Theme: "This or That, for Two" - Each "example" phrase is literally interpreted by the two examples in each clue.
23. "An Introduction to Calculus" or "The Art of Public Speaking"?: TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE.
37. Christian Louboutin shoes or a Fendi bag?: FASHION ILLUSTRATION.
58. Gibson Flying V or Fender Stratocaster?: GUITAR CASE.
64. Emmy statue or the Stanley Cup?: PRIZE SPECIMEN.
79. Richter or Mohs?: SCALE MODEL.
95. Wedding or merger?: UNION REPRESENTATIVE.
115. Marble top or butcher block?: COUNTERINSTANCE.
Not familiar with "counterinstance". Only know "counterpoint".
Christina Iverson's theme is always tight. Today is a good example. In case you're not aware, Christina used to be the assistant to Patti Varol, the crossword editor for the L.A. Times.
 |
| Christina & Patti |
Across:
6. Arches National Park state: UTAH.
10. Middle of a Latin boast: VIDI. Veni, vidi, vici.
14. Threw in: ADDED.
19. Skybox setting: ARENA.
20. Herb with grayish leaves: SAGE. We've always dried sage.
21. Novelist Kingsley: AMIS.
22. "Get Out" writer/director Jordan: PEELE.
26. Trattoria fare: PASTA.
27. Vow: OATH.
28. Went quickly: SPED.
29. Picnic container: COOLER.
31. Sphinx, in part: LION. Head of a human, and the body of a lion.
32. Relieves: EASES.
34. Make a point: SCORE.
35. Straightens up: ALIGNS.
42. Hunter near the Pleiades: ORION.
43. Poke fun at: TEASE.
44. King or queen, but not prince: BED. We really need to move
the TV upstairs. Boomer is just so stubborn. He had two falls in the
past four days. And I hurt my right shoulder trying to get him up on
Saturday. This stair-climbing is getting dangerous for both of us.
45. Yo lead-in: FRO.
48. Chemistry lab substances: SOLUTES.
51. "C'est la __!": VIE.
52. Crossword diagram: GRID.
54. Snow remover: PLOW.
55. Fifth Avenue retailer: SAKS.
56. Entrance: WAY IN.
60. Gaelic tongue: ERSE. And 74. Scot's refusal: NAE.
61. Big Band __: ERA.
62. Little round vegetables: PEAS.
63. Dam that created Lake Nasser: ASWAN
69. TV grouch: OSCAR.
73. Apple tablet: IPAD.
75. Speak (up): PIPE.
82. Indie pop duo __ and Sara: TEGAN. Canadians. By the way, Canadian Eh, your card arrived safely. Thank you!
84. Spoken: ORAL.
85. Behind schedule: LATE.
86. Haitian friend: AMIE. Haitian Creole there. We also have 108. French infinitive: ETRE.
87. "Sold out" sign: SRO.
88. "Heavens!": MY STARS.
90. Scepter top: ORB.
91. 109-Across maker's need: LYE. 109. Dove bar: SOAP.
92. Philly Ivy: U PENN.
94. "Please let me?": CAN'T I.
101. Life's work: CAREER.
103. Opposition group: ANTIS.
104. Fitness portmanteau: TAE BO.
105. Fleecy boots: UGGS. I saw a girl wearing this pair the other day.
106. Suppresses, as bad news: SITS ON.
113. Is inclined: TILTS.
118. Amalfi Coast country: ITALY. 119. Capital of 118-Across: EURO. Money.
120. Old Dodge: OMNI.
121. Ghana's capital: ACCRA.
122. Accounted for a bag, say: TARED. Not a word I use.
123. Meal in a bowl: STEW.
124. Ongoing drama: SAGA.
125. Trapshooting: SKEET.
Down:
2. Geometry calculation: AREA.
3. Ariana Grande's "Thank U, __": NEXT. About her past relationships.
4. Free: ON THE HOUSE.
5. Snatch: NAB.
6. Grand Slam component: US OPEN. Tennis. Golf too.
7. Doesn't put up a fight: TAKES IT.
8. Like whiskey and wine: AGED.
9. Bewitch: HEX.
10. "Scoot!": VAMOOSE.
11. Bring in: IMPORT.
12. Comedian Phyllis: DILLER. Fang.
13. "Makes sense": I SEE.
14. Google Play download: APP.
15. "What's the __?": slangy "What gives?": DEALIO. Not a word I use.
16. Cause of a product recall, perhaps: DESIGN FLAW. 71. Stealthy thief: CAT BURGLAR. 75. Field day equipment: POTATO SACK. All great fill.
17. Pop star John: ELTON.
18. Campus officials: DEANS.
24. __ buco: OSSO.
25. Point the finger at: ACCUSE.
30. Like reasonably strong bonds: RATED A.
33. "If it __ broke ... ": AIN'T.
34. Defeated, as a dragon: SLAIN.
36. Tupperware top: LID.
37. "Chicago" choreographer: FOSSE (Bob)
38. Cheering loudly: AROAR.
39. Fabric store section: SILKS.
40. "Shazam!" actor Zachary: LEVI.
41. Somewhat: A BIT.
46. First name in civil rights history: ROSA. Parks.
47. Clive of "Gosford Park": OWEN. He's also in that scary "Derailed".
49. Fancy jug: EWER.
50. Jaipur attire: SARI. Where's Vidwan?
52. Avocado dip, for short: GUAC.
53. Going up: RISING.
54. IT dept. array: PCS.
57. Member of an Iraqi religious minority: YAZIDI. Debut entry.
58. "__ whiz!": GEE.
59. Fled: RAN.
62. Scoreboard abbr. for a rainout: PPD. Postponed.
64. Ante-: PRE.
65. Fencing blade: EPEE.
66. Actor Mineo: SAL.
67. Shortened title: MA'AM.
68. Really small: EENY.
69. Norwegian banking hub: OSLO.
70. C-section souvenir: SCAR.
72. Bass beer: ALE.
76. Tehran resident: IRANI. Often Iranian.
77. Final installment, perhaps: PART V.
78. "Eighth Grade" actress Fisher: ELSIE.
80. Local leaders: MAYORS.
81. Bad sign: OMEN.
82. Orchard units: TREES.
83. Ages: EONS.
87. Verizon Wireless rival: SPRINT. We use Consume Cellular.
89. Wound cover: SCAB.
91. Tell a story: LIE.
92. Thus far: UP TO NOW.
93. Mesh: NETTING.
96. Snuggle (in): NESTLE.
97. Tattle on: RAT OUT.
98. Guarantee: ENSURE. Ensure Plus for Boomer.
99. Literary realm by the River Shribble: NARNIA.
100. Light shirts: TEES.
101. Measure up: CUT IT.
102. Anxious feeling: AGITA.
107. Helps reduce swelling: ICES.
108. Writer Bombeck: ERMA.
110. Formerly: ONCE.
111. Good-sized yard: ACRE.
112. __ moss: PEAT.
114. "Sammy the Seal" writer Hoff: SYD.
117. Many grad students, for short: TAS.
It
was a good week, despite two falls. My sister-in-law Connie flew in from San Francisco for Boomer's birthday. We went to Mystic Lake of course! Boomer put in a $20 bill at the draw poker and was entertained for more than an hour. And he walked away with $5 profit. He hit four kings, which paid
him 250
nickels. Here we are at their Minnehaha Cafe.
 |
| Boomer & C.C., 10/27/2022 |
Thanks again for the loving cards, notes and gifts. It was a super special birthday because all of you, esp Acesaroundagain (Glenn) and Tara from Calabasas. Thank you so much!
 |
C.C.
