Tuesday, May 12, 2026 ~ Zhouqin Burnikel

Side Salad Up!

Today's theme, provided by our blog's host, C.C., is a tossed diner salad. It's so simple we don't even need (those pesky) circles to see it. Let's take a look:

17. Practical baby shower gift: DIAPER GENIE.
When the Girls were infants, we had one. Insert a soiled diaper and twist twice. It keeps the smell down and creates a twisted "poop sausage." //Apologies if you're still finishing breakfast.

Diaper Genie

26. Sheer brilliance: PURE GENIUS.

36. Hidden nerdy side: INNER GEEK. I wear my GEEK on the outside.

52. Pumping device in a pub: BEER ENGINE. A hand pump developed by John Lofting, a hydraulic engineer. You can build your own.

61. Simple salad, or what 17-, 26-, 36-, and 52-Across all have: MIXED GREENS.

I love a salad with my meal. It starts with mixed greens, but then I go a little crazy.

One of my dinner side salads.

Across:

1. Supports for crow's nests: MASTS.

6. In the company of: WITH.

10. Half-__ latte: CAF.

13. How ballerinas may stand: ON TOE.

Degas' Pink & Green

14. In the lead: AHEAD.

16. R&B singer Lennox: ARI.

She's new to me.

17. [See: Theme]

19. Last leg of a triathlon: RUN. Swim, cycle, RUN.

20. First responder certified in AED use: EMT. An Automated External Defibrillator is used by an Emergency Medical Technician.

21. "Stranger Things" actress Hawke: MAYA. She's the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman.

Maya Hawke

22. Blacksmith's workshop: FORGE.

24. Praise: LAUD.

26. [See: Theme]

29. Put emphasis on: STRESS.

31. Monopoly players?: CARTELS.

32. Fish enjoyed on Unagi Day: EELS. There's a Unagi Day?

I do love me some unagi.

33. Back out (on): BAIL.

35. "Barbie" actress Issa: RAE. She was in Thursday's puzzle.

Issa RAE

36. [See: Theme]

40. TruTV sister station: TBS. Turner Broadcasting System. Ted Turner died last week.

NPR with Ted's Obit

43. Objectives: AIMS.

44. Shawarma bread: PITA.

47. Craftsperson: ARTISAN.

50. Sides of a gem: FACETS.

52. [See: Theme]

55. Leafy vegetable rich in vitamin K: KALE. A GREEN leafy.

56. Boutonniere spot: LAPEL. A boutonniere is French for a cute pin. Madeleine Albright was a master of using them.

57. Ladder crosspiece: RUNG.

59. PC hookup: LAN.

60. Flight takeoff abbr.: ETD. Estimated Time of Delay ;-)

61. [See: Theme]

65. "It just clicked!": AHA.

66. Skirt with flare?: A-LINE.

67. Colorful striped stone: AGATE.

68. Currency in MN and NM: USD. Minnesota & New Mexico use United States Dollars.

69. "None of that is true!": LIES.

70. Living room seats: SOFAS.

Down:

1. Workers who strike poses: MODELS.

2. Bring to life: ANIMATE.

RUSH!

3. Level of importance: STATURE.

4. Blouse or turtleneck: TOP.

5. Come across as: SEEM.

6. Pricey Japanese beef: WAGYU.

7. "Rumor is ... ": I HEAR.

8. Number of legs on a lobster: TEN.

9. "Yes," in Osaka: HAI.

10. Verizon or T-Mobile: CARRIER.

11. Leafy vegetable also known as rocket: ARUGULA. Another leafy GREEN. Arugula is a bit peppery and adds depth to a salad.

12. Delicate handling: FINESSE.

15. Postpone: DEFER.

18. Sings like G-Dragon: RAPS. Sings? Four letters? An educated WAG.

That's G-Dragon

23. Toronto's prov.: ONT.  The greatest band ever, RUSH, is from Ontario's Toronto.
//I've got one more expo before seeing RUSH's R50 (something) w/ Bro, Sis, & Eldest 30 JUN in Dallas. What I'm saying is, anything I can connect to RUSH will be posted 'cuz I'm totes pump'd.
You've been warned.

25. Place to order a Reuben: DELI. This is one of my favorite sandwiches. Only a summer-time BLT is better.

Now That's a Sandwich.
Kenny & Ziggy's does it up. Yummers!

27. Vaping devices: E-CIGS. I finally quit all nicotine nine months ago - I still miss it.

28. Battering wind: GALE.

30. Nine-digit ID that never begins with a nine: SSN. Social Security Number. And, I didn't know 9xx-xx-xxxx doesn't exist.

