Tuesday, April 6, 2021 Gary Larson

You're Dead to Me.  The word Dead can be placed before the first word of each starred answer to give common phrase.

15-Across. *     Instant in which emotional decisions are made: HEAT OF THE MOMENT.  Dead Heat.

61-Across. *     Defeat soundly: BEAT THE PANTS OFF.  Dead Beat.

1-Down. *     Flaky type: SPACE CADET.  Dead Space.

28-Down. *     Employment field: LINE OF WORK.  Dead Line. 

And the unifier:

37-Across. Like jobs with no future ... and what the start of each answer to a starred clue can be?: DEAD END

Across:

1. Shipwreck signal: SOS.  //  And 55-Down. Palindromic pop group: ABBA.

4. Stan of Marvel Comics: LEE.  Stan Lee (né Stanley Martin Leiber; Dec. 28, 1922 ~ Nov. 12, 2018) was the central creative director at Marvel Comics for over 20 years.

Stan Lee is on the left.

7. Catch in a trap: SNARE.

12. Time period: SPAN.

13. Off-roader's purchase, for short: ATV.  As in All-Terrain Vehicle.  Not to be parsed as A TV.

14. Quest for intel: RECON.  Short for Reconniassance.

18. Middle-earth menace: ORC.  The fictional characters made famous from the Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkien (1892 ~ 1973).  These characters, however, had previously appeared in folklore.  //  And 11-Down: Tolkien tree race: ENTS.

19. Female surfer: WAHINE.  Top Female surfers.  Bethany Hamilton (b. Feb. 8, 1990) is an American surfer who, at age 13 lost her arm to a shark attack, yet she still went on to become a professional surfer.

20. Times to remember: ERAs.  I remember doing laundry over the years.  In fact, I still do laundry.

21. Got a lift, in a way: UBERED.  I have never used Uber for a drive.

23. Popular mints: CERTS.  They are 2 mints in 1!

25. Tea container: CADDY.

27. Gradually come to be: DEVELOP.

31. Wander about: ROAM.

33. Pasture: LEA.

35. Where one may be taken to be reprimanded: ASIDE.

36. Verb in a recipe: ADD.

40. Tennis court divider: NET.

41. Family gathering attendee: NIECE.

43. Pacific Coast st.: ORE.

44. Loch with a legend: NESS.  Real or fake?

45. Ties to a post: TETHERS.

48. Rene of "Get Shorty": RUSSO.  Rene Marie Russo (b. Feb. 17, 1954) makes frequent guest appearances in the puzzles.

50. Show flexibility: ADAPT.

52. Dampen, as sound: MUFFLE.

55. Help in a bad way?: ABET.

58. Coral named for its shape: SEAFAN.  It's so beautiful.

60. Wheaton who played himself on "The Big Bang Theory": WIL.  I never watched The Big Bang Theory, nor am I familiar with Wil Wheaton (né Richard William Wheaton, III; b. July 29, 1972).  Apparently he is an actor.

64. More despicable: BASER.

65. Talk trash to: DIS.

66. Cork's country: EIRE.  Also known as Ireland.

67. Cowboy singer Gene: AUTRY.  Gene Audry (né Orvon Grover Audry; Sept. 29, 1907 ~ Oct. 2, 1998) was known as The Singing Cowboy.

68. Uneaten morsel: ORT.

69. Ship in Genesis: ARK.

Down:

2. Cheerios grain: OAT.  We seem to always have a box of Cheerios in our cupboard.

3. Came down in flakes: SNOWED.

4. Plastering strip: LATH.

5. Value system: ETHIC.

6. Tied, as a score: EVENED.

7. "Seats all taken" sign: SRO.  Standing Room Only.

8. Archrivals: NEMESES.

9. Asian laptop brand: ACER.  I learned about these computers from doing the crossword puzzles.

10. Barrett of gossip: RONA.  Rona Barrett (née Rona Burstein; b. Oct. 8, 1936) makes occasional appearances in the crossword puzzles.

12. Macedonian neighbor: SERB.

15. MLB's Astros, on scoreboards: HOU.  Hi, D-O!

16. "Fiddle-__!": FADDLE.

