Tuesday, April 26, 2022 Joseph A. Gangi

Lou, Lou, Skip to My Lou!  I didn't see the theme until I went searching after I finished the puzzle.  The last syllable of each theme answer has the same "oo" sound.

17-Across. Was completely crushed by the competition: MET ONE'S WATERLOO.

39-Across. Actress who played Joan Watson on "Elementary": LUCY LIU.

61-Across. Is hopelessly confused: DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE.

3-Down. Catches a seasonal malady: GETS THE FLU.

27-Down. Threepio's companion: ARTOO.

32-Down. Stuffed with ham and cheese: CORDON BLEU.

Across:

1. Cleaning cloths: RAGS.

5. Branch of govt.: DEPT.

9. Suffers after a CrossFit workout, say: ACHES.

14. "Just gimme __!": A SEC.

15. Really, really enjoy a joke: ROAR.  Followed by: 16-Across. Enjoy a joke: LAUGH.  And also: 26. "Good one": HA HA!  A comedian, a lawyer, and a war hero walk into a bar.  The bartender says:  What can I get you Mr. Zelinskyy?

20. Orzo and ziti: PASTAs.

Orzo

Ziti

21. Grand total: SUM.

22. History: PAST.

23. Part of a server's income: TIPS.

24. __ soup: sushi bar bowlful: MISO.  Yummers!

28. "La La Land" Oscar winner Stone: EMMA.  Emma Stone (née Emily Jean Stone; b. Nov. 6, 1988) and Ryan Gosling (né Ryan Thomas Gosling; b. Nov. 12, 1980) co-stared in this film.

31. Chocolaty drink: COCOA.

35. Before, in classic palindromes: ERE.  Napoleon never said what you thought he said.

36. Continent with most of the world's people: ASIA.  Continents by population.

37. "Adios!": SO LONG.

38. Org. with bomb-sniffing dogs: ATF

.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is a law enforcement agency within a 5-Across.

41. __ de Janeiro: RIO.  The name of this Brazilian city literally means the River of January.

42. Blob: DOLLOP.

44. Asteroid formation: BELT.

45. Put on: DON.

46. "Gonna join us?": YOU IN?

47. __ the deal: SEAL.

48. Fair ride: PONY.

49. Number-picking bar game: KENO.

51. "__ open book": "Ask me anything": I'M AN.

53. A single time: ONCE.  Also the beginning of many a fairy tale.

56. "Maa" ma: EWE.  What happens if you never shear a sheep?

58. Just okay: NOT BAD.

64. Spine-tingling: EERIE.

65. Yard sale caveat: AS IS.

66. Queen of Mount Olympus: HERA.  Everything you wanted to know about Hera, but didn't know to ask.

67. Roofing stone: SLATE.  The pros and cons of a slate roof.

68. Golf pegs: TEEs.

69. Chinese currency: YUAN.

Down:

1. Wheelchair access: RAMP.

2. Between ports on a cruise: ASEA.

4. Nova __: SCOTIA.  Hi, Canadian, Eh!  We visited Nova Scotia quite often when we were kids.

5. Gets into character for Comic-Con, say: DRESSES UP.  The 2022 Comic-Com International event will be in San Diego in July.  I'll pass.

6. Lip balm brand with egg-shaped containers: EOS.  They come in all sorts of flavors.

7. Bear feet: PAWS.

8. Damage that may be psychological: TRAUMA.

9. Smithwick's beer: ALE.  I am not familiar with Smithwick, but apparently it comes from Ireland.

10. Commuting arrangement: CAR POOL.

11. Hip-moving Hawaiian dance: HULA.

12. Alter __: secret identities for superheroes: EGOs.  Superman was Clark Kent's alter Ego.

13. Completely worn out: SHOT.

18. Quick snooze: NAP.

19. "I could do without this knowledge," way less formally: TMI.  Text speak for Too Much Information.