33. For the time __: BEING.

34. Blazer sleeve: ARM.

37. Flatbread often enriched with yogurt: NAAN.

King Arthur's Recipe

38. Org. that banned DDT: EPA. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane.

39. Punt or field goal: KICK. Did you get a KICK out of this clue/answer? //Sry - #DadJoke

40. Picturesque scene: TABLEAU.

41. Gulps of air: BREATHS.

42. Father in a blended family: STEP DAD. I've had three. Mom didn't grow moss.

45. Bit read by a fortune teller: TEA LEAF.

46. City with the world's busiest airport: ATLANTA. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International is Delta's main hub and very busy.

If you must go through, plan for a 2hr layover
or you won't make your connection.
//Youngest & classmates were stuck overnight on their way to IREland.

48. Furious state: IRE.

49. Alabama city in civil rights history: SELMA.

50. __ shui: FENG.

51. Gets the feeling: SENSES.

53. Adler who outwits Sherlock Holmes in "A Scandal in Bohemia": IRENE. With all the interpretations of Holmes, I can't recall if she's Sherlock's sister or just "The Woman" who can outsmart him a bit. Anyone know better?

54. Some lipstick shades: NUDES.

58. Mardi __: GRAS. Years ago, I was with Krewe of Bacchus - it's not for the faint of liver.

62. Down with a bug: ILL.

63. Noon, on sundials: XII. If you visited the XIV Stations of the Cross in Catholic school, the Roman Numeral for 12 is a gimme.

64. Self-image: EGO.

C.C. delivered another gem. I had fun. You?

Here's the Grid:

The Grid

WO: FuNG shui.
ESPs: ARI, MAYA
Fav: I'm going to BAIL on this one ;-).

Cheers, -T

Saturday, May 2, 2026, Zhouqin Burnikel

Saturday Themeless by Zhouqin Burnikel

The coded grid shows that C.C. had a lot of fresh fill that included delicious looking Asian cuisine. She also seems to have a Kentucky Derby mini-theme on this first Saturday in May. As usual her cluing was amusing without being "too far out there".

                 

Here's what she had to say when I asked her about a mini-theme and American, where she excels, and Chinese slang.

Hi Gary,

Yes, there's a mini theme on the Saturday grid. 

Chinese works quite differently. Much of its richness comes from characters and tonal nuances rather than the kind of wordplay we often use in English puzzles. Mandarin has four tones, while Cantonese has nine, which adds another layer to how meaning is conveyed.

C.C.

The horses are in the chute and ready to run, so let's go!

Across:

1. Branch of Islam that includes Zaydism: SHIA - I only know SHIA and SUNNI so...

5. KJ of "Riverdale": APA - I recognized Riverdale as being the high school from Archie comics which I read in my misspent yute. KJ plays Archie in a CW series.

8. Growing concern?: FARM.

12. Brand with TV ads featuring Garfield: IAMS.

13. Half of all integers: EVENS - This got a chuckle from this math teacher

15. "2 funny": LMAO.

16. Galileo Galilei Airport city: PISA.

17. Place for fans to show support: MERCH BOOTH - Taylor Swift MERCH booths usually set up days before her concerts. It is estimated that her MERCH sales were over $400 M while tickets generated over a billion dollars.

19. Kentucky Derby moniker: RUN FOR THE ROSES and 50. Racetrack with twin spires: CHURCHILL DOWNS This is always decided today, the first Saturday in May

21. Narrow passages: STRAITS - One particular one has been in the news a lot lately 

22. Feature of thioacetone: ODOR.

Yikes!

23. Do groundbreaking work?: HOE.

24. Intake plans: DIETS.

26. "He has my whole heart": I'M HIS - The Spanish version: 62. Part of a basic Spanish conjugation: ERES - ERES el amor de mi vida. (You are the love of my life.) 

30. Brian who scored "The Lovely Bones": ENO.

31. Crumb: IOTA.

32. Patronizing person: CLIENT.

33. APR reducer: REFI.

35. Heading up?: NORTH - On most maps

37. Pop singer Alessia: CARA ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

38. Figures in quotes: PRICES.

40. Corner: TRAP.

42. "Corduroy" writer/illustrator Freeman: DON ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

43. Bloom in a fall bouquet: ASTER.

44. Anne who had a recurring role on "The King of Queens": MEARA - Anne is shown after being reunited with her longtime husband and comedy partner, Jerry Stiller.

45. Post __: HOC - A clever example (1:27)

46. Grammy winner Winans: CECE ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

48. "My guess is ... ": I ASSUME.

