Sunday April 7, 2024 John Michael Currie

 

Theme: "Amendment Needed" - The circled letters orderly spell out "THE FIFTH". And each circled letter is the 5th letter in the theme entry. 

25. *Accidentally scorch the appetizers?: CHART A COURSE.

31. *"You can't wrestle a chimney sweep and come out clean," e.g.?: SOOTH SAYING.

44. *Mission of the Blue Origin rockets carrying William Shatner and Michael Strahan?: STARES INTO SPACE.

56. *Finish a crossword with a spelling error?: GO OFF THE GRID.

82. *Say no to a date?: PASSION FRUIT.

92. *Run-ins with soft cheese?: BRIEF ENCOUNTERS.

108. *Exhale in a game of hide-and-seek?: SIGHT UNSEEN.

115. *Florists who specialize in purple bouquets?: IRISH SETTERS.

Reveal:

130. With this puzzle's circled letters, exercise a certain constitutional right, and how to answer each starred clue: TAKE.

Our blog tag shows this is John's first Sunday puzzle. Congrats, John!

After reading the reveal clue and strung together the message, I still did not get into the 5th letter aspect. Talk about layers. Amazing.

Across:

1. Oldest Simpson kid: BART.

5. Casino convenience: ATM.

8. Model plane wood: BALSA.

13. Motor City pro: PISTON. Detroit Pistons.

19. State with an astronaut on its quarter: OHIO. An early "Happy Birthday" to Jeff of Pepper Pike, Ohio!

20. Aunt, in Acapulco: TIA.

21. Lures: BAITS.

22. "Knock, knock!": I'M HERE.

23. Tactful one: DIPLOMAT. And 93. 23-Across's base: EMBASSY. My former boss James, now a diplomat. Do you like my hair then?

 

James & C.C.

27. Basket maker, e.g.: SCORER.

29. Gibbs of "The Jeffersons": MARLA.

30. Stomped (on): TROD.

36. D.C. VIPs: POLS.

37. Typeface word: SANS.

38. Displace: UPROOT.

39. 3D ring shape: TORUS.

41. Amarillo-to-Austin dir.: SSE.

43. Very small: ITTY.

51. Unknown degree: NTH.

52. Burn soother: ALOE. Was trying to reach a bag of dried white fungi from the cupboard over our stove last week. The hot pot burned my belly button. Ouch. But the soup was good.

54. "Only Time" artist: ENYA.

55. Fervency: ARDOR.

61. "The Hangover" role for Ed Helms: STU.

63. "Eureka!" elicitor: IDEA.

64. Golden Fleece seeker: ARGONAUT.

65. Colleague: PEER.

66. Drawbacks: CONS.

67. Unlikely to be discussed: TABOO.

69. Classic Ford, familiarly: T-BIRD.

71. Takes turns?: SPINS.

73. Credit: CITE.

74. Airbnb alternative: VRBO. Vacation Rentals by Owner. 

77. Twice-monthly shoreline occurrence: NEAP TIDE.

80. Minnesota representative Ilhan: OMAR. 49. "True Grit" filmmakers: COENS. They grew up in
St. Louis Park, MN.

81. Aquaman's domain: SEA.

86. Arctic seal refuges: BERGS. Hello cutie.

88. __'acte: ENTR.

90. Lamb mamas: EWES.

91. Package opening?: PRE. Prepackage.

97. Watery defense: MOAT.

98. "Srsly!?": OMG.

99. Corp. hierarchy modification: RE-ORG.

100. Like: AKIN TO.

102. Fitbit unit: STEP.

106. Darlin': BABE.

111. Posh: LUXE.

112. Not just once: AGAIN.

114. Pan-fries: SAUTES.

119. Took control of, as a competition: BLEW OPEN.

123. Olympic projectile: DISCUS.

124. Sarnia's lake: HURON.

125. Simu of "Barbie": LIU. He was born in Harbin, China.

126. Hostile: UGLY.

127. Tangible thing: ENTITY.

128. Sewing kit item: SPOOL.

129. Mo. before May: APR.

Down:

1. Figure, casually: BOD.

2. Pacific tuna: AHI. Want some?

3. Paper problem: RIP.

4. "War and Peace" novelist: TOLSTOY.

