Friday, December 30, 2022

QOD:  If you don’t go out there and put in the work, you don’t go out and put in the effort, you’re not going to get the results, but two, and more importantly, you don’t deserve it.  ~  Tiger Woods (né Eldrick Tont Woods; b. Dec. 30, 1975), African-American professional golfer

Thursday, December 29, 2022

QOD:  If I don’t go into work a little scared, I don’t have any interest in it.  ~  Mary Tyler Moore (Dec. 29, 1936 ~ Jan. 25, 2017), American comedian and actress

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

QOD:  If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience.  ~  Woodrow Wilson (né Thomas Woodrow Wilson Dec. 28, 1856 ~ Feb. 3, 1924), 28^th President of the United States

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

QOD:  Chance favors the prepared mind.  ~  Louis Pasteur (Dec. 27, 1822 ~ Sept. 28, 1895), French biologist

Monday, December 26, 2022

QOD:  Until we lose ourselves there is no hope of finding ourselves.  ~  Henry Miller (né Henry Valentine Miller; Dec. 26, 1891 ~ June 7, 1980), American writer

Sunday December 25, 2022 / Christmas

QOD:  Never keep up with the Joneses.  Drag them down to your level.  ~  Quentin Crisp (né Denis Charles Pratt; Dec. 25, 1908 ~ Nov. 21, 1999), English writer

Friday, December 23, 2022

QOD:  People don’t play music in New Orleans for the reasons they do in Nashville or L.A. ~ to become stars or to get rich ~ they play because they’ve got to.  It’s in the streets, in their family, in their blood.  ~  Harry Shearer (né Harry Julius Shearer; b. Dec. 23, 1943), American actor and voice actor

Thursday, December 22, 2022

QOD:  Against the ruin of the world, there is only one defense ~ the creative art.  ~  Kenneth Rexroth (né Kenneth Charles Marion Rexroth; Dec. 22, 1905 ~ June 6, 1982), American poet

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

QOD:  As a general rule, nobody has money who ought to have it.  ~  Benjamin Disraeli, 1^st Earl of Beaconsfield (Dec. 21, 1804 ~ Apr. 19, 1881), Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

QOD:  Choosing whom to commit ourselves to is merely a case of identifying which particular variety of suffering we would most like to sacrifice ourselves for.  ~  Alain de Botton (b. Dec. 20, 1969), Swiss-born British philosopher

Monday, December 19, 2022

QOD:  I came to realize that being good at something is hardly a reason to avoid doing it.  ~  Eric Allin Cornell (b. Dec. 19, 1961), American physicist and recipient of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physics

Sunday, December 18, 2022

QOD:  Fame has killed more very talented guys than drugs.  Jimi Hendrix didn’t die of an overdose ~ he died of fame.  ~  Keith Richards (b. Dec. 18, 1943), British musician and member of the Rolling Stones

Friday, December 16, 2022

QOD:  Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.  ~  Margaret Mead (Dec. 16, 1901 ~ Nov. 15, 1978), American cultural anthropologist

Thursday, December 15, 2022

QOD:  In modern politics, polls often serve as the canary in the mine ~ an early warning signal of danger or trends.  But polls can also be used to wag the dog ~ diverting attention from something significant.  ~  Donna Brazile (née Donna Lease Brazile; b. Dec. 15, 1959), American political strategist

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

QOD:  Reality is hard.  It’s not walk in the park, this thing called life.  ~  Patty Duke (née Anna Marie Duke; Dec. 14, 1946 ~ March 29, 2016), American actress

 

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

QOD:  The secret to keeping moving is keeping moving.  ~  Dick Van Dyke (né Richard Wayne Van Dyke; b. Dec. 13, 1925), American actor

Sewing Class:  Pick your fabric patterns and let's get sewing.  The circles spell a type of fabric pattern.

16-Across. Burlesque act: STRIP TEASE.  Stripe.

22-Across. Truck seen during a power outage, maybe: CHERRY PICKER.  Checker.  The most recognized Checker(ed) dress is probably Dorothy's.

47-Across  Ricotta-filled pancake often served on Shavuot:  CHEESE BLINTZ.  Chintz.  Everything you wanted to know about Chintz, but didn't know to ask.

Shavuot is a Jewish Biblical holiday that occurs in the Spring.  It is one of the three Pilgrimage Festivals.  The book of Exodus refers to it as the wheat harvest.  (Exodus 34:22)  Traditionally, Shavuot is considered the day that the Torah was revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai.  Dairy foods are also traditionally served on Shavuot, hence, the Cheese Blintzes.

57-Across. Serves as matchmaker: PLAYS CUPID.  Plaid.  Everything you wanted to know about Plaid, but didn't know to ask.

