QOD: Sometimes I get very dressed up just to go to the corner for some bread; I dress for my own amusement. ~ Paloma Picasso (née Anne Paloma Ruiz-Picasso y Gilot; b. Apr. 19, 1949), French fashion designer
QOD: Sometimes I get very dressed up just to go to the corner for some bread; I dress for my own amusement. ~ Paloma Picasso (née Anne Paloma Ruiz-Picasso y Gilot; b. Apr. 19, 1949), French fashion designer
QOD: The first half of our lives is ruined by our parents, the second half by our children. ~ Clarence Darrow (né Clarence Steward Darrow; Apr. 18, 1857 ~ Mar. 13, 1938), American attorney
QOD: Parents are the bones on which children cut their teeth. ~ Sir Peter Ustinov (né Peter Alexander Freiherr von Ustinov; Apr. 16, 1921 ~ Mar. 28, 2004), British actor
QOD: When a person can no longer laugh at himself, it is time for others to laugh at him. ~ Thomas Szasz (né Thomas Steven Szasz; Apr. 15, 1920 ~ Sept. 8, 2012), Hungarian-born psychiatrist
QOD: Civilizations die from suicide, not murder. ~ Arnold Toynbee (né Arnold Joseph Toynbee; Apr. 14, 1889 ~ Oct. 22, 1975), British historian
QOD: The moment of near despair is quite often the moment that preceded courage. ~ Christopher Hitchens (né Christopher Eric Hitchens; Apr. 13, 1949 ~ Dec. 15, 2011), British-born journalist and columnist
Shifting Gears. The letters in the word Gears, shift around in each theme answer.
17-Across. Orson Scott Card sci-fi novel: ENDERS GAME. I am not familiar with this novel.
24-Across. Toon spouse with a blue beehive: MARGESIMPSON.
39-Across. Park warning sign: KEEP OFF THE GRASS.
51-Across. Cheddar shredder: CHEESE GRATER.
63-Across. Go from neutral to reverse ... and a hint to each set of circles: SHIFT GEARS.
QOD: I had a very wise mother. She always kept books that were my grade level in our house. ~ Beverly Cleary (née Beverly Atlee Bunn, Apr. 12, 1916 ~ Mar. 25, 2021), American children’s author