Theme: TAILLIGHT
(35D. Rear warning lamp, and what can go with the end of each answer to
a starred clue) - Last word in each theme entry can precede "light".
17A. *Mystery/soap (1956-'84) that ultimately dropped "The" from its title: EDGE OF NIGHT. Night light.
37A. *One of the four Seven Sisters magazines that are still in print: WOMAN'S DAY. Daylight.
63A. *Televised panelist shown from the shoulders up: TALKING HEAD. Headlight.
5D. *Infielder typically between second and third: SHORTSTOP. Stoplight.
Boomer
here. Welcome to all of you crossword enthusiasts. I heard that you
have company. Word is that some of our U.S. Senators were doing
crossword puzzles during the impeachment talks. I can't say I blame
them. I watch MSNBC for an hour or so and then I have to change the
channel.
I
have bowling news this week. In my Thursday league, the bowling center
was giving me trouble with sparse oil conditions on the lanes. Since
the oil pattern was similar to 1970s I pulled a 45 year old plastic ball
out of the garage. It took me a game to figure out how to work it,
but my scores were 155 - 257 - 220 - for a 632 set. My second 600 since
my diagnosis, but guess which ball I will be using there next week.
Across:
1. Tibetan monks: LAMAS.
I have a story about a Tibetan monk. He entered a monastery where the
head monk could speak freely but the members were only allowed 2 words
every five years. After 5 years the monk was called to a meeting. "I'm
hungry," he said. The superior responded that a larger portion of food would be
given. After 5 more years, "I'm cold," he said. The superior answered that he
would be issued more blankets. After five more years he said "I Quit".
The head monk replied, "Well that does not surprise me brother. You
have done nothing but complain since you got here!"
6. Rise up against authority: REBEL. Johnny Yuma was one,
11. U.S. interstate, e.g.: RTE. I have always been appreciative of the Interstates.
14. Grind, as teeth: GNASH. My family once had a 1952 Nash - without the G.
15. Amazon Echo Dot's voice service: ALEXA. Siri's competitor.
16. West end?: ERN. Western.
19. Pilot-licensing org.: FAA.
20. "Grrr!" is one: SNARL. If you hear one in the woods, change direction.
21. Understood by a select few: ESOTERIC. Proceed to left field to understand some of this stuff.
23. Garden shed tool: HOE.
I only have a shovel. We will prepare the garden when the snow melts.
I was going to grow seedless watermelon, but I don't know what to
plant.
24. Smidge: TAD. We'll plant a TAD of tomatoes.
26. Give in: RELENT. Bowlers never relent, we just change balls.
27. Light-circling insects: MOTHS.
29. Send out: EMIT. Won't be long and we will be EMITTING golf balls.
32. "Got it": I SEE. "I see" said the blind man, but he really didn't.
33. Start, as of symptoms: ONSET.I hope there is no ONSET of the coronavirus in your area. Our news paper says odds are slim in Minnesota.
34. John Brown's eulogist Stephen Vincent __: BENET.
John Brown was notable in our history. He was an abolitionist and his
raid at Harper's Ferry is linked to the Civil War. He was hanged in
1859 and his eulogy was attended by John Wilkes Booth. I cannot imagine
what it was like to live in the USA 160 years ago.
36. "If only __ listened": HE'D.
40. H.S. equivalency test: GED. I doubt if it is equivalent to four years of Christian Brothers. (Sorry Brother Albert - just kidding).
43. Hopscotch: POTSY. How about Richie Cunningham's pal Potsie Weber.
44. Sonnet line quintet: IAMBS.
48. Chrysler Building architect William Van ___: ALEN. You would probably have to be Lee Iacocca to know this.
50. Campus official: DEAN. Angel's Pitcher Dean Chance.
51. Longest river in France: LOIRE.
52. As found: IN SITU.
54. Cartoon frame: CEL. I think that is short for cellophane so they could make a movie.
56. Prefix with gender: CIS.
57. Christmas saint: NICHOLAS. Jolly old St. Nicholas, lean your ear this way!
60. Quarterfinalists' count: EIGHT. Not sure about this but EIGHT is enough.
62. Suffix with alp: INE.
66. Opposite of oui: NON. If you are French
67. Under-the-roof room: ATTIC.
We don't have a room in ours. Just some insulation and a lot of dust. I
did look up there once after an original Honus Wagner card was found in
an attic out east somewhere. I think it was sold by Sotheby's for a
lot of money.
68. Prefix for sun: HELIO.
69. Clock-setting std.: GST.
70. Sierra __, Africa: LEONE.
71. Prom attendees: TEENS.
"Sarge I'm just Eighteen, I gotta ruptured spleen and I always carry a
purse." (Who else but the Chad Mitchell Trio - "Draft Dodger Blues")
Down:
1. Tee size: Abbr.: LGE. I go through a few tees when playing golf. None are large.
2. "... et cetera": AND SOON.
3. Fridge stickers: MAGNETS. I have a lot of these. Most are souvenirs of places I have been.
4. On the briny: ASEA.
6. Campaigned: RAN. It's leap year. We'll be hearing a lot this year.
7. Nobelist Wiesel: ELIE.
8. Pleads: BEGS.
9. Urged strongly: EXHORTED.
10. Barista's creation: LATTE.
Fancy coffee. I've never tried it. I am too cheap and lattes are
overpriced. My best part of waking up, is Folger's in my cup.
11. Browser update button: REFRESH. You may also REFRESH Folger's with a little fake sugar and a spoonful of milk.
12. New employee: TRAINEE. Richard Gere to Louis Gossett in "An Officer and a Gentlemen".
13. Passed, as a bill: ENACTED. or touchdown as a football.
18. Miami's st.: FLA.
I've been there twice to play golf in February. Went to Epcot and
Disney World. Nice place to visit but I would not want to live there.
No hurricanes in MN.
22. Yale student: ELI. I thought they were Little Lambs.
23. Med. care plan: HMO.
These are getting a bit expensive. I am sure we will be promised
better before the election. I receive health care from the VA. Stay
healthy C.C.
25. Campaign face-off: DEBATE. We have already lived through a number of DFL debates. Can't wait until this summer when the going gets tough.
28. Use an axe on: HEW. Or Chop.
30. High-IQ group: MENSA.
31. Simpatico (like Justin Timberlake's band?): IN SYNC.
38. Soften, as one's voice level: MODULATE.
39. Ex-NBA star Ming: YAO.
An impressive 7ft 6" Chinese ballplayer. His career began in China but
he was signed by the Houston Rockets. I believe he looked down on
Shaq.
40. Opposite of losing, weightwise: GAINING. Not me. When I turn sideways you can hardly see me.
41. Weather-changing currents: EL NINOS. "The answer my friend, is blowin' in the wind." Peter, Paul and Mary
42. Climber's downward journey: DESCENT. The DESCENT speed is greater than ASCENT.
45. "Glee" star Lea __: MICHELE.
Michelle Wie has an extra L. We saw her a couple of times in Minnesota
tournaments. She was touted to be the next Annika. Never happened.
46. Great __: London's island: BRITAIN. No longer home to Harry and Meghan.
47. French possessive: SES.
49. Medical research org.: NIH.
53. Bottom line: TOTAL. Before or after taxes?
55. Dusk, in poetry: EEN.
58. Choral part: ALTO.
59. Organ that may itch: SKIN. We get mosquito bites in the summer here.
61. Indian butter: GHEE.
64. __ cream soda: ICE. We get plenty of ICE in the winter. Sometimes guys play hockey on it.
65. Spanish two: DOS.
Boomer
