheroes: CAPED.

108. Tickled nose noise: ACHOO.

109. 2023 NCAA men's basketball champs: UCONN. Their men's team is good too?

110. Stock for oboists: REEDS.

111. "Gone Girl" author Gillian: FLYNN.

112. Woodland pests: TICKS.

117. Periods of time: ERAS.

118. State bird of Hawaii: NENE.

121. Clean air org.: EPA.

122. iPad download: APP.

123. "Told you!": SEE.

124. Crow sound: CAW.

125. "Arrival" arrivals: ETS.

Happy Birthday to dear JD, who sent me this picture around Christmas. JD said "we go to A LOT of baseball, football, volleyball, and basketball games. Dylan, the youngest, prefers Tae Kwan Do, also fun to watch" Dylan was not born yet when JD joined our blog ages ago.

Have a go at this Atlas Obscura "Dry Run" puzzle (12/18/2023) if you have some extra time. One of my favorite puzzles from last year. It's edited by Samir Patel, the editor-in-chief of Atlas Obscura. They have a new puzzle every Monday.

I also have today's Modern Crossword. Click here to solve. Themeless. It's edited by by Kelsey Dixon.

C.C.

Sunday Janaury 7, 2024 Jordan Hildebrandt

Theme: "Following Protocol" - Each HTTP error is re-phrased as knight-related:

22. HTTP 504: Knight fails to return to castle before portcullis closes for curfew: GATEWAY TIME OUT.

 35. HTTP 403: Knight not approved to embark on second search for the Holy Grail: FORBIDDEN REQUEST.

49. HTTP 419: Knight's squire's apprenticeship no longer in force: PAGE EXPIRED.

80. HTTP 500: Knight fails to tip waitstaff at banquet: SERVER ERROR.

96. HTTP 405: Knight illegally aims for opponent's head during joust: METHOD NOT ALLOWED.

Reveal:

113. Medieval protocol for knights, or an alternate title for this puzzle?: CODE OF CHIVALRY.

I bet D-Otto and Anon-T enjoyed this puzzle. They know all the errors. Thankfully you don't need to know those error messages to solve this grid. 

Don't recall seeing such a theme anywhere before. Love the freshness and originality.

Across:

1. Totally wiped: BEAT.

5. College Board exam for jrs.: PSAT.

9. Fondant colorer: DYE. I did not know the meaning of "fondant", cake icing.

12. Dream big: ASPIRE.

18. Roman aqueduct section: ARCH.

19. Active volcano on Sicily: ETNA.

20. Timely benefit: BOON.

21. Bedouin, e.g.: ROAMER. Brave souls, those who live in the Sahara.

25. Soft cotton fabric: MUSLIN.

26. Literary comparisons: SIMILES.

27. Organs that affect balance: EARS. 39. Swab for 27-Across: Q-TIP.

28. Boutonniere counterpart: CORSAGE.

29. Bed cover: DUVET.

30. "Turn up the heat!": BRR. Bill & Margret's new co-op place is toasty. And I feel so safe and loved.  Margaret painted these.

 

31. Fade, say: WEAR.

33. Triangles on a map, typically: Abbr.: MTNS.

34. Flower in some O'Keeffe paintings: IRIS.

40. Snap veggies: PEAS.

41. Sign into law: ENACT.

42. Push notifications: E-ALERTS. Not a word I use. All my notifications are off. I check when I want to check.

43. DOJ staffers: ATTYS.

45. Ryan of "Star Trek: Picard": JERI.

46. Puglia lang.: ITAL. Not familiar with Puglia.

53. Gets fit: SHAPES UP.

57. Routine material: JOKES. Stand-up routine.

58. Store securely: STOW.

59. Blues label based in Memphis: STAX.

60. Icy layer: RIME.

61. "Pressure" singer Lennox: ARI.

62. Tennis unit: SET.

65. Some fossils: TEETH.

67. Citi player: MET. Patti is long-time Mets fan.

69. 16th POTUS: ABE.

70. Baby carrier: WOMB.

72. Spindly: BONY.

74. Villain's hideaway: LAIR.

76. "The Sparks Brothers" director Wright: EDGAR. He often collaborates with Simon Pegg.