And the unifier:

36-Across. Flight paths above busy airports, and what the sets of circled letters literally are?: HOLDING PATTERNS.

Here's the Grid, so you can how the circles form our fabric patterns.

I found this to be a challenging Tuesday puzzle.  What did you think?

Across:

1. Game played with a bouncing ball: JACKS.  I had forgotten about this game, so needed the perps to job my memory.  I had a set of Jacks back in the day.

6. Cavort: ROMP.

10. "For shame!": TSK.

13. "We feel the same way": US, TOO.

14. Cooking initialism popularized by Rachael Ray: EVOO.  As in Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Everything you wanted to know about the difference between EVOO and Regular Olive Oil but didn't know to ask. [Name Adjacent.]

15. "Good point": TRUE.

18. Wrath: RAGE.  //  And 40-Across. Wrath: IRE.

19. "__ we meet again": 'TIL.

20. Rower's blade: OAR.

21. Four-door car, usually: SEDAN.

27. Part of, as a private joke: IN ON.

28. GI show gp.: USO.  As in United Service Organization.

29. Roast hosts, briefly: MCs.  As in Master of Ceremonies.

31. Like 11-Down: SWEET.  //  And 11-Down. Sucrose-rich stalk: SUGAR CANE.  Lots of sugar cane fields in South Louisiana.  You don't want to be behind a cane truck during harvest season.

34. "Yeah, don't think so": UM, NO.

35. Energizer size: AAA.

41. After-bath powder: TALC.  Everything you wanted to know about Talc, but were afraid to ask.  You can even get lavender-scented powder.

42. Sushi bar beverages: SAKEs.  Sake is an alcoholic drink made from fermented sakemai rice.

43. Payroll service co.: ADP.  As in Automatic Data Processing, Inc.  Hand up if you knew of this company.

44. Cell service initials: LTE.  Hand up if you knew that LTE stood for Long Term Evolution.  I've seen it, of course, but never questioned what it stood for.

45. Navigates bunny slopes: SKIS.

51. Surfer's plank: BOARD.  

52. "Way cool!": RAD.

53. Freezer buildup: ICE.  Hi, Tinbini.  I hope you are well.

56. Organ with lobes: LUNG.  Ears also have lobes.

61. Not fooled by: ON TO.

62. __ Matthews Band: DAVE.  [Name # 1.]

63. Like-mindedness: UNITY.

64. "Dynamite" K-pop group: BTS.  This band appeared in last Sunday's puzzle.  Had it not appeared recently, I would not have had a clue.  [Name # 2.]

65. Used a hatchet on: AXED.  Paul Bunyan (whose birthplace is really in Bangor, Maine), wields a mighty AX.

66. Reusable grocery bags: TOTES.

Down:

1. Equitable: JUST.

2. Italian sparkling wine: ASTI.  Everything you wanted to know about Asti wine, but didn't know to ask.

3. PC key combo for "copy": CTRL C.

4. Colorful pond fish: KOI.

5. Soak (up), as sauce: SOP.

6. Gain back: RE-EARN.

7. Fallopian tube neighbor: OVARY.

8. Wks. and wks.: MOs.  Weeks and Weeks make up Months.  52 weeks make up a year.

9. Writer for whom the Edgar Award is named: POE.  Murders in the Rue Morgue, which was published in 1841, was written by Edgar Allan Poe (1809 ~ 1849).  It is considered to be the first modern detective story.  The Edgar Award is an annual award that honors the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction, television, film, and theater of the year.  For a list of the 2022 Edgar Award recipients, check out this list.  [Name # 3.]

10. Corporate symbol: TRADEMARK.

12. Eager (to): KEEN.

15. Difficult journey: TREK.  Hi, Picard!

17. Lawn care brand: TORO.

21. Makes room on a pew, say: SCOOTS IN.

23. Made haste, quaintly: HIED.

24. Having the right (to): ENTITLED.  I had an employee once who felt entitled to come to work late because she lived far from the office.

25. Mountain cat: PUMA.  Did you know the Puma has many names?

26. "This __ about you": ISN'T.

30. Back talk: SASS.

31. Branch of Islam: SHIA.

32. Requirement for some school essays: WORD COUNT.

33. Mammals with tusks and trunks: ELEPHANTS.

34. Scannable bars on mdse.: UPC.  As in Universal Produce Code.

The UPC Explained

37. D.C. MLB team: NATS.

38. Utter joy: GLEE.  Glee was also a musical comedy-drama about a high school glee club.

39. Opposite of west: EAST.

45. Crushed it in a drag show: SLAYED.

46. Baby goats: KIDS.

Baby Goat Yoga

48. Thus: ERGO.

49. Courageous: BRAVE.

50. "Quiet!": ZIP IT.

