Words: 28 (9×9)
Average Length: 4.93
The seeds for this puzzle, not surprisingly, were 4 and 24 Across, which make use of the title in different ways. 14 Across also was a seed, just because I like the logic of it. Fitting 4 Down in was serendipitous – or therendipetouth, as Sylvester would say.
Words: 79 (16×15)
Average Length: 5.01
Every so often, when angling for a theme, I cast my line once again into the musical deeps. For today’s puzzle, I landed four tunes (18, 25, 41, and 52 Across) whose titles fit nicely into a piece that premiered three centuries ago (66 Across). I hope the solving experience is smooth sailing!
Words: 24 (9×9)
Average Length: 4.67
I’ve been wondering about the difference in valuation between 10A and 4D. Is it because we value our own thoughts more highly than others value them? (Anything to avoid thinking about the state of the world!)
I just returned from a cruise that took me from San Diego to Miami. If anyone is interested, I’ve been blogging about it on my PuffinlessTravel site. Here are links to the posts:
Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo
Guatemala – The Tour That Didn’t Happen
Words: 72
Average Length: 5.14
I set myself a construction challenge on this one – come up with a grid where the revealer crosses all four theme answers. I succeeded in doing so, but at the expense of including a passel of 3s. Have at it, and enjoy!
If you’re a fan of all manner of word puzzles – crosswords, Rows Gardens, acrostics, snake charmers, spirals – do yourself a favor and check out Jeanne Breen’s brilliant new puzzle site, In Pursuit of Puzzles.
Words: 18 (7×7)
Average Length: 5.00
I’m nearing the end of a wonderful cruise from San Diego to Miami. On a sea day last week, while waiting for trivia to start, I decided to construct a ridiculous puzzle, as one does. This one includes a made-up word (1 Across), an anagram or two, a bunch of puns, and some absurd definitions.
Words: 66
Average Length: 5.91
No (or at least not much) disrespect meant by 1 Across; some of my best friends drive BMWs. Still, if the driving glove fits ….
If you take umbrage at 14 Across, so be it. The time for pulling political punches is long past.
Come back Tuesday for an extremely silly mini full of puns, anagrams, made-up words, and absurd definitions. See you then!
Words: 30 (9×11)
Average Length: 5.27
I was inspired to create this puzzle after seeing pictures from the 12A/3D space telescope installation. I’d never heard of 12A before – she was a brilliant astronomer who was also a fierce advocate for women in science. She received many honors during her lifetime, but was snubbed for a Nobel Prize, apparently because of her gender. Maybe she’ll get one posthumously, but at least her name now graces a facility that should continue to expand on her lifelong work helping us better understand the cosmos.
Words: 91 (17×17)
Average Length: 5.32
A super-sized collection of silly literary puns – how can you resist?
Jeff's Puzzles