25. Merit badge earner: SCOUT.  I earned many badges when I was a girl scout.

26. Stimulating: HEADY.

29. Open __ night: MIC.

30. "I'll think about it": MAYBE.

33. French __ soup: ONION.  Yummers!

34. Anguish: AGONY.

36. Flying solo: ALONE.

37. Inanity: SILLINESS.

40. __ & Perrins steak sauce: LEA.  The bottles of Lea & Perrins are wrapped in paper.  It is a hold-over from the days when the sauce was shipped from England in the 1800.  The paper wrapping helped to protect the glass bottles from breaking.

43. Gives something a thumbs-up: LIKES IT.

47. "Big deal": SO WHAT.

48. Uneven, as fog: PATCHY.

50. Badminton court divider: NET.

52. Extinct emu-like bird: MOA.  The Moa is believed to have gone extinct in the 1200s.

53. Poetic tributes: ODES.

54. Yule tune: NOEL.

55. "Superbad" actor Michael: CERA.  Michael Cera (né Michael Austin Cera; b. June 7, 1988) makes frequent guest appearances in the puzzles.  He co-starred with Alia Shawkat (née Alia Martine Shawkat; b. Apr. 18, 1989 ) in Arrested Development.

57. Simplicity: EASE.

59. Mystical glow: AURA.

60. Campus official: DEAN.

62. Alumna bio word: NÉE.  Today's French lesson.

63. Compete (for): VIE.

Here's the Grid:

חתולה

Monday April 25, 2022 Lynn Lempel

Theme: MAKES THE BED (62. Does a daily chore using the elements at the ends of the answers to the starred clues)

17. *Important figure in sports betting: POINT SPREAD.

24. *Party pooper: WET BLANKET.

37. *Record submitted to payroll: TIME SHEET.

53. *Paper for doodling: SCRATCH PAD.

Boomer here.

Sports betting in MN has invaded our casinos.  I would not recommend anyone to place a bet on a team called Twins. Personally, I never bet on pro sports. I think the Twins signed Carlos Correa for about $135 Million and his batting average is .135.  Happy Monday everyone.

 Across:

1. Reminders of past surgeries: SCARS.  My numb legs are reminding me of my recent trip under a knife.

6. Starting squad: A TEAM.  What ever happened to "Howling Mad" Murdock ?? 

11. Lousy: BAD.  Leroy Brown.

14. Three-time WNBA All-Star Quigley: ALLIE.  "My pals from the alley would go to see Versalles, and me, I always loved Tony O.  Where did they go."

15. Scrapbook adhesive: PASTE.  I use plastic sheets for baseball cards.

16. Deeply regret: RUE.  Ms. McClanahan, one of the Golden Girls.

19. Ideological suffix: ISM.

20. Loafer adornment: TASSEL.  I seem to remember one on a boarded hat.

21. Isn't honest with: LIES TO.  Your nose is going to grow.

23. Cherry bomb's "stem": FUSE.  A Bussman product which was replaced by circuit breakers.

27. Twistable cookies: OREOS.  Nothing can ever replace these.

29. Sailor's realm: SEA.  Golden Vanity sailed on the lowlands, lowlands, Low. 

30. "Chicago" actor Richard: GERE.

31. Consequence: RESULT.  My result of spinal cord damage could not be avoided.

33. Adapter letters: AC DC.  Alternating or Direct Current.

36. Journalist Koppel: TED.

40. Yoga surface: MAT.

43. White part of a citrus rind: PITH.  British Khaki funny looking helmet.

44. Marshy ground: MORASS.

48. Guinness who was the first to play Obi-Wan Kenobi: ALEC.

50. "Chicago P.D." extra: COP.  I never watch cop shows but I used to watch "Dragnet".