17. Trifling: MERE.

22. Battering __: RAM.

24. Spot on the tube: TV AD.

26. Vote of support: YEA.

29. Keats works: ODES.  Odes have become a crossword staple.

30. Vets' concerns: PETS.  Dr. Oakley treats pets and wild animals.

31. Rave's partner: RANT.

32. Dog in the comics: ODIE.

34. Brouhaha: ADO.

37. Owner's document: DEED.  Who owns the house?

38. Blunder: ERR.

39. Mad Magazine mascot Alfred E. __: NEUMAN.

42. Idle talk: CHATTER.

44. Bounced-check letters: NSF.  As in Not Sufficient Funds.

46. Reckless: RASH.  Or, what one gets from walking into poison ivy.

47. Racer's bathing suit: SPEEDO.

49. Naturally brewed beverage: SUN TEA.

51. Animal with a snout: TAPIR.  We got a glimpse of a Tapir when we were in the Peruvian Amazon.

53. Vitality: LIFE.

54. Santa helper: ELF.

56. Steady guy: BEAU.

57. Toward sunrise: EAST.

59. Speedy: FAST.

62. "Do or do not. There is no __": Yoda: TRY.

63. Title for Paul or Ringo: SIR.  Prince William knighted Ringo Starr.

Here's the Grid:

חתולה

 

Monday, April 5, 2021 Sheryl Bartol

 

Theme:  SHAKY GROUND (64A. With "on," not strong, as an argument ... and what might cause the ends of answers to starred clues?)- The last parts of the theme entries are all synonyms of "trip":

17. *Bank form: DEPOSIT SLIP.

37. *Surprise inheritance: WINDFALL.

43. *Venue for a license plate game: ROAD TRIP.

Boomer here. 

I am not sure if any of you avid puzzlers were able to sit through 4 1/2 hours of opening day of the Twins game with the Brewers however the answers of 17, 37, and 43 remind me of the Twins 9th inning defense. Oh well, Happy 162 game season to all!

Across:

1. Guys: MALES.

6. Overplay on stage: HAM UP.  We got some Delicious HAM from Aldi for Easter.  C.C. and I hope your Easter went well.   

11. Sting operation: CON.  Great movie with Robert Redford and Paul Newman "The Sting".

14. Rent-a-car company: ALAMO.  "Hi up Santa Anna, We're killing your soldiers below, so the rest of Texas will know, and remember the ALAMO". The Kingston Trio.

15. State one's views: OPINE.

16. Penn or Brown, e.g.: IVY.  IVY League has great universities however place the word "Poison" in front of Ivy and you have a very nasty weed.  Don't ask how I learned about this.

19. Oz's __ Woodman: TIN.  If he only had a heart.

20. "Smell Ready" deodorant brand: AXE.  

21. Prepare to exit one's car: UNBELT.  I've been having trouble fastening the belt in our Santa Fe but no problem taking it off.

22. Actress/inventor Lamarr: HEDY.

23. Like Hammett's falcon: MALTESE.  1931 book, 1941 Movie.  A little before my time.

25. Jamaican music: SKA.

27. In the thick of: AMIDST.

30. "Let me run that errand": I'LL GO.  It's my Monday off  with the bowling team.  Did someone say "golf" ?  I'll go!  Weather man predicts 75 today!

34. Spoke like Daffy: LISPED.

39. At some prior time: ONCE.  ONCE upon a time, I was pretty good at something.  It's been so long I cannot remember.

40. Like A-listers: ELITE.

42. __ Piper: rat-removal fellow: PIED.  I think Hamline got a college named after that Piper.

45. Political candidate lists: SLATES.  Not the season.  I'm tired of politics for awhile.

47. Key above Shift: ENTER.  Caps Lock did not fit.

48. Some green sauces: PESTOS.

50. Org. in Clancy novels: CIA.  The only one I remember was "The Hunt for Red October".  I never was much of a reader. 

52. Support pieces above doors: LINTELS.

56. "Star __ III: The Search for Spock": TREK.

