On Cloud Nine

Good morning! I would like to wish all those who observe the holiday a very Happy Passover! I would now like to start off with a video this week's #1 hit, since it pertains to today's crossword puzzle.

To go along with today's spring weather, this is a "Very happy" puzzle by Billie Truitt called "Seventh Heaven." Here are the theme answers, all with the above clue:

20A: ECSTATIC
31A: DELIGHTED
45A: OVERJOYED
52A: EUPHORIC

In keeping with today's theme, I would now like to turn back the clock for another upbeat song by the Dave Clark 5

Alphabet soup:

1A: Kindergarten basics (ABCs)
44A: "No seats left" sign (SRO)
53D: Sci-fi saucers (UFOS)
58D: Nest-egg initials (IRA)

Food, glorious food:

37A: Vegetarian's no-no (MEAT)
41A: Greek cheese (FETA)
57A: Takes the bait (BITES)
65A: Delicious (TASTY)

Nelson Mandela continues to be popular with our cryptoquotes:

Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace.

Mandela never let his darkest days (all those years in prison) get in the way of his agenda or the decisions that he made while in office. G-d bless him!

The Boston Marathon is next Monday, and we all remember the tragedy that occurred a year ago. Rolling Stone preceded to put the Boston Bomber on its cover, dressed up like a rock star. I hope he will receive his sentence very soon.

Anyway, today's JUMBLE shows a marathon winner who now owns a sneaker store. The caption reads "The marathon winner's favorite part of owning his own store was _____.

Word list:

GETRI = TIGER
LNUGC = CLUNG
RUNBEM = NUMBER
NIEGUS = GENIUS

Scrambled solution: TIUNGNRNI
Solution: RUNNING IT

Season 7 of "Mad Men" opened with its lowest ratings since season 2. However, it was a great episode and we caught up with all the characters except for Betty and Sally. Neither made an appearance last night. Don Draper's style now looks outdated compared the colorful polyester clothes and the long hair that graced the style landscape. Even Pete Campbell has sideburns. Everyone except Joan seems to be falling apart, too. I can't wait until next week.

Till tomorrow. . . .

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick