05.10.13 — Is That All There Is?

 

Berrien County Little League, Blues farm team, circa 1960.

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Puzzle by Derek Bowman / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Finish differently, say, RESTAIN; 8. 1950s backup group with four top 10 hits, COMETS; 14. Stars are recognized with them, OSCAR NODS; 17. Clear as mud, so to speak, OPAQUE; 18. It may have pop-ups, STORY BOOK; 19. Scott BAKULA who co-starred on TV’s “Men of a Certain Age”; 20. “Incredible!”, YOWZA; 21. Not just surmise, KNOW; 23. Closest to zero, LEAST; Years, in Tours, ANS; 26. Oakland daily, for short; TRIB; 28. “Unfortunately …”, ALAS; 29. Deutschland “de”, VON; 31. Phoenix setting: Abbr., MST; 33. D.C. nine, NATS; 35. It has short stops, LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM; 41. “What, no more?, IS THAT ALL THERE IS; 42.Places for a 35-Across, BASEBALL DIAMONDS; 43. AS NO other (matchlessly); 44. Satyajit Ray’s “The APU Trilogy”; 45. Bill in a bow tie, NYE; 46. Tarantula hawk, e.g., WASP; 49. Band options, AM FM; 51. Dreamworks SKG; 53. Phoenix setting?, ASHES; 55. Jacuzzi session, SOAK; 57. “A COAT of Varnish” (C. P. Snow novel); 61. Chemistry test topic, ISOMER; 63. Cursorily, AT A GLANCE; 65. Certain Mexican-American, TEJANO; 66. Where to come to grips with things?, MOVIE SETS; 67. Tight, STINGY; 68. Purports, ALLEGES.

Down — 1. Looking up, ROSY; 2. This, in Tijuana, ESTO; 3. Trash hauler, SCOW; 4. Much-filmed swinger, TARZAN THE APE MAN; 5. Ancient Dravidian’s displacer, ARYAN; 6. Like Chopin’s Mazurka Op. 56 No. 1, IN B; 7. Sony Reader competitor, NOOK; 8. Middle ear?, COB; 9. It’s often set in a ring, OPAL; 10. Serve well in court, MAKE A STRONG CASE; 11. Come to EQUAL; 12. Hometown of the band Hanson, TULSA; 13. Party prizes?, SEATS; 15. “Shh! It’s a secret!:, DON’T TELL; 16. Hershey bar, SKOR; 22. Brogue feature, WINGTIP; 25. “The Moldau” composer, SMETANA; 7. Mies van der Rohe was its last director, BAUHAUS; 29. Something needing a stamp, VIA; 30. Giant giant’s family, OTTS; 32. “Giant” events, SLALOMS; 34. Be overrun, TEEM; 35. Party label for Brit. P. M. William Gladstone, LIB; 36. Culture centers?, LABS; 37. Chuck Schumer’s predecessor in the Senate, AL DAMATO; 38. Kids’ rhyme starter, EENY; 39. Congress person, AIDE; 40. Works for an editor: Abbr., MSS; 46. Takes orders, say, WAITS; 47. Concern of I.R.S. Form 8594, ASSET; 48. Japanese sliding door, SHOJI; 5. Head makeup, FOAM; 51. Superman’s name on Krypton, KAL EL; 54. Hong Kong’s Hang SENG Index; 56. Polynesian drink, KAVA; 58. Pull felt on Earth, ONE G; 59. Part of a French play, ACTE; 60. Cher’s role in “Burlesque”, TESS; 62. “The Natural” hero ROY Hobbs; 64. Former Mets manager GIL Hodges.

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05.09.13 — HI MOM

Médée,1868, Henri Klagmann

 

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Thursday, May 9, 2013

 

Puzzle by Patrick Merrell/ Edied by Will Shortz

H I M O M is found in the middle of this sweet Thursday crossword in unchecked squares, somewhat clued by BETWEEN THE LINES (17A. Interstitially, say), WONDER WOMAN (28A. Wearer of a red-starred tiara), LEADING LADY (47A. Marquee actress) and last but not least, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY (58A. May delivery).

 

Other — IT’S USELESS (63A. “Why bother?!“), JOE COOL (2D. Cartoon character with shades), TESLAS (36A. Modern electric cars), VOICE COACH (15A. Singer or actor’s helper).

