PUZZLES Tuesday, May 24, 2022 It’s a Miracle by Brian Gubin Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 Beginning of a new episode, often 6 Qualifier that the K.C. Royals won in ‘15 10 Fidget spinners, e.g. 13 Meat safety concern 14 British fellow 15 What ebbs and flows 16 *Line inspired by a scene? (Note this answer’s last 4 letters) 18 Graph line 19 “Just kidding!” 20 It may lead to a call in poker 21 Place for a pinch 22 *Wagner piece played at weddings (Last 5 letters) 24 Future ferns 27 “In ___ of gifts ...” 28 Swirly snack cake 29 Of hearing 32 Soup often served with bean sprouts 35 ‘80s sitcom character from Melmac 36 Blessing ... or, read differently, a theme hint 38 “Boom Boom ___” (Black Eyed Peas song) 39 Dairy farm sound 40 Tricks 41 In this spot 42 Greek letters that sound like a flower 44 Beautifies 46 *”The Thinker” sculptor (Last 4 letters) 51 Dandelions’ supports 52 Gives for a time 53 TikTok or Spotify 56 Pro-vegan org. 57 *Warrants a “TMI” (Last 4 letters) 59 Speed skater Jackson 60 Bunch of quail 61 Olympic blades 62 Minor criticism 63 “Ah, OK” 26 “Never mind” 64 Button for beginning a video 29 Intros to many game videos? 30 Manipulate DOWN 31 Hi-___ monitor 1 Rider’s strap 33 Tuba, e.g. 2 Repeat ... peat ... 34 Is behind peat financially 3 Layer of paint 36 Icky 4 PC key under X 37 Depose 5 Midwestern capital that 41 “Dear” shares no letters 43 You or me with its state 44 Totals up 6 Pungent 45 China as a 7 Tibetan capital whole? 8 Oasis drinker 46 Colorado ski town 9 Place to get mud on your face ... in 47 Wombs a good way 48 Tolkien creatures 10 House that needs with pointy ears work 49 “Superman” actor 11 Farewell that’s bid Christopher 12 Some transition 50 How a Reuben is from sitting to served standing 53 Word before “rug” 15 Chevy SUV or “map” 17 Orator’s platform 54 Certain research 21 Iconic chef Julia reviewer 22 Dude 55 “Hey,” in the 23 Scottish group library 24 Something fake 57 Kimono sash 25 Water ___ (aquatic sport) 58 Well-chosen Redefinition by Hanh Huynh Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 Help carry the money bags, say 5 Joe in “My Cousin Vinny” 10 Included on an email 14 Top-shelf 15 Sustain, as losses 16 Seized car, for short 17 *They’re marked with Xs 20 Openings in suggestion boxes 21 Birth control method: Abbr. 22 ___ Lauder 23 *Labor options 26 “Clair de ___” (piano piece) 27 Intl. alliance with many European members 28 Take small bites of 31 Mythical sailor from Baghdad 35 Mopey rock genre 36 Letters after CD? 38 Unit of resistance 39 Cute word between “I” and “U” 40 “How was I so foolish?!” 42 Diving side of the pool 44 Shoppe descriptor 45 Starts needing a comb less 47 Gives permission 48 See 63-Across 50 ___ Vegas 51 “Law & Order” extra 52 DrummerRingo 54 “___ asked you?” 55 Clorox competitor 58 Have a bad cold, say 59 Prankster’s cry of success 62 Yes, in France 63 With 48-Across, certain pill 64 Discovers, as oil ... or another answer to each starred clue 65 Container for ashes 66 Commercials 67 Hi ___ (message on a stadium sign) 68 “Quiet!” 28 Mexican money 29 Name found in “chocolate milk” DOWN 30 *Some pitches 1 Satisfied sounds 32 *Removes from 2 Really heat up? the record 3 Fund, as a 33 Father’s sister, fellowship maybe 4 “Ideas Worth 34 Movie rentals Spreading” lecture 37 Bit of food for 5 A politician’s may some pet reptiles be flag-shaped 38 Unpaired items 6 Whole on laundry day 7 Full-body 41 Shakespearean treatment at a king Korean spa 43 Gambit 8 Signaled to begin 46 Christine of “Evil” 9 Roth ___ 49 Shape of a 10 Dream of dating Toblerone box 11 Breath mint brand 51 Butt heads 12 Fencing blade 52 Long story 13 Prescription portion 53 Like a deuce 18 Tidal mouth of a score river 56 Owned by us 19 Prescheduled 57 Hero in Zelda hour games 24 Bury in a crypt 60 Classic Pontiac 25 Skin conditions muscle car that Cortizone-10 targets 61 Bit of a chuckle 69 Disapproving sound East Oregonian A15 HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 Mercury’s Unlucky Luck Mercury retrograde can be an agent of chaos or a slight annoyance, a hiccup in the procedure or the traffic jam that makes us late. In all cases, it’s a chance to shine, as people prove their mettle under pressure. This Mercury trine of Pluto offers character reveals. The best way to know a person’s character is when it’s tested before your eyes. ARIES (March 21-April 19). When you ask a question, you actually want to know the answer. You’ll field questions asked for different reasons -- for instance, out of politeness, a need for validation or to fulfill an agenda. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Reacting to triggers and following impulses takes very little energy when compared with the energy required to exercise restraint. Honor and reward yourself for the things you didn’t do. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When the show is running right, the spotlight operator follows your performance around the stage. Unfortunately, the tech is asleep. Don’t worry, this can still work; you just have to go to where the light is. CANCER (June 22-July 22). The atmosphere lends profundity to your plot. When things work out the way you want, it feels like destiny. When they don’t, that also feels fated, like a hundred tiny arrows pointing you in a better direction. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Love yourself. The command is difficult because it is open. Its nonspecificity leaves a question mark on your to-do list, and maybe there is nothing to be done. You can love yourself without action. Make it a mood, a state of mind. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Appetite can be a gift. Some temptations aren’t worth the energy they take to resist. Temptation is proof that you’re vital, alive, curious, interested in life. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). In movies, you can see a whole lifespan in two hours. Time moves differently in the movies you make in your mind as well. You’ll do some mental time travel today to work out a problem. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Add happy thoughts to your endeavor. Encourage yourself and go where others are likely to cheer you on. Protect the dream by avoiding anyone who might be jealous or critical of it. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). They’ll give you the fantasy version of a story. You’d rather know facts, but fictions can be very revealing, too, as you listen closely and read between the lines. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You teach people around you how you like to be treated. Keep principles of consistency in mind. Actions that create the same results repeatedly facilitate quick learning. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). People make books, and books make people. You’ll mold yourself through reading and other media, mostly unconsciously, as the attractive ideas and traits of characters will stick to you. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). No matter how good your routine may be, if it’s all you do, it will hold you back. Vitality craves variety. Anything that gets you up and out of your comfort zone will be good for your well-being. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (May 25). Stars gift you with amazing portion control in all aspects of life. Ambitions are achieved as you take on just the amount of deliciousness that will fill you and fuel you without weighing you down. You don’t need approval, but you’ll get props anyway as you earn the trust and loyalty of many. Leo and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 3, 39, 2 and 18. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022 Organize Passions Our love planet is frisky in the springtime realm of Aries. Pluto in traditional Capricorn puts the smackdown on her dress-code infringements, public displays of affection and any other cheekiness Venus might be in the mood for. It translates to us in tension between heat and order. There’s no such thing as organized passion. ARIES (March 21-April 19). The situation calls for chess-like strategies. If you attack, they will struggle to defend, and as they defend, they expose their particular weakness, which is the information you need to know to help and serve. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re creative and will think on your feet. Not every idea you throw out will land well. Worthy endeavors are tricky and complex! With resilience, you will ultimately succeed. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ve shared enough of your inner world to know who gets you and who doesn’t. Because you don’t require people to understand you to love and accept them, your circle just keeps growing. CANCER (June 22-July 22). The result of teamwork will be greater than the sum of the individual contributions. Even in a group as small as two this will be true. You’ll be mystified by a creation born from the chemistry of people. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll be brilliant at planning. Furthermore, as successful as this project will be, you’ll look back and realize that the lion’s share of the fun was in the setup. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You are not at the whim of unforeseen circumstances. These unexpected turns may seem powerful enough to sweep you into their swirl, but actually you still have the option of ducking into a storm shelter to wait for it to pass. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Because you’re on the lookout for opportunities, you’ll be much luckier than the people who are too busy doing their own thing to take notice. This afternoon brings a gem. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Need is not want and want is not love. When you want a person but don’t need that person the relationship will be more fun. This will be the principle that guides the night. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The phrase “I deserve nice things” justifies a wide range of behaviors, some of which have the potential to cause you a lot of stress. At the very least, it’s a thought deserving of inquiry. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You don’t know the complete history of the current situation, nor do you need to know it all, but do learn a little. A few key facts will favorably influence your approach and decisions. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Today’s occasion invites social performance. You’ll get into the mood and tend to both your inner and outer game. The preparation you do will contribute to an opportunity- winning first impression. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The proverb suggests that whenever you point your finger at someone there are three pointing back at you. Today you’ll need to be even more careful than usual in how you describe and discuss others. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (May 26). It’s your cosmic gift, the captivation of imagination. Indeed, some will melt in your presence, and yet this has nothing to do with your purpose. You’ll keep your eye on that ball and see it through to the goal. Your proudest moments will come out of a contribution to the wins of your family. Gemini and Cancer adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 3, 33, 20 and 15. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS