Tuesday October 18, 2022 Amie Walker

I'd Like To Buy a Vowel.  Sorry, but you can only get a U.  The only vowel in each of the theme answers is a U.

17-Across. *   Busy stretch at a sandwich shop: LUNCH RUSH.

25-Across. *   Crumple, as notepaper filled with bad ideas: SCRUNCH UP.

36-Across. *   Fare that pairs well with beer: PUB GRUB.  Rhyming answer.

38-Across. *   Ticket marketplace with a FanProtect Guarantee: STUB HUB.  Rhyming answer.

52-Across. *   Source of bribe money, perhaps: SLUSH FUND.

And the unifier:

62-Across. "I'm handing this off now," and a phonetic description of the answers to the starred clues: IT'S ALL YOU. (U).  At first I thought the answer might be rhyming, but that fit only 2 of the answers.

Across:

1. "Barbaric" cry in Whitman's "Song of Myself": YAWP.  Not a good start for a Tuesday puzzle.

5. Departed: LEFT.

9. Stockpile: AMASS.

14. Actress Falco: EDIE.  Edie Falco (née Edith Falco; b. July 5, 1963) portrayed Carmela Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos.  We binged on this show during the first weeks of the Covid shut-down.     Edie Falco made a guest appearance in the puzzle just last Sunday.  [Name # 1.]

15. Thin batteries: AAAs.  Tiny rods.

16. "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" host Peter: SAGAL.  Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me is a weekly radio game show where contestants are quizzed about the week's news.  Peter Sagal (né Peter Daniel Sagal; b. Jan. 31, 1965) is a humorist who hosts the show.  We attended a live-taping of this show several years ago.  [Name # 2.]

19. Dish: PLATE.

20. Snuck a look: PEEKED.

21. Clock readout: TIME.

23. Shoe front: TOE.

24. Verbalize: SAY.

27. Lets off steam: VENTS.

29. Lightbulb unit: WATT.

30. "Fiddlesticks!": RATS.

31. Brief "If you ask me": IMO.  Textspeak for In My Opinion.  This had become a crossword staple.

32. Letter-shaped support: I-BAR.

34. Provençal pal: AMI.  Today's French lesson.

42. Farmyard oinker: PIG.

43. Worrisome grades: DEEs.

44. Actress de Armas: ANA.  Ana de Armas (née Ana Celia de Armas Caso; b. Apr. 30, 1988) is a Cuban actress.  She portrayed the nurse in the movie Knives Out.  She appeared in a previous crossword that I commented on.  [Name # 3.]

45. __ facto: IPSO.  Today's Latin lesson.  This phrase a term-of-art in law which translates as "by the fact itself."

48. "__ sesame!": OPEN.  Open Sesame is the magical phrase that opens the cave in the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

50. Otherwise: IF NOT.

54. Scoundrel: CAD.

55. Used to be: WAS.  I have a friend who refers to her ex-husband as her Wasband.

56. Natural hairstyle: AFRO.

57. Infomercial disclaimer: PAID AD.

60. College application part: ESSAY.

64. Revise: AMEND.

65. __ as a pin: NEAT.

66. Watch over, as sheep: TEND.

67. Odorless gas: RADON.  Everything you wanted to know about Radon but didn't know to ask.

68. Tacks on: ADDS.

69. Poems of praise: ODES.  How about a Limerick to a sheep instead?

Down:

1. [You stepped on my paw!]: YELP.

2. For two voices, in music: A DUE.  Today's Italian lesson.  This term appears occasionally in the puzzles.

3. Connoisseur who likely scoffs at boxed Merlot: WINE SNOB.  I may not be drinking Bordeaux, but I like my Cardbordeaux.

4. Eat like a bird: PECK AT.

5. Baker's fat: LARD.

6. __ de toilette: EAU.

7. Tracy Chapman hit with the line "Won't have to drive too far": FAST CAR.  Fast Car is one of Tracy Chapman's (b. Mar. 30, 1964) best known songs.  [Name # 4.]