52. Region of ancient Mesopotamia: SUMER.  I've never been to Mesopotamia.

57. Pixar film featuring a guitar-playing boy: COCO.

58. Force into action: COMPEL.  Okay, DO IT !!

59. Chair for a new parent: ROCKER.  I think it's also okay for an OLD parent.

61. Sushi-grade tuna: AHI.

66. Turn bad: ROT.  Our weather was lousy all winter.

67. Show to be true: PROVE.  You'll have to believe me.  I do not have weather-related 20 below zero reports.

68. Mighty mad: IRATE.

69. Sudsy quaff: ALE.  I like Canada Dry Ginger ALE.

70. Softens: EASES.

71. Donkeys: ASSES.  If I were a Donkey, I do not think I would like being called that.

Down:

1. Sticky tree stuff: SAP.  Someone who buys a lottery ticket?

2. Debate-ending procedure in the Senate: CLOTURE.

3. False names: ALIASES.  Smith and Jones.

4. Wash lightly: RINSE OUT.  "Wash Wash Wash the Blue Cheer way, Rinse, Rinse. Rinse the dirt away.

5. Adjusts, as a clock: SETS.  There is talk about permanent Daylight Saving Time.

6. Fruit for cider: APPLES.  An APPLE a day keeps ....

7. Sticky roofing stuff: TAR. Also on roads and driveways.

8. Language suffix: ESE.

9. In any way: AT ALL.

10. "On the __": NPR show about trends in journalism: MEDIA.  Sorry, I do not listen to NPR.

11. Cut of meat used for corned beef: BRISKET.  Generally tough.

12. Stark: AUSTERE.

13. Reduced in rank: DEMOTED.  The army calls it "busted".

18. Use needle and thread: SEW.

22. U.K. language: ENG.  Yeah, but it's a little different than in the good old USA.

23. Word on a gift tag: FOR.

25. Spot for steeped beverages: TEA SHOP.

26. Composer J.S. __: BACH.

28. Lingerie item: SLIP.  Icy pratfall.

32. "OMG! Stop talking!": TMI.  Shut Up !!

34. FDR or JFK, partywise: DEM.  FDR had passed before I was born, but I remember the fine years of President Kennedy. 

35. Corporate VIPs: CEOS.  Chief Executive officers.

38. Engrave: ETCH.  Every one had an Etch A Sketch when we were kids.

39. Folks who are in it for the long haul?: TRUCKERS.  We had winds last week that actually blew semi-trailers over on the highway.

40. Lash lengthener: MASCARA.

41. Hand sanitizer ingredient: ALCOHOL.  Also a Seagram's ingredient.

42. Wood-eating insect: TERMITE.  I have never had wood for dinner.  How does it taste?

45. Single-celled creatures: AMOEBAS.

46. Stash away: SECRETE.  I try to secrete some cash for a rainy day.

47. "No seats" sign: SRO.  Not necessary at Twins games.

49. Lens cover: CAP.  Also a head cover.

51. Analyzes grammatically: PARSES.

54. Phoenix suburb: TEMPE.  Just West of Mesa.  

55. American Red Cross founder Barton: CLARA.

56. Small speck: DOT.  Dorothy's Nickname but not Ms. Gale.

60. Seed in some healthy smoothies: CHIA.

63. Bout enders, briefly: KOS.  Box score stat Miguel Sano is piling up.

64. Night before: EVE.

65. __ Moines, Iowa: DES.  Just south of us.  I've been through there a few times.

Boomer

Happy Birthday to Kazie (Kay), who used to comment on the blog regularly. She still reads our blog and emails me periodically.

Kay and her husband Barry on Tamborine Mountain, overlooking Brisbane

 

Sunday April 24, 2022 Christina Iverson

Theme: "Extra Special" - Letters S, P, E, C, I, A & L are orderly added to the start of each common phrase.

23. Holiday-themed minifigures in LEGO Advent calendars?: SMALL SANTAS. Mall Santa.

40. Formal complaints about a sommelier's recommendations?: PAIRING GRIEVANCES. Airing grievances.

52. "You're not allowed to feel that way!," e.g.?: EMOTION DENIED. Motion denied.

