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Forgot to add "reversed" Mr. Simpson. Senior moment evening.

Indeed, I, along with virtually everyone on planet earth, was thoroughly enthralled by his trial - if it doesn't fit you must.......:-)

How are things stateside, at the moment?

Thanks for asking. I avoid political discussions, so will decline to mention anything nationwide since I am not fond of the current regime.
I'm in upstate NY, about 2.5 to 3 hours drive from NYC but a rural area. My county seems to have gotten COVID somewhat under control after 1.5 months of shutdown (tests about 10% positive, daily recoveries well exceeding new cases). Hopeful about easing of lockdown in the not too distant future.
I work for a municipality in a very small town. Have been able to work normal hours, generally the only person in a locked building (visitors can knock or make appointments). That's eased the stress of lockdown.

That was quite a tough one. I did enjoy 8d, 17a and 27a though. Hadn’t heard of 2d or the word for food in 11a, though it’s very similar to a French word which I thought was the reference until I read the comments below.
Still not sure I can fully parse 1a or 22a, if anyone can give me a hint!

Hi Jono,

1a is a 4 letter word for "earth" + a 2 letter interjection meaning "what" both reversed/around.

22a Is one of the clues I said I wasn't sure of the parsing. The best I can up with is a 2 letter word meaning (in a) "flash" and then the rest has tio mean "venus", but I'm not convinced:-(

2d is a very popular dress in southern India and south eastern Asia. I’m wearing one right now!

Hi Mathi,

I was looking at some pictures of them earlier, and they seem to be worn by men and women alike. I should think they are just the thing for a hot climate.

Rose of Venus is an astronomical term for its orbit shape around the Earth, I think.

https://archive.briankoberlein.com/2014/04/01/rose-venus/index.html

Here is an animation of Venus orbit, as seen from Earth.

https://johncarlosbaez.wordpress.com/2014/01/04/the-pentagram-of-venus/