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Puzzles for May, 2011
with Jim Horne comments

View these same grids with comments from:
Constructor (1)Jim Horne (9)Hide comments
Sun 5/1/2011 LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE!
STRAPBARGAINSLOP
COUSINAGELIMITEIRE
WORSTNIGHTMARECOMETRU
ANTEATERIMPKNOTT
TEESCALFINEEDHELP
THESOUTHPOLERROR
SAMOASEABEDALUMNI
ENTRYLEVELJOAFTSADZ
LOOTSAERSTATATOE
MGMHASTDISCWITSEND
BOTTOMOFTHECLAS
STEEPLEITSYLEANSON
PIXYARKSVETDELAY
ANOESSAABJECTPOVERT
RETINTACTIONROADS
TAINTABSOLUTEZER
ARCHRIVALRITZDUMA
PEELEEONATTHETOP
THERESNOWHERETOGOBUTU
ARTIAGLIMMERPIERRE
PESTEASYONEFRANS

There's nowhere to go but UP in this grid where each bottom-dwelling theme answer curls up at the end to get the final letter.

Mon 5/2/2011
MEGANPEEPHST
ORATEDARLOINE
TAYLORSWIFTFOR
ITEAAASPRAWN
FORKLIFTWIELD
AONETHECURE
ADORNJOETIX
MONTGOMERYCLIFT
OWSMEWAUNTS
INASTIRFERN
SLEETGODSGIFT
SHEENDELIDII
NINSPENDTHRIFT
UFOELLESMOOTH
BTWDOTSONTHE
Tue 5/3/2011
BBLOFNOANTONS
AREMOOTPEORIA
LUCSUPERBOWLXX
LSTSRARANNE
AQUAMARINEIAMB
DURHAMSCENEV
SEEINSANAASTD
BATAROUND
OBINOSIRTABOR
SASHAYMONACO
SHOESPIDERCRAB
TIAONEDERNE
IRONCURTAINOAS
RAPIDSERASODO
SPEECHLENAMAN
Wed 5/4/2011
ADDSAPARTLORE
DEANCABERODOR
ZITITILDAVETS
FPHONELINEA
PORTWINES
AMIESBANHORAS
MARTSASIINOIL
IDASBLINDGOBI
SANALLEGROSOD
SMIDGERWRITHE
IRESANTP
YESMASTER
BLOWYATESIOWA
BIBIOSTEOEXIT
QUITUTURNDOZE

The 45 blocks here are among the most ever. The grid has rare mirror symmetry. And, of course, it has unchecked letters. Compare to this NO U-TURN puzzle published a couple of months later.

Thu 5/5/2011
SDAKHARDEMPTY
HOMEGAMESLIRAS
IMONAROLLSMOKE
MERGERSREEFER
RAYODO
KIWICAROBSAT
ASIFOXIDEABAR
HALFNIGERMOMA
NAMENOACTMVPS
CAYIMMADYEAH
CSIOLD
BARACKSWEATER
USOFASWINGVOTE
DIVERPILESINTO
STEWSALLYSEES

The black squares across the middle spell "Jr" in this puzzle about Juniors.