51. Splotch: BLOB.

54. Include in a bibliography: CITE.

55. Sherbet brand: EDY'S.  Edy's has become a crossword staple.  Sherbet or Sorbet?

57. Kissing on the subway, e.g.: PDA.  As Personal Digital Assistant?  Just kidding, it's short for Public Display of Affection.

This was high-tech about 20 years ago.

58. Permissive: LAX.

59. Use scissors on: CUT.

60. Game with Skip and Reverse cards: UNO.

חתולה

I appreciated all the birthday wishes last week.

This will be my last commentary for 2022.  Hubby and I are taking off for a trip to southeast Asia.  We'll be gone for several weeks, but will return again sometime in January.  I know you will be in good hands while I am gone.

Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas.

Monday, December 12, 2022

QOD: The older we get, the more we appreciate the continuity of friendship ~ the fortunate gift of sharing the present with the nostalgia.  ~  Helen Frankenthaler (Dec. 12, 1928 ~Dec. 27, 2011), American artist and abstract painter

Sunday, December 11, 2022

QOD:  Tears are the silent language of grief.  ~  Voltaire (né François-Marie Arouet, b. Nov. 21, 1694 ~ d. May 30, 1778), French writer

Friday, December 9, 2022

QOD:  I want to do everything.  Life is short, and I hate the idea of turning down anything.  You never know what interesting experience might happen.  ~ Joshua Bell (Joshua Bell; b. Dec. 9, 1972), American violinist and conductor

Thursday, December 8, 2022

QOD:  There are two kinds of light ~ the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures.  ~  James Thurber (né James Grover Thurber; Dec. 8, 1894 ~ Nov. 2, 1961), American cartoonist and author

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

QOD:  Having the critics praise you is like having the hangman say you’ve got a pretty neck.  ~  Eli Wallach (né Eli Herschel Wallach; Dec. 7, 1915 ~ June 24, 2014), American actor

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

QOD:  A wise man will take a woman’s advice even if he doesn’t understand it.  ~  Agnes Moorehead (née Agnes Robertson Moorehead; Dec. 2, 1900 ~ Apr. 30, 1974), American actress

Give 'em the old Razzle-Dazzle!  Today's theme is exemplified in 4-Down: Really wowed: DAZZLED.

17-Across. Thelma's "Wow!"?: GEEZ LOUISE!  A reference to the 1991 movie Thelma and Louise.

24-Across. Astronomer's "Wow!"?: OH, MY STARS!

39-Across. Saint's "Wow!"?: GOOD ONE!

48-Across. Safari guide's "Wow!"?: THAT'S WILD!

60-Across. Chameleon's "Wow!"?: OUT OF SIGHT!

How else are we dazzled today?

Across:

1. Gave money to: PAID.

5. Shawkat of "Being the Ricardos": ALIA.  Alia Shawkat (née Alia Martine Shawkat; b. 1989) also portrayed Maeby Fünke in Arrested Development.  She has made occasional guest appearances in the puzzles.  [Name # 1]

9. Bygone Swedish automaker: SAAB.  Saab Automobile was founded 1945 and ceased operations in 2016.  The name comes from Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Swedish for Swedish aeroplane corporation), a Swedish aerospace and defense company.  

13. Icelandic saga: EDDA.  Everything you wanted to know about the Icelandic saga, but didn't know to ask.  //  Not to be confused with 67-Across. Whirlpool: EDDY.

14. Code creator: MORSE.  Samuel Morse (né Samuel Finley Breese Morse; Apr. 27, 1791 ~ Apr. 2, 1872) was known as a portrait painter before delving into creating the eponymous code that was the  social media of his time.   [Name #2.]

16. Canyon comeback: ECHO.

19. Site with handmade goods: ETSY.

20. Ilana of "Broad City": GLAZER.  Ilana Glazer (b. Apr. 12, 1987) is also a stand-up comedian.  [Name # 3.]

21. "__ Lot": Stephen King novel: SALEM'S.  Salem's Lot is a horror story about a little town in Maine where the residents become vampires.  Not a fan of Stephen King's writings, but he is a graduate of my alma mater, albeit, he attended several years earlier.  A Stephen King novel also appeared in last Tuesday's puzzle.  [Name adjacent.]

23. Raises one's voice: YELLS.

27. British prep school: ETON.  This school appeared in last Tuesday's puzzle.  Prince William (b. June 21, 1982) and Eddy Redmayne (b. Jan. 6, 1982) were classmates there.