5. Tops: AT MOST.

6. Pageant crown: TIARA.

7. Chum on a boat?: MATEY.

8. Telly channel: BBC.

9. Apt rhyme for spa: AAH.

10. Youngest Hemsworth brother: LIAM. Liam, Chris and Luke.

11. Gets ready for a ride: STRAPS IN.

12. Space City pro: ASTRO. Tony's team.

13. Cubism pioneer: PICASSO.

14. Texter's qualifier: IMO.

15. Closes: SHUTS.

16. Earth, in some sci-fi: TERRA.

17. Director Welles: ORSON.

18. Cries out for: NEEDS.

24. Calle __: street in Miami's Little Havana: OCHO. Learning moment for me.

26. "You're in good hands" sloganeer: ALLSTATE.

28. EGOT winner Moreno: RITA.

31. Taking to court: SUING.

32. Decide one will: OPT TO.

33. Gardening brand: ORTHO.

34. Neither companion: NOR.

35. Ph.D. seeker's test: GRE.

40. Cheaper, perhaps: USED.

42. Hockey great Tikkanen: ESA. Finnish hockey player.

 

44. West End district: SOHO.

45. Many a YA hero: TEEN.

46. Where Ferrari is RACE: NYSE. Very cool.

47. Like business vis-à-vis coach: PRICIER.

48. Extra option: ADD ON.

50. Historical chapters: ERAS.

52. Prefix with futurism: AFRO.

53. Newsom and Hochul, once: Abbr.: LT GOVS. Kathy Hochul, the New York governor.

57. Jeweler to the Romanovs: FABERGE. 96. Many pieces by 57-Down: EGGS.

58. Spanish cat: GATO.

59. Spice mixture: RUB.

60. Turner memoir: I TINA.

62. Bearlike: URSINE.

65. Smartphone precursors, for short: PDAS.

67. Proctor's tool: TIMER.

68. Nintendo rival: ATARI.

70. Hi-__ audio: RES.

72. Many e-forms: PDFS.

73. __ salad: COBB. Do you guys like microgreens?

75. Come back to the table: RE-ENGAGE.

76. Judge's seat: BANC.

78. Fishing spot: PIER.

79. Helps to water-ski: TOWS.

82. Leith of "The Great British Baking Show": PRUE.

83. Barely leading: UP ONE.

84. Seeing red: IRATE.

85. "Grand" peak: TETON.

87. Airport near San Jose, Calif.: SFO.

89. Did exceedingly well: TORE IT UP. Great fill.

94. Many stats: NOS.

95. TNT start: TRI.

97. Skip an epic party, say: MISS OUT.

100. Filmmaker with a distinctive style: AUTEUR.

101. Was sure: KNEW.

102. Playground feature: SLIDE.

103. Italy's first capital: TURIN.

104. Be: EXIST.

105. Joe of "Bupkis": PESCI.

107. Jacuzzis, e.g.: BATHS.

109. "Se __ español": HABLA.

110. Spring bloom: TULIP. So pretty.

113. Fictional sleuth Wolfe: NERO.

116. Modest digs: HUT.

117. Down Under hopper: ROO.

118. NBC skit show, for short: SNL.

120. Tour gp.: PGA.

121. Large deer: ELK.

122. Bill for education?: NYE. Bill Nye.

Some of you might still remember the friendly challenge Splynter and I had back in January. He'd like to lose 10lbs by Easter and I wanted to swim fly for a lap sans fins.

I was able to swim only a length last month and I have not even tried once since then.

Splynter has lost 6lbs so far, He actually lost 8, but gained 2 more back. The most important thing is that he joined CrossFit and he now goes there regularly. So proud of your achievement, Splynter!

