Category: Themeless

Words: 70

Average Length: 5.46

The three seeds for today’s puzzle came from diametrically opposed ends of the TV viewing spectrum.  26 Across and 15 Down were answers on “Jeopardy!” several months ago and duly entered my spreadsheet of stuff I want to put in a crossword.   3 Down was being played one afternoon on a favored show of my three-year old granddaughter, “Spidey and His Amazing Friends.”

A note on 57 Across: the composer in the answer got the nickname “Papa” because he was adored by the musicians who worked for him.  He had no legitimate children of his own; there is debate whether he fathered an illegitimate child with a mistress.  (Now you’re caught up on gossip from the 18^th century!)

online | puz | pdf | solution

Words: 70

Average Length: 5.29

Unlike my wife, who seems to have perfect recollection of everything that’s happened to her since age 3, I retain few clear memories of my earliest years.  One I do have, though, is playing 50A in Kindergarten (well before differential calculus got on the curriculum).  That was my first seed for what I thought might be a fowl-focused themed puzzle, but after I came up with 19 Across and not much else, I opted for a mostly-themeless.  Apologies for the partial dupe in 9 Down and 29 Down – I didn’t see it until just now and won’t let it give me a “gilty” conscience.  Finally, you can thank me later for the two music recommendations in the clues (1D and 35A).

online | puz | pdf | solution

Words: 70

Average Length: 5.57

I’m happy with how wide-open and relatively 3-free this grid turned out.  1A and 15A were the seeds.  10D and 64A are clued etymologically because I think their origins are pretty cool, and I loved learning the facts in the clue for 17A.   I also wanted to give a shout out to 21A.  She’s one of my favorite authors; her books are humane, quirky, and filled with local (Baltimore) color.

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I usually alternate between themed and themeless puzzles, but when I took a fresh look at the themed puzzle I intended to post today, I wasn’t thrilled with it.  So here’s next week’s planned puzzle a week early. 

The seeds for this grid were 6D/20A and 7D.  My favorite clue is 29A – it’s not a pun or misdirect, but a beautiful quote I ran across somewhere.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Words: 72

Average Length: 5.25

Here’s a challenging themeless with a bit of everything: science, religion, archeology, baseball, and of course, music.  I’m posting this from Berlin, Germany, where I’m finishing up a sometimes disturbing but ultimately inspirational trip that included Copenhagen, Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, Dresden, and Wittenburg, among other places.  I’ve written about the trip and posted lots of photos on my travel blog.  Please take a look if you’re interested.

online | puz | pdf | solution