Oof, I did a lot of “Check Letters” on this one. The puzzle beat me.
15A, Estate taxes, e.g. – INTERNALREVENUE
17A, Grosbeak relatives – SCARLETTANAGERS
50A, Tons of work to do – ALOTONONESPLATE
53A, Carnival offerings – PLEASURECRUISES
2D, Without reservations – UNCONDITIONALLY
3D, Try to get a better view, say – STANDONONESTOES
12D, Operator’s line – ONEMOMENTPLEASE
13D, It included the Eastern and Western fronts – EUROPEANTHEATER
Categories: Solving Time
A good hard puzzle from Paula Gamache:
1A, Detoured to pay a visit along the way – SWUNGBY
8A, Gallimaufry – GRABBAG
20A, It may fall flat – BADJOKE
30A, Shifting sequence – PRNDL
34A, Certain sex scandal, in slang – BIMBOERUPTION
41A, Not quite mashed – RICED
50A, It’s not really mink, for example – FAUXFUR
59A, One way to die – TESTATE
60A, Fleet activities – SEAWARS
1D, Worker who sets things down – SCRIBE
8D, Transforming Tonka toys – GOBOTS
21D, “Cool your jets!” – JUSTRELAX
36D, Tolls, essentially – USERFEES
37D, Still the most – CALMEST
Categories: Solving Time
Today’s puzzle is a quote:
20A, Start of a poem by Emily Dickenson that continues “But God be with the Clown, / Who ponders this tremendous scene” – ALITTLEMADNESS
33A, Poem, part 2 – INTHESPRING
40A, Poem, part 3 – ISWHOLESOME
52A, Poem, part 4 – EVENFORTHEKING
Categories: Solving Time
17A, Debugs computer programs, e.g. – CATCHESGLITCHES
24A, Responds to rashes – SCRATCHESITCHES
41A, Does some mending – PATCHESBRITCHES
54A, Lines up the sewing – MATCHESSTITCHES
Categories: Solving Time
20A, Adolescent boy’s growth – PEACHFUZZ
55A, Bargains for leniency – COPSAPLEA
10D, Musial’s nickname – STANTHEMAN
26D, Dehydration may help bring this on – HEATSTROKE
62A, They can be found in 20- and 55-Across and 10- and 26-Down – POLICE
Categories: Solving Time
You want me to what a what?
20A, Fix part of dinner with lettuce, carrots, peppers, etc – TOSSASALAD
58A, Prepare to camp – PITCHATENT
10D, Participate on Election Day – CASTAVOTE
36D, Show childish anger – THROWAFIT
Categories: Solving Time
In “Closing the Deal”, we have theme answers with names are card games and other card-related words in them.
25A, Painful prod - REDHOTPOKER
27A, Engagement gift - DIAMONDSOLITAIRE
52A, Bygone party attire - ZOOTSUITS
67A, Fancy salad ingredients - ARTICHOKEHEARTS
83A, Speakeasy supply - BATHTUBGIN
92A, Subject of a nursery rhyme that has only eight different words - LONDONBRIDGE
109A, Big name in real estate - CENTURYTWENTYONE
119A, Classic name in chain restaurants - PIZZERIAUNO
Categories: Solving Time
1A, Washington is just above it – ONEDOLLAR
10A, About – ASFOR
31A, They appreciate 59-Down – ESTHETES
34A, Feldman’s co-star on “The Two Coreys” – HAIM
38A, Minimal progress – STEP
40A, Glider-towing plane – AIRTRAIN
52A, Red man? – ERIC
64A, North Pacific carnivores – SEAOTTERS
1D, William Howard Taft, by birth – OHIOAN
9D, Blood flow measurers – RHEOMETERS
10D, Garbage collectors – ASHBINS
28D, Kids’ entertainer who won 12 Emmys – SHARILEWIS
34D, Cheered – HURRAHED
40D, Turned red, maybe – ABASHED
Categories: Solving Time
Wow, a lot of 15-letter answers in this puzzle (10 to be exact).
17A, Their parts are usually unusual – CHARACTERACTORS
32A, Not merely having wet clothes – SOAKEDTOTHESKIN
39A, Later – ATSOMEOTHERTIME
40A, Provide what’s missing – FILLINTHEBLANKS
56A, Just know – FEELINONESBONES
3D, They include amaretto and sloe gin – ALABAMASLAMMERS
6D, As bad as can be – ROTTENTOTHECORE
7D, Get all dapper – DRESSTOTHENINES
8D, Very close, in a way – ACROSSTHESTREET
11D, 1984 Talking Heads concert film and hit album – STOPMAKINGSENSE
Categories: Solving Time
17A, Eco-friendly in Las Vegas? – GREENWITHNV
26A, Omaha’s waterfront during downpours? – NEPORTINASTORM
44A, First-place finishers in Bangor? – MEAWARDWINNERS
59A, Jogging atop Great Falls? – RUNNINGONMT
Hint: Pronounce the state abbreviations.
Categories: Solving Time
