Tag: Midi

Midi

Universally Admired

Nothing to do with the puzzle. I visited a glassmaking factory outside Cabo San Lucas the other day and was captivated by the colors.

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.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Astronomy, Medium Difficulty, Midi

Midi

For Brian and Sly

Reykjavik, Iceland, July 2024. Nothing to do with the puzzle.

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.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Brian Wilson, Medium Difficulty, Midi, Questlove, Sly Lives!, Sly Stone, Summer of Soul, Themed crossword

Meta Midi

Show Me a Sign

Delos, with 2 Down in the background. Photo taken July 2014.

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.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Medium Difficulty, Meta, Midi

Midi Themed

Faux Modesty

This has nothing to do with the puzzle – I just thought it was funny. Guess the car’s a “shift.”

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!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Medium Difficulty, Midi, Themed crossword

Midi

Of Birds and Bees

Reykalt, Iceland – bees kept to fertilize tomato plants. Photo taken July 2024.

Words: 28 (9×9)

Average Length: 5.07

I had a bunch of bad puns hanging around and figured I’d inflict them on innocent solvers. Hence this midi.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Medium Difficulty, Midi

Midi Themed

Where I’m Often At

See 10 Down – this is the range in the answer, but further north in Peru. Photo taken Sept. 2022.

Words: 53 (13×13)

Average Length: 5.03

This was going to be a regular-sized (15×15) puzzle, but I only came up with three theme answers, so I downsized a bit. If you’re not familiar with the poem cited in 32 Across, here’s a link. I think it’s simply beautiful.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Emily Dickinson, Medium Difficulty, Midi, Themed crossword

Midi Themed

Marina Corps Anthem

Words: 24 (9×9)

Average Length: 5.33

If you’re a fan of the Dan or the Doobies, check out the documentary referenced in the clue for 17 Across. It’s fun, interesting, and chock full of good tunes and “inside baseball” about the surrounding cultural and musical scene.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Doobie Brothers, Medium Difficulty, Midi, Steely Dan, Themed crossword

Midi Themeless

Jingle Bells and Generals

Post author By Jeff
Post date April 29, 2025
No Comments on Jingle Bells and Generals

Words: 24 (9×9)

Average Length: 5.33

Hot peppers, hot cars, and two really cool places, along with some quirky clues. Enjoy!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Medium Difficulty, Midi, Themeless Crossword

Midi Themeless

My Bach Pages

See 12 Down. Photo taken in Bantey Srei, Cambodia, March 2024.

1 Across was the seed for this one. Sandy and I were watching American Idol, for which Jelly Roll is acting as a mentor. Knowing nothing about Jelly Roll, I looked up what genre he mostly works in, and voilà – there’s 1 Across.

A couple of other notes: In Ecuador, they sometimes make 3 Down with popcorn. I’m a popcorn fan – it’s dinner, often enough – but not in conjunction with 3 Down. And, as promised in the note to the puzzle, here’s a link to My Back Pages.

online | puz | pdf | solution