Oneth of the Month Mini Cryptic #13

It’s the return of mini cryptics! I decided to stop doing them because there were other outlets for them, but now The Browser has taken a pause on its Sevens puzzles and AVCX is also running them less frequently. At ACPT I was persuaded that we need more gateway drugs, so your dealer is back. This one is inspired by Eurovision!

And although this site is still called Tough as Nails, these minis are easy! If you’re scared of cryptics, minis are a great way to work yourself up to a full-sized puzzle.

Tough as Nails Mini Cryptic #13 – Across Lite

Tough as Nails Themeless #84

Wow, what a weekend! It was great to reunite with old friends and meet so many Tough as Nails solvers for the first time at ACPT. It is, although the most fun weekend of my year, also the most stressful. Remember how Doug Hoylman used to be described as the Iceman? I am the opposite of the Iceman. I am the Constantly-About-to-Throw-Up Nervous Wreck.

I did manage to make a trip to the hardware store with my second fifth-place finish in a row and first place in NYC (the latter made easier since Andy Kravis was attending a wedding):

I had the most amazing time and I hope you enjoy this week’s themeless!

Tough as Nails Themeless #84 – Across Lite

Tough as Nails Themeless #80

Here lies a puzzle that was too esoteric for mainstream-land. I’m still going to hold onto the seed at 19A and try and use it somewhere that DOES go out to the wider world, because I think it’s a cool word that can be clued fairly. (It is also a word that describes me.)

Tough as Nails Themeless #80 – Across Lite