Tuesday, January 23, 2023 Noelle Griskey

Any Which Way But Loose.  The letters in the circles are currently arranged any which way but correct.  Rearrange the letters and they will spell a compass direction.

18-Across. Wall Street fluctuation: MARKET SWING.  West

23-Across. Unpaved side of the road: SOFT SHOULDER.  South

49-Across. Boundary of a black hole: EVENT HORIZON.  North

56-Across. Overly cute "So cute!": TOTES ADORBS.  East

And the unifier:

37-Across. Take a different route, and a hint to the circled letters: CHANGE DIRECTION.

Across:

1. Mike and __: fruit-flavored candy: IKE.  Everything you wanted to know about Mike and Ike but didn't know to ask.

4. Spanish small plates: TAPAS.  Everything you wanted to know about Tapas but didn't know to ask.  There is a Tapas restaurant near me, which serves very good food.  The problem is you tend to order many, many dishes, so it can be rather expensive.

9. Bungling: INEPT.

14. Supervillain Luthor: LEX.  The archnemesis of the superhero Superman.  //  And 11-Down. Like a supervillain: EVIL. [Name # 1, Fictional.]

15. On one's toes: ALERT.

16. Fourth prime number: SEVEN.  A prime number is defined as having only two positive factors. Number 1 is not a prime number because the number of positive divisors or factors is only one i.e. 1 itself. The number 2 is the smallest number that satisfies the definition of prime numbers.  Primes:  2, 3, 5, 7... 

17. Fish-throwing Muppet __ Zealand: LEW.  I don't remember this Muppet.  [Name # 2, fictional.]

20. Sambuca flavor: ANISE. Everything you wanted to know about Sambuca but didn't know to ask.

22. Spanish grandmother: ABUELA.  Today's Spanish lesson.

27. Patella place: KNEE.

28. Common first section of a menu, familiarly: APPS.  As in Appetizers.  Not to be confused with Tapas.

29. Food Network host Garten: INA.  Ina Garten (née Ina Rosenberg; b. Feb. 2, 1948) is also known as the Barefoot Contessa, which was also the name of her television cooking show.  [Name # 3.]

32. Jeans accent: RIVET.  They actually serve a purpose.

34. Architect's creation: DESIGN.

41. Grumble over: BEMOAN.

42. Swamp reptile, for short: GATOR.  A few years ago, my sister and I went to Avery Island to view the gardens.  We came across an unexpected visitor there.

This critter was a little too close for comfort.

43. "lol oops": SRY.  Textspeak for Sorry.

44. Exceedingly: OH, SO.  Meh!

45. Mountain climber's goal: ACME.  Hand up if you tried Peak first.

53. See where one's coming from: RELATE.

55. Like a couch potato: INERT.

60. Business VIP: CEO.

61. Country singer Gill or writer/producer Gilligan: VINCE.  Although I have heard of Vince Gill (né Vincent Grant Gill; b. Apr. 12, 1957), I don't always know the names of screenwriters and producers, such as Vince Gilligan (né George Vincent Gilligan Jr.; b. Feb. 10, 1967).  The latter is known for writing and directing both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.  [Names # 4 and 5.]

62. Deceitfulness: GUILE.

63. Meat in a Dr. Seuss title: HAM.  I do not like Green Eggs and Ham.  I do not like them, Sam-I-Am.  I have the Hebrew version of this book, which is called Green Eggs No Ham.

64. Shutter strips: SLATS.

65. Les __-Unis: ETATS.  Today's French lesson.

66. Player coming off the bench, for short: SUB.

Down:

1. "Let me find out": I'LL ASK.

2. Passionate about: KEEN ON.

3. Post-divorce party: EX-WIFE.  Not a party with cake and balloons, but a party to the divorce proceeding.

4. Brings under control: TAMES.

5. Styled after: À LA.  As in Pie à la mode.

6. "As __ our agreement": PER.

7. Noah's boat: ARK.

8. Fantastic deals: STEALS.

9. Debate topic: ISSUE.

10. More contemporary: NEWER.

12. Former MLB catcher Tony in the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame: PEÑA.  Tony Peña (né Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla; b. June 6, 1957) was born in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic.  In 2016, he was inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame.  He played professional baseball for almost 30 years: beginning in 1980 with Pittsburgh Pirates until 1997, retiring with the Houston Astros.  He also had brief stints with several other teams, including the Boston Red Sox.  [Name # 6.]

