Theme: "It's Time" - Spring months go forward & fall months go backward in each theme entry.
22A. Swindler: SCAM ARTIST.
24A. "It's hopeless": NOT A PRAYER.
43A. Meat brand spelled out by a four-year-old in ads: OSCAR MAYER.
48A. C-SPAN addict, say: NEWS JUNKIE. Just could not find good phrases to span MAY and JUN.
93A. Some Nehi drinks: GRAPE SODAS.
96A. It may be cracked with a key: SECRET CODE.
119A. Cable company offering: TV ON DEMAND.
121A. Fugitive trackers, at times: POLICE DOGS.
Reveal:
68A. Timely mnemonic, or what the circled letters depict: SPRING FORWARD FALL BACK.
I originally sent in this puzzle to Rich for a weekday puzzle. The spring month months (Mar/Apr/May) go forward and the fall months (Sep/Oct/Nov) go backwards. Rich noticed the flaw as "Each season covers parts of four months, so it is hard to justify leaving two of them out, especially since June and December are mostly spring and fall months, respectively".
I then sent in a revision for a Sunday puzzle. So
happy that the reveal has a convenient 21-letter count. As always, lots
of clues are Rich's.
Across:
1. Not yet bought: LEFT. Rich's clue. I had to ask D-Otto. "If it hasn't been bought, it's been LEFT on the shelf." V8 moment!
5. Kvetch: GRIPE.
10. Mushroom sought by mushroom hunters: MOREL. TTP's morels. He hunts them in spring.
15. Econ. barometer: GDP.
18. Bar on a truck: AXLE.
19. Swiss luxury brand: ROLEX.
20. Butler's love: OHARA.
21. Provider of expert advice: GURU. So lucky to have a few on our blog. You're my virtual 84. Closest peeps: FAM.
26. Subs: TEMPS.
27. __ fly: run-scoring out: SAC.
28. World's largest tennis stadium: ASHE.
29. Social media profile picture, often: SELFIE.
30. Clue follower: SLEUTH.
32. Muralist Rivera: DIEGO. Here he is with wife Frida Kahlo.
34. Cybertruck maker: TESLA.
35. Rod's partner: REEL.
37. "Over here!": YOO HOO.
40. Hoods at a monastery: COWLS.
50. Miley Cyrus label: RCA.
51. Noisy bunkmate: SNORER.
53. Prepare for another drive: RE-TEE. Sorry, gluey fill.
54. Holiday lead-in: EVE.
55. Conspiring faction: CABAL.
58. Italy's cont.: EUR.
59. "Look before you leap," e.g.: OLD SAW. And 103. "Look before you leap," e.g.: ADAGE.
61. Advanced teaching deg.: MSED.
62. 2009 aviation biopic: AMELIA. Starring Hilary Swank.
64. Authoritative code: DOGMA.
66. Art __: DECO.
75. Arcade giant: SEGA.
76. Rear-__: ENDER.
77. Hand at sea: SAILOR.
78. Improv bit: SKIT.
81. Coordinated: IN SYNC.
86. Texas site of Pizza Hut headquarters: PLANO. Yum! owns Pizza Hut. Also KFC. Boomer and I visited the first KFC ages ago.
87. Helen Reddy's "__ Woman": I AM.
88. Flood control: LEVEE.
89. Big name in bowling shoes: ETONIC. Golf shoes also.
92. Dudes: MEN.
99. Suite spot: HOTEL.
100. Mount Rainier's Native American name ... and a Microsoft typeface: TAHOMA. First part is also Rich's clue. Learning moment for me. Thanks, Rich!