8. Summer top: T SHIRT.

9. Colorado ski resort: ASPEN.

10. Prefix with practice: MAL-.  As in Malpractice.

11. "Death on the Nile" novelist Christie: AGATHA.  In addition to writing crime novels, Dame Agatha Christie (née Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller; Sept. 15, 1890 ~ Jan. 12, 1976) is known for her own mysterious disappearance.  [Name # 5.]

12. Stayed on the sidelines: SAT OUT.

13. Snoozes: SLEEPS.

18. Activation phrase for Apple's digital assistant: HEY, SIRI.

22. Change genetically: MUTATE.

25. DNA test kit item: SWAB.

26. High-sided bed: CRIB.

27. Big shot, briefly: VIP.

28. Ostrich kin: EMU.

33. "Scram!": BUG OFF.

35. Broadway offering: MUSICAL.  Some of the top Broadway musicals in 2022.

37. Main mail ctrs.: GPOS.  As in General Post Office.  //  Followed by:  38-Down. Put in the mail: SEND.

39. Like some small-batch textiles: HAND DYED.  Back when I was in high school, we tie-eyed our t-shirts.

40. Card game with an American Girl version: UNO.  Who knew?

41. Belfry critter: BAT.

43. Stood for: DENOTED.

45. "Cross my heart!": I SWEAR.

46. Blood component: PLASMA.

47. Figured (out): SUSSED.

49. Fancy Feast maker: PURINA.  [Name adjacent]

51. "I __ see the humor here": FAIL TO.

53. Composer known as the "Father of the Symphony": HAYDN.  Franz Joseph Haydn (Mar. 31, 1732 ~ May 31, 1809) was known as Papa Haydn.  [Name # 6.]

57. Butter portions: PATS.

58. Top of the line: A-ONE.

59. Disappointing fireworks: DUDS.

61. "It's __-win situation": A NO.

63. Glum: SAD.

Here's the Grid:

חתולה

 

Notes from C.C.:

 

1) Boomer and I went to the bowling center yesterday morning to say goodbye to his friends. He gifted his remaining boxes of golf balls to the league's end-of-the-season banquet. Here's Boomer with the league secretary Bruce.

Bruce and Boomer, 10/17/2022

2) Boomer's 75th birthday is coming up on Oct 27. Can you guys do me a favor? Send him a card or a note.

Here's our address. Thank you!

Doug Burnikel
5503 - 84 1/2 Ave N.
Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 

Monday October 17, 2022 Dylan Schiff

Theme: STUFFED PEPPERS (54. Tex-Mex fare found with increasing spiciness in this puzzle's circled letters?)  - Three peppers are stuffed inside.

20. Annual honorees in chemistry, physics, economics, etc.: NOBEL LAUREATES. Bell pepper.

33. Military division: BRANCH OF SERVICE. Ancho pepper.

41. WordPress, for one: BLOG HOSTING SITE. Ghost pepper.

Boomer here.

I have to admit that we visit Taco Bell now and then. I like the burritos there. Also, the VA cafeteria serves HUGE burritos for a bit more $$$$ but one fills me up there.

Across:

1. Camel feature: HUMP.

5. "Saving Mr. Banks" actress Thompson: EMMA.  Ernie was not saved.  Hall of Famer passed in 2015.

9. Snares: TRAPS.  Kramer got in deep trouble for poaching the lobster traps. 

14. Birthstone after sapphire: OPAL.  October stone.  My birthday is coming up!

15. Without rocks, in a bar: NEAT.  Years ago I always ordered my VO Manhattan on the rocks.

16. During: WHILE.

17. Texas Hold 'em, e.g.: POKER GAME.  We always had a nickel ante poker game going in the caddy shack.

19. "__ Meenie": Kingston/Bieber song: EENIE.  Minee Mo.

