January 21, 2026

Title: ME DAY (Freestyle)

Constructor: Rafael Musa

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme synopsis:

ME DAY (Freestyle): There's no theme today, as this is a freestyle, or themeless puzzle. The title is a nod to SELF-CARE (41A: Set of practices for improving one's well-being) and KOREAN SPA (30D: Wellness establishment also known as jjimjilbang).

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• COD (21A: Fish in bacalaito) Bacalaíto is a traditional Puerto Rican snack. It is a deep-fried fritter made of salted COD.
• MAS (25D: But, in Portuguese) I am familiar with the word MÁS in Spanish, which means "more." It's fun to learn that in Portuguese the word MAS (without an accent) means "but."
• KOREAN SPA (30D: Wellness establishment also known as jjimjilbang) A KOREAN SPA, or jjimjilbang, typically has hot tubs, saunas, and massage tables. These areas are separated by gender, but other areas of the facility are unisex areas. Some jjimjilbang also have sleeping quarters with bunk beds or sleeping mats.
• GREEN TEA (57A: Herbal drink like hojicha) Hōjicha is a Japanese GREEN TEA. Its distinctive characteristic is that it is charcoal-roasted, giving it a nutty, toasty flavor.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• USA TODAY (12A: Newspaper with a blue circle logo) This is a fun meta answer for a USA TODAY crossword.
• CANOODLES (16A: Cuddles amorously) CANOODLES is a fun word, isn't it?
• NADAL (18A: Tennis star Rafael) Rafael NADAL – in addition to sharing a first name with today's constructor – is a former professional tennis player. During his active playing career, he was the number one ranked player in men's tennis for 209 weeks.
• TWIN SISTER (19A: Mary-Kate Olsen, to Ashley Olsen) Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are TWIN SISTERs who are fashion designers. They founded their luxury fashion label, The Row, in 2006. The TWIN SISTERs are also former actresses. They got their start as infants playing the role of Michelle Tanner on the TV sitcom Full House (1987-1995).
• CEMENT (24A: Ingredient in concrete) I wrote about the difference between CEMENT and concrete a couple of months ago.
• SKIPS (29A: All bangers, no ___) "All bangers, no SKIPS" is a phrase used to describe an album or playlist where every track is great. I've heard this saying before, but it's not one I generally use, so I had to think about it for a bit before the answer came to me.
• CEO (45A: Top exec) and TIM (46A: Apple's 45-Across Cook) This is a good way to link these two consecutive answers)
• MULLED WINE (50A: Warm, spiced drink served at many European Christmas markets) It warms me up just to think about enjoying some MULLED WINE while exploring a European Christmas market.
• ASAWA (2D: Sculptor Ruth) Ruth ASAWA (1926-2013) was an artist known for her abstract looped wire sculptures. Ruth ASAWA was born in California. Her parents were Japanese immigrants, and she was the fourth of seven children. When she was 16 years old, Ruth ASAWA's family was separated and sent to different Japanese internment camps. Her wire sculptures were inspired by a basket crocheting technique she learned in Mexico. Ruth ASAWA was an advocate for art for everyone, and was instrumental in the creation of the San Francisco School of the Arts in 1982. In 2010, the school was renamed the Ruth ASAWA San Francisco School of the Arts.
• PANIC (3D: ___! At The Disco) PANIC! At the Disco was an emo pop band formed in Las Vegas in 2005. Their debut album is A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005). The band disbanded in 2023, though some of the band's members have performed together for special events since that time.
• INDONESIA (9D: Bali's country) Bali is a province of INDONESIA that includes the island of Bali and a few smaller islands. Bali is the only province of INDONESIA where Hinduism is the main religion. Over 85% of Bali residents follow Balinese Hinduism. In the remainder of INDONESIA, the majority religion is Islam.
• STL (11D: Midwestern city named for a French king, for short) St. Louis, Missouri – STL, for short – is located on the eastern edge of Missouri along the Mississippi River. St. Louis was named for King Louis IX of France.
• SHE'S (29D: "I founded the club ___ heard great things about" (Taylor Swift lyric)) The lyric "I founded the club SHE'S heard great things about," is from the 2024 Taylor Swift song "So Long, London."
• I'M ALL EARS (31D: "You have my attention") and SPARE US (32D: "We don't need these details!") Ha! This is a funny pair of consecutive answers. "I'M ALL EARS!" (Tell me everything ... wait ... what? ... never mind...) "SPARE US!"
• CLARA (45D: Old Hollywood star Bow) CLARA Bow (1905-1965) began her acting career during the silent film era of the 1920s. She earned the nickname "The It Girl" after appearing in the 1927 movie It. I imagine some people who might not be familiar with CLARA Bow from her acting career recognize her name from the 2024 Taylor Swift song, "CLARA Bow." 
• LEG (51D: Part of a table or a cat) I do wish my cat, Willow, wouldn't put her LEGs on my crossword puzzle when I'm trying to solve it.

• WEN (52D: Actress Ming-Na) Ming-Na WEN voiced the title character in Disney's 1998 animated movie Mulan. She was honored as a Disney Legend in 2019. Fun fact: Ming-Na WEN made a cameo appearance in the 2020 live-action remake of Mulan.

I learned a few things from today's puzzle. I'm never opposed to that. The things I didn't know were spread out in the puzzle, and the crossing answers helped me out, so they didn't slow me down. Thank you, Rafa, for this great puzzle.