Words: 70
Average Length: 5.43
Here’s a straightforward themeless, clued a bit more gently than my usual. Note on the clue for 20 Across: that’s what “puttanesca” means.
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Tag: Medium Difficulty
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What Are They Worth?
Words: 24 (9×9)
Average Length: 4.67
I’ve been wondering about the difference in valuation between 10A and 4D. Is it because we value our own thoughts more highly than others value them? (Anything to avoid thinking about the state of the world!)
I just returned from a cruise that took me from San Diego to Miami. If anyone is interested, I’ve been blogging about it on my PuffinlessTravel site. Here are links to the posts:
Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo
Guatemala – The Tour That Didn’t Happen
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In the Beginning
Words: 72
Average Length: 5.14
I set myself a construction challenge on this one – come up with a grid where the revealer crosses all four theme answers. I succeeded in doing so, but at the expense of including a passel of 3s. Have at it, and enjoy!
If you’re a fan of all manner of word puzzles – crosswords, Rows Gardens, acrostics, snake charmers, spirals – do yourself a favor and check out Jeanne Breen’s brilliant new puzzle site, In Pursuit of Puzzles.
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Universally Admired
Words: 30 (9×11)
Average Length: 5.27
I was inspired to create this puzzle after seeing pictures from the 12A/3D space telescope installation. I’d never heard of 12A before – she was a brilliant astronomer who was also a fierce advocate for women in science. She received many honors during her lifetime, but was snubbed for a Nobel Prize, apparently because of her gender. Maybe she’ll get one posthumously, but at least her name now graces a facility that should continue to expand on her lifelong work helping us better understand the cosmos.
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Cook the Books
Words: 91 (17×17)
Average Length: 5.32
A super-sized collection of silly literary puns – how can you resist?
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For Brian and Sly
Words: 41 (12×11)
Average Length: 5.41
We lost two more rock icons in June – Brian Wilson, the creative force behind the Beach Boys, and the incomparable Sly Stone, producer, bandleader, songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist who created some of the catchiest, funkiest, most socially powerful hits of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. I picked one well-known song from each of these geniuses as the seeds for this puzzle.
If you’re intrigued by Sly Stone, there’s a terrific documentary from Questlove about him: “Sly Lives! A/k/a the Burden of Black Genius.” And if you haven’t seen it yet, please check out Questlove’s “Summer of Soul,” a documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival with some of the greatest music you’ll ever hear.
Words: 42 (11×11)
Average Length: 4.81
I’ve never tried constructing a meta before, and this is a pretty basic one as metas go. The answer is a classic rock song from one of my favorite groups. If your classic rock knowledge is, um, underdeveloped, feel free to search online – or just click on this link for the music video.
I’ll reveal the answer in Saturday’s blog post.
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What’s the Matter?
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Royal? Flush!
Words: 19 (7×7)
Average Length: 4.63
This puzzle celebrates and honors the FIVE MILLION Americans who took part in rallies across the nation last Saturday opposing the Trump regime. I attended the one in Charlottesville and wrote about it on my travel blog. Here’s a link if you’re interested; in addition to the essay, there are photos of some of the amazingly creative signs.
Words: 55 (12×13)
Average Length: 4.73
The clue/answer pair for 21 Down popped into my head and I went looking for other possible theme answers. I couldn’t come up with enough good ones for a full-size puzzle, so here’s a large-ish midi. Enjoy!