Splynter

Sunday, March 31, 2024 ~ Rebecca Goldstein

Title: "Funny Business"

For those who celebrate, Happy Easter!

Today, Rebecca put some Funny (peculiar, not ha-ha) Business in our (circular) Easter baskets. In this Easter Egg hunt I did my best, but may(?) need some help parsing out these companies:

23. Composite image where stars appear as streaks: TIME LAPSE PICTURE. PEPSI.

39. Flurry of emotions: MIXED FEELINGS. FEDEX.

47. Vehicle that may address the "last mile" problem: ELECTRIC SCOOTER. COST CO.

63. "Don't forget your umbrella and galoshes!": ITS RAINING CATS AND DOGS. GIN'CA Peruvian Gin(?)

83. As the situation warrants: WHERE APPLICABLE. APPLE

92. Phryge, for Paris 2024, e.g.: OLYMPIC MASCOT. COMCAST - a cable / ISP company.

Olympic and Paralympic Mascots

110. Period that included the storming of the Bastille: FRENCH REVOLUTION.
  

And the reveal:

102. Corporate shake-up affecting the companies in the circled letters?: RE-ORG.  Nice, Rebecca.  Very Nice.

Across:

1. Cymbals played with a pedal: HI-HAT.

Hi Hat

6. Doofus: TWIT.

10. Snack or stack at the poker table: CHIPS.

15. Hushed summons: PSST. Yo' over here.

19. Sun-dried brick: ADOBE.

20. Hardwood trees: OAKS.

21. 32-foot pastry visible from the 405 in Los Angeles: DONUT.

Mmm Donuts

22. "Sex Education" protagonist: OTIS. Sex Education is a series on Netflix.

23. [See: Theme]

26. Key turning point?: LOCK.

Or if you're Keyless

27. Landscaping tool: HOE.

28. Title role for Madonna: EVITA.

29. Chihuahua's alert: BARK.

30. Sinister: EVIL.

32. Early social networking site: MYSPACE. MySpace was before Facebook.

34. Cartagena kiss: BESO.

35. Flat formation: PLATEAU.

Flat formations

38. Kitchen containers: POTS.

39. [See: Theme]

41. GoPro device: CAMERA.

44. Musical ability: EAR.

45. Ref. that added "adultification" in 2023: OED. Oxford English Dictionary: "Adultification is originally a psychology term describing children who act more mature than their peers as a result of being handed adult responsibilities from a young age."

46. Rattan: CANE.

47. [See: Theme]

52. Used a peeler: PARED.

53. Comedian DeLaria: LEA.

54. Like last-minute tix, maybe: SRO. Standing Room Only at a sold-out show.

55. "Stop talking": HUSH.

56. Sudden shocks: JOLTS.

57. Air space?: LUNG. Cute.

59. Rio hello: OLA.

61. Bag-checking org.: TSA. Transportation Security Administration.

62. __ fide: BONA.

63. [See: Theme]

71. Bavarian range: ALPS.

72. Prefix with cache: GEO. "Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called geocaches or caches, at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world." [Cite]

73. Get loose, in a way: SAG.

74. Ginger __: SNAP.

Cookies!

75. Italian seaport: GENOA. Or salami!

77. Flock infant: LAMB.

79. Brio: PEP.

81. Word with bird's or bull's: EYE.

82. 75-Down [GRILL] accessory: GRATE.

83. [See: Theme]

88. Simpson who plays the sax: LISA.

Lisa on the Sax

89. "Mr. Robot" creator Esmail: SAM.

I enjoyed the first two seasons.

90. Beam: RAY.

91. Said aloud: VOICED.

92. [See: Theme]

97. Cable: CORD. Not Comcast but just a line.

98. Has on the calendar: PLANS TO.

99. "American Dad" dad: STAN. American Dad is another Seth MacFarlane cartoon.