54. Make it big: RISE TO FAME.

55. GPS listings: ETAS.

57. Bean sprout?: IDEA.

58. Stalking cats: PUMAS.

59. Skillful: DEFT.

60. Stretch in office: TERM.

61. Go out for a bit?: NAP 😀

Down:

1. Bit of suction: SIP.

2. Treatments for locks: HAIR TONERS.

3. Positive thinker's comment?: I'M SURE OF IT - A famous example: QB Joe Namath guaranteed his underdog NY Jets would win Super Bowl III over the heavily favored Colts and everyone thought he was crazy. Check out the score.

4. Happy baby, for one: ASANA.

5. Not a fan of: AVERSE TO.

6. Smart-alecky: PERT.

7. Pozole peppers: ANCHOS.

8. Amplifier for tap dancers, perhaps: FLOOR MIC.

9. "Spark" singer Tori: AMOS.

10. Put on a scale, say: RATE - example 11. Scale name: MOHS - A mineral hardness scale seen here often.

13. Pride and joy: EMOTIONS.

14. Storage unit: SHED.

18. Use a salamander: BROIL ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

20. Wall Street's nabe: FIDI.

21. Himalayan ethnic group: SHERPA.

25. __ Tatin: TARTE.

27. Specialist in executive orders?: HEAD HUNTER - If an executive orders you to find a certain employee, "Who Ya Gonna Call?"

28. Temporary repository: IN ROOM SAFE.

29. Position: STANCE.

32. Guessing game: CHARADES - You've got to have some miles on your tires to remember this 50's TV show.

                     

34. Frappe ingredient: ICECREAM.

36. National Park Service handout: TRAIL MAP.

39. Standing upright: ERECT.

41. __ Robles, California: PASO - A GPS can tell the correct RTE to PASO Robles using the right 56. GPS listings: STS. and even your ETA.

44. Rice vermicelli: MEI FUN.

47. Do some kitchen prep: CHOP.

49. Nobel, for one: SWEDE - His final home

50. Brief review: CRITique or CRITIcism

51. "Take cover!": HIDE - We lived pretty close to SAC Air Base and so we did this drill in the 1950's

52. __ error: USER.

53. Priest in "Lost Horizon": LAMA. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

 

 

Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Zhouqin Burnikel

Theme: Try 4-7-8 breathing.

Today we have a clever and unusually constructed puzzle by our own dear C.C., with a split unifier, and vertical theme entries. This suggests the likelihood of a certain kind of gimmick, in which a target word is contained in the theme fill, and oriented as the unifier indicated.  Let's check it out.

The unifier -- 9A. With 64-Across, "Chill!," or what can be found four times in this puzzle: CALM.

64A. See 9-Across: DOWN.  Together these words form an exhortation spoken to someone in an angry or agitated state.  It is well known that reciting this magic formula will immediately cause that person to become placid and serene.  In the theme fill, the hidden word CALM is spelt in the DOWN orientation.  Nice.

3 D.  Neighborhood spot for fresh produce: LOCAL MARKET.  It centers on local production, immediate demand, and community-focused marketing strategies aimed at customers living or working nearby.

8 D. Make-or-break point: CRITICAL MOMENT.    A pivotal, high-stakes juncture in a conversation, project, or life event that determines future outcomes, often acting as a turning point. 

14 D.  Genre with symphonies and sonatas: CLASSICAL MUSIC.    A broad, formal tradition of Western art music spanning roughly the 11th century to the present, rooted in written notation, complex structures, and lasting value.  Often this phrase refers to a more narrow time slice containing the 17th to 19th centuries.

25 D. Accessories favored by serious gamers: OPTICAL MICE.    Computer pointing devices that use a light source—typically a light-emitting diode (LED)—and a photodiode sensor to detect movement relative to a surface. 

Construction details -- Perfect rotational symmetry is maintained in the grid with the positions of the unifier fragments and the themers.  For an extra, elegant touch, the CAL M is split between the L and M in each two-word theme entry. 

Also note that this theme is like a soft pillow.

It's down filled.

Hi, Gang, JazzBumpa here, feeling very mellow, and hoping we all get through this puzzle peacefully and untroubled.

Here is today's theme song.

Across:

1. Embrace: HOLD.   Put your arms around someone.    Huge hug.

 5. Voting alliance: BLOC.   A combination of people or groups sharing a common purpose.

13. "Hi there, matey!": AHOY.   A nautical interjection used to hail a ship, attract attention, or greet others, 

14. Like the top coat of nail polish: CLEAR.  A transparent, durable paint layer applied as the final step over colored (basecoat) paint on vehicles, or, in this case, toenails.