22. "One Night in Miami" actor Goree: ELI.

23. Notice: SPOT.  4392 dogs have this name.

24. Corn discard: COB.  Always better on the COB than from the can.

27. Doctrine suffix: ISM.

29. Red root vegetables: BEETS.  Also better not from a can.

38. Lavish party: GALA.

39. Bowler's target: PIN.  The ten is the toughest. Too close to the gutter.

40. Online auction giant: EBAY.  We have spent many hours there.

46. "That's unfortunate": SO SAD.

47. __ for the course: PAR.  I would make them now and then.

48. Animal in some fables: ASS.

49. Fibs: LIES.  Never on this blog.

52. Dot on a domino: PIP.  I don't remember FATS having any.

61. Tim who was the first sophomore to win a Heisman: TEBOW.

62. Vanish: GO MISSING.

64. NBA venue: ARENA.  Now they are usually named after a sponsor.

65. Southernmost Great Lake: ERIE.  Have only seen Superior.

66. Music genre of the boy band BTS: K-POP.  Never heard of them.

 

67. Late: TARDY.

68. Adjusts, as a clock: SETS.  Partial tennis match.

69. Conifers with pliable wood: YEWS.

Down:

1. Jump on one foot: HOP. You can shake it there

2. "__ further reflection ... ": UPON.

3. Powerful shark: MAKO.

4. West Point cadet: PLEBE.

5. School subject with lots of reading: ENGLISH.  Been there, done that.

6. Lunch or brunch: MEAL.  Done that too!

7. Two of the "California Dreamin'" quartet: MAMAS. On such a winter's day!

8. Totally believed: ATE UP.

9. Woofer's counterpart: TWEETER.  Did Elon Musk buy this too?

10. "Better Call Saul" Emmy nominee Seehorn: RHEA.

11. "You __ seen nothin' yet": AIN'T.  AIN'T AIN'T a word

12. Ballet bend: PLIE.

13. Recognizes: SEES.

18. Archaeological artifact: RELIC.  Many churches have a RELIC of their namesake.

21. Post-shower wrap: ROBE.  I just use a towel.

24. Bygone NYC punk club: CBGB.

25. Exams for Ph.D. candidates: ORALS.

26. "The Jungle Book" bear: BALOO.  I thought this was a cat's name.

28. Deck-swabbing tools: MOPS.  Does not work well on carpet.

30. Nights before special days: EVES.  My birthday EVE is coming soon.

31. Fibula neighbor: TIBIA.  My bones are still working.  Not much meat on them anymore though.

32. Improvises vocally: SCATS.

34. Badgers constantly: NAGS.  No comment.

35. In shape: FIT.  Clothes are a bit loose now.

36. Small cut: SNIP.

37. Peepers: EYES.  Jeepers creepers, where did you get them?

42. In the middle: HALFWAY.  You are now over HALFWAY there.

43. "Garfield" dog: ODIE.

44. Diapers, in Britain: NAPPIES.  Afternoon sleep in the US.

45. Holds tight: GRIPS.  Great for the golf clubs

50. Barely beats (out): EDGES.

51. Fern seed: SPORE.

53. Hard to get rid of: PESKY.  Johnny was an infielder for the Red Sox.

54. Bit of sports trivia, for short: STAT.  Makes MLB more interesting

55. Hard drive capacity prefix: TERA.

56. Ridesharing rival of Lyft: UBER.  C.C. uses it occasionally. I do not like it.

57. Sweet on, with "of": FOND.

58. Give off: EMIT.  Thank you sun.

59. Ready to eat: RIPE.

60. Winter forecast: SNOW.  Only about 4-5 months here in Minnesota.

63. Navigation tech: GPS.  Global Positioning System.

Boomer

Notes from C.C.:

Happy Birthday to Wilbur Charles (Bill), a Vietnam veteran who's been posting on our blog regularly for quite a few years.

