Words: 70
Average Length: 5.37
When I started constructing seriously a couple of years ago, I would have been astounded to learn I’d hit a half-century of themelesses. Yet here we are – with a puzzle that’s built around a wonderful Sunday morning radio show and a classic movie, which (for those of you who know me, this is redundant) I’ve never seen.
Words: 76
Average Length: 5.00
Here’s a gently springy puzzle for early April, as well as a poem that I wrote after walking around the neighborhood.
Spring in My Feet
Einstein-haired forsythias wave
To daffodils who bow and brave
The bagpipe drone and wheeze of blowers
Lofting leaves among the flowers
Callow cherries blush with pride,
Their elders slumber on and bide
The time til arthritic limbs
Break out in pinkly glorious hymns
Zoysia steals more Zs before
It grudgingly comes green once more,
For now the onion grass stands guard
While squirrels scrabble ‘cross the yard
Weekday children walk to school
In shorts though temps be cold not cool,
Weekend farmers make their beds
With shredded hardwood, blacks and reds.
I’m glad my verse you did indulge;
My friends I thank you very mulch.
Words: 74
Average Length: 5.05
Well here’s a surprise: a puzzle combining music and food. Whatever conclusions you might draw from my proclivity for this combination likely are correct. (For another example, see Meals in Motown.)
Words: 72
Average Length: 5.25
[NOTE: 48 DOWN SHOULD REFERENCE 46 DOWN, NOT 46 ACROSS]
This is a pretty straightforward themed puzzle, other than the fact that you have to solve an algebraic equation to get 27 and 28 Down – and then translate the numbers into German. Have fun, share, and I hope you stayed awake back in 7th grade math class.
Words: 76
Average Length: 4.97
My Fab Feb started on the evening of the 1st with the birth of our granddaughter. (See the To My New Granddaughter post from Feb. 3.) Of course, there’s much more to celebrate in February, and this grid does its best to cover the highlights. Enjoy and share!
Words: 40 (11×11)
Average Length: 4.65
I interrupt my regular Wednesday and Sunday posting schedule with a special announcement (and crossword): Wednesday night (Feb. 1) at 10:57 pm, Sandy and I welcomed our first grandchild, Eleanor Mikayla Fuhrman. Ella and her Mom are doing great.
I had to mark the occasion with a puzzle, of course. It’s sappy, but you can’t blame me for that. After each clue there’s a bracketed comment (for Ella’s eventual benefit) relating the answer to something in our family.
I hope you enjoy it!
Words: 46 (15×9)
Average Length: 4.87
My day in Singapore was a blur of phenomenal architecture, gorgeous gardens, and delicious food. Capturing all that in a grid is difficult, so take a look at my PuffinlessTravel write-up for some photos and sightseeing tips. This is the last Travel Midi, at least for a while – come back next Wednesday for what I think is a brand-new concept in Minis.
Words: 72
Average Length: 5.19
Sometimes you just have to go with silly. Take common Latin expressions, “pun-ify” them, add some hopefully decent (and gently-clued) fill, and unleash goofiness upon the world (or at least the 150 or so Terrans who usually solve my puzzles). Explanations of the original expressions and alterations (spoiler alert) follow the photo.
17 Across: CARPE DIEM – “seize the day”
24 Across: ET CETERA – “and so forth” (ETA is common dreck fill, a/k/a crosswordese)
36 Across: ALEA IACTA EST – “the die is cast” – supposedly said by Julius Caesar upon crossing the Rubicon to invade Italy and begin a civil war. Kirstie Alley played Rebecca Howe, hence upon being cast in the part, 36 Across.
46 Across: SINE QUA NON – a necessary condition: “without which, no”. I realize that the universe of “classically-educated far-right conspiracy mongers” likely is a null set.
57 Across: NE PLUS ULTRA – “there is no better” – the beauty store in the answer currently is US-only, so hopefully non-US solvers can get this from the crosses.
Jeff's Puzzles