Words: 73
Average Length: 5.15
This grid is inspired by common ground between a reggaeton star, an indie solo artist, and a nu metal band.
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Category: Themed
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Like PB&J
Words: 42 (11×11)
Average Length: 4.86
Constructing a puzzle using A and I as the only vowels, it turns out, is not a trivial undertaking. This grid is my third attempt – the first two tries (a 7×7 and a 9×9) were fatally fill-compromised, to put it politely. I bumped the grid size up to 11x, and that did the trick; there’s only one truly unfortunate entry (3 Down) and, I hope you’ll agree, lots of good stuff.
Once I had the fill where I wanted it, the second part of the challenge – writing clues whose initial letter alternated between A and I – proved almost as difficult. May you find the end result amusing and informative!
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Mere Anarchy
Words: 66
Average Length: 5.42
“The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.” I constructed this puzzle shortly after the US presidential election. The poem that underlies the grid’s theme – considered one of the most important poems of the 20th century – was written just after the first World War. It precisely captures the anxiety and dismay of the current moment. You can read the full poem here.
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As Dr. King Said
Words: 71 (14×15)
Average Length: 4.96
On Sunday afternoon (Jan. 19), I sat down to construct a basic word ladder puzzle. When I started to clue the puzzle, I realized the quote from Dr. King referenced in 1 Across and 62 Across would be a good framing device. Originally, I thought I’d post this puzzle in late March, since I’ve got several other grids lined up already. But given that today commemorates Dr. King, whose message was founded in 62 Across, and is simultaneously the inauguration of a man whose message fosters 1 Across, I decided to rush the puzzle out the door, so to speak. Let’s all do our best to turn 1 Across into 62 Across!
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Don’t Go Viral
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A Little Child Shall Lead Them
Words: 74
Average Length: 5.00
The inspiration for this puzzle came to me while waiting to catch a flight. Who’d’ve thunk it?
Speaking of travel, I’ve been cruising around the South Pacific for the past two weeks, starting in Tahiti and visiting Bora Bora, Rarotonga, American Samoa, Samo, Tonga, and Fiji so far, with Vanuatu, Brisbane, and Melbourne still to come. I’ve been posting about the trip, with lots of photos, in my travel blog, PuffinlessTravel.com. Please stop by if you’re interested!
Words: 70
Average Length: 5.23
Nuns, basketball players, rabbis, anesthesiologists, and a game of Musical Chairs all make an appearance – doubly, or even triply so. Have fun!
Words: 42 (11×11)
Average Length: 5.05
Whenever I travel to a new place, I try a local beer – solely as research for my travel blog, of course! I keep an online photo album of the beers; currently there are 53 pictures, and I intend to add to that on my upcoming trip to the South Pacific.
Cracking a cold one isn’t necessary to enjoy this puzzle, but the grid might put you in that kind of mood.
I just found out I misspelled 19D – it’s short one “n”. This was due solely to negligence, not to over-imbibing in any of the theme answers. Just think of it as a light beer. Forgive me!!!
Jeff's Puzzles 