Sunday February 25, 2024 Ed Sessa

Theme: "Free Booze" - BOO is added to each theme entry.

22. Air freshener in the monkey house?: BABOON DEODORANT. Ban deodorant.

31. Ready to take reservations?: FIT FOR A BOOKING. Fit for a king.

53. Container for firecracker flowers?: BOOMING VASE. Ming vase.

69. Jump-start?: BOOSTING OPERATION. Sting operation.

88. Apparel for linksbabies?: GOLF BOOTEES. Golf tees.

102. (Soup or salad) and (chicken or fish), e.g.?: BOOLEAN CUISINE. Lean Cuisine.

120. Train conductor's "That's the end of the ride for you!"?: GET OFF MY CABOOSE. Get off my case.

This would have been a perfect Halloween's puzzle, but it's a Tuesday last year when Ed sent in this puzzle idea. Thursday this year.

I love the title and theme clues. "Jum-start" is so simple, so perfect.

Across:

1. God often depicted in a helmet: ARES.

5. "Gracias a la vida" singer Mercedes: SOSA. Don't know her. Argentine singer. From Wikipedia:
"Her music made people hail her as the "voice of the voiceless ones". She was often called "the conscience of Latin America." She died in 2009.

9. Fire sign: SMOKE.

14. Marble piece: SLAB.

18. Lopsided win: ROMP.

19. K-12 appropriate: EL HI.  Elementary High. This is my old high school. 200-meter tracks.

 

20. Dust-up: RUN-IN.

21. Fuel: STOKE.

25. Artist Matisse: HENRI.

26. Secondhand music purchase: USED CD.

27. Boxer Laila: ALI.

28. "__ you see that!?": DID.

29. "Game of Thrones" beast: DRAGON.

30. D or C, in D.C.: STREET.

34. IJBOL equivalent: LOL. I Just Burst Out Laughing.

36. Jiffy: SEC.

37. Before now: AGO.

38. Pink shade: CORAL.

42. Strange: ODD.

45. Doohickey: THING.

48. College focus: MAJOR. What did you study in college, Splynter?

56. Fun time: GAS.

57. Jiffy __: LUBE.

58. Pest in a cloud: GNAT.

59. The Mel-Tones lead singer: TORME.

60. Rooked: HAD.

61. Add yeast to: LEAVEN.

63. Broken mirror, for some: BAD OMEN.

65. Better than expected, except on the links: ABOVE PAR. I broke 90 a few times at Cedar Creek, a very ladies-friendly course here in Minnesota. Very flat.

68. Storm center: EYE.

73. Tina Fey's former show, for short: SNL.

75. Hunter-gatherer period: STONE AGE.

76. Low bar?: GIN MILL. I did not know the meaning of "gin mill". Cheap bar.

79. Takes as one's own: CO-OPTS.

81. White Claw container: CAN. Never had this.

82. __ seas: SEVEN.

85. Pelvic bones: ILIA.

86. With the bow, in music: ARCO.

87. One hanging around a cave: BAT.

90. Used the oven: BAKED.

92. Mushroom in miso soup: ENOKI.  Mushroom and tofu. Classic miso soup.

94. __ Jima: IWO.

95. Edition: ISSUE.

96. Actress Thurman: UMA.

98. O'er and o'er again: OFT.

100. Brynner of "The King and I": YUL.

110. Ready for fresh paint: PRIMED.

115. Smithy fixtures: ANVILS.

116. Co. interested in net neutrality: ISP.

117. Potassium-rich fruit: FIG. I served Tom Pepper fresh figs a while ago. He liked the taste. He also liked ripe papaya slices, but could not stand green papaya salad.

118. Patti who won a Tony as Evita: LUPONE.

119. French royal: REINE.

123. Took some courses: DINED.

124. Sports venue: ARENA.

125. "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" actor Omar: EPPS.

126. Big barrel: DRUM.

127. Husky's load: SLED.

128. __ longlegs: DADDY.

129. Sports figure: STAT.

130. Bishoprics: SEES.

Down:

1. "Identical Twins" photographer Diane: ARBUS.

 

2. Use the oven: ROAST.

3. Campfire remnant: EMBER.

4. Fine English china: SPODE.

5. Phrase on a mailing label: SEND TO.

6. Hardly fresh: OLD.

7. Harvest bundle: SHEAF.

8. Remoulade kin: AIOLI. Never had remoulade or aioli or tartar.

9. "All seats taken" sign: SRO.

10. "The Sea, the Sea" novelist: MURDOCH. Iris.

11. Studio sign: ON AIR.

12. "Yes and no": KINDA.

13. Doc with a tongue depressor: ENT.

14. Tuna cut: STEAK.

15. Sound heard in libraries?: LONG I.  The i sound in "libraries".

16. Ohio tire city: AKRON.

17. Person: BEING.

21. Psychedelic fungus, casually: SHROOM.

23. Spots on a peacock feather: OCELLI.

24. Morse clicks: DITS.

29. Fetch player: DOG.

32. Swanky do: FETE.

33. Luggage: BAGS.

35. Access, as a network: LOG ONTO.

38. Legendary NYC punk club: CBGB.

39. Actress Chaplin: OONA.

40. Reason for a detour: ROADBLOCK.

41. "Are not!" retort: AM TOO.

43. TiVo, for one: DVR.

44. Power generator: DAM.

46. "__ it my all": I GAVE.

47. Four-time presidential candidate Ralph: NADER.

49. __ mode: A LA.

50. Youth: JUVENILES.

51. Follow directions: OBEY.

52. "The False Mirror" painter Magritte: RENE.

54. Arms treaty subjects, briefly: N TESTS.

55. One who avoids all animal products except fish: SEAGAN. I only knew the term "pescetarian". My sister-in-law Connie is one.

60. Words spoken with crossed fingers: HOPE SO.

61. "__ USA": NPR program hosted by Maria Hinojosa: LATINO.

62. Environmentalist Brockovich: ERIN.

64. Lion's share: MOST.

66. Cranberry field: BOG.

67. Bobbed hairstyle: PAGEBOY.

70. Like some Peruvian ruins: INCAN.

71. "Terrif!": NEATO.

72. Glosses over: OMITS.

73. Wound cover: SCAB.

74. Filmmaker Ephron: NORA.

77. In __ of: LIEU.

78. Cut with a beam: LASE.

80. "The Last Jedi" pilot Dameron: POE.

83. New Haven Ivy Leaguer: ELI.

84. Armed forces org.: VFW.

87. Burrito morsel: BEAN.

88. Some image files: GIFS.

89. Soothing massage option: OIL RUB.

91. Crossed swords: DUELED.

93. Water feature with ornamental fish: KOI POND.

97. Some humanities degs.: MAS.

99. Spat: TIFF.

101. Batting ninth: UP LAST.

102. Medieval poets: BARDS.

103. "The Rookie" actress Melissa: O'NEIL.

104. Ewe-like: OVINE.

105. Like loose-leaf paper: LINED.

106. Cutlass model: CIERA.

107. Spanish pronoun: USTED.

108. City in southern France: NIMES.

109. Country in two continents: EGYPT.

111. Apple players: IPODS.

112. Julianne of "Still Alice": MOORE.

113. Follow: ENSUE.

114. Judges: DEEMS.

120. Josh of "Frozen": GAD. He voiced Olaf.

121. Actress Wray: FAY.

122. Audit pro: CPA.

C.C.

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.