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My friends, I am resolved upon the deed; at once will I slay my children and then leave this land, without delaying long enough to hand them over to some more savage hand to butcher. Needs must they die in any case; and since they must, I will slay them-I, the mother that bare them. O heart of mine, steel thyself! Why do I hesitate to do the awful deed that must be done? Come, take the sword, thou wretched hand of mine! Take it, and advance to the post whence starts thy life of sorrow! Away with cowardice! Give not one thought to thy babes, how dear they are or how thou art their mother. This one brief day forget thy children dear, and after that lament; for though thou wilt slay them yet they were thy darlings still, and I am a lady of sorrows. ~ Medea by Euripides, 431 B. C., translated by E. P. Coleridge

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Allowing some ventilation, say; 5. ___ in the park; 10 Org. with Divisions I, II and II; 14. Teen woe; 19. Brit’s tea ---; 20. Hosts prefer them; 21. “___ see”; 22. Nina ___ (fashion label); 26. Keep an ___ (watch); 31. Bitter herb; 32. One in the doghouse:?; 33. Card reader, briefly; 34. ‘40s blowups; 40. Tokyo strip?; 42. Kind of screen; 46. Grantor Carter; 50. Twofold; 52. Verso’s flip side; 53. Explanation that doesn’t explain anything, informally; 54. Surname in punk rock; 56. Follower of a list of names; 64. Title parent in a TLC reality series; 65. Coop sound; 66. Plot line; 67. Northern duck. — DOWN: 1. Government rep.; 3. Fats Domino’s first name; 4. Melees; 5. Caesar’s greeting; 6. Captured; 7. Island in the Thames; 8. “To life!”; 9. Start for a shipbuilder; 10. Like melees; 11. Runs along; 12. Beats, as the competition; 13. Sounds at a fireworks display; 16. Lawyer’s need; 18. Literary character who says “Gentle reader, may you never feel what I then felt!; 21. Personal letters; 23. Declaration that might precede a fold; 24. 100 lbs.; 25. Can; 27. Super ___; 29. Children’s author who won three Edgars; 30. Bless, in a way; 35. Title boy in a 1964 Disney film; 36. Space maker; 37. Certain monarchy; 38. Nerve junction; 39. Solder and others; 41. Certain lighter or highlighter; 43. Driving surface; 44. Flatter servilely; 45. End of a school series; 48. Dark circle; 49. Attendee; 51. Boost, as sound; 55. The Rio Grande divides it: Abbr.; 57. Clucks of disappointment; 58. In; 59. Neighbor of 55-Down; 60. Confucian scholar Chu ___; 61. End of a count?; 62. Poison source in Christie’s “A Pocket Full of Rye”.

 

05.08.13 — Mother's Day

 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

 

Puzzle by Bruce Venzke / Edited by Will Shortz

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY (1-Diagonal: Annual Message) and four across answers all clued “Remembered Mom, in a way”, SHIPPED GIFT, MAILED CARD, CALLED HOME and SENT FLOWERS, constitutes the interrelated group of this thoughtful Wednesday crossword.

 

Other — ALL RILED UP (33D. Extremely agitated), ALL-STAR, ADELA, DIANE, DOGFACE, DRACO, ELIA, ERROL, EVA, HAROLD, IDI AMIN, KOPPEL, LEIA, MOTO, RIPA, PAPER TOWEL (3D. It may be on a roll), RHETORIC (46A. Typical political talk) and SCORPION (36. Zodiac symbol).

