You probably won’t be surprised to learn that I seeded this puzzle with a lifting reference (26A). Hope it’s as satisfying a challenge as a heavy back squat!

Tough as Nails Themeless #98 – Across Lite

Happy Wednesday! Here’s a puzzle!

Tough as Nails Themeless #97 – Across Lite

Welcome to CLUB 96! (If you don’t get the reference, you don’t watch enough Drag Race.)

Tough as Nails Themeless #96 – Across Lite

I don’t always put my seed at 1-Across; it depends on how well I think the letters will work to generate good fill. But when I do, a puzzle like this one happens!

Tough as Nails Themeless #95 – Across Lite

This themeless started with an idea for a clue rather than with a seed entry that I found interesting in and of itself. Said entry is one that I also think lends itself to fun cryptic cluing. Can you guess which one it was?

Tough as Nails Themeless #94 – Across Lite

In August you get zero holidays from the feds, but you will get two themelesses from me. Here’s one!

Tough as Nails Themeless #93 – Across Lite

I welcome constructive feedback on my puzzles (although I generally don’t revise previously published puzzles, even to correct mistakes). “Wow did this puzzle suck” from someone who didn’t identify themself is not constructive feedback. These puzzles are free and you are free not to solve them if you feel that way. Maybe I’ll seed my next grid with PEANUT GALLERY, though.

Onward and upward! Hope you enjoy this puzzle, and if you don’t, please use your words and tell me what you don’t like about it. Thanks!

Tough as Nails Themeless #92 – Across Lite