20. Adjustable light source : GOOSENECK LAMP.
38. Donald Sutherland film role : HAWKEYE PIERCE.
55. Carpentry connection : DOVETAIL JOINT.
I have blogged several of Jeffrey's Thursday puzzles now, and love to see his often pun-ny offerings. I'm not sure how this one ended up on a Thursday, because I finished it in my usual Monday time. The theme seemed pretty Monday-friendly, too. Straightforward compound words at the beginnings of each entry, involving: 1.) A type of bird and 2.) A part of the anatomy. So maybe the fill dictated a more difficult level? Let's check it out...
Across
1. Hit with force : RAM. Nope, still Monday.
4. Group on a dais : PANEL. Not this one, either.
9. Egyptian Peace Nobelist : SADAT. Maybe a little hesitation here between Anwar and SADAT?
14. "Take heed, __ summer comes ...": Shakespeare : ERE. Anyone worth their Shakespeare knows that three letters usually = ERE. Of course, "The Merry Wives of Windsor" is probably in Ol' Man Keith's repertoire.
15. "Just like me" : AS I DO. Maybe a little tricky to parse between "As do I" or AS I DO.
16. Last Olds model : ALERO. We have seen this so many times it almost falls into the "crosswordese" category.
17. Require medication : AIL. I'm just going to skip all the easy ones.
18. Britney Spears hit with the lyric "A guy like you should wear a warning" : TOXIC. I just can't do it...don't make me link it, please??
Call me...
19. Old-fashioned : FUSTY. To echo Tuesday's MUSTY.
23. His face is seen with Powell and Loy on many film posters : ASTA. This seems like a fresh clue for another crossword staple.
24. Rodeo wrestling match participant : STEER.
25. Dedicatory opus : ODE.
28. "Hold your horses!" : NOT YET.
31. Pot holder shape : MITTEN.
33. Medieval slavery : SERFDOM.
37. Gallery array : OILS.
41. Fed. org. researching neuropsychiatry : NIMH. National Institute of Mental Health. I'll give this one to Thursday, but easy enough to suss.
42. Solemn conclusion? : SILENT N.
43. Just about : ALMOST.
45. Got ready, with "up" : GEARED.
49. Classic Pontiac : GTO. Along with the ALERO, it makes frequent appearances in crosswords.
50. Misleading name : ALIAS.
54. Concave landform : DALE.
59. Golfer Davies, seven-time Ladies European Tour Order of Merit awardee : LAURA. Classy lady with an incredible career record.
61. TV comic Kovacs : ERNIE. I can picture him and his ever-present cigar, but for the life of me, I can't remember any of his films or TV shows.
62. Golfer's concern : LIE. They're always afraid that someone will call them a liar for putting a 3 on the scorecard when it was really a 5... (...just kidding!!)
63. Certain campaign managers : AD MEN.
64. Complaints : MOANS.
65. Solution: Abbr. : ANS.
66. Amtrak structure : DEPOT.
67. Tizzies : SNITS.
68. Big Bird fan : TOT.
Well, not too much trouble with the Across-clues. Did anyone solve by just doing the Downs?
Down
1. "Trust, but verify" president : REAGAN. It was his catchphrase during negotiations with Russia about eliminating intermediate-range missiles. Ironically, it comes from an old Russian proverb.
2. Melodic : ARIOSO. We've seen this often enough, but only once on a Monday. So Thursday scores another one.
3. Giant with power : MEL OTT. Old crossword friend. Nice to see the full name, though.
4. Cracker topper : PÂTÉ.
5. "And she shall bring forth __": Matthew : A SON.
6. Gives a thumbs-down : NIXES.
7. Official order : EDICT.
8. Age of Reason philosopher : LOCKE. Bacon also fits, but this was already filled in by the perps for me.
9. Exotic vacation : SAFARI.
10. One at a reunion : ALUM.
11. Totalitarian : DESPOTIC.
12. Objet d'__ : ART.
13. Happy Meal bonus : TOY.
21. Skeptic's comeback : SAYS WHO?
22. Migratory rodent : LEMMING.
26. Expunge from a manuscript : DELE.
27. USN rank : ENS.ign.
29. Terrified cry : EEK!!! A LEMMING!!!
30. Bridge framework : TRESTLE.
32. Phenomenon measured by the Fujita scale : TORNADO. Thursday level clue to ramp up an ordinary (and too commonplace this year) word.
34. Forwarder's abbr. : F.Y.I. For Your Information.
35. Atl. state : DEL.aware
36. Ajar, in poems : OPE.
38. Maximum degree : HILT.
39. Military storage facility : AMMO DUMP. Another tricky little entry, but "missile silo" wouldn't fit.
40. Juillet's season : ÉTÉ. French: July / summer. (Did anyone else read this clue as "Juliet"?)
41. Henpeck : NAG.
44. Erudite person : SAVANT. Nice chewy Thursday word. I count 3 so far.
46. Scold harshly : RAIL AT.
47. Ocean-warming phenomenon : EL NINO.
48. Find intolerable : DETEST.
51. Agenda fodder : ITEMS.
52. "Fanfare for the Common Man" composer Copland : AARON. Written in response to a request by conductor Goossens for songs to commemorate America's entry into WWII, it was meant as a stirring and patriotic piece. The conductor wanted him to title it "Fanfare for Soldiers," but Copland ended up choosing this title instead. Here, Copland conducts it himself (with an introduction by the late great Leonard Bernstein). 9:46
53. Exodus mount : SINAI.
56. Cookies n' Creme cookie maker : OREO.
57. Dryer detritus : LINT.
58. Zooey's "New Girl" role : JESS. The show hits the 18-49 demographic. Way below mine. Unless you are 18-49, give it 1/2 point for Thursday.
59. Youngster : LAD.
60. Sweet drink : ADE.
So, only 3 1/2 sticking points for me. How did you fare on this one?
Marti, out!
