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Hits the Spot

See 7 Down. The statue in the back is Cristo Rei; photo taken in Lisbon, Portugal, Oct. 2022

Words: 73

Average Length: 5.10

Today’s puzzle is clued very gently (for me) – guess I was in a particularly mellow mood when I constructed it.  I figure it’s a good tonic after last Thursday’s jeremiad.

online | puz | pdf | solution

3 replies on “Hits the Spot”

Another terrific theme and revealer! I struggle to come up with good themes, and when I do it seems it’s often a challenge to get them to work in a grid. Aesthetically, I also have to say it’s fun to solve grids with left-right symmetry. Really enjoy your work, Jeff.

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Thanks, Jeanne! I go through droughts on theme ideas, then come up with a few all at once. Free association helps – sometimes I’ll think of a common expression and see if it can be twisted into a theme. Or I’ll think of a pun relating to a song or a band (my go-to sources of inspiration) and then try to come up with others that could be thematically related. It’s definitely hit or miss, though.

I enjoy constructing with left/right symmetry, and for some themes, like this one, it was the only way to make the grid work.

Finally, we definitely have a mutual admiration society going for each other’s puzzles!

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