Theme: TOP DOG - Different dog starts each theme entry.
2D. Fruit of ancient Persia :POMEGRANATE. Foodies call those pomegranate seeds arils.
8D. Numbskull : CHOWDERHEAD
11D. Daedalus' creation : LABYRINTH
12D. Combativeness : PUGNACITY
Reveal entry:
60A. With 62-Across, a hint to the starts of this puzzle's four longest Down answers : TOP 62A. See 60-Across : DOG.
And FUR (4A. 62-Across coat) & PETS (38A. Strokes a 62-Across). Also TREAT (37A. Biscuit, maybe). For dogs too.
And FUR (4A. 62-Across coat) & PETS (38A. Strokes a 62-Across). Also TREAT (37A. Biscuit, maybe). For dogs too.
We also have a grid-spanning LEADER OF THE PACK (50. Big enchilada). Top dog!!
C.C. here, pinch-hitting for Marti, who needs to fix the house next door as the tenants will move in on March 1.
Jill Danny is Jeff Chen's wife, and we all know Jeff, the genius behind so many creative puzzles.
Today's theme approach is a bit different:
1) Theme entries are arranged vertically for visual effect;
2) Left to right symmetry;
3) Only 72 word (themeless word count) & 50 black squares.
Do you see anything out of those black squares arrangement? Argyle told me "Squint at it or like most of us, remove your glasses. If you can only see it as black and white, it looks like a puppy face."
Across:
1. Easter season: Abbr. : SPR
7. Interest fig. : PCT
10. Long, on Molokai : LOA. As in Mauna Loa ("Long Mountain").
11. Experience with enthusiasm : LAP UP
13. Pi follower : RHO
14. "Out" crier : UMP
15. Chic "Bye" : ADIEU. Chic?
16. Charged particle : ION
17. Detox place : REHAB
19. Bridal emanations : GLOWS. Sweet clue.
21. Reminiscent of venison : GAMY. Never had venison. You?
22. Dweeb : NERD
23. Red state? : ARREARS. Oh, now I see why it's red. Debts.
26. Easy gaits : CANTERS
29. Given a hand : DEALT IN
30. Annabella of "The Sopranos" : SCIORRA. Drew a blank. Anon-T might know her. So how do you pronounce her name?
31. Chased (after) : RAN
32. Whirling : IN A SPIN
34. Farm feed : HAY. Hi there Spitzboov!
35. Computer that once came in "flavors" : iMAC. Other than my iPod, I own iNothing.
39. Greek cheese : FETA
40. First name in one-liners : HENNY (Youngman). "Take my wife, please!".
41. Actress Charlotte et al. : RAES
42. Fountain near the Spanish Steps : TREVI
44. Buddy : KIDDO
45. __'acte : ENTR
48. Flute part : STEM
57. Babysitter's handful : IMP
58. New evidence may lead to one : RE-TRIAL
59. Fawn spawner : DOE
61. Slogan sites : T-SHIRTS
Down:
1. Bit of mudslinging : SLUR
3. Vatican Palace painter : RAPHAEL
4. Pet rocks, e.g. : FAD
5. News agcy. since 1958 : UPI
6. Regret bitterly : RUE
7. Preceding : PRIOR TO
9. Bunches : TONS
18. Cremona artisan : AMATI. I'm so glad they caught the Strad suspects yesterday. Art thieves!
20. Red Square honoree : LENIN. My childhood hero.
23. Lacking purpose : ADRIFT
24. Juice extractor : REAMER. I just call mine Juicer.
25. Grab, as a line drive : SNARE
26. D.C. network : C-SPAN. And 33. Fig. on 26-Down : SEN
27. Like most bawdy films : R-RATED. Or RATED R.
28. Lays down the law : SAYS SO
36. Gave in : CAVED
38. Groom with care : PRIMP
43. Unmoving : INERT
44. Hull stabilizers : KEELS
46. "__ bien!" : TRES
47. Big name in IRAs : ROTH
48. Rustle : STIR
49. "Take __!" : THAT
50. Aflame : LIT
51. Angst-filled genre : EMO
52. Killer Birds, e.g. : APP. Is it related to Angry Birds?
53. Calendar abbr. : FRI
54. Recipe instruction : ADD
55. Soft murmur : COO
56. Barrel at a bash : KEG
I
have a question for all of you: Which is your go-to site for news?
NBCNews went live on Tuesday night (Feb 4, 2014) and I really dislike
the new format, which is more suited for mobile devices. I tried CNN and
Google News yesterday but liked either.
C.C.