Stan

100. Inched closer: GOT NEAR.

103. Match makeup: SETS. Tennis anyone?

104. Petting zoo chorus: BAAS.

105. Base for many Italian fashion labels: MILAN.

106. Ginger blossom garland: LEI.

108. Tends to spilled milk: MOPS. Cute.

110. [See: Theme]

114. Dressy attire: SUIT.

115. "The Color Purple" producer: OPRAH.

116. "You said it!": AMEN.

117. Do some dirty dancing: TWERK.

118. Jennifer of "Dirty Dancing": GREY. Nice clecho.

119. Dishwasher cycle: RINSE.

120. Petting zoo ride: PONY.

121. Music League submissions: SONGS.

Down:
1. "Hell __ no fury ... ": HATH.

2. Figurative expression: IDIOM.

3. Comfy cozy: HOMEY.

4. First pres. born outside the Thirteen Colonies: ABE. Lincoln was born in KY before moving to IL.

5. Power trip?: TELEPORT. Cute.

6. Debate issues: TOPICS.

7. Trash: WASTE.

8. HEMNES retailer: IKEA.

9. Vanilla meas.: TSP. Teaspoon.

10. 1990s media coverage?: CD CASE. Cute.

11. Souped-up car: HOT ROD.

12. Indigenous Alaskan: INUK.

13. Water filter brand: PUR.

14. Mentally prepared: STEELED.

15. " ... and I approve this message" spots: POLITICAL ADS.

16. Lifted prints?: STOLEN ART.

17. [Not my error]: SIC.

18. Disappointed click: TSK.

24. Digital images?: AVATARS.

25. Wild goat: IBEX.

31. Actor Kilmer: VAL.

33. Blueprint bit: SPEC.

34. Hardwood tree: BIRCH.

35. House of Lords member: PEER.

36. St. __ of Assisi: AGNES. A CSO to IM!. In Doug Peterson's March 17, 2024 puzzle, CLARE was the Assisi St.

37. Employed: USED.

39. Madrid "more": MAS.

40. Adversary: FOE.

41. Pegged instruments: CELLI. Plural cello.

42. Indigenous Alaskan: ALEUT. Nice clecho.

43. Denotes: MEANS.

44. Biotech bacteria: ECOLI.

48. Makes a flat sheet flatter: IRONS. Nice clue.

49. Resolution: OUTCOME.

50. Peak between Pelion and Olympus: OSSA.

51. "__ a big if!": THATS.

52. Duck habitat: POND.

56. Musician Batiste: JON.

58. Provide pardon: GRANT AMNESTY.

60. Acute thing: ANGLE.

62. Bread shaped like a 21-Across: BAGEL.

64. Plant with a tiger tooth variety: ALOE.

65. Brewery letters: IPA.

66. One on a fixie, say: GEAR.

67. Like some tear-jerkers: SAPPY.

68. Yr. before a historic time change: ONE BC.

69. Journalist King: GAYLE.

70. Dashboard display: SPEED.

75. Outdoor kitchen fixture: GRILL.

76. Simple: EASY AS PIE.

78. Lowest rank for a 35-Down [not PEER but House of Lords member]: BARON.

80. Crucially important: PIVOTAL.

82. Unappealing plateful: GLOP.

83. Baylor University city: WACO.

84. "I dunno ... ": HMM.

85. "Postman __": BBC stop-motion animation series: PAT.

Postman Pat

86. Crunchy snack: CORN NUTS.

Original Corn Nuts

87. Helper: AIDE.

89. Accepts an invitation to pose: SITS FOR. Or watching the neighbor's children.

93. Calif. Christmas hrs.: PST. Pacific Standard Time

94. Poses in a yoga studio: ASANAS.

95. Lazy walrus, e.g., for short: STACHE.

How to Style [7:24]

96. Paper money: CASH.

97. Coral community: COLONY.

100. Assumed: GIVEN.

101. Marvin the Martian, e.g.: ALIEN.

Best of [6m]

104. Switzerland's capital: BERN.

105. Brief brief: MEMO. Memorandum in case we all forgot what memo is short for.

107. Signs: INKS.

108. NYC arena: MSG.

109. Possessive word: OUR.

111. Troy research univ.: RPI.

112. Missy Elliott genre: RAP.

113. Number of players in Battleship: TWO.

The Grid:

The Grid

My synopsis:
WOs: Larch -> BIRCH
ESPs: OTIS, LEA DeLaria, SAM Esmail, OSSA
Fav: Teleport was cute.

