Sunday's puzzle, In the Beginning, by Patrick Berry, features eight theme answers, each an ordinary phrase with IN inserted at the beginning, then cleverly clued.
23A: Dire proof-of-purchase slip (invoice of doom).
28A: What Dr. Frankenstein tried to do? (instill life).
36A: Bored kayaker's movements? (indifferent strokes). This was the first theme answer I got. After that, I put IN at the beginning of each theme answer...made it a teensy bit easier.
56A: Much-needed windfall? (income to the rescue).
74A: Like workers' salaries under a miserly boss? (increase resistant). This was the hardest one for me. More about that in a minute.
91A: Hogwarts? (invocational school).
102A: Sharply focused Warsaw residents? (intent Poles).
112A: Clairvoyants' charges? (intuition fees).
I found this to be an entertaining puzzle. Not overly challenging, but it had enough spicy fill to hold my interest.
Problem areas:
The Biggest One, referred to above, resulted from my refusal to let go of the walrus at 58D: "I am the __" (Beatles lyric). Having that carved in stone meant that 74A was increase resistunt. I wasn't sure if the NYT had misspelled resistunt or walras. The worst thing was that all this time I was singing the damn song in my head. "I am the eggman, they are the eggmen, I am the walrus." Duh! (12A: "Well, yeah!"). Once I put in eggman, that whole section began to make sense. Now 61A: Unable to relax could be on edge, which I so wanted it to be.
40D: Some government bonds (T-notes). I had T-bills at first, causing future problems for on edge. By way of clarification...T-notes a/k/a (96A: Nickname preceder) treasury notes.
25A: Annual celebration for a Catholic (name day). I was raised Roman Catholic, and I don't remember ever celebrating it. Maybe there wasn't a Saint Linda...so when would I have celebrated it? According to this, some people celebrate name days instead of birthdays. As if!
82A: Portion of a flight (stair) really threw me. Because I had the AIR in place, I was sure it had something to do with an airline flight. Just what they'd intended.
The ones I really liked...for whatever reason:
3D: Care (give a darn). Just because...and I like multiple word answers.
24D: Three-sided blade (epee). A never-seen-by-me clue for a word that we see all the time.
46D: One who's done stretches? (ex-con). I just love the cleverness of that one. I was thinking yoga, pilates, other fitness things. Sharings its X was 54A: Battle of Hastings participant (Saxon). Couldn't remember that but was able to guess based on the letters I had.
88A: Missouri city (Joplin). Only on a Sunday. Earlier in the week, Scott or Janis would be in the clue.
92D: Book printer's no-no (orphan). I'm sure we won't find any orphans (or widows, the other no-no) in Amy's book. If you haven't ordered your copy, get on the stick. It's chock-full of tips from a master solver.
111A: One who's expected to deliver? (Messiah). I know several women who have recently given (or who will soon give) birth. That's the kind of delivery I was thinking.
79D: Structure finished during Titus' reign (Colosseum). It's such a good-looking word, sitting there in the southeast corner, and it opened things up big time.
The award for the grossest clue of the puzzle goes to 104D: Lice-to-be (nits). How disgusting! It's a good thing I solve in the evening instead of morning. This definitely wouldn't pass the breakfast test, especially if I was eating...never mind.
And for the most progressive clue...66A: Water pipes (bongs). It's a good thing I read a lot in the 70s, or I wouldn't know what they were.
I'd be remiss if I failed to mention 68A: Less ripe (greener) because it reminds me of fellow blogger, Robert, known to most of you as Green Genius, loyal fan (and blogger) of the New York Sun. After a week spent lolling on the beach, he'll be back at his post on Monday.
And I'll be back at mine tomorrow night.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Saturday, July 14 - Victor Fleming
I didn't solve Victor Fleming's Saturday puzzle until close to 11 last night and was way too tired to blog.
I've started contemplating the blank grid before I start to solve...you know, the design made by the black squares (which are actually light gray the way I print...to save ink). Anyway, I wasn't under the influence of anything. Just liked the patterns these last couple of days.
Now on to the puzzle, starting with the wrong answers I initially had.
20A: Former Shea players (Beatles). I was trying to put in a team name, and you know I know squat about sports.
40A: Shucks, so to speak (lies to). Like shuck and jive, I guess. I was thinking like shuck corn. Any day now we'll start getting Olathe sweet corn, the very best corn grown anywhere. For weeks on end, we will eat one or two ears of corn for dinner...occasionally with nothing else. It is to die for.
49A: Cape wearer's field (magic). I was thinking Batman and Superman, so I had crime.
51A: Focus provider? (Ford). How clever was that! After trying to think what you'd call that part of a camera, I realized where they were going.
1D: Waldenbooks alternative (BDalton). We don't have either of those here anymore. They've been replaced by Barnes & Noble and Borders, which is what I entered.
