Author: Guy du Sable

…comme on dit. At 12 we have a bittersweet reminder of when we used to go out and get together; at this state of the siege, there may be more than one 17 (virtually) among … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4931 by Dean Mayer — The 5 across the merrier!”

I’m still 8 by the state of my nation,But there’s one cause for wild celebration!Dial the amps to “11,”Have some 12 or some 7Or whatever’s your favorite libation.Bottoms up! There are some 20 in this … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4929 by Robert Price — Santé !”

This one was worked the night of Halloween,Quite the most eerie I have ever seen.For months we’d gone about our daily tasksWith tout le monde already wearing masks.There was no jubilant parade this year,As make-believe … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4927 by David McLean — Trick or tweet”

I hardly ever start with the first clue on these but rather approach them strategically. My virtual FOI (though I happened to see ANI first) was the one long one right down the middle. After … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4925 by Dean Mayer — Boffo socko performance!”

I worked this while watching the season premiere of Saturday Night Live, and as my eye casually swept over the new clues, I first saw LENTO, which I should have taken as a watchword. Right … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4923 by Robert Price — Not so fast!”

There was nothing 11 (down) about any of the clues here—indeed, this may be the easiest offering from Harry that I’ve blogged. However, I was spooked by seeing the first word in the first clue: … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4921 by David McLean — Oh honest brain disorder it’s not”

My LOI was 13 down, as I needed all the checkers… and then some. I hope and trust others will find the definition less elusive. It had to be some kind of -ISM, so what … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4919 by Dean Mayer — Chef’s surprise”

…leading horses nick vehicle… Some firm and full “lift and separate” (and even squeeze back together) clues here. I learned a Scottish word I’m not likely to forget, as well as what “SS” in nautical … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4917 by Robert Price — divine language, classic novel”

You know I will TAKE ISSUE with any ILL-CONSIDERED political comments that I see or hallucinate. Worked on paper, and my copy is all marked up—but I like to doodle. The only unknown was the … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4915 by David McLean — IRANIAN NUKES ASIDE…”

I’ve never read the Leonard Cohen novel that shares its name with this entry. (There, the title refers to a non-solitary activity. Sigh)This was quite an enjoyable romp, and I became acquainted with a new … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4913 by Dean Mayer — The Favorite Game”