Hardest Monday ever. Had to solve indirectly from a tiny hole in a cardboard box. cc: emu handler
How great to have an eclipse themed puzzle, and even better that it is based on a musical playlist. My favorite is MOONSHADOW. My favorite eclipse fact is the weird numerical coincidence that the Sun is approximately 400 times larger than the Moon but also 400 times more distant from the Earth. So, even though the Moon is much smaller than the Sun, it is just close enough to Earth to appear the same size as the Sun when seen from Earth. How cool is that! To those in the path, enjoy the show.
@Anita Perhaps the same thing in different words, but more amazing than they appear the same size, is that the moon perfectly/exactly covers the sun. But it won't always be so - the moon is slowly drifting away from us, so if humans survive a few thousand more years, they won't see any total eclipses.
@Bill in Yokohama. I read we have 6 million years before it won’t totally cover the sun, so we have a lot of eclipses to look forward to.
@Anita It is indeed an amazing coincidence! We are so fortunate. In fact, sci-fi writer Connie Willis wrote a short story after the 1979 total eclipse about some "visitors" who came a very, very long distance to see this unique event. The story is called "And Come from Miles Around" and it's charming. It will be 600 million year before total eclipses stop happening here: <a href="https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/total-solar-eclipse/en" target="_blank">https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/total-solar-eclipse/en</a>/
When I write about the moon getting larger, I'm waxing poetic. Must be a phase. (I knew I'd post that lunar or later.)
@Mike Uuuuuuuuuuuuugh A guy only an emu could love? Nah. You're a Cat Person, so you get a pass.
Finished my 100th Monday puzzle in a row, and a very enjoyable one at that!
Another fun one from a master constructor. The theme songs were all familiar, so no problems putting them in. Another song title to use? "Ain't No Sunshine": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CICIOJqEb5c" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CICIOJqEb5c</a> Thanks for an eclipse puzzle, Peter!
Okay, okay this may be a little stupid. I still get a chuckle out of this solar eclipse Oreo demonstration. Look, you can only post this so often. Today’s the day… I’ll see myself out… <a href="https://tinyurl.com/4rsn9u3k" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/4rsn9u3k</a> — — — — — — — —
@Hardroch How a propos for this crossword community! Thanks for the smile on my face :-) . . . . . .
@Hardroch I’d seen that before, but as sotto voce noted, it’s perfect for Crosslandia. Thanks!
@Hardroch That is MARVELOUS! Thank you, Hardroch! emu food more emu food
My five favorite original clues from last week (in order of appearance): 1. String together? (3) 2. What Scott Joplin might yell after a spill? (7) 3. London dunderhead (5) 4. Pictures where people are headscarfed? (6)(6) 5. Cinderella's calling card (3)(5) SEW RAGTIME HOSER ZOMBIE MOVIES BIG UPSET
@Lewis After all the turmoil on Saturday, I wasn't sure 4 and 5 would make it onto your list. Glad you stuck to your guns! They were terrific clues.
@Lewis all that Kerfuffle over HOSER! I filled it in from the crosses, and just assumed it was British slang (as well), with which I wasn't familiar. Never thought of London, ON, despite having a nephew who lives there, and several friends who live nearby.
Cute theme! Because my fellow wordplayers have the soundtrack sorted, instead here are a few HAIKU on the subject of the day: Going north a bit, Snowshoes, camera filter, Don’t forget the snacks. Penumbra, umbra. Motorists do the rumba. Don’t forget to gas. In this together, Wasn’t that four years ago? Come, darkness and light.
@Cat Lady Margaret After being inspired by yours, I decided to try a couple. The light darkens, Moon covering the sun. Nightfall occurs in daytime! People rushing To gaze at the heavens As the moon obscures the sun.