78. Commuters' region: SUBURBIA.

83. Meh: SO SO.

84. Lump of soil: CLOD.

86. Finnish tech giant: NOKIA.

87. Lowered a lot, as prices: SLASHED.

90. New cadet: PLEBE.

92. Rowdy crowds: MOBS.

100. French friend: AMIE.

101. Fairy tale meanie: OGRE.

102. White peg in Battleship: MISS.

103. Car port?: AUX. Connection port. 

104. Waterfall on a doughnut production line: GLAZE.

105. Fuel mining site: COAL PIT.

107. Angry speech: RANT.

109. Toyota sedan: COROLLA.

112. Suggest: HINT AT.

116. Rise: ASCENT.

117. "Sadly ... ": ALAS.

118. Spark interest?: LEND. Great clue.

119. For a __ pittance: MERE.

120. Hi-fi system: STEREO.

121. Civil rights initialism: BLM. Black Lives Matters.

122. Brouhahas: ADOS.

123. 115-Down votes: AYES. 115. Affirmative: YES.

Down:

1. Sack: BAG.

2. Error remnant: ERASURE.

3. Probiotic yogurt brand: ACTIVIA.

4. Rap anthem by Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five: THE MESSAGE. 1982. Another learning moment for me.

5. Ring out: PEAL.

6. Warm compress target, maybe: STYE.

7. Termite eaters: ANTS.

8. Mai __: cocktail: TAI.

9. "Monsters, Inc." factory product: DOOR.

10. "Pinkie promise?": YOU SWEAR. Also 14. Make the grade: PASS MUSTER. 71. Place for a pick-me-up?: BUS SHELTER. 85. "Time to blow this popsicle stand": LET'S ROLL. Excellent entries.

11. Isengard attacker: ENT.

12. Weapons expert: ARMORER.

13. Sweet and __: SOUR.

15. "Better get a move on!": I'M LATE.

16. Royal tenures: REIGNS.

17. "Ready Player One" author Cline: ERNEST.

20. Santa costume need: BEARD.

23. Sharp quality: WIT.

24. Warrant: MERIT.

28. Attention: CARE.

29. Swing dance move: DIP.

30. "The Graham Norton Show" airer: BBC.

32. Recruit: ENLIST.

35. Big bash: FETE.

36. Agate kin: ONYX.

37. Speaks with a sore throat: RASPS.

38. "No good __ goes unpunished": DEED.

44. Model/activist Holliday: TESS.

45. Like tiaras: JEWELED.

47. Parmesan substitute: ASIAGO.

48. __ support: LUMBAR.

49. Like a sponge: POROUS.

50. With hands on hips: AKIMBO.

51. Teensy: ITTY.

52. Fishy topping: ROE.

54. Goofy sort: HAM.

55. Splitting tool: AXE.

56. Coeval: PEER. Is "coeval" a common word?

57. Spielberg shark thriller: JAWS.

59. Sister on "Succession": SHIV. Unknown to me. Happy for the new clue angle.

63. Flow partner: EBB.

64. You, in Montréal: TOI.

66. Driveway-patching gunk: TAR.

68. Actress Hatcher: TERI.

73. Cheesy layered snack: NACHOS.

75. Keep up on the issues?: RENEW.

77. One prone to histrionics, informally: DRAMA LLAMA. Learned from doing crosswords.

79. Hershey caramel candy: ROLO.

80. Faygo or Fanta: SODA. Wikipedia says Faygo is "a soft drink company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan."

81. Get-up on Sunday morning?: ROBE. Sweet clue also.

82. __ out a living: EKED.

88. Come clean about: ADMIT TO.

89. Sulky mood: SNIT.

90. Ninth planet, until 2006: PLUTO.

91. Fishy topping: LOX.

93. Ill-fated "Grey's Anatomy" resident George: O'MALLEY.

94. Nutty: BIZARRE.

95. Match at the poker table: SEE.

96. Coffee-and-chocolate concoctions: MOCHAS.

97. Narcissist: EGOIST.

98. Hypnotic state: TRANCE.

99. Areas of expertise: LANES. Splynter's lane is wide.

104. Sen.'s domain: GOV.

106. Greenhouse unit: PANE.

108. Genesis figure: ADAM.

109. Included in an email thread: CC'ED.

110. "How terrible!": OH NO.

111. Divests (of): RIDS.

113. Uber or Lyft alternative: CAB.

114. Tampa's st.: FLA.

C.C.

I was very sad to learn that Old Man Keith passed away. He was an active member of our blog for so many years. Always a gentleman. You can learn more his life here.