Editor comments, page 10

Mon 12/23/2013
C	O	L	A		C	R	E	S	T		B	O	N	G
R	A	I	D		C	I	N	C	O		A	M	O	R
O	R	Z	O		S	P	E	R	M	W	H	A	L	E
P	S	A	L	M			M	I	C	A		N	A	G
			P	I	G	G	Y	B	A	C	K	I	N	G
M	E	T	H	A	N	E		E	T	O	N
A	B	O		M	A	S	C				O	J	O	S
T	A	K	E	I	T	T	O	T	H	E	B	A	N	K
E	Y	E	S				Q	U	O	I		W	I	I
			M	O	E	T		B	R	E	A	S	T	S
R	I	V	E	R	P	H	O	E	N	I	X
A	V	E		C	O	E	N			O	I	N	K	S
F	O	G	M	A	C	H	I	N	E		O	O	O	H
T	R	A	M		H	A	N	O	I		M	A	K	E
S	Y	N	E		S	T	E	R	N		S	H	O	D

Andrea Carla Michaels is the most "promiscuous" of New York Times crossword constructors. This is her 20th collaboration in The Times with nine different contributors! The "word that goes with" sort of theme has become overdone, but this one is nicely handled, with a handsome construction to boot. The only entry here I don't like is O-NINE, which isn't too bad.

– puzzle by Michael Blake and Andrea Carla Michaels

Sat 12/21/2013
A	N	G	I	E				N	E	W	Y	O	R	K
P	E	R	K	S			S	O	L	E	M	N	E	R
S	H	E	E	T		F	U	N	G	I	C	I	D	E
E	R	E			T	A	M	P	A		A	C	O	W
S	U	N	D	A	Y	W	O	R	L	D		E	S	E
		L	U	M	E	N		O	L	E	S
O	M	A	N	I	S				O	W	N	E	R	S
R	A	N	D	D						C	O	S	T	A
O	R	D	E	A	L				C	L	O	S	E	D
			E	L	O	I		S	T	A	T	E
B	B	S		A	R	T	H	U	R	W	Y	N	N	E
E	L	A	M		E	W	E	L	L			T	E	X
D	A	L	A	I	L	A	M	A		C	H	I	R	P
I	N	E	X	C	E	S	S			G	U	A	V	A
M	C	M	X	I	I	I				I	N	L	E	T

Happy 100th birthday to the crossword puzzle, which first appeared on Dec. 21, 1913! Today's puzzle is a modest celebration of Arthur Wynne's invention. The hollow diamond shape of Wynne's first crossword is retained in today's puzzle — with FUN in the appropriate spot no less (as the first three letters of 16A). In the print version of this puzzle, the original diamond shape is indicated with shaded squares. It's impossible to present shading in Across Lite, and it didn't seem worthwhile adding circles, so if you solve electronically ... you'll have to use your imagination.

– puzzle by Todd Gross and David Steinberg

POW Fri 12/20/2013
M	A	N	C	A	V	E		M	U	G	S	H	O	T
E	Q	U	A	T	O	R		U	S	O	T	O	U	R
S	U	N	S	E	T	S		D	E	T	E	N	T	E
H	A	S	H		E	A	R		R	O	P	E	I	N
			C	A	R	T	O	O	N		D	Y	E	D
S	C	R	A	P		Z	A	P	A	T	A
P	H	O	B	O	S		S	A	M	A	D	A	M	S
E	E	L		L	E	A	T	H	E	R		N	O	T
C	R	O	P	L	A	N	D		S	O	O	T	H	E
			H	O	T	T	U	B		I	N	E	R	T
V	A	Y	A		B	I	C	Y	C	L	E
A	G	E	N	D	A		K	E	A		T	E	C	H
R	I	O	T	A	C	T		B	R	A	I	L	L	E
I	T	W	O	R	K	S		Y	E	S	M	A	A	M
G	A	S	M	A	S	K		E	D	H	E	L	M	S

Ian was my assistant from fall 2010 through the spring of 2011. Over the years he's turned into a crackerjack constructor. Easy, medium, or hard — any difficulty level is fine for him. Superclean constructions, too. In this grid I like MAN CAVE, MUG SHOT, USO TOUR, CROPLAND, SAM ADAMS, HOT TUB, IT WORKS, YES MA'AM, GAS MASK, and ED HELMS. And that's just in the Acrosses!

– puzzle by Ian Livengood

Thu 12/19/2013
C	A	T		R	O	M	A	N	C	E		B	C	D
A	R	R		E	X	E	D	O	U	T		A	L	E
P	T	A		C	O	L	O	R	T	V		N	E	E
T	I	N	F	O						O	L	A	M	P
A	C	C	O	S	T	S		T	R	A	I	N	E	R
I	L	E	S		U	L	T	R	A		M	A	N	E
N	E	S	S		B	R	O	E	R		E	S	T	D
L	I	K	E	W	A	T	E	R	A	N	D	O	I	L
A	W	E		A	T	A	T	I	M	E		U	R	I
S	H	Y		H	O	T	W	B	A	G		T	A	B
T	E	A		O	D	E		S	I	R		L	T	R
P	E	R	I	O	D				T	O	L	I	F	E
A	L	E	C		L	A	Y	E	R		O	N	I	T
S	I	N	E		E	L	A	T	E		W	E	N	T
S	E	A	W		R	A	Z	E	D		W	S	K	I

This puzzle is best appreciated in print form, which I hope most solvers use. We did, however, find a workaround for those who have no choice but to solve electronically. As far as I know this is the first Times crossword ever to use heavy bars to separate words in the grid. The two constructors collaborated on it entirely by email. George lives near Minneapolis, Michael in Baltimore.

– puzzle by George Barany and Michael Shteyman

Wed 12/18/2013
B	U	B	B	A		W	A	N	D		E	B	O	N
A	A	R	O	N		A	T	T	U		T	O	R	E
A	W	A	R	D	O	F	T	H	E	S	T	A	T	E
		D	E	E	P	E	N			H	A	T	E	S
P	B	S		S	I	R		D	S	O		E	G	O
A	A	H	S		E	S	C	A	P	E	P	L	A	N
S	H	A	P	E			U	S	E	B	Y
	A	W	A	Y	W	I	T	H	W	O	R	D	S
			D	E	E	R	E			X	E	R	O	X
I	S	M	E	L	L	A	R	A	T		S	E	R	E
M	T	A		A	L	S		B	U	S		S	T	S
P	A	R	E	S			G	A	S	H	E	S
A	L	I	G	H	T	I	N	T	H	E	D	A	R	K
L	A	N	A		I	R	A	E		A	G	G	I	E
A	G	E	D		P	E	T	S		R	E	E	D	Y

Ed Sessa lives on Sanibel island, Florida. We had the pleasure of meeting a year ago when I spoke at the local library. Today's puzzle by Ed is simple — just three theme entries — but they're all nice ones, and they make me smile.

– puzzle by Ed Sessa

Tue 12/17/2013
A	R	S		A	P	B	S		S	U	B	W	A	Y
T	A	U		C	H	I	C		E	L	A	I	N	E
T	I	N	B	A	D	G	E		E	A	R	N	I	T
I	N	B	U	D		I	N	O	N		B	B	S
C	H	A	R	S		D	E	M		O	R	A	T	E
S	A	T	I		K	E	V	I	N	B	A	C	O	N
	T	H	E	S	E	A		T	I	O		K	N	T
			S	O	B				G	E	S
O	O	P		N	A	H		D	E	S	P	O	T
O	N	I	O	N	B	A	G	E	L		I	P	O	S
H	E	N	R	Y		H	O	S		S	T	E	N	T
	N	B	A		A	A	R	E		N	O	N	N	A
K	O	A	L	A	S		G	R	E	E	N	B	A	Y
I	T	L	L	D	O		E	V	E	R		A	G	E
R	E	L	Y	O	N		D	E	L	T		R	E	D

Some people seem to judge puzzles by the "worst" answers in the grid. For me these would be SAT I (which isn't used anymore), KNT, GE'S, ENT, and NONNA. But to me a puzzle should be judged as a whole. This one has, amazingly, eight theme answers, interlocking no less, plus an "explainer" at 54A. That's pretty fancy constructing. RAIN HAT, SUNBATH, BIG IDEA, and IT'LL DO are pretty nice, too.

– puzzle by Paula Gamache

Mon 12/16/2013
L	A	P	I	S		C	I	A	O		Y	A	P	S
P	R	I	M	E		R	O	M	E		O	R	E	L
S	E	E	Y	A	L	A	T	E	R		U	R	S	A
			O	N	E	M	A	N		S	L	I	C	K
A	C	D	U	C	T	S			B	M	O	V	I	E
S	H	O	R	E	S		C	H	A	I	S	E
H	I	S	S			D	O	U	B	L	E	D	U	P
E	N	V		G	O	O	D	B	Y	E		E	N	O
S	K	I	S	L	O	P	E	S			E	R	I	E
		D	I	A	P	E	R		M	A	S	C	O	T
S	T	A	N	D	S			T	E	N	P	I	N	S
L	O	N	G	E		L	I	E	S	T	O
U	T	I	L		H	A	S	T	A	L	U	E	G	O
G	A	Y	E		E	M	I	R		E	S	S	E	X
S	L	A	T		T	A	T	A		R	E	P	L	Y

The four main theme entries, at 17A, 50A, 11D, and 24D, are nice, but they're not what sold me on this puzzle. It was the bonus themers of CIAO, TA-TA, and GOODBYE that moved it into the special category for me. The nontheme entries I'M YOURS, YOU LOSE, and SKI SLOPES are handsome, too.

– puzzle by Greg Johnson

Sun 12/15/2013 A CUT ABOVE THE REST
C	C	C	C	C		I	S	U	P		A	U	E	L		T	T	T	T	T
C	R	O	A	T		T	O	U	R		L	U	A	U		L	E	T	H	E
C	E	L	T	S		C	L	U	E		T	U	R	K		C	A	T	E	R
C	S	I	S			H	O	U	S	E	R	U	L	E			C	T	R	S
C	C	C	C	C				U	U	U	U	U				N	O	T	M	E
			A	S	P	C	A		M	R	I		J	U	K	E	S
J	A	U	N	T	I	E	R		E	O	S		U	N	I	C	Y	C	L	E
A	L	F			E	L	I	A	S		M	S	N	B	C			P	A	L
B	I	O	N	I	C	L	E	G				T	O	O	K	A	T	A	X	I
			O	N	E	A		A	G	A	I	N		R	E	L	O
T	O	P	S	C	O	R	E		A	S	S		E	N	D	O	R	S	E	D
I	N	L	E	A	F		N	A	S	T	I	E	R		O	H	E	N	R	Y
L	E	A	R	N	T		E	L	P	R	A	D	O		F	A	R	I	N	A
D	A	Y	S		H	E	R	B	S		H	I	D	E	F		O	D	E	D
A	L	E		A	E	I	O	U				T	E	A	T	S		E	S	S
		D	I	V	A	N		M	C	R	A	E		C	H	I	R	R
	T	H	R	I	C	E		T	H	I	R	D		H	E	R	O	E	S
M	A	O	I	S	T		T	R	A	G	E	D	Y		T	I	N	M	A	N
A	M	O	S		I	D	E	A	S		N	O	O	S	E		D	A	T	E
Z	E	K	E		O	U	N	C	E		T	W	Y	L	A		O	R	B	S
E	D	Y	S		N	O	O	K				N	O	R	M		S	K	Y	S

It is no exaggeration to say that today's puzzle is on par with the discovery of fire. Traveling bards will write epic tales and sing songs about the clever theme, the sublime execution, and the visual elegance comparable only to Baryshnikov at the pinnacle of his career. Jeff Chen is a Feynman-level ubergenius, no doubt possessing the most evolved mind since the inception of the primordial ooze, and has the ability to add comments into the "Will Shortz notes" box at his discretion.