Puzzle haiku Say you are the sun. You emit rays, eschew frost. At dusk, you're seen out. In Intro to Arts you got the hots for Miro, his tutu moon: BAM! Am I older now? I eschew the talk of rays in my ursine home. Briskets, knish, eel, guac: the eclipse party's odor made the sun stay home. The moon, fat, siphoned off the sun's last rays and gave them to his starving aides. This is not to take anything away from Cat Lady Margaret's beautiful and matchless haiku -- that's the thing about haiku, there's room for them all, they never compete, and you can't just consume one, it's like potato chips, before you know it, the bag is empty. I could have written several more haiku but you know me, I tend to the prolix! Great puzzle and happy eyeballing (be careful! and don't do like the former guy did last time -- which is a good lesson in all aspects of your life).
Super pleased with this one, what a fun solve in light (dark?) of the eclipse! Tossing in one more song candidate as well… “Black Hole Sun.”
@Rachel Great choice! 🎶...won't you come And wash away the rain... Love the song. . . . . .
@Rachel Good Day Sunshine by....
@Rachel For a different take on the song, I was looking for Lea Delaria's cover of it (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYGa8YeP5BI" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYGa8YeP5BI</a>), when I came across this one by Norah Jones, recorded locally(!): <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbQ08Ixczvo" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbQ08Ixczvo</a> Which merely underscores Chris Cornell's talent as a songwriter
Magnificent theme idea. I shouldn’t be surprised. Peter has such a talent for coming up with worthy themes. This is his 128th NYT puzzle, and 123 of them are themed. Plus, a talent for crafting a puzzle. This one has a high 59 squares devoted to the theme, but look how smooth the puzzle reads. Look how perfect for Monday, filled with everyday language, except for a POLONIUM here and a THANOS there for interest and bite, easily crossed. I took a poll amongst myself and it was unanimous: Peter is remarkable. I like the serendipitous echoes to today’s Big Event that showed up in the puzzle. The word that goes with “moon” (NEW), and the word that goes with “sun” (RAYS). Better yet, the letter O, which echoes the black circle we see in pictures of the total eclipse. That letter’s name (the long O) begins five words (OLDER, ODOR, OPEC, OGRE, OMEGA), ends five words (MIRO, NATO, LOTTO, INTRO, ALTO, ESSO), and is in the middle of six (MOONSHADOW, POLONIUM, HOME, ALOE, THANOS, TOMEI). Peter, you are a Crosslandia giant, not only from the volume of your output, but even more, from its quality. Thank you for another splendid outing!
George Benson, "Give Me The Night"~ <a href="https://youtu.be/FIF7wKJb2iU?feature=shared" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/FIF7wKJb2iU?feature=shared</a> A must watch video, just to see the man roller skating backwards while playing the guitar. The legend is also a cool cat! Ah, yes, the puzzle. Loved seeing KNISH crossing BRISKETS. Reminds me of meals at grandparents' and great-uncles' homes. Had to take an educated guess at the "T" of THANOS crossing TMAN. When I didn't get the gold star, I thought that was the problem. But it turned out to be ASTI. I had filled in ASTa and was so proud to have remembered. Yeah, right. IN ALL, a great puzzle and homage to the day's event. Thank you, Mr. Gordon! To all those on the path, may the magnificent spectacle stir your souls and quiet the heart.
@sotto voce My one mistake was putting g MAN and thus gHANOS. When that didn't get me the gold, I switched to T MAN. My step daughter would be so ashamed! She's tried repeatedly to have us go through the entire Marvel Universe... in order. We've watched a few here and there but don't quite have her extreme enthusiasm for the Caped Crusaders? Oh wait, that might be Batman and Robin! She's told us so much about each movie, I'm shocked it didn't stick in my brain!
@sotto voce When I was about eight or nine, I read a history of the United States Secret Service, which was part of the Treasury Department until the Department of Homeland Security was began operations in 2003. Much of the book covered the service’s efforts to fight counterfeit currency, so I know my TMEN from my GMEN. (That book also gave me a better-than-average knowledge of presidential assassinations and assassination attempts.) If I hadn’t first had “spat” before TIFF, and if I had read the 46A clue before rashly putting SOLAR ECLIPSE, I might’ve had a new personal best.
