This one started with the clue/answer pair at 18 Across. 23 Down went in shortly thereafter, and it’s one of my favorite clue/answer pairs in any of my puzzles, if you'll excuse the self-pat on the back.
51 Down’s clue (“Altamira or Lascaux, e.g.”) references something on my bucket list that I’ll never be able to fulfill. I’m fascinated by physical anthropology, and the art in these locations could illustrate the dictionary definition of “evocative.” Alas, they’re closed to the public, so I’ll have to content myself with listening to the second track on The Royal Scam (link here: youtube.com/watch?v=m_5MtGCWImE&ab_channel=SteelyDan-Topic ), where Steely Dan captures some of the magic.
The PORTMANTEAU clue was so good (my favorite clue!) that it felt like it had to be the seed entry (though at first I thought the seeds were the crossing 15s). I got the converter part in the 23D clue, but I'm not sure I get the "catalytic" bit.
53D was the last mistake I had to correct. When I got there it felt like "Altamira" and "Lascaux" were just two random last names I didn't know, so I confidently typed in DAVE.
SLOG is what today's LA Times themeless felt like, but definitely not this puzzle!
Larry Edelstein 🤓6:35 · 2022-10-03T23:50:53.819Z
I want to check out those places too. 18A, yes, a high point.
Entertaining responses from you, as always (no pressure!)! I intended the "catalytic" to mean spurring change (definitely less common than the chemical meaning)