Pun of a Kind

  PDF / PUZ Hello hello! The Cubs have been on the struggle bus lately to say the least (but kudos to the White Sox, who have been rocking it!). They have won their last two in a row, so let's see if they can get something going! --- Puzzle #178 answer: GIBBOUS MORE (har har) Correct entries: 65 Shortest explanation: Eleven entries in the grid rhyme with "moon," and the initial letters of their clues spell out GIBBOUS MORE , another hilarious pun from yours truly. --- And you want more? Okay! When making this, I planned for Level 2, but it might tick up to 2.5? I think that's solid. We'll say Level 2.5 for this one. Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta, which begins with a vowel, is what I hope you don't find this puzzle.  

PDF / PUZ Hello hello! This is where I normally post about the Cubs, but we won't talk about that right now, haha. --- Puzzle #177 answer: BUMP Correct entries: 69 Shortest explanation: Find the explanation here ! --- Summer of Solves time! Here's your obligatory graphic: Puzzles every Saturday through August if inspiration strikes! Mikey G The 11-letter answer to the meta is what I hope you all say when you solve it.  

PDF / PUZ Hello hello! What a difference a couple of weeks make - the Cubbies are in a brutal stretch right now, after getting swept by the brutal Milwaukee Brewers (who I'm not a fan of - but they completely trounced us at Wrigley, so I'll tip my cap). Let's see if we can turn it around soon! --- Puzzle #176 answer: NEW YORK LIBERTY Correct entries: 67 Shortest explanation: Five current WNBA players' surnames start each of the themers, minus a letter. (Happy to find ONES CUP OF TEA for Ionescu!). The missing letters spell ELLIE, the effervescent mascot to the NEW YORK LIBERTY , the answer to the meta. --- Posting a day early to avoid a MGWCC double-post. This is a solid Level 3 , and your time to beat is 6 minutes (if you want to beat Jangler, that is!). Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is a 4-letter word.  

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! The Cubs are rocking it now, and I'm trying to bottle up all these good feelings inside when we face some tough stretches later in the season. Something incredible is happening on the North Side, and I will always root for the South Siders as well (except against us!), so I'm glad the White Sox are in the mix once again (being at nearly .500 after a historically cataclysmic season is  an accomplishment). --- Puzzle #175 answer:  ELLA FITZGERALD Correct entries:  64 Shortest explanation: There were a bevy of clues, 15 of them!, which involved only the letters A - G of the alphabet (see graphic), which are the typical notes in the musical alphabet. The initial letters of these clues' entries spell FIRST LADY OF SONG, the well-deserved accolade given to Ella Fitzgerald, whose birthday was on the Saturday of this puzzle's release! --- This one is a bit of a vanity project, but I think it's solveable. The late, great Bob Lodge of GAMES  ...

PDF  /  PUZ  /  Full-Screen Hello hello! Yep, it's me again - and here for themeless #2 for my blog. Working on fill and stacks - I like the one in the middle - would've liked another mini-triple in NW and SE, but that single black square always seems to help with quality of fill a bit. Have fun, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! Since my last meta, the Cubs game back against the Pirates, got knocked down by the Phillies, but came back to a 9-game winning streak, their first since 2016! (Against the struggling Mets and Phillies but still). Real test occurs tonight as we head out west. Posting a day early to avoid MGWCC conflict. --- Puzzle #174 answer:  ACPT Correct entries:  64 Shortest explanation: There are eight entries whose letters are in alphabetical order (including a couple of two-letter ones, had to do it!). This constitutes 22 letters of the alphabet; the remaining four, in alphabetical order, form ACPT , in honor of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament held that weekend! --- I like this one and committed myself to a symmetrical grid, which led to a bit of strain in fill. I'm thinking a solid Level 3 , even so. Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is a well-known 20th-century American.  

PDF  /  PUZ  /  Full-Screen Hello hello! Welcome to my first full-sized themeless puzzle for my blog. I'm numbering these as "MT1" for "Mikey Themeless" moving forward. (A normal number points to a meta.) The themeless bug bit me last year - and while I'm still going to be posting a bunch of my metas along the way (hopefully to hit 200 this year!), I will sporadically plan themelesses for every other Monday  going forward. (And my mini-themelesses can also be found on Crosshare ). Thanks for being here! Happy puzzling, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G