Tuesday September 22, 2026

QOD:  I long for a day of judgment when the plotlines of our lives will be neatly tied, and all puzzles explained, and the meaning of events made clear.  We take to fiction, I suppose, because no such thing is going to happen.  ~  Fay Weldon (née Franklin Birkinshaw; Sept. 22, 1931 ~ Jan. 4, 2023), British novelist

Old MacDonald Had a Farm ...  Today provides us with common phrases that contain farm animals.

20-Across. Exhibit A: That awful handwriting: CHICKEN SCRAWL.

26-Across. Exhibit B: That loud guffaw: HORSE LAUGH.

35.-Across Exhibit C: That unruly hair: COWLICK.  A cowlick is a section of hair that grows in a different direction from the rest of the hair.  The hair often stands straight up or sticks out in a stubborn swirl.

44-Across. Exhibit D: That goofy stare: SHEEP'S EYES.  Did you know that sheep have horizontal, rectangular pupils?  The sharpen horizontal contours and give them an incredible field of peripheral vision.

And the unifier:

53-Across. Lacking all refinement, facetiously, or like the person described in 20-, 26-, 35-, and 44-Across?: RAISED IN A BARN.

Here's the Grid so you can see all the farm animals:

Across:

1. Percussion instruments with taut tops: DRUMS.

6. Highest mountain in Japan: FUJI.  Mount Fuji is an active stratovolcano.  At 12,389 feet, it is the highest mountain in Japan.  At the top of the mountain there is a vending machine, so hikers can get a cold or hod drink when they reach the top.  The prices of drinks reflect the high altitude, too.  Mt. Fuji was in the news recently when a father left his 7-year-old son part-way up the mountain.  Apparently, the young boy got tired, but the father wanted to continue up the mountain.

10. Use a needle and thread: SEW.

13. Superficial layer: VENEER.

15. Guy known for his first-person perspective?: ADAM.  A Biblical reference.

16. Abu Dhabi's fed.: UAE.  As in the United Arab Emirates.

17. Composer Shostakovich: DMITRI.  Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (Sept. 25, 1906 ~ Aug. 9, 1975) was a Soviet-era Russian composer and pianist.  He became internationally known after the premiere of his First Symphony in 1926.

18. Harlem Renaissance writer __ Neale Hurston: ZORA.  Zora Neale Hurston (Jan. 7, 1891 ~ Jan. 28, 1960) was an African-American writer and folklorist.  Although she was born in the South, by 1925, she was living in New York City when the Harlem Renaissance was in full swing.  She only lived in NYC for a short time, but quickly became associated with the movement.  She is best known for her 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God.

19. Bikini top: BRA.

23. "Little Bunny __": FOO FOO.  Apparently, Little Bunny Foo Foo is a children's book about a rabbit who bullies field mice.  It is supposed to teach children about consequences and the importance of being nice to others.

24. Lit __: English major's course: CRIT.  As in Literary Criticism.  It is the reasoned analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of literary works.

25. Arduous: HARD.

31. Belarus capital: MINSK.  Minsk is one of the oldest cities in Europe.

33. Cars: AUTOS. 

34. "__ Doubtfire": MRS.  Mrs. Doubtfire was a 1993 comedy that starred Robin Williams.

38. Position: JOB.

41. Student: PUPIL.

42. "With any luck": I HOPE.

49. Gave approval to: OK'ED.

50. Out-of-pocket amount: COST.

51. Area of influence: DOMAIN.

58. Omelet ingredient: EGG.

59. Dental exam image: X-RAY.

60. Mystery: ENIGMA.

63. Come out on top: WIN.  //  As opposed to 62-Down. "It's __-win situation": A NO.

64. Snub-nosed dogs: PUGS.

65. Catch, as a fish: REEL IN.

66. Triumphant cry: YES!

67. High-pitched wind instrument: OBOE.  This wind instrument is becoming a crossword staple.

68. "Give it a go": TRY TO.

Down:

1. Netflix format, originally: DVD.  As in Digital Versatile Disc.  They can still be checked out at our public library.

2. Sleep cycle letters: REM.  As in Rapid Eye Movement.  REM is one of the phases of sleep.

3. Horned equines of mythology: UNICORNS.  These mythical creatures were probably never raised in a barn.

4. Procedures: METHODS.

5. Typeface line: SERIF.

6. Unnerve: FAZE.

7. Japanese noodle: UDON.  Yummers!  These noodles often find themselves in the crossword puzzles.

8. Jam holders: JARS.

9. Apple all-in-one computer: iMAC.

The Mac Mini.  Monitor is sold separately.

10. Forester carmaker: SUBARU.

11. Pincered insect: EARWIG.

12. Riches: WEALTH.

14. Canon competitor: RICOH.

21. "Kitchy-kitchy-__": KOO.

22. Some old radios: RCAs.

23. County event with lots of fried food: FAIR.

25. "I wonder ... ": HMM ...

27. Tennis sequence after a serve: RALLY.

28. __ generis: unique: SUI.  Today's Latin lesson.  Sui generis is a Latin phrase that means in a class by itself, in others words: something unique.

