Theme: QWERTYUIOP - Top row of letters on a keyboard.
18A. *Pickled peppers picker : PETER PIPER
37A. *Miss Manners' concern : PROPER ETIQUETTE
59A. *Clog-clearing company : ROTO-ROOTER
4D. *Compete, as for a role : TRYOUT
47D. *Typewriter area, letterwise, for the answers to starred clues : TOP ROW
Argyle here. This appears to be a debut at LAT but he has had one published on NYT. Not surprisingly, many letters are missing today: {FGJKVXZ}. The two columns that are themed, while shorter than some of the rows, are still longer than any of the other Down words. Overall, a good start to the week.
Across:
1. Light fog : MIST
5. "No ifs, __ ..." : ANDS or buts.
9. Italian city known for a shroud : TURIN
14. __'acte : ENTR. (intermission)
15. Come in last : LOSE
16. Have __ in the hole : AN ACE. Up your sleeve is a no-no.
17. Make laugh in a big way : SLAY
20. Deodorant choice : AEROSOL
22. Raised one's glass to : TOASTED. At sunset?
23. Play lightly, as a guitar : STRUM
24. Greek X's : CHIs. Twenty-second letter of the Greek alphabet.
25. Walked stealthily : TIPTOED
28. Bandleader Artie : SHAW
32. TV network with an eye logo : CBS
35. Reclined : LAIN. Correct today?
36. 1970s New York mayor Abe : BEAME
41. Classroom assistants : AIDES
42. In unison, in music : A DUE
43. Paranormal ability, for short : ESP
44. MD's "pronto" : STAT. From the Latin word statum, meaning 'immediately.'
45. Very, very old : ANCIENT
48. Mailbox opening : SLOT
49. Energy : OOMPH!
53. Proud member of a select group : ELITIST
57. Breathe : RESPIRE
61. Some old radios : RCAs
62. Love to pieces : ADORE
63. Grandkid spoiler, often : NANA
64. Cookie grain : OATS
65. Clearing-in-the-woods shelters : TENTS
66. Breaks off : ENDS
67. Water slide user's cry : "WHEE!"
Down:
1. Flat-topped lands : MESAs
2. Coastline recess : INLET
3. Fab Four drummer Ringo : STARR
5. Purina dog food brand : ALPO
6. Christmas carol : NOEL
7. Annual reason to reset clocks: Abbr. : DST. Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 1.
8. Do a slow burn : SEETHE
9. Spanish appetizers : TAPAS
10. Les États-__ : UNIS. (the United States)
11. Hanging on every word : RAPT
12. Slurpee alternative : ICEE
13. "The Big Bang Theory" type : NERD
19. __ rage: PED user's aggression : ROID. (PED - Performance-enhancing drugs, like steroids)
21. Expresses happiness : SMILES
24. Address book entry : CONTACT
26. Golf goal : PAR
27. Even score : TIE
28. Understand : SEE
29. Detest : HATE
30. Pts. and qts., for two : AMTS. (amount)
31. Cry one's eyes out : WEEP
32. Tax pros : CPAs. (Certified Public Accountant)
33. London native, informally : BRIT
34. Fizz in a gin fizz : SODA water.
36. __ Aires : BUENOS
38. Shelter adoptee : PET
39. Dictator Amin : IDI
40. Canadian prov. bordering Vt. : QUEbec
45. "Just want to add ..." : "ALSO ... "
46. Nary a soul : NOT ONE
48. Stable studs : SIRES
50. Biblical prophet : MICAH. Also, the sheriff on "The Rifleman".
51. Chatter endlessly : PRATE
52. "Steppenwolf" author Hermann : HESSE
53. Part of Q.E.D. : ERAT
54. Miner's bonanza : LODE
55. "Bring __!": "Let's fight!" : IT ON
56. Civil suit cause : TORT
57. Tear violently : REND
58. Gay Nineties and Roaring Twenties : ERAs
60. Almond-colored : TAN
Argyle
Note from C.C.:
Here is a cute picture of JD's grandsons at the Monterey Dunes. JD told me last time that "both Truman and Grady are playing both soccer and baseball. Cameron plays soccer, but has a swim class once a week and also gymnastics, which they offer at his school. Truman and Grady have a golf class after school once a week too."
Left to Right: Cameron, Grady (Truman's little brother), Dylan (Front, Cameron's little brother) & Truman
Picture-perfect posture from Grady.
Also click here for a fun "Complete Vs Finished" explanation JD sent to me last night.
