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 - example11. 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
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.
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.
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.
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?
Well, let me be the first to "make some noise" by applauding our "Fearless Leader" for this Sunday contribution! I only wish my Across Lite App highlighted the acrosses that corresponded with the reveal, because I actually had some trouble figuring what went where... I can't say I DNF'd, because, obviously, I did finish (or this write up would not be making any noise at all...) but, here is my "almost" completed grid, with what got me to WAG mercilessly right at the end...
CE:D "Almost Crash and Burn..."
In hindsight, it should have occurred to me that the clues with the question marks were trying to make some noise...
22 Across. Corn?: KITCHEN EARS (Kitchen SHears) This is what started me off not knowing what the heck was going on without the reveal...
39 Across. Bailing out of a storied couples' cruise?: JUMPING THE SHARK. Very Clever, Couples Cruise... But when you add the missing "SH" it becomes:
How to bail out of a SitCom when you run out of plots...
54 Across. Toymakers who really help with the holiday rush?: STORE ELVES. Now, this is where i really got confused. Because this statement stands by itself... I would not have even thought this part of the Theme, but if you add SH, it becomes Store Shelves... Which makes me think I should type less, because some one out there is shouting Shhh! Like this is some kind of Library...
Well, I will not be silent!
Here's the full episode!
(Um, the excessive scotch consumption was an accident, i swear!)
81 Across. King Kong after his glow-up?: CHANGED APE. Ack! How can I splain this? I don't know what a "glow up" is... Hmm, Google says: A significant, positive transformation in a persons appearance, confidence, or lifestyle... Hmm, the only glow up I've ever had was after the excessive scotch consumption incident...
Oh, I forgot to add, "Changed SHape"... (hmm, makes me wonder what King Kong looked like after losing 200 pounds on that diet...)
94 Across. Unwilling to lace up skates?: RINK RESISTANT (reimagined SHrink resistant...) OK, I get it, but do we really want to be assaulted with this image again?
I think not...
112 Across. Material used to make Nuggets uniform tops?: JERSEY ORE. I had to take a break here, and come back, because this was confusing until I separated the twurds... Uniform Tops = Jersey. Nuggets come from Ore. Denver Nuggets are a team. I still am not sure why they would be at the Jersey SHore...
114 Across. Missions to obtain keepsakes?: SOUVENIR OPS. Ah! Of course! It is starting to make sense! Souvenir Ops! Excellent! I think I'm starting to see a Theme here... =Souvenir SHops!
(See, you didn't have to yell... I would have figured it out eventually...)
102 Down. Holler, or when parsed differently, an alternate title for this puzzle: SHOUT.
Ah! Here it is, hidden way down in the Downs! The Reveal that makes it all make sense! SH-out!
Ops become Shops, Ore becomes Shore, Rink becomes Shrink, Ape becomes Shape, Elves become Shelves, Ark becomes Shark, and Ears become Shears! So that's what all the shouting was about!
Unless your CrossEyed like me, and mix up a puzzle from a couple of days ago, that had "Hollar" instead of "Holler," and your shouts become hoots, and you have to WAG (Wild A** Guess) your way through...
Anywho! Onward!
Across: 1. Buckled accessories: BELTS. (I could have used a couple of these under my belt...)
6. Talk a big game: BRAG. (The above is not one...)
10. "Macbeth" quintet: ACTS. I wanted "Hags" getting confused with the trio of fates, Lachesis, Clotho, and Atropos. Of course, if I had read the clue correctly, I would have been in a different play...
14. Pet rescue org.: S.P.C.A. I always wonder if it is A.S.P.C.A. or just S.P.C.A... I was this many years old when I discovered: The Difference: The ASPCA is a national charity with high-profile advertising, while your local SPCA is the shelter in your community helping local pets.