2D: It's sweet, it's said (revenge). I had success at first, but I guess it's more the smell of success that's sweet. Anyway, revenge is so-o-o-o-0 much sweeter. Just kidding, folks. I'm more likely to forgive (37D: Not hold something against) than to take revenge.
Things I liked:
14D: View coral reefs, maybe (snorkel). I love snorkeling. In just nine weeks, we'll be in Kauai where I plan to do a lot of it. By the way, be thinking about being a guest blogger during the two weeks I'm gone!
28D: Folks guilty of disorderly conduct (slobs). I love the answer, but slobs disgust me. I was in an apartment yesterday that was just awful. I don't understand how people can live that way...dirty dishes in the sink, cigarette butts (disgusting anywhere) floating in glasses of Pepsi. Yecch!
49D: One of the Gospels, in a Spanish Bible (Mateo). I loved this! Bible and foreign language rolled into one!
You had to love 8D: "Hey!?" (What's the big idea!?) running vertically down the center of the grid. After I ran through the across clues, I had only the B and the final A, so it took some time to piece that together. The B was from 37A: Molotov cocktail, e.g. (firebomb) and the A from 63A: Levied (assessed), both gimmes/good guesses that panned out.
Ooh, and I loved 15A: Infernal (devilish). Such a good word. It conjures up images of something...well, devilish.
We rarely make it through a week without a couple of Pope clues. I liked today's at 16A: Any of six popes (Adrian). I could only remember John, Paul, George and Ringo. No irreverence intended...any series that starts with John and Paul has to end that way. For me anyway.
17A: It's heard at many a wedding (Ave Maria). It wasn't done at mine, and I don't recall hearing it at any of the weddings I've attended. Did any of you have it at your wedding? It's a beautiful song, to be sure. I'm not a big Celine Dion fan, but we have her Christmas CD. She sings Ave Maria better than I have ever heard it. It's well worth $13.98, and it qualifies for Super Saver Shipping!
While I'm not crazy about the answer, I'll bet all mothers out there liked the clue for 59D: Family V.I.P.'s (mas). I do not ever want to be called Ma, or Mama. My younger daughter will call me Mama just to irritate me, which she does very well and very often. Anyway, our importance is acknowledged, and not just on Mother's Day.
Well, Don and the dogs are out on the deck waiting for me. I was invited to join them, but I said, "in a bit" (56A: "Not right now"). It's been a half hour, though, so I think it's time.
Have a good weekend. Be safe.
Linda G
I've started contemplating the blank grid before I start to solve...you know, the design made by the black squares (which are actually light gray the way I print...to save ink). Anyway, I wasn't under the influence of anything. Just liked the patterns these last couple of days.
Now on to the puzzle, starting with the wrong answers I initially had.
20A: Former Shea players (Beatles). I was trying to put in a team name, and you know I know squat about sports.
40A: Shucks, so to speak (lies to). Like shuck and jive, I guess. I was thinking like shuck corn. Any day now we'll start getting Olathe sweet corn, the very best corn grown anywhere. For weeks on end, we will eat one or two ears of corn for dinner...occasionally with nothing else. It is to die for.
49A: Cape wearer's field (magic). I was thinking Batman and Superman, so I had crime.
51A: Focus provider? (Ford). How clever was that! After trying to think what you'd call that part of a camera, I realized where they were going.
1D: Waldenbooks alternative (BDalton). We don't have either of those here anymore. They've been replaced by Barnes & Noble and Borders, which is what I entered.
2D: It's sweet, it's said (revenge). I had success at first, but I guess it's more the smell of success that's sweet. Anyway, revenge is so-o-o-o-0 much sweeter. Just kidding, folks. I'm more likely to forgive (37D: Not hold something against) than to take revenge.
Things I liked:
14D: View coral reefs, maybe (snorkel). I love snorkeling. In just nine weeks, we'll be in Kauai where I plan to do a lot of it. By the way, be thinking about being a guest blogger during the two weeks I'm gone!
28D: Folks guilty of disorderly conduct (slobs). I love the answer, but slobs disgust me. I was in an apartment yesterday that was just awful. I don't understand how people can live that way...dirty dishes in the sink, cigarette butts (disgusting anywhere) floating in glasses of Pepsi. Yecch!
49D: One of the Gospels, in a Spanish Bible (Mateo). I loved this! Bible and foreign language rolled into one!
You had to love 8D: "Hey!?" (What's the big idea!?) running vertically down the center of the grid. After I ran through the across clues, I had only the B and the final A, so it took some time to piece that together. The B was from 37A: Molotov cocktail, e.g. (firebomb) and the A from 63A: Levied (assessed), both gimmes/good guesses that panned out.
Ooh, and I loved 15A: Infernal (devilish). Such a good word. It conjures up images of something...well, devilish.
