Happy week-between-Christmas-and-New-Years! I heard someone refer to it as “dead week” which I assume is due to the number of people who take time off (like me) so normally bustling offices are quiet. I am definitely enjoying the down time (and the new recliners in our TV room that were our presents this year) so let’s go ahead and see what Barb has in store for us for the final ClassiCanadian puzzle of 2021.

• Title: Pardon M’Eye Puns
• Grid size: 15×15
• Number of entries: 72
• Difficulty: Medium easy (my solve time 6:35)

“Pardon M’Eye Puns” is fairly straightforward, the themers area all common phrases or things but clued punnily as if they were related to optometry:

• 17A: [Optometrist’s clubs?]: FOCUS GROUPS – I guess they get together and try too see eye-to-eye.
• 24A: [Item on an optometrist’s task list?]: MAKE CONTACT – I imagine the list would also include “wash glasses.”
• 34A: [Optometrist’s specialty?]: FIELD OF VISION – This is almost a straight clue, but just askew enough that it lands as a solid pun.
• 49A: [Reason to visit an optometrist?]: SIGHT UNSEEN – One should also see the eye doctor if something is not in plain sight.
• 56A: [Major repair job for an optometrist?]: SHOT GLASSES – Cheers!

Textbook clockwise solve from NW to SW. Smooth – I was definitely on Barb’s wavelength with this one.

Canadian content

• 15A: [Toronto’s “Steal My Sunshine” duo]: LEN – Wow – while I’ve definitely heard this song, I had no idea who did it and that they were from Toronto.
• 20A: [Stravinsky or Larionov]: IGOR – I knew it was Igor from Stravinsky but Igor Larionov is a hockey coach and former professional player.
• 24D: [West Edmonton ____ (Alberta attraction)]: MALL – Four letters, had one of the Ls already – easy guess.
• 29D: [Throne ______ (Parliament opener)]: SPEECH – It appears to be officially called “speech from the throne.”
• 39A: [Comedian Thomas of Bob & Doug McKenzie]: DAVE – I was watching SCTV long before it was cool.
• 43D: [Trudeau did a one-armed one]: PUSH UP – I figured this wasn’t BANDIT 😉

Not much else to say other than I hope you all have a wonderful 2022!

Tip of the week: It’s never good to get into a rut, so I’ll be broadening the “tip of the week” next year into more general advice, quotes, or fun facts.