Tuesday, August 9, 2022 Micah Sommersmith

Food for Thought.

20-Across. *   Saint Bernard statue made entirely from sourdough?: PURE BREAD DOG.  //  PUREBRED DOG

36-Across. *   Special occasions that call for braided loaves?: CHALLAH DAYS.  //  HOLIDAYS.  Although Challah bread can be eaten at any time, it is a part of the Friday meals and/or synagogue services on Friday evenings.  Although I have made it, I generally purchase my challah bread each week.

42-Across. *   Improvements to a cake recipe?: TORTE REFORM.  //  TORT REFORM

And the unifier:

56-Across. Any of the answers to this puzzle's starred clues?: PUN IN THE OVEN.

What else is in store for us today?

Across:

1. Katy Perry hit with the lyric "Louder, louder than a lion": ROAR.

5. Laid-back sort: TYPE B.

10. Arkin of "Argo": ALAN.  Argo was a 2012 film that was based on the rescue of 6 American diplomats from Tehran during the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979.  Alan Arkin (né Alan Wolf Arkin; b. Mar. 26, 1934) portrayed a film producer in the movie.

14. Penny-__: trivial: ANTE.

15. 17-syllable poem: HAIKU.  //  And followed by 16-Across. One-third of a 15-Across: LINE.

17. Salty expanses: SEAS.

18. Elizabeth of "WandaVision": OLSEN.  I'm not familiar with WandaVision.  Elizabeth Chase Olsen (b. Feb. 16, 1989), however, is the younger sister of the Olsen twins.

The Olsen sisters

19. Starring role: LEAD.

23. "I need details!": SPILL.

24. Chinese philosophy founded by Laotzu: TAOISM.

28. Many, informally: LOTSA.

32. Big name in little trucks: TONKA.  My sister had a pink TONKA Jeep just like the one pictured here.

33. Toward the stern: AFT.

39. "Evil Woman" rock gp.: ELO.  As in the Electric Light Orchestra.

40. Underway, to Sherlock: AFOOT.

41. Health ins. choice: PPO.  As in a Preferred Provider Organization.

46. Sundial X: TEN.

47. Pokes (around): NOSES.  //  And 55-Down. Poke around: SNOOP.

48. R&B singer known for his use of Auto-Tune: T-PAIN.  I am not familiar with T-Pain (né Faheem Rashad Najm; b. Sept. 30, 1984).  He was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida and his stage name is short for "Tallahassee Pain".  He chose that name to reflect the hardships he experienced as he was growing up.

50. Odors: AROMAS.  Is there a difference between Odor and Aroma?

52. Wanders: ROAMS.

Where the Deer and the Buffalo Roam

61. CrossFit aftermath: ACHE.

64. Go gaga over: ADORE.

65. Wolfe who first appeared in the novel "Fer-de-Lance": NERO.  Nero Wolfe is a fictional detective created by Rex Stout (Dec. 1, 1886 ~ Oct. 27, 1975).  Fer-de-Lance was first published in 1934.

66. Possible source of DNA evidence: HAIR.

67. One taking a spin on a helicopter?: ROTOR.  Cute clue.

68. Cogito __ sum: ERGO.  Today's Latin lesson.  Roughly translated to mean: I think, therefore I am.

69. Upper limbs: ARMS.

70. Supreme Court Justice Kagan: ELENA.  Elena Kagan (b. Apr. 28, 1960) makes frequent guest appearances in the crossword puzzles.  I wouldn't want her job right now.

71. Blended family prefix: STEP.  As in a Step-parent.

Down:

1. Workshop files: RASPS.

2. Get the better of: ONE UP.

3. Arcade pioneer: ATARI.

4. Put up on eBay, say: RESELL.

5. Son of Odin: THOR.  Everything you wanted to know about THOR, but didn't know to ask.

6. Angela Bassett's alma mater: YALE.  Angela Evelyn Bassett (Aug. 16, 1958), who is married to Courtney B. Vance (b. Mar. 12, 1960) since 1997, earned both her Bachelor of Arts as well as her Master of Arts degrees from Yale University.