Fri 5/6/2011
BLINGBLINGYAKS
SENIORITISOATH
ITALIANICEUVEA
DONENSEVERELY
ENEFIFIEDER
KOBEANTFARM
SKIRMISHVIGOR
DOWNSNOOPREST
ABIDETIRELESS
DAKOTASSEED
EFTSHERARCA
TIMBUKTUDRIED
OVALSOMEPEOPLE
PERUIDATARBELL
ESTENONONSENSE
Sat 5/7/2011
JIMFIXXLEVELA
ONEACRESISENOR
TESTBANTELECOM
TVSMYOPESROKS
EEROITLLMAD
DRSCHOLLSAMITE
TONALTRAUMA
STRAPONTRAMMEL
QUIVERHBOMB
URGESBEANSALAD
ANGORALSUVA
RIENUSMINTTEN
INDOUBTROUTING
STUDFEEANNASUI
HOPSONQUARTET
Sun 5/8/2011 WORKING IN OPPOSITION
NAGSPAPASKIRTJAPAN
ETUISORESRESEWIRABU
LONGSHORTSIRAQIFARER
SNLCALORICROUNDFLATS
OCALAWASABIEKESGTE
NEWOLDSIFIISLSGOER
SPOOFSFAULTYSOUNDS
ARSENUREESTESERI
LITTLELOTSTAXDRYDEN
TBARSNOURITUTELUL
ALLIBADFAIRGOODSDIDO
REEFIRSSEENOJOSIE
TREBEKALILEFTRIGHTS
CANSLOBSAARONAYS
LASTINITIALSTRIAGE
OLLAINRIEGGPROCONS
OBIDAVIASTLEYIGLOO
TAPEDLIVESSIMIANSERA
ENOLATITHETOPBOTTOMS
RINKYENTERCTEAMSLAT
SASESEGADSHESSKENO
Mon 5/9/2011
ALOFTATOPPALE
DARTHTACOSALAD
MICKEYMOUSECLUB
NRALECTURE
PEGOMYHEARTDER
CRUXAGRDENG
SIRBERGPHI
QUITETHEJOKER
NUNEASTZIT
CASKDASARNO
ASAGARDENSPADE
BILLOWYOWE
BASEBALLDIAMOND
INANYCASENADER
ESSOSWUMKNEES
Tue 5/10/2011
ABSLOPEDSTATS
BRAARENALETAT
BALLPOINTRASTA
ASSESUIEMEAN
SHAHPOINTGUARD
BAAEDGEOS
GUARDDOGTABOO
ANNHERETICLTD
LIDEEDOGHOUSE
ARCHWEARE
HOUSEPAINTAJAR
ENNEURNALERO
ELISEPAINTBALL
LOTUSOWLETNEE
SWEPTNEEDYSSS
Wed 5/11/2011
STEMDEARREAMS
PISAAWRYEATIN
ARTICHOKEPROLE
TEDTALKSANNIE
ALISLDRAER
OPTIMANAUTILUS
AHAEITHER
FIBONACCISERIES
POLLENREC
INNEREARIOLANI
SOAEXTATRA
LOGIADISARMED
EGGOSSUNFLOWER
TIETORAGUSARA
SEDANADENAHOY

It's unusual to have a science or math theme in an NYT puzzle, particularly one of this depth and complexity. The FIBONACCI SERIES F(n) starts 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144,… Each number is the sum of the two preceding ones. The ratio of successive numbers in the series approaches the GOLDEN RATIO (an irrational number approx 1.618) as n approaches infinity. Like pi or e, it is a constant that pops up surprisingly often.

Artists have traditionally considered this relationship to be the most aesthetically pleasing. It is said to be observed in nature in, for example, the growth of nautilus chambers, and the patterns of artichoke leaves or sunflower seeds.

Thu 5/12/2011
SATBYRAPSSHIP
ANDREAIDATERA
CASUALFRAYERIN
CHEFOPPOSE
TPKEGLOCKSPIEL
VAULTENOYENS
SPREESASEC
IDENTITYTHEFT
DUPESOVIET
SAABOARSINEW
SICKANDREDLENO
ATTIRECHAD
LIONPENALBOXES
TNUTAVONREFRY
ISTOLENTARLES
Fri 5/13/2011 NY Times, Fri, May __, 2011
SUPERSTITION
BUSINESSDINNER
INSTANTPOTATOES
BYROTENOCANDO
NEGATEORSON
MAUSINEFRI
MRSINDEFINABLE
DEFANGSEXENEMY
CALLTOORDERANE
PENHODPROD
ALIARHONSHU
PANCAKETINGES
OPTICALSCANNERS
DENTALSURGEONS
LOSTONESEDGE

The print version of this puzzle is slightly different. Appropriately, there is no square numbered 13. Note the puzzle title is Fri, May ___, 2011.

Sat 5/14/2011
PEDALSSITSPAT
LARVAEWERELIVE
ASPIREICESOVER
STEAKGRUNTWORK
MAPSFRERETSE
ASPBLAREMOSEL
TIECLIPSWAN
VARIETYGONEBAD
TEEGOODGAME
LADEDCRAZYSYL
OWEPIETYHEAT
WHATGIVESKINDA
FIREEXITTIPJAR
ALMANACSALTIMA
TEETERSGLOSSY
Sun 5/15/2011 INCLUDED HEREWIT
BUBBEALOPNBCSLOB
ALLENSSARIAROOPOUR
NEARTOSWEETBIRDOFUTE
DEBTINVENICEGOINSIDE
CREESDENANNESOD
TAHOEASMADADAGIO
ARONGLEERYESNADIA
BUSTLESHAMANACHING
OBERONBATROOMHUMOR
RADONTOMEIALAISNO
LIKEPULLINGTEAT
ABSARIECODASRAVEN
CROSSONESPATLABILE
TAUNTSLARAMSALLNEW
SYRIAARIDICKYENNE
PROLIXATARIROYAL
AAADRIPERRANGER
SCROOGESYOUANDMEBOAT
WELTMANAGEMENTEVONNE
ALERNEWTASTONEOCON
NASAESOSTANSTENT
Mon 5/16/2011
SCRUMLEOORALS
TRITEARMMARAT
AEGEANSEANITRO
RWANDACHAINSAW
SOPTAZGYM
ANTIWARTAO
COOLAFTERDARK
AIGRATRACELUI
BRAINDEADCANT
CADACEHIGH
SEEENEOUI
PUMPIRONGRAFTS
USAIRHORSEPLAY
THICKOLEKEATS
SILKSWAXATBAT