There you have it folks.
I hope you found all the Easter Eggs and don't find one with the mower in June :-)

Cheers, -T

Sunday March 24, 2024 Kyle Dolan & Dylan Schiff

Theme: "In Tune" - Each theme clue is a song. The synonym of the first word in each song is hidden inside each theme entry, which defines the remaining part of each theme clue. 

23. Friends in Low Places?: DEEP SEA TRENCHES. Dears.

38. Dust in the Wind?: SOPRANO CLARINET. Soot.

54. Party in the U.S.A.?: THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY. Do.

77. Dancing in the Street?: SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD. Samba.

91. Crazy in Love?: ABSOLUTELY ADORE. Outre.

110. Down in the Boondocks?: MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. Low.

Just in awe of this theme. So many layers. So much work involved finding workable theme entries. 77A is amazing. 

Our blog tags show that this is the Kyle and Dylan's second collaboration. The first one is this themeless Gary blogged last year. Kyle is known for his clean and sparkly themeless grids.

Across:

1. Capital known as "The City of Trees": BOISE. And 19. Capital known as "The City of Stairs": AMMAN.

6. HS course for a future poli-sci major: AP GOV. Also 61. Capitol Hill fig.: POL.

11. "How silly of me!": DOH.

14. Cook brisket, perhaps: SMOKE.

20. Quinceañera accessory: TIARA. So pretty, everything.

21. Singer profiled in the 2022 Netflix documentary "Halftime," familiarly: J. LO. And 85. "__ Kai": Netflix series: COBRA.

22. Ancient manuscript: CODEX.

26. Outkast rapper __ 3000: ANDRE.

27. Org. whose logo features crossed clubs: PGA.

28. Oct. 24 observance: UN DAY.

29. Chemical in bagel-making: LYE.

30. Cream-filled pastries: ECLAIRS.

32. Way off: RANCID.

34. Some truffle hunters: BOARS.

36. Colorado State's sports team: RAMS.

37. Jellicle Ball attendee: CAT. The musical "Cats".

44. Love, in Verona: AMORE.

46. Walking tall: PROUD.

47. Half-inning trio: OUTS.

48. Can opener: TAB.

49. Pixar swimmer: NEMO.

50. Lacking proper punctuation, perhaps: RUN-ON.

51. Delight: AMUSE.

53. School member: FISH.

58. "Am __ blame?": I TO.

59. Presto, musically: FAST.

60. 20s dispensers: ATMS.

62. Amsterdam waterway: CANAL.

64. "Just watch me!": CAN SO.

66. [Crying emoji]: I'M SAD. When I pushed off the wall, I just could not submerge low enough to do the underwater dolphin kicks. Life is hard when you can't sink low.

70. Video art pioneer __ June Paik: NAM. Unknown to me. Wikipedia says he's "considered to be the founder of video art".

72. Licensed transport: TAXI.

73. Train, as a boxer: SPAR.

76. Hilton-owned hotel chain: TRU.

83. Basic ballet move: PLIE.

84. Antibiotic units: DOSES.

86. Central Plains tribe: OTOE.

87. Organ with a hammer: EAR.

88. Foie __: GRAS.

89. Ticket prices?: FINES. Parking ticket.

90. Tons and tons: SLEWS.

95. DOJ agency: ATF.

96. Bench press targets, for short: TRIS.

97. College administrators: DEANS.

98. High-end hair dryers: DYSONS. Very pricey.

101. Flatbread served with dal: PARATHA. And 118. Less spicy, in a way: TAMER. Indian food are a bit spicy for me.

104. Projectile's path: ARC.

105. Beach balls?: LUAUS. 114. Play place?: STAGE. 121. Oyster cracker?: OTTER. 82. Power base?: VOLTS. Fun clues.

108. Noisy fight: ROW.

109. Vessel implant: STENT.

115. To's opposite: FRO.

116. Model/actress Kate: UPTON. She's married to Justin Verlander.

117. "__ mañana": HASTA.