59. China's __ Kai-shek: CHIANG.  C.C. would probably know more about this guy.  He was actually the leader of Nationalist China which we now know as Taiwan.

62. __ v. Wade: ROE.

63. "Justice League" actress Gadot: GAL.

66. ER fluid hookups: IVS.  Interesting - I needed an IV for contrast before my bone scan but for radiation they just zapped me.

67. Soprano Fleming: RENEE.

68. Allow to fluctuate, as a currency: UNPEG.

69. Service charge: FEE.  I hate them.  My banks do not charge fees nor do we see them on most transactions.  Sometimes we have to pay on international transactions.

70. Heroic Schindler: OSKAR.

71. __ Dame: NOTRE.  "Cheer, Cheer for old Notre Dame."  Notre Dame is French for "Our Lady". And from that we get "Fighting Irish"  I guess.

Down:

1. "__ Secretary": 2010s CBS drama: MADAM.  I believe it was spelled backwards in this puzzle.

2. Echo Dot assistant: ALEXA.  I believe she is a roommate of Siri.

3. Flap for a mic: LAPEL.  I hesitate to say how many LAPEL pins I have from bowling accomplishments.

4. Moody music genre: EMO.  I think It's cousin EMU is in Liberty Mutual Commercials but he's not as ridiculous as the guy selling Wet Teddy Bears. 

5. Insincere "My bad": SO SUE ME.  I'm thinking the ghost of President Roosevelt should sue Liberty Mutual!

6. Breeding environment: HOT BED.

7. Church niche: APSE.  My church has a pretty high APSE.  I cannot imagine why.  The heating bill must be higher than Texas in a snow storm.

8. Paper factory: MILL.  I think there is an old stream running by the factory.

9. Troop groups: UNITS.

10. Get-up-and-go: PEP.  There was once a breakfast cereal by this name.  I never tried it, and I don't see it in grocery stores any more. 

11. Name, as sources: CITE.

12. "Metamorphoses" poet: OVID.

13. Part of a Wall St. address: NY NY.  "Start Spreading the News"  Frank Sinatra.  From "The Sands" in old Las Vegas.  I believe it was on the grounds where the Fashion Show Mall sits now.

18. One with confidential info: INSIDER.

22. Thirty after the hour: HALF PAST.

24. Dated stereo component: TAPE DECK.  It's been a long time since I have seen or used one.

26. Josh: KID.

28. Credit card motion: SWIPE.  Most of the places we go now have an option to push your card in and remove rather than SWIPE,

29. __ for tat: TIT.

31. Milk, in Marseille: LAIT.

32. TV show about a high school choir: GLEE.  I was performing for three years in the Benilde High School Glee Club.  It took a lot of extra time for practices and concerts, but it was the most rewarding fun I had in High School.  And I say this 56 years later. 

33. Cutlass automaker: OLDS.  I never owned a Cutlass but I once had a 1955 sedan and a big 1957 -98 Sedan and I had a 1961 Two door Hardtop.  I hope the city appreciated my support by paying all the speeding tickets. 

34. Myths, legends, etc.: LORE.

35. Informed of: IN ON.

36. Ella's improv style: SCAT.

38. Like stored Russian dolls: NESTING.

41. Blistex target: LIP.  We use ChapStick

44. Bi- plus one: TRI.  Strike out in the tenth frame, or the tenth inning if you are a TWIN.

46. Extended period of time: LONG RUN.

49. Vampire vanquisher: SLAYER.

51. Partner of pains: ACHES.

53. Spew lava and ash: ERUPT.  I still remember Mount St. Helens.

54. Introvert: LONER.

55. Everglades plant: SEDGE.

56. "The workweek's almost over!": TGIF.  I can read, but it's only Monday.  Get to work (Or to the lanes, or to the course)

57. Glowing review: RAVE.

58. Above all __: more than anything: ELSE.

60. Slugger Aaron: HANK.  We only lost Mr. AARON this past January.  Although he was a Milwaukee Brave, The Brewers have memorialized him at American Family Insurance Stadium.  Miller Park has also left us.