18. Dollar alternative: ALAMO. Rent A Car options...
20. Seasonal song: NOEL. I don't mean to opine, but I always wondered about this, so I Googled.
"Noel" is derived from the Latin word Natalis, meaning "birth" or "birthday." It specifically refers to the birth of Jesus Christ (the nativity,) evolving into the old French word Noel (or Nael) which became a standard French term for Xmas... Apparently, even Google does not know why Noel became a name for a seasonal song...
Um, er,, apologies... I blame Daughter #1, who said, "I should stop being so lazy, and research more for the benefit of others." So, here is what Google said when I "re-asked" :)
"The First Noel" is a traditional English Christmas carol from the 13th-14th century that tells the story of the Nativity, specifically the announcement of Jesus’ birth to shepherds and the journey of the Wise Men
. "Noel" comes from Latin/French roots meaning "birth" or "news," functioning as a shout of joy.
21. Give a ring: CALL.
22. [ Theme ]
24. "Naked Lunch" in a lunchroom, say?: TRAY NOVEL. This was my downfall... immediately after Kitchen Ears, and not yet having a clue, I left this for the end, and wound up trying to turn it into an aSHtray... Luckily, like the Phoenix, I arose from this mess....
26. Part of i.e.: EST. I.E. is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase id est, meaning "that is," "in other words," or "namely." Used to define or restate a preceding statement, kind of like trying to make whole the explanation of my ashtray of a puzzle solving attempt...
27. More mature: OLDER. (Not today...)
28. "Happy __!": June greeting: PRIDE. I wanted Fathers Day, but, to each their own...
30. Cookie invented in Manhattan: OREO. What? This is another one of those Clue/Answers I never saw till the write up! More Research Needed! In a nut(sh)ell, the Chelsea Factory located at Ninth Avenue and 15th Street in NYC is on a Block now called "Oreo Way." (Who Knew?)
31. Instagram video: REEL. (I sincerely doubt there has ever been an Instagram video that was "ever" on a reel...)
33. __ school: MED. Actually, this 4 years is just a prerequisite. It takes 11 to 16 years to become a Doctor, depending on your specialty... For instance, it took me almost 70 years to learn how to post this kind of silliness on this venue...
34. Indigo Girls, e.g.: DUO.
35. Showbiz quartets: EGOTS. A rare achievement of winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.
37. Winged archer: EROS. I dunno, it's Greek to me.... (you might be more familiar with the Roman "Cupid.")
39. [ Theme ]
44. Scotland's national dish: HAGGIS. (Do you really want an image?)
Seeing is better than knowing what's really inside it...
47. Planned (out): MAPPED. No! I am not linking a recipe for Haggis! (I would rather jump a shark...)
48. Victim of Iago in "Othello": CASSIO. I am led to believe that "Cassio" is the definition of "Unwitting Pawn," but. To explain further would require more time, and tickets to The Globe Theatre...
49. Latish lunch hr.: ONE PM.
Nonsense!
I am sorry, but I can't let this go! Some one must teach you Americans why The Shire was The Happiest Place In Middle Earth! Late-ish Lunch? One PM? Gore BeGoren! I'm stewing in my Haggis!
Would you be a fine Gentleman, and pass the pitcher of Guinness...
50. Out of sight: GONE. Hmm, what happened to Lunch?
51. Noche's opposite: DIA. I would have thought this to be Italian, but Google says its Spanish... Idunno, it's all Latin to me... (or is it Night and Day...). Hmm, more research needed...
53. "Groovy!": NEATO. Nope, not going there...
54. [Theme?]
56. Offhand comment: REMARK. (Excuse me...)
59. Chum: PAL.
60. Sandcastle destroyer: TIDE. ( I really liked this one;)
61. Fragrant ring: LEI.
62. "Best wishes": GODBLESS. Now, I know I going to get reprimanded for not separating this into twurds, but where I come from, this is One Word!
64. Pros: ACES.
65. Mayflower vehicle: VAN. (As in "moving.") (surely, no pic needed...)
66. Catchy tune: BOP. (There has got to be a better 3 letter word for a catchy tune? A little help here?)
67. Silence a growling belly: EAT. (Pls see elevenses, above...)
68. Cheryl of "Charlie's Angels": LADD. Unlike Mayflower Vehicle, this one needs a pic...
This one's for you Splynter!