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Not square; 4. Avoid responsibilities; 9. “A Passage to India” woman; 14. Wall St. rating; 15. TV signal part; 16. Boneheads; 17. N.B.A. or N.F.L. honor; 18. Remembered Mom, in a way; 20. Filters slowly; 22. Auto financing letters; 23. Greek salad staple; 24. Princess, e.g.; 27. Noted literary pseudonym; 29. Mr. ___ (Peter Lorre sleuth);38. Lamprey hunter; 39. Hillbilly negative; 40. Clears, as a drain; 43. Hawaii’s Mauna ___; 44. Dim with tears; 51. City SE of Honolulu; 52. Princess who was captured by Jabba the Hutt; 53. Dashing Flynn; 55. Pieces in a Mideast armory; 58. Famous rescue vessel; 60. __ manual; 67. Bankbook abbr.; 68. Chocolate base; 69. Employs soap and water; 70. Old Mideast alliance, for short; 71. Motorist’s problem; 72. “Cheers” role; 73. Meddle. — DOWN: 1. Certain radio enthusiasts; 2. Roof part; 4. Having an attitude; 5. “Say that again?”; 6. With 25-Down, 1979 exile; 7. “Hope & Faith” actress Kelly; 8. Ted once of ABC news; 9. Focusing problem, for short; 10. G.I., in old slang; 11. Falco of “Nurse Jackie”; 13. Terrier in whodunits; 19. ___ Stanley Gardner; 21. What “D” means; 26. Ho Chi Minh Trail locale; 28. Words before a clarification; 29. “The Rachel Maddow Show” carrier; 30. Florida’s ___ National Forest; 32. Emcee’s delivery; 34. Lubricate again; 35. Harry Potter villain Malfoy; 37. Make a mush of; 41. Wods of woe; 42. ___ of the realm; 45. Like a blockbuster’s cast, often; 47. Cries o discovery; 49. Lifebuoy competitor; 50. Lloyd of the silents; 54. Charlotte ___ (cream-filled dessert); 55. Law enforcers at sea: Abbr.; 56. Enthusiasm; 57. ___ Empire (bygone domain); 59. Title river in 1957’s Best Picture; 61. Sit on it; 62. Not even close to creaky; 64. Opposition; 65. “Die Meistersinger” soprano; 66. Cartoon Chihuahua.

05.07.13 — Water Water

 

Illustration by Gustave Doré

Water, water, every where,

And all the boards did shrink;

Water, water, every where,

Nor any drop to drink.

The very deep did rot: O Christ!

That ever this should be!

Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs

Upon the slimy sea.

~ The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Samuel Taylor Coleridge  

 

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Tuesday, May 7, 2013

 

Puzzle by Jeff Chen / Edited by Will Shortz

WATER WATER / EVERYWHERE and ANCIENT MARINER (40A. With 42-Across, subject of the poem that contains the line 17-/65-Across), along with nine connected squares reading HOH (H₂O) constitutes the interrelated group of this brilliant Tuesday crossword.

 

Other — ASHCAN (45A. Depth charge, in slang), BERG (62D. Arctic Ocean sighting), HARPY (1A. Scolding, nagging sort), HOMOPHONES (11D. Read and blew, for red and blue), O’HARA (14A. John who wrote “Appointment in Samarra”), PATHOS (40D. Pity), RAN AWAY (38D. Fled), SAY NO (20A. Refuse), “SO I hear“, “And THEYRE off!“, TYCHO BRAHE (29D. Astronomer who coined the word “nova”).

 

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 6. Hence; 10. The opposition; 15. Invitation sender; 16. Vagrant; 17. See 40-/42-Across; 19. Key of Haydn’s Symphony No. 12 or 29; 21. Word after sports or training; 22. Dummy; 23. Seven-Time All-Star Sammy; 25. Cop’s target; 27. The “A” of B.A.; 31. Latvia neighbor: Abbr.; 33. Contemporary of Gandhi; 36. Hellmann’s product, informally; 37. Urge strongly; 39. Quaker cereal brand; 42. See 40-Across; 44. N.E.A. concern; 47. Collecting a pension: Abbr.; 48. Bakery and pharmacy; 50. Story that goes on and on; 51. It is, in Ibiza; 52. Flutters, as eyelashes; 54. Indecent; 56. Smart-mouthed; 60. One of the ABC islands; 64. Eastern nurse; 65. See 40-/42-Across; 68. Texter’s disclaimer; 69. Branch of engineering: Abbr.; 70. Tribe with a lake named after it; 71. Colors; 72 Long hallway effect; 73. “This looks bad!”. — DOWN: 1. First word of “Blowin’ in the Wind”; 2. Cries of discovery; 3. Pro ___; 4. Mice, to cats; 5. Elaborate stories; 6. “___Crossroads” (1996 Grammy-winning rap song); 7. Relaxing conclusion to a long, hard day; 8. Manipulator; 9. Rein, e.g.; 12. Fortune 500 company founded in 1995; 13. Austin Powers’s power; 18. Some winter garments; 24. Trivial Pursuit wedges, e.g.; 26. ___’acte; 27. Gather over time; 28. Dressing choice; 32. Show of respect; 34. Butler of “Gone With the Wind”; 35. Nutritional fig.; 41. Bridge position; 43. Tick off; 46. West Coast engineering institution, informally; 53. Note accompanying an F, maybe; 55. BBC sci-fi show; 56. Invoice stamp; 57. Cousin of a Golden Globe; 59. With: Fr.; 61. “Ain’t gonna happen!”; 63. Suffix with buck; 66. Sigma preceder; 67. Conclusion.

