Categories
Themed

More Today Than Yesterday

Walter Scott Memorial, Edinburgh, Scotland (see 53 Across). The circled letters in this structure are narrow, steep, and crowded, but the view from the top is spectacular. Photo taken March 2012.

Words:  72

Average Length:  5.22

Listening to Sirius XM’s ‘60s channel a few months ago, the title song came on.  [Yes, the ‘60s were more than half a century ago.  Yes, I’m still shocked when I’m told that some album I remember running to Korvette’s to buy is now 50 years old.  Yes, I am approaching ancientness.]

It’s a pretty catchy song, and after singing along for a while (making sure my windows were shut to avoid any road rage incidents) I realized that the band’s name was 15 letters long.  Not only that, the name suggests an architectural feature that could work as an organizing theme. 

A few days later I crafted this puzzle, only to realize when preparing today’s write-up that the band spelled its name rather creatively.  So it goes – the puzzle remains unchanged and I have been chastened, yet again, to check those things I’m certain of.  Sound advice, no?

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini

You Should See Her Dance

See 3 Down (photo taken in Viñales, Cuba, Nov. 2023).

Words:  10 (5×5)

Average Length:  5.00

Here’s a mini-Themeless and a song recommendation:  check out “The Christians and the [7 Acrosses]” by Dar Williams.  It’s beautiful, seasonally appropriate, and heartwarming.  For that matter, check out her “When I Was a Boy” or pretty much anything else she’s recorded.  She’s a wonderful singer-songwriter!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Themeless

Themeless 68

Carnaby Street, London (see 44 Down). Photo taken June 2017.

Words:  68

Average Length:  5.36

Greetings from Melbourne, Australia.  I landed not long ago, some 28 hours after leaving home.  Fortunately (and uncharacteristically) I had the foresight to write this post ahead of time so all I have to do is hit “Publish” before falling into bed.

I titled this a themeless because of its low word count and high difficulty level, but there’s a mini-theme among the grid-spanners.  20 Across was the seed; after I found out they’re going to play a game at Nationals Park next summer I had to put them in a grid.  I can’t wait to see them!

ERRATA: IN THE CLUE FOR 37 DOWN, FRK SHOULD BE FRA, NOT THAT IT AFFECTS THE ANSWER. IT’S CORRECT IN THE ONLINE VERSION BUT NOT THE PUZ AND PDF FILES.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini

Be The One

See 4 Down (“In a row”). Photo taken at Fusterlandia (Havana, Cuba), Nov. 2023.

Words:  18 (7×7)

Average Length:  5.00

Welcome to year 4 of JeffsPuzzles!  Today’s grid started with 1 Across, a talented performer with a name made for wordplay.  I put 16 Across in for some superficial thematic closure.  The availability of 11 Across after visiting 15 Across, while not intended, is certainly fortuitous; the same holds for the short down edges, all of which somehow came out in XYY form. The crossword gods work in mysterious ways!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Holiday Themed

Happy New Year 2024

View from the Port Erin train station, 28 Across (photo taken July 2022)

Words:  72

Average Length:  5.25

As the title suggests, today’s grid offers my heartfelt New Year’s wishes to those of you who take the time to solve my puzzles.  I really appreciate it, and I look forward to tossing another 100 or so puzzles your way in 2024.  Please feel free to comment or email me (jeffspuzzles@gmail.com) if you ever have a question, suggestion, reaction, correction, whatever. 

If you’re thinking of traveling in the new year, check out my travel blog, PuffinlessTravel.com. In 2023, I added several posts about France and Spain (visiting caves with paleolithic art), Luxembourg, Andorra, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Hungary. Next week I’ll be traveling to Australia and New Zealand and will be adding lots of posts and pix from that experience.

You might also enjoy my poetry blog, It-Could-Be-Verse.com. 

Happy New Year!!!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Uncategorized

From Pooh to Purpose

Words:  18 (7×7)

Average Length:  5.00

Happy 16 Across to all who celebrate.  Come back Saturday for a puzzle filled with New Years wishes for all of you in 2024.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Themed

You Can’t Fool Her

See 19 Down: Granddaughter Ella enjoying a bagel from our favorite bagel store, Ize’s

Words:  77 (16×15)

Average Length:  5.19

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!  The author recommendation for today is Kate Atkinson (29 Across clue).  She’s stylish, thought-provoking, clever, and wonderfully creative.  Pick anything she’s written – you can’t go wrong.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Midi Mini

Repeat After Me

Words:  32

Average Length:  4.00

Here are four minis tucked inside a midi … idi … idi …di …i. Enjoy!

online | puz | pdf | online

Categories
Themeless

Themeless 67

Words:  72

Average Length:  5.25

20, 37, and 54 Across were the seeds for this one, although my favorite clue might be 58 Down.  Today’s author recommendation, courtesy of 9 Across, is Christopher Moore.  Read him, laugh, and marvel at his imagination.

online | puz | pdf | online

Categories
Mini

Hidden Strangers

Words:  10

Average Length:  5.00

Here’s some fun with near-homophones.  Come back Sunday for a new Themeless.

online | puz | pdf | solution