August 29, 2026

Title: THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY (Freestyle)

Constructor: Jess Rucks

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme synopsis:

THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY (Freestyle): There's no theme today, as this is a freestyle, or themeless puzzle. The title is a nod to GRANNY CORE (20D: Lifestyle trend that embraces comforting styles and hobbies).

And now a word from our constructor:

Jess: If I remember correctly, the seed for this puzzle was GRANNY HOBBY. Among Amanda's many great edits was suggesting GRANNY CORE instead. She also provided the great clue for ANT! I had fun landing on the clue for LEG, and it was interesting coming across that fact about DAB. Thank goodness there's a PAW clue in here, to satisfy the discerning tastes of Willow and Milo.

Thanks for all the amazing info, commentary, and positive vibes, Sally!

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• DALLAS (5D: Texas city home to the world's first convenience store) Convenience stores seem so ubiquitous these days, that it's interesting to think about the first one. The Southland Ice Company is considered to have opened the first convenience store in 1927. As the clue informs us, that store was located in DALLAS, Texas. It eventually became a 7-Eleven.
• DAB (9D: Dance move that's illegal in Saudi Arabia) Apparently the National Committee for Drug Control in Saudi Arabia outlawed the DAB. The reason given is that the committee felt the popular dance move (which looks a bit like one is sneezing into one's elbow, with the other arm outstretched) alludes to marijuana and other illegal substances. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• LEGO BATMAN (18A: DC Comics minifig voiced by Will Arnett) The word "minifig" in the clue is a nice hint to the LEGO part of this answer. LEGO BATMAN was introduced in 2006, inspired by the DC Comics character. When the minifig made an appearance in The LEGO Movie in 2014, the character was voiced by Will Arnett. 
• LEG (24A: Stand in tree pose?) Tree pose is a yoga asana in which a person balances on one LEG. The LEG becomes the "stand" for the pose.
• ANT (41A: Queen of the hill?) That's an ANThill, of course.
• ARIE (45A: "Acoustic Soul" singer India.___) Acoustic Soul is India.ARIE's debut studio album, released in 2001. 
• SNL (47A: Show with a Five-Timers Club) The Five-Timers Club refers to guests who have hosted SNL five times. The Five-Timers Club was introduced with the December 8, 1990 episode, which Tom Hanks hosted; he became the seventh person to host five episodes. Since that time, SNL has done multiple Five-Timer Club sketches. There are currently 28 people in the Five-Timers Club.
• SOO (52A: "Hamilton" actress Phillipa) In 2015, Phillipa SOO originated the role of Eliza Hamilton in the Broadway production of Hamilton. Her other Broadway roles include the title role in Amélie (2017), Rebecca in The Parisian Woman (2017), Cinderella in Into the Woods (2022), and Guinevere in Camelot (2023).
• GOOSEBUMPS (53A: Creepy R.L. Stine series for kids) R.L. Stine is the author of the children's horror fiction series, GOOSEBUMPS. Sixty-three books have been published in the original GOOSEBUMPS series, and R.L. Stine has also written a number of spin-off series. The GOOSEBUMPS stories have been adapted to TV, film, video games, and comics.
• PUNT (55A: Common fourth-down play) I'm always happy when I come across a sports clue that I know the answer to without any help from crossing answers. I have enough basic football knowledge to know that a PUNT is a common fourth-down play.
• ID TAG (10D: It might display the name of a boxer) This is a cute clue. The boxer here is a dog with an ID TAG displaying its name.
• TAMI (11D: Reality TV star Roman) TAMI Roman is a reality TV personality who first appeared on the MTV show The Real World: Los Angeles in 1993. She has also appeared on other shows, including Basketball Wives (2010-2019) and Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars (2015). She currently plays Denise Ford (the title character's sister) on the sitcom The Ms. Pat Show (2021-present).
• MEN (13D: "It's Raining ___") "It's Raining MEN" is a 1982 song by the aptly-named duo The Weather Girls. It was a popular dance song and VH1 listed it as one of the Greatest Songs of the 1980s. Martha Wash, of The Weather Girls, and RuPaul did a version of the song in 1998 titled "It's Raining MEN...The Sequel."
• GRANNY CORE (20D: Lifestyle trend that embraces comforting styles and hobbies) GRANNY CORE is a lifestyle trend that focuses on decor and hobbies traditionally associated with grandmothers. Think mismatched furniture that provides a lived-in look and hobbies such as knitting, crocheting, and baking. (Hmm, I've basically described my home decor, and I have been known to engage in all of those hobbies...)
• RED (28D: Jupiter's Great ___ Spot) The Great RED Spot is a persistent weather feature of Jupiter and the planet's most recognizable feature. The cause of the spot's red-orange color is unknown. Jupiter's Great RED Spot has been observed since 1831. The Great RED Spot is an anti-cyclonic storm, which is similar to a hurricane on Earth.
• PAW (39D: Furry foot) My cat, Willow, approves of this answer, and is happy to share the spotlight today with Jess' cat, Milo. (Okay, happy might be a bit of a stretch, but we're working on it...)

Milo

• LOLA (50D: Bunny who made her cartoon debut in "Space Jam") LOLA Bunny is a Looney Tunes character who is often depicted as the girlfriend of Bugs Bunny. As the clue informs us, she made her cartoon debut in the 1996 movie Space Jam. LOLA's catchphrase is "Don't ever call me 'Doll.'"
• A few other clues and answers I especially enjoyed:
• VEGETABLE FARMER (7D: One who uses seed money for onions, tomatoes, carrots, etc.)
• NAME-DROPPED (16D: Casually mentioned having a celebrity friend)
• AS SEEN ON TV (30D: Infomercial phrase)

This was a fun solve. There are so many (i.e. LOTSA) great answers here that I wasn't able to highlight them all. Looking at you MAPLE BACON and EGAD! Thank you, Jess, for this delightful puzzle.

One more thing today: Jess Rucks is one of the constructors for the Midwest Crossword Tournament that is coming up on October 3! The in-person tournament is sold out, but you can sign up for the waitlist, or sign up to participate online. Join us and have a chance to solve another puzzle by Jess!