Monday September 22, 2025 Robert E. L. Morris

Round 2 of RustyBrain's Tour de Lundi's in lieu of sumdaze.

Robert "Everyone Loves" Morris is no stranger to the square dance here at the Corner. In this puzzle, he shows off his fancy footwork.

58A. Jukebox musical featuring Gloria Estefan songs, or where to find the ends of 17-Across and 10-, 24-, and 33-Down: ON YOUR FEET. The end of each themer is also a part of one's foot. Simple and effective - except I didn't know a jukebox musical was a show that uses preexisting songs to tell a story. 

17A. Architectural component of many a stained glass window: GOTHIC ARCH. The tall, pointed GOTHIC ARCH was an improvement over the round Roman ones because the steeper sides directed forces down more vertically. So, rather than having massive columns as in the Romanesque churches, the new columns could be more slender. 

10D. Pencil game that often has no winner: TIC-TAC-TOE. Known as "Noughts and Crosses" in Britain, TIC-TAC-TOE's origins can be traced back to ancient Egypt where the game has been found on roofing tiles. Therefore, workers have been screwing around on the job for millennia before I came along and turned it into an art form.

24D. Billiards game: SIX-BALL. In pocket billiards (pool), SIX-BALL is a shortened form of nine-ball. But, for some oddball reason, eight-ball is a longer version of both. 

33D. Flatfish native to the northern Atlantic: DOVER SOLE. DOVER SOLE is a highly-valued, sweet and mild-flavored flatfish from European waters. And eating fish is good for your soul.

I found too many proper names, including an insurance company mascot, but my only real QUIBBLE was a few wayward abbreviations (see 43A & 4D).

And now, the game is afoot:

Across:

1. Animation pioneer Disney: WALT. If WALT had lived long enough, he might have created a CGI emu.

5. CGI emu who wears sunglasses in insurance ads: LIMU. Newest Disney character: Lester LIMU.

9. Chichén __: Mayan ruins: ITZA. ITZA site to see!

13. Word of woe: ALAS.

14. Ain't right?: AREN'T. Yes it is.

16. "Carpe __!": "Seize the day!": DIEM.

17. [theme]

19. Ranch division: ACRE. The smallest division is the single-serving size.

20. Lures: ENTICES. 

21. 2,240 pounds: LONG TON. The LONG TON is also known as an imperial ton, a displacement ton, or a British ton, but there's not a ton of difference between them.

23. Big name in tractors: DEERE. This old piece of farm equipment is manure spreader. Nowadays, we call it a politician.

24. Lady of Spain: SENORA.

25. Shape-fitting video game: TETRIS. I have very good spatial sense and amaze my friends with how much I can pack into a small moving van. I think of it as 3-D TETRIS. 

28. Computer pros: TECHS. Computer cons: BUGS

31. Puts in: ADDS. "You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out..." I'm also available for weddings!

34. Bit of black magic: HEX. 

35. Cape __ Island, Nova Scotia: BRETON. 

36. Summer zodiac sign: LEO. It's LEO again. We've seen this constellation all summer long.

37. Nitpick: QUIBBLE. QUIBBLE is just like Scrabble. Well, maybe a little different...

39. Lisbon greeting: OLA. The Portuguese version of "hola," which is the Spanish version of "hallo," which is the German version of "hello," which is...

40. Scarf down: DEVOUR. 

42. One seeking platonic love, informally: ARO. AROmantic is becoming a crossword staple due to its common letters.

43. Slugger Matt who led the NL in homers in 2011: KEMP. Since National League is abbreviated, so is Kempinski. Just kidding! I don't know why the clue uses NL (Matt is technically abbreviated as well).

44. Puccini work: OPERA.

45. Pester continually: PLAGUE.

47. Scamp: RASCAL.

49. Mookie of the Dodgers: BETTS. The only BETTS I know is Dickey, founding member and former guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band.