 

05.06.13 — A E I O U

 

 

A E I O U, Alice and the Caterpillar,

from from the 1951 Disney film "Alice in Wonderland"

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Monday, May 6, 2013

 

Puzzle by Joel Fagliano / Edited by Will Shortz

Stand-alone A, E, I, O and U at the start of five answers constitutes the interrelated group of this Monday crossword:

A ROOM WITH A VIEW (20A. E. M. Forster novel)
E FOR EFFORT (3D. Grade meaning “Maybe you failed, but at least you tried”)
I WON’T LET YOU DOWN (38A. “Count on me”)
O HOLY NIGHT (31D. Carol with the words “hear the angel voices)
U CAN’T TOUCH THIS (51A. Signature song for MC Hammer)

Other — BAHAIS (47D. Believers in the essential worth of all religions), DROVE MAD (10D. Sent up the wall), HOODOO (22D. Jinx), LAGOON (42A. Enclosed body of water on a tropical island), NEATNIKS (39D. Tidy types).

 

Mid-size — ADZES, AREAR, AT WAR, AW MAN, DYNES, ELLIOT, GET GO, LOWES, MAFIA, MAIDS, MOTTO, OP ART, PARKS, PELOSI, RAYON, REREAD, SHREK, SLOSH, SOFIA, STASH, UNAPT, WRIST, YUMMY.

 

Short stuff — AFRO and AGRO, AGHA, AHOY, ANEW, APP, ATF, CAFÉ, CAMO, COAL, DARE, ESPY, ESTE, IDOL, IHOP, IRON, LAME, LEE, MEME and MIMI, MOLD, OH OK, ONE, OSLO, SCI, SHOO, SPAN, SRTA and STAR and STEP and STET and STOP and STOW, TADA, TSO, UNIT, USPS, UTAH, YAMS, ZITI.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Big first for a baby; 5. Orange tubers; 9. Woodworking tools; 14. Bistro; 15. The “U” of “Law & Order: SVU”; 16. Place for a watch; 17. Something smashed by Abraham, in Jewish tradition; 18. Viral phenomenon; 19. New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die,” e.g.; 23. Glimpse; 24. Pepsi ___, sugar-free cola; 25. Sicilian secret society; 27. Farming: Prefix; 30. Growth on ld bread; 34. Part of the Justice Dept. that conducts raids; 35. Peruse again; 37. Chips ___! (cookie brand); 41. Challenge; 43. Harper ___, author of “To Kill a Mockingbird”; 44. Mexican miss: Abbr.; 45. Fe, chemically; 46. Bottomless void; 48. General on a Chinese menu; 50. Bridge; 58. Bulgaria’s capital; 59. Symbol in the center of a Scrabble board; 60. Turkish title; 62. Yellowstone and Yosemite; 63. Limping, say; 64. Breakfast chain, briefly; 65. Wade noisily; 66. “Now I get it”; 67. Call it a day. — DOWN: 1. Biol. Or chem.; 2. “Look what I did!”; 4. Nancy of the House of Representatives; 5. Scrumptious; 6. All over again; 7. “La Bohème” heroine; 8. “Leave in,” to a proofreader; 9. “This is the worst!”; 11. Penne alternative; 12. Villa d’___; 13. Put in the overhead bin, say; 21. Pictures that can make you dizzy; 25. Some motel employees; 26. Fighting (with); 27. Toward the back; 28. Beginning, informally; 29. Synthetic silk; 32. Home Depot rival; 33. Units of force; 38. Mama Cass; 40. Not fitting; 49. Secret supply; 50. Film ogre voiced by Mike Myers; 51. Mail letters?; 52. Unwanted stocking stuffer; 53. Hairdo for Jimi Hendrix; 54. Norway’s capital; 55. Great Salt Lake state; 56. Hunter’s garb, for short; 57. “Go on, git!”; 61. Words With Friends, e.g.

