Patrick Blindauer gives us an entertaining puzzle, with a tic-tac-toe grid at dead center, made up of three across clues...32A: It merged with Mobil (Exxon)
38A: Part of a coach's chalk-talk diagram (OXX)
42A: "...like a __ chocolates" (box of)
...combined with three downs:
33D: Kiss and hugs, in a love letter (XOO)
34D: Adults-only (XXX)
35D: Big name in kitchen gadgets (OXO)
But that's only part of it! The theme is revealed at 60A: "Piece of cake!" (and a hint to the starts of 17-Across and 11- and 27-Down) (Childs Play). The three theme answers are:
17A: Thrill (tickle pink)
11D: Part of a dash (tachometer)
27D: Do what is expected (toe the line)
In addition to the theme clues, there's lively fill throughout the puzzle.
20A: Close communication (tête-à-tête).
28A: Heartless one? (Tin Man), along with 31A: Companion of 28-Across (lion). We had Jack Haley last week, so the Tin Man was fresh in my mind. Initially had his companion as Toto.
54A: Flo Ziegfeld's specialty (stage acts).
8D: Breathing problem (apnea). A serious breathing problem...
10D: Huffington who wrote "Fanatics & Fools" (Arianna).
43D: June 14 (Flag Day). That's very close to my birthday, which I'll share with Rex Parker and Green Genius, among others.
44D: Medical setback (relapse).
Very happy to see that 22A: (Couple) was dyad, rather than last week's duad. That just looked and sounded so wrong.
Enjoyed seeing back-to-back clues (Breakfast spot, briefly) for both HoJo (at 52D) and IHOP (at 53D).
Didn't care for the cluing at 47A: Eye passionately (leer at). If someone is leering at me, I'm thinking disgusting, not passionate. My Webster's New World agrees with me: "A sly, sidelong look showing salaciousness."
6D: Imbibed (toped). A pretty archaic word, but it added interest.
7D: One who watches the telly (Brit). Very nice.
I interpreted 3D: Group of prayers (sect) as the things they say, not as the group of people who pray.
Lots of travel opportunities. 1A: Birthplace of Galileo (Pisa), 37A: Seaport of New Guinea (Lae), 45A: Bernstein's "Trouble in __" (Tahiti) and 59A: Athens's setting (Ohio).
John continues with the guest blogging duties at Diary of a Crossword Fiend. Be sure to check out his commentary.
Good night.
Linda G
6 comments:
Nicely done!
I would like to have seen the German beer, OXX, as the clue for 38A.
Great little puzzle!
You'll share *what* with me now? I wasn't sure what you were getting at with your Flag Day comment.
rp
Flag Day is close to my birthday, which falls on Father's Day this year, so I'll share my day with you and Robert. I know for sure that the two of you are fathers.
Good job Linda. Did you mean that G and Rex have the same birthday as you or that they're flying to Colorado to party with you. Either way we should bake a big cybercake.
Happy Birth- Flag- Father's Day! Can't wait for that party. Thanks for sharing.
Usually on Father's Day my oldest son will take me to see the Braves play in Atlanta. Money's a little tight around these parts however, and this year we might be watching our local minor league team, the Charleston Riverdogs.
Barry, a chocolate cybercake would be very nice. You can be in charge ; )
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