Theme: It's the berries
39A. Word that can follow the starts of 17-, 26-, 50- and 58-Across : BERRIES
17A. Scary R.L. Stine series for kids : GOOSEBUMPS. Gooseberry - Wiki.
26A. Panamas, e.g. : STRAW HATS. Strawberry.
50A. Witchcraft and such : BLACK ARTS. Blackberry.
58A. Symbols of Democratic victories : BLUE STATES. Blueberry.
Argyle here. All theme entries are in plural form. Very consistent.
The two longest entries are not theme related but are in the columns so not a problem. Three of the berries may be on your breakfast table but gooseberry, not so much.
The two longest entries are not theme related but are in the columns so not a problem. Three of the berries may be on your breakfast table but gooseberry, not so much.
Across:
1. Like a sluggard : LAZY
5. Bottomless pit : ABYSS
10. Diving duck : SMEW
14. Woodwind with nearly a three-octave range : OBOE
15. Popeye's nemesis : BLUTO
16. Water-draining aid : EAVE. Perhaps in the sense it spaces the rain out from the base of the wall.
19. Barely makes, with "out" : EKES
20. Construction beam : I-BAR
21. Invention protection : PATENT
23. __ the races : OFF TO. Preakness prediction?
29. Crossword constructor's chore : CLUING
31. "Fiddlesticks!" : "OH, DARN!"
32. Small boys : TADS
33. Scoundrel : ROUE
35. New York governor before Pataki : CUOMO. Tricky...Mario is the father of current governor Andrew.
38. Hosp. heart test : EKG. Here we go again.
41. Squishy lowland : FEN
42. R&B singer __ Marie : TEENA
44. Toon Snorkasaurus : DINO. The Flintstones' pet.
45. Way off in the distance : AFAR
46. Magazine with an annual list of the world's 2,000 biggest public companies : FORBES
48. In a wise way : SAGELY
53. Succinct : TERSE
54. Get a new actor for : RECAST
55. Fictional reporter Lane : LOIS
57. Memo abbr. : ATTN.
64. Like racehorses : SHOD
65. Grimm brutes : OGREs
66. Smitten to the max : GAGA
67. Parade honoree : HERO
68. Meddlesome sort : YENTA
69. Unrestrained indulgence : ORGY
Down:
1. Shipboard diary : LOG
2. Blood typing system : A-B-O
3. Field trip destination : ZOO
4. Adamant affirmation : "YES, IT IS!"
5. "Take a Chance on Me" group : ABBA
6. Makes fuzzy : BLURS
7. "Delicious!" : "YUM!"
8. "The Racer's Edge" : STP
9. Steel-wool scrubber : SOS PAD
10. Sheer, informally : SEE-THRU
11. Seller's suggestion : MAKE AN OFFER
12. Javelin throw, for one : EVENT
13. Adam and Mae : WESTs
18. "... the __ blackness of the floors": Poe : EBON
22. Gulf War defense acronym : AWACS. A(irborne) W(arning) A(nd) C(ontrol) S(ystem)
23. Nonet minus one : OCTET. 9-1=8
24. Speck of snow : FLAKE
25. Experimental margin of error : FUDGE FACTOR
27. Trap victim? : TOURIST
28. Germany's longest river, to Germans : RHEIN. (the Rhine)
30. Univ. senior's exam : GRE. (Graduate Record Examination)
34. Ham sandwich and a soda, e.g. : ORDER. "Would you like some fries or chips with that?"
36. Lunch and dinner : MEALS
37. How ham may be served : ON RYE
39. Sounds from pounds : BARKS
40. Daybreak goddess : EOS
43. "Sorry, that's impossible" : "NO CAN DO"
45. In the distant past : AGES AGO
47. Dugout assistant : BATBOY
49. Quarreling : AT IT
50. In-your-face : BRASH
51. River in Hades : LETHE. Its water caused forgetfulness of the past.
52. Wintry precipitation : SLEET
56. Peak of Greek myth : OSSA. In Greek mythology, the Aloadaes are said to have attempted to pile Mount Pelion on top of Mount Ossa in their attempt to scale Olympus.
59. Shirt size abbr. : LGE
60. Coffee dispenser : URN
61. Roofing sealer : TAR
62. __ on your face : EGG
63. Put into words : SAY
Argyle