119. Bros: MEN.

120. __ profundo: low voice: BASSO.

Down:

1. Unflattering media coverage, briefly: BAD PR.

2. Rolex competitor: OMEGA.

3. "Seriously!?": I MEAN COME ON. 16. "Weird, right?": ODD ISN'T IT. I love these two long fill.

4. Maple syrup base: SAP.

5. Like a hotel bathroom, often: EN SUITE.

6. Teeny bit: A TAD.

7. Gyro wrapper: PITA.

8. "Slow Horses" actor Oldman: GARY. My favorite Gary. Gosh, 10 years already. 

9. Deposit for processing: ORE.

10. Unit for soccer practice carpool, say: VAN LOAD.

11. Video game with a turntable-shaped controller: DJ HERO.

12. Copa América cry: OLE.

13. Slip 'N Slide need: HOSE.

14. Quantities such as mass and time: SCALARS. Opposite vectors.

15. Address for Hercule Poirot: MON AMI.

17. Steve with nine NBA titles as a player and coach: KERR.

18. Old flames: EXES.

24. Finish: END.

25. The "C" of the CMYK color model: CYAN.

31. Prepare to move, as artwork: CRATE UP.

33. Christmas tune: CAROL.

34. Pop star Mars: BRUNO. Loved his "Just the Way You Are".

35. Scrubs: SCOURS.

38. Root veggies: SPUDS.

39. " ... then again, we could try something else": OR NOT.

40. [It's gone!]: POOF.

41. Ardent desire: LUST.

42. "No sweat!": EASY.

43. "Truthfully," in a text: TBH. To be honest.

44. Shenanigan: ANTIC.

45. Conductor Zubin: MEHTA.

50. Genetic letters: RNA.

51. Many NYC addresses: APTS.

52. Tibetan dumpling: MOMO. Similiar to xiaolongbao.

53. Festival entry: FILM.

55. Major key of Chopin's "Heroic" Polonaise: A FLAT.

56. Spreading fear: PANIC.

57. Bête __: NOIRE.

63. "The Favourite" queen: ANNE.

64. Candy __: CANE.

65. Graph line: AXIS.

67. Minnesota's Paul Bunyan, for one: STATE FOREST. Maybe I should explore the trails there someday. 

68. Item in a quiver: ARROW.

69. Bros: DUDES.

71. Wild hurry: MAD RUSH.

72. Threw out: TOSSED.

73. Serious: SOBER.

74. Coach purchase, perhaps: PURSE. Coach bags.

75. __ plancha: Spanish cooking method: A LA.

77. Concrete piece: SLAB.

78. Classic travel trailer: AIR STREAM.

79. Castle defense: MOAT.

80. Sour compounds: ACIDS.

81. One-named Irish singer: BONO. Not ENYA.

83. Test subject for Gregor Mendel: PEA.

88. Nail polish enhancer: GLITTER.

89. Devotees: FAN CLUB.

90. "Oh, really?": SAYS WHO.

92. Mandarin, e.g.: ORANGE. Mandarin oranges were a must for Boomer's fruit salad.

93. "I'll follow you": LEAD ON.

94. Patio spot: YARD.

98. Green owl in a popular language app: DUO.

99. El __: America, in Mexico: NORTE.

100. Necessitate a bleep: SWEAR.

101. Soft "Over here!": PSST.

102. "__ boy!": ATTA.

