Square Times

Entries from September 2009

Winding down…

September 8, 2009 · 1 Comment

I’ve been doing this blog for just over a year and a half, and it’s been fun and a lot of work.  During this time I’ve managed to post for every puzzle during that time, although not always in a timely manner.  But, I never got more than a week or so behind, and always managed to get back on schedule.  I have tremendous respect (and awe) for for people who blog puzzles from multiple publications, on time, all the time.

Unfortunately, it’s been getting harder for me to maintain this blog.  There’s the 3 1/2 year old and the 6 month old.  They come first and take the most time.  And then there are a few other projects that have been on hold for way too long.  I’m hoping that by gaining time from not blogging the Times puzzle every day, I’ll be able to get back to work on the crossword puzzle program that I started, probably over a year ago.

I’ll probably still post occasionally about progress on the program, maybe other random crossword-related stuff or the occasional puzzle.  No guarantees.  Anyway, thanks to any regular lurking readers who still remain.  Thanks to Amy Reynaldo for all the advice when I started doing this.  If you like crosswords and you’re not reading her blog, you should be (http://crosswordfiend.blogspot.com/).  And thanks to Amy Guskin for designing the super-nifty banner graphic for this site.  If you need a web designer, please give her a look (http://fjordstone.com/web/).

Be seeing you…

Categories: Solving Time

Wednesday, September 2 – ??:??

September 2, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Sorry, no time today.

9D, Superfluous person – FIFTHWHEEL
13D, Like some Adventists – SEVENTHDAY
24D, Intuition – SIXTHSENSE
27D, Quaver – EIGHTHNOTE
Circled squares – BROADWAY

What a beautiful theme!  The theme answers form a map of New York City.  Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Avenues, crossed diagonally by Broadway.  Nicely done, Jim Hyres!

Categories: Solving Time

Tuesday, September 1 – 6:17

September 1, 2009 · Leave a Comment

It’s my birthday today; happy birtday me.  :)

18A, See 37-Across – SHARPTURN
24A, See 37-Across – SHEPHERDSBANE
37A, How 18-, 24-, 47- and 56-Across may be defined – BYHOOKORBYCROOK
47A, See 37-Across – SWINGINGPUNCH
56A, See 37-Across – RACKETEER

Categories: Solving Time

Monday, August 31 – 5:20

September 1, 2009 · Leave a Comment

17A, Roger Bannister was the first – FOURMINUTEMILER
35A, How something may be done, nostalgically – FOROLDTIMESSAKE
54A, Features of yawls or ketches – FOREANDAFTSAILS

Categories: Solving Time

Sunday, August 30 – 31:08

September 1, 2009 · Leave a Comment

In “Literally So”, the theme clues all have letters missing.  The missing letters in each clue spell a word.  The clue word minus the missing word lead to the respective punny theme answer.

23A, -IRC-MS-ANCES (CUT) – TAKEOUTOFCONTEXT
36A, ANTI–VERNMENT UN–ST (GORE) – BLOODLESSREVOLUTION
52A, AR–CL- (TIE) – THEMISSINGLINK
79A, P—ARY CARE PHY-ICIANS (RIMS) – DOCTORSWITHOUTBORDERS
86A, FI-TH WH–L (FEE) – SPARENOEXPENSE
98A, WHAT A -ANDA DOES IN -EIS-RELY FA-HION (PLUS) – EATSSHOOTSANDLEAVES
121A, W–THL-SS R-ADST-R (OREO) – LEMONDROPCOOKIES

Categories: Solving Time