Wednesday, May 9 - Patrick Merrell

I swear I've seen this quote in a puzzle in the last few months. Did anyone else have that feeling?

Winston Churchill's description of a fanatic is divided into four parts:

17A: One who can't
27A: change his mind
44A: and won't change
60A: the subject

I wonder if I'm the only one who thought the quote had only three parts. To be consistent, the clue for 60A should have been Description, part 4. Clued as Description's end, though, I tried to think of an appropriate answer. What comes at the end of a description? When I ended up with the subject (only because I had all the downs), I couldn't figure out how that made any sense. It finally all came together.

They're b-a-a-a-a-ack:

10A: Pre-Communist leader (Tsar). Old word, new clue.

14A: It's a killer (orca)

15A: Tubular instruments (oboes). I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If it's an instrument, and it's obviously not a viola, it's an oboe.

33A: December celebrations (Noels). Plural this time, but an oft-repeated answer.

42A: Lug (ape). Again, a fresh clue keeps it from being a tired answer.

35D: Gin fruit (sloe).

67A: Collars worn outside the lapels (Etons). See Noels comment above.

Some fresh, snappy answers and/or clues:

25A: Secured, as a fish on a line (reeled in).

39A: Dreadful (abysmal). It's a great sounding word, despite its meaning.

11D: Leadfoot (speed demon). I've been driving almost 40 years and have never had a ticket--or an accident for that matter. I'll admit that I have been very lucky many times, but I rarely exceed the speed limit.

22D: "Elder" of ancient history (Pliny). I knew this, but I don't know how. Former puzzle?

46D: Commonplace (old hat). What I hope crossword blogs never become.

29D: From dawn till dusk (all day long). I just like it because it's a long answer.

48D: Key with three sharps (A major). I haven't gotten to that point in my lessons yet. C, D, G and F major, and A minor. I freak out when I see too many sharps. (MDS, if you're reading this, don't take it personally).

Things I didn't know:

26D: Orbiting chimp of 1961 (Enos). I remember watching it on the news but didn't remember that the chimp had a name.

34D: "Metropolis" director Fritz (Lang). Never heard of him.

37D: Bild article (Eine). Need to brush up on foreign languages other than Spanish.

I have a busy day tomorrow that will start early and go on and on, so I'll wrap this up. For further commentary, read what constructor and guest blogger John Farmer (filling in for Orange) has to say.

Good night...

Linda G