72. Tries to hit: SWINGS AT. Hmm, is this a twurd? I'm not sure... I tried to Splain it, but I missed...
75. Narrow inlet: RIA. Now, this one has bugged me for years. I always wanted somebody to post a picture of a Ria. I'm sure it would be beautiful... So I tried,
But they wanted Money...
76. At any point: EVER.
Jeepers! I thought I would never. See a Ria!
Hmm, but now I want to see what it looks like from that point...
77. In the style of: ALA. (The above is brought to you in the style of CE:D)
80. Debit card provider: ISSUER.
81. [Theme]...
84. Gold __ flour: MEDAL. This seems a little strained as a clue, surely there could have been something better. Maybe "King Biscuit Flour Hour..." in my opinion, award winning concerts back in the day...
86. Part of mph: PER. Lessee, what fits, Mile? Hour?
87. President of Brazil since 2023, familiarly: LULA. OK, this freaked me out,,, because I thought He was a girl... full name: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva And no, you do not want a pic...
88. Small combos: TRIOS. Smaller combos: Duo's... I wanted to post a clip from Yellow Submarine, where the Blue Meanies Bonk the band with apples, and our guide announces, the quartet is now a trio, then a Duo... But when I went to look for the pic, I was presented with THE ENTIRE MOVIE!...
Oh My Gosh! This has not been available for years!
Catch it while you can!
89. Take too far: OVERDO. I hope I didn't above, and overdo is not a twurd...
91. Pre-election event: DEBATE. (Oh please, Not again...)
93. Props for hillside homes: STILTS. Doesn't work, i have videos...
94. [Theme]
97. Go first: LEAD. (Not Lead, that would be the first to sink...)
101. Best Play, for one: ESPY. I could use some help with this one, because, when I Google Espy, I get this... Um, Play? (You sure the "S" isn't for Shakespeare...?)
105. Zero-star reviews: PANS. My take on above...
107. Heartless monsters: OGRES. No I am not,, I just don't understand...
109. Record of the year?: ANNAL. Derived from the Latin, Annus. (Year) A historical record of events, listed in chronological order, by year...
111. Bit of a chuckle: HEE. (I'm not sure if this will transpose to the 3/22/26 Luann comic, but here goes...) La,La,,La...
112. [ Theme ]
114. [ Theme ]
117. Diva's time to shine: ARIA.
118. Such a long time: AGES.
119. Noted New York Judge: AARON. Oooh,,, I see what you did here! Very Sneaky! IT'S A BASEBALL REFERENCE!
120. Botch (up): LOUSE. ( I believe I apologized already...)
121. Signs of spring: BUDS. Ah, relationships grow from Best Buds, to Summer, Fall, Winter, Compost...
(Note, come back and fix this...)
122. Event for swimmers: MEET. Hmm, in retrospect, this should be obvious... But in trying to take Daughter #1's advice, I Googled, and Autocorrect changed my "meet" to "How did Meat become a name for a swimming contest..." The little A.I. Wheel is still spinning,,, I think I broke the Internet...
123. Dental exam picture: X-RAY. OK, OCD time out for a sec, but does anyone like those new fangled gizmos that they re-use, and have been in dozens of other peoples mouths before you? I dont' care how many times you sterilize the Dang Thingie, you could run that thingie thru the Fires of Hell, and you still would not be able to put it in my mouth... (and yes, my Dentist loves me, he works very well with children. And yes, I do get a toy, but these days its a toothbrush and floss in a baggie...)
124. Himalayan cryptids: YETIS. Learning moment: Cryptids. You will have to Google this yourself, because when I went to link the explanation, the internet went Kerflooie... (It might have something to do with Swimming Meat above...)
Down: (Finally!) 1. One who typically kneads the job?: BAKER. (Haha!)