 

05.05.13 — The Week

 

 

30-Across, Small African antelopes, ORIBIS

 

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Sunday, April 5, 2013

 

Crunch Time, Crossword by Alan Arbesfeld / Edited by Will Shortz

 

MON, TUE, WED, THU, FRI, SAT and SUN in single squares constitutes the interrelated group of this Sunday crossword:

 

• LE[MON]ADE STANDS and AL[MON]DINE (23A. Early entrepreneurial efforts; 3D. How trout may be prepared: Var.)
• STA[TUE] OF DAVID and VIR[TUE] S (28A. Florentine attraction; 12D. Good qualities)
• STE [WED]ED PRUNES and BO[WED] OUT (42A. Food to go?; 31D. Withdrew)
• BUDAPES[T HU]NGARY and GREEN [THU]MB (69A. Birthplace of Harry Houdini; 36D. Nursery gift?)
• BETTY [FRI]EDAN and A[FRI]CA (93A. Big name in feminism; 88D. Isak Dinesen novel setting)
• CATCHE[S A T]RAIN and U [S AT]LAS (110A. Just makes the 7:47, perhaps; 106D. 50-page book, maybe?)
• GOE[S UN]DER COVER and ETAT [S UN]IS (118A. Does spy work; 94D. ___ d‘Amérique)

 
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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Fancy footwear; 6. Turning point at the station?; 12. Remote control abbr.; 15. Banned apple spray; 19. American Dance Theater founder; 20. Planets and notes in the musical scale; 21. Agitated; 25. Argued against; 26. California’s old Fort ___; 27. Turn (off); 30. Small African antelopes; 33. When repeated, an engine sound; 35. Feudal laborer; 36. Serpent’s tail?; 37. Running with scissors and others; 38. Show-offs; 40. Kind of tax; 45. Santa’s landing spot; 48. Not so important; 49. Court hearing; 50. Persevered; 52. Obama’s birthplace; 55. Traditional; 59. Priest, in an Ogden Nash poem; 63. Spanish precious metal; 65. Writer Gordimer; 67. Syrup source; 68. Johannesburg-born golf champion; 73. “Survivor” construction; 74. On the fence; 76. Jerks; 77. Jobs in technology; 79. Doubters; 81. “Friends” co-star; 84 River to the North Sea; 85. Whenever; 87. Not give ___; 89. Defense grp. That disbanded in 1977; 92. Something said before grace?; 99. Sign of stress; 101. Ogre, to a kid; 103. Arab League headquarters; 104. German : Strasse :: French : ___; 105. Designer Gernreich; 108. Carson’s predecessor; 109. Blue Ribbons and others; 114. Toledo tidbit; 116. Subject of the 1998 biography “King of the World”; 117. Cute; 122. George W. Bush acquisition of 2008; 123. Homes up high; 124. Developed; 125. G.I. rations; 126. That, in Tijuana; 127. Makes an assertion; 128. Hunt for water, say. — 1. Old gunfight locales; 2. French pantomime character; 4. After-dinner order; 5. Barrett of Pink Floyd; 6. “Oh my!”; 7. Start to give trouble to; 8. It needs a signature; 9. Fire; 10. Augments; 11. “Hey!”; 13. Situation after a leadoff single; 14. Charge for bloodwork, say; 15. Boy or girl lead-in; 16. Neigthbor of a Belarussian; 17. Corroded; 18. Alberta’s third-largest city, named after an animal; 24. Soccer header?; 29. Noted taleteller; 31. Withdrew; 32. Old Cosby show; 34. Some successful plays, for short; 38. Pitch; 41. Grinning symbols; 42. Championship; 44. Vintage wheels; 46. Native Nebraskan; 47. Crush competitor; 50. Deli offerings; 51. Okla. or Oreg., once; 52. Certain tournaments; 53. Perfectly fine; 54. Precipitousness; 56. What makes you you?; 57. Pool activity; 58. “Well, well!”; 60. Word before and after “to,” in a religious phrase; 61. Purple shade; 62. More suitable; 64. Touches; 66. Hydroxyl compound; 70. 20^th-century novelist whose first name is an anagram of 66-Down; 71. Part of a trap; 72. Fed. Property overseer; 75. Flurry; 78. Universal recipient designation; 80. ___ Canals; 82. “Great” kid-lit detective; 83. You might have a good one after a breakup; 86. Nile Valley region; 89. Cutting comments; 90. World’s leading exporter of bananas; 91. Nail polish remover component; 93. Eagles’ org.; 95. Harangues; 96. Renounce; 97. Naïve; 98. “Fuhgeddaboutdit!”; 100. High pitch; 102. Sleep problem, to Brits; 106. 50-page book, maybe?; 107. ___ blank (had no idea); 109. What’s expected; 111. Sportscaster Collinsworth; 112. Chinese dynasty during the time of Christ; 113. Certain supermarkets; 115. Durango dinero; 119. Suffix with trick; 120. Ungentlemanly sort; 121. Spanish precious metal.
 