Good to see the NYT xword marking this event. I've no musical suggestions but here’s a book tie-in: the Stephen King novel “Dolores Claiborne”. A woman in Maine (circa 1960) uses the excitement and community distraction over the total eclipse as a cover while she murders her husband. Very good read. I'll be watching the eclipse from the QC/VT border (Canadian side) where there will be some 3.5 min of totality. I’m hoping for clear skies and have no plans, schemes or plots of any kind other than to experience the moment (with my husband).
Quick and certainly on topic. I took a minute longer because I put solar instead of TOTALECLIPSE and then I had to adjust everything around it. Never heard of the songs mentioned but their titles certainly seem appropriate as a soundtrack for the big event! I loved the retort AMI. I’ve been told I have a habit of answering a question with a question so I snorted at that clue 😜. Exciting day ahead!
@Pani Korunova Hand up for solar first and also for not knowing any of the songs.
Very enjoyable. While doing this, "Here Comes the Sun" and "That's Amore" rattled around inside of my head.
I was wondering if we'd see the eclipse here. Very glad we did. I agree with others that "Paint it Black" would have fit in nicely. Some poor xword constructor received this response to their submission: "Congratulations! We love your eclipse-themed puzzle and plan to run it! Right after Peter Gordon's puzzle. ETA-2044."
A well-timed puzzle, Mr. Gordon. Note the parenthetical in Bonnie Tyler's hit song: Turn Around. Very good advice for anyone who isn't wearing solar eclipse glasses.
Perfect theme for the day. I visited my eye doctor last week, and she had multiple signs in her office warning people not to look directly into the sun. It seems like I saw a picture of someone doing just that, but who would be that silly?
A haiku kind of phenomenon sets me off. Sun, the brilliant eye Sweeps across the universe Moon blinded for one day Sly moon slides between But we still long for sunlight Transfixed by absence Celebrating vows Moon and Sun create a ring To reassure us
You can fly your Lear Jet up to Nova Scotia today! Fun puzzle, I had SOLAR ECLIPSE for awhile until I caught on! Happy Eclipse! 🌚🌝🌒 Emus are so vain.
Good puzzle, great theme. Love the Bonnie Tyler song; what’s not to like about an operatic, ott diva pop song? IMO a lot better than the anodyne blah that rules the waves these days ymmv. Don’t think we’ll get the eclipse here, just a little too far east. I could schlep down to Cornwall but it’s a painful drive on the back roads for 5 minutes of awe. The last eclipse I remember was in the early 90’s. My day lilies closed up in the middle of the day, which was definitely an ‘oooh’ moment.
@Helen Wright Yes, one of the most OTT songs outside of opera.
Fantastic puzzle to add to the day’s excitement. We won’t have totality here, but pretty close, at @95%. A son is coming to share the experience, and we plan to sit around the fire pit and admire this natural wonder. Before that, I take my husband to his six-week check where we’re hoping he’ll be given official surgical permission to bear weight on his hip and start walking—hoping the eclipse coinciding is auspicious! Thanks to all who contributed playlist ideas and inspired haikus.
@Kate 95% eh? Have a wonderful time sitting with hubby and sun... hopefully have a few wonderful snacks to go along (no Oreos). And good luck to your hubby regarding his hip. I am sure that will work out! Yay to Kate's Dhubby!
Whew! Just got back from my ECLIPSE jaunt. There was the most traffic I've ever seen on I-95 north of Old Town; heading there is almost always very little traffic once you are north of the Stillwater Avenue exit in Old Town. Today, it was like Massachusetts traffic. When we got to the Medway exit, where one gets off the highway to head west to Millinocket, the exiting traffic was backed up all the way onto the right travel lane for about a half mile. Scoping out the situation, we decided to abort Plan A (Millinocket) and go to Plan B (Milo/Brownville). That meant sitting in that exit line, on the line acrid the overpass, to get to the southbound entrance. Not too bad -- the police were prioritizing getting the backed up cars off the interstate so we lost no more than 10 minutes. We got to Milo and found a little museum with rest facilities and extensive grounds where we parked and set up. And bathrooms! The down side was that Milo is close to the edge of the zone of totality, so we had only a little more than a minute. Cf. about 3 minutes at Millinocket. But, we decided this was good enough and set up our chairs and pulled out the cooler and snacks and tied the dogs up. It was lovely, if short. And what a view of the corona we had! It was stunning. Jupiter and Venus were clearly visible in the dark sky around the sun. Overall, it was a great trip north followed by some great Thai food, and then home. Highly recommended.