53. Stronghold: BASTION. 

55. Get ready: PREPARE.

57. French for "mine": A MOI. 

58. [theme]

60. Approximately 2.2 lbs.: KILO. Kilogram.

61. Marshmallow treats: PEEPS. They're not just for Easter anymore!

62. Words often said sarcastically: I BET.

63. Genesis garden: EDEN. 

64. Small amount: DASH. 

65. __ list: TO DO. My wife, RightBrain, calls them "honey do" lists. I sure hope she gets around to them soon.

Down:

1. Fought, as a war: WAGED.

2. Unaccompanied: ALONE.

3. Starbucks order: LATTE. Cafe LATTE is an espresso-based coffee drink from Italy. "Scusi, but why is my order taking so long?"

4. Some concert merch: T-SHIRTS. T-SHIRT is not an abbreviation (as suggested by "merch" which is an abbrev. for merchandise). The "T" refers to the garment's shape when laid flat.

5. Lingerie trim: LACE.

6. Golden yrs. funds: IRAS. Individual Retirement Accounts.

7. Crème de la __: luxury skin care product made with kelp: MER. MER is French for "sea." I should try it because I need all the kelp I can get.

8. Parents' brothers: UNCLES.

9. "Can't argue with that": I'D AGREE. No complaints from me.

10. [theme]

11. Goose egg: ZERO. Because a ZERO looks like an egg, the tennis term for "no score" is love - from the French word for egg, l'oeuf.

12. Prayer ending: AMEN.

15. Suffix for a lengthy fundraising event: THON. As in teleTHON.

18. Slushy drink: ICEE.

22. __ Dame: South Bend school: NOTRE. The Fighting Irish.

24. [theme]

26. Calendar abbr.: THUR. This clue is kinda week.

27. L.L.Bean rival: REI. Recreational Equipment, Inc. In clothing, however, Bean's rival is Lands' End.

29. Ian of "The Hobbit": HOLM. He played Bilbo Baggins, Middle Earth's ringleader.

30. Break sharply: SNAP.

31. Gucci of fashion: ALDO. 

32. "Take a __ breath": DEEP. 

33. [theme]

35. Internet journal: BLOG. Just like the one you're reading now!

37. Somewhat: QUASI. That seems about right.

38. Lingerie item: BRA. 

41. Formal speech: ORATION. 

43. Stay in shape: KEEP FIT. Bent out of shape: THROW A FIT.

45. Reviewed harshly: PANNED. The term "being roasted" was a historical slang term for severe criticism (similar to today). That morphed into expressions like "on the pan." 

46. Lyft rival: UBER.

48. Member-owned grocery: CO-OP. IGA (Independent Grocers Alliance) supermarkets are an example of a Retailers' Cooperative. Collectively, CO-OPs give local store owners the buying power to compete with the big chains. We stopped at this one on the way to the Cascade Mountains this summer. Neat as a pin with perfect pyramids of produce and super friendly folks. Buy local!

50. 1990s fitness fad: TAE BO. The opposite of this fashion fad:

51. Trapped on a branch, as a cat: TREED. Tripped on a branch: FLOORED.

52. Minor scuffle: SET TO.

53. Make a cake, say: BAKE.A rhyming clue and answer! 

54. Within: AMID.

55. Unwelcome sounds for a balloon artist: POPS. These are very prickly to make:

56. Work with haste: RUSH. Work with waste: FLUSH. More silly rhymes.

59. Affirmative vote: YEA.

Did you keep instep as we moved along?

Sunday September 21, 2025 Katy Steinmetz & Rich Katz

Theme: "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?" - Each phrase you might hear during a bad cell connection is humorously reinterpreted in a non-call context.

22. "There's not enough chocolate for the both of us!": I ONLY HAVE ONE BAR.

30. "Our waiter's wearing leopard-print pants!": THE SERVICE IS SPOTTY.

43. "Stop switching lanes so aggressively!": YOU'RE CUTTING IN AND OUT.