13. "Star Trek" series, for short: TNG.  The Next Generation.

19. Not yet scheduled: Abbr.: TBD.  To Be Determined.

21. Fondue fuel: STERNO.

24. Safe space: HAVEN.

25. Persuasive column: OP-ED.  A crossword staple.  The term is short for "opposite the editorial page", referring to the practice of newspapers placing op-eds on the opposite side of their editorial page.

26. High-strung: UP-TIGHT.  //  And 44-Down. High-strung: ON EDGE.

29. Sundial three: III.

30. Private aid gp.: NGO.  Non-Governmental Organization.

31. "I Hope You Dance" singer Lee __ Womack: ANN.  Lee Ann Womack (b. Aug. 19, 1966) is primarily a country music singer.  [Name # 7.]

33. Tennis player Swiatek: IGA.  I am not up on my professional players.  Iga Natalia Świątek (b. May 31, 2001) was born in Razsyn Poland.  [Name # 8.]

34. Half a droid name: DETOO.  The droid's full name is Artoo-Detoo, or R2-D2.  [Name # 9, fictional.]

35. Prefix with system: ECO-.  Ecosystem.

36. Use a colander: STRAIN.

37. "Ghosts" network: CBS.  If you haven't seen Ghosts, you should seek it out.  It is really funny.  The series began as a British series, and now there is also an American series.

38. Yonder lass: HER.  Meh!

39. Minnesota senator Klobuchar: AMY.  Amy Klobuchar (née Amy Jean Klobuchar; b. May 25, 1960) has been a Senator from Minnesota since 2007.  [Name # 10.]

40. Poison ivy reaction: RASH.

46. Prague residents: CZECHs.  Prague is a beautiful city.

47. "The Island of Doctor __": H.G. Wells novel: MOREAU.  The Island of Doctor Moreau is a 1869 science fiction novel about a mad scientist (Dr. Moreau) who experiments with animals.  The novel addresses the moral ethics of animal dissection.  [Name # 11, fictional.]

48. Bury: ENTOMB.

49. Put in power: ELECT.

50. Bouquet holders: VASES.

51. Pilot's update, briefly: ETA.  Estimated Time of Arrival.  A crossword staple.

52. Reacts to yeast: RISES.

53. Bubble and churn: ROIL.

54. One of four active volcanoes in Italy: ETNA.  The volcano is on Sicily.

56. Den sets: TVs.

57. Not trendy: OUT.

58. Fjord kin: RIA.

59. Simple sammie: BLT.  Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwich.

Here's the Grid:

חתולה

Monday January 22, 2024 Billy Ouska

  

Theme:                A Rough Translation

Happy Monday, everyone! sumdaze here. I hope you got off on the right foot and did not stumble on this one!

I searched The Corner and found this Tuesday, April 19, 2022 puzzle by today's constructor, Billy Ouska. It's nice to see him back with a Monday challenge. He delivered three themed clues and a reveal tucked into the SE corner. A less crowded field allowed room for some longer, fun fills. Sussing those out was my favorite part of this puzzle.

The themed clues are:

17 Across. Artistic gymnastics event: UNEVEN BARS.  

I've always been impressed by this skill!

24 Across. Campy musical comedy starring Tim Curry, to fans: ROCKY HORROR.  

This is Tim Curry, in character and in life.
He played Dr. Frank-N-Furter in both stage and film versions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

47 Across. Cocktails with peach schnapps and orange juice: FUZZY NAVELS.  

FUZZY was a nice add to Billy's list of synonyms for ROUGH. It made me think of leather. Only one side is smooth. The ROUGH side is what we call suede. A saddle with the suede side showing is called a "roughout" saddle.  

Here's a FUZZY-skinned peach slice garnish for your FUZZY NAVEL.

 

And the reveal:

57 Across. Inauspicious beginning, or a feature of 17-, 24, and 47-Across: ROUGH START.

UNEVEN BARS, ROCKY HORROR, and FUZZY NAVEL all START with a synonym for the word ROUGH.

Let's keep going. The terrain can be uneven so watch your step!

Across:
1. Raised, as horses: BRED.

