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Mini

Hidden Strangers

Words:  10

Average Length:  5.00

Here’s some fun with near-homophones.  Come back Sunday for a new Themeless.

online | puz | pdf | solution

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Mini

Acmes of Science

Words:  17

Average Length:  4.71

The seeds of this mini, tied together with 5 Down, arrived preassembled in my mind.  Then it was just a matter of trying to surround them with reasonable fill, which I think I did (other than 8 Across).

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini

Sláinte

Words:  14 (7×7)

Average Length:  5.57

I figured I’d construct a Thanksgiving-themed mini but 8 Across popped into my head and I ended up with a puzzle better suited for St. Patrick’s Day.  I did construct a Thanksgiving-themed puzzle a couple of years ago (“I’ll Never Be Your Feast of Burden”), which you can find here.  Have a wonderful holiday, y’all, and sláinte!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini

Answer Keys

Words:  10 (5×5)

Average Length:  5.00

Here’s a mini I constructed on the airplane last week.  It’s amazing how quickly a flight can go in the “flow state” of crossword construction.  I’ve got a 16-hour flight to Australia coming up in January – who knows how many puzzles I’ll construct! 

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini Themed

The Devil You Say

I may have to move! (Seen on a bike ride last weekend)

Words:  16

Average Length:  4.75

As promised, after last week’s heavenly-focused mini, here’s one playing devil’s advocate.  Happy Halloween!  Bit of a different schedule this week:  Tuesday instead of Wednesday for the mini, and I’ll post a full-size grid Friday before heading to Cuba for a week.  Next puzzle probably will be Monday the 13th.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini Themed

The Final Frontier

Words:  16 (7×7)

Average Length:  4.75

I guess I’m still stuck in outer space after Sunday’s tribute to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.  No worries, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to solve this one.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini Themed

Crossword Cuisine

Words:  32 (9×9)

Average Length:  4.00

Some crosswordese comes from architecture (OGEE, APSE, EAVE), some from geography (ARAL, URAL, RIA), some from the arts (ASTA, SMEE, IAGO).  And then there’s food and drink, perhaps the richest source of this less-than-nourishing fill.  I usually try to eschew these stale words, but for this week’s mini I stuffed as many commonly-used, calorie-laden words as possible into the  grid.  Bring an appetite, and come back Sunday for a meaty, well-seasoned themeless.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini Themeless

Hang Ten

Words:  17

Average Length:  5.18

This is probably a moderately challenging puzzle, especially for a mini.  I started with 1 Across, plugged in 6 Across beneath it, and then went with far too many grid configurations before finding one that worked.  I hope you enjoy it!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini

One to Five

Words:  17

Average Length:  4.59

Here’s a straightforward mini based on a simple concept.  It’s perhaps not as easy as 1-2-3, but if you can fill in the blanks from 1 to 5 you’ve got a decent shot at solving the puzzle.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini Themed

Why English Is Hard

Words:  11 (5×6)

Average Length:  4.73

The inspiration for this puzzle came from a Brian Bilston poem, “Hear, [1 Down], and Everywear.”  If you’re not familiar with him, Brian Bliston is an English poet who is funny, sharply observant, self-deprecating, and brilliant at exploiting the weirdness of the English language.

online | puz | pdf | solution