Thursday, February 21 - Peter A. Collins

Peter Collins has worked his way into my heart with this one. After all, he's included both of my favorites...circles and anagrams...in one puzzle.

The theme is revealed at 55A: Party snack (and a hint to this puzzle's circled letters) (mixed nuts). And from there, I was on a roll with the theme answers. By the way, each of the hidden mixed nuts can be found in the picture.

16A: Farberware set (saucepans).

22A: Coffee maker component (filter basket).

36A: Bothers (chews at). That expression sounds strange, although I've been known to say that something is chewing at me.

44A: Longtime ABC newsman (Sam Donaldson). I had the D*ON at the end, and his name popped into my head. I love when that happens.

There were several names I didn't know in this puzzle, but I was able to get them from the crosses.

15A: "Hard Cash" author Charles (Reade).

18A: Film director Morris (Errol).

29A: Huffington of the Huffington Post (Arianna). With the letters I had in place, I was able to flat out guess that...the crosses confirmed it.

35A: HBO's "Da __ G Show" (Ali).

26D: Susan who wrote the best seller "Compromising Positions" (Isaacs). I've never even heard of it.

27D: Sighter of the Pacific, Sept. 25, 1513 (Balboa). Another that I guessed with a few letters in place.

31D: 1939 Academy Award nominee Brian (Aherne). According to Wikipedia, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor (his only nomination) for his role as Emperor Maximillian von Habsburg in "Juarez."

32D: Political hostess Perle (Mesta).

Favorite clues include 30A: Talk that might get one in trouble (sass), 39A: Post-vacation, say (rested), 57A: Bullet followers (items), 11D: Words with a familiar ring? (I do), 21D: Overseas (abroad)...I initially read it as oversees, so wanted it to end in an S, 25D: Get in trouble, in a way, with "on" (tattle), 28D: Yen or yuan (Asian money) and 53D: Red letters? (CIN)...which took me forever to get.

I absolutely loved 10D: Providers of life lessons (hard knocks)...a multiword answer, and K appears twice. What's not to love?

Other favorites include 31A: Embryonic membrane (amnion), 34A: Hitter of 511 lifetime home runs (Ott)...didn't realize that, 40A: Home tool maker (Skil), 43A: Twisted thread (lisle), 48A: Heraldic border (orle), 49A: Sony subsidiary (Aiwa), 5D: Like a certain court (papal), 9D: Mother __ (Teresa), 36D: Some bayou residents (Creoles) and 47D: Singer of the anthem "Sang till Norden" (Swede)..."Song of the North."

Dixie appears for the second time this week...at 46D, clued as [Classic song with the words "Look away! Look away! Look away!"]. It appeared as one of the [heart] clues on Valentine's Day.

I would be remiss in my boomer duties if I failed to point out 17D: "__ Coming" (1969 Three Dog Night hit) (Eli's). Maybe Wendy will serve up some Three Dog Night in her entertaining music blog. Check it out if you haven't already...and be sure to go back often.

My project is finished and on its way. While fundraising is a huge part of working in nonprofit administration, I'll be happy to get back to my old routine of hands-on help to those in need. There were two apartment fires in the last week, and we've been bombarded with requests for housing displaced families. Unfortunately, we only have two emergency units, and both were filled quickly. It's tough work sometimes...whatever we can do, it's never enough.

I'm off to bed...early morning blood draw to see how things are progressing. Here's the grid...



...and I'll see you tomorrow.

Linda G

Tuesday, February 5 - Peter A. Collins

Peter Collins takes us to Scarborough Fair...well, sort of.

The theme of his Tuesday puzzle is revealed at 39A: Things hidden in 17-, 23-, 49- and 57-Across (herbs). No parsley or rosemary, but there are four others:

17A: In front of a hydrant, say (PARKED ILLEGALLY). A great clue and a great answer.

23A: "Uh-oh" (I'M IN TROUBLE).

49A: Publicists (PRESS AGENTS).

57A: Business sessions that drag (LENGTHY MEETINGS). Another superb answer.

In addition to herbs, there's a mini-theme of sorts involving junk food. 1D: "Taste that beats the others cold" sloganeer, once (Pepsi), 27D: Ding Dongs competitor (Ho Hos) and 35D: Snacks dipped in milk (Oreos).

In the entertainment area...21A: "Waking __ Devine" (1998 film) (Ned), 36A: Fran of "The Nanny" (Drescher), 6D: Father __ Sarducci, longtime "S.N.L." character (Guido), 24D: __ Jean (Marilyn Monroe, affectionately) (Norma), 29D: Looney Tunes pig (Porky) and 58D: TV's Longoria (Eva).

46A: 1998 song by the Goo Goo Dolls that was #1 for 18 weeks (Iris). I didn't know the song by name, but I found it here...and I definitely know the song. The video shows Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan in "City of Angels"...all I remember of that movie is the ending. Have I mentioned more than a dozen times that I love Nicolas Cage?

