A fun letter addition puzzle from what appears to be a first time constructor. DD is inserted into in the last word of an in the language phrase (2 three word phrases and 1 two word phrase) and is often the case when double Ds are introduced, the fun ensues. As with many Fridays these days, lots of 4 letter words, though ADDED UP, FT. DIX, NJ, KIDNEYS, SANTA FE, TSETSES offer some sparkle. Always nice to welcome a new creative mind.
17A. Duck royalty? : PRINCE OF WADDLES. Really cute visual, as the Prince of Wales morphs into a duck. Can you see George's daddy waddling about? Steve. NC?
26A. Heck of a pop? : ONE FINE DADDY. One fine day...LINK. (2:15)
48A. Trader who doesn't take the market seriously? : STOCK PIDDLER. Another great visual; the word is synonymous with DIDDLE.
63A. Classified instrument? : TOP SECRET FIDDLE. Another really fun fill.
Across:
1. Wine order : GLASS. I tend to drink by the glass, though most real wine drinkers order the bottle.
22A. In the cooler : ON ICE, most whites are chilled. 29D. Quaff : DRINK. 58D. Wine opener? : OENOphile.
6. NFL linemen : CTRS. CenTeRS.
10. European capital : KIEV. Capital of the troubled Ukraine.
14. Kind of comprehension : AURAL. We know AURAL relates to the ear, so this THEORY of learning makes sense.
15. Basket : HOOP. Sports terminology from basketball.
16. Land in un lago : ISLA. An island in a Spanish Lake.
20. It may be taken : SEAT. Teachers always want students to take these.
21. French 101 pronoun : VOUS. The less intimate you.
23. Iowa city on I-35 : AMES.
25. Highly skilled ones : ADEPTS. A little stretch here..."oh here come the adepts."
31. Symbol seen in viola music : C CLEF. I defer to anyone and everyone on musical information.
32. Parisian map line : RUE. French for Street.
33. Oracle : SEER.
37. Edinburgh souvenir : TAM o shanter, the cap.
38. Army post merged with McGuire AFB and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst : FT DIX NJ. Obscure fact but great consonants.
42. Youngest goal scorer in MLS history : ADU.
43. Hops kiln : OAST. By now everyone should be familiar with this brewery necessity.
45. Took top honors : WON.
46. Exasperated cry : AARGH.
52. Some runners : MILERS. So?
55. Betrayed, in a way : USED.
56. Like most tupelo leaves : OVATE. It means egg shaped, but I could not find any pictures.
57. His epitaph reads "And the beat goes on" : BONO. Sonny
59. Part of a roof : EAVE.
66. Language that gave us "plaid" : ERSE. Since they wear it, I guess it makes sense.
67. Green Gables girl : ANNE. Published: June 1908, Author: Lucy Maud Montgomery, Preceded by: Before Green Gables, Followed by: Anne of Avonlea, Characters: Anne Shirley, Gilbert Blythe, Marilla Cuthbert (per wiki).
68. Provider of store melodies : MUZAK. HISTORY.
69. Caustic cleaners : LYES.
70. __ swings : MOOD. Be happy, therefore...
71. Slanted columns : OP-EDS. No arguments this time, okay?
Down:
1. Mountain passes : GAPS. Isn't amazing how much Michael Strahan we get on TV these days.
2. Angler's item : LURE.
3. The "Toreador Song," for one : ARIA. From Carmen. LINK. (5:47).
4. 19th-century trail terminus : SANTA FE. It started in Franklin Missouri.
5. Utah luggage tag initials : SLC. Salt Lake City. A correct airport code.
6. Pick : CHOOSE.
7. Vegan menu item : TOFU. Soy or no soy? Lucina?
8. Garden divisions : ROWS.
9. Spring resort : SPA. Hot springs, perhaps.
10. Vital pair : KIDNEYS.
11. Town including part of Fire Island : ISLIP. Also home of an airport.
12. Pick : ELECT.
13. Florist's inventory : VASES.
18. Not-one link : EVEN. Not even one person came to the yard sale.
19. Longtime Connecticut senator : DODD. A bonus DD. He was CONTROVERSIAL but his son went on and became a senator also. He only served two terms, so long time is an exaggeration. He initially lost to George HW Bush's father Prescott in a race for senate. My childhood was in Connecticut. (From C.C.: I think the clue refers to Chris Dodd.)
24. Offend : MIFF.
25. Gulf of __ : ADEN.
26. Numerical prefix : OCTO. Like doc ock, 8.
27. Sports regulatory org. : NCAA. National Collegiate Athletic Association.
28. Canopy components at the Mall in Central Park : ELMS. They are really impressive. READ.
30. Verb type: Abbr. : AUX. Teachers, we have Action, Linking and Auxiliary Verbs, correct?
34. One titled "Lord" : EARL.
36. River past Duisburg : RUHR. A name you need to memorize.
39. Uncommon bills : TWOS. We have a young man at work who always carries them.
40. Bashful companion? : DOC. The Seven Dwarfs. Did this fool you?
41. Green stone : JADE.
44. Sleeping sickness carriers : TSETSES.
47. Seemed logical : ADDED UP.
49. Place for a nest egg : TREE. Nice misdirection with a very literal clue/fill.
50. Gave up the ball : PUNTED. Football.
51. "Time __ the essence" : IS OF. Never when I am blogging.
52. Roadside business : MOTEL. $40.00 a night, or $20.00 if you make your own bed.
53. Creamy white : IVORY. Like the soap, or the wedding dress?
54. Memory problem : LAPSE.
57. Czech Republic's second-largest city : BRNO. A name you need to memorize.
60. Carving tool : ADZE.
61. Historic "Impaler" : VLAD. Dracula.
62. Comics screams : EEKS.
64. Carolina quarterback Newton : CAM. Carolina Panther quarterback out of Auburn. Was initially a Gator along with Tim Tebow.
65. Letters before a view, maybe : IMO. In my opinion it is time to go.
Wow another new constructor starting here, and another new month, this one will feature another 25 hour fast (starting sundown tonight) my Charlotte's second birthday and maybe a hint of fall in the air. Enjoy all. Lemonade out.