2. Beethoven dedicatee: ELISE. (Bagatelle No.25 in A minor)
3. Milky espresso drink: LATTE. (Phooey! I like my espresso strong! With 3 coffee beans...)
{oh wait! Sorry! That's my Sambuca...}
4. Cinemax alternative: TMC. (Or TCM, or TNT,,, no wait,,, that's an explosive blockbuster...)
5. Gallery-rich area near Tribeca: SOHO. New Yorkers are well aware this refers to "South" of "Houston" street... However, since the growth of NYC over the years, there is now a NOHO, And a WOHO (if you like swimming in the Hudson,,, I hear they are having a "meat" there...) And, a soon to be new development, the EOHO... (right now a landfill in the East River, the "E" stands for "Eeeeuw...!)
6. Beagle or bulldog: BREED.
7. Back end: REAR. (Nope, not hoping there...)
8. Earth Day mo.: APR. Short for April, Lovely Girl,,, You should meet her Sister "Dawn..."
9. Premium location?: GASPUMP. Ack?!? There's a (?) Could this be a Themer? Lessee, Gas(space)pump... Hmm, Where would you put an SH here? (I swear, Ocifer,, I did'nt haves drink... it's this puzzle just got me confused...)
10. Counter: ANTI. No. Ante, and then counter with a raise...
11. "Carpool Karaoke" co-creator: CORDEN. Hmm, not sure about this one (and the internet went Kerflooie...)
12. Savory snack with a cracked shell: TEA EGG. (OMG! I wouldn't eat this, let alone Parse it...)
Image deleted due to breakfast rules...
13. Cunning: SLY. Just try to sneak in a Tea Egg pic, I dare You!
14. "Casino" director: SCORSESE.
15. Improve, as a dirt road: PAVE.
16. Geppetto's goldfish: CLEO. (See Pinocchio.)
17. "It's __ good": ALL.
19. Mountain range that's home to Aconcagua: ANDES. Ok, This one kinda P'd me off, because I thought the Aconcagua were a people that lived in the Andes... A Google Search reveals It is just a mountain.
But, what a Mountain...
23. Saint __ fire: ELMOS. OK, this goes back to the early Seafaring Days, when masts would light up with electrical energy. Freaked Sailors out! (Understandable) In today's modern explanation of things, it is really just a bigger version of rubbing a balloon, and making it stick on the wall... Static Electricity...
Except, Yikes! Whataya rubbing? The Hindenburg!
25. "Hard pass": NO THANKS. (Obligatory space between twurds...)
29. Theme park opening ritual: ROPE DROP. Now, this really P'd me off... I had to ask DW for help, and she was like, "oh, of course...". ( all I can think, is how much you wanted for admission to this freakin' thing...)
Apparently, this is a "thing."
I'm sorry, I just dont get it... Now "if" they had a rope drop to get into "The Budweiser School of Beers,"
I would be first in line...
32. Exercise that targets quads and glutes: LEG PRESS.
34. Hoodwinks: DUPES.
36. Available without an Rx: OTC. (Over The Counter...) What I wanted to do recently at CVS, when they wanted me to type into a giant screen, all my personal info, on a skeevey thingie that God Knows how many sick people had touched before me,... Yes, I will be that guy on the news, who jumped over the counter, to grab my meds, which belong to me anyway, before they tried to make me touch all their skeevey crap! (Dont get me started on $4-off over priced crap that doesnt apply because its on sale...)
38. Winter coat: RIME. Spring is here! Forget this clue/answer...
39. Primatologist Goodall: JANE.
40. "That was mortifying": IDIED. Ok, in our current political climate, this requires more "apostrophe" placement... Was it "I'Died", or was it, ID'ied. Either way, scary stuff...
A second look at this clue/answer begs the question of what was meant here. Mortifying describes something causes extreme shame, embarrassment, or humiliation. Or was it meant in the sense of a mortuary, (or funeral home.) that specializes in the storage, preparation, and care of human bodies before burial or cremation... in either case, I guess you could say, "I Died..."
41. "Quickly!" letters: ASAP.