103. Radio toggle: AM FM.

105. Oodles: LOTS.

106. Sci-fi craft: UFOS.

107. Latin dating word: ANNO.

111. Anger: IRE.

112. AirNow.gov partner: EPA.

113. Prominent part of a beefeater's uniform: HAT.

 C.C.

Sunday March 17, 2024 Doug Peterson

Theme: "County Fair" - Each common phrase contains an Irish county.

23. Subway request: HOLD THE MAYO.

33. Light verse best not shared with kids: DIRTY LIMERICK.

53. Actress who plays Anita Hill in the HBO film "Confirmation": KERRY WASHINGTON.

67. New Year's Eve popper: CHAMPAGNE CORK.

91. "C'mon, live a little": LET YOUR HAIR DOWN.

102. Italian saint who founded a Franciscan religious order: CLARE OF ASSISI.

120. Matinee idol of the 1930s and 1940s: TYRONE POWER.

A perfect puzzle for our Irish Miss and Steve Marron. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm not familiar with County Down or County Tyrone, but any puzzle by Doug Peterson is a treat. His grids, including Saturdays, are always super clean and smooth. Doug is also a super solver. This pic is from ACPT 2008.

Doug Peterson & Will Shortz

Across:

1. Ancient fabulist: AESOP. Also a pricey soap brand.

6. Pesky insects: GNATS.

11. Shelter org.: SPCA.

15. __ capsule: TIME.

19. Set of beliefs: CREDO.

20. Betray, in a way: RAT ON. I know OMERTA.

21. Chalky powder: TALC.

22. Make muddy: ROIL.

25. Bibliography abbr.: ET AL.

26. Roadside retreats: INNS.

27. Club music genre, familiarly: EDM. Electronic Dance Music.

28. "We can seat you now" buzzer: PAGER. Pagers were very popular when I was in college. We only had one phone in school building.

29. "Funny, right?": GET IT.

30. Travel document: VISA.

31. Beach town atmosphere: SEA AIR.

37. Geek (out): NERD.

39. Unit of resistance: OHM.

40. Travelers' gp. with annual dues: AAA.

41. Vehicle in many a Jack London story: SLED.

44. Filling station number: OCTANE.

47. Unbelievably impressive: SCARY GOOD. Great fill.

56. "I Can't Drive 55" singer Hagar: SAMMY.

57. "Until we meet again, chérie": ADIEU.

58. Drought relief: RAIN.

59. Elizabeth's role in Marvel movies: WANDA. Elizabeth Olsen. Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch.

61. Leonine feature: MANE.

62. Like a small vineyard, perhaps: TEN-ACRE.

64. Clothing pioneer Strauss: LEVI.

65. Sign-on need: USER ID.

72. Like a live fumble: IN PLAY.

76. "What __ is new?": ELSE.

77. Hind site?: TAIL END. So many fun clues in this puzzle:  113. Kick starters?: FEET. 112. Santa Fe foursome: TIRES. 121. Passing remark?: YEA.

82. Editor's "Lose this": DELE.

83. "Open wide!": SAY AH.

85. Shopper's reference: LIST.

88. Revved up: EAGER.

89. Pixel pattern: IMAGE.

94. Stagnate: GO NOWHERE.

96. Refuse to be associated with: DISOWN. 109. Refuse to yield: INSIST.

97. "Which __ say ... ": IS TO.

98. Bud visitor: BEE.

99. Dowel: PEG.

100. Hand sanitizer ingredient: ALOE.

114. __ apso: LHASA.

115. Browning spots: OVENS.

117. Non opposite: OUI.

118. Driver of many trailers: ADAM. Adam Drive the actor.

119. Recover from a run: PANT. Oh guys, my 25-meter freestyle record is now 30 seconds. It was 35 seconds last December. Butterfly is still a mess. I'm in the stage between butterwhy and buttercry.

123. Arizona landform: MESA.

124. "Laugh-In" comedian Johnson: ARTE.