Sunday October 16, 2022 Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Theme: "Tool Boxes" - Tools are punnily interpreted as a non-tool related:

23A. Perfect some boxing techniques?: NAIL PUNCHES.

25A. Put off repeating some old sayings?: TABLE SAWS.

46A. Broadcast episodes of a Stacy Keach detective series?: AIR HAMMERS.

67A. Clock the Kentucky Colonel?: BELT SANDERS.

90A. Sample Rice Krispies treats?: TRY SQUARES.

112A. Rehearse some comedy routines?: DRILL BITS.

115A. Establish no-fly zones?: BLOCK PLANES.

34D. Record portions of some musical compositions?: TAPE MEASURES.

39D. Humming completely out of tune?: WRECKING BARS.

All theme entries are all in plural form. For consistency and necessity.

I'm not familiar with TRY SQUARES. Probably a fixture in D-Otto, TTP & Splynter's tool box.

Before I forget, last time TTP posted below last month. Turns out he was once indeed a male stripper. Good old days.

Two Truths and a Lie ?

I won 222 games of Wordle in a row.
I was a male stripper.
I taught Dash T how to code with Python. 

 

Across:

1. Old Milwaukee brewer: PABST. We also have 125. Round at the tavern: BEERS.

 

6. Word in a very cold forecast: MINUS.

11. Bank founded in 1865: HSBC. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. Here's their building in Shanghai. The Bund area.

15. Actor Rhames: VING. We had him before.

19. Impressive display: ARRAY.

20. Sukiyaki mushroom: ENOKI. Still sooo pricey.

21. Soap Box Derby state: OHIO.

22. Nevada's __ 51: AREA.

27. __ hour: ELEVENTH.

28. Provides lodging for: BILLETS. Not a word I sue.

29. Actress Falco: EDIE.

30. Role for Sally Struthers on "Gilmore Girls": BABETTE. Dell. 

 

33. Glossy fabric: SATIN.

37. Underground org.?: UMW. United Mine Workers of America.

40. Particularly revealing: TELLTALE. Sign.

42. Whirl: GYRATE.

43. Exchanges: MARTS. Noun "exchanges".

49. Duffer's goal: PAR.

50. "__ there yet?": ARE WE.

51. "Washington Journal" channel: C-SPAN.

52. Michelle of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon": YEOH. Hokkien. Same character as Yang, as in Jerry Yang, Andrew Yang, etc.

53. Will Ferrell holiday film: ELF.

54. Glacial epochs: ICE AGES.

56. Avid reader: BOOKWORM. Like a few on our blog.

59. Anger: MAKE MAD.

60. Advice from PC pros: IT HELP.

63. Song of praise: PAEAN.

66. Currently handling the matter: ON IT.

71. Sheet of paper: PAGE.

72. Discussion group: PANEL.

74. Cuts down to size: ABASES.

75. Landmass divided by the Urals: EURASIA.

77. Less alert: GROGGIER.

80. Pesto ingredient: PINE NUT. Stir-fried corn with pine nuts. Popular dish in northern China.

81. Hailed car: CAB.

83. Fly like an eagle: SOAR.

84. Board: GET ON.

87. Hearing-related: AURAL.

89. Female bear, in Spanish: OSA. Osa panda.

93. Devotion: PIETY.

94. "Wheel of Fortune" category: PHRASE.

96. Unpleasantry: UGLINESS.

99. "Get it?": SEE.

100. __ question: YES NO.

101. Product lines?: SLOGANS.

103. Poetic contraction: 'TWAS.

106. Dating profile category: TURN-ONS. Hell there, Splynter! How's the new job?

108. Problem drivers: ROAD HOGS.

118. Auxiliary: AIDE.

119. __ dixit: IPSE.

120. Wonderland cake words: EAT ME.

121. Peruvian of old: INCAN.

122. Tie up to a pier: MOOR.

123. Airplane assignment: SEAT.

124. Roofs on some Corvettes: T-TOPS.

Down:

1. Window section: PANE.

2. Asian lake depleted by irrigation projects: ARAL.

3. "Captain Marvel" star Larson: BRIE.

