Theme: CLAY (72. Potter's material associated with the end of 17-, 27-, 49- and 64-Across) - Synonym theme.
17. Bit of insurance paperwork: CLAIM FORM.
27. No longer in style: OUT OF FASHION.
49. Work out regularly at the gym: GET INTO SHAPE.
64. Fungus on an old loaf: BREAD MOLD.
Boomer here.
Hello
everyone. I remember when I used to hate Mondays, but now I have
retired and my bowling league competes every Monday morning in the
winter. Speaking of winter, it is still here in Minnesota. Waiting for
April.
Across:
1. Depletes, with "up": USES. We used to have so many uses for modeling clay when I was a kid.
5. Pod in Creole cuisine: OKRA.
9. Theme park that retired its IllumiNations show in 2019: EPCOT. I visited there around 1987. I don't remember IllumiNations but it was an interesting theme park.
14. Tall and skinny: LANK. I used to be that in the 60s. Then I got old and my upper chest dropped down a foot or two.
15. Umpire's call: FOUL.
Yup, I am waiting for the season to begin. I heard that the first
pitch is in mid to late March. That would be interesting at Target
Field. I guess the Twins open on the road.
16. Greek played by Anthony Quinn: ZORBA. Zorba the Greek.
19. Earlier offense: PRIOR.
Interesting - Minnesota has a small city called Prior Lake. I suppose
that means that there was one of 10,000 lakes there first.
20. Series-ending abbr.: ETC.
21. Set as a price: ASK. ASK and you will receive.
22. Accumulates: AMASSES. I have AMASSED a bunch of Baseball cards.
24. Letters shown in the "Wheel of Fortune" bonus round: R S T L N E.
26. PC panic key: ESC. I had a bit of panic on the computer but C.C. fixed it.
34. Public tantrum: SCENE. Shakespeare, Clifford O'Dets, Arthur Miller, Pirandello ?? (The Hip Song - Chad Mitchell of course.)
37. Hydroplaned: SLID. I think Jack and Jill SLID down the hill.
38. Writer Ferber: EDNA.
39. Novelist Levin: IRA. Keep it loaded to delay income tax. But when you get to be my age, Uncle Sam says you have to take some out.
40. Charge card charge: LATE FEE. This is how credit cards make $$$. Not from C.C. and me though.
43. Tarzan player Ron: ELY.
44. Owlet's home: NEST. N E S T L E S, Nestle's makes the very best. Chocolate.
46. With everything in place: NEAT.
47. ER images: X RAYS. Do not need anymore. The ER figured out what was wrong with me. Well, physically anyway.
52. __ ring: foot jewelry: TOE. Waste of money.
53. Postgame rundowns: RECAPS. My bowling league secretary emails a RECAP every week, So we can see how we did.
57. Domed hall: ROTUNDA.
61. Watergate pres.: RMN. Tricky Dick. Always thought Milhous was an odd middle name.
62. Sigma follower: TAU.
63. Soft palate part: UVULA.
67. Latish wake-up hr.: TEN AM. I am on my third cup of coffee and thinking about lunch by then.
68. James of "Elf": CAAN.
I suppose folks remember him in the "Godfather" but my favorite roll
was his portrayal of Brian Piccolo in a TV movie called Brian's Song.
69. Charitable offerings: ALMS.
70. Catch by trickery: SNARE.
71. Prefix with formal or final: SEMI. Also a big truck.
Down:
1. Worrier's stomach woe: ULCER. I have been lucky to never have one of these. And I have eaten some outrageous stuff in my lifetime.
2. Seasons with crystals: SALTS. Don't use these to treat an ulcer.
3. Make official: ENACT.
4. Tackle moguls: SKI. We have many small mountain ski areas here in MN, but I have never tried. My winter sport is ... You know.
5. Cancel out: OFFSET.
6. Eccentric sort: KOOK. KOOKIE, KOOKIE lend me your comb.
7. Capek play about automatons: RUR.
8. __ mater: ALMA. "Bright college years we sing to thee"
9. Toll-paying convenience: EZ PASS. We have no toll roads in Minnesota. Come on up and drive for free.
10. Sports car that has two syllables in German: PORSCHE. I don't think you can drive one of these for free. Insurance will take its toll.
11. NFL analyst Collinsworth: CRIS.
12. Slender wind: OBOE.
13. Seasoned sailors: TARS. Never knew how they got that name. I have seasoned TAR on my driveway.
18. "Hamilton" creator Lin-__ Miranda: MANUEL. Quite a production. It's making the rounds.
23. Victor at Gettysburg: MEADE. Civil War General - Kicked Robert E. Lee's butt at Gettysburg.
25. Chaney of silents: LON. I've heard of him but he was well before my time.
28. Bone: Pref.: OSTEO.
29. Pet peeves?: FLEAS. "My dog has fleas!"
30. Saks __ Avenue: FIFTH. Also a bottle of Chivas Regal.
31. Mental flash: IDEA.
32. "I'm __ human": ONLY. "Only the Lonely" Roy Orbison.
33. Negative votes: NAYS. A bunch of these on the Senate floor last week.
34. Act the fink: SING. Sing, Sing a song. Make it simple to last the whole day long. (Carpenters).
35. First Nations tribe: CREE.
36. "__ of Eden": EAST. Home of the AL Yankees and Red Sox. Get 'em Twins 2020.
41. Paid for a hand: ANTED.
Years ago we caddies would play poker in the country club caddy shack.
The ante was usually five cents. But that was a lot of $$$ in 1960.
42. Use, as energy: EXPEND.
45. In name only: TITULAR. I'll leave this alone.
48. DVR button: REC.
50. Like a generic brand: NO NAME.
There's a company in MN called "No Name Steaks". I have never tried
one, I like steak with a name, even if it is only sirloin.
51. Designer Giorgio: ARMANI. I don't need his clothing and I cannot afford it anyway.
54. Ring-shaped reef: ATOLL.
55. Director Brian De __: PALMA.
56. Like dishwater: SUDSY. And also like Pabst Blue Ribbon.
57. Boring routines: RUTS.
We have ice ruts up here this year that are unbelievable! Dangerous
but C.C. and I take our time. I would hate to have to call the fire
department to pick me up off the ground.
58. Baking appliance: OVEN.
59. Fish in cat food: TUNA. I did not know it was cat food, StarKist is a favorite on Fridays in Lent.
60. Preschool basics: ABCS.
61. Paper quantity: REAM. I think it's 500 sheets. One ream lasts us about two years.
65. Grammy winner Corinne Bailey __: RAE.
66. PC alternative: MAC. Oh yeah, that thing. I always thought it was a big sandwich.
Boomer