65. "We could get separated in this crowd!": I MIGHT LOSE YOU.

83. "Our next flight leaves 10 minutes after we land!": WE HAVE A BAD CONNECTION.

99. "I've been to more enjoyable weddings!": THE RECEPTION IS WEAK.

110. "It sounds like that relationship is over!": YOU'RE BREAKING UP.

This is a fun set. The static is replaced with humor. Super tight theme. 

This marks the fourth collaboration from Katy and Rich, the third Sunday. Both of them seem to be fond of this type of rephrasing theme.

Across:

1. Facing the pitcher: AT BAT.

6. Closely guarded areas in soccer: SHINS.

11. Korean-style __: BBQ. I just call it Korean BBQ. They often use lettuces and perilla leaves as wraps.

14. Brunch side: HASH.

18. Sunday singers: CHOIR. 

19. Window parts: PANES.

20. __ deco: ART.

21. Alexander of "Rizzoli & Isles": SASHA.

25. Up to: UNTIL.

26. Failure: DUD.

27. __ firma: TERRA.

28. Not trans: CIS.

29. Give heart to: ASSURE.

34. Former NPR host Norris: MICHELE. Soothing voice. She's born in Minneapolis.

37. Frosts: ICES.

38. Main ideas: THEMES.

39. Workout reminders?: ACHES.

40. Opera set in Egypt: AIDA.

42. Viewed: SEEN.

51. "My treat!": ON ME.

52. Elderly: AGED.

53. Wax-coated cheese: EDAM.

54. Sandwich choice: WRAP.

56. Spot for a pot: SILL.

58. Following: AFTER.

60. Big batteries: D CELLS.

62. Moody genre: EMO.

69. Board alternative: SKI. OK, snowboard. 

70. Coco Gauff's sport: TENNIS.

72. MeTV fare: RE-RUN.

73. German auto: AUDI.

75. __-Cola: COCA.

76. Singer Halliwell: GERI. Ginger Spice.

77. Gentlemen: SIRS.

79. __ terrier: SKYE.

89. Nearly all: MOST.

90. Bygone GM line: OLDS.

91. Drummer Starr: RINGO.
 
92. Portmanteau pastry: CRONUT. Croissant & donut.

95. Swit co-star: ALDA.

97. Steering committee's output: AGENDAS.

103. Salad slice: RADISH. Have any of you tried watermelon radishes? Very pretty. They taste like daikon radishes.

104. Due-in hr.: ETA.

105. Gets bogged down: MIRES.

106. "__ Twist, Scientist": kid-lit bestseller: ADA.

109. Start: ONSET.

114. Rather wee: TEENY.

115. Spot for the night: INN.

116. Intended: MEANT.

117. Standards flouted by rebels: NORMS.

118. Blind part: SLAT.

119. TV's "Science Guy": NYE.

120. Arm bones: ULNAS.

121. Purple flavor: GRAPE.

Down:

1. Low-pH stuff: ACID.

2. The old you?: THOU.The Ten Commandments are part of my classes.

3. No fighter: BOND.

4. Suffer: AIL.

5. "Have a few samples": TRY THESE. These go well with your Korean BBQ. Banchan.

6. Few and far between: SPARSE.

7. Le __: French port: HAVRE.

8. Like some headsets: IN EAR.

9. Keanu role: NEO.

10. W-2 fig.: SSN.

11. Some pediatric patients: BABIES.

12. Luca of "The Godfather": BRASI. Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes.

13. NBA div.: QTR. Quarter.

14. Horse-drawn carriage: HANSOM.

15. Insightful: ASTUTE.

16. Skins' opponents: SHIRTS.

17. Jay and Gloria's oldest grandchild on "Modern Family": HALEY.

21. Leave dangling: SUSPEND.

23. Stiletto, for one: HEEL.

24. Latin "behold": ECCE.

29. Wan: ASHEN.

30. "__ no easy way to say this ... ": THERE'S.