– puzzle by Jeff Chen

Sat 12/14/2013
	P	A	N	A	M	G	A	M	E	S		P	C	S
D	E	T	E	R	I	O	R	A	T	E		H	A	L
T	E	R	R	E	N	C	E	M	C	N	A	L	L	Y
E	T	A	T	S		O	T	I	S		L	O	V	E
N	E	S	S		S	M	E	E		F	I	X	E	R
				J	A	M			V	I	P
A	N	C	H	O	R	A	G	E	A	L	A	S	K	A
F	O	R	E	I	G	N	M	I	N	I	S	T	E	R
T	R	A	I	N	E	D	E	L	E	P	H	A	N	T
A	N	T	S	I	N	O	N	E	S	P	A	N	T	S
			T	N	T			E	S	O
G	O	B	I	G		C	A	N	A		A	M	A	T
U	P	O	N		W	O	R	F		S	C	A	R	E
S	E	R	G	E	A	N	T	O	R	O	U	R	K	E
T	R	A		R	I	G	O	R	M	O	R	T	I	S
S	A	X		B	L	O	O	D	S	T	A	I	N

You get an extra row of solving pleasure in today's 15x16 crossword by Martin Ashwood-Smith. All four 15-letter answers in the middle of the grid are nice, and the crossings are amazingly smooth.

– puzzle by Martin Ashwood-Smith

Fri 12/13/2013
A	L	F	A	L	F	A		S	N	O	W	J	O	B
T	O	R	S	I	O	N		M	A	N	H	O	U	R
A	N	A	C	Q	U	I	R	E	D	T	A	S	T	E
D	E	T	O	U	R		O	L	I	O		H	E	W
			T	O	C	C	A	T	A		D	U	D	S
B	A	M		R	O	I	L	S		N	R	A
E	N	A	M	E	L	E	D		B	O	O	T	E	E
E	G	G	E	D	O	N		A	L	S	O	R	A	N
B	E	N	H	U	R		C	L	U	E	L	E	S	S
		A	T	P		V	A	L	E	T		E	Y	E
R	I	C	A		V	E	R	Y	T	O	P
E	R	A		A	C	R	E		O	N	E	O	F	F
H	E	R	E	S	H	O	W	T	O	O	R	D	E	R
E	N	T	R	A	I	N		I	T	S	D	O	N	E
M	A	A	N	D	P	A		T	H	E	U	R	G	E

Gary Cee is a radio program director and on-air host for two New York/New Jersey rock stations. One of them is Rock 93.3, billed as the Hudson Valley's Next Generation of Classic Rock — in my neck of the woods. Maybe I should tune in! This puzzle has a lot of great vocabulary. I especially like SNOW JOB, MAN-HOUR, BEN HUR, ONE-OFF, IT'S DONE, MA AND PA, FOUR-COLOR, NOSE-TO-NOSE, BLUETOOTH, and the two 15s. That's a lot of great stuff.

– puzzle by Gary Cee

POW Thu 12/12/2013
C	E	D	I	L	L	A		E	S	I	A	S	O	N
O	P	E	N	O	U	T		N	A	S	T	A	S	E
R	A	M	B	L	E	R		G	R	A	M	M	A	R
N	U	I		A	G	E	S	A	G	O		O	K	D
E	L	L	E		O	S	A	G	E		M	A	A	S
R	E	L	Y			T	G	I		J	A	N	N
S	T	E	E	D	S		O	N	I	O	N	S
			B	E	A	M		G	I	G	I
		C	O	V	E	R	T		I	S	A	Y	S	O
	B	O	L	O		A	W	E			C	O	H	N
D	E	N	T		K	N	I	T	S		S	U	R	E
E	N	D		P	A	D	T	H	A	I		L	I	N
E	G	O	T	I	S	M		A	B	A	L	O	N	E
M	A	R	I	N	E	R		N	E	M	E	S	E	S
S	Y	S	T	E	M	S		E	R	A	S	E	R	S

If I were selecting a Puzzle of the Week, this would probably be it. Both the theme idea and execution are beautiful. And most of the clues here are David's. I made the clues slightly easier than I usually would for a Thursday, because of the nastiness of the theme.

The puzzle is still probably pretty hard. Incidentally, the Monday-Thursday puzzles this week were used last Saturday at the 1st Arlington Heights (Ill.) Memorial Library Crossword Tournament. David's crossword, which was the playoff, is probably the first tournament puzzle ever in which empty squares in the solution were counted correct!

– puzzle by David Steinberg

Wed 12/11/2013
G	O	B	A	D		A	M	A	S	S		M	A	W
P	R	O	T	O		N	U	B	I	A		A	M	A
S	T	R	A	T		I	F	A	T	F	I	R	S	T
		D	R	E	A	M	T		S	E	N	A	T	E
T	H	E	I	D	E	A	I	S			S	U	E	R
A	T	L		U	R	L		T	I	M	I	D	L	Y
D	E	L	I				R	E	T	A	G
	N	O	T	A	B	S	U	R	D	T	H	E	N
			S	L	A	K	E				T	I	E	R
M	I	N	O	L	T	A		C	O	D		N	I	H
A	M	E	N			T	H	E	R	E	I	S	N	O
S	G	T	M	A	J		A	L	B	E	R	T
H	O	P	E	F	O	R	I	T		J	E	E	R	S
E	N	A		T	H	A	T	I		A	N	I	O	N
D	E	Y		A	N	T	I	C		Y	E	N	T	L

I don't run puzzles with quote or quip themes very often, as in my experience they're not terribly popular. Once in a while, though, I think they're nice, for variety's sake, and the quote here by Albert Einstein (58A/39D) I thought was pretty amusing.

– puzzle by Steve Savoy

Tue 12/10/2013
S	L	A	V		D	R	A	W	O	N		W	B	A
A	E	R	O		E	E	Y	O	R	E		E	L	L
M	A	G	I	C	M	A	R	K	E	R		B	O	G
			L	O	O	M				O	C	C	U	R
D	R	E	A	M	T	E	A	M	S		L	A	S	E
R	O	O		M	E	D	I	C	I	N	E	M	E	N
A	N	N	A				M	I	N	O	R
M	I	S	S	M	I	S	S	I	S	S	I	P	P	I
			C	A	N	O	F				C	E	O	S
M	O	D	E	S	T	M	O	U	S	E		D	R	E
I	R	A	N		S	E	R	P	E	N	T	I	N	E
M	A	N	D	M				H	A	V	E
I	N	C		M	U	C	K	E	T	Y	M	U	C	K
C	G	I		E	M	P	I	R	E		P	R	A	Y
S	E	N		S	P	A	R	E	D		T	I	L	L

This puzzle has an unusually specific theme — familiar phrases in the form MA- MA-, ME- ME-, MI- MI-, etc. I hope solvers don't notice just the M and Ms, especially with the M AND M entry at 55A, which is a little distracting!

– puzzle by Bill Thompson

Mon 12/9/2013
S	N	A	P		I	W	O	N			C	A	P	N
R	U	E	R		N	E	R	O		J	O	L	L	Y
S	T	R	O	N	G	A	R	M		E	N	I	A	C
	C	A	M	E	O	S			P	U	T	T	Y
T	A	T		S	T	E	P	P	E		A	T	O	P
V	S	O	P			L	I	O	N	S	C	L	U	B
S	E	R	I	F	S		C	O	N	E		E	T	S
			U	L	T	R	A	H	I	G	H
U	S	N		A	R	E	S		B	A	S	T	E	S
S	P	E	A	K	E	A	S	Y			T	E	X	T
E	L	B	E		S	L	O	U	G	H		S	P	Y
	A	U	N	T	S			P	L	E	A	S	E
I	S	L	E	Y		U	P	P	E	R	D	E	C	K
C	H	A	I	R		N	E	I	N		E	R	T	E
E	Y	E	D			E	T	E	S		N	A	S	A

I've held this puzzle for 3-1/2 years, which is an unusually long time for any day of the week, but especially for a Monday. That's because I get a lot of puzzles with "words that go with" sorts of themes, and I try to space them out. This one I thought was pretty nice, because it has five theme examples, in addition to the "explainer entry" at 64A.

– puzzle by Nina Rulon-Miller

Sat 12/7/2013
P	R	O	A	C	T	I	V			B	B	G	U	N
H	A	S	N	O	I	D	E	A		P	U	L	S	E
E	M	M	A	S	T	O	N	E		O	G	E	E	S
L	E	O	I		O	L	D	G	E	E	Z	E	R
P	A	N	S	Y			O	I	L		A	C	N	E
S	U	D		E	V	E	R	S	O		P	L	A	T
			E	T	A	T	S				P	U	M	A
O	B	T	A	I	N	S		J	E	Z	E	B	E	L
B	A	A	S				A	I	R	E	R
I	C	K	Y		D	I	S	B	A	R		S	T	U
S	K	E	G		O	A	F			O	C	E	A	N
	B	O	O	K	S	M	A	R	T		H	E	R	D
M	O	V	I	E		B	R	E	A	K	I	N	T	O
O	N	E	N	D		S	A	N	D	A	L	T	A	N
B	E	R	G	S			S	T	A	L	L	O	N	E

Originally this puzzle started as a Friday, but the three test-solvers found it so challenging that I bumped it up to Saturday. My favorite entries here include PROACTIV, BB GUN, HAS NO IDEA, EMMA STONE, OLD GEEZER, JEZEBEL, BOOK-SMART, SANDAL TAN, BUG ZAPPER, GLEE CLUB, USER NAME, and EASYGOING. Very handsome!

– puzzle by James Mulhern

Fri 12/6/2013
B	A	M	B	I		M	I	N	I		T	S	K	S
O	P	A	R	T		U	P	O	N		U	T	A	H
S	A	L	E	S	R	O	O	M	S		N	O	L	O
C	R	E	A	M	A	N	D	S	U	G	A	R
			S	E	M			G	L	O	R	Y	B	E
R	I	T	T		R	A	H		T	O	O	B	A	D
I	C	I		B	O	R	O	N		F	L	O	S	S
M	E	L	T	E	D	C	H	O	C	O	L	A	T	E
M	A	T	E	S		S	U	D	A	N		R	E	L
E	X	A	L	T	S		M	E	N		A	D	D	S
D	E	W	L	I	N	E			C	A	B
		H	A	R	A	J	U	K	U	G	I	R	L	S
P	A	I	L		C	E	L	I	N	E	D	I	O	N
S	I	R	I		K	C	A	R		N	E	L	L	E
I	S	L	E		S	T	N	S		A	D	E	L	E

HARAJUKU GIRLS (51A) were new to me ... but I like the phrase. Other favorite entries here include CREAM AND SUGAR, GLORY BE, TOO BAD, CELINE DION, TUNA ROLL, GOOF ON, and TILT-A-WHIRL.

– puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski

Thu 12/5/2013
C	A	V	E		T	E	M	P	T		T	A	C	T
U	T	E	S		I	R	I	S	H		A	T	O	E
R	E	S	T		B	A	T	T	E	N	D	O	W	N
R	A	P	S		I	S	T		S	E	A	M	E	D
E	W	E		M	A	E		F	I	R		I	R	E
N	A	R	C	O	S			E	N	D	U	S	E	R
T	Y	S	O	N			P	E	A		L	T	D
			C	O	N	F	U	S	I	O	N
	N	E	O		B	I	G			L	A	S	E	D
S	O	D	A	C	A	N			C	A	R	O	L	E
C	M	I		I	D	S		R	A	Y		P	E	S
R	I	B	B	E	R		T	A	N		B	R	A	C
I	N	L	A	L	A	L	A	N	D		L	A	Z	E
P	E	E	R		F	A	T	A	L		O	N	A	N
T	E	S	T		T	R	I	T	E		C	O	R	D

How long did it take you to catch on to this puzzle's theme? Since this sort of theme has appeared several times before, maybe not long. The constructor's clue for 16A was "Stick ___ in the water." My assistant, Anna, suggested what you got, which I thought was pretty clever.

– puzzle by Dan Schoenholz

Wed 12/4/2013
M	E	T	A	L		G	E	O	M		L	A	V	S
A	S	O	N	E		R	E	A	R		A	L	I	T
S	Q	U	I	D	M	A	R	K	S		N	O	V	A
O	U	T	L	A	I	D			M	Y	D	E	A	R
N	E	S			N	E	W	S	I	E	S
			S	Q	U	A	R	E	T	A	C	T	I	C
H	I	R	E	E	S		E	T	H		A	R	N	O
G	R	A	N	D		L	A	S		A	P	E	R	S
T	A	G	S		S	O	T		A	L	E	X	E	I
S	Q	U	I	R	T	C	H	A	S	E	R
			T	H	E	I	S	T	S			R	C	A
A	C	T	I	O	N			T	E	A	S	E	R	S
D	R	O	Z		G	R	E	A	T	S	Q	U	A	T
D	O	M	E		E	E	O	C		P	I	N	T	O
S	P	E	D		L	A	N	K		S	N	E	E	R

In "Wordplay" Trip Payne remarks that "Q" is his favorite letter of the alphabet, and I agree. Q is a fun letter to build a theme around, and the Q-related puns here are all pretty good.