7. Home of a much-photographed tower: PISA.  Everything you ever wanted to know about this famous leaning tower.

8. Scraped (out): EKED.

9. Donut-shaped cake: BUNDT.  The Bundt cake in the United States has an interesting history.  

10. "No problems here!": ALL GOOD.

11. Fib: LIE.

12. Actress de Armas: ANA.  Ana Celia de Armas Caso (b. Apr. 30, 1988) played the nurse in the 2019 comic-mystery movie Knives Out.

13. Rod and Todd's dad on "The Simpsons": NED.

21. Coalition: BLOC.

22. Solemn pledge: OATH.

25. Ill-suited: INAPT.

26. Zoom alternative: SKYPE.  Skype vs Zoom?  I have certainly been on a lot of Zoom calls the past 2 years, but haven't used Skype in years.

27. Bricklayer: MASON.

29. "__ she blows!": THAR.  Where I grew up, there was a restaurant whose slogan was That She Blows! The restaurant is long gone, but the sign remains in memory.

30. Out of danger: SAFE.

31. Up in the air: ALOFT.

33. Health insurance giant: AETNA.

34. Elevator stop: FLOOR.  Fun fact:  Did you know that there are only 2 escalators in Wyoming (4 if you count a set as up and down).

35. Upper body: TORSO.

37. In the __: informed: LOOP.

38. Gillette razor: ATRA.  The Atra Razor often finds its way into the crossword puzzles.

43. Moderates: TEMPERS.

44. Biblical twin of Jacob: ESAU.  Last Thursday, Waseeley provided us with some information about Jacob and Esau.  As he noted, Esau was known for being hairy.  He also traded his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew.

45. Muddy spot: MIRE.

49. Unclaimed: NO ONES.

51. Trap: SNARE.

53. Stave off: AVERT.

54. Join the flow of traffic: MERGE.

57. Megastar: IDOL.

58. Short message: NOTE.

59. 1982 Disney sci-fi film: TRON.

60. Mother of Ares: HERA.  It's Greek to me.

61. Clicking sound?: AHA!  Now I get it!  It finally clicked in my brain the meaning of this clue!

62. Sedan, e.g.: CAR.  Because the Chair wouldn't fit.

63. "That guy?": HIM.

חתולה

Monday August 8, 2022 Beth Rubin

Theme: YOLO (73. "Carpe diem" acronym spelled out by the starts of the answers to the starred clues)

20. *"I can't capture how amazing that was!": YOU HAD TO BE THERE.

35. *Fallible in very ordinary ways: ONLY HUMAN.

46. *Spend extravagantly: LIVE LARGE.

57. *Very rarely: ONCE IN A BLUE MOON.

Boomer here. 

I am pretty sure that James Bond lived twice! Well, as you are reading this, I am probably at the big VA health center in Minneapolis learning if my new chemo drugs are doing their job.  So far the side effects have been manageable.

Across: 

1. Chocolate dogs: LABS. In the chemist's workplace.

5. Culinary plants: HERBS.  Twins once had an announcer named Herb Carneal.

10. "Ready for my cat treat!": MEOW.

14. Zone: AREA.

15. Prefix with -phobia: AGORA.  No, I do not have a fear of the crowded VA hospital.

16. Surfer's swell: WAVE.  I remember the 1987 World Series when we all WAVED our Homer Hankies.

17. "The Great Pottery Throw Down" material: CLAY.  Also great boxer Cassius.

18. Tag player's cry: NOT IT.

19. State firmly: AVER.  AVOW did not work.

23. Form 1040 org.: IRS.  Everyone's favorite government enemy.

24. Smell awful: REEK.  In the old days - Outhouse aroma.

25. Museum-funding org.: NEA.

28. College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa: COE.  Twins minor league team is also there.

30. Doze: NOD OFF.  Not now.  CC wants me to work.

39. Enjoy with relish: SAVOR.  I SAVOR a hot dog or brat with relish.

40. Country star McEntire: REBA.  "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia"

41. Divided island of Southeast Asia: TIMOR.

43. Actress Hatcher: TERI.  She played Sidra on Seinfeld.  I think I've seen every episode. I cannot stand George.

44. With sincerity: TRULY.  Opposite of Liely.

48. Household skills class, for short: HOME EC.  I went to an all- boys high school.  This class was not offered.

50. "That's __-brainer!": A NO.