@CaptainQuahog Nice! I wish I lived closer to the path. I bailed on my trip. I could have met up with some friends who got a room in Waterville, with the plan to drive toward Jackman on 201. Knowing the road, I didn't want to be stuck there for hours, only to be disappointed by not making it into totality, or being hit by clouds. I'll go see one when I retire and have more time 😁 They stopped in Moscow, just into the zone, which was probably very smart (if not necessary), as 201 is still showing long traffic jams from Jackman to Moscow right now at 9 pm! Crazy. Saw a 93ish percent partial at a cook out with my coworkers, which was actually rather nice.
If you've never watched the literal version of Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart video, please treat yourself right now! <a href="https://youtu.be/uDw0QeYKPhA?si=auTn-uxD-N7nbjlG" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/uDw0QeYKPhA?si=auTn-uxD-N7nbjlG</a> You're welcome! Oh and a very fun puzzle too!! 😊
@HeathieJ Thank you for reminding me of that video! What a hoot! For other takers, here is an alternate link that might help with those hilarious lyrics although the video may not be as clear: <a href="https://youtu.be/fsgWUq0fdKk?si=F2EeibJfcRaJcQHg" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/fsgWUq0fdKk?si=F2EeibJfcRaJcQHg</a>
Add Eclipse by Pink Floyd to the song list. Most people think it, with Brain Damage, is a song named Dark Side of the Moon.
@Steve how to sync “Eclipse” to the eclipse: <a href="https://ultimateclassicrock.com/pink-floyd-solar-eclipse-sync" target="_blank">https://ultimateclassicrock.com/pink-floyd-solar-eclipse-sync</a>/#?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral L
Me again! I am very sad to miss this eclipse. I saw the one in 2017 in Pawley’s Island, SC. The feeling in the path of totality was so overwhelming, I can’t believe I resisted hopping on a plane to see this one. I wrote a handful of HAIKUs about that experience. Mind you, I didn’t say *good* haikus. Mystical event A cool breeze sweeps past my face No birds aflutter Pulsing corona Intoxicating dancer Impressive, sun king! Fauna goes silent Flora rustles in the wind Curious poses Total eclipses You dopamine releasers I am truly hooked For those of you witnessing a total eclipse for the first time, these will make sense soon! Enjoy seeing the Koruna/Coruña/Krona/Krone today!
Happy eclipse day! The 2017 one was right smack dab over my son's back yard in TN, and it was really cool. All the nighttime creatures started doing their thing, and the August temperature dropped about 20 deg. They liked it so much they went to the Indianapolis area to view this one, and they have another child to share it with now. Here in CT we will be getting nearly 90%, but it also seems a bit cloudy. Hoping for the best. Sorry to rattle on, but I love celestial events!
Great Monday puzzle. Sometimes Monday is full of standard crossword gimmes and no unique fill. The northwest started that way with the overused crossword gimmes of idol, aloe, and eel…… but then the rest felt like unique fill with nice and breezy Monday clues……perfect Monday!
Here are two more songs: Echo and the Bunnymen with "The Killing Moon" <a href="https://youtu.be/LWz0JC7afNQ?feature=shared" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/LWz0JC7afNQ?feature=shared</a> Carly Simon singing "Moonlight Serenade" <a href="https://youtu.be/2Dk9dujVeWE?feature=shared" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/2Dk9dujVeWE?feature=shared</a>
@sotto voce Carly Simon knew a thing or two about eclipse-chasers: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j13oJajXx0M" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j13oJajXx0M</a>
@sotto voce Carly Simon knew a thing or two about eclipse-chasers: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j13oJajXx0M" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j13oJajXx0M</a> Some emu-padding lest this not post before 2044.
