Theme: Shangri-La
17. John Steinbeck novel set in the Salinas Valley: EAST OF EDEN.
27. Fourth film in a series starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour: ROAD TO UTOPIA.
47. Epic poem by John Milton: PARADISE LOST.
61. Grammy-nominated Keyshia Cole hit song: HEAVEN SENT.
Boomer here.
Happy Monday to all. I remember when I was a working stiff and we did not think too much of EDEN or UTOPIA etc. I'm surprised that Elon Musk did not name one of his cars one of these titles. As for me, a short visit to the VA on Wednesday for a checkup of my shoulder. It seems to be healing, however I still cannot pick my nose or scratch my butt with my left hand.
Across:
10. "__ the night before Christmas ... ": TWAS. And all through the house.
14. Slacks fabric: CHINO.
15. Lasso: ROPE. A four letter word - my specialty.
16. "How disappointing": OH NO. LA Angel pitcher who hits a few home runs.
19. Algebra, trig, etc.: MATH. I was pretty good at this stuff.
20. Suffix with neat or beat: NIK. This was one of my NIK names. BurNIKel.
21. Whacks with an ax: HEWS.
22. Numerical relationship: RATIO. Probably 2-1 that all will finish this puzzle.
23. Make an attempt at: TRY FOR. Our association is TRYing FOR new driveways. Right now it is a bit of a mess.
25. Delta Sigma __ sorority: THETA.
32. "If the __ fits ... ": SHOE. Change into for bowling or golf.
35. Loewe's partner: LERNER.
36. Post-op recovery area: ICU. I was there for both the tumor and busted shoulder.
37. Iron-rich meat: LIVER. Not the favorite of many. I used to enjoy a piece now and then.
39. Girl of the fam: SIS. I have three. I also had an aunt who was a Benedictine.
40. Wild West film: OATER. Hi Oh Silver!
42. Sailor's yes: AYE. Maybe two of these.
43. Cover stories: ALIBIS. I did not do it. I was counting baseball cards.
46. Supermodel Banks: TYRA.
50. Feature of italic letters: SLANT. My computer is not Italian.
51. Principality on the French Riviera: MONACO. You may go there for a change and a rest. Bartenders get the change and the hotel gets the rest,
55. Provide food service for: CATER.
57. Prom couple's ride: LIMO. I have never had the pleasure.
59. Parking area: LOT. Not today. Driveway has been demolished. Gravel will suffice until new asphalt is spread.
60. Actor Sharif: OMAR.
64. Baseball glove: MITT. Look at me, I can be, Centerfield!
65. Apex: ACME.
66. Evade skillfully: ELUDE.
67. Poetic tributes: ODES. 3rd of June to Billie Joe.
68. A++: TOPS. Add another "P" and you have baseball cards.
69. Helicopter blade: ROTOR. Never had a ride - never wanted one either.
Down:
2. Part of a dinette set: CHAIR. Ours are very comfortable.
3. Full of uncertainty: RISKY. When Kramer plays Newman in Jerry's apartment.
4. Sinus specialist, for short: ENT.
5. "Yippee!": WOO HOO. Not heard much at Twins Target Field these days.
6. Make, as coffee: BREW. Every morning thank you. I cannot afford Starbucks.
7. Drapery holders: RODS. Or a go fishing necessity.
8. Big galoot: APE.
9. Low card in a royal flush: TEN. Number of pins for a one ball strike.
10. Gazpacho ingredient: TOMATO. Drought in California has created a shortage
11. "That's too bad": WHAT A PITY.
12. __-lock brakes: ANTI. Don't have them, don't want them.
13. Nabe in London and Manhattan: SOHO.
18. Like many an alley cat: FERAL. It's not an alley, it's a lane!
22. Fashionably nostalgic: RETRO. Knickers.
24. Available for an appointment: FREE. Some grocery stores are now offering free discounts on gas.
25. Throat tissue: TONSIL. I still have mine.
26. Shade on a paint color strip: HUE.
28. Cease and __ order: DESIST.
29. Native American group: TRIBE. We have many in Minnesota. Some live poorly while others own casinos.
30. Cake prettifier: ICER. Do not misspell Happy Birthday.
31. Subtle glow: AURA.
32. High-five sound: SLAP. Often after sinking a long putt.
33. "How's it goin'?": HI YA. Hi back!
34. Exaggerate: OVERSTATE. Route of I-90 .
38. Storm tracker: RADAR. Do not speed on I-90
41. Mailing label abbr.: ATTN.
44. "Hamilton" creator __-Manuel Miranda: LIN.
45. French river to the English Channel: SOMME. I thought it was the Seine
48. Tips off: ALERTS. Lots of floods and tornadoes causing trouble this year.
49. "__ rather than later, please": SOONER. Oklahoma OK!
52. Alaskan native: ALEUT.
53. Time-share unit, typically: CONDO. We have a townhome. I think it's more comfortable than a condo.
54. Playful river animal: OTTER.
55. "¿__ está usted?": COMO. Minnesota's famous Zoo. Como Park.
56. Bunched in with: AMID.
57. Reading light: LAMP.
58. Currier's partner: IVES. Burl.
61. Fez or fedora: HAT. I prefer a baseball cap, but I might exchange Twins logo for Vikings.
62. Green prefix: ECO.
63. __-pitch softball: SLO. I did this for years but I spelled it SLOW.
Boomer