Words: 85 (17×16)
Average Length: 5.32
Today’s super-sized themeless features advice for authors from Mark Twain and a mechanistic view of the cosmos that I don’t share but makes for an interesting seed. Throw in some Blink 182 and a couple of retro office items, et voila!
Words: 75 (16×15)
Average Length: 5.33
Here’s a straightforward, somewhat international (Japan, Ireland, India, Russia, Italy, Iceland, Oman, England) themeless. The seed, however – 52 Across – comes from America, where every 800 number leads to automated hell.
Words: 70
Average Length: 5.40
Here’s a mostly gentle themeless built around an adage, a request/order, and an item of kitchen storage that I’d never heard until recently and don’t have room for in any event.
Words: 70
Average Length: 5.63
16 Down wasn’t one of the seeds, but I’ve wanted to work it into a puzzle ever since I found out it was a thing that I had. I’d always thought “mind’s eye” was just an expression; I never realized that 96-99% of people, if told to “picture an apple in your mind’s eye,” would more or less see an apple. Not me. It’s hard to believe I made it 66 years or so without knowing I was missing out on this!
I’m flying home today after a wonderful 3-week cruise through the South Pacific. If you’d like to read about it and see some photos, please check out my travel blog, Puffinlesstravel.com.
Also, I just compiled a list of my favorite books that I read in 2024. If you’re interested, the list is here. I love getting recommendations, so feel free to share your favorites in the comments or via email at Jeffspuzzles@gmail.com.
Thanks!
Words: 70
Average Length: 5.51
For a couple of years now, the trend in themeless puzzles is for long answers to be “in the language” expressions. I’ve never been accused of being a trend-setter, so this puzzle hews to that, but I had to add my own stamp with some silly cluing (my default, or just plain fault, depending on your point of view).
Words: 18
Average Length: 5.00
I’ve been constructing for several years now, with several hundred puzzles under my belt (keeping all the gelato, chips, etc. company). For the first couple of years, I focused mostly on learning how to construct a grid with minimal dreck and interesting fill.
Now, I feel like the greatest challenge in crossword construction – and one that is not often enough met in major outlet crosswords – is coming up with clues that exploit the vagaries of the English language, entertain, educate, and reflect the constructor’s personality. (I promise I have one, though it’s sometimes well-hidden.)
This puzzle is an example: 7 of the 18 clues (1, 8, 10, 14, and 16 Across and 1 and 5 Down) might not or definitely wouldn’t be seen in a major outlet puzzle – not because of failing a “breakfast test,” but because of quirkiness. I hope you like them!
Words: 72
Average Length: 5.44
Let me crow: I’m really happy with the way this grid turned out: only 29 black squares, a bunch of cool fill, and several clues I’m rather proud of. I hope you enjoy solving it as much as I enjoyed constructing it. If so, please share widely, and if you’re not already a follower of this blog, please take that step!
I’ve been on a wonderful trip this past week and a half – if you’re interested, visit my PuffinlessTravel.com blog or click on any link that sounds good:
Venice and boarding the Azamara Quest
Šibeniki and Krka National Park, Croatia
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Jeff's Puzzles