– puzzle by Daniel Raymon

Tue 12/3/2013
G	L	O	M		T	I	B	I	A	L		A	D	S
A	U	D	I		O	R	A	N	G	E		W	O	W
S	A	D	D	L	E	S	H	O	E	S		A	B	E
H	U	M	M	E	D			I	N	S	P	I	R	E
		A	A	A		H	A	L	T	E	R	T	O	P
M	A	N	Y		D	E	I		S	R	I
I	P	O		T	E	A	R	S		G	A	W	K	S
S	P	U	R	O	F	T	H	E	M	O	M	E	N	T
O	S	T	E	O		H	O	P	E	D		L	E	E
			C	T	N		S	O	T		C	L	E	M
B	I	T	O	H	O	N	E	Y		J	A	I
E	N	S	N	A	R	E			F	A	U	L	T	S
B	S	A		C	R	O	P	C	I	R	C	L	E	S
O	E	R		H	I	N	T	A	T		U	B	E	R
P	T	S		E	S	S	A	Y	S		S	E	N	S

Besides the theme of equestrian equipment, I liked some of the longer fill in this grid — ODD MAN OUT, LESSER GOD, TOOTHACHE, AIR HOSE, and especially WELL I'LL BE.

– puzzle by Phil Ruzbarsky

Mon 12/2/2013
W	O	L	F		O	H	A	R	E		D	A	V	E
E	R	I	E		N	I	N	E	R		E	N	O	S
B	E	L	L		A	L	I	N	E		L	E	G	S
			L	I	T	T	L	E	L	E	A	G	U	E
C	C	S		D	E	S			O	X	Y	G	E	N
A	R	E	O	L	A		F	I	N	E	S
R	E	D	H	E	R	R	I	N	G	S		B	I	G
A	D	A	M			U	N	O			C	O	D	A
T	O	N		R	I	D	I	N	G	M	O	W	E	R
			C	O	N	E	S		R	E	E	L	E	D
S	T	R	O	B	E			S	E	A		S	S	E
H	O	O	D	O	R	N	A	M	E	N	T
A	T	A	D		T	E	N	O	N		A	R	A	B
K	A	R	L		I	R	A	T	E		P	A	P	A
E	L	S	E		A	F	T	E	R		E	Y	E	D

A simple,straightforward theme for the start of the week. Apparently, Adam thought this was geared for a Wednesday or Thursday, as he wrote fairly challenging clues. As a result, most of the clues here are mine, to make them Monday-friendly. Adam owns an antique store called Pastimes in Ithaca, N.Y., which I'm looking forward to visiting sometime.

– puzzle by Adam G. Perl

Sun 12/1/2013 TWO HALVES IN ONE
B	B	S		D	I	P		T	P	A	I	N		E	T	H	A	N	O	L
E	E	W		E	N	A		A	E	T	N	A		S	U	I	T	O	R	S
R	A	E		N	I	L		B	E	I	N	G		P	R	E	E	N	E	D
G	R	E	A	T	D	I	V	I	D	E			W	I	N	S
M	E	N	T	A	L	N	O	T	E		S	H	O	E	S		E	W	E	S
A	R	E	O	L	E		T	H	E	R	E	A	N	D		A	G	A	I	N
N	S	Y	N	C		S	E	A		O	A	S	T		T	H	A	T	S	O
				A	B	E	S		H	U	M	P		W	H	A	L	E
	S	M	O	R	E	S		M	A	S	S		D	O	E			R	D	A
C	H	O	P	I	N		F	I	N	E		C	O	N	C	L	A	V	E	S
N	U	T	T	E	D		E	N	G		C	O	W		L	A	B	O	R	S
B	L	O	S	S	O	M	E	D		B	O	N	N		O	C	E	L	O	T
C	A	R			V	I	D		T	O	N	E		S	C	R	E	E	N
		P	A	P	E	R		B	O	O	K		M	A	K	O
L	O	O	S	E	R		L	A	W	S		D	I	X		S	O	D	O	M
B	R	O	K	E		M	O	U	N	T	A	I	N		E	S	P	A	N	A
S	A	L	S		W	O	O	D	S		L	O	S	S	L	E	A	D	E	R
				W	A	R	P			B	A	C	K	I	N	B	L	A	C	K
N	I	A	G	A	R	A		O	P	I	N	E		K	I	A		I	L	E
I	D	C	A	R	D	S		L	O	G	O	S		E	N	L		S	U	R
P	O	E	T	E	S	S		D	I	A	N	E		S	O	L		T	B	S

This is Alan's second crossword for the Times — his last one being the memorable [ONE-ARMED] BANDITS, [TWO-BIT] CROOKS, [THREE-CARD] MONTE, and [FOUR-WAY] STOP puzzle on Nov. 7. Clearly he likes rebuses ... and breaking the "rules"! This puzzle turned out beautifully, I think. I don't know how solvers will indicate the four BACKs in the grid. I guess you'll just have to use your imagination.

– puzzle by Alan DerKazarian

Sat 11/30/2013
S	G	T	S	C	H	U	L	T	Z		C	R	A	B
U	R	A	N	I	U	M	O	R	E		L	I	L	O
D	A	T	I	N	G	P	O	O	L		U	G	L	Y
S	P	I	T	E		I	K	I	D		S	H	O	W
Y	E	N	S		O	R	S		A	C	T	T	W	O
				P	A	E	A	N		H	E	M	A	N
B	I	O	G	A	S		T	A	M	A	R	I	N	D
U	N	M	A	T	E	D		S	I	L	E	N	C	E
S	T	E	V	E	S	A	X		R	E	D	D	E	R
H	E	L	E	N		M	R	M	E	T
W	R	E	A	T	H		A	I	D		S	E	T	I
H	A	T	H		A	P	T	S		P	I	C	O	T
A	L	P	O		N	A	I	L	S	A	L	O	N	S
C	I	A	O		S	A	N	A	N	T	O	N	I	O
K	A	N	T		A	R	G	Y	L	E	S	O	C	K

Byron and Brad sure know how to put together a great, tough Saturday crossword. The grid is lovely, and most of the clues are theirs. My favorites are "Singles collection?" (for DATING POOL), "Where filing work is done" (for NAIL SALONS), and "Nearly set?" (for CLUSTERED). Beautifully nasty!

– puzzle by Byron Walden and Brad Wilber

Fri 11/29/2013
P	U	D	D	Y	T	A	T			P	L	A	S	M
I	N	I	T	I	A	T	E		C	L	I	C	H	E
L	I	E	S	D	O	W	N		H	U	N	T	E	R
E	T	D		D	I	A	N		A	R	C	A	D	E
				I	S	R		N	R	A
A	F	I	R	S	T		K	E	L	L	O	G	G	S
N	O	D	U	H		J	E	W	I	S	H	R	Y	E
I	R	O	N		P	U	L	S	E		B	A	R	N
M	I	N	T	J	E	L	L	Y		C	O	C	O	A
A	T	T	O	R	N	E	Y		C	O	Y	E	S	T
				E	A	P		B	A	R
S	P	R	A	W	L		T	E	R	N		A	S	U
C	O	O	L	I	T		H	E	R	C	U	L	E	S
A	L	B	A	N	Y		O	N	E	O	R	T	W	O
R	E	O	R	G			M	E	L	B	L	A	N	C

A very handsome construction today. My favorite entries are PUDDY TAT, KELLOGG'S, JEWISH RYE, MINT JELLY, COOL IT, ONE OR TWO, MEL BLANC, J.R. EWING, CORNCOB, and NO DUH. That's a lot of great stuff!

– puzzle by Ned White

Thu 11/28/2013
P	A	S		I	S	P	S			E	T	A	S
O	D	E		R	I	A	A		C	L	A	S	P
T	H	E	B	R	O	W	N	B	O	M	B	E	R
S	O	Y	A		U	N	D	E	R		S	A	Y
	C	A	L	Y	X		B	I	K	O
			L	O	W	M	A	N		R	A	S	P
A	M	S		H	A	N	G	G	L	I	D	E	R
S	A	P	P	O	R	O			A	B	O	V	E
S	T	A	S	H			A	S	P	I	R	E	S
N	E	W	Y	O	R	K	J	E	T		E	R	S
S	Y	N	C		A	L	A	M	O	S
			H	A	N	A		I	P	A	N	A
E	E	W		M	I	X	I	N		H	A	S	P
S	N	A	K	E	S	O	N	A	P	L	A	N	E
P	Y	R	E	X		N	O	R	A		C	E	L
Y	A	N	G			S	T	Y	X		P	R	E

This is Loren Muse Smith's first New York Times crossword, and what an auspicious debut. The theme is ingenious, and the construction is handsome, too. Did you notice the unusual-sized 14x16-square grid? Loren is only the second West Virginia crossword constructor I've published in my 20 years at the Times. The other, Pamela Amick Klawitter, is also a woman with a three-word name. It's noticing little things like this that keep me amused.

– puzzle by Loren Muse Smith and Jeff Chen

Wed 11/27/2013
M	A	L	I	A		A	L	A			A	B	C	S
U	C	O	N	N		T	O	M	E		D	U	A	L
G	R	A	V	Y	T	R	A	I	N		D	I	C	E
S	O	M	E		R	I	N	S	E	S		C	H	E
			S	Q	U	A	S	H	R	A	C	K	E	T
C	A	C	T	U	S				O	T	O	S
I	S	H		I	T	A	L	O			N	E	R	D
T	H	A	N	K	S	G	I	V	I	N	G	D	A	Y
E	Y	R	E			A	N	I	M	E		A	C	E
		L	O	E	B				P	R	A	N	K	S
D	R	E	S	S	I	N	G	R	O	O	M
W	E	S		L	O	O	I	E	S		S	O	B	A
E	T	T	E		T	U	R	K	E	Y	T	R	O	T
E	R	O	S		A	N	T	E		M	E	Z	Z	O
B	O	N	E			S	H	Y		A	L	O	O	P

Even though THANKSGIVING DAY is tomorrow, this holiday-themed puzzle feels more Wednesday-ish, so I scheduled it for today. Don't look for another Thanksgiving puzzle tomorrow. This one is it.

– puzzle by Jules P. Markey

Tue 11/26/2013
E	D	I	C	T		A	R	C	S		A	B	A	B
D	A	N	N	O		H	U	I	T		L	E	N	A
G	R	A	N	O	L	A	B	A	R		I	A	T	E
A	L	P		T	A	B	L	O	I	D	B	U	Z	Z
R	A	T	I	O	N		E	S	P	R	I	T
			D	O	D	O				O	S	I	E	R
C	A	S	E		S	A	M	U	E	L		F	L	U
E	S	C	A	L	A	T	O	R	C	L	A	U	S	E
L	A	O		I	T	S	A	G	O		P	L	E	D
S	P	O	C	K				E	T	R	E
		B	L	E	N	D	S		O	A	X	A	C	A
Y	O	Y	O	D	I	E	T	I	N	G		D	O	S
E	N	D	S		T	R	A	D	E	M	A	R	K	S
O	T	O	E		E	M	I	L		A	T	E	I	N
W	O	O	D		S	A	N	E		N	A	P	E	S

An etymologically related theme like today's, is always welcome. The resulting theme answers here are a lot of fun, too. Among the nontheme entries I particularly liked SCOOBY-DOO, TOO TOO, OAXACA, and IT'S A GO.

– puzzle by Don Gagliardo and Zhouqin Burnikel

POW Mon 11/25/2013
J	E	S	T	S		M	I	T	E		P	S	I	S
A	L	O	H	A		I	B	E	X		L	I	N	T
M	I	L	A	N		L	E	A	P		E	D	N	A
			I	D	R	A	T	H	E	R	B	E	I	N
C	I	D		P	E	D		O	L	E		B	E	D
H	O	N	K	I	F	Y	O	U	L	O	V	E
A	W	A	I	T			U	S	E		I	N	K	S
N	A	S	T		F	I	N	E	D		P	E	N	A
G	N	A	T		U	N	C			B	E	F	I	T
		M	Y	O	T	H	E	R	C	A	R	I	S	A
A	M	P		R	U	E		H	A	D		T	H	Y
W	I	L	L	B	R	A	K	E	F	O	R
A	S	I	A		A	V	E	S		M	A	J	O	R
K	E	N	O		M	E	N	U		E	V	A	D	E
E	R	G	S		A	N	T	S		N	E	R	D	Y

Kevin's puzzle has a completely fresh theme idea that makes me laugh. He knows I'm perennially short on Monday puzzles, too, which is why he geared this one for this day of the week.

