Thanks for all the thrills, Caitlin and fellow Lady Hawkeyes. Good luck in the WNBA, young lady. Pop by Owl Chatter from time to time — always welcome.

Who doesn’t have an embarrassing (or difficult) brother-in-law or two? With Linda having five sisters and me having one (aleha hashalom), I’ve majored in brothers-in-law. But I’ve got nothing on Taylor, who, if she marries Travis gains this one:

That’s TK’s brother Jason, who recently retired from the NFL and was invited to a Wrestlemania event. Knock ’em dead, big fella! We love you!

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And speaking of Taylor, she popped into the puzzle today! — How you been Babe? Sup, Girl? We’ve missed you, esp Phil. Georgie!! — grab something from the fridge for Swift! Sit down sweetheart: take a load off.

Tay was at 105A with the clue “2022 #1 hit for Taylor Swift.” ANTI-HERO. Let’s have a look and listen — it’s a great video with a funny dream sequence. Reminded me of the great dream in Fiddler in the Roof, or not at all. I can’t decide which.

I should not be left to my own devices.
They come with prices, and vices.
I end up in crisis.

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You know the artist James Ensor? Belgian surrealist painter at 17D.

The puzzle theme today gave Son Volt the opportunity to share a gorgeous, haunting Tom Waits song with us, below. The puzzle is by Tracy Gray and is called “Double Duty.” For the theme answers, sets of double letters were turned into words. So, at 23A, “Song performed three times in ‘The Wiz’” was EE ON DOWN THE ROAD. (EE = ease. Get it?) The others were CC THE MOMENT (Seize), UU IT OR LOSE IT (Use), A WORD TO THE YY (Wise), BLACK-EYED PP (Peas), AND A SIGHT FOR SORE II (Eyes). That last one opened the door to this song:

Half drunk all the time; and all drunk the rest.

Egsforbreakfast added this note: GG Louise. I thought this was some unique fun. I don’t mean to be a TT, but what LL could I even compare it to? I think Lewis OO us some research on this. You can rest assured that he won’t be an RR about it (as they say in London, Ontario). Anyway, all’s well that NN well, and to HH own.

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At 54A the clue was “Mérida mister,” and the answer was SENOR. I don’t think I appreciated this song enough before. Son Volt shared the Willie Nelson version, but after a few verses, I went back to Dylan’s. It’s great, but then I found this. It’s by Diva de Lai and it blew my socks off. Turn it up. And hold on to your socks.

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Boatload of music today, but I can’t help what the little doors in the puzzle open up to. Up for some fashion next?

At 122A, “Fashion designer Pucci” was EMILIO. Don’t go by me, but his stuff doesn’t grab me. Here’s one. Where is she supposed to wear this — dinner? the theater? Can anyone explain fashion to me — like I’m a three-year old? (Denzel)

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Follow-up note: So I posted a comment addressed to Son Volt about Senor, asking if he heard the version by Diva de Lai, above. He responded: “Liveprof [that’s me] – that’s a fantastic version and one I’ve read Dylan really likes. I love the mariachi inspired Willie [Nelson] take but my favorite remains when I saw the JGB do it live – ‘91 in Providence.” [JGB is the Jerry Garcia Band. There are some JGB versions on Youtube. I’ll check them out.]

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It’s odd when an answer that seems a gimme to you, wreaks havoc widely elsewhere. At 43A today “Apple variety whose name sounds like part of a flower,” came to me easily as STAYMAN. Yet Rex struggled with it and many others said they crashed on that shore. Apparently, it’s only available regionally. It was developed by Joseph Stayman in Leavenworth KS (not in the prison) back in 1866. Sometimes called a Stayman Winesap, its flesh is tart and spicy.

Yup — they’re gorgeous. Taylor — try one of these! They’re Staymans.

Can’t beat apples for a send-off. See you tomorrow!