Theme: The end of a relationship - The last word of the long entries could be used with up to describe a failed commitment...although the last one might be the start of a commitment.
17A. Colorado Gold Rush motto : "PIKE'S PEAK OR BUST!"
34A. "How stupid do you think I am?!" : "GIMME A BREAK!"
42A. Diet-busting ice cream treat : BANANA SPLIT
61A. One who's not easily convinced : TOUGH NUT TO CRACK
Argyle here. Two grid-spanners in this quality puzzle. Nothing forced but still Tuesday hard. No reveal or unifier.
Across:
1. Like many eBay items : USED
5. Swing, as trees in the wind : SWAY
9. Butler's belle : O'HARA. GWTW
14. __ contendere: court plea : NOLO
15. Keyboard error : TYPO
16. Be an omen of : AUGUR
20. Jewelry fastener : CLASP
21. "__ chic!" : TRÈS
22. Spelling contests : BEEs
23. Too small, clothing-wise : TIGHT
25. Kwik-E-Mart owner on "The Simpsons" : APU
27. Looks forward to : AWAITS
30. No strangers to the slopes : SKIBUMs
37. Crooner Cole : NAT. 35D. Crooner Crosby : BING
38. "Dies __": Latin hymn : IRAE
39. Cooler in coolers : ICE. Ok but not in the Pinch. Has anybody tried Ardbeg 10yr old single malt?
40. Zenith : ACME
41. Tuna catcher : NET
46. Complaining : GRIPING
48. Delhi money : RUPEEs
49. Make a choice : OPT
50. __ minister : PRIME
52. Give a high-five to : SLAP
55. City near Santa Barbara : OJAI
57. Sounded delighted : AAHed
64. Results from, with "to" : IS DUE
65. Egyptian pyramid city : GIZA
66. School on the Thames : ETON
67. Jockey's straps : REINs
68. Tofu beans : SOYs
69. Claim to be untrue : DENY
Down:
1. Offensive to some, for short : UN-PC. "Not Politically Correct"
2. Gardener's purchase : SOIL
3. Elderly caretaker in TV's "Hot in Cleveland" : ELKA. Betty White.
4. Pays for one's crime : DOES TIME
5. Octane Booster brand : STP
6. "Christina's World" painter Andrew : WYETH. Do you remember Christina's last name?
7. Separated : APART
8. Oxen neckwear : YOKE
9. Dinghy driver : OAR. A very small boat propelled by oar.
10. Clamor : HUBBUB
11. Fever and chills : AGUE
12. Sneaky tactic : RUSE
13. Creative pursuits : ARTS
18. Malice : SPITE
19. Honshu metropolis : OSAKA. On the Yodo River. (Japan)
24. Fed. agency that supports other agencies : GSA. (General Services Administration)
26. Dental brand suffix : PIK. Waterpik
27. Vintner's concern : AGING
28. Electrician, now and then : WIRER
29. Italian violin maker : AMATI
30. Observed : SEEN
31. Cry of concession : "UNCLE!"
32. Dwight's spouse : MAMIE Eisenhower
33. Undoes a dele : STETs
36. Color TV pioneer : RCA
40. Became visible : APPEARED
42. Marcel Marceau character : BIP
Embedding disabled by request
43. Playwright Chekhov : ANTON. 1860 - 1904 Bibliography
44. D-backs, on scoreboards : ARI. (Arizona Diamondbacks)
45. "Poison" shrub : SUMAC
47. Toy weapon : POPGUN. Pastry weapon : POPTART. Story
50. Backyard party setting : PATIO
51. Swanky : RITZY
52. Hustle and bustle : STIR
53. Get licked : LOSE
54. High-end German car : AUDI
56. Hooch containers : JUGS. Careful, getting close to hooters.
58. Detest : HATE
59. Subj. for a business major : ECONomy
60. Fashion initials : DKNY. (Donna Karan New York)
62. "__ making a list ..." : HE'S. Who? Kriss Kringle.
63. Post-WWII alliance : OAS. (Organization of American States)
Argyle
