MASSIFCENTRAL

POETICJUSTICEReward or punishment that may be ironic PRACTICALJOKEFilling a friend's car with balloons, e.g. SEASONTOTASTESpring roll or summer sausage? PRIMARYCOLORSThey can be mixed to make orange, green and purple OLDWIVESTALESFoolish traditions ROLLINTOABALLArrive à la Cinderella? SENSELESSNESSIdiocy GRANNYSQUARESPieces of crocheted fabric that make four-sided shapes ... or a hint to the theme words at 16a, 44a, 7d, and 41d: 2 wds. PRIMEMINISTEROne’s said to be first among equals (5,8) PUTINTHESHADETo eclipse INCAPACITATEDDisabled PRECIPITATIONRain or snow, say (13) SOUTHERNCHARMReality TV show filmed primarily in Charleston NORTHERNCROSSConstellation that includes Cygnus (the Swan)