Words: 70
Average Length: 5.43
This one may not play as difficult as my usual themeless, but I’m really not sure. I was aiming for a smooth, open grid with relatively few 3-letter answers (6 in this case) and this is what emerged.
I’m inordinately pleased with the clue for 57 Across, though I don’t wish to presume anything about the relevant couple’s legal affairs. Please enjoy and share!
Words: 15 (7×7)
Average Length: 5.73
A few days ago I read an article about the never-to-be-equaled season that a certain baseball Hall of Famer enjoyed in 1968. Then I watched an episode of Cash Cab where a certain cocktail came up in the answer – and it shared a name with the baseball player. I realized that the crossword gods were sending me a message; hence the grid. (Think of the partial duplicate as a feature, not a flaw.)
Words: 11
Average Length: 5.27
This one started with the answer/clue pair in 7 Across, which proved surprisingly difficult to build a small puzzle around. I tried it in every row before finding a layout that worked. Ah, the woes of constructing!
Words: 66
Average Length: 5.76
This is a tough one, for sure. For solving assistance or just because it’s a great song, here’s a link to the Bob Marley recording referenced in the clue to 5 Down. I hope you enjoy it – come back Wednesday for a gentle mini (as yet unconstructed, but I promise it’ll be gentle, or at least reasonably so) and next Sunday for a medium-difficulty themed puzzle entitled “Gorp.”
Words: 12 (6×6)
Average Length: 5.50
Here’s a medium-difficulty grid with some elementary music theory and a Dolly Parton song that, in my opinion, is one of the best songs ever.
online | puz | pdf | solution | alternate puz link
I just learned the original puz link may be broken. If so, please try the alternate.
Words: 72
Average Length: 5.19
This one shouldn’t be too tough, but don’t fall! I was happy to work in 60 Across – my team’s glory days ended (temporarily, right?) four years ago, but they went out with a bang! And I just realized the unintentional but at least slightly amusing symmetry between 1 Across and 66 Across.
Words: 10
Average Length: 4.80
Don’t get lost in 1 Across. (“Danger, Will Robinson” – and if that means something to you, you’re at least as old as I am!) Please enjoy, and come back Sunday for a medium-difficulty themed puzzle.
[Photo: see 1D; taken in the Hungarian Parliament, July 2023]
Jeff's Puzzles