5. Dust-ups: TIFFS.  I was not familiar with this phrase. They can be arguments or a scuffles.  

10. Rights org. with a Smart Justice campaign: ACLU.  "Organization" is abbreviated, so is American Civil Liberties Union.

14. Lyft alternative: TAXI.  UBER also has four letters.

15. Former Chinese premier Zhou __: ENLAI.  (1898 - 1976) He was a leading figure in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and also the premier of the People's Republic of China from 1949 until his death.  

Many say his 1972 meeting with Nixon was a game-changer.
(I wrote this Saturday night so 112-D in yesterday's puzzle was a gimme.)

16. Shoe with little to no heel: FLAT.  

I am wondering if any of the guys had trouble with this one. It's a no-brainer for women.

19. Sample: TEST.  

20. Miatas and CX-5s: MAZDAS.  Mazda Motor Company's headquarters are near Hiroshima, Japan.  

21. Fluff, as hair: TEASE.  Here is a 1:46 min. How-To video:  

22. Cough syrup dosage unit, maybe: CAP.  

This brand's lid (CAP) doubles as a cup for administering the dosage.
I had this in mind when I entered CuP before CAP.

27. Have a higher position than: OUTRANK.  This was the theme of last Wednesday's puzzle.  

29. Geologic span: EON.     and     42 Down. Historic spans: AGES.

30. "Garfield" dog: ODIE.

31. Place to observe undercover activity?: SLEEPLAB.  Polysomnography, known as a sleep study, is a test used to diagnose sleep disorders. Polysomnography records your brain waves, the oxygen level in your blood, your heart rate, and breathing during sleep. It also measures eye and leg movements. Has anyone here done one?

36. Safari park roarer: LION.  

37. Rolled sandwiches: WRAPS.  If you are wondering which is the healthier choice, sandwiches or WRAPS, you might want to read this article.

39. Prefix with space: AERO-.  

40. First picture in a baby book, perhaps: SONOGRAM.  Often the terms SONOGRAM and ultrasound are used interchangeably; however, there is a difference. An ultrasound is a tool used to take a picture and a SONOGRAM is the picture that the ultrasound generates.  

43. Slangy about-face: U-EY.  U-Turn. Well mates, from what I can tell, this seems to be more of an Aussie spelling.

44. Voice range of many a 4-Down: SOPRANO.     and     4 Down. Opera star: DIVA.  

Metropolitan Opera SOPRANO, Maureen McKay  (3 min.)

I do not know what she is singing about but her voice is beautiful

and it makes me feel a melancholy for something just out of reach.

52. Far from strict: LAX.  Def.:  not sufficiently strict, severe, or careful.

53. Ram of horoscopes: ARIES.  Those born March 21 - April 19.

54. Make a priest, say: ORDAIN.  confer Holy Orders on

56. Mario Kart units: LAPS.  I had the luxury of remembering this from a previous puzzle I blogged. 

61. Narrow opening: SLIT.  Or SLoT? The definitions for slot seem more focused on a SLIT designed for something to be inserted into it.

62. Like agts. who no longer work for "the company": EX-CIA.  "The company" is a nickname for the CIA.

63. Outback birds: EMUS.  EMUS have a reputation for being very dangerous; but in actuality, there are no confirmed cases of an EMU directly killing a human. (Of course it would be foolish to threaten or provoke one!)  Read more here.

64. " Cómo __ usted?": ESTÁ.  A polite way of asking "How are you?" in Spanish.

65. "Stunning!": SO HOT.  HOT has been slang for "attractive" for many years now. SO HOT, meaning more than attractive is a step up from that.

a stunning sunset
(Both sunsets and suns are SO HOT.)

66. Far from bold: MEEK.  

Down:
1. AC meas.: BTU.  

2. Made a break for it: RAN.  Made and RAN are both past tense.

3. Freedom from an obligation: EXEMPTION.  Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2016, your federal tax return no longer counts up how many EXEMPTIONs you have -- but your State return might.

5. Hamstring, for one: TENDON.  

Try this stretch for tight hamstrings.
Notice that she is reaching her chin towards her toes as opposed to her nose to her knee.

6. Place for a passenger: IN BACK.  I cannot wait for driverless cars so I can ride as a passenger IN the BACK seat.

7. Chem lab vessel: FLASK.  

8. Not within walking distance: FAR.

9. Female sib: SIS.  

Click to expand.