05.05.13 — From Square One — the Acrostic

 

Sunday, May 5, 2013

 

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Edited by Will Shortz

This Sunday’s amusing and nearly self-descriptive acrostic draws a quotation from From Square One by Dean Olsher.

 

"From Square One" is Dean Olsher's exploration of the cultural history, psychology, and even metaphysics of crosswords -- their promise of a world without chaos and uncertainty. It is often repeated that more than 50 million Americans do crossword puzzles on a regular basis. Skeptical of that claim, Dean Olsher does his own research and finds that the number is nearly dead-on. Filled with lively, original reporting, "From Square One" disputes the widely held belief that solving crosswords helps prevent Alzheimer's; in fact, the drive to fill in empty spaces is more likely a mental illness than a cure. While "puzzle addiction" is usually meant as a lighthearted metaphor, the term contains more than a nugget of truth ~ goodreads.com 

 

The quotation: A PUZZLE IS NOT ABOUT ANYTHING. IT IS JUST AN EXPERIENCE, WITH AN ARBITRARY BEGINNING, MIDDLE, AND END THAT UNIQUE FOR EACH SOLVER. … WE ENJOY BURSTS OF INSIGHT AS WE HOPSCOTCH OVER ISLANDS OF MEANING, AND THEN IT’S OVER.

 

The author’s name and the title of the work: DEAN OLSHER, FROM SQUARE ONE

The defined words:

A. Venue for some diving, DUMPSTER
B. Have a mental picture of, ENVISAGE
C. To spare, galore, APLENTY
D. Superman inventor, NIETZSCHE
E. The fictional Hiawatha’s tribe, OJIBWA
F. Suffer humiliation (2 wds.), LOSE FACE
G. Fit, as into a right spot, SHOEHORN
H. Far from affectionate, HOSTILE
I. Site of the first lady’s office (2 wds.), EAST WING
J. Deep and strong, vocally, RESONANT
K. Coin last minted in 1956, FARTHING
L. Bank-to-bank deposit?, RIVERBED
M. Imperviousness to light, OPACITY
N. Broadway theater where “Camelot” premiered, MAJESTIC
O. Many an obelisk, functionally, SUNDIAL
P. Fact-based 1994 film revolving around a scandal (2 wds.), "QUIZ SHOW"
Q. Free; loose-leaf, UNBOUND
R. Thrash metal band with Joey Bella donna, ANTHRAX
S. Sport that may involve blowing something up, RAFTING
T. “Laugh-In” character with a doll named Doris (2 wds.), EDITH ANN
U. Warbler whose nest is a dome on the ground, OVENBIRD
V. Trivial, of no consequence, NUGATORY
W. Eponym of element #99, EINSTEIN

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05.04.13 — Ne'er-Do-Well

  

Joseph Jefferson as Rip Van Winkle, 1896

 

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Saturday, May 4, 2013

 

Puzzle by Doug Peterson and Brad Wilber

Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. “Good point”, THIS IS TRUE; 11. Right hand: Abbr., ASST; 15. Yarn suppliers?, RACONTEURS; 16. What severe cuts may result in, briefly, TKOS; 17. Lacking in drawing power?, INARTISTIC; 18. Succumb to interrogation, TALK; 19. Roughly half of all N.B.A. M.V.P.’s, CENTERS; 20. Will Rogers props, RIATAS; 22. Flavoring compound, ESTER; 23. Resident of Angola, Brazil or Lebanon, HOOSIER; 25. Ne’er-do-well who stayed out for a long time?, RIP VAN WINKLE; 29. Darth, in his boyhood, ANI; 32. Mulberry cousin, MAUVE; 33. It’s marked way down, STEAL; 34. Sweet-tempered type, LAMB; 36. Argue, CLASH; 38. Sylvia SYMS of jazz; 39. For the stated value, AT PAR; 41. Something to believe in, CREED; 43. Getaway destination, SPA; 44. #5 of the American Film Institute’s al-time top 100 movie villains, NURSE RATCHED; 47. Composer who said “Give me a laundry list and I’ll set it to music”, ROSSINI; 48. U.S. city that’s a girl’s name, SELMA; 52. Hole, CAVITY; 53. Boost, RAISE UP; 55. “Alias” actress; 56. Creator of Wildfell Hall, ANNE BRONTË; 59. Different, ELSE; 60. Law still in effect but no longer enforced, DEAD LETTER; 61. Mr. NYET (moniker for Andrei Gromyko); 62. Show with a peanut gallery, HOWDY DOODY.

