Saturday Themeless by C.C. Burnikel
A very nice puzzle by our beloved blogmistress! I asked her permission to use this picture and she said okay and remarked "that was when I had long hair." I had to abandon some fills that I thought were good but all's well that ends well.
Across:
1. Winter sports park activity: SNOW TUBING.
11. National Humor Mo.: APR - Well, it starts with April Fool's Day so...
14. Game that typically has hard-to-get tickets: HOME OPENER - The Twins HOME OPENER in Minneapolis was pushed back due to some, uh, unfriendly baseball weather.
15. California roll ingredient: CRAB - Crab or imitation crab and avocados
17. Line from one cutting it close: AM I TOO LATE? If you were TOO LATE to see Halley's Comet in 1986, it won't be back until 2061 (I'll be 115).
18. Emerald City visitor: TOTO - TOTO and Dorothy were definitely not in Kansas anymore
19. Scandal sheet: RAG - 100% on Rotten Tomatoes for this 1952 movie.
20. Part of a bang-up job: TNT π Oppenheimer did not fit.
21. Got ready for: AWAITED
23. Promises that end engagements: I DO'S π
25. Fish with transparent babies: EELS.
27. Nancy, to Fritzi Ritz: NIECE - The last bid on this 1948 comic was $1,008.
28. Target area: AISLE π
30. Like the top of most refrigerators: DUSTY.
32. Part of a routine: GAG - Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis didn't get along but they made millions with their GAGS. They ended their relationship ten years to the day from when they started and didn't talk for 20 years.
33. Ashram sound: CHANT.
35. Free __: REIN - Something veteran teachers do not give to a study hall full of kids.
36. Org. with an Office of Water: EPA.
37. Starting points for pro golfers: BLACK TEES - Golf holes can have many different colored markers for where you TEE off. The BLACK TEES are usually the farthest back and the red tees are usually closest.
40. Library warning: SHH.
43. Jelly in some boba: ALOE - This consists of aloe vera that is peeled, cut into mini cubes, and cooked with some sugar.
44. Lab kit supply: SWABS - Many of us endured these SWABS in the last few years.
48. Parents: REARS - A verb. The toughest job in the world.
50. Bad blood: SPITE.
52. Remove identifiers, on social media: UNTAG - I might UNTAG you if you want to use FaceBook for political opinions.
54. Exam taken in "Legally Blonde": LSAT - Reece Witherspoon's character celebrating.
56. Bourguignon, for one: STEW - Bore-green-YONE
57. Ingredient in many a 56-Across: BAYLEAF - Can you see any above?
59. Haul: LUG.
63. Court figures: LITIGATORS.
66. Company with a hedgehog mascot: SEGA.
67. Perk up?: PRIVATE JET π This would be a "perk" when you need to go "up" in the air.
68. Shape of orecchiette pasta: EAR - Literally "small ear" in Italian. Γ΄riΛkyedΔ or oh-reck-ee-ET-tay
Down:
1. Law in some Gulf States: SHARIA.
2. Like some Mongols: NOMADIC.
3. "Holy smokes!": OMIGOSH.
4. Just out of an onsen, say: WET.
5. Traffic sound: TOOT.
6. Barely ahead: UP ONE - If your team is only UP ONE in the ninth inning, a bad bullpen can doom you.
7. Socked: BELTED.
8. "Modern Comfort Food" writer Garten: INA.
9. Type of value calculated for mutual funds: NET ASSET.
10. Rose: GREW.
11. When Romeo and Juliet have their balcony scene: ACT II.
12. One under a wing: PROTEGE.
13. Cause of limited interest, perhaps: RATE CAP - Here ya go
16. "In the Heights" shop: BODEGA.
22. Question of status: ANY NEWS?
24. Chunk: SLAB.
26. Sneaky types: LURKERS - or passive types
31. No-win situations: TIES - The most famous/infamous TIE in college football history
34. Spinner's yarn: TALE.
38. Underground blaze that emits toxic gases: COAL FIRE - This one is burning underground in China
40. Takes a deep dive, maybe: SCUBAS.
41. Land where Puff and Jackie Paper played: HONALEE - I have sung this song that is set in "a land called HONALEE" many times.
42. Practice with sweaters: HOT YOGA.
45. Customizable avatar app: BITMOJI - One of mine is shown here and my usual one at the very bottom of this write-up.
46. Took control: STEERED - What the heck, I'll throw in another BITMOJI.
49. Spitball need: SALIVA.
51. Target of some recycling drives: E-WASTE.
53. Union station?: ALTAR π
55. Pull on: TUG AT.
58. New Zealand's Southern __: ALPS.
60. Flight assignment: GATE.
64. Element with the shortest name: TIN.
65. PG Tips, e.g.: TEA - A likely choice for our constructor who is also a TEA connoisseur