15. Toll unit: AXLE.  A central shaft or rod that connects a pair of wheels to a vehicle, rotating with them or allowing them to rotate around it. Axles support the vehicle's weight, manage braking and acceleration forces, and in powered vehicles, transmit torque from the transmission to the wheels.  Tolls can be based on the number of them.

16. Sprint or marathon: RACE.   A competition between runners, horses, vehicles, boats, etc., to see which is the fastest in covering a set course.

17. Green bug named for its camouflaging ability: LEAF INSECT.   A large slow-moving tropical insect related to the stick insects, with a flattened body that resembles a leaf in shape and color.

Wikipedia

19. Mrs. in Mallorca: SRA.  Señora, a married woman.

20. First light: DAWN.  Day break.

21. Tip of a sock: TOE.   Where the human toes reside.

22. "We need assistance!": HELP US.   

24. Go kaput: DIE.  Pass away, get used up.

25. Aveeno grain: OAT.    A highly nutritious whole grain, specifically Avena sativa, packed with fiber (beta-glucan) that aids heart health, reduces cholesterol, and promotes fullness for weight management. 

Aveeno is an American brand of skin care and hair care products owned by American consumer health company Kenvue.

28. Largest deer species: MOOSE.   The moose or elk is the world's tallest, largest and heaviest extant species of deer and the only extant species in the genus Alces. It is also the tallest, and the second-largest, land animal in North America, falling short only to the American bison in body mass.

30. Solar event: ECLIPSE.   A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth and fully or partially obscuring the Sun. 

32. Wild guess: STAB.   Aka, swag.

34. "Broad City" star Glazer: ILANA.   Ilana Glazer (b. 1987) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, and activist. 

36. "C u l8r": TTFN.   An acronym for "Ta-ta for now," a playful, informal British phrase meaning "goodbye for now".

37. Sub in a deli: HERO.  A New York-origin, large submarine-style sandwich made on a long, crusty Italian roll, filled with layers of Italian cold cuts (salami, pepperoni, capicola), provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and oil/vinegar.

38. Part of ACLU: CIVIL.   The American Civil Liberties Union.

39. "About the Author" sections: BIOS.   Short biographies (personal profiles or sketches of a person's life.) 

40. Like some bourbons: OAKY.  Aged in oak barrels.  I prefer rye or a single malt scotch.

41. Starting squad: A-TEAM.   An elite or expert group comprising those who are most pre-eminent in an organization, profession, or activity.

42. Decent size for a meadow: ACRE.  A unit of land area equal to 4,840 square yards (0.405 hectare).

43. Grapple in a ring: WRESTLE.   Engage in close, hand-to-hand combat by gripping an opponent to throw or immobilize them, often as a sport. 

45. Stage presence?: LONG A.  The letter "A" present in the word "stage" is of the long variety.  In "stag' it is of the short variety. 

47. Big Apple newspaper, for short: NYT. The New York Times.  

48. Meditation chants: OMS.  In the singular,  a sacred syllable and the primordial sound of the universe, often chanted to reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and connect with spiritual consciousness.   Might even help one to calm down.

49. Took for a ride: MISLED.  Engaged in cheating or deceiving someone.  

52. Shiba __: INU.  The Shiba Inu is a breed of hunting dog from Japan. A small-to-medium breed, it is the smallest of the six original dog breeds native to Japan. The Shiba Inu was originally bred for hunting. Its name literally translates to "brushwood dog", as it is used to flush game.

Wikipedia

53. Partner in crime?: ABET.  Here, "partner" is used as a verb, meaning to act along with someone in an activity - in this case of the nefarious variety.

55. NCAA sch. with the mascot Sparty: MSU.   Michigan State University, located in East Lansing, with The Spartans as their nick-name.  My Michigan-educated grands went to Eastern, Western, Central, and Wayne State.

56. Gives only perfunctory effort: PHONES IT IN.  As in the Red Wings last sorry game of this dismal season.

60. Is just the right size for: FITS.  Having the proper size and shape.

61. Nerf darts, e.g.: AMMO.  Short for ammunition, generally combat supplies.  Nerf darts are for less serious combat, I assume.   The come in a surprisingly large variety of shapes and sizes.

62. Shocking response at the altar: I DON'T.   That could ruin somebody's whole day.

63. Rapper born Tracy Marrow: ICE T.   Tracy Lauren Marrow (b.1958), known professionally as Ice-T (or Ice T), is an American rapper and actor. He is active in both hip-hop and heavy metal. 