I'm the perfect audience for this puzzle since I don't know any of the songs -- giving me the enjoyable task of trying to guess the titles from just a few crosses. (This is one of those rare times where I'm not complaining about a pop culture-based theme since my lack of familiarity made the puzzle much more interesting to solve.) One wrong guess. I guessed MOONSHADes and it was instead MOONSHADOW. But the rest were easy. Biggest question upfront: Would it be TOTAL ELIPSE or SOLAR ECLIPSE? I'm guessing that none of these songs have anything whatsoever to do with an ECLIPSE. Am I right? So my last question about this quite enjoyable and very timely puzzle is this: Is it a big "Planning-in-Advance" piece of construction: i.e. Peter Gordon knew w-a-a-a-y in advance (which is how the NYTXW works) that the ECLIPSE was coming and planned accordingly? Or is it "Famous Constructor Has The NYTXW Insider Contacts to Jump the Line For a Really Good Reason", as in "Peter Gordon here. This is a TOTAL ECLIPSE puzzle, so you'd better get it into your queue in time for April 8th of this year"? Whichever -- it's a puzzle by a seasoned pro and perfect for today.
@Nancy This is a solar eclipse. It is also a TOTAL ECLIPSE, or a TOTAL solar ECLIPSE. Not all solar ECLIPSES are total. Some are partial, and some are annular, where the entire moon is in front of the sun, but because the moon is a little farther away from the Earth, you see a ring of the sun (composed mostly of its chromosphere) around the perimeter of the moon. That was the case for the ECLIPSE last year. Today's is TOTAL* -- the moon is a bit closer to the Earth than the last time, so now it can occlude the sun entirely, and none of the sun's chromosphere will be visible during totality. *Well, TOTAL in places along the path of TOTALity. Others people will see a partial ECLIPSE.
@Nancy - As for knowing in advance -- I can tell you all the eclipses coming up for several decades -- long past when you or I will be alive. For example, the next solar ECLIPSE is an annular ECLIPSE on October 2, and it will be visible only ion the South Pacific Ocean. I can also tell you that there will be a TOTAL solar ECLIPSE on September 4, 2100, which will be visible in the Tanzania. People who are really into this can tell you ECLIPSEs much further into the future. My source only goes to the year 2100.
@Nancy I knew all of the songs except the Santana one and I didn't know the KNISH. INTOTHELIGHT seemed a more applicable answer than INTOTHEnIGHT. Otherwise, a Monday puzzle. BTW, we're in the path of totality here in Little Rock, so I'll be STARINGATTHESUN, albeit with goggles on. Do emus need glasses to look at the eclipse.
Love the musical tribute to the eclipse in today’s puzzle. For me, this is the song that is emblematic of the eclipse: <a href="https://youtu.be/IfAoFIQnyl8?si=OL26EaAs8r9bErv4" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/IfAoFIQnyl8?si=OL26EaAs8r9bErv4</a> “I guess we will be making history when we all join hands just to watch the sky… for a moment” Remember your solar glasses!! Keep your eyes safe. (You too, emus)
This was a lot of fun and a relief after the agony of the weekend. Thanks for a very straightforward, relaxing puzzle. Good luck in viewing the eclipse, if you are in my area (Minneapolis). We are expecting only rain and clouds.😩. 00. EPSdoc
For the playlist, Eleanor Friedberger of Fiery Furnaces: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/48f2fekj" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/48f2fekj</a> (She co-wrote the song with John Wesley Harding, whose own enjoyable recording is at a much slower tempo.) Mr. Gordon, as a puzzle constructor wannabe, I’m jealous of your skills: “You don’t like ‘Paint It, Black’? Fine. Here it is with ‘Into the Night.’” I just now noticed the clue for 55D, UTAH. Arches National Park is one of our favorite places to visit. (The first time we went there, we hiked out to Delicate Arch (the one on the Utah license plate) for sunset. We stayed out at the arch long after the sun went down, until the people sitting behind us started singing “MOONSHADOW.”) Thanks for a fun, breezy Monday.