51. Kristen's "The Good Place" co-star: TED. Danson. 

 

52. "Mean Girls" screenwriter Fey: TINA.

55. Egg cells: OVA.

65. Winter fabric: WOOL.  Time to stock up here.  December is coming.

66. Water from France: EVIAN. They sponsor an LPGA golf tournament.

67. "What fun!": WHEE. Roller coaster word.

68. Periods of time: ERAS. Pitchers' stat.

69. First responder: MEDIC.  I am still able to get to the VA center.  Don't need a medic. Just my Santa Fe. Can you believe I have not turned the odometer to 10,000 miles yet?

70. Lively, in mus.: ANIM.

71. URL destination: SITE.

72. Coeur d'__, Idaho: ALENE.  My cousin lives in Twin Falls.

Down:

1. Full of frills: LACY.

2. "Alice's Restaurant" singer Guthrie: ARLO.  "You can get anything you want" there. 

3. Sweetheart: BEAU.

4. Greet casually, with "to": SAY HI.  Hello there!

5. Distributes, as flyers: HANDS OUT.  Halloween is October 31.

6. "Grand slam" earned by Jennifer Hudson, for short: EGOT. "E" must have got a Homer.

7. Piece in a LEGO helicopter set: ROTOR.  LEGO display at our Mall of America,  C.C. really likes that shopping mall, however gunfire there made the news last week.

8. Illegal payoff: BRIBE.

9. Shiny fabric: SATEEN.

10. "Kisses, dahling": MWAH.  This does not seem like a word, or am I too fussy?

11. Gutter locale: EAVE.  Ours get full of leaves. Looking at "Leaf  filter"

12. Eggs __ easy: OVER.  I like mine scrambled.

13. Used to be: WERE.  My legs WERE better.

21. Curved part of a foot: ARCH.  Big one in St. Louis.  I saw it when I went to game 5 of the 1987 World Series, but I did not ride up.

22. Boxing ref's calls: TKOS. Technical Knockouts.

25. Toward the Arctic Circle: NORTH.  Our "Land of 10,000 Lakes" is fairly NORTH. 

26. Month before febrero: ENERO.

27. Photo book: ALBUM.  We also used to call 33 1/3 vinyl Albums.  I still have a few, but no record player.

29. Czech track legend Zátopek: EMIL.

31. Spreadsheet input: DATA.  Lotsa work.

32. Out in the open: OVERT.

33. Make a fake of: FORGE.  You're almost done.  FORGE ahead.

34. Like tempura: FRIED. Or chicken, fish, eggs, and rice. I'm hungry.

36. Ivy League school in Connecticut: YALE.

37. "__ dreaming?": AM I.  "California Dreamin'".  Mamas and Papas.

38. __ Scotia: NOVA.  Old time Chevy compact.

42. Give up formally: RENOUNCE.  Never give up without a fight.

45. Himalayan Bigfoot: YETI.

47. Rom-com subject: LOVE.  Makes the world go 'round.

49. Movie house: CINEMA.  We have not been since "Borat".

53. __ orange: NAVEL. Belly button.

54. Put up with: ABIDE.

56. Multilevel marketing giant: AMWAY.  Home party brushes and stuff.

57. Has bills to pay: OWES.  "I OWE, I OWE, so off to work I go.

58. Edible seaweed: NORI.  I would not eat it!

59. Parka, e.g.: COAT.  Parka has a hood.

60. Alternatively: ELSE. A coat usually does not.

61. Reclined: LAIN.

62. Dismayed cry: OH NO.  Missed a four-foot putt!

63. Trompe l'__: optical illusion: OEIL.

64. Missing fish in a Pixar film: NEMO.  Jules Verne creation.

Boomer

Notes from C.C.:

Gary and Joann and their family celebrated his mother-in-law Martha's 100-year-old birthday on Saturday. Here are a few beautiful pictures:

Everybody

 

All of us watching Power Point

Joann, Gary, her twin Jocye with husband Ron

Martha and great-great granddaughter who is 99 years younger playing with a balloon.