This puzzle has a remarkably high number of theme entries — nine, including the explanation at 63 Across.

Tue 5/17/2011
MINETAAHEMIQS
ALAMOSROVEDUE
JIMMYKIMMELCIN
KEYSFAASCANS
MEDSOINGOARCO
AYREDDIEVEDDER
GOOADOSASE
SUPERBTSTRAP
FLAKSIEIVE
ANNIELENNOXPIN
VAILLIEONJOAD
APNEASAWZEST
TAJBETTYHUTTON
ALABREEELLERY
RMSYARNFUISSE
Wed 5/18/2011
PODSERPICOAGE
ABOOVERMANLOT
GETWILIESTPBA
ORIENTNAHFAIL
DONAARCSBIC
ANGRYUEYAXIAL
ERNOBRONZE
DOGDAYAFTERNOON
ENRAGETREE
SEINEPHILUMET
FARREBANOLO
SAFESECSIDNEY
OBIJULIETSAMC
SETOPATRIAMIA
ASHNEWYORKISR
Thu 5/19/2011
LBOOBITPANAMA
ORRHOBOOMAHAN
BIGMONEYLEMOND
SOAPATOMINERGY
NEHIUPCTAOS
SPIGIRLHAHA
ALGNEEDRAPPER
BAGITSIMNEURO
UNSNAPYAWNBIB
STEPBEAGLES
MEDEERLTHRI
ELECTRIYESONAN
LIBRISCRUSHEDI
DOREMIROILMIT
STATENASTOYAY
Fri 5/20/2011
GIGISCHWAUMBO
AMINOREADSALA
ROADCONGASDAK
TUNECARONCAKE
HTTPEKINGOMEN
SEARETNA
OPENPANDORASBOX
READONESFORTUNE
INTERNALAUDITOR
UNTOSETT
MERCUNCAPUEYS
ARTENOOILTROT
MILDCOMMAIFWE
IKEAENIACOLIN
EASYRENTENYET
Sat 5/21/2011
MANEDEPALBINO
XBOXLIVEMILDEW
COQAUVININALIE
VULCANMINDMELD
MEETCAPOTE
AWSSEENOPST
RATIONSDIGRAPH
ITISSOBOOTIE
LEOPOLDMINISKI
URNEVADEYES
DUPLEXACHT
SQUIRRELBAFFLE
AUSTINCANARIES
MISTEDREADONLY
STROLLORTSESS
Sun 5/22/2011 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY!
ACTUPDERBYBOSOMICBM
SAUNASNAREONCUETROU
SUBTITLEDAPARIOTICSONG
SEINERIGBOOPRAMSES
FETEARGOCAGNEYMESSY
ORODRAYOHSOEBB
RIPLEYSBELIEVEITORNOT
AESOPHAYDNEARSIERRA
GENREBASTAYCATION
HOSANNAASKMTABUD
AHANDWRITTENBEERRECIPE
IDICPRAILENCASES
LENTILSOUPCUBESOD
SATINYDERKELLYLIDOS
READERSDIGESTMAGAZINE
ISOMARYSLAWVAT
FATHABICEPSSTEWJOSH
APRONSNOTENORKNURL
THEPAWOFHISDECEASEDCAT
WINEADREMJAKESAGENT
ADDSKEANESLOTHTESTY
Mon 5/23/2011
LATTEGCLEFPAM
ELIOTIRANIOTO
NUMBERSEVENISL
SMEEIMSAPNEA
SHOOTINGSTAR
GAMUTSRELIC
OMARSBEAMEOIL
OISEHOWTOTUTU
DDSMAGEEMANIC
MAIZETSKTSK
BLARNEYSTONE
LARGEARRSOLE
INKRABBITSFOOT
TAEAGILEIONIC
ZITLOBESTRASH
Tue 5/24/2011
PAWATYOURSHOP
OXIDEALGAEAPO
KISSANDSHOWTAB
ESPADONECRO
DRYANDMIGHTY
ICAMEAINGE
MORANHERRTRA
PREJUDICEANDJOY
SAYOTOSERODE
ORTHOROBES
TOUCHANDSTOP
ULNAEETAALS
FLURISEANDSPIT
TITMOURNENEMY
SESONREDXOXOX
Wed 5/25/2011
OILUPAFLACMOD
STARELOONYAHI
CABBAGEPATCHKID
ALAASSNLIEON
RIMINILETSAT
SABBATHBLESSING
NAANIRONTSO
RUDDIGORE
RIACANIORCA
ENBANCDECISIONS
PASSELSEEMTO
ODETOMODEPIN
MANICDEPRESSION
AZTOUTIEOUNCE
NESNOSEDNIGHT