29. And so on: Abbr.: ETC.  More of today's Latin lesson.  Etc. is short for the Latin phrase et cetera, which means: and so forth.

30. Norse god of mischief: LOKI.  Loki makes frequent appearances in the puzzle.  Loki is a shape-shifting god who likes to cause trouble.

32. Disposable coffee pod: K-CUP.  The K-Cup, or K-Pod, is the trademarked term, originally designed for the Keurig single-serving coffee maker.

36. Word after photo or special: OPS.

37. Golfer Michelle __ West: WIE.  Michelle Sung Wie West (b. October. 11, 1989) is an American professional golfer. When she was only 10-years-old, she became the youngest player to qualify for a USGA amateur championship.

38. In a playful manner: JOKINGLY.

39. Like an unlocked door: OPEN.  When is a door not a door ...

40. Place to sleep: BED.

41. Furry companions: PETS.

43. Whiter with age: HOARIER.

44. Off-the-wall: SCREWY.

45. Sandwich also known as a grinder: HOAGIE.  How did this sandwich get its name?  We ate Hoagies in a puzzle last week.

46. Endorses digitally: E-SIGNS.

47. Childcare expert LeShan: EDA.  I learned about Eda LaShan (June 6, 1922 ~ Mar. 3, 2002) from doing the puzzles.  She was an American writer, television host, counselor, educator, and playwright. She hosted How Do Your Children Grow? on PBS in the 1970s

48. Clearheaded: SOBER.

52. Impressionist painter …douard: MANET.  Édouard Manet (Jan. 23, 1832 ~ Apr. 30, 1883) was a French modernist painter.  He was one of the first 19th-century artists to paint modern life, as well as a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism.  Not to be confused with Oscar-Claude Monet (Nov. 114, 1840 ~ Dec. 5, 1926), who was a French painter and founder of Impressionism.  Both were French painters with similar sounding names.

54. Trade show: EXPO.

55. Defeat soundly: DRUB.

56. "Othello" villain: IAGO.  A reverence to the play by Willie the Shakes.

57. Nasdaq rival: NYSE.  As in the New York Stock Exchange.

61. Cambridge sch.: MIT.  As in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

חתולה

Friday, September 22, 2023

QOD:  Weakness admitted is the very stuff of good friendship.  ~  Fay Weldon (née Franklin Birkinshaw; Sept. 22, 1931 ~ Jan. 4, 2023), British novelist

Thursday, September 22, 2022

QOD:  Guilt to motherhood is like grapes to wine.  ~  Fay Weldon (née Franklin Birkinshaw; Sept. 22, 1931), British novelist  [Fay Weldon died on Jan. 4, 2023 at age 91.]

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

QOD:  Young men are apt to think of themselves as wise enough, as drunken men are apt to think of themselves as sober enough.  ~  Philip Stanhope, 4^th Earl of Chesterfield (Sept. 22, 1694 ~ Mar. 24, 1773), British statesman and diplomat

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

QOD:  Don’t make the mistake of treating your dogs like humans, or they’ll treat you like dogs.  ~  Martha Scott (née Martha Ellen Scott; Sept. 22, 1912 ~ May 28, 2003), American actress

Give me Space!  The circles spell out a word that can follow the word Space to give us a new concept.

20-Across. Top line of a lawyer's solicitation ad: NEED LEGAL HELP.  Space Needle.  The Space Needle in Seattle, Washington was built for the 1962 World's Fair.

31-Across. Gamer's coin: ARCADE TOKEN.  Space Cadet

39-Across. Pesky V-formation fliers: CANADA GEESE.  Space Age.  They make a pit-stop in Louisiana during their migration.  I see them often in the park near my house.

51-Across. Iconic video game since 1978, and a hint to the circled letters: SPACE INVADERS.

62-Across. Developer of 51-Across: ATARI.

Across:
1. Web site?: ATTIC.  Cute clue!

6. Guitarist Atkins: CHET.  Chester Burton Atkins (June 20, 1924 ~ June 30, 2001) was a country music musician and was known as Mr. Guitar.

10. Director Preminger: OTTO.  Otto Preminger (né Otto Ludwig Preminger; Dec. 5, 1905 ~ Apr. 23, 1986) directed over 35 movies, including Exodus.

14. Composer called "The March King": SOUSA.  John Philip Sousa (Nov. 6, 1854 ~ Mar. 6, 1932) is known for composing numerous military marches.  He is appropriately named, as USA appears in his surname.  He is probably best known for Stars and Stripes Forever.  I'd include a video of the march, but it kept appearing in random locations, so you'll just have to image the piece.

15. Per person: EACH.

16. Brunch, for one: MEAL.

17. Madison Ave. pro: AD REP.

18. "Night" author Wiesel: ELIE.  Elie Wiesel (né Elizer Wiesel; Sept. 30, 1928 ~ July 2, 2016) is a frequent guest in our puzzles.  He made an appearance last Tuesday.

19. Saharan: ARID.

23. Seafood platter accessory: BIB.

25. AFL partner: CIO.  The AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) is the largest federations of unions in the United States.