31. Center of a historic boast: VIDI.

32. Declaration of ability: I CAN.

33. Cook dim sum, say: STEAM. Any of you are Costco members? Their Prawn Hacao are amazing.

34. Subway spread: MAYO.

35. Touchscreen image: ICON.

36. Fish used to fish for other fish: CHUM.

40. Chowed down: ATE.

41. "__ be my pleasure": IT'D.

42. Trap: SNARE.

44. Soothes: CALMS.

45. Fruit that sounds unattractive: UGLI.

46. "All aboard!": GET ON.

47. March day for a historic coup: IDES.

48. Face late charges, maybe: OWE.

49. Browser links: URLS.

50. "__ is cheap": TALK.

55. Tire meas.: PSI.

57. Junior's junior: III.

58. Heart parts: ATRIA.

59. Winter bug: FLU. So relieved that my cough is almost gone. Almost a repeat of my ordeal last summer.

60. Drench: DOUSE.

61. Meadow mouthful: CUD.

62. "Yada yada" abbr.: ETC.

63. Copy cats?: MEOW. The clue is 66. Awesome: GREAT.

64. Frost's "__ by the Pacific": ONCE.

67. Sage, for one: HERB. 

68. Raw material for some bees: YARN.

71. "Hard pass": NAH.

74. Self-critical remark: I STINK.

76. Noble deed of yore: GESTE.

77. Supply that might be ready to roll: SOD.

78. __ and outs: INS.

80. Ilk: KIND.

81. Lenovo laptop whose screen bends over backward: YOGA. Not famliar with this.

82. Actress Mireille: ENOS.

84. Blanket forgiveness: AMNESTY. Margaret said all my sins will be forgiven when I'm baptized. Sounds like the ultimate Control + Alt + Delete for the soul.

85. __ for: attest to: VOUCH.

86. "Ice Age" bird: DODO.

87. Family: CLAN.

88. Folding: CREASING.

92. French fashion house: CHANEL.

93. Biblical site of long division?: RED SEA. Parting the Red Sea.

94. Get one's bearings: ORIENT.

95. Unify, in a way: ATTUNE.

96. Perjurer: LIAR.

97. "That's a shame": AW RATS.

98. Nerd (out): GEEK.

99. Unlikely gaits out of the starting gate: TROTS. Ha.

100. Garden flower: PEONY.

101. Former Pakistan prime minister __ Khan: IMRAN.  He was a pro cricketer.

102. Tuscan city that's home to the oldest bank in the world: SIENA. Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena. Founded in 1472. Learning moment for me.

106. Taj Mahal site: AGRA.

107. Garbage truck destination: DUMP.

108. Sanctuary area: APSE.

110. Yang counterpart: YIN.

111. Big bird: EMU.

112. __ canto: BEL.

113. Scand. kingdom: NOR.

C.C.

Saturday, September 20, 2025, Zhouqin Burnikel

Saturday Themeless by Zhouqin Burnikel

The only really hard name for me was a soaper star but C.C. gave me every letter I needed. C.C.'s penchant for clever word play definitely was part of this fun puzzle.

As you can see in the grid, the center of the puzzle was dense with unique fill. Very impressive! C.C. told me this is his lowest themeless word count she has ever achieved. She aims to have only 70 - 72 words and this one only has 62!! WOW!

Across:

1. Dress to impress: GLAM UP - We've seen GLAMPING and GLAM ROCK and this phrase fits that pattern. 

                 

7. Hit up quickly: PINGED.

13. Muralist on some Mexican 500-peso notes: RIVERA - $26.74 in Nebraska! The Rivera mural shown hangs in The Mexican National Palace.

                                                                                 

14. Citrus hybrid: TANGELO - A tangelo is a hybrid citrus fruit that is a cross between a tangerine and a pomelo or grapefruit. The name "tangelo" comes from combining the names of the parent fruits.  

