Monday March 7, 2022 Janice Luttrell

Theme: GIMME A BREAK (53. Kit Kat bar slogan ... and hint to the starts of the answers to starred clues)

 20A. *"Come to your senses!": SNAP OUT OF IT.

 11D. *Do some stand-up: CRACK A JOKE.

 28D. *Debate tiny details: SPLIT HAIRS.

Boomer here.  

Finished a busy week of 8 or 9 appointments at the hospital last week. I received chemo, physical and occupational therapy there, as well as consultation from the oncologist and neurosurgeon who removed my tumor two months ago. Also met with my primary care doctor on Friday. Most of the reviews were good so life goes on.

Across:

1. Book of maps: ATLAS.  I think most folks just use their cellphone and internet now.

6. Pots' cookware partners: PANS.  Even though PANS comes alphabetically first, people never say "PANS and POTS".

10. Read, as a bar code: SCAN.  Or - how to find a map on the internet.

14. Not dry, as a cake: MOIST.  April showers bring May flowers.

15. Rectangle calculation: AREA.

16. "Alice's Restaurant" singer Guthrie: ARLO.  "You can get anything you want" there.

17. Word with bear or vortex: POLAR.  We have had an experience dealing with POLAR weather all across the country this year.

18. Put in order: SORT.  I have been trying forever to put baseball cards in order.  They are manufactured in sets, but sold randomly in packs.

19. Single __ whisky: MALT.  I prefer a chocolate one.

23. So-so grade: CEE.

24. Chicago Bulls' org.: NBA.  Not much a fan here.  I am disgusted with the MLB.  Most owners are billionaires.  Average player salary is a half million.  Who do they think they are?

25. Stallone's boxer: ROCKY.

27. Cellphone bill statistic: USAGE.  I think we pay monthly, not by use.

30. __ Artois: Belgian beer: STELLA.

32. Dadaist collection: ARPS. Jean Arp.

33. Hourly charge, e.g.: RATE.

35. Mustard named for a French city: DIJON.  Pass the hot dogs.

38. Pitcher's goof: BALK.  Runner gets a free base.

39. Hunting dog's pickup: SCENT.  We had a German shorthair when I was young.  I don't think he had the nose needed.

41. Response to "Marco!" in a pool game: POLO.  TV commercial.

42. "Ghostbusters" goo: SLIME.  "Who you gonna call ??"

44. Raggedy doll: ANDY.  Also Amos' buddy in old sitcoms.

45. Rubber-stamped: OKED.

46. Popular Campbell's soup: TOMATO.  Popular garden crop in Minnesota.

48. Window sections: PANES.  A broken one could be a PAIN.

50. "You've got to be kidding": OH MAN.

51. Ruby or emerald: GEM.  Diamonds are a girl's best friend.

52. Airport safety org.: TSA.  There is a real mess at the Minneapolis Airport.  If you expect to travel it takes about 30-40 minutes to park your car (use Uber) then another half hour or more just to get through the TSA inspection.  Oh - and wear a mask.

60. Corrosive stuff: ACID.

62. Small-town parade street: MAIN.  When I grew up, our street was called Excelsior Boulevard.  Later, when I had Boomer's Ballcards on the street it was changed to Mainstreet.

63. "__ no choice": I HAVE.  Sorry, you might choose a different 5 letter word.

64. Farm building: BARN.  My great uncle Bill's farm BARN in Siren, WI is in bad shape.  I remember it being there when I was four years old!!

65. Voting against: ANTI.

66. Spooky: EERIE.  Double letter Great Lake.

67. Bear in two constellation names: URSA.  Baseball -- Majors and Minors.

68. Dieter's beer choice: LITE.  I think Miller started this.  But they spelled it wrong.

69. Stuffy-sounding: NASAL.

Down:

1. Concert blasters: AMPS.  Yes a blaster.  But also a term for the flow of electricity.

2. Bart Simpson, e.g.: TOON.

3. Country singer McCann: LILA.

4. "I need it now!" letters: ASAP.  As sweet as pie ??

5. Stiff, as a drink: STRONG.  Aaron Judge?

6. Ziti, for example: PASTA.  I like angel hair.

7. Suffix with buck: AROO.  Also works with Captain Kang--  Right Mr. Green Jeans ??  

8. Spongy ball brand: NERF. Too soft for golf.

9. Stephen Colbert device: SATIRE.

10. "Cheers" bartender: SAM.  Where everybody knows your name.

 

12. Bowling venue: ALLEY.  NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!  It's called a LANE! The ALLEY takes you into the parking lot behind the building.

13. Musical scale part: NOTE.  Do, a deer, a female deer.

21. Taxi alternatives: UBERS.  We have used them a time or two.

22. Let the cat out of the bag, so to speak: TOLD.

26. Pre-tied tie, e.g.: CLIP-ON.  I have never used one.  I tie one on, then go to a party and TIE ONE ON.

27. Eurasian range: URAL.

29. Dad's punting words: ASK MOM.

30. Shorthand ace: STENO.  I do not think STENOs are used anymore. Past history talent.

31. Work the bar: TEND.  My friends and I used to work the bar from the patron side.

32. Core muscles: ABS.

34. "Never try to outstubborn __": Heinlein: A CAT.  Especially Felix.

36. World Cup cheers: OLES.  Couple of guys from Sweden.

37. Wordless consent: NOD.

40. Ultracompetitive personality: TYPE A.

43. Online periodical: E MAG.  Seems like everything is online now.

47. Zoo inhabitant: ANIMAL.  "Something told me it's all happening at the zoo."  Simon and Garfunkel. 

49. Sleep aid brand: AMBIEN.

50. Hollywood award: OSCAR.  After "Best Picture" I don't pay much attention.

51. Fabled lamp occupant: GENIE.

52. "Forbidden" perfume: TABU.

54. __-pedi: MANI.

55. Catcher's glove: MITT.  Romney.

56. Actress Seehorn: RHEA.

57. Corn units: EARS.  I have two big ones.

58. Reebok rival: AVIA.

59. Boat backbone: KEEL.

61. Forensic evidence: DNA.  Darn Nasty Attitude ??

Boomer