 

Down: 1. Twinkling, TRICE; 2. Waistband brand, HANES; 3. “Impossible”, I CAN’T; 4. Many a Laundromat patron, SORTER; 5. Stopgap, INTERIM; 6. Move around, STIR; 7. Angel Clare’s wife, in literature, TESS; 8. Groovy track?, RUT; 9. Altdorf is its capital, URI; 10. What money may be placed in, ESCROW; 11. Stigmas, ATTAINTS; 12. Quaint toe clamp tighteners, SKATE KEYS; 13. Green light?, SOLAR LAMP; 14. Sounds of admonishment, TSKS; 23. Swiss alternative, HAVARTI; 24. “Almost there …”, ONE SEC; 26. Super PAC; 27. Planet destroyed in 2009’s “Star Trek”, VULCAN; 28. Jewelry designer ELSA Peretti; 29. Chiropractor on “Two and a Half Men”, ALAN; 30. “Of course!”, NATURALLY; 31. Be a make-up artist?, IMPROVISE; 35. Where a new delivery may be placed?, BASSINET; 37. Villain’s sinister syllable, HEH; 40. Ubiquitous prescription, REST; 42. Like items on Christmas lists, DESIRED; 45. Setting of King Fahd Road, RIYADH; 46. Firelite of the 1950s, e.g., DESOTO; 49. Measures taken slowly?, LENTO; 50. Quiet and soft, MUTED; 51. Impressionism?, APERY; 52. Either “True Grit” director, COEN; 53. “Tennessee Waltz” lyricist REDD Stewart; 54. Without fumbling, ABLY; 57. Con’s opening?, NEO; 58. Hick’s nix, NAW.

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05.03.13 — Angst

 

The Remorse of Orestes

or Orestes Pursued by the Furies, 1862

William-Adolphe Bouguereau

 

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Friday, May 3, 2013

 

Puzzle by David Kwong / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Singer’s tongue, YIDDISH; 8. Fast delivery, AIRMAIL; 15. First name in online news, ARIANNA; 16. Detox, say, CLEANSE; 17. Autobiographical book by Carrie Fisher, WISHFUL DRINKING; 19. As one, ENBLOC; 20. D.M.V. offerings, EYE TESTS; 21. Peace Nobelist Kim DAE-jung; 22. Crispy Twister offered, KFC; 24. Peace Nobelist DAG Hammarskjöld; 25. Papua New Guinea port in W.W. II news, LAE; 28. “That’s nice”, AAH; 30. Dept. of Labor division, OSHA; 34. Unit of online popularity, TWITTER FOLLOWER; 39. “Almost there!”, ONE TO GO; 40. Nice thing to hit, PAYDIRT; 41. First card played in the game parliament, SEVEN OF DIAMONDS; 43. British submacine gun, STEN; 44. Bog, FEN; 45. Grade sch. Class, ENG; 46. Badge holder: Abbr., DET; 49. Back, AGO; 51. Ermine, e.g., FUR; 54. Kind of cable in TV production, TRIAXIAL; 58. Actress WINONA Ryder; 61. Oscar-nominated Woody Allen film, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS; 63. Mythological sister of 66-Across, ELECTRA; 64. Regardless of, DESPITE; 65. Formidable foes, NEMESES; 66. Mythological brother of 63-Across, ORESTES.