I like how ell and eel look side by side in the grid...at 7D: Pipe joint and 8D: Epitome of slipperiness, respectively, as well as the cluing of 44D: Father (beget) and 47D: Father, e.g. (parent).

Some of my favorite fill:

38A: School lady (marm). Schoolmarm is the name of a beginner-to-low intermediate run at Keystone...almost 3 1/2 miles long. It was the last run that I did...about fifteen years ago. I was never crazy about downhill skiing. I'll take cross-country any day.

42A: Loch Ness monster, e.g. (creature).

63A: Seed-to-be (ovule).

65A: French seas (mers).

3D: "Vive __!" (Le Roi)...Long live the King! A similarly regal answer at 13D: King in un palacio (rey)...which then ties in to another Spanish answer at 52D: Un gato grande (tigre).

9D: Home of the Casbah (Algiers).

There's some standard fill to round things out...5A: Decorative molding (ogee), 14A: Gen. Robt. __ (E. Lee), 20A: Notice for late ticket-buyers, maybe (SRO)...standing room only, 31A: Hair removal product (Nair), 32A: Tic-tac-toe loser (OXO), 45A: Umberto who wrote "The Name of the Rose" (Eco), 64A: Israel's Abba (Eban) and 66A: Mythological reveler (satyr).

I've never heard of 11D: Ex-hoopster Manute __ (Bol)...no problem, though, because of easy crosses.

That's it for tonight. Here's the grid...



...and I'll see you tomorrow.

Linda G

Wednesday, January 30 - Peter A. Collins

Wednesday's puzzle by Peter Collins felt Thursday-tough in a few spots. The theme was easy enough, though...as were the theme answers. But did anyone else think it seemed like an Easter theme?


Hidden in the puzzle (and revealed at 36-, 38- and 40-Across)...are a HALF / DOZEN / EGGS.

17A: Fraternity parties (keggers). The only theme answer that didn't come easily to me. I could only think of toga parties...because of Animal House, not personal recollection.

18A: Ankle-to-waist wear (legging). When I got this one...one of several gimmes...I noticed the three G's. Thought that was just a coincidence at the time.

19A: Harpist's progression (arpeggio). Again, my piano lessons have proven to be valuable in solving crossword puzzles.

55A: 1957 Buddy Holly hit (Peggy Sue). By this time, I'd caught on. This one would have been a gimme anyway.

57A: Extreme poverty (beggary). I've worked with this population for five years, and I've never heard that expression. It was easy enough to guess. The cross at 46D: Hungarian (Magyar) was one of the Thursday-tough answers that I didn't know.

59A: "Eat your __!" (mom's order) (veggies). I don't think my mother ever said that, and I'm sure I didn't. We had to taste everything, but nothing was forced. I grew up trying everything...and disliking very few foods. I even like Brussels sprouts and liver.

A few favorites:

1A: Choice of colors (palette)...a gimme on 1A is always nice.

16A: Native New Yorkers (Oneidas).

22A: Pancho and the Cisco Kid, e.g. (amigos).

33A: 1960s-'80s Red Sox great, informally (Yaz). Now this is real sports knowledge...and I know all about him. I did have to check the spelling of his last name, though, to be sure I had it right. I learned about Carl Yastrzemski from the same friend who got me doing the New York Times puzzles in the 70s. Here he is in his younger days. I can't believe he's almost 70 now.

47A: Yemen's capital (Sana'a). This isn't the first time we've had this, but I still needed a couple of crosses.

51A: Coolest, in rap slang (illest). I'm proud to say that I know zero about rap.

63A: Tropical woe (malaria). It's not every day you see malaria in a puzzle. JimH can probably tell you how many times. Those computer guys can do everything.

64A: Fighting words (en garde)...not its first appearance.

8D: "The Wizard of Oz" scarecrow portrayer (Bolger). I had to think for a few minutes on this one. Bert Lahr appears quite often, but this may be a first.

10D: Irish exclamation (begorra). Why did I think that had an H at the end?

31D: Summation signs (sigmas).

42D: Castle fortification (rampart).

47D: Nancy's pal, in the comics (Sluggo).

48D: Sour brew (alegar). Another one I remember from past puzzles.

54D: Wrinkly fruit (ugli). I've commented on this in the past and posted this picture at least once. It's too cute...or so ugly (ugli) that it's cute.

If I counted correctly, G appeared 19 times in the grid...seven of them as doubles. I like seeing Yaz above dozen...each sharing a Z with 20D: Turning gray (grizzling). Thank heavens for my Thursday appointment with Rob...or I'd be doing that!

Some of the answers that eluded me:

8A: Charlotte hoopsters (Bobcats)...got it from crosses.

44A: Global financial org. (IMF). Fortunately, all of its crosses were doable...including 30D: Driver (engine) and 35D: Comparable to a pig (as fat).

1D: Nuclear power since 1998: Abbr. (Pak). I was going somewhere else with that one.

6D: Univ. of Maryland athletes (Terps). What am I missing? Okay...it's short for the Terrapins. Never heard of them.