 

 

Sunday, August 7, 2022 Scott Hogan & Christina Iverson

Theme: "Al-addin'" - Al is added to each familiar phrase.

23. Extremely harsh bubbly?: BRUTAL CHAMPAGNE. Brut champion.

35. Enjoy a long career as a telegraph operator?: SIGNAL ONE'S LIFE AWAY. Sign one's life away.

56. To catch some rays or to sleep every day until noon, e.g.?: GOAL ON VACATION. Go on vacation.

65. Income from Birkenstock investments?: SANDAL DOLLARS. Sand dollars.

79. Chef's job?: MEAL GENERATION. Me generation.

92. Trying a new brand of ointment?: CHANGING THE TOPICAL. Changing the topic.

113. Annual gala held on April 15?: INCOME TAX FORMAL. Income tax form.

Scott and Christina might not have the dash in "Al-addin" for their original title. Patti might feel it's needed as some solvers might miss it. 

Tight and consistent set. Five first word changes, two last word changes. AL is always added to the end. Some straying ALs, but they result in some excellent entries.   

Congrats on your LAT debut, Scott!

Across:

1. Blast that may invert an umbrella: GUST. Fresh clue angle! And 5. Float on the breeze: WAFT.

9. Soft "Hey, you!": PSST.

13. Golf course rentals: CARTS.

18. To no __: fruitlessly: AVAIL.

20. Actress Fisher who writes the "Marge in Charge" kids' books: ISLA.

21. Raise: REAR.

22. Mythical hunter: ORION.

26. Gossipy sort: YENTA.

27. Terse: LACONIC.

28. Sandra's "Speed" co-star: KEANU.

29. Toy on display, say: SHOW DOG.

31. __ contact: EYE. In Korea, it's rude to make eye contact with your elders or bosses when they scold you. Same in China.

32. "SNL" alum Gasteyer: ANA.

33. Sprain soother: ICE.

34. __ noire: BETE.

43. First, second, or third place: BASE. I had difficulty lifting Boomer from his chair on Friday. When I finally did, I said "We're a great team!" He said he's the shortstop because he makes all the plays. I'm the pitcher because I give up home runs.

46. Kick off: START.

47. Nonetheless: YET.

48. Place for a stud: LOBE.

49. Italian fashion giant: ARMANI. At least, they're not so logo-y.

52. Minute Maid brand: HI C.

 

53. "Mice love it to death" brand: D CON.

55. "Hey-o!": HOLLA.

59. Deliberate: CONFER.

60. Yukon automaker: GMC.

61. Target Field player: TWIN. Everyone likes Byron Buxton.

62. "Barefoot Contessa" host Garten: INA.

63. Cast a ballot: VOTE.

64. Chatter: YAK.

69. __ deco: ART.

72. Item often adorned with feathers: LURE. And 73. Item often adorned with feathers: BOA.

74. "It makes sense now": I SEE. 76. "Word on the street is ... ": I HEARD.

75. Apt name for a lawn care expert: MOE. Mow. Chairman at our Crossword Corner.

83. Dull, in a way: MATTE.

84. Salsa option: MILD. And 72. Salsa, for one: LATIN DANCE.

85. Fútbol cheer: OLE.

86. Angioplasty implants: STENTS.

87. Italian wine region: ASTI.

88. Triumphed: WON.

89. Entire range: GAMUT. Always run.

91. Misplace: LOSE.

98. Bilingual cartoon explorer: DORA. The Explorer.

99. Become unsafe to eat: ROT.

100. Tarnish: MAR.

101. Umami source, briefly: MSG. It's in shio kombu. Tasty.

104. Intimate __: APPAREL.

107. Utterly unskilled: INEPT.

110. Graffiti tag seen in Springfield: EL BARTO.

112. __ shot: SLING.

