August 20, 2025

Title: ANOTHER TRIP AROUND THE SUN (Freestyle)

Constructor: Sally Hoelscher

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme synopsis:

ANOTHER TRIP AROUND THE SUN (Freestyle): There's no theme today, as this is a freestyle, or themeless, puzzle. The title is a nod to AGING GRACEFULLY (23A: Growing older while embracing natural changes).

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• PETE (14A: "___ the Cat" (children's book series)) PETE the Cat is a character created by artist James Dean. The first PETE the Cat book, PETE the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, was published in 2008. So far there have been 87 books featuring PETE the Cat, as well as TV shows and musicals. 
• MIRACLES (21A: Unbelievably wondrous events) One of my favorite quotes is from Albert Einstein (1879-1955): "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a MIRACLE. The other is as though everything is a MIRACLE." I'm in the "life is full of MIRACLES" group.
• YOU (29A: "Happy birthday to ___") If today happens to be your birthday, happy birthday to YOU! And that makes us birthday twins.
• SADE (36A: "Smooth Operator" singer) Just putting a link to SADE's 1984 song, "Smooth Operator" here in case you'd like that earworm today.
• SHH (38A: Admonition to guests hiding at a surprise party) Full confession: I'm not a fan of surprise parties (or surprises in general), but this was a great opportunity for a little bonus party content.
• USA (49A: "Party in the ___" (Miley Cyrus hit)) "Party in the U.S.A." is a 2009 song by Miley Cyrus. The music video for "Party in the U.S.A." pays homage to the movie, Grease, and also contains details that pay homage to Miley Cyrus' parents. The title of this song seemed to fit the party vibe of today's puzzle.
• ZERO TO SIXTY (53A: Descriptor for rapid acceleration) ZERO TO SIXTY is not only a descriptor for rapid acceleration, it is also the perfect description of my life so far, as today is my 60th birthday! Although the title ended up being a nod to AGING GRACEFULLY, this is the entry that I started this puzzle with. It seems perfect for today.
• SITAR (67A: Instrument that has between 18 and 21 strings) The SITAR was invented in India in the 13th century. This plucked instrument is widely used in Hindustani classical music. A SITAR has 18, 19, 20, or 21 strings. The instrument is played by plucking the six or seven strings which run over raised frets. The remainder of the strings are under the frets, and are "sympathetic strings" that resonate with the played strings.
• PET (68A: Furry friend) and STRAY (35D: Cat in need of a home, perhaps) My PET and furry friend, Willow, was a STRAY cat in need of a home when our family adopted her from the shelter. Willow also celebrated a birthday this month. She turned 14 years old on August 11.

August birthday buddies

• ACA (1D: Healthcare law since 2010, for short) President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ADA) into law on March 23, 2010.
• GRATITUDE (3D: Thankfulness) I'm feeling a lot of GRATITUDE today for all of the people who have been a part of my SIXTY years. If you are reading this, that includes YOU!
• GERMAN CHOCOLATE (6D: Type of cake often paired with coconut pecan frosting) GERMAN CHOCOLATE cake with coconut pecan frosting is my cake of choice to celebrate my birthday. I was thrilled when GERMAN CHOCOLATE showed up as an option crossing AGING GRACEFULLY and ZERO TO SIXTY.
• INTEL (10D: Brand of chips?) Not a brand of nacho chips or corn chips, but a brand of computer chips – INTEL.
• SINGS (13D: Performs "Happy Birthday," say) A little more bonus birthday content.
• SIOUX CITY (33D: Iowa home to Briar Cliff and Morningside universities) SIOUX CITY is located in western Iowa near the Nebraska and South Dakota borders. Briar Cliff University is a private Catholic school in SIOUX CITY, Iowa. It was established in 1930 as a women's college. The first men were admitted to Briar Cliff in 1965. (Hey, that was 60 years ago...) Morningside University is also located in SIOUX CITY, Iowa. It was established in 1894, and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Although I live in Iowa CITY, which is across the state from SIOUX CITY, I was happy to get some Iowa content in the puzzle.
• ENG (37D: Official language of Ireland (Abbr.)) The two official languages of Ireland are Irish and English (ENG).    
• DOOM (43D: Gloom's rhyming partner) No DOOM and gloom allowed today!

I have generally lived my life with an "any excuse for a party" attitude. I've always anticipated my birthdays joyfully because they are an excuse to celebrate. In our family, "decade" birthdays are especially celebrated ... there's just something special about a number ending in a zero. Earlier this year as I was thinking about my approaching birthday, I got the idea to create a birthday puzzle to celebrate my 60th TRIP AROUND THE SUN. How else would a crossword constructor celebrate such a milestone? I am extremely grateful to Amanda for being willing to schedule this puzzle for today and for all her help in getting this puzzle to the finish line. This is the first freestyle (themeless) puzzle I've constructed for USA Today, though admittedly, it is a bit themed-ish. Thank you for celebrating with me by solving my birthday puzzle. I hope you enjoyed it.