65. Tube tops: CAPS.  The tops of, frex., tooth paste tubes.  Clever.

66. Flower-visiting buzzers: BEES.  Oh, honey.

Down:

1. Tough to endure: HARSH.   Severely unpleasant, rough, cruel, or strident to the senses.

2. Busiest airport in the Midwest: O'HARE.  In Chicago.

4. Turn red, perhaps: DYE.  You can change the color of something without being enbarassed.

5. Made bubbles, say: BLEW.  Expelled air, in this case through a soapy loop.

Watch and Learn

6. Tilt: LEAN.   Be slanted in a certain direction.

7. Galoot: OAF.   A clumsy, stupid, or awkward person, typically a man.   Not all men.

9. Violin carrier: CASE.   A box for holding something, in this case [so to speak] a padded, form-fitting protective box. 

10. Log chopper: AXE.   A cutting tool with a heavy-bladed head attached to a handle, used for thousands of years to chop, split, and harvest wood. 

11. Inc. alternative: LLC.   A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a flexible, hybrid business structure combining the personal liability protection of a corporation with the pass-through taxation of a partnership or sole proprietorship.

12. Crossed paths: MET.  Encountered someone.

18. French holiday: NOËL.   Christmas.  Joyeux Noël.

20. Key and Peele, e.g.: DUO.  Two people doing something together.  K and P were a sketch comedy DOU with a self-named TV show that ran from 2012 to 2015 on Comedy Central.

23. N'awlins sandwiches: PO'BOYS.    Traditional Louisiana sandwiches served on crispy, flaky French bread, often filled with fried seafood (shrimp, oysters, catfish) or roast beef with gravy. 

24. "Wasn't me," e.g.: DENIAL.   The refusal to accept truth, reality, an accusation, or a request, 

26. Regarding: AS FOR.   Concerning a certain topic.

27. On pins and needles: TENSE.   Nervous and worried and unable to relax: needing to calm down.

29. Privileged groups: ELITES.    Small, privileged groups of people who are superior in ability, wealth, or social status within societies or organizations. 

31. Must-have purses: IT BAGS.   High-priced, luxury designer handbags that becomes a season's must-have item, defined by immense popularity, celebrity endorsement, and high demand. 

32. Aired: SHOWN.  Broadcast on TV, or another visual medium

33. All choked up: TEARY.  Almost crying.  Pass me a Kleenex.

35. Blvd. kin: AVE.  Boulevard and Avenue - streets by any other name, often wide, tree lined, and possibly divided..

44. Mood: TONE.   A temporary, subjective emotional state or frame of mind, often lasting hours or days, which influences how a person perceives the world.  Leave me alone.  I'm in a bad tone today.  A mood is how one feels.  The tone is how it may be expressed through voice, writing or art.

46. Trivial complaint: NIT.  Relating to some small or insignificant detail.  Did I pick one in 44 A?

50. Lauder of cosmetics: ESTĖE.  Estée Lauder (nee Josephine Esther Mentzer, 1908 –2004) was an American businesswoman. She co-founded her eponymous cosmetics company with her husband, Joseph Lauter (later Lauder). She was the only woman on Time magazine's 1998 list of the 20 most influential business geniuses of the 20th century.

51. Uses a Swiffer: DUSTS.   Swiffer is an American brand of cleaning products, manufactured by Procter & Gamble. Since its launch in 1999, Swiffer has achieved widespread popularity and become one of Procter & Gamble's most successful brands in the household cleaning products market, with its core product line centered around disposable towels and cleaning parts.

52. Privy to: IN ON.  Knowledgable about something, often something not widely known. 

53. Perched upon: ATOP.  "On top of," "at the top," or "situated on the summit" of something.

54. Storage boxes: BINS.   Containers or enclosed spaces used for storing, holding, or collecting items. 

56. Writer's block?: PAD.   A writing tablet or note pad.  Calling it a block is a stretch too far, IMHO.

57. Med. insurance option: HMO.  Health Maintenance Organization, a type of health insurance plan that limits coverage to doctors or facilities within a specific network. It offers lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs but requires selecting a Primary Care Physician (PCP) and obtaining referrals to see specialists.

58. Texter's "Be there soon": OMW.   On My Way.

59. St. known for spuds: IDA.  Here, "St." indicates state, not street, and IDAHO is known for it's potatoes.

60. Lie to spare someone's feelings, perhaps: FIB.  Also known as a white lie. 

C.C. served us up a fine puzzle today, and I had fun blogging it.   Would I fib to you?

Chill regards!

JzB