The last two NYTXW puzzles had some great stuff in them. Today’s had a “stack” of three long answers one on top of the other: The actor MAHERSHALA ALI, a bowler’s SEVEN-TEN SPLIT, and the great clue/answer: “Fat chance” for LIKE HELL I WILL. Great constructing by Eli Cotham.

He even tossed our Dirty Old Man Department a nod with “Company with a ‘Bra-llelujah!’ line” for SPANX. My tax student Imelda is modeling the “Bra-Vo” edition for us, below. Thanks, I-mel!

At 20D, “Desire for a picnic” was NO RAIN, and it led Son Volt to post the clip from Woodstock in which the storm is coming that turned the concert into one large mud-wrestling contest and where the crowd starts chanting NO RAIN NO RAIN, to the delight of an amused (and unaccommodating) Mother Nature.

At 20A, that N also helped spell NOLITA, which is the “N.Y.C. neighborhood in which the first pizzeria in the U.S. was opened (1905).” It’s short for North of Little Italy.

For all of you rock aficionados, did you know “Twisted Sister’s genre” was HAIR METAL? That was new to me. It may be better known as glam metal. It’s a a subgenre of heavy metal that features pop-influenced hooks and guitar riffs, upbeat rock anthems, and slow power ballads. It borrows heavily from the fashion and image of 1970s glam rock. Maybe think of heavy metal fusing with David Bowie, alav hashalom.

There are no sisters in Twisted Sister. You probably know their big hit “We Ain’t Gonna Take It.” They are the pride and joy of Ho-ho-kus, NJ, sort of, maybe.

Yesterday’s puzzle started off brazenly with a ten-letter three-word stack, with terrific answers: SHORTBREAD, PAPER ROUTE, and CRAZY STRAW. Remember those?

But the best part of Malaika Handa’s puzzle yesterday came at 55D. The clue was “‘Let me tell you . . . ” and the answer was GIRL. Best clue ever! Truly the mark of a sure-handed constructor.

“What connects money with everything?” That was the clue at 11A, and I had no idea what the hell was going on. The federal reserve system? But it’s a four-letter answer. Turns out it’s a great clue for the otherwise boring answer ISN’T. It’s a reference to the saying “money isn’t everything.”

Girl, you like Randy Rainbow? I hope I haven’t shared this here before. It’s one of my favorites.

We set out this fine morning for a walk in the Mt. Tom State Reservation, but upon arriving we noticed there was a fee. At first glance it seemed like $5 for the vehicle. But, wait — that was for MA vehicles. For us Jersey folk it was going to cost $20 — just for a stroll in the woods! WTF!! Drove to Northampton instead and found Child’s Park, which was perfect. Look how pretty:

A natural bench!

After the walk and lunch, we drove to Amherst and watched the film Janet Planet in the tiny “studio theater” that is part of the Amherst Cinema — just 25 seats –almost every one taken. How intimate is the theater? The woman next to me got up to use the rest room at one point and we could all hear when she flushed.

We liked the film! It’s about a single mom and her daughter, and, you know, life. Not easy to describe. Think of your typical action film — and then think of the exact opposite. It’s a film by Annie Baker who grew up right here in Amherst!! So we had to see it, amirite? Here’s Annie. Phil caught her at a serious moment.

And here are the stars of the film: Julianne Nicholson and Zoe Ziegler:

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No Klezmer music until 8 tonight to respect the Sabbath. So I’m going to sign off now and report on the music tomorrow.

Thanks for popping in!