Pun of a Kind

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! Spring training began yesterday, and my Cubs dominated! Of course, that might not mean anything in the long run, haha. We also had some beautiful temperatures as of late, though a bit of snow still decided to dust the ground today. Oh, well, spring is coming soon! --- 1.  Puzzle #84 answer:  MICHAEL JORDAN Correct entries: 61,  a true Level 2 ! Shortest explanation: From top-right to bottom-left, we have six words that rhyme with BIRTH, fitting the title. These somewhat vague clues mean we likely have alternate entries lurking, and we do! Find those, which spell out JORDAN , the answer to the meta! Note also the BULL at #23 in Michael's honor. --- 2. We increase difficulty a bit this week, giving us a Level 3  to close out February. The winter solvestice will conclude March 30, taking us a bit into spring, where we then have puzzles every other week until our third annual Summer of Solves  (better start brainstorming for that!!...

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! One week until spring training! That is all! --- 1.  Puzzle #83 answer:  BISMUTH AS USUAL Correct entries:  47,  a solid Level 3/3.5  (and the atomic number of silver, no less!) Shortest explanation: The ten highlighted four-letter entries (meant to roughly visualize a "table") are formed by concatenating two elements with a 2-letter symbol, per the center clue. Take those elements' atomic numbers, add them, and get another  atomic symbol corresponding to the new atomic number. These spell out BISMUTH AS USUAL , the fitting pun to our 83rd meta (bismuth being #83 as well!). --- 2.  This is meant to be a Level 2 , at most. I think you'll be able to crack it pretty readily! Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is a well-known individual who shares my birthday, 2/17.

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! Surprisingly gorgeous weather in the region this week, at least comparatively. We're over 50 degrees? Let's go to the beach! --- 1.  Puzzle #82 answer:  MILWAUKEE BUCKS Correct entries: 71, a very solid Level 1/1.5 Shortest explanation: The four clues to the NBA teams give us BULLS, HAWKS, KINGS, and ROCKETS. Per the clue for CITY, we take their cities' initial letters (Chicago, Atlanta, Sacramento, Houston) to get CASH, the fifth and final clue for our final NBA team: the MILWAUKEE BUCKS , the answer to the meta! (Wanted to get it to MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES  for my initials but no dice!) --- 2. This one is meant to track upward, and I'll put it at a Level 3  at the lowest, with what I reckon would be more like a Level 3.5 . Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is how chemists might describe their work.

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! February's here, one step closer to spring! It was 50 degrees a couple of days ago, which might as well be beach weather in the region! Keep it coming! --- 1.  Puzzle #81 answer: CLOUD NINE Correct entries:  48, tied with last week! Shortest explanation: There are only nine three-by-three regions of the bizarrely patterned grid that do not  have any black squares within. Each of these squares has exactly three of the same letter, which spell out CLOUD NINE in standard order (fitting for meta #81 also, has 9 3-by-3 squares have a total area of 81!). --- 2. We'll see if my promise holds on this one: I would rate this a Level 1.5  or Level 2  at the most, with meta #82 being in honor of the NBA, with its 82-game season. Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is NBA team #5.