A special comment about PLEB (10D): I often read comments on the crossword blogs that a somewhat uncommon word like this is "not a Monday word." I don't happen to think that every answer in a Monday New York Times crossword has to be common. Times readers are intelligent and well-educated. They're perfectly capable of handling an occasional bit of new vocabulary. PLEB is a useful word. All the crossings here are easy. So in my opinion it's suitable even for Monday.

Whew! I finally got that off my chest.

– puzzle by Kevin G. Der

Sat 11/23/2013
J	U	J	I	T	S	U		J	A	Z	Z	A	G	E
E	L	A	T	I	O	N		S	H	O	O	T	U	P
T	A	K	E	A	I	M		B	O	O	T	E	E	S
S	L	A	M	S		A	L	A	R	M		D	S	T
F	U	R	S		S	P	I	C	A		V	I	S	E
A	M	T		D	E	P	T	H		F	A	R	S	I
N	E	A	T	I	D	E	A		S	A	L	T	O	N
			A	C	E	D		Z	A	N	E
F	I	B	B	E	R		H	A	N	G	T	I	M	E
A	P	L	U	S		P	A	N	T	S		C	O	X
S	A	I	S		L	A	N	Z	A		B	A	R	T
T	N	T		A	U	S	S	I		P	E	N	T	E
C	E	Z	A	N	N	E		B	U	I	L	T	I	N
A	M	E	R	I	G	O		A	T	A	C	O	S	T
R	A	N	K	L	E	S		R	E	S	H	O	E	S

My favorite entries here are JUJITSU, JAZZ AGE, TAKE AIM, NEAT IDEA, HANG TIME, GUESS SO, FAST CAR, BLITZEN, and ZANZIBAR. That's a lot of great stuff. There are some minuses, too (the obscurish PIAS, the variant TABUS, and RESHOES). But overall, very handsome. The constructor, one of many Canadians who contribute crosswords to The Times, hails from Port Coquitlam, B.C.

– puzzle by Frederick J. Healy

Fri 11/22/2013
B	O	S	C	O			J	A	C	K	L	O	R	D
A	X	T	O	N		R	E	T	R	I	E	V	E	R
S	N	A	R	E		A	B	O	U	T	F	A	C	E
Q	A	D	D	A	F	I		N	E	S	T	L	E	S
U	R	I		M	E	N	D	E	L			T	I	S
E	D	A	M		L	I	E	S		C	H	I	V	E
			A	L	I	E	N		P	A	I	N	E	D
	L	I	F	E	P	R	E	S	E	R	V	E	R
C	E	L	I	N	E		U	L	N	A	E
A	T	L	A	S		O	V	U	M		S	O	A	P
T	A	G			P	R	E	M	E	D		R	U	E
C	L	E	A	R	E	D		D	N	A	T	E	S	T
H	O	T	P	O	T	A	T	O		W	H	I	T	E
O	N	I	O	N	R	I	N	G		N	A	D	E	R
W	E	T	P	A	I	N	T			S	W	A	N	S

It's hard to add a new superlative to Patrick Berry's work, for its smoothness and liveliness, so I won't try. Suffice it to say this puzzle is a typical beauty from Patrick. I'll take the credit (or blame) for the clue at 18A, which is drawn from the show's pilot episode.

– puzzle by Patrick Berry

Thu 11/21/2013
C	O	N		A	R	C			A	T	H	O	M	E
H	M	O		W	O	O	D		S	H	A	R	E	S
A	N	T		L	O	C	O		S	I	S	A	L	S
R	I	T	E		F	O	W	L	E	S		N	E	E
M	A	O	R	I	S		N	O	N	W	A	G	E	S
		W	I	T		A	C	E	T	I	C
S	P	O	N	G	E	B	O	B		L	E	T	T	S
U	A	R		E	D	A	M		O	L	D	H	A	T
F	I	R	S	T	S		F	L	A	P		E	X	E
I	D	Y	L	S		B	O	O	K	A	T	R	I	P
			A	B	O	A	R	D		S	E	E
C	O	P	Y	E	D	I	T		T	S	E	T	S	E
A	B	O		T	E	N	E	T	S		S	H	A	Q
V	A	U	L	T	S		R	O	A	M		E	M	U
E	M	C	E	E	S		S	I	R	I		R	O	I
S	A	H	A	R	A			L	S	D		E	S	P

This puzzle went through three versions until Jules finally got a set of four theme entries that were true and natural-sounding "comforters." The extra effort paid off, resulting in a nice Thursday challenge.

– puzzle by Jules P. Markey

POW Wed 11/20/2013
A	H	E	A	D		G	P	A		A	S	S	O	C
V	A	L	S	E		A	R	T		T	U	L	L	Y
O	B	E	L	I		Z	O	O		R	H	O	D	A
W	A	C		G	E	E		P	O	I		W	G	N
I	N	T	E	N	D				N	A	P	O	L	I
N	E	R	D		S	H	A	P	E		A	N	O	D
G	R	O	G			E	R	R			E	T	R	E
	A	M	A		C	D	R	O	M		S	H	Y
E		A	R	R	O	W		N	O	F	E	E		F
A	L	G		A	R	I		T	O	R		U	S	E
R	U	N	N	I	N	G		O	N	E	M	P	T	Y
S	P	E	E	D	S				B	E	A	T	E	N
H	I	T	S		I	M	A	G	E		F	A	R	M
O	N	I	T		L	I	B	R	A		I	K	E	A
T	E	C	S		K	A	S	E	M		A	E	O	N

Peter's puzzle fits into a whole lot of special categories: Puzzles with circles, Puzzles with unusual symmetry (in this case, left/right), and Puzzles with unchecked squares (although, technically, "E" and "F" here aren't really unchecked, because they're part of the theme). Maybe a new category should be added — Puzzles that form pictures when they're done. Besides the theme, which I love, the fillers OLD GLORY, CORN SILK, MOONBEAM, and SLOW ON THE UPTAKE are particularly nice.

– puzzle by Peter A. Collins

Tue 11/19/2013
C	H	A	T		S	P	F			F	A	Z	E	S
H	O	B	O		F	L	U	E		E	X	A	L	T
O	N	E	O	F	O	U	R	S		R	E	P	L	Y
M	U	L	T	I		T	O	S	I	R		S	A	X
P	S	I		S	C	O	R	E	P	A	D
		N	E	H	I				O	R	I	G	I	N
M	A	C	S		G	R	A	N	D	O	P	E	R	A
A	L	O	T			E	D	U			P	T	A	S
S	A	L	E	S	E	V	E	N	T		E	T	N	A
T	I	N	E	A	R				A	I	R	Y
			M	I	D	Y	E	A	R	S		S	R	A
J	A	I		L	E	A	R	N		B	A	B	E	S
A	L	A	M	O		W	A	G	O	N	F	U	L	S
C	A	G	E	R		S	T	E	W		T	R	E	E
K	N	O	T	S			O	L	E		A	G	E	S

David is a master at theme interlock. 3D and 31D each cross two other theme entries — very elegant. R E LEE (56D) is a happy thematic bonus. The fill is pretty clean, too.

– puzzle by David J. Kahn

Mon 11/18/2013
B	O	P	S		T	S	A	R		S	T	A	R	R
E	B	A	N		E	L	I	A		P	A	T	I	O
A	E	R	O		R	A	M	S		E	N	V	O	Y
G	R	E	G	O	R	Y	S	P	E	C	K
L	O	N		P	I	S			V	I	S	A	G	E
E	N	T	R	E	E		O	G	E	E		M	I	D
		H	A	R	R	I	S	O	N	S	F	O	R	D
F	E	E	S			N	A	B			R	U	D	Y
A	R	T	H	U	R	S	M	I	L	L	E	R
I	I	I		T	A	T	A		E	Y	E	P	I	T
R	E	C	O	A	T			U	S	E		R	O	W
			S	H	A	R	O	N	S	S	T	O	N	E
A	L	O	H	A		O	N	C	E		O	P	I	E
L	O	R	E	N		P	Y	L	E		D	R	A	T
F	L	E	A	S		E	X	E	S		D	E	N	S

While this theme is a variation on a familiar one, it has a fresh twist and is consistently done. The vocabulary is easy, too. So ... a good Monday. Among the nontheme entries I especially liked AMOUR PROPRE.

– puzzle by Edgar Fontaine

Sat 11/16/2013
A	P	P	L	E	C	A	R	E		R	A	N	C	H
D	O	U	B	L	E	B	E	D		O	M	A	H	A
I	M	T	O	O	S	E	X	Y		M	A	T	E	Y
D	E	T		N	A	Y	A		O	A	T	E	R	S
A	L	E	R		R	A	L	P	H			D	O	E
S	O	R	O	S		N	L	R	B		P	O	K	E
			S	T	E	T		S	A	V	A	G	E	D
Z	E	A	L	O	T				B	I	N	G	E	S
A	L	E	Y	A	R	D		T	Y	N	E
P	E	O	N		A	E	R	O		G	R	I	E	G
C	O	N			D	R	E	W	U		A	N	N	A
O	N	F	I	R	E		L	A	N	D		T	R	I
M	O	L	D	Y		F	O	R	C	E	Q	U	I	T
I	R	U	L	E		B	A	D	A	D	V	I	C	E
X	A	X	E	S		I	N	S	P	E	C	T	O	R

David Steinberg continues to amaze me. I accepted this puzzle last year, when David was still only 15. On top of that, how does he even know the things that are in his puzzles? For example, I'M TOO SEXY, which is making its debut today, came out four years before David was even born. The grid is packed with good stuff, including DOUBLE BED, FORCE-QUIT, BAD ADVICE, ZAP COMIX, and OH BABY. I did have to be careful editing the lower-left corner, which has a pile-up of proper names at 23D, 35D, 36D, and 37D. So I tried to clue the crossing answers more helpfully than I usually would on a Saturday. You're welcome.

– puzzle by David Steinberg

Fri 11/15/2013
C	A	S	H	B	A	R	S		K	A	R	S	T	S
O	S	C	A	R	W	A	O		N	I	I	H	A	U
N	O	I	F	S	A	N	D	S	O	R	B	U	T	S
G	N	A	T		I	D	I	O	C	Y		T	A	S
R	E	T		S	T	R	U	C	K		M	I	R	E
A	M	I	G	A	S		M	I	I		O	N	Y	X
T	A	C	O	S		O	P	E	N	E	D
S	N	A	P	E		N	E	T		D	E	V	A	S
			A	S	M	A	N	Y		G	R	A	C	E
H	A	P	S		A	B	T		P	A	N	G	E	A
O	N	I	T		N	O	O	N	E	R		A	D	O
O	Y	L		A	C	U	T	E	R		A	B	E	T
T	H	E	T	R	U	T	H	W	I	L	L	O	U	T
C	O	U	R	T	S		A	L	L	I	A	N	C	E
H	O	P	E	S	O		L	Y	S	A	N	D	E	R

This is David Woolf's debut. All three 15-letter answers are particularly nice. OSCAR WAO was new to me, but I've read up a little on the book since accepting the puzzle, and the entry feels eminently crossword-worthy.

– puzzle by David Woolf

Thu 11/14/2013
C	A	R	O	B		R	E	P	S		T	V	A	D
A	G	A	P	E		O	X	E	N		H	I	K	E
M	O	D	E	M		M	E	T	E		E	D	A	M
P	R	O	N	O	U	N	C	E	A	B	L	E
S	A	N		A	G	E			K	O	M	O	D	O
			U	N	H	Y	P	H	E	N	A	T	E	D
A	L	I	A	S			H	E	R	D		A	M	O
P	O	N	E		Q	U	A	Y	S		S	P	U	R
P	E	T		O	U	R	S			T	I	E	R	S
T	W	E	L	V	E	L	E	T	T	E	R
S	E	R	I	E	S			R	E	L		A	H	A
		P	E	N	T	A	S	Y	L	L	A	B	I	C
H	E	L	D		I	L	L	S		A	R	E	N	T
E	R	A	T		N	E	A	T		L	E	T	G	O
M	A	Y	O		G	E	M	S		L	A	S	E	R

For some reason, this puzzle could have had a lot of cross-referenced clues, like REPS/DEM/ROMNEY, ALIAS/AKA, APPTS/TRYSTS, AGE/ERA, and others. But since the four theme clues "cross-referenced" themselves, I thought it would be distracting to have cross-references elsewhere, so I didn't use any.

