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.
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.
Words: 15 (7×7)
Average Length: 5.73
A few days ago I read an article about the never-to-be-equaled season that a certain baseball Hall of Famer enjoyed in 1968. Then I watched an episode of Cash Cab where a certain cocktail came up in the answer – and it shared a name with the baseball player. I realized that the crossword gods were sending me a message; hence the grid. (Think of the partial duplicate as a feature, not a flaw.)
Words: 11
Average Length: 5.27
This one started with the answer/clue pair in 7 Across, which proved surprisingly difficult to build a small puzzle around. I tried it in every row before finding a layout that worked. Ah, the woes of constructing!
Words: 12 (6×6)
Average Length: 5.50
Here’s a medium-difficulty grid with some elementary music theory and a Dolly Parton song that, in my opinion, is one of the best songs ever.
online | puz | pdf | solution | alternate puz link
I just learned the original puz link may be broken. If so, please try the alternate.
Words: 10
Average Length: 4.80
Don’t get lost in 1 Across. (“Danger, Will Robinson” – and if that means something to you, you’re at least as old as I am!) Please enjoy, and come back Sunday for a medium-difficulty themed puzzle.
[Photo: see 1D; taken in the Hungarian Parliament, July 2023]
Words: 10
Average Length: 4.60
This one should be solvable in 1 Down/3 Down. Enjoy!
I just returned from a fascinating trip from Bucharest to Budapest. If you’d like to see some photos and read about it, please check out my travel blog, PuffinlessTravel.com. In addition to the travelogue, the final post is a point-by-point comparison of Viking River Cruises and Tauck River Cruises, if that’s of interest.
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