70. Tale of the hora?: CHAIR-RAISING STORY. Hair-raising story.

90. Surfer's dream?: IDEAL BREAKERS. Deal-breakers.

98. Way to manage the study of Ceres and Vesta?: ASTEROID TREATMENT. Steroid treatment.

123. Pretty but ineffective dressing?: LACE BANDAGE. Ace bandage.

It's indeed extra special. Christina's first LAT Sunday! She's the assistant to Patti Varol, the new editor for L.A. Times Crossword.

Christina is fond of letter addition themes. Her sets are always very tight and her grids super clean. Today's puzzle is a clear example.

 

Christina Iverson with son Wally, Pic from this site.

    
Across:

1. Paulson of "American Crime Story": SARAH. Partner of Holland Taylor.

6. Remove one's name from, as on Facebook: UNTAG.

11. __ one's time: BIDE.

15. Ooze: SEEP.

19. Steered: DROVE.

20. Ma Rainey player Davis: VIOLA. Also an author.

21. Ones in wool coats: EWES.

22. Muscle car rod: AXLE.

25. __ bean: FAVA. One of the key ingredients in this popular chili bean sauce.

26. Muscle car roof: T-TOP.

27. Like Zippo lighters and Maglite flashlights: US-MADE. Zippo used to be a big client of my old company. Zippo, Chanel, Dior and YKK. Look at the zipper on your jeans. What's the logo? YKK?

28. Not for keeps: ON LOAN.

30. Major reversals: U-TURNS.

32. Whole Foods section: BULK.

34. Leaves off: OMITS.

36. Pulitzer-winning Glass: IRA.

37. Club kin: BLT.

47. "I'm all __!": EARS.

49. "Kiss Me Deadly" singer Ford: LITA. Glam rocker.

50. __ Vogue: TEEN.

51. TV pioneer: RCA.

58. "__ Eleven": Emily St. John Mandel novel: STATION. Have any of you read the book?

60. Furniture wood: RED ELM.

61. Bite: MORSEL.

63. Tierra en el mar: ISLA. Land in the sea.

64. Post, as on a bulletin board: PIN UP.

67. Gold unit: KARAT.

69. Photo filter: SEPIA.

74. Wasn't well: AILED. The 7 day-period after chemo is bad, then Boomer slowly recovers. He likes the 4-day steroid regimen. Somehow he feels stronger and the pills elevate his mood.

76. Ball of the Bulls: LONZO.

77. Post-workout indulgence: SAUNA.

78. Subj. for Elinor Ostrom and Emily Oster: ECON. Both economists.

79. Walks loudly: STOMPS.

82. Five cents: NICKEL.

86. Mosaic piece: TESSERA. We had this a few times before.

93. Born: NEE.

94. Hershey candy in gold foil: ROLO.

96. Skiing aid: POLE.

97. Arcade name: SEGA.

105. __ de crème: POT. Not familiar with this dessert. Chocolaty.

106. Cheer for un gol: OLE.

107. Vowel-rich first guess in Wordle: ADIEU.

108. Growing concern: FARM.

110. Plant pests: APHIDS.

113. Did the tango: DANCED.

116. Wet floor?: SEA BED. Nice clue.

120. Print maker: FOOT.

121. "Spring forward" unit: HOUR.

126. Apple variety: ROME. I've moved on from Honeycrisp to SweeTango, which was developed here in MN also.

127. "Blackfish" killer whale: ORCA.

128. Soap that floats: IVORY.

129. Co-founder of A.A., familiarly: DR BOB. Not BILL W.

130. Metal bands?: ORES. 133. Naturally powered elevator?: YEAST. Fun clues.

131. Sturdy trees: OAKS.

132. Like flourless cake: DENSE. What's the point of having a cake without flour?

Down:

1. California sch. near the Mexican border: SDSU. San Diego State University.

2. Vishnu's quartet: ARMS.

3. Wander: ROAM.

4. Meeting place for a H.S. film club: AV LAB.

5. Prevented from being on time: HELD UP.

6. Grape, in Spanish: UVA. I only know French for "grape" is RAISIN.

7. Diarist Anaïs: NIN.

8. "Africa" band: TOTO.

