Words: 14
Average Length: 5.29
I started with the grid shape and 8 Across and then looked for some interesting stuff to go around it. The result has a bit of an unintended celestial theme.
Categories
Stars Crossed
Category: Mini
Categories
Apparently So
Words: 18
Average Length: 4.56
I read something Friday morning that included the phrase in 5 Across, and then 9 Across popped into my mind, which tells you how insufferable my mind can be at times. Then I came up with 1 Across (which I might have seen in a puzzle before), and decided I had to make the grid work with those three entries as the top three acrosses. After I finished a draft, I came up with “Herr apparent” as a clue, but couldn’t think of a corresponding answer. Perhaps you’ll see it in a future grid!
Words: 18
Average Length: 4.67
The seeds for this puzzle, which you’ll identify while solving, originally were ideas for a cryptic puzzle (for obvious reasons). Having said that, 15A, a non-seed entry, has my favorite clue.
Categories
Gendered Geography
Words: 11 (5×6)
Average Length: 5.09
Re 1A: Cars, not being familiar with Shakespearean English, assume “wherefore” means “where,” just like lots of people do. Any way, who am I to ignore a pun that’s just sitting there. Not surprisingly given the title, 3D and 7A were the seeds.
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AB Positive
Words: 10
Average Length: 5.00
I started this grid with the 2D/8A combination, then added 3D/7A, then decided to include as many other soundalike as I could. I hope the result is enjoyable rather than annoying!
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.
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Royal? Flush!
Words: 19 (7×7)
Average Length: 4.63
This puzzle celebrates and honors the FIVE MILLION Americans who took part in rallies across the nation last Saturday opposing the Trump regime. I attended the one in Charlottesville and wrote about it on my travel blog. Here’s a link if you’re interested; in addition to the essay, there are photos of some of the amazingly creative signs.
Words: 12 (6×6)
Average Length: 4.67
This was a mind-wandering-before-falling-asleep puzzle, when the idea for 1, 2, and 3 Down popped into my head. Over breakfast the next morning – after my normal routine of Wordle, Connections, the Atlantic puzzle, the NYT puzzle, and Simply Daily’s Easy Cryptic Crossword – I filled the grid. Since the seed answers may be hard to get, at least at first, I clued this puzzle to play easier than my usual.
Categories
Mostly Musical Mini 33
Words: 14 (7×7)
Average Length: 5.14
It’s been a while since I posted a Mostly Musical Mini. The last couple, alas, marked the passing of musicians I grew up and grew old(er) listening to (Jimmy Buffett, Robbie Robertson). This one, thankfully, isn’t a memorial, though it definitely skews toward Dad (or Grandpa) Rock.
Jeff's Puzzles 