Words: 41 (11×11)
Average Length: 5.02
I’d been toying with the idea for this puzzle for a while and finally decided to construct it during one of those games where the Nats offense apparently has better things to do than hit. After several futile attempts at fitting the theme answers into a symmetrical grid, I decided to embrace asymmetry (though if you don’t peer too closely it kind of looks symmetrical). I hope you enjoy the result!
Words: 66
Average Length: 5.67
The 1A/4D pairing formed the seed for this one. It was followed quickly by 10D, which popped into mind during a nostalgic discussion about Rocky & Bullwinkle. This cartoon (along with its show-mates Mr. Peabody and Sherman and Fractured Fairy Tales) set the bar for all future cartoons nominally aimed at kids but slyly winking at adults.
Words: 74
Average Length: 5.16
Think of a dessert menu created by the people who come up with punny names for IPAs. I hope you find it a sweet solve … and just in case you’re solving with your kids (hey, it could happen), look out for 52 Across.
Please check out my new poetry site, It-Could-Be-Verse.com. And read about my recent visit to see the paloelithic art in caves in France and Spain on my travel blog, PuffinlessTravel.com.
Words: 42 (11×11)
Average Length: 5.00
Strolling along Penny Lane while on a Beatles-themed tour of Liverpool was a thrill I’ll never forget. Every time I’ve heard the song since, the landmarks in the lyrics leap clearly to mind. Last week, as I was trolling for ideas for a mini/midi, I started humming the wonderful piccolo trumpet solo and the grid fell into place.
Words: 72
Average Length: 5.25
I recently heard someone say 1 Across and thought: (1) You rarely hear 1A 1A. (2) 1A could be a decent seed for a themeless, especially because I’d just listened to Buffalo Springfield (seminal ‘60s band) and 1A is the first word of the title of one of their signature songs. The other four words of the title are scattered through the puzzle, as are the names of the song’s composer/lead singer and one of his bandmates. So maybe it’s not really a themeless, but whatever it is, I hope you enjoy solving it!
Words: 15
Average Length: 4.93
This one may be a bit more challenging than most of my minis, but I liked the idea of connecting 7 Across with 5 Down and 7 Down. In fact, 7 Across/7 Down was one of my favorite toys when I was growing up, long before the digital age. Believe it or not, they used to be made out of wood!
Words: 72
Average Length: 5.08
Here’s a puzzle celebrating one of my favorite months (not just because it’s my birth month as well as my daughter’s), May. It’s mid-Spring in the DC area, everything is in bloom, Summer’s triple-Hs haven’s set in yet, and in a normal year the Caps would be in the playoffs (in a highly abnormal year the Wizards would be in the playoffs).
Words: 12 (6×6)
Average Length: 5.00
This mini is brought to you by one of my favorite Donovan songs (there are many, led by “Jennifer Juniper” and “Sunshine Superman,” with the seed for this puzzle close behind; the title of the puzzle refers to a line in the song (“is gonna be a sudden craze”).
Words: 66
Average Length: 5.85
I enjoy cluing well-known people’s names with obscure facts, as in the clue for 21 Down.
Spaceballs (see 53 Across) is one of my favorite all-time comedies, Mel Brooks at his irreverently silly finest. Prince Valium, Princess Vespa, 53 Across, Lone Starr, Barf, Dark Helmet, and of course, “just plain Yogurt.”
Jeff's Puzzles