We rarely make it through a week without a couple of Pope clues. I liked today's at 16A: Any of six popes (Adrian). I could only remember John, Paul, George and Ringo. No irreverence intended...any series that starts with John and Paul has to end that way. For me anyway.
17A: It's heard at many a wedding (Ave Maria). It wasn't done at mine, and I don't recall hearing it at any of the weddings I've attended. Did any of you have it at your wedding? It's a beautiful song, to be sure. I'm not a big Celine Dion fan, but we have her Christmas CD. She sings Ave Maria better than I have ever heard it. It's well worth $13.98, and it qualifies for Super Saver Shipping!
While I'm not crazy about the answer, I'll bet all mothers out there liked the clue for 59D: Family V.I.P.'s (mas). I do not ever want to be called Ma, or Mama. My younger daughter will call me Mama just to irritate me, which she does very well and very often. Anyway, our importance is acknowledged, and not just on Mother's Day.
Well, Don and the dogs are out on the deck waiting for me. I was invited to join them, but I said, "in a bit" (56A: "Not right now"). It's been a half hour, though, so I think it's time.
Have a good weekend. Be safe.
Linda G
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Friday, July 13 - Manny Nosowsky
It's Friday the 13th, but nothing scary from Manny Nosowsky. This was the best puzzle I've seen in a long time.
There are so many superb clues and answers in this grid that I hardly know where to begin. And if you didn't take the time to look at the blank grid, print it out and just gaze at it. The symmetry is remarkable.
In case you haven't guessed, I liked it big time (37D: Very much).
It was such a treat to guess correctly right off the bat. 1A: "On the other hand..." (but then). It was also such a good laugh to see it again and again as BUTT HEN!
It took me a little longer to get 8A: Quaint cry from a caught crook, with "The" (jig is up). I was able to get 8D: What to do if you can't beat the suckers (join 'em), but the J didn't get me anywhere until I had a few more downs.
Manny was on a roll (16A: Hot) with this one. Check out some of these clues and answers:
15A: Between here and there (en route).
17A: Go for, as a ball (swing at). I was thinking along the lines of going for a ball that had been hit, so I had IT...making it hard to figure out what the second letter should be. Once I got it, though, I had to admit it was good.
31A: Spandex and Lurex (textiles). I wanted something about the elasticity, or something like that. And I just loved the X-crossing. 3D: Certain multiscreen cinema (triplex), although I initially read it as Triple X and was sure it was wrong...so I erased the last two letters. 2D: Backtrack on, as a rug (unweave) was probably the only bad clue/answer in the puzzle, resulting in its being absolutely no help whatsoever. Now that I've written that, I see where they were going with it...okay, not as bad as I thought. If you're weaving a rug, and you backtrack, you unweave...sort of.
24D: What X + Y signifies (male sex). Without a doubt, the best clue and answer in the grid. I'll bet I wasn't alone in trying to get an answer that had something to do with algebra. The X crosses at 50A: Ohio city whose name means "hospitality" in Greek (Xenia). I did not know that.
42D: 1983 Randy Newman song (I love L.A.). I didn't know that one, either. Got it from the crosses. The only Randy Newman song I can remember is the Randy Newman song I hate...Short People. If you were/are 4' 11" you didn't/don't find much humor in that song.
It was very funny to see 40A: 1940s fashion (zoot suit). I remember my father talking about them, but I couldn't tell you what one looked like, so I'll have to look it up. Here's one for you. Its Z crossed at 40D: Greek philosopher who founded Stoicism (Zeno).
Women's names were needed for two of the answers...both related to novels. I wasn't sure about either and made educated guesses, which both turned out to be right. 39D: "__Daughter," 2003 Judi Hendricks novel (Isabel's) and 45A: 1938 Daphne du Maurier novel (Rebecca).
28D: Having learned a lesson (wiser) reminds me of another song from "The Music Man" -- yesterday we had It's You. Today...The Sadder But Wiser Girl For Me. I cheer, I rave for the virtue I'm too late to save. The sadder-but-wiser girl for me. Here are the rest of the lyrics, but you really need to hear Robert Preston sing it.
Don't know how I knew 25D: Cassava product (tapioca), but I got it with just the first A. I guess I'd heard it some time and managed to retain it.
I'm sure my fellow bloggers will have much to say about this one. If anyone didn't like it, though, I'd be surprised.
So, do you have friggatriskaidekaphobia -- a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th? Here's a test you can take to find out if you do. But just to be on the safe side, stay away from those black cats!
Linda G
There are so many superb clues and answers in this grid that I hardly know where to begin. And if you didn't take the time to look at the blank grid, print it out and just gaze at it. The symmetry is remarkable.
In case you haven't guessed, I liked it big time (37D: Very much).
It was such a treat to guess correctly right off the bat. 1A: "On the other hand..." (but then). It was also such a good laugh to see it again and again as BUTT HEN!