– puzzle by Tom McCoy

POW Wed 11/13/2013
O	J	S			T	A	B	L	E		I	K	E	A
P	U	P		S	H	R	I	E	K		S	I	L	L
A	D	O		M	I	N	C	E	G	A	R	L	I	C
L	I	N	G	E	R	I	E			D	A	N	Z	A
		G	R	A	T	E	P	A	R	M	E	S	A	N
O	L	E	A	R	Y	S		W	A	I	L
N	A	B	S				F	O	U	R		O	B	E
C	H	O	P	B	A	S	I	L	L	E	A	V	E	S
E	R	B		U	N	I	X				N	E	A	T
			A	S	I	S		R	E	B	I	R	T	H
C	R	U	S	H	P	I	N	E	N	U	T	S
L	A	N	C	E			O	B	V	I	A	T	E	S
A	D	D	O	L	I	V	E	O	I	L		A	V	A
P	I	E	T		M	I	L	O	R	D		T	I	N
S	I	R	S		P	E	S	T	O			E	L	K

It's not often you get a recipe in a crossword puzzle. And I love the low 72-word word count. That couldn't have been easy to do.

– puzzle by Jean O'Conor

Tue 11/12/2013
J	E	T	S		R	A	T	E	D	G		H	O	P
E	A	R	P		A	P	O	G	E	E		E	R	R
D	R	A	F	T	D	O	D	G	E	R		R	I	O
I	S	M		W	A	R	D				C	M	O	N
			D	I	R	T	Y	D	A	N	C	I	N	G
C	A	N	O	N	S			I	D	E	S	T
E	X	A	M			S	A	N	E	R		C	A	D
D	E	M	O	L	I	T	I	O	N	D	E	R	B	Y
E	S	E		O	R	A	L	S			B	A	L	E
		D	U	R	A	N			T	A	B	B	E	D
D	U	N	K	I	N	D	O	N	U	T	S
I	R	A	E				R	O	T	A		S	A	S
M	G	M		D	O	U	B	L	E	D	U	T	C	H
L	E	E		O	N	S	I	T	E		N	A	T	O
Y	D	S		S	T	A	T	E	S		I	N	2	D

67A is a mean trick to throw in a Tuesday puzzle. Still, the theme is otherwise straightforward, so Tuesday feels right. I tried to make the lower-right corner as easy as possible. Not surprisingly, the clue for 60D was my addition.

– puzzle by Mike Doran

Mon 11/11/2013
O	R	C	S		B	L	E	S	S		F	O	U	R
M	I	R	E		L	E	D	U	P		L	A	Z	E
A	G	E	R		A	N	I	S	E		I	R	I	S
H	O	P	E	T	H	A	T	H	E	L	P	S
A	R	E	N	A			S	I	D	E	B
		P	A	B	L	O				T	O	S	C	A
O	N	A		S	P	R	I	N	G	S	O	P	E	N
P	A	P	P		G	E	N	O	A		K	I	D	D
E	T	E	R	N	A	L	C	I	T	Y		K	E	Y
L	E	R	O	I				R	E	E	C	E
			C	L	O	C	K			A	U	J	U	S
		A	L	E	X	A	N	D	E	R	P	O	P	E
C	O	L	A		B	R	I	E	R		O	N	O	R
A	N	T	I		O	T	T	E	R		L	E	N	T
B	O	O	M		W	A	S	P	S		A	S	E	A

A literary theme like this is always appropriate. The Times crossword has more of this flavor than most other puzzles, which is one thing, I think, that sets it apart from others. Among the nontheme entries here, I especially like CREPE PAPER, SPIKE JONES, and FLIPBOOK.

– puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski

Sat 11/9/2013
B	U	T	T	D	I	A	L	E	D		G	I	B	E
O	N	A	R	A	M	P	A	G	E		U	N	O	S
T	I	D	A	L	B	A	S	I	N		M	O	B	S
S	T	A	P	L	E	R		S	A	C		N	S	A
			P	A	C	T	S		L	O	V	E	L	Y
I	C	E		S	I	M	I		I	N	A	P	E	T
N	A	N	S		L	E	T	S		A	S	I	D	E
B	R	I	E	F	E	N	C	O	U	N	T	E	R	S
A	D	D	E	R		T	O	R	N		S	C	U	T
D	E	B	T	E	E		M	E	I	N		E	N	S
S	A	L	O	O	N		S	L	O	O	P
O	L	Y		N	A	M		O	N	S	E	R	V	E
R	E	T	D		C	A	S	S	I	O	P	E	I	A
T	R	O	Y		T	A	K	E	S	A	S	E	A	T
S	S	N	S		S	M	A	R	T	P	I	L	L	S

I've known Michael for almost 35 years, ever since my days at Games magazine, where he created the double-crostics. He still does, in fact. A few years ago we met up again in Arizona, where he now lives, when I had a speaking engagement there. This puzzle is a good, solid themeless, with a great 1-Across. That's Mike's clue for it, too.

– puzzle by Michael Ashley

Fri 11/8/2013
		D	A	R	E	S	S	A	L	A	A	M
	C	O	N	T	A	C	T	L	E	N	S	E	S
W	H	A	T	S	T	H	E	B	I	G	D	E	A	L
R	O	S	H		A	N	T	E			F	R	I	A
A	L	I	E	N	T	O		I	N	F		K	N	T
P	E	D	R	O		O	S	T	E	O	P	A	T	H
S	R	O		N	U	K	E		A	R	E	T	E	S
			T	O	P	S	E	C	R	E	T
S	A	R	D	I	S		T	O	S	S		O	Y	E
P	R	E	S	S	E	S	O	N		E	R	T	E	S
E	F	S		E	T	O		C	H	E	E	T	O	S
N	A	T	E			B	R	E	A		T	A	M	A
T	R	Y	T	O	S	E	E	I	T	M	Y	W	A	Y
	F	L	A	S	H	I	N	T	H	E	P	A	N
		E	S	T	A	T	E	S	A	L	E	S

All the long answers in this puzzle are quite nice. I wish, though, that some of the shorter answers (like KNT, RTS, EFS, and especially ASDF) hadn't appeared. And it's not so elegant that the grid has three SEEs. Overall, though, I hope this is fun to solve.

– puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld

Thu 11/7/2013
R	I	A	T	A	S		S	H	A	M		F	B	I
A	N	T	E	U	P		W	O	V	E		A	L	F
R	H	O	N	D	A		A	B	A	N	D	I	T	S
E	A	U		I	N	I		O	R	S	O	N
B	B	C	R	O	O	K	S		I	A	N
		H	U	B		E	P	I	C		T	R	I	P
A	P	O	L	O		B	O	N	E	S		E	C	O
F	I	V	E	O		A	R	D		T	O	T	E	S
T	E	E		K	I	N	T	E		E	L	U	D	E
A	R	R	S		G	A	S	X		A	I	R
			E	I	N		C	C	C	M	O	N	T	E
		S	A	T	I	N		S	A	P		F	I	R
W	W	W	W	S	T	O	P		M	I	N	I	N	G
N	I	E		M	E	D	E		O	P	O	R	T	O
E	N	D		E	D	E	N		M	E	R	E	S	T

I'm guessing this puzzle is a little hard to break into, but once you catch on to the theme, it goes much quicker. It's a lovely theme idea. Also, I like the entries AUDIOBOOK, STEAMPIPE, and RETURN FIRE.

– puzzle by Alan DerKazarian

POW Wed 11/6/2013
D	R	U	G	S		M	U	S	S		A	B	B	A
N	I	G	H	T		O	H	N	O		C	O	L	T
A	B	H	O	R		S	A	I	D	I	T	N	O	T
			S	I	T	S	U	P		M	O	N	T	E
C	A	N	T	F	O	O	L		B	E	R	E	T	S
O	R	A	T	E	S			A	L	L		T	O	T
M	I	S	O			A	R	M	A	D	A
B	E	T	W	E	E	N	Y	O	U	A	N	D	M	E
			N	A	N	T	E	S			Y	E	A	R
H	A	T		G	I	S			C	A	M	A	R	O
O	S	W	A	L	D		T	A	L	K	I	N	T	O
W	H	A	L	E		M	O	V	E	I	N
D	O	N	T	S	C	A	R	E		T	U	R	B	O
A	R	G	O		S	P	A	R		A	T	A	R	I
H	E	S	S		A	S	H	Y		S	E	G	A	L

This puzzle has a fresh, terrific theme, and I like some of the fill, too, especially GHOST TOWN and ANY MINUTE.

– puzzle by Jacob McDermott

Tue 11/5/2013
G	S	A		O	P	E	R	A		A	N	A	I	S
O	W	L		M	O	P	U	P		H	E	N	R	I
W	I	L	D	G	E	E	S	E		H	A	T	E	D
E	T	U	I		S	E	E	M			R	I	F	E
S	C	R	E	W	Y			A	R	P		N	U	B
T	H	E	T	A		W	I	N	E	H	O	U	S	E
				R	A	I	N		P	A	C	K	E	T
		W	I	N	G	E	D	H	O	R	S	E
T	A	I	P	E	I		U	R	S	A
W	I	N	O	R	L	O	S	E		O	B	I	T	S
E	R	N		S	E	N			S	H	U	M	A	I
E	L	I	S			E	R	I	N		R	B	I	S
Z	I	P	U	P		W	I	S	E	C	R	A	C	K
E	N	E	R	O		A	T	B	A	T		C	H	E
S	E	G	E	R		Y	A	N	K	S		K	I	L

Paula's grid has a surprisingly low word count (74 entries) for a puzzle with this much theme material. As a result, the corners are quite chunky — which is great. Among the nontheme entries I particularly like SCREWY, SHU MAI, ANTINUKE, WINNIPEG, and I'M BACK.

– puzzle by Paula Gamache

Mon 11/4/2013
O	A	K		B	R	A			S	C	O	F	F	S
B	E	I		M	A	X	I		C	O	L	L	I	E
G	I	N		W	I	L	T		I	N	D	E	N	T
Y	O	G	I		D	E	S	K		S	E	X	E	S
N	U	A	N	C	E		R	A	N	T	S
		R	U	H	R		A	L	C	A	T	R	A	Z
L	O	T	S	A		N	I	K	O	N		I	R	E
U	S	H	E	R		A	N	A		T	A	C	O	S
M	S	U		L	O	G	I	N		I	S	H	O	T
P	A	R	M	E	S	A	N		I	N	C	A
			A	M	O	N	G		D	E	A	R	M	E
M	A	Z	D	A		O	M	N	I		P	D	A	S
S	M	U	D	G	E		E	C	O	N		I	N	T
R	E	L	E	N	T		N	A	T	O		I	D	O
P	R	U	N	E	S			A	S	S		I	M	P

I don't usually run punny themes on Mondays, but this one felt simple enough to still be appropriate for the easiest day of the week. Apparently, John Lieb expected this puzzle to appear later in the week, because the clues he submitted tended to be on the hard side. As a result, most of the clues here are mine.

The Monday-Thursday puzzles this week appeared last Saturday at the Arlington Puzzle Festival in Arlington, Va. The 2013 results should be posted soon.

– puzzle by John Lieb

Sun 11/3/2013 STOLEN PRODUCE
O	B	A	M	A		T	H	A	W		M	O	T	T	O		C	L	A	P
P	A	R	I	S		O	O	N	A		E	N	R	O	N		L	A	I	R
E	M	N	S	H	E	H	R	D	S		R	E	I	N	E		E	R	L	E
L	A	O	S		X	E	N	A		G	R	A	P	E	L	E	A	V	E	S
			J	C	O	L	E		B	O	I	L	S		I	X	N	A	Y	S
E	N	G	A	R	D	E		B	O	D	E	S		B	T	U	S
C	O	M	P	O	U	N	F	R	C	U	R		C	A	R	R		T	S	E
G	L	E	A	N	S		I	A	C	T		D	A	T	E	B	O	O	K	S
	A	N	N	I		I	N	S	E	C	R	E	T			S	P	R	I	T
				E	L	L	E			H	E	K	A	T	E		E	S	M	E
O	C	H	N	S	S	S	T	E	R		L	E	M	O	N	D	R	O	P	S
C	L	A	Y		D	A	U	B	E	D			A	D	E	N
H	A	R	P	O			N	A	V	Y	Y	A	R	D		I	T	E	M
R	U	M	D	B	I	L	E	Y		N	A	L	A		T	E	E	M	E	D
E	S	S		E	D	Y	S		B	A	N	A	N	A	S	P	L	I	T	S
			O	R	L	E		T	U	S	K	S		S	H	E	L	L	A	C
S	E	A	D	O	O		O	U	S	T	S		S	T	I	R	S
O	X	O	D	N	V	E	R	S	I	Y		A	L	A	R		A	N	N	A
L	A	R	S		E	R	A	S	E		F	R	U	I	T	F	L	I	E	S
O	C	T	O		T	I	L	L	S		T	E	R	R		L	I	B	R	A
S	T	A	N		O	N	S	E	T		C	A	P	E		A	E	S	O	P

A fresh theme, elegantly done. DATEBOOKS did give me pause, because I'm just barely familiar with the usage of "book" meaning "to leave" — but it's legitimate. You might be interested to know that the constructors' manuscript had F-BOMB at 1A, which I edited out. It was a close call, but I wasn't sure this met the Times's standards of good taste.