116. For this reason: HENCE.

117. Commotion: STIR. And 118. Left dreamland: WOKE.

119. Christopher of "Superman": REEVE.

120. Makes less strict: EASES.

121. Enlightened sounds: AHAS.

122. Places to feel kneaded?: SPAS. Ha.

123. Flower holder: STEM.

Down:

1. Iowa wrestling legend Dan: GABLE. Learning moment for me.

 

2. Sunlamp danger, briefly: UV RAY.

3. Hollandaise, e.g.: SAUCE.

4. Bandleader Puente: TITO.

5. Book of Shadows readers: WICCANS. From Wikipedia: A Book of Shadows is a book containing religious text and instructions for magical rituals found within the Neopagan religion of Wicca.

6. Louisville Slugger wood: ASH.

7. Criticism: FLAK.

8. Far from daring: TAME.

9. Ride proudly: PRANCE.

10. Fluid transitions: SEGUES.

11. __ Antonio: SAN.

12. "Fantastique!": TRES BIEN! And another great fill: 14. "Anyone else around?": ARE WE ALONE.

13. South Dakota's state animal: COYOTE.

15. Marmalade chunk: RIND. I never had marmalade.

16. "Rosanna" band: TOTO.

17. Catch: SNAG.

19. Maui neighbor: LANAI.

24. CNN's "This Is Life With Lisa __": LING. Sister of Laura Ling.

25. Put on a coat: PAINT.

30. Weight: HEFT.

35. Special ops acronym: SEAL. Jacko here.

36. Within reach: AT HAND.

37. Non-clerical: LAIC.

38. Porpoise kin: ORCA. 96. 38-Down offspring: CALF.

39. Rhône city: LYON.

40. Scarf (down): WOLF.

41. Willing partner: ABLE.

42. Banner __: YEAR.

43. Like some pants: BAGGY. Like this pair.

44. Enticing smell: AROMA.

45. Loud slap: SMACK.

50. On the fence: NOT SURE. I'm still stuck into the skinny jeans era.

51. Toward the center: INWARD.

53. Bedrock pet: DINO.

54. Beehive oven input: COAL.

55. Stressful spot: HOT SEAT. We had a stressful week. Thanks to those who have called or emailed to help us.

57. Hollywood crosser: VINE.

58. __ pool: TIDAL.

59. Apple gadgets: CORERS. Real apple. Then 76. Apple that comes in seven colors: IMAC.

63. See 79-Down: VASE. 79. With 63-Down, priceless porcelain piece: MING.

66. Genesis brother: ABEL.

67. Laundry basket measure: LOAD.

68. Roster submitted to an umpire: LINEUP.

69. __ acid: AMINO.

70. Turnips and parsnips: ROOTS. My favorite root: daikon.

71. On edge: TENSE.

77. Leftovers dish: HASH.

78. "At Last" singer James: ETTA.

80. Nanny __: GOAT.

81. Muppet host of "The Not-Too-Late Show": ELMO.

82. Giveaway at the poker table: TELL.

84. Painting that reportedly has its own Louvre mailbox: MONA LISA. Makes sense.

88. Hidden mic: WIRE.

89. "Don't let those people escape!": GET 'EM.

90. Durable watches: TIMEXES.

93. Ravines: GORGES.

94. "Lucifer" actress Helfer: TRICIA.

95. Accolades: HONORS.

97. Shady place: ARBOR.

101. Mascot Hall of Fame inductee from Queens: MR MET. I did not know there's a Mascot Hall of Fame. Wikipedia says "It was founded by David Raymond, who was the original Phillie Phanatic from 1978 to 1993." Our T.C. Bear is not there.

102. Fend (off): STAVE.

103. Clay creature of Jewish folklore: GOLEM.

104. Tennis legend Arthur: ASHE.

105. Courtroom entry: PLEA.

106. ATM codes: PINS.

108. Church supporters?: PEWS. Another fun clue. We left the church earlier last Saturday as Boomer experienced nausea.

109. Mostly removable roof: T TOP.

111. Mars counterpart: ARES.

114. To the __ degree: NTH.

115. Handle letters?: AKA.

Boomer completed his OT sessions on Wednesday. Tomorrow we're going to the big VA for one more blood draw and meeting with his oncologist to see if the new oral chemo is working. Boomer will also receive a bone strengthener injection.

C.C.