15. Track unit: ONE LAP.

16. Left out words?: WHY NOT ME.

17. Place to go for a drive?: TEE. 😀

18. Mosslike organisms: LICHENS.

20. Only Canadian NBA city, for short: TOR.

21. Something that may be a little fishy: TANK 😀

23. Valley known as the "Garden of France": LOIRE.

24. Tricks: CONS.

25. Montana motto: ORO Y PLATA - I learned here that this is "gold and silver"

27. Fighting chance?: BOUT - Over 70,000- people filled the Alegiant Stadium last week to see Terence "Bud" Crawford of Omaha become the first boxer to hold undisputed crowns in three different weight classes. Some say he is the best "pound for pound" boxer in history.

28. Pocket money: LOOSE CHANGE.

30. Dis-illusioned?: DOWN TO EARTH - All that glitters is not gold.

31. "Something just occurred to me": HERE'S AN IDEA.

32. At any time: EVER.

33. "Days of Our Lives" actress on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills": LISA RINNA ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  Talk about GLAMED UP!

37. Put on a happy face: GRIN.

38. Small porch: STOOP - From the Dutch word stoep meaning step or platform brought to America by Dutch settling in the Hudson Valley. You're welcome. 😀

39. Grant consideration: NEED.

40. "Details later" letters: TBA.

41. "I'm not buying it": C'MON NOW.

43. Tom yum __ soup: GAI - Thai dish: Tom (to boil), Yum (to mix) and Gai (chicken)

44. Judged events for pedigreed and companion animals: CAT SHOWS - Yeah, even I put DOG first

46. Start of a rumor: I HEARD - When I first HEARD this, it became a mission of mine to take on anyone who believed it. 

48. Ravaged by time: AGE WORN - My old Chucks had to be falling apart before I pitched them

49. Snapple rival: NESTEA.

50. Fly-by-night operation?: RED EYE 😀 We left Honolulu at 11 pm to arrive in LA at 5 am. It was New Year's Eve and so they turned on the cabin lights for ten seconds over the Pacific where it was midnight and wished us a Happy New Year. 

51. Sturdy woolens: TWEEDS - Professor Henry (Indiana) Jones wore TWEED

Down:

1. Spelunking site: GROTTO.

In the Timberline GROTTO in Colorado

2. Flat, in a way: LINEAR - Well known for us math peeps

3. Active Naturals brand: AVEENO.

4. Airport code in Victoria: MEL.

5. Eurasian border range: URAL.

6. Toy spaniels: PAPILLONS - Also know as Continental Toys

7. Stewart who won the U.S. Open twice in the 1990s: PAYNE - He was very popular, known for his colorful outfits and died far too young at 42.

8. Trip stops: INNS.

9. Many a charitable gp.: NGO.

10. Bring the hammer down: GET TOUGH - Mahler also called for this during his sixth symphony

11. Los Angeles suburb: EL MONTE - A 19 minute drive.

12. Busy bodies: DOERS.

14. "And they're off!": THE RACE IS ON.

16. Hot dog option: WHITE ONIONS.

19. Beach resort locale: COASTAL TOWN.

22. Padmé Amidala's grandson: KYLO REN - Halloween is just around the corner

24. Hold: CONTAIN.

26. It might be lost in a storm: POWER - It happened to us for three days in March.

27. More minimalist: BARER - Most of us can remember our dorm room

29. Wasn't talking nonsense: HAD A POINT.

30. Strayed: DEVIATED.

31. Grass and such: HERBAGE.

34. Cancel out: NEGATE.

35. Closed in on: NEARED.

36. Athletic brand based in Bavaria: ADIDAS - Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany. They have supplied Husker gear for years

 

37. Aston Martin DB12, for one: GT CAR - Grand Touring. Those Europeans always get their abbreviations backwards. 😀

38. Three-ingredient treat: SMORE.

41. Baby bok __: CHOY.

42. Cry of relief: WHEW.

45. Nor. neighbor: SWE.

47. Tip of the tongue?: ESE - Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Maltese, Burmese, Sudanese...