Categories
Meta Midi

Show Me a Sign

Delos, with 2 Down in the background. Photo taken July 2014.

Words: 42 (11×11)

Average Length:  4.81

I’ve never tried constructing a meta before, and this is a pretty basic one as metas go.  The answer is a classic rock song from one of my favorite groups.  If your classic rock knowledge is, um, underdeveloped, feel free to search online – or just click on this link for the music video.

I’ll reveal the answer in Saturday’s blog post.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Midi Themed

Faux Modesty

This has nothing to do with the puzzle – I just thought it was funny. Guess the car’s a “shift.”

Words: 55 (12×13)

Average Length: 4.73

The clue/answer pair for 21 Down popped into my head and I went looking for other possible theme answers.  I couldn’t come up with enough good ones for a full-size puzzle, so here’s a large-ish midi.  Enjoy!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Midi

Of Birds and Bees

Reykalt, Iceland – bees kept to fertilize tomato plants. Photo taken July 2024.

Words: 28 (9×9)

Average Length: 5.07

I had a bunch of bad puns hanging around and figured I’d inflict them on innocent solvers.  Hence this midi.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Midi Themed

Where I’m Often At

See 10 Down – this is the range in the answer, but further north in Peru. Photo taken Sept. 2022.

Words: 53 (13×13)

Average Length: 5.03

This was going to be a regular-sized (15×15) puzzle, but I only came up with three theme answers, so I downsized a bit.  If you’re not familiar with the poem cited in 32 Across, here’s a link.  I think it’s simply beautiful.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Midi Themed

Marina Corps Anthem

Monte Carlo Marina, Monaco (Oct. 2024)

Words: 24 (9×9)

Average Length: 5.33

If you’re a fan of the Dan or the Doobies, check out the documentary referenced in the clue for 17 Across.  It’s fun, interesting, and chock full of good tunes and “inside baseball” about the surrounding cultural and musical scene.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Midi Themeless

Jingle Bells and Generals

See 9 Down. Photo taken June 2019.

Words: 24 (9×9)

Average Length: 5.33

Hot peppers, hot cars, and two really cool places, along with some quirky clues.  Enjoy!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Midi Themeless

My Bach Pages

See 12 Down. Photo taken in Bantey Srei, Cambodia, March 2024.

1 Across was the seed for this one.  Sandy and I were watching American Idol, for which Jelly Roll is acting as a mentor.  Knowing nothing about Jelly Roll, I looked up what genre he mostly works in, and voilà – there’s 1 Across.

A couple of other notes:  In Ecuador, they sometimes make 3 Down with popcorn.  I’m a popcorn fan – it’s dinner, often enough – but not in conjunction with 3 Down.  And, as promised in the note to the puzzle, here’s a link to My Back Pages.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Midi Themeless

Puns, Anagrams, and General Goofiness

Takayama, Japan (March 2025). See 3 Down.

Words: 30 (9×9)

Average Length: 4.60

Here’s a “cryptish” puzzle – a mish-mash of silly anagrams, Dad jokes, puns, and tortured English.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Midi Themeless

Focus Group

Miyajima, Japan (March 2025). See 40 Across.

Words: 46 (12×12)

Average Length: 5.30

16 Across was the seed, but I couldn’t resist the clue for 28 Across.  Might as well joke about it while I still can.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Midi

Crossing Dogs and Lions

See 5 Down. Photo taken in London, England, June 2017

Words: 38

Average Length: 5.53

19 Across was the seed, but the puns don’t stop there.  I’m really happy with this grid design – it’s wide open with no 3-letter fill.  You might well see it again!

online | puz | pdf | solution