42. Hayworth of the silver screen: RITA.
She was the first Poster, but got replaced by Racquel Welch when the hammer wore out...
(A Shawshank Redemption Reference...)
43. __ & the Gang: KOOL. Hmm,,,
44. Shade-loving plant: HOSTA.
45. Shenanigan: ANTIC.
46. Crystal-lined rock: GEODE.
Did you know you can buy and break open your own at Walmart?
47. Going places: MOVING UP.
50. Picks up bit by bit: GLEANS. (My CC puzzle solving strategy...)
52. Light suds: AMBER ALE. (I still prefer Lager...)
55. Graceland icon: ELVIS.
57. "Sitting Pretty on Top of the World" country singer Lauren __: ALAINA.
I have no idea what this even sounded like,
Because DW decided to Vacuum around me while I was working...
58. Put a new label on: RETAG.
62. Figured out: GOT.
63. Snowy day activity: SLED RIDE.
It's a Rite of Passage...
66. Hair clip: BARRETTE.
I had no idea...
69. To no __: in vain: AVAIL.
70. Train station: DEPOT.
71. Gown: DRESS.
73. Iowa's state flower: WILD ROSE. (A state Flower can be a Twurd? Who Knew?)
74. Core group?: SEEDS.
77. Love, to Bad Bunny: AMOR.
78. Denim pioneer Strauss: LEVI.
79. Yemen's Gulf of __: ADEN.
81. Clash heard in a swordfight: CLANK. Even more so if you get struck by lightning, and your Armor becomes magnetic...
But who has time for clanking when the poisons in the...
82. Jabba the __: HUTT.
OOPS! Sorry, wrong link...
83. "At Last" singer James: ETTA. (Crosswordese staple, over linked...)
85. The Natural State: ARKANSAS. Just try to say it, an spell it, there's nothing NAtural about it!
90. Contraction in some hymns: O'ER. A contraction of Over, but then they got even lazier, and left out the apostrophe. So now Oer is even more incomprehensible... (hmm, i wonder what a contraction of incomprehensible would be?)
92. Very low woodwind: BASS SAX. (Although, as one word, would be Basssax, hmm, kinda Bad A**...)
93. Car rental choice: SEDAN.
95. Curly, for one: STOOGE.
96. "So true!": I AGREE! (Needs an exclamation mark, so I added one...)
97. Wrinkle-prone fabric: LINEN. What irons were invented for...
100. Embassy go-between: ENVOY.
102. [ Theme ]
103. Sister brand of Aquafina: PEPSI.
104. Positive replies: YESES. Well, I can't be positive about this! You can't expect CrossEyedDave, who has trouble seperating twurds, to know if this needs an apostrophe... I mean, Even Google is conflicted...
105. Country where Inca Kola originated: PERU. What? I thought this was The Kola Nut in 7UP...
106. Like a vast, rainless plateau: ARID. (Or my mind, after learning Inca Kola...)
108. Take it easy: REST. (Yes, good idea...)
109. Radiant vibe: AURA.
110. Flower on a floating pad: LILY.
112. Poke: JAB.
113. Tuber in the Nigerian dish asaro: YAM. I would have clued this as "what Popeye is." (I yam what I yam,) but it probably would not make it past the editorial process...
115. Paddle kin: OAR.
116. Masago or tobiko: ROE. This was under the belt, (where most Sushi and Sashimi wind up...) Which begets the question, Is this Sushi, or Sashimi?
Anywho, you can all give CC a shout out in the comments for this Sunday Marathon.
(I, for one, yell "Thank You." And maybe throw in a Hoot and Hollar too...)
Ah yes,
The Completed Grid
CE:D (Quietly slipping out...)
Notes from C.C.:
Happy 85th birthday to dear Irish Miss (Agnes), who has brought so much joy and meaning to our lives. I'm deeply grateful for all the guidance and care she's given me through the years.
L-R: Anne, Agnes, Eileen, Mary, and Peggy. 3/17/2019
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".