4. Balm: SALVE.

5. Used a keyboard: TYPED.

6. Protégé: MENTEE.

7. Yardstick division: INCH.

8. Dramatic form similar to Kabuki: NOH. Literally "skill".

9. Hawaiian strings, for short: UKE.

10. "__-boom-bah!": SIS.

11. Top seller: HOT ITEM.

12. Biblical "will": SHALT.

13. Barbara Kingsolver's "The Poisonwood __": BIBLE.

14. Pitcher Gerrit who was the 2019 MLB leader in strikeouts: COLE. Now with the Yankees.

15. Poughkeepsie campus: VASSAR.

16. Nest egg initials: IRA.

17. Mint: NEW.

18. Fuel for some furnaces: GAS.

24. Textbook chapter: UNIT.

26. Virtual crafts store: ETSY SHOP.

28. Grammy-winning banjoist Fleck: BELA.

30. Insignificant disruption: BLIP.

31. Razor brand: ATRA.

32. German road: BAHN.

35. Underscore alternative: Abbr.: ITAL.

36. Soft ball: NERF.

37. Actress Thurman: UMA.

38. __ Trench: Pacific chasm: MARIANA.

41. Young lady: LASS.

42. Develop: GROW.

44. Stereo component: TWEETER.

45. Clothes line: SEAM.

47. Nearsighted person: MYOPE.

48. Startled cry: EEK.

51. Formally surrender: CEDE.

55. Chitchat: GAB.

56. Nota __: BENE.

57. Sharon who won the 2013 Pulitzer in Poetry: OLDS.

58. Easter Island: RAPA NUI. To the natives. Moai.

59. Messy locks: MOP.

60. "How hard can __?": IT BE.

61. Bygone autocrat: TSAR.

62. Contains: HAS.

64. Perturb: AGITATE.

65. Cultural org.: NEA.

68. Dens: LAIRS.

69. Bridle part: REIN.

70. Phoenix NBAer: SUN.

73. One beyond hope: LOST SOUL.

76. Gather: REAP.

78. "An Inconvenient Truth" narrator Al: GORE. With his girlfriend.

79. The "G" of LGBTQ+: GAY.

80. False front: POSE.

81. Duplicate: COPY.

82. Stadium in Queens: ASHE.

84. Big party: GALA.

85. Sportscaster Andrews: ERIN.

86. Addition column: TENS.

88. Lutefisk-making chemical: LYE. Never had lutefisk.

91. __ hut: QUONSET.

92. Fleece-lined slippers: UGGS.

95. Deer horn: ANTLER.

97. Adds fuel to: STOKES.

98. Cashless deal: SWAP.

101. Take potshots (at): SNIPE.

102. Tons o': LOTSA.

104. Wing it: AD LIB.

105. 2020 Cy Young pitcher Bieber: SHANE. Not Justin.

107. Grand slam quartet, briefly: RBIS.

108. Ottawa-based law gp.: RCMP.

109. Start of many fairy tales: ONCE.

110. Equipment: GEAR.

111. Digits with dashes: SSNS.

112. Three Gorges structure: DAM. Cost over $31 billions.

113. Ipanema's city: RIO.

114. A vow avowal: I DO.

115. Get in a pool: BET.

116. Delt neighbor: LAT.

117. Nebraska native: OTO.

Two extra notes:

1) Happy birthday to CrossEyedDave and Blue Hen! Thanks for the delicious cakes you've baked for our regulars over the years Dave! Hi there, Blue Hen!

 

2) Boomer and I had a quiet week. He called a few close friends about the bad news. Gifted two of his 300 rings to the bowling coaches at Benilde-St. Margaret's. His legs are weaker and weaker, but he's still too stubborn to move the TV upstairs. He really does love his jammed man cave.