It took me a little longer to get 8A: Quaint cry from a caught crook, with "The" (jig is up). I was able to get 8D: What to do if you can't beat the suckers (join 'em), but the J didn't get me anywhere until I had a few more downs.
Manny was on a roll (16A: Hot) with this one. Check out some of these clues and answers:
15A: Between here and there (en route).
17A: Go for, as a ball (swing at). I was thinking along the lines of going for a ball that had been hit, so I had IT...making it hard to figure out what the second letter should be. Once I got it, though, I had to admit it was good.
31A: Spandex and Lurex (textiles). I wanted something about the elasticity, or something like that. And I just loved the X-crossing. 3D: Certain multiscreen cinema (triplex), although I initially read it as Triple X and was sure it was wrong...so I erased the last two letters. 2D: Backtrack on, as a rug (unweave) was probably the only bad clue/answer in the puzzle, resulting in its being absolutely no help whatsoever. Now that I've written that, I see where they were going with it...okay, not as bad as I thought. If you're weaving a rug, and you backtrack, you unweave...sort of.
24D: What X + Y signifies (male sex). Without a doubt, the best clue and answer in the grid. I'll bet I wasn't alone in trying to get an answer that had something to do with algebra. The X crosses at 50A: Ohio city whose name means "hospitality" in Greek (Xenia). I did not know that.
42D: 1983 Randy Newman song (I love L.A.). I didn't know that one, either. Got it from the crosses. The only Randy Newman song I can remember is the Randy Newman song I hate...Short People. If you were/are 4' 11" you didn't/don't find much humor in that song.
It was very funny to see 40A: 1940s fashion (zoot suit). I remember my father talking about them, but I couldn't tell you what one looked like, so I'll have to look it up. Here's one for you. Its Z crossed at 40D: Greek philosopher who founded Stoicism (Zeno).
Women's names were needed for two of the answers...both related to novels. I wasn't sure about either and made educated guesses, which both turned out to be right. 39D: "__Daughter," 2003 Judi Hendricks novel (Isabel's) and 45A: 1938 Daphne du Maurier novel (Rebecca).
28D: Having learned a lesson (wiser) reminds me of another song from "The Music Man" -- yesterday we had It's You. Today...The Sadder But Wiser Girl For Me. I cheer, I rave for the virtue I'm too late to save. The sadder-but-wiser girl for me. Here are the rest of the lyrics, but you really need to hear Robert Preston sing it.
Don't know how I knew 25D: Cassava product (tapioca), but I got it with just the first A. I guess I'd heard it some time and managed to retain it.
I'm sure my fellow bloggers will have much to say about this one. If anyone didn't like it, though, I'd be surprised.
So, do you have friggatriskaidekaphobia -- a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th? Here's a test you can take to find out if you do. But just to be on the safe side, stay away from those black cats!
Linda G
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Thursday, July 12 - Michael Shteyman
It's Thursday, and I was half-expecting a rebus...so I was pleasantly surprised to see a themed puzzle instead.
Michael Shteyman used his brain on this one. That was the theme, revealed at 65A: Word that can precede the starts of 17-, 35- and 54-Across and 16-Down. The four theme answers are:
17A: It might help you take a turn for the better (power steering).
35A: Ten minutes in a laundry, maybe (wash cycle).
54A: "You'll have to take my word for it" (trust me on this). For the record, I never trust anyone who has to tell me to trust him or her.
16D: Low pressure area (storm center).
Three of them were obvious--brainpower, brainwash and brainstorm--but I don't get brain trust. It is one of those things that will embarrass me when someone points it out?
Things I absolutely did not know:
30A: Emperor under Pope Innocent III (Otto IV). I knew he was either a IV or a V, because I had 31D: Letters on a Rémy Martin bottle (VSOP).
8D: Yellow spring flower (oxlip). I had oxeye...I would almost swear that's a yellow flower, too.
33D: Jewish month (Elul).
41D: Egg-laying mammal (echidna). I'd be surprised if very many people had heard of this, unless it's been in the puzzle more than once.
I remember the Lennon Sisters well, but I could only think of Kathy, Peggy and Janet. Because I knew 61D: Highest tile value in Scrabble (ten), I knew it ended with an E, but thought maybe it was Kathie. Eventually figured out it was Dianne.
Some things I loved:
14A: Wearing white after Labor Day, e.g. (faux pas). I don't just love the answer, I love the clue. That was always a big thing when I was growing up. To this day, when I see someone wearing white shoes in the fall (or, God forbid, in the winter!) I just shudder. Sometimes I even say Ugh! (38D: I hate it!). Because I do. And the only thing that's worse is wearing black hose with the white shoes...you know, to make it look more wintry.
32A: Early Surrealist (Max Ernst). I didn't just love this because it had another X, but that certainly didn't hurt.
49D: Titillating (juicy). What a juicy clue! I already had 48A: Pilgrim to Mecca (Hadji), so I knew that's what it had to be. Actually, I had Hajji for some time. That wouldn't have happened if they'd properly clued it as Jonny Quest's best friend.
And we have not just one--but two--of the infamous childhood taunts in one puzzle. 25D: Word repeated in a child's taunt (liar) and 50D: Kindergarten comeback (is too).
59A: Informal words of concurrence (me either) threw me off a bit. I had *EEIT*** and it didn't look as though anything would fit in there.
Well, here it is almost 11:00, and I have an early morning ahead of me. Be sure to check out Green Genius, where Howard B dishes up Sun commentary for the vacationing Robert.
Hope to see all of you tomorrow.
Linda G
Michael Shteyman used his brain on this one. That was the theme, revealed at 65A: Word that can precede the starts of 17-, 35- and 54-Across and 16-Down. The four theme answers are:
17A: It might help you take a turn for the better (power steering).
35A: Ten minutes in a laundry, maybe (wash cycle).
54A: "You'll have to take my word for it" (trust me on this). For the record, I never trust anyone who has to tell me to trust him or her.
16D: Low pressure area (storm center).
Three of them were obvious--brainpower, brainwash and brainstorm--but I don't get brain trust. It is one of those things that will embarrass me when someone points it out?
Things I absolutely did not know:
30A: Emperor under Pope Innocent III (Otto IV). I knew he was either a IV or a V, because I had 31D: Letters on a Rémy Martin bottle (VSOP).
8D: Yellow spring flower (oxlip). I had oxeye...I would almost swear that's a yellow flower, too.
33D: Jewish month (Elul).
41D: Egg-laying mammal (echidna). I'd be surprised if very many people had heard of this, unless it's been in the puzzle more than once.
I remember the Lennon Sisters well, but I could only think of Kathy, Peggy and Janet. Because I knew 61D: Highest tile value in Scrabble (ten), I knew it ended with an E, but thought maybe it was Kathie. Eventually figured out it was Dianne.
Some things I loved:
14A: Wearing white after Labor Day, e.g. (faux pas). I don't just love the answer, I love the clue. That was always a big thing when I was growing up. To this day, when I see someone wearing white shoes in the fall (or, God forbid, in the winter!) I just shudder. Sometimes I even say Ugh! (38D: I hate it!). Because I do. And the only thing that's worse is wearing black hose with the white shoes...you know, to make it look more wintry.
32A: Early Surrealist (Max Ernst). I didn't just love this because it had another X, but that certainly didn't hurt.
49D: Titillating (juicy). What a juicy clue! I already had 48A: Pilgrim to Mecca (Hadji), so I knew that's what it had to be. Actually, I had Hajji for some time. That wouldn't have happened if they'd properly clued it as Jonny Quest's best friend.
And we have not just one--but two--of the infamous childhood taunts in one puzzle. 25D: Word repeated in a child's taunt (liar) and 50D: Kindergarten comeback (is too).
59A: Informal words of concurrence (me either) threw me off a bit. I had *EEIT*** and it didn't look as though anything would fit in there.
Well, here it is almost 11:00, and I have an early morning ahead of me. Be sure to check out Green Genius, where Howard B dishes up Sun commentary for the vacationing Robert.
Hope to see all of you tomorrow.
Linda G
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Wednesday, July 11 - Patrick Merrell
I almost feel as though I'm on vacation today...what with only having to solve and blog one puzzle! I enjoyed my time guest blogging for Green Genius, but it seemed like more than twice the work to solve the New York Sun and the New York Times. I guess I'm not on the Sun wavelength yet...the Tuesday puzzle stumped me something fierce.
So, it's nice to have a fairly easy (for a Wednesday) puzzle to solve. Patrick Merrell's theme involved three sports of sorts. The three theme answers are:
20A: Sport played on the first word of its name (table tennis).
35A: Sport played in the first word of its name (arena football). I've never really heard of that, but it was easy to infer.
51A: Sport played on the first word of its name (field hockey).
The best answer in the grid is at 31D: Pitcher who says "Oh, yeaahh!" (Koolaid Man). Check this out...way too funny.
Some other long answers that are nice to see.
18A: Mature before being picked (vine ripen). That's the only way to pick anything. Our apricot tree is just loaded. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by for some vine-ripened apricots.
6D: They run rapids (river rafts). Living so close to the Colorado River, we've done this a number of times. The older I get, though, the less I want rapids...I like the slow, easy floats. More my speed.
54A: It may get stuck in a movie theater (bubble gum). I'm glad the clue didn't reference The Archies.
42A: The lion in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (Aslan). That was in a puzzle I just did...if not a recent New York Times, then in one of my books.
Had THEM** for 46A (Organized crime) and was sure I'd done something wrong with the downs. A few more downs, though, and I knew I was on the right track with the mob.
I'm not sure about the clue for 22A: Ax user, e.g. (wielder). I mean, it works, but it conjures up images of Lizzie Borden.
I had to laugh at 62A: "Shucks!" (pshaw). I can't remember the last time I heard either of those words used, but they're still funny. And, in that same vein, 52D: "Yikes!" (egad).
I never saw any of the Austin Powers' movies, but it was easy to guess 26D: Dr. __ of "Austin Powers" films (Evil). I had already guessed 32A: Say "uncle" (give), and the V pretty much confirmed it.
I was just asking someone to explain 34D: Some hikers' targets, for short (QBs), when it came to me...32, 41, 15, hike! Or something like that. Do those numbers mean anything, or is it a random call?
I fell for it again! 6A: 50 Cent piece (rap). When will I learn? If cent is capitalized, it refers to Curtis James Jackson III.
Another clever clue at 15A: Voters liked him twice (Ike).
53D: Corker (lulu). Would have preferred to see it clued as the singer. I didn't know she did anything other than To Sir With Love, but it looks as though Lulu's stayed pretty busy.
Nice to see Eeyore in the puzzle. He's at 45D, clued as Pooh's mopey pal. But is anyone else getting tired of seeing bra? It reappears at 57D, clued as Strapped wear. I realize the letters lend themselves to inclusion in a grid, but would we ever see jock strap or athletic supporter in a puzzle? How about boxers or briefs? "Should that come to pass" (44D: if ever), I'd like to see them clued as men's undergarments.
There's a lot more good fill in this puzzle, but I'm calling it good for tonight. See you tomorrow.
Linda G
So, it's nice to have a fairly easy (for a Wednesday) puzzle to solve. Patrick Merrell's theme involved three sports of sorts. The three theme answers are:
20A: Sport played on the first word of its name (table tennis).
35A: Sport played in the first word of its name (arena football). I've never really heard of that, but it was easy to infer.
51A: Sport played on the first word of its name (field hockey).
The best answer in the grid is at 31D: Pitcher who says "Oh, yeaahh!" (Koolaid Man). Check this out...way too funny.
Some other long answers that are nice to see.
18A: Mature before being picked (vine ripen). That's the only way to pick anything. Our apricot tree is just loaded. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by for some vine-ripened apricots.
6D: They run rapids (river rafts). Living so close to the Colorado River, we've done this a number of times. The older I get, though, the less I want rapids...I like the slow, easy floats. More my speed.
54A: It may get stuck in a movie theater (bubble gum). I'm glad the clue didn't reference The Archies.
42A: The lion in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (Aslan). That was in a puzzle I just did...if not a recent New York Times, then in one of my books.
Had THEM** for 46A (Organized crime) and was sure I'd done something wrong with the downs. A few more downs, though, and I knew I was on the right track with the mob.
I'm not sure about the clue for 22A: Ax user, e.g. (wielder). I mean, it works, but it conjures up images of Lizzie Borden.
I had to laugh at 62A: "Shucks!" (pshaw). I can't remember the last time I heard either of those words used, but they're still funny. And, in that same vein, 52D: "Yikes!" (egad).
I never saw any of the Austin Powers' movies, but it was easy to guess 26D: Dr. __ of "Austin Powers" films (Evil). I had already guessed 32A: Say "uncle" (give), and the V pretty much confirmed it.
I was just asking someone to explain 34D: Some hikers' targets, for short (QBs), when it came to me...32, 41, 15, hike! Or something like that. Do those numbers mean anything, or is it a random call?
I fell for it again! 6A: 50 Cent piece (rap). When will I learn? If cent is capitalized, it refers to Curtis James Jackson III.
Another clever clue at 15A: Voters liked him twice (Ike).
53D: Corker (lulu). Would have preferred to see it clued as the singer. I didn't know she did anything other than To Sir With Love, but it looks as though Lulu's stayed pretty busy.
Nice to see Eeyore in the puzzle. He's at 45D, clued as Pooh's mopey pal. But is anyone else getting tired of seeing bra? It reappears at 57D, clued as Strapped wear. I realize the letters lend themselves to inclusion in a grid, but would we ever see jock strap or athletic supporter in a puzzle? How about boxers or briefs? "Should that come to pass" (44D: if ever), I'd like to see them clued as men's undergarments.
There's a lot more good fill in this puzzle, but I'm calling it good for tonight. See you tomorrow.
Linda G
Monday, July 9, 2007
Tuesday, July 10 - Pete Muller
I was definitely on Pete Muller's wavelength with this puzzle. I started singing the "theme song" after filling in just two of the answers.
The theme clues and answers are:
17A: Loan to a company before it goes public, say (BRIDGE financing).
30A: Spilling out (OVER the edge).
38A: Periods of unrest (TROUBLED times).
47A: Remover of impurities (WATER filter).
And it's all wrapped up at 59A: The starts to 17-, 30-, 38- and 47-Across, collectively (song by Paul Simon).
I'm always happy to see oldies in the puzzle. There's another one at 50A: "__ Song" (John Denver tune) [Annie's]. It's hard for me to think of that one as an oldie...but it is.
In addition to the theme answers, there were a couple of long answers that were g-o-o-d.
3D: Racing feat (Triple Crown).
27D: Lights on posts, perhaps (street lamps). That makes me think of Memory, one of the songs from Cats. I tried to learn it for my last piano recital, but there was a page that was beyond my ability. Maybe next time.
23D: It may be standing (ovation) was a gimme...and it put the V in place for the second theme answer.
I had some major trouble at the crossing of 26A: Lake that is a source of the Mississippi (Itasca) and 28D: Didn't work that hard (coasted). Neither word was particularly difficult, but I had an error at 29D: They may pop up nowadays (ads). Because I had IMs, I was trying to think of a lake that ended in I. Don't know how long I struggled over there. It didn't help that I didn't know 34A: Director Browning (Tod). I only had the T, so I thought he might be Tim...which meant that coasted eluded me, and so did Itasca. And it didn't help that 10D: Formal rulings (dicta) didn't end in an S. Rather than Itasca, I had _TSS_I. Good luck finding a lake that'll fit there.
I'm blogging the New York Sun for Green Genius again, although that will have to wait until morning. I don't solve nearly as fast as Orange, though, so I've spent the better part of this evening solving two puzzles. As a result, I am lacking vigor (6D: effete), so I'm going to call it a night.
Hope to see you tomorrow.
Linda G
The theme clues and answers are:
17A: Loan to a company before it goes public, say (BRIDGE financing).
30A: Spilling out (OVER the edge).
38A: Periods of unrest (TROUBLED times).
47A: Remover of impurities (WATER filter).
And it's all wrapped up at 59A: The starts to 17-, 30-, 38- and 47-Across, collectively (song by Paul Simon).
I'm always happy to see oldies in the puzzle. There's another one at 50A: "__ Song" (John Denver tune) [Annie's]. It's hard for me to think of that one as an oldie...but it is.
In addition to the theme answers, there were a couple of long answers that were g-o-o-d.
3D: Racing feat (Triple Crown).
27D: Lights on posts, perhaps (street lamps). That makes me think of Memory, one of the songs from Cats. I tried to learn it for my last piano recital, but there was a page that was beyond my ability. Maybe next time.
23D: It may be standing (ovation) was a gimme...and it put the V in place for the second theme answer.
I had some major trouble at the crossing of 26A: Lake that is a source of the Mississippi (Itasca) and 28D: Didn't work that hard (coasted). Neither word was particularly difficult, but I had an error at 29D: They may pop up nowadays (ads). Because I had IMs, I was trying to think of a lake that ended in I. Don't know how long I struggled over there. It didn't help that I didn't know 34A: Director Browning (Tod). I only had the T, so I thought he might be Tim...which meant that coasted eluded me, and so did Itasca. And it didn't help that 10D: Formal rulings (dicta) didn't end in an S. Rather than Itasca, I had _TSS_I. Good luck finding a lake that'll fit there.
I'm blogging the New York Sun for Green Genius again, although that will have to wait until morning. I don't solve nearly as fast as Orange, though, so I've spent the better part of this evening solving two puzzles. As a result, I am lacking vigor (6D: effete), so I'm going to call it a night.
Hope to see you tomorrow.
Linda G
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Monday, July 9 - Peter A. Collins
Peter Collins' Monday puzzle will have you up in arms! You know by now how happy I am to see circles in the grid, and there are 24 of them here.
After you finish the first couple of clues, you find an M in each of the four circles. The next two clues give you R (diagonally), and the two in the third row give you A, again diagonally...giving you four ARMS, with four more ARMS in the bottom three rows. The theme is revealed at 36A: Creature suggested by this puzzle's circled letters (octopus).
Not a shabby theme...quite good for a Monday, in fact.
And a bit of everything in the fill. Sports, music, films, art, beer, pop...it's all here.
20A: 1950s Wimbledon champ Lew (Hoad). That was before I was born, but I got it from the easy downs.
21A: Singer Morissette (Alanis).
28A: Pepsi and RC (colas). Don't drink either. Right now I'm drinking one of Oprah's lemon drop martinis...see yesterday's post for the link.
34A: Sportscaster Howard (Cosell).
42A: Turner who sang "Proud Mary" (Tina).
62A: 2001 Sean Penn film (I am Sam). Without a doubt, this was the most moving motion picture I have seen in my life. I was not a Sean Penn fan, but he was absolutely incredible as a mentally challenged father trying to keep custody of his daughter.