@Eric Hougland I wasn't familiar with Eleanor Friedberger, so thank you for that. I came here to post the JWH version, but instead, I'll post this song for post-eclipse: When The Sun Comes Out: <a href="https://youtu.be/_WpFWhA5BKg?si=331u1vli_uCLTRle" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/_WpFWhA5BKg?si=331u1vli_uCLTRle</a> We must have a lot of overlap in our record collections.
As threatened below - PARTIAL eclipses: First puzzle - a Sunday from December 2, 2007 by Seth A. Abel with the title: CAR TALK. Some theme clues and answers: "Half-assembled Mitsubishi? :" PARTIALECLIPSE "Ford purchased online? :" INTERNETEXPLORER "Honda owned by one of the Simpsons? :" HOMERSODYSSEY "City dweller's Acura? :" URBANLEGEND Here's the Xword Info link: <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=12/2/2007&g=51&d=D" target="_blank">https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=12/2/2007&g=51&d=D</a> .... And then... A Thursday from December 27, 2012 by Julian Lim. This one was all in the clues. Some examples: "SON :" HALFNELSON "TIN :" PIECEOFWRITING "LIP :" PARTIALECLIPSE "FIN :" SEMIFINALS And here's the link to that one: <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=12/27/2012&g=42&d=A" target="_blank">https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=12/27/2012&g=42&d=A</a> I'm done. ..
My vote is for Paint it Black. Eclipse noir. Nice one Peter
I do the crossword on my phone, zoomed in so the grid fills the screen width. Happily, this means the revealer on Mondays is almost always "below the scroll" out of sight. So when I hit the second theme clue this morning and realized there was a musical connection, I started getting excited that Bonnie Tyler might make it in. How cool that her hit was the revealer!! Teenaged G was a *huge* fan -- the drama! That video! Aahhhh! Even better, my weekday soundtrack is supplied by WFUV, and all the DJs today were picking up on the eclipse theme as well. So many great tunes, here in the puzzle and the column and there on the airwaves -- it was a synchronicity/wavelength moment for sure. I spent the afternoon in a graveyard with hundreds of other Brooklynites (the incredible Green Wood Cemetery, who did it up right). As the sliver of sun got smaller, and I repeatedly donned my cardboard glasses, one lyric above all kept screaming in my brain: Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun But mama, that's where the fun is... Here's the original: <a href="https://youtu.be/Rzk3x3HZbJI?si=ICpZ1h83mBM1woDT" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/Rzk3x3HZbJI?si=ICpZ1h83mBM1woDT</a> And Bruce, since that's who I heard first, way back in the day: <a href="https://youtu.be/xPy82OO6vRg?si=HTOvNKzQ35KyPmi" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/xPy82OO6vRg?si=HTOvNKzQ35KyPmi</a>-
@G Oh and one more thing: if you are a middling karaoke participant like I am, don't do what I once did and attempt to sing Blinded by the Light! One of the more excruciating karaoke experiences I've ever had, haha. Bonnie Tyler used to be my go-to karaoke choice (I Need a Hero, not Total Eclipse of the Heart). But my voice changed a few years ago and now I'm not in range. Probably a blessing in disguise!!
@G Awww, sounds like a fantastic day! How fun!! All we had here in the Mpls/St Paul area was clouds all day! Have you ever watched the literal version of Bonnie's video? I posted it last night but in case you missed it. Teenaged HeathieJ was also a huge fan but this video cracks adult HeathieJ up to no end!! 😂 youtu.be/uDw0QeYKPhA?si=auTn-uxD-N7nbjlG
What a perfect puzzle for this special day. It must have been tough to keep it Monday easy. I really really hope the weather is clear for all those making their way to the best spots to see the TOTALECLIPSE.
