QOD: I feel that it is healthier to look out at the world through a window than through a mirror. Otherwise, all you see is yourself and whatever is behind you. ~ Bill Withers (né William Harrison Withers, Jr.; July 4, 1938 ~ Mar. 30, 2020), American musician
Bye, Bye, Blackbird. The first word of each them answer are homophones: Buy / Bye / Bi / By / and Bai.
17-Across. Purposely cause a delay: BUY SOME TIME.
24-Across. Dismissive send-off that originated in an Ice Cube film: BYE, FELICIA.
38-Across. Annual celebration involving a pink, purple, and blue flag: BI VISIBILITY DAY. September 23 is Bi Visibility Day. It is a day to recognize and celebrate the bisexual community.
48-Across. Generally speaking: BY AND LARGE.
60-Across. Drink with São Paulo Strawberry and Burundi Blueberry flavors: BAI LEMONADE. And a shout-out to our dear friend, Lemonade who used to provide commentary on Fridays.
What else do we have on this Fourth of July?
Across:
1. Many a maid of honor: SISTER.
7. Engrave: ETCH.
11. "Saving Lives, Protecting People" govt. org.: CDC. The official name is Center for Disease Control and Prevention, but the "P" is dropped in its abbreviation. We all heard a lot about the CDC in the past couple of years. It is the national public health agency and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
14. Taco kit brand: ORTEGA.
15. "Beat it!": SHOO!
16. Small inlet: RIA.
19. Seer's claim: ESP. As in ExtraSensory Perception.
20. Portion out: ALLOT.
21. Not superficial: DEEP.
22. Tingling feeling caused by whispery videos: Abbr.: ASMR. Short for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. Hand up if you knew what this meant.
23. "Do-Re-Mi" critter: DEER. You know I had to include this song.
26. 401(k) kin: IRA.
28. Valleys: DALES. Hi, Lucina!
29. Tankard beer: ALE.
32. Flee to wed: ELOPE.
36. On edge: TENSE.
41. Mold-to-be: SPORE.
42. Food flavoring: SPICE.
43. Fútbol fan's cry: ¡OLÉ! Today's Spanish lesson.
44. High tea snack: SCONE. Yummers! They are tasty and easy to make.
46. Indoor rower, familiarly: ERG. Hand up if you knew this.
52. Bike storage aid: RACK.
56. Tunneling insects: ANTS.
57. Ballet bend: PLIÉ.
58. Indian lute: SITAR. Ravi Shankar (April 7, 1920 ~ Dec. 11, 2012) is probably the most well-known sitar player to many Westerners.
59. Bill Nye's subj.: SCI. William Sanford Nye (b. Nov. 27, 1955) bills himself as Bill Nye the Science Guy. [Name # 1.]
62. Minister's title: Abbr.: REV. As in Reverend.
63. "Understood": I SEE. // Not to be confused with 40-Down. Cold drink brand: ICEE.
64. Spider-Man player Garfield: ANDREW. Andrew Russell Garfield (b. Aug. 20, 1983) has portrayed Spider-Man in several of the movies. [Name # 2.]
65. "__ we good?": ARE.
66. Name said twice in an introduction: BOND. [Name # 3.]
67. Fool's gold: PYRITE.
Down:
1. "The worst!": SO BAD.
2. Triumphant cry: I RULE!
3. Fashionista's focus: STYLE.
4. "Fun Home" composer Jeanine: TESORI. Jeanine Tesori (b. Nov. 10, 1961) is best known for her work in theater. She has written several Tony-nominated scores for Broadway, which in addition to Fun Home, include, Twelfth Night at Lincoln Center; Caroline, or Change; and Shrek the Musical. Hand up if you knew this composer. [Name # 4.]
5. "Grand slam" awards acronym: EGOT. As in the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
6. Aries animal: RAM.
7. First name in the perfume aisle: ESTÉE. Estée Lauder (née Josephine Esther Mentzer) co-founded the eponymous cosmetics company with her husband. Although the company does have a perfume line, the company is probably best known for its make-up. In the 1980's, actor Ted Danson was the spokesperson for Aramis, a men's cologne by Estée Lauder. [Name # 5.]
8. Many an "Ocean's Eleven" character: THIEF. Ocean's Eleven was a 1960 movie about a series of heists in Las Vegas. It was remade in 2001, which starred George Clooney as Danny Ocean.
9. Provided for free: COMPED.
10. Weeder's tool: HOE. It has been so hot in Louisiana, that portions of I-10 have been closed due to buckling of the road.
11. Orchestral climax: CRESCENDO.
12. "Please pack your knives and go," for one: DISMISSAL.
13. "It's a Wonderful Life" director Frank: CAPRA. Frank Capra (né Francesco Rosario Capra; May 18, 1897 ~ 1991) was an Italian-born American film director. His primary work was in the 1930s and 1940s. [Name # 6.]
18. Ice cream maker Joseph: EDY. Everything you wanted to know about Edy's ice cream, but didn't know to ask. [Name # 7.]
22. Dance company founder Alvin: AILEY. Alvin Ailey (b. Jan. 5, 1931 ~ Dec. 1, 1989) was an African-American dancer and choreographer. He created the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) as havens for nurturing Black artists. [Name # 8.]
24. Indonesian island in the Coral Triangle: BALI. The Coral Triangle is a rich ecoregion that contains over 500 species of reef-building corals.
25. Former's counterpart: LATTER.
27. Email again: RESEND.
29. Core muscles: ABs. As in the Abdominal muscles.
30. Performer who pretends to sing: LIP-SYNCER.
31. Stirring strong emotions: EVOCATIVE.
33. Delivery room docs: OBs. As in Obstetrician. Obstetrics is the field of medicine that involves care during pregnancy, childbirth and immediately after delivery. It differs from gynecology in that the latter (25-Down) focuses on all women's health care issues.
34. Small fruit seed: PIP.
35. Yale alum: ELI.
37. Pupil locale: EYE.
39. Flat __: hair tools: IRONS. I don't think women use this method anymore to straighten their hair.
45. Texas city on Mountain Time: EL PASO. A brief history of El Paso.
47. Gay dating app: GRINDR.
48. Iraqi port: BASRA. The city has a long and rich history.
49. Otherworldly: ALIEN.
50. Agitated: RILED.
51. "__ whiz!": GEE.
53. Game company with a "Fuji" logo: ATARI. A brief history of the logo. Pong was one of Atari's first games. Can you believe that it was released more than 50 years ago!!!
54. Coast Guard Academy student: CADET.
55. Mardi Gras parade-organizing group: KREWE. A brief history of the origin Mardi Gras traditions in New Orleans. Apparently, the word Krewe first appeared in 1857.
58. Walkman maker: SONY. I had a walkman. It was state-of-the-art for music listening at the time.
60. Marathoner's wear: BIB.
61. AllTrails download: MAP. AllTrails is a fitness and travel mobile app.
Here's the Grid:
חתולה