5D: Stella __ (Belgian beer) (Artois). I've never had it, but it's described here as the Belgian premium lager beer.
12D: Dadaist Jean (Arp). If this isn't in the Pantheon, it should be.
23D: Fast, in music (allegro).
42D: "Tip-Toe Thru' the Tulips" singer (Tiny Tim). If you don't remember him, click on this link. His appearance was quite an experience for a kid, which I was at the time, and his singing was even more frightening.
45D: __ Mist (7 Up competitor) (Sierra)...giving equal time to the un-colas.
A few answers that were just fun to see in the grid.
7A: Polite concurrence (yes, ma'am). It's funny...the older I get, the less polite it sounds. It just makes me feel o-l-d.
18A: Short sleeps (cat naps). I read the other day that people who take naps three times a week are less likely to have a heart attack, or something like that. Why take chances when you can take naps?
55A: Drinkers may run them up (bar tabs).
26D: Jewelry for a sandal wearer (toe ring). Once spring is here, I wear open-toed shoes. If it snows a few days later, too bad. And I always paint my toenails and wear three toe rings. I've told my husband that if I ever neglect my toenails, it means I'm seriously depressed. Seriously.
39A: Criticize in a petty way (niggle). It's such a funny word, I don't think I'd take offense if anyone did it to me...as long as I realized they were niggling.
4D: Where Moses got the Ten Commandments (Mt. Sinai). It's always good to have a Bible reference in the puzzle.
And I always like to point out the appearance of X in the grid...here at 52A: Driver's levy (road tax), crossing with 44D: They cause bad luck (jinxes).
I'll be guest blogging the Monday and Tuesday New York Sun puzzles at Green Genius, so come by and visit. I'll include a link to the puzzle, so you can join in the fun. The only hitch is that the Monday puzzle won't be available online until some time Monday...we've been spoiled by the New York Times!
Happy Monday!
Linda G
After you finish the first couple of clues, you find an M in each of the four circles. The next two clues give you R (diagonally), and the two in the third row give you A, again diagonally...giving you four ARMS, with four more ARMS in the bottom three rows. The theme is revealed at 36A: Creature suggested by this puzzle's circled letters (octopus).
Not a shabby theme...quite good for a Monday, in fact.
And a bit of everything in the fill. Sports, music, films, art, beer, pop...it's all here.
20A: 1950s Wimbledon champ Lew (Hoad). That was before I was born, but I got it from the easy downs.
21A: Singer Morissette (Alanis).
28A: Pepsi and RC (colas). Don't drink either. Right now I'm drinking one of Oprah's lemon drop martinis...see yesterday's post for the link.
34A: Sportscaster Howard (Cosell).
42A: Turner who sang "Proud Mary" (Tina).
62A: 2001 Sean Penn film (I am Sam). Without a doubt, this was the most moving motion picture I have seen in my life. I was not a Sean Penn fan, but he was absolutely incredible as a mentally challenged father trying to keep custody of his daughter.
5D: Stella __ (Belgian beer) (Artois). I've never had it, but it's described here as the Belgian premium lager beer.
12D: Dadaist Jean (Arp). If this isn't in the Pantheon, it should be.
23D: Fast, in music (allegro).
42D: "Tip-Toe Thru' the Tulips" singer (Tiny Tim). If you don't remember him, click on this link. His appearance was quite an experience for a kid, which I was at the time, and his singing was even more frightening.
45D: __ Mist (7 Up competitor) (Sierra)...giving equal time to the un-colas.
A few answers that were just fun to see in the grid.
7A: Polite concurrence (yes, ma'am). It's funny...the older I get, the less polite it sounds. It just makes me feel o-l-d.
18A: Short sleeps (cat naps). I read the other day that people who take naps three times a week are less likely to have a heart attack, or something like that. Why take chances when you can take naps?
55A: Drinkers may run them up (bar tabs).
26D: Jewelry for a sandal wearer (toe ring). Once spring is here, I wear open-toed shoes. If it snows a few days later, too bad. And I always paint my toenails and wear three toe rings. I've told my husband that if I ever neglect my toenails, it means I'm seriously depressed. Seriously.
39A: Criticize in a petty way (niggle). It's such a funny word, I don't think I'd take offense if anyone did it to me...as long as I realized they were niggling.
4D: Where Moses got the Ten Commandments (Mt. Sinai). It's always good to have a Bible reference in the puzzle.
And I always like to point out the appearance of X in the grid...here at 52A: Driver's levy (road tax), crossing with 44D: They cause bad luck (jinxes).
I'll be guest blogging the Monday and Tuesday New York Sun puzzles at Green Genius, so come by and visit. I'll include a link to the puzzle, so you can join in the fun. The only hitch is that the Monday puzzle won't be available online until some time Monday...we've been spoiled by the New York Times!
Happy Monday!
Linda G
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