29. Property manager's sign: TO LET.

30. Like memories to smile about: FOND.

33. Badminton target: BIRDIE.  Also known as a shuttlecock.

37. Fertility clinic cells: OVA.

38. Smog watchdog org.: EPA.  As in the Environmental Protection Agency.

40. Religious sister: NUN.  Hi, Lucina!

41. Bolivia neighbor: Abbr.: ARG.  Both countries in South America.

42. File manager menu option: RENAME.

43. Requirement: NEED.

44. Stark daughter played by Sophie Turner on "Game of Thrones": SANSA.  Sophie Turner (née Sophie Belinda Jonas; b. Feb. 21, 1996) made her acting debut as Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones.  [Name # 4.]

46. Canadian gas brand: ESSO.  Hi, CanadianEh!  This gas brand has become a crossword staple.

52. Scarecrow innards: STRAW.

56. "Jinkies! That's out of the question!": GOSH, NO!

57. Loosen, as a corset: UNLACE.

58. "Lip __ Battle": SYNC.  Hand up if you knew that Lip Sync Battle is a television musical reality competition.

62. Enjoy a bath: SOAK.

63. "Me too": DITTO.

64. Change direction suddenly: VEER.

65. Pulls (at), as heartstrings: TUGS.

66. Gentle throw: TOSS.

Down:

1. "__ Sue Got Married": PEGGY.  Peggy Sue Got Married is a 1986 film that starred Kathleen Turner (née Mary Kathleen Turner; b. June 19, 1954) and Nicholas Cage (né Nicolas Kim Coppola; b. Jan. 7, 1964).  [Name Adjacent]

2. "Rolling in the Deep" singer: ADELE.  Adele, whose given name is Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (b. May 5, 1988), appeared in last Tuesday's puzzle.  [Name # 5.]

3. Like a best-case scenario: IDEAL.

5. Spanish for "love": AMOR.  Today's Spanish lesson.  Hello, again, Lucina!

6. Singer Rawls: LOU.  Lou Rawls (né Louis Allen Rawls; Dec. 1, 1933 ~ Jan. 6, 2006) released over 60 albums.  [Name # 6.]

7. Notre Dame Fighting __: IRISH.  Hello, Irish Miss!

8. Tea region of India: ASSAM.  Did you know where it was located in India?

9. Appear that way: SEEM TO.

10. Has no help: ACTS ALONE.

11. Tonsils-checking sounds: AHS!

12. Son: BOY.

15. Too wiggly to hold: EELY.  Everything you wanted to know about eels, but didn't know to ask.

18. "__ we forget": LEST.

22. Cosmetician Lauder: ESTÉE.  Estée Lauder (née Josephine Ester Mentzer; July 1, 1908 ~ Apr. 24, 2004) cofounded the eponymous cosmetic company in the 1940s.   [Name # 7.]

24. Scallion kin: ONION.  Do you know the difference?

25. Variety show: REVUE.

26. Kiosk: STAND.

28. Orchestra pitch setter: OBOE.  Did you ever wonder why the Oboe is used to tune the orchestra?

30. Sumptuous meal: FEAST.

31. Media mogul Winfrey: OPRAH.  [Name # 8.]

Oprah Gail Winfrey (b. Jan. 29, 1954)

32. "I heard you the first dozen times!": NAG!  NAG!  NAG!

34. Dietary guideline letters: RDA.  As in Recommended Daily Allowance.  A brief history on the RDA.

35. Like some all-weather stadiums: DOMED.  The Superdome in New Orleans is now known as the Caesar's Superdome.  A few years ago, it was the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.  It's all about the money.

36. Trésor spokesmodel Sastre: INÉS.  Inés Sastre Moratón (b. Nov. 21, 1973) is a Spanish model.  She was the face of one of Lancôme's signature perfume, Trésor, back in the 1990s.  She succeeded Isabella Rossellini as the perfume's spokesperson.  A pretty obscure clue for a Tuesday.   [Name # 9.]

39. Wimbledon playing surface: GRASS.  Why Wimbledon uses a grass court.

43. Prerecorded: NOT LIVE.

45. Wall Street investments: STOCKS.

47. IRS IDs: SSNs.  As in Social Security Numbers.

49. "__'ve thought it?": WHO'D.

50. Arctic natives: INUIT.

51. Numbers game: LOTTO.

53. Threw a fit: RAGED.

54. Had sore muscles: ACHED.

55. Humble reply to "Great work, team!": WE TRY.

57. Sci-fi hoverers: UFOs.

58. Old ultrafast plane, briefly: SST.  A crossword staple.  Everything you wanted to know about the SST but didn't know to ask.

59. "__ and me both!": YOU.

61. Bonus WNBA periods: OTs.  As in Over Times

Here's the Grid:

חתולה

It's that time again of year again.  Stay warm, folks.