Star Tribune Puzzle Answers December 16, 2023
Author: Boatload Puzzles
Across
| Smudge | Smear |
| Writing table | Desk |
| Film legend ____ Hayworth | Rita |
| Door joint | Hinge |
| Buffalo’s canal | Erie |
| First garden | Eden |
| Relieves | Eases |
| Breezy | Airy |
| Chap | Gent |
| Flightless bird | Emu |
| Focus | Concentrate |
| Occupied (2 wds.) | Tiedup |
| Painful | Sore |
| Marsh plants | Reeds |
| Skin decoration | Tattoo |
| Light brown | Ecru |
| Caught | Netted |
| “Snakes ____ Plane” (2 wds.) | Ona |
| Peruvian animal | Llama |
| Always, in verse | Eer |
| Consumer | Eater |
| Drag | Lug |
| Lurch | Careen |
| Army meal | Mess |
| Soak up | Absorb |
| ____ Witherspoon of “Just Like Heaven” | Reese |
| Not fake | Real |
| Marilyn ____ | Monroe |
| Language conversion | Translation |
| Total amount | All |
| Wish | Hope |
| Milky gem | Opal |
| Remain | Abide |
| Client | User |
| Singer ____ Diamond | Neil |
| Roman gown | Tunic |
| Alluring | Sexy |
| Building wings | Ells |
| Resource | Asset |
Down
| Ghostly garment | Sheet |
| Home of the Dolphins | Miami |
| Result | Ensue |
| Develop | Age |
| Save | Rescue |
| School official | Dean |
| Singer ____ Clapton | Eric |
| Fathers | Sires |
| ____ address (opening speech) | Keynote |
| Feel sorry about | Regret |
| Bright thought | Idea |
| Camper’s home | Tent |
| Chip in | Ante |
| Not shut | Open |
| Exchange | Trade |
| Percussion instrument | Drum |
| Bambi, for one | Deer |
| Navigate | Steer |
| Haul | Tote |
| Wallet stuffers | Ones |
| Boat paddles | Oars |
| She, in Madrid | Ella |
| Bat | Club |
| ____ to riches | Rags |
| Elm or pine | Tree |
| Land measures | Acres |
| Preacher’s word | Amen |
| Mother-of-pearl source | Abalone |
| Fictional clownfish | Nemo |
| Surly | Ornery |
| Brahms piece | Sonata |
| Jacket part | Lapel |
| Downpours | Rains |
| Dated ditty | Oldie |
| Vote in | Elect |
| Consequently | Thus |
| Thorny bloom | Rose |
| Acme | Apex |
| Kite feature | Tail |
| Afflictions | Ills |
| School vehicle | Bus |