Mr. Dubner won the C division at the 2011 ACPT (photo).

Thu 5/26/2011
SOCSUCHLATINA
ANACONDAAMIDOL
XYPANICHERITAGE
EXTRALUNA
TRUSTMEONTXY
WISEHASIATE
ACHARGUEACRES
CEEXYANDXXIRS
OBESENAGELFRI
TOSHMERAFAR
XXHEYSKISSES
ROPEANSAE
THEWRIGHTBROTXX
DOLIKETALLTALE
SPINESSGTSRED

In this chromosomal puzzle, XY is read as HIS, and XX as HERS.

Fri 5/27/2011
ABOILPITTRSVP
PONTIODEAEPEE
SNEAKAPEEKDOLE
ENDLESSTEAROUT
INITITSONME
ALQAEDAMEESE
GOUNDERENTERED
ICIITO
NOCANDOSEEMSTO
KLEINMAXIMUM
GESTALTASIN
UPTOPARREGULAR
ECUSTATTLETALE
SODAECOLNIMOY
STYXDKNYTAPES
Sat 5/28/2011
ITSASECRETLUNA
GUITARHEROICON
ONTHERADIOKONG
TABSERBSFENCE
ASECDRUEISNER
NASALOLDPRO
ALINESLICEPTA
MADEHAYPOPTART
EDEALEETISSUE
OVERDOTASED
SQUIRMMREREFI
TULLETEAMODAN
ROTCABELINCOLN
ATRALASERMOUSE
WEANPRESSENTER
Sun 5/29/2011 YOU'LL GET THROUGH THIS
QUAKERSRINGBELLSSFPD
ENVELOPIRAEINOILTRUE
DEADASANAILPOWERLOCK
SLAYDIVAENCE
SCHSETCALCOTIS
AREEARNERORURAL
BOAPREYERATOUSNA
ESTACDCOUTGAMESSTEM
RTESLSTCROSTINESEXY
SIDEATALOSSESTDRPTS
ANILMAXIMAS
WINAPRIZEPRISMWANE
HOLDTHEOPEN
BOPSNADAATISSUEEPIC
ALOTAVERTJOETNTSEGA
CLOYVANCEJEDITISAHS
KALEALOHAMENURBI
HOTELMANEDGETON
DORMONEDAMOORG
RHEAROBSASEA
ABCDOZAWATRAPSPIDERS
FOURSEDANHAIRHARDHIT
TYRESEEYAALLYEMERSON

Following the doors from room to room, the circles spell out the EMERSON quote, "EVERY WALL IS A DOOR." Patrick Merrell created this nice graphic.

Mon 5/30/2011
REPSBOILTILLS
ALOTURSAASYET
TILEGROUTTRITE
EARLYZESTNBA
RNAJUNGLEGYM
LABAMBATIS
AGEEPICNAACP
CHARITABLEGIFTS
KARENNEONTRI
AFTWEASELS
STAPLEGUNMER
OWNUNIVDODGY
FEDEXBREAKALEG
ARISEEASYNOTI
SPECSDYESSWIG
Tue 5/31/2011
ASTAPINTJEWEL
BOHRBRAYARENA
BLACKJACKPRINT
OTTOIHERARUT
TISSPOTSONADIE
LASEDTEM
PAIRLIEFSUTRA
FIFTIESGAMESHOW
CREEDTOTEERNE
RIBANODE
NEWYORKCLUBEGG
APETRIOINFER
CELEBTWENTYONE
RETROEEROSLIT
ESSEXDRATEDIE
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