46D: Hungarian (Magyar). I already said this...but it bears repeating.

52D: Some mil. defenses (ABMs). Anti ballistic missiles, I guess.

58D: Gangbanger's gun (gat). I know even less about guns than I do about sports...or rap. And that's just fine with me.

Because I had the acrosses in the northeast, I didn't see the clue for 12D: "__, I do believe I failed you" (opening of a 1998 hit) (Adia). When I read it, though, I didn't think I knew the song. I checked it out and discovered it was a song I liked...I just hadn't paid attention to the lyrics. Here's Sarah McLachlan singing it. What a beautiful voice.

That's it for tonight. Here's the (100% accurate, I think) grid...



...and I'll see you tomorrow.

Linda G

Thursday, December 20 - Peter A. Collins

A little before eight last night, I started feeling really achy all over. I asked my cyberbud, Rick (a/k/a cornbread) if he'd guest blog. Unfortunately he doesn't subscribe online, and my attempt to send him the puzzle failed.

Turned out to be food poisoning, and I spent last night being tended to by paramedics, followed by a nifty ambulance ride. One of the things they gave me (Fenergal, I think) made me very loopy.

So...

No blog today on this very fine puzzle. Feel free to discuss it among yourselves here.

I'm heading to bed...and I hope to be back tonight.

Linda G

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

Monday, July 2 - Peter A. Collins

Circles...two days in a row! I was beside myself with joy!

I didn't time myself on Peter Collins's puzzle, but I zipped through it. The theme is revealed at 58A: Earlier...or a hint to the words circled in 17-, 21-, 37- and 51-Across (beforehand). The theme answers are:

17A: Masonry work that may be smoothed with a trowel (stucco wall) => cow hand.

21A: Shoving away, football-style (stiff arming) => farm hand.

37A: More rain and less light, e.g., to a pilot (worse conditions) => second hand.

51A: Some memorization in arithmetic class (times tables) => stable hand.

I had no problem with the theme clues, but I was disappointed that three of the four hand words referred to someone who works on a farm or ranch. I think secondhand is a superior (to the others) word, in that it can refer to something pre-owned...or, if you make it into two words, something on a watch or clock.

Harris, at Water and Waves, said he misspelled 1A: Gem units (carats), which means he must have had karats. Here's an easy way to remember. If the clue refers to gold, it's karats. Think of the 14K engraved on a piece of jewelry. If it refers to a gem, it's carats. Think of the 4 C's of diamonds...cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

From time to time, I visit Harris to check my solution. It's so much faster than going to the NYT website and entering in what I've already written out by hand. I will invariably type something wrong and then spend forever trying to find my mistake.

Whenever I see a 4-letter word clued, as "hen's place," I'm torn between entering nest and coop...and here it was again at 28A. I just skipped it. But when I got to 22D, there was the same clue, only for a 5-letter answer. I knew that was roost, which made 28A coop. Process of elimination works well when you're not timing yourself. If that happens at ACPT, and I'm sure it will, I will be SOL timewise.

There were several actor/singer/director clues in this one. 15A: Actor Holbrook (Hal), 16A: Turner of Hollywood, 23A: Director Bob who won a Tony, Oscar and Emmy all in the same year (Fosse), 57A: Director Kazan (Elia), 9D: Singer Fitzgerald (Ella), 11D: Harold who directed "Groundhog Day" (Ramis), and 55D: Actress Heche (Anne).

Also in the entertainment vein...25A: 1975 thriller that took a big bite at the box office (Jaws). I was living in south Florida at the time. We were all very afraid to go into the water.

Don't get 48D: Popular BBC import, for short (Ab Fab). Never heard of it, but I'm sure someone knows and will tell. And maybe I'll remember.

Hooray! I remembered 36D: Belgian river to the North Sea (Yser). Of course, I had several letters in place, but still...

38D: "Zounds!" made me laugh, as did the answer. Egads! But when was the last time you heard either of those words? Outside of a puzzle, that is.

46D: Radio word after "Roger" (wilco). If I'm not mistaken, that stands for will comply. Anyone?

Was very pleased with a gimme at 25A: Quester for the Golden Fleece (Jason). I don't recall seeing his name in a puzzle before, but we often see his ship, Argo.

31D: Many a person whose name starts Mac (Scot) threw me for a minute. I'd done a couple of puzzles in one of my many NYT books earlier in the day, and Scot had been an answer in one of them (clued as Robert Frost, for one...although I had poet initially). Anyway, I had it in my mind that Scot was in this puzzle twice, and I spent too much time trying to find the other occurrence...which wasn't there.

No Ava clues today. I can't remember the last time she was in a puzzle, although we've had a couple of her exes recently. I ordered the newest Ava biography, Love is Nothing, and am looking forward to reading it. I've also added several of her movies to my Netflix queue. Last night we watched Night of the Iguana...very disappointing. I have higher hopes for The Barefoot Contessa.

That's all for tonight. See you tomorrow.

Linda G