10. Trying to find: AFTER.  as in "they're only after a good time"

11. Wipe away: CLEAR.

12. Rodeo rope: LASSO.

13. Give voice to: UTTER.

18. Old Testament book before Nehemiah: EZRA.

Also, Better Than Ezra is an American rock band based in New Orleans. Their name comes from an Ernest Hemmingway book, A Moveable Feast, "Anything was better than Ezra learning to play the bassoon," referring to Ezra Pound. Here is the song Good off of their debut album.  

Who knew FFA jackets were cool?

21. Vocal quality: TONE.     and     23 Down. Broadcast's sound component: AUDIO.

22. Goes from hot to warm: COOLS.  Obviously!  😜

25. App with reviews: YELP.  Years ago, before YELP and smartphones, a friend and I were the unknowing beneficiaries of a big misunderstanding. We were at a restaurant. The soup was delicious so I pulled a pen and pad out of my backpack and started writing down what I thought the ingredients might be because I wanted to replicate it at home. I felt "caught" when the waitress approached unexpectedly so I tried to hide what I was writing. She must have thought I was secretly reviewing the restaurant because after that she kept bringing us small bites that the "chef wanted us to try" and giving us way too much information on what we were eating. We finally figured out what was happening when she brought us a free dessert. Did we clear the air? No. It was too awkward. But we did leave a big tip!

26. Long-handled garden tools: HOES.

28. Nevada city near Lake Tahoe: RENO.  

That's a climbing wall in the NW.

31. Actor Rockwell: SAM.  

Here he is with Saoirse Ronan in See How They Run (2022).

32. Pioneering late-night host Jack: PAAR.  I always forget...two As or two Rs?

33. Passport info: LEGAL NAME.

34. Big venue: ARENA.

35. Fenway Park team, casually: BO SOX.  Do people say this?

37. Small, chirpy bird: WREN.  In proportion to its size and weight, the call of the Winter Wren is ten times louder than that of a crowing rooster. "Chirpy", indeed.

38. Disney's "__ and the Last Dragon": RAYA.  This movie was released in 2021, making XWD constructors everywhere very happy. Here's the trailer:  

41. "__ Grocery Games": Food Network series also called "Triple G": GUY'S.  It stars Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives fame.

44. Spanish golfer Garcia who won the 2017 Masters Tournament: SERGIO.

45. No longer in style: OLD HAT.  

Ah, but wouldn't it be lovely if they were still in style?
(cartwheel hat, 1948)

46. Educational TV ads: PSAS.  Public Service Announcements

Please see mine below.

47. Untrue: FALSE.  

Linus goes for the meta approach.

48. Range between Europe and Asia: URALS.  

49. "Quiet, you!": ZIP IT.  

50. Brand of saltine crackers: ZESTA.  

51. Go to bat (for): VOUCH.  Def.:  to be able from your knowledge or experience to say that something is true.

55. Celebrity couple: ITEM.  Here is People Magazine's list of the top 10 celebrity couples at this year's Golden Globes. Bennifer is #2 so I guess there is some stability in the universe.

57. Hi-__ image: RES.

58. Good Grips brand: OXO.  

I use a lot of these OXO containers.

59. Feel shame about: RUE.  A cringe attack is the sudden, intense feelings of embarrassment, shame, or awkwardness that flood over us when we recall past actions or events that we perceive as negative or humiliating. The experience is often accompanied by a mental replay of the incident, complete with vivid sensory and emotional details that can make the event feel as if it is happening in the present.

60. "For shame!": TSK.  

Time for the grid:

46-Down.  PSA

Cue my annual reminder....  Tax season in the U.S. is just around the corner. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. This will be my 6th year as a VITA preparer. D-Otto volunteered for several years, too. If you know someone who needs assistance with filling out their forms, perhaps recommend they try VITA. We do both Federal and State income taxes. Certain complicated returns are out-of-scope. Use this link to find an IRS VITA location near you.

Have a good week, everyone!

 

 

Notes from C.C.:

Dear Agnes suggested that regulars designate someone to alert me (crosswordc@gmail.com) if you just can't be on the blog for sometime for whatever reason. We're a close community, we care very much one another's well-being. I know first-hand how important your cards and emails meant for Boomer and me in his fight against cancer. We want to provide the same support to all our regulars.

