September 5, 2025

Title: ALL IN GOOD TIME (Freestyle)

Constructor: Willa Angel Chen Miller

Editor: Amie Walker

Theme synopsis:

ALL IN GOOD TIME (Freestyle): There's no theme today, as this is a freestyle, or themeless, puzzle. The title is a nod to IT'S NOT A RACE (18A: "Slow down!")

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• RUNES (22A: Ancient letters in the Bluetooth logo) This is a fun fact. I have seen the Bluetooth logo (many times, and it has never occurred to me that it is composed of RUNES. The Bluetooth logo combines two RUNES – Hagal and Bjarkan – that represent the initials H.B, for Harald Bluetooth. Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson was a king of Denmark and Norway in the late 900s. His nickname –Bluetooth – was used as a codename when the Bluetooth technology was being developed and ultimately ended up being the name used for this short-range wireless tech. Isn't it fascinating what one can learn from crossword puzzles!
• CREAM SODA (28A: Vanilla-flavored drink that's mostly pink in Canada) I don't often drink CREAM SODA, and so this color difference between American and Canadian versions of the product is news to me. In addition to usually being pink, CREAM SODA sold in Canada has a sweet fruity taste. In learning about the color differences of CREAM SODA, I discovered that in some countries – South Africa, Thailand, and Malaysia – CREAM SODA is green.
• WEST COAST (35A: One side of a regional '90s hip-hop rivalry) In the mid-1990s, there was a rivalry between fans of East COAST and WEST COAST hip-hop. This rivalry was characterized by the feud between rap artists the Notorious B.I.G. (East COAST) and Tupac Shakur (WEST COAST). This clue kind of rang a bell, but I was in graduate school and then raising young children in the 1990s, so my focus was elsewhere.
• CHINS (45A: Exaggerated facial features for Peter and Chris Griffin) The Griffins are the central family in the animated sitcom Family Guy (1999-present). Peter and Lois Griffin are the parents, and their children are Meg, Chris, and Stewie. As the clue informs us, Peter and Chris Griffith are drawn with exaggerated CHINS.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• SANTA (27A: Cupid's boss?) My first thought upon reading this clue was the mythological figure Cupid. However, the question mark alerted me to expect some trickiness. Cupid here is one of SANTA's reindeer.
• THEME (38A: "Under the Sea," e.g., for a party) This clue reminded me of an article I read recently. The article advised that to increase interest in a gathering with your friends and family, give the event a name. Examples cited include "State of the Union and Snacks" (family meeting), "Puppy Party" (socializing rescue dogs), and "Too Many Tomatoes" (share the garden wealth). 
• SPUR (46A: San Antonio NBA player) The San Antonio SPURs have been a part of the NBA (National Basketball Association) since the 1976 merger of the NBA and ABA (American Basketball Association). The SPURs have won five NBA Championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014).
• EVA (53A: "Casino Royale" star Green) Casino Royale is a 2006 James Bond movie starring Daniel Craig as 007. The movie is an adaptation of Ian Fleming's first novel, published in 1953. EVA Green portrays Vesper Lynd, a British Treasury agent and a love interest of James Bond.
• BAND (1D: ABBA or BTS) These two BANDs – ABBA and BTS – are frequently seen in crosswords. It was fun to see them together in this clue.
• ARIANNA (4D: Author Huffington) ARIANNA Huffington co-founded the progressive news website HuffPost. She also founded Thrive Global, a company providing behavior change technology. ARIANNA Huffington is the author of fifteen books, including Third World America: How Our Politicians are Abandoning the Middle Class and Betraying the American Dream (2010) and Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder (2014). 
• DOTTED (5D: Like three letters in this clue) I enjoy a self-referential clue, though I did need some help from crossing answers to get headed in the right direction here.
• IDES (12D: The ___ of March) In the Roman calendar, IDES referred to a day near the middle of the month - the 15th of March, May, July, or October, and the 13th of any other month. March 15 is the IDES of March. In 44 BC, Julius Caesar was assassinated on the IDES of March, making the date notorious. I have previously written that any mention of the IDES of March reminds me of my ninth grade English teacher, Mrs. Horton, for it was in her class that I first read William Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar, which features the line, "Beware the IDES of March!" This is especially true today, as I recently learned that Mrs. Horton died last month. Here's to one of the best English teachers ever, someone who nurtured my love of language and had a lasting impact on my passion for writing.
• RADIUM (15D: Ra, on the periodic table) Radium is in group 2 of the periodic table, alkaline earth metals. Its atomic number is 88 and its symbol is Ra. Radium was discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898. Hooray for science in the crossword!
• TOAD (24D: Mario Kart character with a mushroomlike head) In the Mario franchise, TOAD is a character who provides assistance to Mario and his friends. In some games TOAD is a playable character, while in others he is present as a non-playable character.
• IRISH (26D: Like the name Sean) The IRISH name Sean is related to the English name John. I enjoyed this clue; Sean is my son's name, and John was my dad's name. 
• DIME NOVEL (30D: Early paperback) Do you remember when NOVELs cost a DIME? I don't either, but I recognize the expression DIME NOVEL, which is often used to refer to melodramatic western NOVELs. 
• DUKES (44D: Daisy ___ (short shorts)) Daisy DUKES are extremely short denim cut-offs. They are named after the character Daisy DUKE (portrayed by Catherine Bach) from the TV show The DUKES of Hazard (1979-1985). 
• BOB (52D: TV painter Ross) BOB Ross (1942-1995) is known for his instructional TV program, The Joy of Painting, on which he painted many "happy little trees." Posthumously, his videos remain popular and his "happy little trees" have been the subject of more than one meme. 
• A few other clues I especially enjoyed: 
• AIR (13A: It's all around us)
• I'M OUT (26A: "Like hell you'll see me there!")
• TWENTY (36D: Number of questions in a guessing game)

ROSES ARE RED.

Violets are blue.

I liked this puzzle.

How about you?

There's a lot of "sparkly" fill in this freestyle puzzle. That's crossword talk for interesting answers that really pop out. Things like ROSES ARE RED (14A: Opening line of a Valentine's Day rhyme). See also: HIT THE BOOKS (50A: Study hard) and ONE-LINERS (29D: Short jokes). Thank you, Willa, for this enjoyable puzzle.