61. Swedish furniture chain: IKEA.  I'm leaving this alone this time.

64. Sign of a sellout: SRO.  No Standing Room tickets this year.  Everyone gets a seat due to Covid.

65. Musician Yoko: ONO.  "Oh No" here's another puzzle with Yoko in it.

Boomer

Notes from C.C.:

Happy 80th birthday to dear Irish Miss, the sunshine of our corner. Thanks for all the love and care you've showed to us all these years, esp to me and Boomer. Thanks for making us feel so special.

 

L-R: Anne, Agnes, Eileen, Mary, and Peggy.

St Patrick's Day, 2019

Sunday, April 4, 2021 Ed Sessa

Theme: "Key Characters" - Various keyboard characters are hidden inside theme entry.

23A. Was in the running for: HAD A SHOT AT.

42A. City planner's concern: URBAN GROWTH.

50A. Like much jewelry, in ads: FINE QUALITY.

68A. Ball of fire: HUMAN DYNAMO.

77A. Prom invitation: CARE TO DANCE?

100A. Colorful top: ALOHA SHIRT.

17D. Monets, Manets, etc.: IMPRESSIONIST ART.

36D. Marriage phrase from the Book of Common Prayer: TIL DEATH DO US PART

All these hidden words are characters above the numbers on my keyboard. Super consistent. I did not know that exclamation point is also called a BANG. 

Lots of sparkly fill in this puzzle. Ed is also a very accomplished themeless constructor, hence our treat today.

Across:

1. Happening now and then: OCCASIONAL. When do we see a 10-letter start in a 21x21 grid?  More often it's 3, 4 or 5.

11. Support for an injured limb: SLING.

16. Oz traveler: LION. The Cowardly Lion.

20. Hybrid citrus fruit: CLEMENTINE. Not as good as sumo oranges.

21. Edmonton NHLer: OILER.

22. Terse rejection: UM NO.

24. Like some prophets: FALSE.

25. Compressed video format: MPEG.

26. They show off pedicures: OPEN TOES. Pretty. Subtle.

27. Part of 32-Down: TRANS. And 32. Pride initialism: LGBTQ.

29. Oddball: WEIRDO.

31. Reps' rivals: DEMS.

32. Girl in Byron's "Don Juan": LEILA. Google shows that "Leila is a ten-year-old Turkish orphan whose parents have been killed during the assault on the Turkish fortress of Ismail."

33. Steak __: DIANE.

34. Small size: PETITE.

37. Have a meeting of the minds: AGREE.

38. Boxes for drawers?: PEN CASES. Draw-ers. Nice clue.

41. Drops from the sky: RAIN.

44. Muppet chimp __ Minella: SAL.

45. Gawk at: OGLE.

46. Move lightly: FLIT.

47. Snack often eaten inside-out: OREO.

48. City with a notable tower: PISA. Thought I had a Picard Pisa pic. Tends out it's the Eiffel Tower.

49. Bring together: WED.

54. Anchored floats: BUOYS.

55. Like some FBI security scans: RETINAL.

57. Country house: VILLA.

58. Miley's Montana: HANNAH. How things have changed.

59. Falcon's nest: AERIE.

60. "Congrats!": KUDOS.

61. Prefix with grade: CENTI.

62. Bowl-making tools: LATHES.

64. Pass on: RELAY.

65. Kind of offer that avoids financing: ALL-CASH. Our farmers market guys only accept cash. I love going there in the summer.

67. Old-time anesthetic: ETHER.

70. Longtime Cracker Jack prize: TOY.

72. Second: AIDE.

73. Critical juncture: CUSP.

74. Broadcasts: AIRS.

75. Bar codes?: LAWS.

76. Gaza Strip gp.: PLO. Palestine Liberation Organization.

81. Canal that roughly parallels I-90 in New York: ERIE.

82. Ones who have class: STUDENTS. Another nice clue.

84. "Merci," in Mainz: DANKE.

85. Palace prankster: JESTER.

87. Delta deposits: SILTS.

88. __ Ababa: ADDIS.