 

Sunday January 21, 2024 Taylor Johnson & Chandi Deitmer

Theme: "Double Bill" - A musical is inserted into another musical.

23. *"This should be just right, my furry friends"?: AS YOU CATS LIKE IT. As You Like It.

32. *Peculiar pair at the office?: THE ODD COMPANY COUPLE. The Odd Couple.

53. *Things that make you go hmm ... ?: THE DOUBT PRODUCERS. The Producers.

69. *Salon pro who's a genius with AquaNet?: THE HAIRSPRAY WIZ. The Wiz.

92. *Lament from a Red Sox fan?: DAMN WICKED YANKEES. Damn Yankees.

109. *Eerie Midwestern downtown area?: A STRANGE CHICAGO LOOP. A Strange Loop.

Reveal:

123. Embedded narrative, and a description of the answer to each starred clue: PLAY WITHIN A PLAY.

I chuckled at the 92A clue and entry. Immediately thought of our LalaLinda, who's an avid Red Sox fan. 

Ideal Sunday grid. Great title. Great reveal. All the plays are all well-known.

Across:

1. Some small dogs: TOYS.

5. Musubi wrap: NORI. The Hawaiian Spam musubi. We also have 21. Russian crepes: BLINI. And 29. Indian flatbread: ROTI.

9. Intel research: RECON.

14. African capital where Akan is spoken: ACCRA. I did not know Akan, the largest ethnic group in Ghana.

19. "Scram!": SHOO.

20. Germ carrier?: BRAN. Also 100. Hill worker?: ANT. 106. Drink list?: BAR TAB. Fun clues.

22. Frasier's brother: NILES.

26. Liquid-Plumr rival: DRANO.

27. Origins: ROOTS.

28. Fair-hiring initials: EEO.

31. Color that is equal parts blue and green: CYAN.

38. Has motivation for: CARES TO.

40. Bout enders, briefly: TKOS.

41. "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody" director Lemmons: KASI. Did not know her.

42. Dwarf planet named for a goddess of discord: ERIS.

43. MYOB part: OWN.

45. Dam on the Nile: ASWAN.

49. Escher museum site, with "The": HAGUE. M. C. Escher was Dutch.

52. Sleepy pal: DOC. The Dwarfs.

57. Tour guide's badge words: ASK ME.

59. Baby sheep: LAMB.

60. ABC News anchor David: MUIR.

61. Duds: TOGS.

62. Push back, in a way: RESIST.

64. Reef-dwelling Pixar character: NEMO.

67. "Be prepared" org.: BSA.

68. New prefix: NEO.

75. Butterfield of "Sex Education": ASA. British actor.

78. Work on a lawn: MOW.

79. Old-timey dagger: SNEE.

80. Breathe Right user, maybe: SNORER. Nasal strips.

84. Mete (out): DOLE.

86. Substandard: POOR.

88. Wager: RISK.

91. Many Vegas lights: NEONS.

97. 1981 cable debut: MTV. CNN debuted in 1980.

98. Teeny bit: SKOSH.

99. Skating legend Sonja: HENIE.

101. Permeate: SEEP.

102. "If the __ fits ... ": SHOE.

104. Wild guess: STAB.

107. Sneaky coward: DASTARD.

115. "Grease" actress Conn: DIDI.

116. Sand hill: DUNE.

117. "__ you for real?": ARE.

118. Hasbro game that requires quick reflexes: BOP IT.

121. Make up (for): ATONE.

128. Switchboard section: PANEL.

129. Out: PASSE.

130. Not pizzicato: ARCO. Did not know the meaning of pizzicato. From Wikipedia: "On bowed string instruments it is a method of playing by plucking the strings with the fingers, rather than using the bow. This produces a very different sound from bowing, short and percussive rather than sustained."

131. No. in a forecast: TEMP.

132. Lock: TRESS.

133. Word on a triangular sign: YIELD.

134. Exemptions for top seeds: BYES.

135. __ buco: OSSO.

Down:

1. Former Eurasian leader: TSAR.

2. Rather: OH SO.

3. Rock the baby, around the world, etc.: YO-YO TRICKS.

4. Comforts: SOOTHES.

5. "Night Court" TV network: NBC.