Decided at the last minute to head north to the totality zone. I’m about halfway to my goal, Plattsburgh, NY and stopped for breakfast. Don’t have much to add about the puzzle, except my contribution to the playlist: <a href="https://youtu.be/129kuDCQtHs?si=HW9yids4Q9pDabTg" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/129kuDCQtHs?si=HW9yids4Q9pDabTg</a>
@Steve L I hope that works out well for you…and I say that more than just a tad selfishly :) Right across the lake in Burlington, our forecast was looking absolutely perfect until Saturday, and at this point, cloud cover seems to be approaching a sure thing — the million dollar questions now being how much and what kind. Here’s to hoping the answers are: scattered, and of the variety that dissipate as totality approaches.
@Steve L Good to hear that you got off to an early start - the Northway is supposed to be jammed today. I just heard that the NY State Troopers are putting up signs warning people not to stop during the eclipse.
I'm not seeing this eclipse as it is raining in Northern Minnesota today. It'll just go from gray to dark gray. Chill times. One of the first songs I learned how to play on guitar was MOONSHADOW. It was taught to me by a trumpet player. Go figure. My inner and outer music nerd was thrilled at the theme and had a fun time pushing out this Monday puzzle. Given the ease of the day, I'm in a constant battle to reset my PB. Was off by about 30 seconds, but such is life. All of you in the clear places: enjoy the eclipse for those of us in the clouds. Space is cool.
@Ace - My friend from Duluth was considering flying into Bangor because of the poor weather where his original ECLIPSE destination is. Over $3000 for the ticket. He decided to fly to Albany instead. I hope he gets to see it! Off to Millinocket in about a half hour. Enjoy the ECLIPSE, folks! I'm pretty sure EMUs just ignore ECLIPSEs.
the song they allowed stuck out like a sore thumb and didn’t fit in with the theme. paint it black would’ve made way more sense
Really fun Monday puzzle with a timely theme. Lots of nice alternative song suggestions in the comments too. I have to admit I’m not a big fan of TOTALECLIPSEOFTHEHEART, but it was a great choice for a two part themer. This is my favorite Monday in a long time.
@Marshall Walthew I thought i was the only one who didn't like the song. I feel better now. Not only did it grate for me, it went on forever which just made it worse to take, lol.
Lovely, clever Monday. Just perfect. As a person who is sometimes affected emotionally by full moons ( oddly not every one, but some really mess with my head), I am definitely feeling this one. An odd sense of angst, malaise…hard to describe. I live in the zone of totality and have read that, if watching in a group, some advise to actually take some time to look at the people around you, and you even may see noticeable, emotional responses to the event! Wild! Happy Monday, all!
If you would like a more challenging Monday puzzle, try this one: <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/puzzles-and-games-dept/crossword/2024/04/08" target="_blank">https://www.newyorker.com/puzzles-and-games-dept/crossword/2024/04/08</a> Neither comments nor emus over there.
@Barry Ancona And it’s not as difficult as their typical Monday puzzle, but still clever and fun. p.s. I heard from a reliable conservative oracle that Zeus might hide the sun today. You never know what that lecherous old coot might be up to, so be careful out there.
For all us NERDs out there: <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/wallops/nasa-wallops-to-launch-three-sounding-rockets-during-solar-eclipse" target="_blank">https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/wallops/nasa-wallops-to-launch-three-sounding-rockets-during-solar-eclipse</a>/ Can we launch emus?
What a cute puzzle! Loved the music references.
Quite fun... And Total Eclipse of the Heart is a wonderful song! So - there is a total eclipse today? Why do I not keep up with what is going on in the world? Anyway, thank you dear constructor for a lovely Monday solve. Looking at the photo supplied by Sam, I see that almost every one of the cardplayers is smoking. Yeeks! Striking miners? Miners? No wonder they smoke! Have a great week everyone!
Fun puzzle. Wondered about this as a possible theme before I started and was glad to see that it was so. Nice smooth Monday solve for the most part,, but managed to finish with one wrong square and it took me a bit to find it. I had put intotheLight at 23a, and I had to go through all the down crossings until I noticed that that left me with kLish at 22d. While I was solving, one of my sons (currently living with us) mentioned that we could get eclipse glasses at Walmart, so I'll be heading up there in a bit. And, lastly... a couple of remarkable puzzle finds today were inspired by a search for PARTIAL eclipses. I'll put those in a separate post. ..