My first wrangle with Ross Trudeau and my first time dealing with a theme that is in the clues as well as in the fill. His initial LAT was the New Years Day puzzle. Ross is the son of the cartoonist Garry Trudeau, the Pulitzer-winning creator of "Doonesbury." Ross is a digital media producer in Cambridge, Mass. He has had many NYT and the new Puzzle Society puzzle publications. Ross did stop by in January and revealed his full name is Richard Ross Trudeau (R Ross Trudeau) in his H Ross Perot puzzle. He has added a wonderful array of 7 and 8 letter fill. AVENUE C, CONTENT, DEROSSI, DOG LIKE, ETONIAN, I-PHONES, LEERERS, LIVEN UP, MARIANO, RAT HOLE, REACT TO, CINNAMON, ENSNARLS, ENTREPOT, and INTEGERS. The solve was fun, and I enjoyed the double duty requiring both the auto-correct of the clue and the fixing of the automobile required in the fill. We also had an accent on words with accents.
17A. Blub needing replacement: BROKEN TAILLIGHT (15).
24A. Dashbaord warning: CHECK ENGINE (11).
36A. Prolbems caused by nails, maybe: FLAT TIRES (9).
48A. Resutl of lengthy nonuse, maybe: DEAD BATTERY (11).
The reveal:
57A. Suggestions in a text message ... and what 17-, 24-, 36-, and 48-Across may require, literally and figuratively?: AUTO CORRECTIONS.
The bonus fill:
12D. They might offer 57-Across: i-PHONES.Across:
1. Summer refreshers: ADES. Even though it is not a real word, I love starting with a CSO to me.
5. Hot tub features: JETS. The water jets.
9. Welcomed to one's home: HAD IN. As opposed to 'ate out'.
14. Anti-fur-farming org.: PETA. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
15. Taking care of business: ON IT.
16. Split to get together?: ELOPE. Really cute thoughtful clue/fill.
20. GM navigation system: ONSTAR. The LINK.
21. Maiden name indicator: NÉE. From the French.
22. Parcel of land: LOT. Part of the US/Canadian SYSTEM.
23. Chi follower: PSI. You want to LEARN.
27. Father of the Edomites: ESAU. This is close to RELIGION.
29. Not well done: POOR. Rare? Nope.
30. Scratched (out): EKED.
31. Eggnog spice: CINNAMON. Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan, and heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil.
In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. ...
Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoon vanilla, and nutmeg.
34. __ Park, Colo.: ESTES. The HISTORY.
38. Cheering loudly: AROAR. Meh.
40. Tangles: ENSNARLS.
44. First name in stunt cycling: EVEL.
45. No longer exists: ISN'T.
47. "I Am __": Jenner reality show: CAIT. Sorry, I missed this, or is it still on?
52. "Appropriate for all children" rating: TV-Y. For programs designed to be appropriate for all children.
53. The Vitamin Shoppe alternative: GNC. General Nutrition Centers.
54. Santa __ winds: ANA.
55. "Faust" dramatist: GOETHE. This author's appearance was foreshadowed this week.
61. Evoking the past: RETRO. I think I may be the personification of this trend.
62. Popped stopper: CORK.
63. Fingerprint, perhaps: CLUE. Often used by Edgar awarded writers.
64. Disdain: SCORN.
65. Pard's ride: HOSS.
66. Didn't go bad: KEPT. Food, not a juvenile delinquent.
Down:
1. Msg. for a squad car: APB. All Points Bulletin.
2. Portia of "Arrested Development": DEROSSI. She married Ellen.
3. James Bond or George Orwell: ETONIAN. Famous GRADUATES of Eton.
4. Nordstrom competitor: SAKS.
5. Whale of a guy?: JONAH. A very cute biblical clue.
6. Import/export port: ENTREPÔT. I did not know this word which means a port, city, or another center to which goods are brought for import and export, and for collection and distribution.
7. Aunt in Madrid: TIA. And in my extended family.
8. Smashed: STINKO.
9. Launcher of many ships?: HELEN. For all the newbies (less than two years reading the blog) we coined the standard for admiring female pulchritude - the milihelen. 1000 is a more complete review than one to ten.
10. Foreman rival: ALI.
11. Resembling a dingo: DOGLIKE. Be careful around these WILD DOGS.
13. Earned: NETTED.
18. And so on: Abbr.: ETC. Yadda, yadda.
19. Ogling ones: LEERERS. My favorites are Tom and Norman.
23. Bench press muscle: PECtoral.
25. Tweets, snaps, pics, etc.: CONTENT.
26. Passes with mediocrity: GETS A C. Hmm, 38D. Street in Manhattan's Alphabet City: AVENUE C. HISTORY.
28. Prepare to fly, as a flag: UNFOLD.
32. Like: À LA. JzB gets his accent grave..
33. Legendary Yankees closer, familiarly: MARIANO. Rivera, the all-time baseball saves leader. LINK.
35. Kamala Harris, e.g.: Abbr.: SEN. No politics, but a rising Democrat STAR.
37. 5 and 10, e.g.: INTEGERS. A whole number.
39. Laugh at, say: REACT TO. nearby 42D. Add zip to: LIVEN UP.
41. Filthy dwelling: RATHOLE. Unpc for the poor rats.
43. Filthy dwelling: STY. An odd clecho.
44. Mystery awards: EDGARS. Named for the acclaimed first mystery writer, Edgar Allan Poe.
46. Symbol of stiffness: STARCH.
49. Brunch sizzler: BACON.
50. Ice in a pub: ROCKS.
51. Thus far: YET.
56. Clock sound: TICK. Tock.
58. NHL legend Bobby: ORR. Don't you love this next to?
59. Outback hopper: ROO.
60. Game-match link: SET. Game-set-match and such is the end of my game today as well.
Well, that was fun; welcome to Friday Ross and we have finished off another month. I thank you all for your birthday wishes and for solving and writing here. Lemonade over and out.
