Words: 81 (17×15)
Average Length: 5.14
I’d had the clue for 20A in my list of ideas for a while. I decided to try coming up with two other grammar-related answers/punny clues, which turned into 36A and 56A. Having said that, my favorite answer/clue combination is 64A – it’s not a pun but it’s a pretty fiendish misdirect!
Words: 92 (17×17)
Average Length: 5.15
Among my many nerdly pursuits, I’m a history buff. I find it fascinating how events unfold, no matter the time period or part of the world. In particular, I’m intrigued by how contingent history is, as the author of this puzzle’s quote emphasized throughout his long, brilliant career. Only in retrospect does history appear pre-ordained.
When I came across the quote in a posthumously published book of the author’s essays, I knew I wanted to build a puzzle around it. The trick was figuring out how to display the quote symmetrically; turns out I needed a super-sized grid and mirror (left-right) rather than the traditional rotational symmetry.
Words: 91 (17×17)
Average Length: 5.32
A super-sized collection of silly literary puns – how can you resist?
Words: 136 (21×21)
Average Length: 5.24
Here’s a super-sized, pun-filled, meaty (especially 33 Down) puzzle for your solving pleasure.
I just got back from two weeks in Japan. I’ve got posts about Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Hiroshima on my travel blog. Please check them out if you’re interested!
Words: 138 (21×21)
Average Length: 5.29
This supersized puzzle was inspired by 104 Across, a beautiful song that my daughter and I recorded a version of in my son’s home studio, then danced to as the father/daughter dance at her wedding five years ago. It was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life! I’ll spare you the video of our dance, but I will link to a gorgeous performance of the song by Willie Nelson.
As for the theme answers, most are well-known, a couple are obscure (sorry, but people don’t write many songs with the necessary colors in the title), and one (87 Across) is wrong from a spectrum standpoint but has the virtue of fitting.
Words: 88 (17×17)
Average Length: 5.30
I’m writing this while sitting in the lounge at the Houston airport on my way from Cuba (land of scarcity) to Washington DC in the super-size everything USA. Hence a supersized puzzle. Enjoy!
Cuba is a fascinating place whose wonderful people are suffering greatly as a result of the Cuban government’s regressive policies, the ill effects of which are exacerbated by the US government’s nonsensical and inhumane embargo. I’ll be posting write-ups of my trip all week on my PuffinlessTravel.com blog – check them out if you’re interested or just want to see some pictures of what life is like 90 miles from Key West.
Jeff's Puzzles