89. Spam holders: TINS. Canned pork. Not the junk. Spam was invented in Minnesota of course.

90. Incendiary fuel: NAPALM.

92. Fix, as a printer: UNJAM.

93. One of Nolan Ryan's seven: NO HITTER.

97. Rights activist Clooney: AMAL. Here with her husband George Clooney.

98. "__ you!": fashion compliment: IT'S SO.

102. Paltry: MERE.

103. "I Am the Walrus" was one: SIDE B.

104. Emulated the wealthy: LIVED LARGE. Another great 10.

105. Abbr. on a cornerstone: ESTD.

106. Crofts' partner: SEALS.

107. Meager characteristic: SPARSENESS.

Down:

1. Seis y dos: OCHO. Ba in Chinese.

2. Small part of a big hand: CLAP.

3. Turn over: CEDE.

4. Trout __: nutty fish dish: AMANDINE. Sliced almonds.

5. Group of geese a-laying: SESTET. Liu in Chinese.

6. Like some medical care: IN HOME.

7. Great Plains natives: OTOES.

8. Small grievances: NITS.

9. Santa __ winds: ANA.

10. Prynne's scarlet stigma: LETTER A. And 18. Having only length, for short: ONE D & 39. Gut course: EASY A.

11. Parlor furniture support: SOFA LEG.

12. Climbing vine: LIANA. This entry has become a regular visitor.

13. Ailments: ILLS.

14. Mario Bros. console: NES.

15. Got big enough for, as oversized clothes: GREW INTO.

16. Former midsize Chevy: LUMINA.

19. Aborted, at NASA: NO GO.

28. It means nothing to the French: RIEN.

30. "To __ his own": EACH.

33. 1948 also-ran: DEWEY. "Dewey Defeats Truman".

34. Figurehead spot: PROW.

35. Champing at the bit: EAGER.

37. Animated film mermaid: ARIEL.

38. Potty opening?: PORTA. Porta potty.

40. Date component: SLASH. Hey, this is a character too.

42. Radii neighbors: ULNAE.

43. Churns up: ROILS.

46. End of the Tour de France: FINIS.

48. Uruguay's __ del Este: PUNTA.

50. One wielding an ax?: FIRER.

51. Soft palate extension: UVULA.

52. Quinn of "Elementary": AIDAN.

53. Architecture middle name: LLOYD.  Frank Lloyd Wright.

54. Baccarat call: BANCO.

56. Quiet laugh: TE HEE. Often TEE HEE.

58. Whalers' wheels: HELMS.

60. Rarely used antonym of disheveled: KEMPT. Right. We use UNKEMPT more often. Always reminds me of Bill G.

61. Limerick neighbor: CLARE.

62. Quantum events?: LEAPS. Quantum leap.

63. Not quite true?: ATILT.  Alignment "true".

64. Artful dodges: RUSES.

65. "Have __ day!": A NICE.

66. Mandel of "America's Got Talent": HOWIE.

68. Causes pain: HURTS.

69. Bosox rivals: YANKS. Rich's team.

71. 1914 Belgian battle river: YSER.

73. Surefire: CAN'T MISS. 78. Honey-do list components: ODD JOBS. Amazing fill.

75. Not as much as: LESS THAN.

77. Spreadsheet unit: CELL.

79. Word new fathers love to hear: DADA. It's BA BA in Chinese.

80. Ark passengers, mostly: ANIMALS.

83. Like most 20th-century phone calls: DIALED.

85. Sacred struggles: JIHADS.

86. Maroon, in a way: ENISLE.

88. Adams of photography: ANSEL.

89. "I've Grown Accustomed __ Face": "My Fair Lady" song: TO HER.

90. First blank on many forms: NAME. VA is now offering to vaccinate spouses. Hope I get called soon.

91. Iowa college town: AMES.

92. Fed. food overseer: USDA.

93. Bright star: NOVA.

94. One that's worn on road trips: TIRE.

95. Bits of work: ERGS.

96. Lines on Google Maps: Abbr.: RTES.

99. Secure, with "down": TIE.

101. Sass: LIP.

C.C.