9. "Doom Patrol" actor Tudyk: ALAN.

10. Fixture in some patio firepits: GAS LOG.

11. "Hey now, that's unreasonable!": BE FAIR.

12. "Gimme!": I WANT IT.

13. Actor Patel: DEV.  "Slumdog Millionaire" made him famous.

14. Genesis twin: ESAU.

15. Planet with 53 named moons: SATURN.

16. Bacon specification: EXTRA CRISPY. And its 11-letter partner: 70. Very relatable: CLOSE TO HOME. Great entries.

17. North Carolina college town: ELON. Not Musk. We do have a few other 4-letter names: 24. Ward with awards: SELA. 56. Morales of "Ozark": ESAI. 57. Oscar winner Laura: DERN.

18. Spices (up): PEPS.

29. "Egad," like, way updated: OMG.

31. Disney princess voiced by Anika Noni Rose: TIANA.

33. Pottery oven: KILN.

35. Understands: SEES.

37. Suds: BEER.

38. Gold fabric: LAME.

39. Stepped: TROD.

41. Clear (of): RID.

42. Thing: ITEM.

43. Second start?: NANO. Nanosecond.

44. One seeing Spots?: VET. Ha.

45. Gut bacteria: ECOL I.

46. Yemen metropolis: SANAA.

48. Dublin's St. __ Green: STEPHENS. Wikipedia says it's a park park in Dublin.

53. Epic featuring Paris: ILIAD.

54. Old Dodge: OMNI.

55. Trying: IRKSOME.

59. Closet organizers: TIE RACKS.

62. Gets behind: LAGS.

65. Short address: URL. Yeah, but not long says the full address.

66. All in favor: PROS.

68. PreCheck org.: TSA.

69. Justice Sotomayor: SONIA.

71. Not behind: ANTI.

72. Hilfiger rival: IZOD. Better without Tommy, right? So logo-y.

73. Ditty: TUNE.

74. Insurance giant: AETNA.

75. Fruity frozen drinks: ICEES.

80. "__ Loves Mambo": PAPA. Perry Como song.

81. Schedule opening: SLOT.

83. Stay fresh: KEEP.

84. Therefore: ERGO.

85. Test with logic games: LSAT.

87. Blundered: ERRED.

88. Kanga's kid: ROO.

89. Shawkat of "Arrested Development": ALIA. So happy we don't need the Latin clue angle anymore.

 

91. Civil rights initialism: BLM. Black Life Matters.

92. Coral habitat: REEF.

95. Idiosyncratic sort: ODD DUCK.

99. Privileged few: ELITES.

100. Twinkly toppers: TIARAS.

101. Kylo of the "Star Wars" sequels: REN.

102. Geometry giant: EUCLID.

103. Org. that sent Juno to Jupiter: NASA.

104. Fashionable: TRENDY.

109. Sierra __: MADRE.

110. Natural hairstyle: AFRO.

111. Penniless: POOR.

112. "Amscray!": SHOO.

114. Roof trim: EAVE.

115. Mousetrap brand: D CON.

117. Dad, in Chinese: BABA. Hope you all nailed this, since I mentioned this on the blog a few times.  Baba, Mama, Jiejie, Didi, all duplicative.

118. Challenges on the field: EGOS.

119. Burden for many students: DEBT.

122. British singer Rita: ORA.

124. Trauma ctrs.: ERS.

125. "Later, gator": BYE.

The Spinal Cord Injury doctor could not pinpoint why Boomer's legs are so weak. Might be from his surgery 4 months ago. Or chemo. Or just diabetes. She'll order an EMG test.

Dr. Downs has retired. He did schedule Boomer for two more chemo infusions. If Boomer's blood draw result on May 1 is good, then he will have his 5th chemo on May 5th. If his white blood count is low again, then we'll wait. 

C.C.