Tag: Themed crossword

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Themed

Silly Soundalikes

See 54 Across (picture taken in Gran Canaria, December 2022)

Words:  70

Average Length:  5.34

Like some subatomic particles, crossword-worthy words or phrases sometimes pop into existence in my head and quickly vanish.  (This usually happens either in the bathroom or while walking my dogs.)  Occasionally, one will leave enough of a trace to make its way into my “crossword ideas” spreadsheet.  20 Across was one such phrase; the other theme entries were manufactured in what passes for an internal brainstorming session these days.  I hope at least one of them triggers a snicker/giggle.  Enjoy and share!

online | puz | pdf | solution

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Mostly Musical Mini

Mostly Musical Mini 31 (Robbie Robertson edition)

Words:  17 (7×7)

Average Length:  4.71

Another musical hero gone.  Maybe he’s jamming with David Crosby and Jeff Beck.  Thanks, Robbie, for all the great music!

For anyone who’s new to my puzzle site, I posted a series of 30 Mostly Musical Minis (some masquerading as Midis) in 2022. Check them out!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini Themed

Vermouth Needed

Words:  15 (7×7)

Average Length:  5.73

A few days ago I read an article about the never-to-be-equaled season that a certain baseball Hall of Famer enjoyed in 1968.  Then I watched an episode of Cash Cab where a certain cocktail came up in the answer – and it shared a name with the baseball player.  I realized that the crossword gods were sending me a message; hence the grid. (Think of the partial duplicate as a feature, not a flaw.)

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Themed

At Your Convenience

Nyhavn, Copenhagen (see 36 Down) (photo taken July 2013)

Words:  70

Average Length:  5.34

Happy shopping, I mean solving! Actually, “shop around” would be a good alternative title for this grid. 

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Themed

Gorp

Pettah fruit and vegetable market, Colombo, Sri Lanka (see 23 Down) (photo taken Jan. 2020)

Words:  74

Average Length:  5.14

As befits the title/theme, I jammed this grid chock-full of theme entries.  I hope you find it tasty and satisfying!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini Themed

They’re Relatives

Orioles Park at Camden Yards, July 29, 2023 after a storm. Home of the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles, who have nothing whatsoever to do with this puzzle but are a lot of fun to watch

Words:  12 (6×6)

Average Length:  5.50

Here’s a medium-difficulty grid with some elementary music theory and a Dolly Parton song that, in my opinion, is one of the best songs ever. 

online | puz | pdf | solution | alternate puz link

I just learned the original puz link may be broken. If so, please try the alternate.

Categories
Themed

Libra-rians

This has nothing to do with the puzzle, but I love how manhole covers in European towns often have designs related to their location. This cover is in Pécs, Hungary; photo taken July 2023.

Words:  72

Average Length:  5.19

This one shouldn’t be too tough, but don’t fall!  I was happy to work in 60 Across – my team’s glory days ended (temporarily, right?) four years ago, but they went out with a bang!  And I just realized the unintentional but at least slightly amusing symmetry between 1 Across and 66 Across.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Mini Themed

Out There

Red star that used to sit on top of the parliament building.

Words:  10

Average Length:  4.80

Don’t get lost in 1 Across.  (“Danger, Will Robinson” – and if that means something to you, you’re at least as old as I am!)  Please enjoy, and come back Sunday for a medium-difficulty themed puzzle. 

online | puz | pdf | solution

[Photo: see 1D; taken in the Hungarian Parliament, July 2023]

Categories
Themeless

Themeless 57

Wine tasting in Bordeaux (see 16 Across)

Words:  68

Average Length:  5.74

I set out to make a low word-count themeless with very few 3-letter entries and a minimum of crosswordese.  I hope you like the result – there are quite a few misdirects, so this one is likely to play on the difficult side.

As I say in the clue for 37 Across, I encourage everyone to read anything that Alan Lightman writes.  He’s a physicist with the pen of a poet.  His latest book, The Transcendent Brain, is a lyrical, personal exploration of how science leaves room for spirituality.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Categories
Themed

Rapturous Reading

Douglas waterfront, Isle of Man (where the brothers in 14A were born). Photo taken July 2022.

Words:  70

Average Length:  5.34

I like books in the way Justice Kavanaugh likes beer.  I read a hundred or so a year (not sure what % of his beer consumption that is, but it’s roughly 1000% of mine, being more of a Scotch aficionado).  When I saw this marvelous quote from 34 Across I thought, as kids today, or yesterday, or possibly last month, say/said:  “it me.”  Hence the puzzle.

online | puz | pdf | solution