BURDENOFPROOF

PRACTICALJOKEFilling a friend's car with balloons, e.g. POETICJUSTICEReward or punishment that may be ironic GRANNYSQUARESPieces of crocheted fabric that make four-sided shapes ... or a hint to the theme words at 16a, 44a, 7d, and 41d: 2 wds. ROLLINTOABALLArrive à la Cinderella? OLDWIVESTALESFoolish traditions SENSELESSNESSIdiocy SEASONTOTASTESpring roll or summer sausage? PRIMARYCOLORSThey can be mixed to make orange, green and purple INCONSEQUENCEAs a result MOTHEROFPEARLGround opal, the former material for shiny ornamentation PUTINTHESHADETo eclipse APOSTLESPOONSPieces of silver handled by disciples? NEILARMSTRONGThe first man on the moon HUGHMCDIARMIDScottish poet whose works include A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle