Wow, the NYT and the Stumper both went hard today. Look at all those scratch-outs. But I always enjoy some HOTCIDER (but please not from a K-Cup). No idea what DERNIERCRI is, either. I did love 51A in the Stumper, though; Jake is being ADORABLE and getting spoiled right now, in fact.

At least the Universal and LAT were easy today. Nice to see PANROMANTIC in a puzzle. And I'm hoping our landlord will be reasonable when we renew next year so no RENTSTRIKE will be required.

#crossword #NYTXword #UniversalXword #Stumper #LATXword

The kitties decided they needed to "help" with my crossword tonight.

#cats #crossword #LATXword

Today was for coincidental fill across the puzzles. With a MAI in the LAT, and TAIs in both the NYT and Universal, we've one-and-a-half MAITAIs for a Friday. And IDAHO is well-represented, spelled out in the NYT and abbreviated in the USAT.

#crosswords #NYTXword #LATXword #UniversalXword #USATXword

USA Today's themers lead off with the all-to-topical LONGCOVID. Unfortunately we cannot say WEREDONE with COVID.

In the LAT, I wanted DRONERACING instead of DRONESOCCER, which is new to me. What kind of rules does that have?

Universal has AVIDREADER down the middle, which reminds me I have some books to get to...

#crossword #USATXword #LATXword #UniXword

HULKSMASH! I'm not into skate culture, but that entry made the LAT puzzle fun.

USAT made me hungry with APPLEPIEALAMODE. Also liked the reminder that the whole CARBONFOOTPRINT thing is BP greenwashing.

Universal reminded us of the lockdown fad of SOURDOUGH baking. I do love fresh hot bread, but never been a big SOURDOUGH fan myself (I'm not a fan of sour flavors in general).

#crosswords #LATXword #UniXword #USATXword

Universal has TOEBEANS and CATEYES, so that automatically wins puzzle of the week. It also has some fun entertainment with a DRAGSHOW and SOAPOPERAS. Hopefully you don't need a SIDEHUSTLE to pay all those cover charges and streaming fees. I'll forgive it RAWDATA, even if I get too much of that in the day job.

The highlight of the LAT is the clue on 43A for PETS.

The Stumper definitely tried to stump. Really wanted the "Early influence on Asimov" to be VERNE or WELLS, but I suppose PULPS is accurate as well. That central pairing of INCAN DESCENT and INCANDESCENT is wild.

The Newsflash has me wondering why OREOs are the official cookie of the NBA? I am glad that Chrome has gotten reliable enough that I'd almost forgotten the AWSNAP message. I hadn't heard Disney+ was planning a new PETERPAN. Hope it's good.

#crosswords #SaturdayStumper #LATXword #UniXword #FireballNewsflash

USAT gets us into a proper kitty mood with KITTEN and CATTAIL. Then the Universal has BELLYDANCE; not quite as good as a bellyrub, but close. LAT reminds us to neuter our cats by removing their BALLS.

#crosswords #USATXword #UniXword #LATXword

USAT features the delightful entry CATPARENT. Universal has "Catwoman" as a clue for VETERINARIAN. And the LAT leads with BIGCAT at 1D. Overall, a very satisfying catty day of crosswording.

#crosswords #LATXword #UniXword #USATXword

Fun LAT puzzle today, with its GENDERCREATIVE reveal. I was initially confused by 18A; my first thought whenever I see CBT is not mainstream-crossword-friendly...

USAT had a fun selection of artists for its theme. 68A caused more trouble than it should have: "Rats!" -> DRAT -> DANG -> DARN!

Universal had some groanworthy (even if a bit over-familiar) puns, though I was a bit confused by 48A; "ROOTS" and "routes" (in the navigation sense) are not homonyms to me.

#crosswords #LATXword #USATXword #UniXword

I hate BABYONEMORETIME, but now it's stuck in my head. Thanks, USA Today. OTOH, PAPERSNOWFLAKES and SATINPILLOWCASES are quite delightful.

The LAT reminds us of BOOKSONTAPE. My grandmother was blind, so I definitely remember those. Such bulky binders to hold the 5 or 10 cassettes needed for a novel.

#crossword #LATXword #USATXword

I am Mr CRANKYPANTS if you interrupt me while I'm doing a crossword, or reading the comics. Thanks to Universal for reminding me of that excellent expression.

LAT left me wondering, what is a lucky ACORN?

#crossword #UniXword #LATXword

USAT offers us a RENTSTRIKE. Thankfully our landlord here has not given us cause for such, though I gather the rent-controlled tenants have been fighting a years-long battle over whether gas line repairs qualify as a major capital improvement.

LAT was tough today, with unknown words like COTIJA, RADOME, and RIEL and unusual names AUGIE and RILO. But the theme answers were fun.

#crossword #USATXword #LATXword

Late with these, since my Wednesday WaPo didn't get delivered until today. Would have been quite topical last night, as the LAT puzzle reminds us of ZELDA, and the new game was announced at yesterday's Nintendo Direct (though we have to wait until May 12 to play it). Nice misdirect on the clue for 9D, though I'd argue there are many much more versatile doc formats than PDFS. And OUTTHEWAZOO did make me laugh.

The NYT theme was meh, but the downs were all excellent, as we BUTTDIAL in our Star Wars UNDEROOS. I don't know if Joe Biden has ever said IMEANCOMEON, but for some reason I hear that in his voice.

#crossword #NYTXword #LATXword

Bit of a MAGIC theme today with MAGICBEAN in the NYT and the MAGICCASTLE in the LAT.

Clue of the day was definitely 39D in USAT, "Performance with kings and queens"

#crossword #NYTXword #USATXword #LATXword

Always amusing to see GRINDR in the NYT puzzle.

LAT reminds us of Mr. Rogers good advice to "Look for the HELPERS." Also, I'll never understand why there's a second L in ALFALFA.

USAT goes all-in with some TRAITOROUS WAGETHEFT. And then it shows its TRANSPRIDE. If anyone thinks this isn't today's best puzzle, we'll just have to AGREETODISAGREE.

#crossword #NYTXword #LATXword #USATXword

Kind of jolting to have BEACHREAD in the NYT on one of the coldest days we've had this year (I'm late posting, but I did that one on Saturday when it was 11F out).

Universal reminded us that SHARINGISCARING. I hope y'all enjoy my posts :)

LAT was unusually tricky, but you have to love any puzzle that leads off with PEPPAPIG. I enjoyed learning that Cape Canaveral's AREACODE is 321. And that clue on GAYBARS is fabulous. But EARLAP crossing a tough clue for ASTA was a rough finish.

The Stumper featured favorite vehicles DIRIGIBLES. And the retro DIALO for 411 was a fun trick. But CALUMNIATE and the obscure battery size AAAA made the SW tough.

#crossword #NYTXword #LATXword #UniXword #SaturdayStumper

A bit peeved with the NYT for making me remember Avatar and its idiotic MacGuffin UNOBTANIUM. But then we get adorable MARSROVER Perseverance and a good SF answer in CRYOSLEEP to make up for it.

The Universal had a delightful hot pepper theme. I wish Midtown had a better selection of spicy food; I haven't felt a good burn for too long.

USAT gets in highly topical MISOPROSTOL. If you might need it, get it now!

LAT has a fun multi-lingual theme. How often do we get TURKISH or JAVAnese in our crosswords? And the English phrases were all fun, too.

#crossword #NYTXword #UniXword #LATXword #USATXword

The Universal crossword today triggered a bit of nostalgia for the days when I travelled every week and had opinions on the relative merits off all the airlines. Well, I still would refuse to fly SPIRIT.

NYT had the kind of meta I'd expect in a Sunday WaPo, but was a pleasant surprise for the Times. The missing DARKMATTER leaves a nice valid grid.

The LAT made me figure out how to spell DIADELOSMUERTOS. I really wish I'd taken Spanish in school.

#NYTXword #LATXword #UniXword #crossword

34A in today's NYT reminded me that I need to read Octavia Butler's IMAGO, so I have requested a copy from NYPL.

USAT reminds me I'm several novels behind on reading NEALSTEPHENSON, but I feel less compelled to rush and rectify that (though Fall is on the headboard shelves to be read soonish.)

LAT reminds us of CHARLIE Jane Anders, whose Unstoppable trilogy will be complete in April, and which I'm definitely looking forward to reading then.

#crosswords #NYTXword #LATXword #USATXword #books

Stumper stumped me today. Had to give up and google for ASYNDETON to get going in the SE. I was not expecting the SHILLELAGH in the Celtics logo, but at least that I could get through crosses. ALABROCHE was new to me, too. At least SHIBBOLETH was easy, since that was one of my favorite Bible stories as a kid.

LAT had some fun answers with RAGTAGARMY and OCEANARIUM. I don't think I've ever had a CHELSEABUN, but they look yummy. Also please to see the Chicago representation, even if the MAGNIFICENTMILE was always one of my less favorite parts of town (too high rent for any of the good pizza places).

Universal continues their nice Saturday themelesses. PRDISASTER is a fun entry, and THATSAMORE was stuck in my head for a while after solving.

The NYT was solved after SLEEPINGIN until noon, and I approve of any puzzle with a CAT.

#crossword #NYTXword #LATXword #UniversalXword #SaturdayStumper