July 6, 2026

Title: OH, GEE!

Constructor: Noelle Griskey

Editor: Amie Walker


Theme synopsis:
  • OFFICE GOSSIP (20A: Some watercooler talk)
  • ORNAMENTAL GRASS (39A: Decorative lawn filler)
  • ONLINE GAMING (57A: Digital hobby that might involve headsets)
OH, GEE!: Each theme answer has the initials O.G.: OFFICE GOSSIP, ORNAMENTAL GRASS, and ONLINE GAMING. 

What I learned from today's puzzle:
  • ALONG (61A: "All ___ the Watchtower") "All ALONG the Watchtower" is a 1968 song by Bob Dylan. Fun fact: Bob Dylan has performed "All ALONG the Watchtower" live more than any of his other songs. The song was covered by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and that version has been used in a number of movies, including Forrest Gump (1994) and Watchmen (2009).
Random thoughts and interesting things:
  • INSTA (4A: Story-sharing app, for short) Instagram, or INSTA, for short, is a social media platform first released in 2010. Since 2016, INSTA users have been able to post stories, which expire after 24 hours.
  • OCTET (9A: Wedding band, perhaps?) The question mark at the end of this clue means it's not referring to a wedding ring, but to a band playing at a wedding reception, which might be an OCTET.
  • NORAH (16A: "Feelin' the Same Way" singer Jones) "Feelin' the Same Way" is a song from NORAH Jones' 2002 debut album, Come Away With Me. 
  • PAI (33A: ___ gow poker) I learned about PAI gow poker from the March 14, 2023 puzzle.
  • ORNAMENTAL GRASS (39A: Decorative lawn filler) My husband is a fan of ORNAMENTAL GRASS, and we have a few different varieties in our yard. This reminds me that I need to take my annual picture of the ORNAMENTAL GRASS that grows along our back fence, which is taller than I am. Here's a previous year's photo.
A woman is standing in front of ornamental grass that is towering over her head.

  • OATMEAL (51A: Hot breakfast often served with cinnamon) OATMEAL is my breakfast of choice (I'm sure you care - ha!) but I prefer it without cinnamon, and with blueberries.
  • MONET (66A: "Hollywood" singer Victoria) Victoria MONÉT released her debut album, Jaguar, in  2023. One of the songs on the album is "Hollywood," featuring Earth, Wind & Fire and Hazel MONÉT.
  • CHLOE (1D: "American Horror Story: Hotel" actor Sevigny) American Horror Story is an anthology TV series, meaning each season is a self-contained miniseries with a different set of characters and story lines. American Horror Story: Hotel is the show's fifth season, which originally aired in 2015-2016. CHLOË Sevigny portrays Dr. Alex Lowe. CHLOË Sevigny was also a recurring guest star (portraying a different character) on American Horror Story: Asylum, the show's second season.
  • ICE CREAM (4D: Jeni's or Salt & Straw product) Jeni's Splendid ICE CREAM is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Salt & Straw is an ICE CREAM company based in Portland, Oregon. You had me at ICE CREAM, honestly. It's one of my favorite foods. 
  • NOME (5D: One-syllable Alaskan city) NOME, Alaska is located in the western part of the state. NOME, Alaska is the ending point for the annual Iditarod Dog Sled Race. NOME also claims to be home to the world's largest gold pan (a claim disputed by Quesnel, British Columbia).
  • TOTO (7D: "Rosanna" band) Do I want to know how long it has been since TOTO's song, "Rosanna" came out? It was released in 1982, so 44 years ago, when I was a junior in high school. "Rosanna" won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year. "All I wanna do when I wake up / in the morning is see your eyes / Rosanna, Rosanna..."
  • THE (13D: "___ Four Seasons" (Netflix series)) THE Four Seasons is a Netflix TV series that is an adaptation of the 1981 movie of the same name. The show centers on three couples who vacation together each season.
  • EDNA (30D: "The Simpsons" teacher Krabappel) EDNA Krabappel, voiced by Marcia Wallace, is a 4th-grade teacher on The Simpsons. She teaches Bart Simpson's class. The character of EDNA Krabappel was retired after Marcia Wallace's death in 2013.
  • POLIO (33D: Target of a 1950s vaccine) I wrote about the POLIO vaccine on June 20, when we saw SALK clued as [Polio vaccine developer].
  • LOU (41D: Gymnast Mary ___ Retton) Mary LOU Retton was the first American woman to win the Olympics all-around gold medal for gymnastics, which she did in 1984. 
  • EVER (59D: Happily ___ after) The word EVER has appeared in three of the last four puzzles. (The only significance of this is that I like data!). EVER had yesterday off, but we saw it in the puzzles on July 3 and July 4.
  • Other clues and answers I especially enjoyed:
    • LEI (17A: Apparel that might be perishable)
    • AEIOU (44A: "Wheel of Fortune" purchase options)
    • I AM (21D: Possible answer to "Who's ready to eat?")
    • TUE (29D: Popular day for tacos (Abbr.))
OH, GEE! It's an initialism theme! I caught on to the theme once I uncovered OFFICE GOSSIP, and it helped me figure out the other theme answers, as I knew what letters the words needed to start with. Thank you, Noelle, for this enjoyable puzzle.

A note about comments: I welcome your comments on the blog! For one thing it's nice to know folks are reading what I've written. My goal for this blog has always been for it to be informational, conversational, and kind. I ask that you keep those goals in mind when commenting. Unkind comments will be deleted. Note that I am more likely to delete a negative comment if it is posted anonymously. (P.S. You can point out when I make a mistake – in fact, I appreciate that so I can correct it.) 

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