7x7

Hi 7x solvers! I have something a little different for you today: this is a Puns & Anagrams puzzle (sometimes called a P&A or PandA) instead of a standard crossword. Will Shortz wrote a column a few years ago explaining the basics of a P&A puzzle, so I'll refer you there for a full description, but here is a shorter version:

***Note: The sample clues below are from a P&A by Andrew Ries and Andy Kravis that ran in the NYT on 4/5/20, so spoiler alert for that puzzle, which you should go solve after this.

About half of the clues in a P&A are anagram clues. These are similar to anagram clues in a cryptic, except there is no anagram indicator, so it's up to you to determine whether any given clue is an anagram clue (tip: pay attention to the length of the answer and the length of the words in the clue). Typically, one part of the clue will contain a straightforward definition of the answer and the other part will have a word or words that anagram(s) to the correct answer. It's up to you to figure out which part is which. For example, the answer to the clue [Soap opera, e.g., in Israel] is SERIAL. The definition is "soap opera, e.g.," and the anagram is Israel --> SERIAL. In some anagram clues, the entire clue defines the answer and contains the anagram (akin to an &lit in cryptics). For example, [Compiler of names of geniuses] is a great clue for MENSA, which is an anagram of "names" and does indeed compile names of geniuses.

The other half of the clues are puns/wordplay of any and all kinds, from wordplay you'd see in a cryptic to straight-up groaners. These do not have definitional components; just the wordplay. For example, you might see [Law about "E.T."] for STATUETTE or [Beat at a hairstyling competition] for OUTDO. Anything goes, with the one important rule that every entry is a real, actual entry you would see in a typical crossword.

That's it - enjoy! If you get stumped or have questions or anything else, don't hesitate to reach out on Twitter. Also, thank you x1000 to Malaika for this entire project and for letting me do this P&A puzzle!