26. Advertising come-on: TEASER.

27. Make beloved: ENAMOR.

29. Olds luxury car: TORONADO.

1967 Model

33. Bit of ice hockey deception: DEKE.  DEKE:  A deceptive movement or feint that induces an opponent to move out of position.

34. SUV's "U," briefly: UTE.

35. Leveling device: SHIM.  SHIM:  A thin strip of metal, wood, or other material used to align parts, make them fit, or reduce wear.

43. Thumbs-up: APPROVAL.

47. Gold and silver: METALS.

48. Rhythmic Ravel classic: BOLERO.  Also, the type of a short jacket.

49. Its symbol is Sn: TIN.  Hi, Tin!

50. "Breaking Bad" org.: DEA.  As in the Drug Enforement Administration.  I never watched Breaking Bad.

55. "Garfield" dog: ODIE.

56. Executes: DOES.

57. Hot under the collar: RILED.

60. "Ant-Man" star Paul: RUDD.  Paul Stephen Rudd (b. Apr. 6, 1969) was the superhero Ant-Man in the 2015 film of the same name.  Three years later, he made a movie with the Wasp.

61. Let off, as steam: EMIT.

63. Big name in speakers: BOSE.  We had these speakers in Sunday's puzzle.

64. Reject as false: DENY.

65. Highest world capital city: LA PAZ.  Here's a good geography question.  Hand up if you immediately knew that La Paz, which is the cabital of Bolivia, is the world's highest capital city.  It is almost 12,000 feet above sea level.  Bolivia is one of 2 land-locked countries in South America.

Down:

1. "__ matter of fact ... ": AS A.

2. "The Fox and the Hound" fox: TOD.  A reference to a Disney movie.  Who knew?

3. Retrace one's steps: TURN BACK.

4. "Aha!": I SEE!

5. Provincetown's peninsula: CAPE COD.  It is a part of Massachusetts.

6. R&B singer Green: CEE LO.  His given name is Thomas DeCarlo Callaway (b. May 30, 1975).  His most well-know song is not suitable for this blog.

7. In good shape: HALE.

8. Vaper's smoke, for short: E-CIG.  As in a E-Cigarette.

9. Shakespeare's Globe, e.g.: THEATRE.  Notice the British spelling of the theater.  It's an open-air theater in the round.  We saw a play in this theatre years ago.

10. Certain Nebraskan: OMAHAN.

11. Mother in Calcutta: TERESA.

12. Followed, as a suspect: TAILED.

13. Grizzled veteran: OLD PRO.

21. Desperate, as straits: DIRE.  The Sultans of Swing!

22. Storied "Fountain of Youth" seeker Ponce de ___: LEON.

23. Rosary sphere: BEAD.

24. With respect to, in a memo: IN RE.

28. Fannie __: mortgage nickname: MAE.

29. Wreck completely: TOTAL.

30. Signed off on: OK'ED.

32. Casserole fish: TUNA.  Sometimes nothing beats the comfort food of a nice tuna casserole.

35. Ready-go link: SET.  Ready, Set, Go!

36. "D'oh!" gesture: HEAD SLAP.

37. __ of Man: ISLE.  A small island found between England and Ireland.  Everything you wanted to know about the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/isleofman/content/articles/2006/03/27/manx_preconceptions_feature.shtml">Isle of Man</a>, but didn't know to ask.

38. Arizona city or landform: MESA.  Hi, Lucina!

39. Apple center: CORE.

40. Steered clear of: AVOIDED.

41. In the center of: AMID.

42. Colonel's aspiration, perhaps: GENERAL.

43. Soak up: ABSORB.

44. Sonny & Cher, e.g.: POP DUO.  Tragically, Sonny Bono (né Salvatore Philip Bono; Feb. 16, 1935 ~ Jan. 5, 1998) was killed in a skiing accident at age 62.  Cher (née Cherilyn Sarkisian; b. May 20, 1946) still makes occasional musical appearances.

45. Grunge fashion staples: PLAIDS.

Kurt Colbain (Feb. 20, 1967 ~ Apr. 5, 1994), the ultimate Grunge musician

46. Ebb: RECEDE.

49. Evoking a "Yum!": TASTY.

52. Alaskan gold rush town: NOME.  

53. Blood conduit: VEIN.

54. British singer __ Ora: RITA.  I think Rita Sahatçiu Ora (b. Nov. 26, 1990) has appeared in our puzzles before.

58. __ of Good Feelings: ERA.  I never learned of the <a href="https://www.ushistory.org/us/23a.asp">Era of Good Feelings</a> in school.  Apparently it was a 10-year period following the War of 1812 when there was a sense of unity among the American people.

59. Jazz trumpeter Gillespie, familiarly: DIZ.  John Birks Gillespie (Oct. 21, 1917 ~ Jan. 6, 1993) is more commonly known as Dizzy.  He got his <a href="https://www.liveabout.com/profile-of-dizzy-gillespie-2455645">Nickname</a> for his amusing antics on stage.

Here's the Grid: