March 3, 2026

Title: "WHATEVER YOU DECIDE!" (Freestyle)

Constructor: Willa Angel Chen Miller

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme synopsis:

"WHATEVER YOU DECIDE!" (Freestyle): There's no theme today, as this is a freestyle, or themeless puzzle. The title is a nod to NO PRESSURE (14A: "Only if you want to!").

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• MAGMA (5A: Lava-to-be) and ASH (9D: Volcanic schmutz) The difference between MAGMA and lava comes down to location. Molten rock that is underground is referred to as MAGMA. Once that molten rock breaks through the Earth's surface – perhaps spewed out of a volcano – it is known as lava. Volcanic ASH consists of rock, crystal, and glass fragments formed during volcanic eruptions. Specifically, ASH refers to small volcanic fragments (less than 2 mm in diameter). Volcanic ASH is often transported by wind and dispersed to sites miles away from the eruption.
• LOCO (13A: "Come on, baby, do the ___-Motion") The line "Come on, baby, do the LOCO-Motion," is from the song titled "The LOCO-Motion," which was written in the 1960s by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. Multiple artists have recorded "The LOCO-Motion" over the years, including Carole King herself. Three artists have taken the song to the top of the charts. Versions of "The LOCO-Motion" by Little Eva (1962) and Grand Funk Railroad (1973) made it to the top of the U.S. Billboard chart. Kylie Minogue recorded a version of "The LOCO-Motion" in 1987. Her version hit the top of the charts in Australia. A re-recorded 1988 version reached the top five in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada.
• MEL (18A: Name of 40% of the Spice Girls) The English band, the Spice Girls, which formed in 1994, had five members: Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham), Scary Spice (Melanie Brown aka MEL B), Baby Spice (Emma Bunton), Sporty Spice (Melanie Chisholm aka MEL C), and Ginger Spice (Geri Haliwell). Since two of the five Spice Girls were named MEL, that means the makeup of the band was 40% MEL.
• CABARET (23A: Moulin Rouge, e.g.) Moulin Rouge is a CABARET in Paris, France. Founded in 1889, it is particularly known for being the birthplace of the can-can. The CABARET is featured in the 2001 movie Moulin Rouge! and the 2018 musical of the same name based on the movie.
• ANI (33A: "Both Hands" singer DiFranco) "Both Hands" is the lead-off track on ANI DiFranco's 1990 self-titled debut album. ANI DiFranco rerecorded "Both Hands" in 2007 and included it on her retrospective album, Canon.
• IRIS (48A: Apt name for an ophthalmologist) You know I enjoy an apt name clue. In addition to being an apt name for an ophthalmologist, IRIS is also an [Apt name for a flower lover].
• LICK (49A: Enjoy some ice cream, perhaps) and CONES (23D: Stacks at an ice cream parlor) These two clues pair together nicely – kind of like ice cream (that you LICK) and CONES.
• MOVER (5D: Professional boxer?) The question mark in this clue alerts solvers to expect trickiness. The boxer here is not someone throwing punches in a boxing match. Rather, this boxer is a MOVER putting things in boxes. I quite enjoyed this clue.
• MET (8D: "You can't marry a man you just ___!" ("Frozen" quote)) In the 2013 animated movie Frozen, Anna – who has led a rather sheltered life – falls in love with Prince Hans the moment she sees him. Her sister, Elsa, tells her, "You can't marry a man you just MET!" Anna argues that you can if it's "true love." Unfortunately for Anna, Prince Hans turns out to be a bit of a scoundrel.
• SESAME (15D: Halva ingredient) Halva (also spelled halvah or halwa) is a confection that originated in the Middle East. There are many varieties of halva, including a version made with SESAME butter or SESAME paste (tahini). SESAME halva is popular in Israel and among Jewish communities throughout the world.
• ANDY (19D: Owner of Woody and Buzz in "Toy Story") Woody and Buzz are toys from the Toy Story franchise of movies. Sheriff Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is a cowboy doll. Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) is a superhero action figure who wears a spacesuit. ANDY (voiced by John Morris) is the young boy who owns the toys.
• DINGO (29D: Australian canine) The Australian DINGO is basically a feral dog, having descended from dogs introduced from Asia 5,000 to 8,000 years ago.
• SILLY (45D: "You ___ goose!") This clue made me smile. "You SILLY goose!"
• LOVE (49D: Topic of many songs) This is a fun clue. I got the answer right away. There are so many songs about LOVE! This clue / answer pair made me think of Sara Bareilles' 2007 song, "LOVE Song." She wrote it to her record company, who had been pressuring her to write songs. "I'm not gonna write you a LOVE song / 'Cause you asked for it, / 'cause you need one..."
• TEA (53D: Hojicha or matcha) Hojicha is a roasted Japanese green TEA. The roasting process results in a TEA with a nutty, toasty, sweet flavor with little to no bitterness. Matcha is a finely ground powder of green TEA. The powder is mixed in water to make TEA.
• Several other clues I especially enjoyed:
• NERDS (26A: Gravel-shaped candy)
• TODAY (28A: "___ I learned..." (intro to a factoid))
• I CALLED IT (3D: "Told you so!")
• LOSE A TURN (30D: Disappointing "Wheel of Fortune" wedge)

Would it be OVER THE TOP (17A: Totally extra) to say there are A WHOLE LOT (31D: Tons) of interesting answers in this freestyle puzzle? If so, let's keep it BETWEEN US (36A: "Don't tell anyone else, but..."). If you disagree, don't bother texting me, my phone's on SILENT MODE (51A: Phone setting enabled in a theater). Thank you, Willa, for this enjoyable puzzle.