125. Tackle again: RE-TRY.

126. Sidestep: EVADE.

127. Elysian locale: EDEN.

128. Cherished: DEAR.

129. Cinch of a course: EASY A.

130. December candy shapes: CANES.

Down:

1. Is tender: ACHES.

2. Slowly cut into: ERODE.

3. One of Marge Simpson's sisters: SELMA.

4. Somewhat strange: ODD.

5. Course with a crust: POTPIE.

6. Hall of Fame pitcher Maddux: GREG. We used to have a ton of his cards.

7. Known as: NAMED.

8. Gaming trailblazer: ATARI.

9. 75-Down, e.g.: TOY. 75. Figure included in the Gotham City Cycle Chase set: LEGO BATMAN.

10. __-Cat: winter vehicle: SNO.

11. Girder alloy: STEEL.

12. Soul icon LaBelle: PATTI.

13. Insurance filing: CLAIM.

14. Knee injury common among athletes: ACL TEAR. And 15. Pub entertainment with a host: TRIVIA GAME. Doug is terrific themeless constructor.

16. Like some bonds: IONIC.

17. Belarus capital: MINSK.

18. Disney character loosely inspired by "The Snow Queen": ELSA.

24. Soil-loosening implement: HARROW.

29. Athletic center: GYM.

32. Tenor Bocelli: ANDREA.

34. Samurai without a lord: RONIN.  浪人. Literally "wanderer".  Same in Chinese.

35. In those days: THEN.

36. Sunshine, slangily: RAYS.

38. Region with many Commanders fans, briefly: DC AREA.

41. Card game in which 10s score higher than kings and queens: SKAT.

42. News article intro: LEDE.

43. "__ go bragh!": ERIN.

45. Airport security org.: TSA.

46. Sushi tuna: AHI.

47. Barrel strip: STAVE.

48. Like some water cooler cups: CONIC.

49. Plus: AND.

50. Ilhan of Congress: OMAR. The 5th district. I live in the 3rd district.

51. Luxury hotel chain headquartered in Dallas: OMNI.

52. Recolored: DYED.

54. Desert plant in the asparagus family: YUCCA.

55. "The Sweet Escape" singer Stefani: GWEN.

60. Paranormal vibe: AURA.

63. "House of the Dragon" actor Ifans: RHYS.

64. Shirt size abbr.: LGE.

66. Slalom competitor: SKIER.

68. __ lemon: citrus hybrid: MEYER.

69. Dish: PLATE.

70. Pallid: ASHY.

71. Capital west of Montreal: OTTAWA.

72. "Yeah, man": I DIG.

73. Pixar clownfish: NEMO.

74. Course of action: PLAN.

78. Part of LPGA: LADIES.

79. Swelled heads: EGOS.

80. Semiaquatic salamander: NEWT.

81. 007's first film foe: DR NO.

84. Flagon beer: ALE.

85. Video game brother: LUIGI. The Mario Brothers.

86. Org. with auditors: IRS.

87. "Dexter: New Blood" airer, for short: SHO.

90. Still-life jug: EWER.

92. "To a ... " poems: ODES.

93. Waiting to buy tickets, say: IN LINE. Boomer and I used to stand in line for over 4 hours to get those Twins bobbleheads. He loved those activities. He could talk up a storm with anyone.

95. Shoe insert: HEEL PAD.

99. Educational ad: PSA.

101. Unsolicited, as a manuscript: ON SPEC.

102. Relinquished: CEDED.

103. Charter: LEASE.

104. Chicago airport: O'HARE.

105. Soda with a Piña Colada flavor: FANTA.

106. Autumn blossom: ASTER.

107. Classifies: SORTS.

108. Off-white shade: IVORY.

110. Sioux City resident: IOWAN.

111. Upholstery choice: SUEDE.

113. Struggling actor's dream: FAME.

116. Singer born in County Donegal: ENYA. One more county reference.

120. Uno + due: TRE.

122. Reproductive cells: OVA.

C.C.