Steady Improvement
by Fred Piscop

Across

1Show some backbone, slangily
6Super-secure airline
10Did some groundbreaking
14Without an escort
15Niels Bohr, for one
16160 square rods
17Rarity for a new parent
20Not so dilute
21Work in tandem
22Aurora's Greek counterpart
23Day-__ colors
25Highest degree
26Joan of Arc, e.g.
30Visible
31Algerian port
32Bit of slapstick
33NFL nail-biters
36Inventor's goal, proverbially
40 KLM competitor
41Like a tack
42__ Lee cakes
43Cede the pigskin
44Put to use
46Run-D.M.C.'s music
49"__ Loser" (Beatles song)
50Day before a big event
51Clear, as a disk
53Painter's wear, perhaps
58Item on a New York Times list
61"For__ us a child . . ."
62Subway rider's wish
63Beethoven wrote for her
64Oxtail __
65Rick's __ Américain
66Like a dim bulb

Down

1Mad and Elle, briefly
2Jillions
3Koh-i- __ diamond
4Disassemble
5Retailer J.C. __ Company, Inc.
6Does some lawn work
7Cowardly Lion portrayer
8Hard-working insect
9Moonves of CBS
10Saintly topper
11Cruise milieu
12Not slouching
13Pool measurement
18Stereotypical lab assistant
19Candle bracket
23Start a new day
24Floral garlands
26Unruly groups
27Square footage
28Hamelin's problem
29Blaster's need
30Show derision
32Radarange maker
33Like much lore
34Poi source
35Fix, as a pet
37Catches sight of
38Baba au __
39Cough medicine amt.
44All caught up
45Joined forces
46Picture puzzle
47"__ We All?" (1923 play)
48Fake jewels
50Online party notice
52Stash overhead
53Norway's patron saint
54Fully qualified
55Butcher's cut
56Result of a sack, in football
57__-Ball (arcade game)
59Upper-left PC key
60Place to graze

Solution

Copyright © Fred Piscop