Words: 16 (9×9)
Average Length: 4.50
The 1 Down clue/answer pair was the seed, but I’m kind of partial to the clue for 6 Down. Enjoy!
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Author: Jeff
Words: 78
Average Length: 4.64
Of all the overseas places I’ve visited – 99 and counting – Ireland is the friendliest. Although I don’t have a bit of Irish blood, I’ve never felt so at home anywhere else. The people are warm, quick to laugh, and hospitable beyond belief, and the scenery’s not too shabby either. And then there’s the literature: on an island of barely over 7 million people, seemingly every tenth person is a prize-winning author, poet, or playwright. (Given that books are my crack, I’ve crammed several Irish writers into this grid and clues, including several of my all-time favorites (Roddy Doyle, Kevin Barry, Maggie O’Farrell).)
Sláinte and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
My second attempt at cryptic construction. Please let me know what you think. I’d appreciate any pointers/suggestions.
Explanations below – highlight the space after each clue number to reveal them.
1A: Twists: Reach across (SPAN) Rhode Island (RI) = SPRAINS
5A: Toys: Canine (PUP) fur babies (PETS) = PUPPETS
6A: Game (in the wild meat sense): Diagram (VENN) containing personal letters (ISO) = VENISON
2D: Trims: Personal record (PR) using (U) Mario Bros. console (NES) = PRUNES
3D: Live-in help: Two golds = AU PAIR
4D: Later: Dumpling? (WONTON) on reflection = NOT NOW
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Oink! Excuse Me, I Was Using Those
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Gaia Glamor Shots
Words: 72
Average Length: 5.22
I could have saved this puzzle for Earth Day, assuming it’s not outlawed by the Despoiler of All Things Precious and Good, but I’ve been making my way through Cixin Liu’s brilliant “Three-Body Problem” trilogy and felt compelled to publish it a month early.
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It’s a Stretch
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Themeless 98
Words: 72
Average Length: 5.25
The two grid-spanners were the seeds for this moderately challenging themeless. If you’ve never heard the song clued at 35 Across, here’s a link. It’s gorgeous.
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That’s All Folks!
Words: 40 (11×11)
Average Length: 5.15
This one started as a random idea – gee, I wonder how many times I could reasonably (without compromising fill) cram the most common word in the English language into a midi crossword? The answer: six as the word itself – with double credit going to certain post-punk band (23 Down) – as well as three more times where the letter string appears. The title references Porky Pig’s famous closing line in the Looney Tunes cartoons, which should make sense if you think about it.
I’m happy to shout out Tom Lehrer (6 Down), a long-time math professor at Harvard with a second career as a writer of satirical, mostly political songs. Here’s a link to the one in the puzzle, which isn’t political but does concern science, so maybe these days it’s somehow controversial after all.
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Paternal Music
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Spaceman Spiff
Words: 26
Average Length: 5.15
Unlike many comics from the ‘80s and early ’90s, Calvin & Hobbes holds up brilliantly. (Speaking of comic recommendations, I am besotted with Nathan W. Pyle’s gentle, funny, and profound Strange Planet webcomic. Check it out if it’s new to you.)
The title of this puzzle, of course, is one of Calvin’s alter egos. Interestingly – draw whatever conclusions you wish – I typed the title as “Spaceman Spliff” and didn’t notice until I’d finished cluing the grid.
Jeff's Puzzles 