102. Soothing succulent: ALOE.
105. Ethereal glows: AURAS.
108. Whitman's dooryard bloomers: LILACS.
112. Pelican State campus: TULANE.
114. Backfire sound: BANG.
116. Co-star with Chevy and Gilda: DAN. Dan Aykroyd.
118. Open veranda: LANAI. Stunning.
123. Big party: FEST.
124. Caffeine-rich nuts: KOLAS.
125. Curling venue: ARENA.
126. Vending machine inserts: ONES.
127. Rapper Lil __ X: NAS.
128. Look after: SEE TO.
129. Exorcist's target: DEMON.
130. Overly curious: NOSY.
Down:
1. Has staying power: LASTS.
2. Stand out: EXCEL.
3. Heartthrob: FLAME.
4. Deep-fried Japanese dish: TEMPURA. I love tempura seafood or veggies. The white slice with holes is lotus root.
5. Boxer's warning: GRR.
6. Turns: ROTS.
7. Trojan War saga: ILIAD.
8. Joe who played the thief Harry in "Home Alone": PESCI.
9. Phone routing no.: EXT.
10. Rainy season: MONSOON. I miss a Guangzhou a lot, but not the monsoon season. So humid. Rains every day.
11. "I know! Pick me!": OH OH.
12. Utility bill figure: RATE.
13. Jazz or swing: ERA.
14. Time-__: LAPSE.
15. Gunpowder Plot participant of 1605: GUY FAWKES. The mask guy.
16. Hamburger's three: DREI.
17. Free of contaminants: PURE.
21. Pump measure: GALLON.
23. Autumn blossom: ASTER.
25. Coast Guard mission: RESCUE.
28. Before now: AGO.
31. Sewer's bottoms: HEMS. Sew-er. Rich's creation.
33. "Reader, I married him" governess: EYRE.
34. Taco truck fare: TOSTADA. Never had it. Most Mexican food seem to have cheese or sour cream. Most Asians are lactose-intolerant.
36. The Beatles' Penny, e.g.: LANE.
38. It's driven on a trail: HERD. Rich's creation as well. He's a wordsmith.
39. Has a balance due: OWES.
41. In real time: LIVE.
42. Piece inside a pumpkin: SEED. Also called Pepita.
43. Seal-hunting swimmers: ORCAS.
44. Whippersnapper: SCAMP.
45. Pole thrown by Scots: CABER. Hard work.
46. "Seriously?": YOU DO.
47. Wild throw, usually: ERROR.
49. Crown collection: JEWELS.
52. Wine and dine: ROMANCE.
56. Elite guests: A LIST.
57. Airport screening likelihood: LINE. Probably not too long now. We also have 72. National rival: ALAMO.
60. Pie crust ingredient: LARD.
61. Gas brand with a red "o" in its logo: MOBIL.
63. Team from College Station, Texas: AGGIES.
65. Stefani of No Doubt: GWEN. Cool girl.
67. Show appreciation: CLAP.
69. Selection process for MLB All-Stars: FAN VOTE.
70. Crusoe creator: DEFOE.
71. Swiss coin: FRANC.
73. Shaped like a megaphone: CONED.
74. Danish coin: KRONE.
78. Sound of resignation: SIGH.
79. Syrup used in pecan pies: KARO. Graybar canceled their annual
retiree Christmas luncheon. But everyone gets a special Thanksgiving
package. Turkey, pumpkin pie, stuffings, and a bottle of wine.
80. "It puzzles me": I'M AT A LOSS.
82. Jon of "Chicago P.D.": SEDA.
83. "You betcha!": YEAH.
85. "Look, señorita!": MIRA. Spanish for "look".
88. Stanford who co-founded Stanford University: LELAND. Learned from doing crosswords.
90. Winter Palace monarch: TSAR.
91. Prison division: CELL.
94. Intellectual nitpicker: PEDANT.
95. Scoundrel: SO-AND- SO.
97. Sheer linen fabric: TOILE.
98. Grayish-yellow green: CELADON. I love this color.
101. Clown for the camera: MUG.
104. Tech whizzes: GEEKS.
106. Put on a pedestal: ADORE.
107. Capital SSW of Portland: SALEM.
109. Not allowed: A NO NO.
110. Batting practice sites: CAGES.
111. Spacek of "The River": SISSY.
112. Texter's parting: TTFN.
113. Where the iris is: UVEA.
114. Farm bundle: BALE.
115. Med school subj.: ANAT.
117. Barcelona boy: NINO.
120. "The Simpsons" bartender: MOE.
121. Launch site: PAD.
122. Spam holder: CAN.
C.C.