Electra at the Tomb of Agamemnon, c. 1869
Frederic Leighton

Down — 1. Went off course, as a ship, YAWED; 2. One of Chekhov’s “Three Sisters”, IRINA; 3. Not accept, DISBELIEVE; 4. Children’s author who created Miss Brunchbull, DAHL; 5. Scoop contents, INFO; 6. Approached slyly, with “up”, SNUCK; 7. 1968 space movie villain, HAL; 8. D.W. Griffith’s “A CRY for Help”; 9. “Yeah, you got me”, I LIED; 10. RENT-A-Car; 11. Fulfill, MAKE GOOD ON; 12. Spanish liqueur, ANIS; 13. “ISN’T it?”; 14. Staying power, LEGS; 18. Cappuccino choice, DECAF; 23. Not soon at all, FAR OFF; 26. Who’s there, ATTENDANCE; 27. ETON blue (color named for a school); 29. HOPING for the best; 31. Be hanged after a crime, SWING FOR IT; 32. Throng, HERD; 33. Fine things?, ARTS; 34. Chuck, TOSS; 35. N.Y.C.’s PBS station, WNET; 36. Big head, EGO; 37. A.L. West team, on scoreboards, LAA; 38. LYME disease; 42. Passed out, DEALT; 47. Stage directions, EXITS; 48. Feline in un jardin zoologique, TIGRE; 50. Major League Baseball V.I.P., OWNER; 52. Merge, UNITE; 53. Demolishes, in Devon, RASES; 54. Govt. gangbusters, T-MEN; 55. Put out, RILE; 56. Ditto, in footnotes, IDEM; 57. Pupil reactions, AHAS; 59. IPSE dixit; 60. Short breaks, of a sort, NAPS; 62. It may be said with a raised hand, I DO.

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Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.
 

05.02.13 — Neither Here Nor There

 

 

The Baby's Own Aesop, by Aesop and Walter Crane, 

Illustrated by Walter Crane

 

NEITHER BEAST NOR BIRD

 

A Beast he would be, or a bird,
As might suit, thought the Bat: but he erred.
When the battle was done,
He found that no one
Would take him for friend at his word.

 

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Thursday, May 2, 2013

 

Puzzle by Josh Knapp / Edited by Will Shortz

 

NEITHER NOR (35A. *Irrelevant .. R what the answers to the five starred clues have?), WILL BE BLOOD (19A. *2007 Best Picture nominee), GOES NOTHING (25A. *”Hope this works!”), COMES THE SUN (51A. *”Abbey Road” track) and WAS AN OLD MAN (56A. *Start of many limericks) constitute the interrelated group of this evasive Thursday crossword.

 

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Click on image to enlarge,
or Right click and select “Open Link in New Window".
 
Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Target of union hatred; 5. Weak part of a hull; 9. Dormant volcano in the Cascade Range; 15. H-___; 16. Low bar; 17. Facing; 18. Literally, “itself”; 21. Mental lightweights; 23. Sony laptop line; 24. A.L. East city, on scoreboards; 27. Francis, for one; 28. Tackle box stock; 29. , in Altdorf; 30. Many apps; 31. Language suffix; 32. “It’s a kick in a glass” sloganeer, once; 34. Old-fashioned broadcasters; 38. Broadcast online in real time; 41. Contact lens cleaner brand; 42. Little litter sound; 45. Thick-veined vegetable; 46. World of Warcraft event; 48. New Mexico’s ___ Canyon; 50. “American Pie” actress Tara; 53. Coastal hunter; 54. Diplomat Annan; 55. Hipster; 59. Part of a pedestal between the base and the cornice; 59. Outfielder’s cry; 61. Ticked off; 62. Suffix with cyclo-; 63. Creed; 64. Bound; 65. Whaleboat features. — DOWN: 1. Possible target for a nail gun; 2. Plentiful; 3. Like monastery life; 4. Look around; 5. Handled; 6. In the real world; 7. With 39-Down, hot; 8. Director Van Peebles; 9. Shrek creator; 10. Wandering soul; 11. Hole puncher; 12. Island off the Gabonese coast; 13. Ticket agent?; 14. Lines on a package; 20. “The Dark Knight Rises” villain; 22. Alternatively; 26. Baked; 27. Match (up); 30. Whom some novelty disguises imitate; 33. “Ready ___ …!”; 34. “This is ___”; 35. Swot : Britain :: ___ : America; 36. Pennsylvania’s northernmost county; 37. McCarthyite paranoia; 38. “Forget that!”; 39. See 7-Down; 40. Spoils, in a way; 42. Maybelline product; 44. Soup dumplings; 46. Modern response to hilarity; 47. In; 49. Maintained, as one’s principles; 51. Geezers; 52. Fit; 54. Linked; 57. “I already ___”; 58. Reply of faux innocence.