Words: 72
Average Length: 5.22
I could have saved this puzzle for Earth Day, assuming it’s not outlawed by the Despoiler of All Things Precious and Good, but I’ve been making my way through Cixin Liu’s brilliant “Three-Body Problem” trilogy and felt compelled to publish it a month early.
Words: 42 (11×11)
Average Length: 4.86
Constructing a puzzle using A and I as the only vowels, it turns out, is not a trivial undertaking. This grid is my third attempt – the first two tries (a 7×7 and a 9×9) were fatally fill-compromised, to put it politely. I bumped the grid size up to 11x, and that did the trick; there’s only one truly unfortunate entry (3 Down) and, I hope you’ll agree, lots of good stuff.
Once I had the fill where I wanted it, the second part of the challenge – writing clues whose initial letter alternated between A and I – proved almost as difficult. May you find the end result amusing and informative!
Words: 66
Average Length: 5.42
“The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.” I constructed this puzzle shortly after the US presidential election. The poem that underlies the grid’s theme – considered one of the most important poems of the 20th century – was written just after the first World War. It precisely captures the anxiety and dismay of the current moment. You can read the full poem here.
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!
Chappy Chanukah
Words: 42
Average Length: 4.86
Merry Christmas!
Words: 40
Average Length: 5.05
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!
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!
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?
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!
Jeff's Puzzles