Theme: Easy as ABC..D - If you happen to be Greek.
20. Star system closest to the solar system : ALPHA CENTAURI
28. Software development phase : BETA TEST
45. Bit of electromagnetic radiation : GAMMA RAY
53. Atlanta-based carrier : DELTA AIRLINES
Argyle here. A 'J' short of a pangram. No reveal. Straightforward grid. Eclectic fill.
Across:
1. Palm reader, e.g. : SEER
5. Implied with a nod, say : TACIT
10. Music-playing Apple : iPOD
14. Berry rich in antioxidants : ACAI
15. Solo : ALONE
16. Taboo : NO-NO
17. Six-time French Open champ Bjorn : BORG
18. "I speak for the trees" Seuss character : LORAX
19. TV series with many choreographed numbers : "GLEE"
23. Snuggles : NESTLES
24. Wallops : SMACKS
27. Long in the tooth : OLD
30. Good, in the Galápagos : BUENO. Hang out for our own Sally.
33. Melody : TUNE
34. Prefix with morph : ECTO
35. Attorneys' org. : ABA. (American Bar Association)
36. Week-long year-end celebration : KWANZAA. "first fruits of the harvest" December 26 to January 1
39. River to the Rhine : AAR
40. Words of denial : "NOT I"
42. "Deal __ Deal" : OR NO
43. Stick around : TARRY
47. __ au vin : COQ. One of Julia Child's signature dishes.
48. Stonewall : STYMIE. Originally from golfing's old rule that a ball could block another ball from the hole.
49. Appraise : VALUATE. Yes, you can drop the 'E'.
56. Use a Taser on : STUN
58. "Steppenwolf" author : HESSE. (Hermann Hesse)
59. Official proclamation : FIAT
60. Show of affection : KISS
61. Steaming mad : IRATE
62. Raison d'__ : ETRE. Mine is to be here and blog this puzzle.
63. Pay to play : ANTE
64. Lacking face value, as stock : NO-PAR
65. Comical Martha : RAYE. She became a spokeswoman for Polident.
Down:
1. Crimson Tide coach Nick : SABAN. (Alabama football coach, Nick Saban)
2. School, to Yvette : ÉCOLE
3. Old West brothers : EARPS
4. "Amen, brother!" : "RIGHT ON!". Can you see Wyatt saying that to his brother Virgil?
5. Sprinkled with baby powder : TALCED. But not recommended for babies.
6. Medicinal plants : ALOEs
7. Iowa crop : CORN. Cornstarch-based powder is safer for baby than talc.
8. "For those listening __ home ..." : IN AT. Phrasing from vintage radio shows.
9. Oil, informally : TEXAS TEA
10. Unappreciative sort : INGRATE
11. Precinct wheels : POLICE CAR
12. United : ONE
13. Deer girl : DOE
21. "No problem here" : "ALL OK"
22. Actress Thurman : UMA
25. Relatively cool heavenly body : K STAR. Or the above.
26. Building level : STORY
28. Ski slope beginner : BUNNY. They can get pretty icy from over-use.
29. Automaker Ferrari : ENZO
30. Forehead-covering hair : BANGS
31. WWII sea threat : U-BOAT
32. "Try and catch me!" : "EAT MY DUST!", said Enzo.
33. "Gone With the Wind" estate : TARA
37. Became harder to deal with : WORE THIN
38. Coral ring : ATOLL
41. Ginormous : IMMENSE
44. Ground water source : AQUIFER
46. Feel poorly : AIL
47. Life's work : CAREER
49. Panoramic view : VISTA
50. Santa __ racetrack : ANITA
51. Emotional : TEARY
52. Perfumer Lauder : ESTÉE
54. Aviation prefix : AERO
55. PDQ kin : ASAP
56. Reggae cousin : SKA. Top 10 Ska Bands(8:26)
57. Cookie holder : TIN
Argyle
Note from C.C.:
Happy Birthday to Hahtoola, who joined this blog shortly after I started. She always comes to the blog with an inspiring quote related to a certain entry in the blog. Like Dave's links, it's easy to delight the crowd with one or two quotes, but doing so day after day takes time and effort. Thanks, Hahtoola!
The Corn Poppy |