Theme: OL' MAN RIVER (57. "Show Boat" classic, and where to find the ends of 17-, 26- and 44-Across) - The ends of first three theme entries are parts of a river.
17A. Soft mattress topper : FEATHER BED
26A. Edison's electrical preference : DIRECT CURRENT
44A. Government-owned financial institutions : NATIONAL BANKS
I am not familiar with the song. The Ol' Man River does refer to the mighty Mississippi, correct?
Actually, a 5-letter RIVER will work as a unifier too. But OL' MAN RIVER provides a more sparkling choice, in addition to its 10-letter symmetry to FEATHER BED.
Quite a scrabbly 74 worder. Only letter J is missing. Total 18 entries are of medium 6/7-letter length. A nice mix. Also a few clue echos.
C.C. here. Argyle's sister is visiting. He'll be back next Monday.
Across:
1. Money in Mumbai : RUPEE. Alliteration.
6. Lose effectiveness, as painkillers, with "off" : WEAR. And WEAKENS (10D. Loses strength).
10. Wild or Old region : WEST
14. Pole vault, e.g. : EVENT
15. Palindromic pop group : ABBA. And 'N SYNC (33. "No Strings Attached" pop group). Pop group echo.
16. Big fair : EXPO
19. Eagerly excited : AGOG
20. Monterey County seat that's the birthplace of John Steinbeck : SALINAS. I forgot. We had this clue before.
21. '50s-'60s USSR leader Khrushchev : NIKITA. Cold War is so far away.
23. Grafton's "__ for Corpse" : C IS
24. Set aside for later : STORE. TABLE also has 5 letters.
31. Bills with George on them : ONES. I'd prefer "Bills with Washington on them". Also ABE (8D. Prez on a penny).
32. Roman moon goddess : LUNA
36. NBA position : CTR (Center)
37. Grazing land : PASTURE. And LEA (58D. Grazing land).
39. Small taste : SIP
40. Composer of marches : SOUSA. He died in the month of March also.
42. Like most pets : TAME
43. Fashion's Chanel : COCO
47. Super Bowl XXI MVP Phil : SIMMS. Wikipedia says he's known for inaugurating the phrase "I'm going to Disney World!".
48. Big mouth, in slang : YAP
49. Diocese leader : BISHOP
52. Abandon : FORSAKE
56. Workplace protection org. : OSHA
60. Scold severely : FLAY
61. Croat's neighbor : SERB. I've never understood the Balkan War. Is it about religious conflict?
62. Online read : EZINE
63. Online help pages, briefly : FAQS. Frequently Asked Questions.
64. City transport : TAXI
65. Real bargains : DEALS
Down:
1. NFL arbiters : REFS
2. Eye layer containing the iris : UVEA. Latin for "grape".
3. Ring loudly : PEAL
4. Draws in : ENTICES
5. Cultural, as cuisine : ETHNIC. I miss authentic Thai food & my experiences.
6. Major conflicts : WARS
7. Flow away, as a tide : EBB
9. Philadelphia suburb : RADNOR. What is it famous for?
11. Former soldier : EX GI
12. Dick and Jane's dog : SPOT. Obtained the answer via crossers.
13. Forum garb : TOGA
18. "Born in __": Cheech Marin film : EAST LA
22. Good-night girl of song : IRENE. Have never heard of the song "Goodnight, Irene".
24. Beach bronzings : SUN TANS
25. Psychological shock : TRAUMA
26. Medicos : DOCS
27. Division word : INTO
28. Show over : RERUN
29. Standard practice : CUSTOM
30. Boxing's "Iron Mike" : TYSON. I remember the ear-biting incident.
34. Shaver's mishap : NICK
35. USN noncoms : CPOS (Chief Petty Officers)
37. Barbecue site : PATIO
38. Trust, as a friend : RELY ON
41. Walks with attitude : SASHAYS. Lucina likes to use this word.
43. Turn over at sea : CAPSIZE
45. Customs levy : IMPOST
46. Kept out : BARRED
49. Big Broadway hit, in slang : BOFF. So is BOFFO.
50. Land in el mar : ISLA
51. NBAer O'Neal : SHAQ
52. Formula One racer Teo __ : FABI. His name escaped me also.
53. Nike competitor : AVIA. Latin for "fly".
54. __ Ration: pet food : KEN- L. Third time in a month?
55. "__ Tu": 1974 hit : ERES. Eres Tu = "It is You".
59. Mysterious guy : MR. X. Nice edge word.
Answer grid.