– puzzle by Andy Kravis and Victor Barocas

Sat 11/2/2013
S	Q	U	A	B	B	L	E		J	A	M	C	A	M
E	U	P	H	O	R	I	A		O	R	I	O	L	E
T	I	P	S	H	E	E	T		K	I	D	U	L	T
B	B	S		M	A	L	I	C	E		E	L	S	E
A	B	A	S		K	O	T	O		H	A	D	T	O
I	L	L	I	N		W	U	N	D	E	R	B	A	R
L	E	A	N	O	N		P	I	E	R		E	R	S
			S	O	U	P		C	L	O	P
S	E	A		G	T	O	S		L	I	T	O	U	T
E	X	Q	U	I	S	I	T	E		C	A	N	S	O
A	T	U	N	E		S	U	C	H		S	E	T	T
G	R	I	P		D	E	C	A	Y	S		M	I	A
R	E	V	I	S	E		K	R	A	T	I	O	N	S
A	M	E	L	I	E		U	T	T	E	R	R	O	T
M	E	R	E	S	T		P	E	T	P	E	E	V	E

Some of the entries I like here are SQUABBLE, JAMCAM, TIP SHEET, KIDULT, WUNDERBAR, EXQUISITE, K RATIONS, UTTER ROT, NOOGIE, EAT IT UP, COULD BE, ALL-STAR, ONE MORE and TO TASTE. And there's almost nothing that's bad. That's fancy puzzle-making.

– puzzle by Tom Heilman

Fri 11/1/2013
B	L	U	E	C	R	A	B		L	O	W	F	A	T
O	I	L	S	H	A	L	E		B	R	O	O	C	H
N	O	N	T	I	T	L	E		J	I	L	T	E	E
D	N	A			T	O	R	T	R	E	F	O	R	M
			C	L	A	W	C	R	A	N	E
P	A	T	R	O	N	S	A	I	N	T		A	S	A
E	B	O	O	K			N	E	C		R	C	A	S
T	A	R	N	I	S	H		S	H	T	E	T	L	S
A	C	M	E		M	A	O			R	A	I	T	T
L	I	E		V	E	L	V	E	T	E	L	V	I	S
			F	A	L	L	E	N	H	E	M
E	L	D	O	C	T	O	R	O	W			V	F	W
C	O	U	G	A	R		B	R	A	S	S	E	R	A
O	R	S	I	N	O		I	M	R	U	I	N	E	D
N	I	E	N	T	E		D	E	T	E	N	T	E	S

As with all of Brad's themeless puzzles, this one is jammed with lively vocabulary. My favorite entries here are BLUE CRAB, LOW-FAT, OIL SHALE, TORT REFORM, PATRON SAINT, E L DOCTOROW, I'M RUINED, BEER CAN, LBJ RANCH and SMELT ROE. That's a lot of great stuff.

– puzzle by Brad Wilber

POW Thu 10/31/2013
W	O	L	F	M	A	N		N	A	M	F	L	O	W
I	N	U	T	E	R	O		A	R	I	G	A	T	O
M	O	N	S	T	E	R		R	E	T	S	N	O	M
P	R	E	M	I	U	M		N	A	T		D	E	B
			I	M	P		M	I	S	E	R
S	K	A	T	E		V	I	A		N	O	T	S	O
L	O	C	H		J	A	R		J	S	B	A	C	H
O	A	T			A	T	R	I	A			C	A	Y
G	L	O	S	S	Y		O	R	B		E	I	N	E
S	A	R	A	H		A	R	K		P	U	T	T	S
			D	I	A	L	S		S	A	G
A	C	C		A	B	U		I	N	S	E	C	T	S
P	H	A	N	T	O	M		M	O	T	N	A	H	P
E	A	S	E	S	I	N		S	W	E	E	P	E	A
D	R	A	C	U	L	A

This is probably my favorite daily puzzle of the week. The trick at 65A is downright mean!

– puzzle by David Kwong

Wed 10/30/2013
C	A	W		S	P	R	Y		P	U	S	H	I	T
A	V	E		Y	O	Y	O		E	S	P	A	N	A
R	I	A		S	W	E	D	I	S	H	F	I	S	H
L	A	S	S			B	A	S	T	E		R	P	I
S	T	E	A	M	E	R		B	O	R	O	D	I	N
J	E	L	L	Y	B	E	A	N	S		N	O	R	I
R	D	S		B	O	A	S			C	A	S	E	S
			C	A	N	D	Y	C	O	R	N
S	T	R	A	D			E	A	V	E		E	G	G
T	W	I	N		H	O	T	T	A	M	A	L	E	S
P	O	S	T	M	A	N		E	L	E	M	E	N	T
E	T	S		A	B	Z	U	G			A	V	E	R
T	O	O	T	S	I	E	R	O	L	L		A	R	I
E	N	L	I	S	T		G	R	I	P		T	I	N
R	E	E	S	E	S		E	Y	E	S		E	C	G

As with most of Joel's puzzles, this one has a super-tight theme and a very clean construction. Almost all the clues are his, too.

– puzzle by Joel Fagliano

Thumbnails

50 puzzles with Editor comments — 10/30/2013 to 12/23/2013

C	O	L	A		C	R	E	S	T		B	O	N	G
R	A	I	D		C	I	N	C	O		A	M	O	R
O	R	Z	O		S	P	E	R	M	W	H	A	L	E
P	S	A	L	M			M	I	C	A		N	A	G
			P	I	G	G	Y	B	A	C	K	I	N	G
M	E	T	H	A	N	E		E	T	O	N
A	B	O		M	A	S	C				O	J	O	S
T	A	K	E	I	T	T	O	T	H	E	B	A	N	K
E	Y	E	S				Q	U	O	I		W	I	I
			M	O	E	T		B	R	E	A	S	T	S
R	I	V	E	R	P	H	O	E	N	I	X
A	V	E		C	O	E	N			O	I	N	K	S
F	O	G	M	A	C	H	I	N	E		O	O	O	H
T	R	A	M		H	A	N	O	I		M	A	K	E
S	Y	N	E		S	T	E	R	N		S	H	O	D

A	N	G	I	E				N	E	W	Y	O	R	K
P	E	R	K	S			S	O	L	E	M	N	E	R
S	H	E	E	T		F	U	N	G	I	C	I	D	E
E	R	E			T	A	M	P	A		A	C	O	W
S	U	N	D	A	Y	W	O	R	L	D		E	S	E
		L	U	M	E	N		O	L	E	S
O	M	A	N	I	S				O	W	N	E	R	S
R	A	N	D	D						C	O	S	T	A
O	R	D	E	A	L				C	L	O	S	E	D
			E	L	O	I		S	T	A	T	E
B	B	S		A	R	T	H	U	R	W	Y	N	N	E
E	L	A	M		E	W	E	L	L			T	E	X
D	A	L	A	I	L	A	M	A		C	H	I	R	P
I	N	E	X	C	E	S	S			G	U	A	V	A
M	C	M	X	I	I	I				I	N	L	E	T

M	A	N	C	A	V	E		M	U	G	S	H	O	T
E	Q	U	A	T	O	R		U	S	O	T	O	U	R
S	U	N	S	E	T	S		D	E	T	E	N	T	E
H	A	S	H		E	A	R		R	O	P	E	I	N
			C	A	R	T	O	O	N		D	Y	E	D
S	C	R	A	P		Z	A	P	A	T	A
P	H	O	B	O	S		S	A	M	A	D	A	M	S
E	E	L		L	E	A	T	H	E	R		N	O	T
C	R	O	P	L	A	N	D		S	O	O	T	H	E
			H	O	T	T	U	B		I	N	E	R	T
V	A	Y	A		B	I	C	Y	C	L	E
A	G	E	N	D	A		K	E	A		T	E	C	H
R	I	O	T	A	C	T		B	R	A	I	L	L	E
I	T	W	O	R	K	S		Y	E	S	M	A	A	M
G	A	S	M	A	S	K		E	D	H	E	L	M	S

C	A	T		R	O	M	A	N	C	E		B	C	D
A	R	R		E	X	E	D	O	U	T		A	L	E
P	T	A		C	O	L	O	R	T	V		N	E	E
T	I	N	F	O						O	L	A	M	P
A	C	C	O	S	T	S		T	R	A	I	N	E	R
I	L	E	S		U	L	T	R	A		M	A	N	E
N	E	S	S		B	R	O	E	R		E	S	T	D
L	I	K	E	W	A	T	E	R	A	N	D	O	I	L
A	W	E		A	T	A	T	I	M	E		U	R	I
S	H	Y		H	O	T	W	B	A	G		T	A	B
T	E	A		O	D	E		S	I	R		L	T	R
P	E	R	I	O	D				T	O	L	I	F	E
A	L	E	C		L	A	Y	E	R		O	N	I	T
S	I	N	E		E	L	A	T	E		W	E	N	T
S	E	A	W		R	A	Z	E	D		W	S	K	I

B	U	B	B	A		W	A	N	D		E	B	O	N
A	A	R	O	N		A	T	T	U		T	O	R	E
A	W	A	R	D	O	F	T	H	E	S	T	A	T	E
		D	E	E	P	E	N			H	A	T	E	S
P	B	S		S	I	R		D	S	O		E	G	O
A	A	H	S		E	S	C	A	P	E	P	L	A	N
S	H	A	P	E			U	S	E	B	Y
	A	W	A	Y	W	I	T	H	W	O	R	D	S
			D	E	E	R	E			X	E	R	O	X
I	S	M	E	L	L	A	R	A	T		S	E	R	E
M	T	A		A	L	S		B	U	S		S	T	S
P	A	R	E	S			G	A	S	H	E	S
A	L	I	G	H	T	I	N	T	H	E	D	A	R	K
L	A	N	A		I	R	A	E		A	G	G	I	E
A	G	E	D		P	E	T	S		R	E	E	D	Y

A	R	S		A	P	B	S		S	U	B	W	A	Y
T	A	U		C	H	I	C		E	L	A	I	N	E
T	I	N	B	A	D	G	E		E	A	R	N	I	T
I	N	B	U	D		I	N	O	N		B	B	S
C	H	A	R	S		D	E	M		O	R	A	T	E
S	A	T	I		K	E	V	I	N	B	A	C	O	N
	T	H	E	S	E	A		T	I	O		K	N	T
			S	O	B				G	E	S
O	O	P		N	A	H		D	E	S	P	O	T
O	N	I	O	N	B	A	G	E	L		I	P	O	S
H	E	N	R	Y		H	O	S		S	T	E	N	T
	N	B	A		A	A	R	E		N	O	N	N	A
K	O	A	L	A	S		G	R	E	E	N	B	A	Y
I	T	L	L	D	O		E	V	E	R		A	G	E
R	E	L	Y	O	N		D	E	L	T		R	E	D

L	A	P	I	S		C	I	A	O		Y	A	P	S
P	R	I	M	E		R	O	M	E		O	R	E	L
S	E	E	Y	A	L	A	T	E	R		U	R	S	A
			O	N	E	M	A	N		S	L	I	C	K
A	C	D	U	C	T	S			B	M	O	V	I	E
S	H	O	R	E	S		C	H	A	I	S	E
H	I	S	S			D	O	U	B	L	E	D	U	P
E	N	V		G	O	O	D	B	Y	E		E	N	O
S	K	I	S	L	O	P	E	S			E	R	I	E
		D	I	A	P	E	R		M	A	S	C	O	T
S	T	A	N	D	S			T	E	N	P	I	N	S
L	O	N	G	E		L	I	E	S	T	O
U	T	I	L		H	A	S	T	A	L	U	E	G	O
G	A	Y	E		E	M	I	R		E	S	S	E	X
S	L	A	T		T	A	T	A		R	E	P	L	Y

C	C	C	C	C		I	S	U	P		A	U	E	L		T	T	T	T	T
C	R	O	A	T		T	O	U	R		L	U	A	U		L	E	T	H	E
C	E	L	T	S		C	L	U	E		T	U	R	K		C	A	T	E	R
C	S	I	S			H	O	U	S	E	R	U	L	E			C	T	R	S
C	C	C	C	C				U	U	U	U	U				N	O	T	M	E
			A	S	P	C	A		M	R	I		J	U	K	E	S
J	A	U	N	T	I	E	R		E	O	S		U	N	I	C	Y	C	L	E
A	L	F			E	L	I	A	S		M	S	N	B	C			P	A	L
B	I	O	N	I	C	L	E	G				T	O	O	K	A	T	A	X	I
			O	N	E	A		A	G	A	I	N		R	E	L	O
T	O	P	S	C	O	R	E		A	S	S		E	N	D	O	R	S	E	D
I	N	L	E	A	F		N	A	S	T	I	E	R		O	H	E	N	R	Y
L	E	A	R	N	T		E	L	P	R	A	D	O		F	A	R	I	N	A
D	A	Y	S		H	E	R	B	S		H	I	D	E	F		O	D	E	D
A	L	E		A	E	I	O	U				T	E	A	T	S		E	S	S
		D	I	V	A	N		M	C	R	A	E		C	H	I	R	R
	T	H	R	I	C	E		T	H	I	R	D		H	E	R	O	E	S
M	A	O	I	S	T		T	R	A	G	E	D	Y		T	I	N	M	A	N
A	M	O	S		I	D	E	A	S		N	O	O	S	E		D	A	T	E
Z	E	K	E		O	U	N	C	E		T	W	Y	L	A		O	R	B	S
E	D	Y	S		N	O	O	K				N	O	R	M		S	K	Y	S

	P	A	N	A	M	G	A	M	E	S		P	C	S
D	E	T	E	R	I	O	R	A	T	E		H	A	L
T	E	R	R	E	N	C	E	M	C	N	A	L	L	Y
E	T	A	T	S		O	T	I	S		L	O	V	E
N	E	S	S		S	M	E	E		F	I	X	E	R
				J	A	M			V	I	P
A	N	C	H	O	R	A	G	E	A	L	A	S	K	A
F	O	R	E	I	G	N	M	I	N	I	S	T	E	R
T	R	A	I	N	E	D	E	L	E	P	H	A	N	T
A	N	T	S	I	N	O	N	E	S	P	A	N	T	S
			T	N	T			E	S	O
G	O	B	I	G		C	A	N	A		A	M	A	T
U	P	O	N		W	O	R	F		S	C	A	R	E
S	E	R	G	E	A	N	T	O	R	O	U	R	K	E
T	R	A		R	I	G	O	R	M	O	R	T	I	S
S	A	X		B	L	O	O	D	S	T	A	I	N

A	L	F	A	L	F	A		S	N	O	W	J	O	B
T	O	R	S	I	O	N		M	A	N	H	O	U	R
A	N	A	C	Q	U	I	R	E	D	T	A	S	T	E
D	E	T	O	U	R		O	L	I	O		H	E	W
			T	O	C	C	A	T	A		D	U	D	S
B	A	M		R	O	I	L	S		N	R	A
E	N	A	M	E	L	E	D		B	O	O	T	E	E
E	G	G	E	D	O	N		A	L	S	O	R	A	N
B	E	N	H	U	R		C	L	U	E	L	E	S	S
		A	T	P		V	A	L	E	T		E	Y	E
R	I	C	A		V	E	R	Y	T	O	P
E	R	A		A	C	R	E		O	N	E	O	F	F
H	E	R	E	S	H	O	W	T	O	O	R	D	E	R
E	N	T	R	A	I	N		I	T	S	D	O	N	E
M	A	A	N	D	P	A		T	H	E	U	R	G	E

C	O	L	A		C	R	E	S	T		B	O	N	G
R	A	I	D		C	I	N	C	O		A	M	O	R
O	R	Z	O		S	P	E	R	M	W	H	A	L	E
P	S	A	L	M			M	I	C	A		N	A	G
			P	I	G	G	Y	B	A	C	K	I	N	G
M	E	T	H	A	N	E		E	T	O	N
A	B	O		M	A	S	C				O	J	O	S
T	A	K	E	I	T	T	O	T	H	E	B	A	N	K
E	Y	E	S				Q	U	O	I		W	I	I
			M	O	E	T		B	R	E	A	S	T	S
R	I	V	E	R	P	H	O	E	N	I	X
A	V	E		C	O	E	N			O	I	N	K	S
F	O	G	M	A	C	H	I	N	E		O	O	O	H
T	R	A	M		H	A	N	O	I		M	A	K	E
S	Y	N	E		S	T	E	R	N		S	H	O	D

A	N	G	I	E				N	E	W	Y	O	R	K
P	E	R	K	S			S	O	L	E	M	N	E	R
S	H	E	E	T		F	U	N	G	I	C	I	D	E
E	R	E			T	A	M	P	A		A	C	O	W
S	U	N	D	A	Y	W	O	R	L	D		E	S	E
		L	U	M	E	N		O	L	E	S
O	M	A	N	I	S				O	W	N	E	R	S
R	A	N	D	D						C	O	S	T	A
O	R	D	E	A	L				C	L	O	S	E	D
			E	L	O	I		S	T	A	T	E
B	B	S		A	R	T	H	U	R	W	Y	N	N	E
E	L	A	M		E	W	E	L	L			T	E	X
D	A	L	A	I	L	A	M	A		C	H	I	R	P
I	N	E	X	C	E	S	S			G	U	A	V	A
M	C	M	X	I	I	I				I	N	L	E	T

M	A	N	C	A	V	E		M	U	G	S	H	O	T
E	Q	U	A	T	O	R		U	S	O	T	O	U	R
S	U	N	S	E	T	S		D	E	T	E	N	T	E
H	A	S	H		E	A	R		R	O	P	E	I	N
			C	A	R	T	O	O	N		D	Y	E	D
S	C	R	A	P		Z	A	P	A	T	A
P	H	O	B	O	S		S	A	M	A	D	A	M	S
E	E	L		L	E	A	T	H	E	R		N	O	T
C	R	O	P	L	A	N	D		S	O	O	T	H	E
			H	O	T	T	U	B		I	N	E	R	T
V	A	Y	A		B	I	C	Y	C	L	E
A	G	E	N	D	A		K	E	A		T	E	C	H
R	I	O	T	A	C	T		B	R	A	I	L	L	E
I	T	W	O	R	K	S		Y	E	S	M	A	A	M
G	A	S	M	A	S	K		E	D	H	E	L	M	S

C	A	T		R	O	M	A	N	C	E		B	C	D
A	R	R		E	X	E	D	O	U	T		A	L	E
P	T	A		C	O	L	O	R	T	V		N	E	E
T	I	N	F	O						O	L	A	M	P
A	C	C	O	S	T	S		T	R	A	I	N	E	R
I	L	E	S		U	L	T	R	A		M	A	N	E
N	E	S	S		B	R	O	E	R		E	S	T	D
L	I	K	E	W	A	T	E	R	A	N	D	O	I	L
A	W	E		A	T	A	T	I	M	E		U	R	I
S	H	Y		H	O	T	W	B	A	G		T	A	B
T	E	A		O	D	E		S	I	R		L	T	R
P	E	R	I	O	D				T	O	L	I	F	E
A	L	E	C		L	A	Y	E	R		O	N	I	T
S	I	N	E		E	L	A	T	E		W	E	N	T
S	E	A	W		R	A	Z	E	D		W	S	K	I

B	U	B	B	A		W	A	N	D		E	B	O	N
A	A	R	O	N		A	T	T	U		T	O	R	E
A	W	A	R	D	O	F	T	H	E	S	T	A	T	E
		D	E	E	P	E	N			H	A	T	E	S
P	B	S		S	I	R		D	S	O		E	G	O
A	A	H	S		E	S	C	A	P	E	P	L	A	N
S	H	A	P	E			U	S	E	B	Y
	A	W	A	Y	W	I	T	H	W	O	R	D	S
			D	E	E	R	E			X	E	R	O	X
I	S	M	E	L	L	A	R	A	T		S	E	R	E
M	T	A		A	L	S		B	U	S		S	T	S
P	A	R	E	S			G	A	S	H	E	S
A	L	I	G	H	T	I	N	T	H	E	D	A	R	K
L	A	N	A		I	R	A	E		A	G	G	I	E
A	G	E	D		P	E	T	S		R	E	E	D	Y

A	R	S		A	P	B	S		S	U	B	W	A	Y
T	A	U		C	H	I	C		E	L	A	I	N	E
T	I	N	B	A	D	G	E		E	A	R	N	I	T
I	N	B	U	D		I	N	O	N		B	B	S
C	H	A	R	S		D	E	M		O	R	A	T	E
S	A	T	I		K	E	V	I	N	B	A	C	O	N
	T	H	E	S	E	A		T	I	O		K	N	T
			S	O	B				G	E	S
O	O	P		N	A	H		D	E	S	P	O	T
O	N	I	O	N	B	A	G	E	L		I	P	O	S
H	E	N	R	Y		H	O	S		S	T	E	N	T
	N	B	A		A	A	R	E		N	O	N	N	A
K	O	A	L	A	S		G	R	E	E	N	B	A	Y
I	T	L	L	D	O		E	V	E	R		A	G	E
R	E	L	Y	O	N		D	E	L	T		R	E	D

L	A	P	I	S		C	I	A	O		Y	A	P	S
P	R	I	M	E		R	O	M	E		O	R	E	L
S	E	E	Y	A	L	A	T	E	R		U	R	S	A
			O	N	E	M	A	N		S	L	I	C	K
A	C	D	U	C	T	S			B	M	O	V	I	E
S	H	O	R	E	S		C	H	A	I	S	E
H	I	S	S			D	O	U	B	L	E	D	U	P
E	N	V		G	O	O	D	B	Y	E		E	N	O
S	K	I	S	L	O	P	E	S			E	R	I	E
		D	I	A	P	E	R		M	A	S	C	O	T
S	T	A	N	D	S			T	E	N	P	I	N	S
L	O	N	G	E		L	I	E	S	T	O
U	T	I	L		H	A	S	T	A	L	U	E	G	O
G	A	Y	E		E	M	I	R		E	S	S	E	X
S	L	A	T		T	A	T	A		R	E	P	L	Y

C	C	C	C	C		I	S	U	P		A	U	E	L		T	T	T	T	T
C	R	O	A	T		T	O	U	R		L	U	A	U		L	E	T	H	E
C	E	L	T	S		C	L	U	E		T	U	R	K		C	A	T	E	R
C	S	I	S			H	O	U	S	E	R	U	L	E			C	T	R	S
C	C	C	C	C				U	U	U	U	U				N	O	T	M	E
			A	S	P	C	A		M	R	I		J	U	K	E	S
J	A	U	N	T	I	E	R		E	O	S		U	N	I	C	Y	C	L	E
A	L	F			E	L	I	A	S		M	S	N	B	C			P	A	L
B	I	O	N	I	C	L	E	G				T	O	O	K	A	T	A	X	I
			O	N	E	A		A	G	A	I	N		R	E	L	O
T	O	P	S	C	O	R	E		A	S	S		E	N	D	O	R	S	E	D
I	N	L	E	A	F		N	A	S	T	I	E	R		O	H	E	N	R	Y
L	E	A	R	N	T		E	L	P	R	A	D	O		F	A	R	I	N	A
D	A	Y	S		H	E	R	B	S		H	I	D	E	F		O	D	E	D
A	L	E		A	E	I	O	U				T	E	A	T	S		E	S	S
		D	I	V	A	N		M	C	R	A	E		C	H	I	R	R
	T	H	R	I	C	E		T	H	I	R	D		H	E	R	O	E	S
M	A	O	I	S	T		T	R	A	G	E	D	Y		T	I	N	M	A	N
A	M	O	S		I	D	E	A	S		N	O	O	S	E		D	A	T	E
Z	E	K	E		O	U	N	C	E		T	W	Y	L	A		O	R	B	S
E	D	Y	S		N	O	O	K				N	O	R	M		S	K	Y	S

	P	A	N	A	M	G	A	M	E	S		P	C	S
D	E	T	E	R	I	O	R	A	T	E		H	A	L
T	E	R	R	E	N	C	E	M	C	N	A	L	L	Y
E	T	A	T	S		O	T	I	S		L	O	V	E
N	E	S	S		S	M	E	E		F	I	X	E	R
				J	A	M			V	I	P
A	N	C	H	O	R	A	G	E	A	L	A	S	K	A
F	O	R	E	I	G	N	M	I	N	I	S	T	E	R
T	R	A	I	N	E	D	E	L	E	P	H	A	N	T
A	N	T	S	I	N	O	N	E	S	P	A	N	T	S
			T	N	T			E	S	O
G	O	B	I	G		C	A	N	A		A	M	A	T
U	P	O	N		W	O	R	F		S	C	A	R	E
S	E	R	G	E	A	N	T	O	R	O	U	R	K	E
T	R	A		R	I	G	O	R	M	O	R	T	I	S
S	A	X		B	L	O	O	D	S	T	A	I	N

A	L	F	A	L	F	A		S	N	O	W	J	O	B
T	O	R	S	I	O	N		M	A	N	H	O	U	R
A	N	A	C	Q	U	I	R	E	D	T	A	S	T	E
D	E	T	O	U	R		O	L	I	O		H	E	W
			T	O	C	C	A	T	A		D	U	D	S
B	A	M		R	O	I	L	S		N	R	A
E	N	A	M	E	L	E	D		B	O	O	T	E	E
E	G	G	E	D	O	N		A	L	S	O	R	A	N
B	E	N	H	U	R		C	L	U	E	L	E	S	S
		A	T	P		V	A	L	E	T		E	Y	E
R	I	C	A		V	E	R	Y	T	O	P
E	R	A		A	C	R	E		O	N	E	O	F	F
H	E	R	E	S	H	O	W	T	O	O	R	D	E	R
E	N	T	R	A	I	N		I	T	S	D	O	N	E
M	A	A	N	D	P	A		T	H	E	U	R	G	E

C	O	L	A		C	R	E	S	T		B	O	N	G
R	A	I	D		C	I	N	C	O		A	M	O	R
O	R	Z	O		S	P	E	R	M	W	H	A	L	E
P	S	A	L	M			M	I	C	A		N	A	G
			P	I	G	G	Y	B	A	C	K	I	N	G
M	E	T	H	A	N	E		E	T	O	N
A	B	O		M	A	S	C				O	J	O	S
T	A	K	E	I	T	T	O	T	H	E	B	A	N	K
E	Y	E	S				Q	U	O	I		W	I	I
			M	O	E	T		B	R	E	A	S	T	S
R	I	V	E	R	P	H	O	E	N	I	X
A	V	E		C	O	E	N			O	I	N	K	S
F	O	G	M	A	C	H	I	N	E		O	O	O	H
T	R	A	M		H	A	N	O	I		M	A	K	E
S	Y	N	E		S	T	E	R	N		S	H	O	D

A	N	G	I	E				N	E	W	Y	O	R	K
P	E	R	K	S			S	O	L	E	M	N	E	R
S	H	E	E	T		F	U	N	G	I	C	I	D	E
E	R	E			T	A	M	P	A		A	C	O	W
S	U	N	D	A	Y	W	O	R	L	D		E	S	E
		L	U	M	E	N		O	L	E	S
O	M	A	N	I	S				O	W	N	E	R	S
R	A	N	D	D						C	O	S	T	A
O	R	D	E	A	L				C	L	O	S	E	D
			E	L	O	I		S	T	A	T	E
B	B	S		A	R	T	H	U	R	W	Y	N	N	E
E	L	A	M		E	W	E	L	L			T	E	X
D	A	L	A	I	L	A	M	A		C	H	I	R	P
I	N	E	X	C	E	S	S			G	U	A	V	A
M	C	M	X	I	I	I				I	N	L	E	T

M	A	N	C	A	V	E		M	U	G	S	H	O	T
E	Q	U	A	T	O	R		U	S	O	T	O	U	R
S	U	N	S	E	T	S		D	E	T	E	N	T	E
H	A	S	H		E	A	R		R	O	P	E	I	N
			C	A	R	T	O	O	N		D	Y	E	D
S	C	R	A	P		Z	A	P	A	T	A
P	H	O	B	O	S		S	A	M	A	D	A	M	S
E	E	L		L	E	A	T	H	E	R		N	O	T
C	R	O	P	L	A	N	D		S	O	O	T	H	E
			H	O	T	T	U	B		I	N	E	R	T
V	A	Y	A		B	I	C	Y	C	L	E
A	G	E	N	D	A		K	E	A		T	E	C	H
R	I	O	T	A	C	T		B	R	A	I	L	L	E
I	T	W	O	R	K	S		Y	E	S	M	A	A	M
G	A	S	M	A	S	K		E	D	H	E	L	M	S

C	A	T		R	O	M	A	N	C	E		B	C	D
A	R	R		E	X	E	D	O	U	T		A	L	E
P	T	A		C	O	L	O	R	T	V		N	E	E
T	I	N	F	O						O	L	A	M	P
A	C	C	O	S	T	S		T	R	A	I	N	E	R
I	L	E	S		U	L	T	R	A		M	A	N	E
N	E	S	S		B	R	O	E	R		E	S	T	D
L	I	K	E	W	A	T	E	R	A	N	D	O	I	L
A	W	E		A	T	A	T	I	M	E		U	R	I
S	H	Y		H	O	T	W	B	A	G		T	A	B
T	E	A		O	D	E		S	I	R		L	T	R
P	E	R	I	O	D				T	O	L	I	F	E
A	L	E	C		L	A	Y	E	R		O	N	I	T
S	I	N	E		E	L	A	T	E		W	E	N	T
S	E	A	W		R	A	Z	E	D		W	S	K	I

B	U	B	B	A		W	A	N	D		E	B	O	N
A	A	R	O	N		A	T	T	U		T	O	R	E
A	W	A	R	D	O	F	T	H	E	S	T	A	T	E
		D	E	E	P	E	N			H	A	T	E	S
P	B	S		S	I	R		D	S	O		E	G	O
A	A	H	S		E	S	C	A	P	E	P	L	A	N
S	H	A	P	E			U	S	E	B	Y
	A	W	A	Y	W	I	T	H	W	O	R	D	S
			D	E	E	R	E			X	E	R	O	X
I	S	M	E	L	L	A	R	A	T		S	E	R	E
M	T	A		A	L	S		B	U	S		S	T	S
P	A	R	E	S			G	A	S	H	E	S
A	L	I	G	H	T	I	N	T	H	E	D	A	R	K
L	A	N	A		I	R	A	E		A	G	G	I	E
A	G	E	D		P	E	T	S		R	E	E	D	Y

A	R	S		A	P	B	S		S	U	B	W	A	Y
T	A	U		C	H	I	C		E	L	A	I	N	E
T	I	N	B	A	D	G	E		E	A	R	N	I	T
I	N	B	U	D		I	N	O	N		B	B	S
C	H	A	R	S		D	E	M		O	R	A	T	E
S	A	T	I		K	E	V	I	N	B	A	C	O	N
	T	H	E	S	E	A		T	I	O		K	N	T
			S	O	B				G	E	S
O	O	P		N	A	H		D	E	S	P	O	T
O	N	I	O	N	B	A	G	E	L		I	P	O	S
H	E	N	R	Y		H	O	S		S	T	E	N	T
	N	B	A		A	A	R	E		N	O	N	N	A
K	O	A	L	A	S		G	R	E	E	N	B	A	Y
I	T	L	L	D	O		E	V	E	R		A	G	E
R	E	L	Y	O	N		D	E	L	T		R	E	D

L	A	P	I	S		C	I	A	O		Y	A	P	S
P	R	I	M	E		R	O	M	E		O	R	E	L
S	E	E	Y	A	L	A	T	E	R		U	R	S	A
			O	N	E	M	A	N		S	L	I	C	K
A	C	D	U	C	T	S			B	M	O	V	I	E
S	H	O	R	E	S		C	H	A	I	S	E
H	I	S	S			D	O	U	B	L	E	D	U	P
E	N	V		G	O	O	D	B	Y	E		E	N	O
S	K	I	S	L	O	P	E	S			E	R	I	E
		D	I	A	P	E	R		M	A	S	C	O	T
S	T	A	N	D	S			T	E	N	P	I	N	S
L	O	N	G	E		L	I	E	S	T	O
U	T	I	L		H	A	S	T	A	L	U	E	G	O
G	A	Y	E		E	M	I	R		E	S	S	E	X
S	L	A	T		T	A	T	A		R	E	P	L	Y

C	C	C	C	C		I	S	U	P		A	U	E	L		T	T	T	T	T
C	R	O	A	T		T	O	U	R		L	U	A	U		L	E	T	H	E
C	E	L	T	S		C	L	U	E		T	U	R	K		C	A	T	E	R
C	S	I	S			H	O	U	S	E	R	U	L	E			C	T	R	S
C	C	C	C	C				U	U	U	U	U				N	O	T	M	E
			A	S	P	C	A		M	R	I		J	U	K	E	S
J	A	U	N	T	I	E	R		E	O	S		U	N	I	C	Y	C	L	E
A	L	F			E	L	I	A	S		M	S	N	B	C			P	A	L
B	I	O	N	I	C	L	E	G				T	O	O	K	A	T	A	X	I
			O	N	E	A		A	G	A	I	N		R	E	L	O
T	O	P	S	C	O	R	E		A	S	S		E	N	D	O	R	S	E	D
I	N	L	E	A	F		N	A	S	T	I	E	R		O	H	E	N	R	Y
L	E	A	R	N	T		E	L	P	R	A	D	O		F	A	R	I	N	A
D	A	Y	S		H	E	R	B	S		H	I	D	E	F		O	D	E	D
A	L	E		A	E	I	O	U				T	E	A	T	S		E	S	S
		D	I	V	A	N		M	C	R	A	E		C	H	I	R	R
	T	H	R	I	C	E		T	H	I	R	D		H	E	R	O	E	S
M	A	O	I	S	T		T	R	A	G	E	D	Y		T	I	N	M	A	N
A	M	O	S		I	D	E	A	S		N	O	O	S	E		D	A	T	E
Z	E	K	E		O	U	N	C	E		T	W	Y	L	A		O	R	B	S
E	D	Y	S		N	O	O	K				N	O	R	M		S	K	Y	S

	P	A	N	A	M	G	A	M	E	S		P	C	S
D	E	T	E	R	I	O	R	A	T	E		H	A	L
T	E	R	R	E	N	C	E	M	C	N	A	L	L	Y
E	T	A	T	S		O	T	I	S		L	O	V	E
N	E	S	S		S	M	E	E		F	I	X	E	R
				J	A	M			V	I	P
A	N	C	H	O	R	A	G	E	A	L	A	S	K	A
F	O	R	E	I	G	N	M	I	N	I	S	T	E	R
T	R	A	I	N	E	D	E	L	E	P	H	A	N	T
A	N	T	S	I	N	O	N	E	S	P	A	N	T	S
			T	N	T			E	S	O
G	O	B	I	G		C	A	N	A		A	M	A	T
U	P	O	N		W	O	R	F		S	C	A	R	E
S	E	R	G	E	A	N	T	O	R	O	U	R	K	E
T	R	A		R	I	G	O	R	M	O	R	T	I	S
S	A	X		B	L	O	O	D	S	T	A	I	N

A	L	F	A	L	F	A		S	N	O	W	J	O	B
T	O	R	S	I	O	N		M	A	N	H	O	U	R
A	N	A	C	Q	U	I	R	E	D	T	A	S	T	E
D	E	T	O	U	R		O	L	I	O		H	E	W
			T	O	C	C	A	T	A		D	U	D	S
B	A	M		R	O	I	L	S		N	R	A
E	N	A	M	E	L	E	D		B	O	O	T	E	E
E	G	G	E	D	O	N		A	L	S	O	R	A	N
B	E	N	H	U	R		C	L	U	E	L	E	S	S
		A	T	P		V	A	L	E	T		E	Y	E
R	I	C	A		V	E	R	Y	T	O	P
E	R	A		A	C	R	E		O	N	E	O	F	F
H	E	R	E	S	H	O	W	T	O	O	R	D	E	R
E	N	T	R	A	I	N		I	T	S	D	O	N	E
M	A	A	N	D	P	A		T	H	E	U	R	G	E