Tag: Medium Difficulty

Categories
Themed Word Ladder

As Dr. King Said

Not a 41 Across Dragon. (Near Cairns, Australia, Jan. 2024)

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!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Midi

I Pity the Thule

Qaqortoq, 10 Across (July 2010)

Words: 28

Average Length: 4.79

Laugh about it, cry about it, construct a crossword about it: the incoming imperialist-in-chief has threatened to wrest a certain large North Atlantic island from a long-time ally.  Let the fun and games begin.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Themed

Don’t Go Viral

Venice (Oct. 2024) (see 11 Down)

Once I had the seed (36 Across) , the puzzle’s design was almost a foregone conclusion. Enjoy!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini

Do the Wave

Wave, Drake Passage, Feb. 2022

Words: 18

Average Length: 5.00

I’ve always loved the print that’s referenced in 8 Across.  I used the artist’s name as the seed, and then crossed it with the subject of the artwork and a long-time Japanese emperor.   Best solved with a warm glass of sake.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Themeless

Themeless 94

Hydrangeas, Fitzroy Gardens Conservatory, Melbourne Australia (Dec. 2024) (see 54 Across)

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.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini Uncategorized

Really?

Bora Bora, French Polynesia (Dec. 2024)

Words: 18

Average Length: 5.00

Happy 2025!  No resolutions were broken in the making of this puzzle.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Holiday

A New Year’s Wish

Nothing to do with the puzzle – just some photogenic soapstone dogs I saw earlier this month at the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, Australia

Words:  78

Average Length: 4.64

I wish you all a New Year filled with 38 Across.  I thank all 6.1 thousand of you who have solved my puzzles in the past year.  You come from 55 different countries and generated nearly 15 thousand views.  I hope you’ll be back for more in 2025! 

If you ever have any questions or suggestions, or if you might be interested in co-constructing, shoot me an email at jeffspuzzles@gmail.com.  Thanks, and all the best for 2025!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Holiday Midi

Chappy Chanukah and Merry Christmas (2 puzzles)

Nothing to do with the puzzles – this was a wonderful, festive musical performance I saw on Vanuatu ten days ago, shortly before the devastating earthquake that leveled parts of this beautiful country.

Chappy Chanukah

Words:  42

Average Length:  4.86

online | puz | pdf | solution

Merry Christmas!

Words: 40

Average Length: 5.05

online | puz | pdf | solution

For the first time I can remember, Chanukah begins this year on Christmas Day.  I figured I’d commemorate the occasion with a puzzle for each holiday.  Whatever holiday you do (or don’t) celebrate – Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Festivus, whatever – I wish you all the best this holiday season!

Categories
Mini

Happy Songs 2

Holiday decorations at our local mall (nothing to do with the puzzle)

Words: 28 (9×9)

Average Length: 4.79

Here’s the second puzzle inspired by my playlist of songs that lift my spirits.  As in the first in this series, songs on the playlist are marked with an asterisk.  Once again, email me at JeffsPuzzles@gmail.com if you’d like me to send you the complete playlist.  I’m also curious what songs other people rely on to put them in a good mood – you can include your list in comments on the puzzle or just send me an email.  Thanks!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Themed

A Little Child Shall Lead Them

Falljökull glacier, Icleand (see 34 Across). Photo taken Aug. 2024.

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?

online | puz | pdf | solution

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!