Here is a recent photo of our Cool Hand Larry (Windhover). Looks more like a philosopher than a farmer, no? Still want to share his bike, Annette?
C.C.
17A. Soft mattress topper : FEATHER BED
26A. Edison's electrical preference : DIRECT CURRENT
44A. Government-owned financial institutions : NATIONAL BANKS
I am not familiar with the song. The Ol' Man River does refer to the mighty Mississippi, correct?
Actually, a 5-letter RIVER will work as a unifier too. But OL' MAN RIVER provides a more sparkling choice, in addition to its 10-letter symmetry to FEATHER BED.
Quite a scrabbly 74 worder. Only letter J is missing. Total 18 entries are of medium 6/7-letter length. A nice mix. Also a few clue echos.
C.C. here. Argyle's sister is visiting. He'll be back next Monday.
Across:
1. Money in Mumbai : RUPEE. Alliteration.
6. Lose effectiveness, as painkillers, with "off" : WEAR. And WEAKENS (10D. Loses strength).
10. Wild or Old region : WEST
14. Pole vault, e.g. : EVENT
15. Palindromic pop group : ABBA. And 'N SYNC (33. "No Strings Attached" pop group). Pop group echo.
16. Big fair : EXPO
19. Eagerly excited : AGOG
20. Monterey County seat that's the birthplace of John Steinbeck : SALINAS. I forgot. We had this clue before.
21. '50s-'60s USSR leader Khrushchev : NIKITA. Cold War is so far away.
23. Grafton's "__ for Corpse" : C IS
24. Set aside for later : STORE. TABLE also has 5 letters.
31. Bills with George on them : ONES. I'd prefer "Bills with Washington on them". Also ABE (8D. Prez on a penny).
32. Roman moon goddess : LUNA
36. NBA position : CTR (Center)
37. Grazing land : PASTURE. And LEA (58D. Grazing land).
39. Small taste : SIP
40. Composer of marches : SOUSA. He died in the month of March also.
42. Like most pets : TAME
43. Fashion's Chanel : COCO
47. Super Bowl XXI MVP Phil : SIMMS. Wikipedia says he's known for inaugurating the phrase "I'm going to Disney World!".
48. Big mouth, in slang : YAP
49. Diocese leader : BISHOP
52. Abandon : FORSAKE
56. Workplace protection org. : OSHA
60. Scold severely : FLAY
61. Croat's neighbor : SERB. I've never understood the Balkan War. Is it about religious conflict?
62. Online read : EZINE
63. Online help pages, briefly : FAQS. Frequently Asked Questions.
64. City transport : TAXI
65. Real bargains : DEALS
Down:
1. NFL arbiters : REFS
2. Eye layer containing the iris : UVEA. Latin for "grape".
3. Ring loudly : PEAL
4. Draws in : ENTICES
5. Cultural, as cuisine : ETHNIC. I miss authentic Thai food & my experiences.
6. Major conflicts : WARS
7. Flow away, as a tide : EBB
9. Philadelphia suburb : RADNOR. What is it famous for?
11. Former soldier : EX GI
12. Dick and Jane's dog : SPOT. Obtained the answer via crossers.
13. Forum garb : TOGA
18. "Born in __": Cheech Marin film : EAST LA
22. Good-night girl of song : IRENE. Have never heard of the song "Goodnight, Irene".
24. Beach bronzings : SUN TANS
25. Psychological shock : TRAUMA
26. Medicos : DOCS
27. Division word : INTO
28. Show over : RERUN
29. Standard practice : CUSTOM
30. Boxing's "Iron Mike" : TYSON. I remember the ear-biting incident.
34. Shaver's mishap : NICK
35. USN noncoms : CPOS (Chief Petty Officers)
37. Barbecue site : PATIO
38. Trust, as a friend : RELY ON
41. Walks with attitude : SASHAYS. Lucina likes to use this word.
43. Turn over at sea : CAPSIZE
45. Customs levy : IMPOST
46. Kept out : BARRED
49. Big Broadway hit, in slang : BOFF. So is BOFFO.
50. Land in el mar : ISLA
51. NBAer O'Neal : SHAQ
52. Formula One racer Teo __ : FABI. His name escaped me also.
53. Nike competitor : AVIA. Latin for "fly".
54. __ Ration: pet food : KEN- L. Third time in a month?
55. "__ Tu": 1974 hit : ERES. Eres Tu = "It is You".
59. Mysterious guy : MR. X. Nice edge word.
Answer grid.
Here is a recent photo of our Cool Hand Larry (Windhover). Looks more like a philosopher than a farmer, no? Still want to share his bike, Annette?
C.C.