6. British pop singer Rita: ORA. Here with her husband Taika Waititi, the director of "Thor: Ragnarok".

7. Made the grade: RATED.

8. Bee or butterfly: INSECT.

9. Sac fly result: RBI.

10. Antlered ruminant: ELK.

11. Olds of old: CIERA.

12. Shallot kin: ONION.

13. __ Gritty Dirt Band: NITTY.

14. "Your point is?": AND.

15. Big top performance: CIRCUS ACT. And 16. Skeet target: CLAY PIGEON. We don't often a 10 & 9 pair in a themed grid.

17. Kidney-related: RENAL.

18. With a single voice: AS ONE.

24. Takes advantage of: USES.

25. Gander: LOOK.

30. "Eww!": ICK.

33. Short "And yet ... ": OTOH.

34. Woodworking connector: DOWEL.

35. Utah city near two national parks: MOAB.

36. Soft summons: PSST.

37. Lanikai Beach's island: OAHU.

38. Like some grilling planks: CEDAR. This cedar plank salmon looks yummy.

39. Got up: AROSE. And 71. Got up: AWOKE.

44. Confidentiality doc: NDA. Non-Disclosure Agreement.

46. Typist's meas.: WPM.

47. Curaçao neighbor: ARUBA.

48. Hard on the ears: NOISY.

50. Goad: URGE.

51. Canadian gas brand: ESSO.

53. "Intelligence for Your Life" host John: TESH.

54. Hilton competitor: OMNI.

55. Some airport rides: UBERS.

56. Attracts: DRAWS.

58. Charles River sch.: MIT.

63. Andante and adagio: TEMPI.

65. Hotmail provider: MSN.

66. La Scala performance: OPERA.

70. Flask filler: HOOCH.

72. Harness strap: REIN.

73. Homey lodgings: INNS.

74. "Big Little Lies" actress Kravitz: ZOE. Star-studded cast.

75. Throws in: ADDS.

76. Time in the tub: SOAK.

77. "Nearly finished!": ALMOST DONE. And 81. Orchard fruit originally from Ohio: ROME APPLES. So many nice fill in this grid.

82. "Come on in!": ENTER.

83. Answered an invite: RSVP'D.

85. Puts in a Hall of Fame, say: ENSHRINES.

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

89. Jamaican genre: SKA.

90. Sport with bamboo swords: KENDO.

93. "Hold it, horses!": WHOA.

94. Share hot goss: DISH. Hot gossip.

95. Himalayan recluse: YETI.

96. Citation abbr.: ET AL.

101. Degrade oneself by: STOOP TO.

103. Word with year or rear: END.

105. South American palm: ACAI.

108. Asian noodle: SOBA. I prefer it cold.

109. Get used (to): ADAPT.

110. Instrument in Hindi cinema: SITAR.

111. Pet in a tank: GUPPY.

112. Zhou who hosted Nixon: ENLAI.

113. Stop: CEASE.

114. Walt Disney Concert Hall architect Frank: GEHRY.

119. Alpo rival: IAMS.

120. Tit for tat, e.g.: TYPO.

122. Some city trains: ELS.

124. Luxury bag monogram: YSL.

125. Tied the knot: WED.

126. Broomball surface: ICE.

127. Denials: NOS.

 

A few extra notes: 

1) Happy 76th birthday to Madame DeFarge (Janice), who used to comment on our blog regularly. We miss you, Janice! 

 

From L To R: Abejo, WikWak and Madame DeFarge

 

 

2) Happy birthday to sumdaze, our creative Monday Sherpa. Who else can ride 65 miles in one day?  I'm so lucky to have you in my life, Renee! Feel better soon!

3) Happy 16th birthday to our blog! Thank you so much for visiting and commenting.

4) Have a go at this "Farm Girls" puzzle I made for Atlas Obscura last Monday. I wish someone would blog about their puzzles. 

5) My left arm still has slight twinge. I pull wide on that side and often do not pull through, but I'm so happy to be back to the pool again. I don't over-rotate anymore and my bilateral breathing continues to be good. Now I need to focus on kicking harder with my right leg. So odd since I'm right-handed. You'd think I have a dominant right leg also. 

 

 C.C.