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Finished except for 14a. and 1down.
A very pleasant puzzle for a Saturday evening in Washington DC
For 14a I have u???e?i?a? Is this correct?
Hints please...

Crossers correct. Defn. "opposed to apple pie" (in a vernacular way).

Also, 14 parses as 1,4,3,1,1.

Good day all. That was a slog. A few of the usual, a primarily, a rhyming pair, a theme of birds. Some of the clues I found a little questionable. But now I've finished it I am very chuffed. Thought I was going to spend the whole day frustrated. 14a is a case in point - not sure about the apple pie part. 1d - not sure where I'm taken aback fits in. LOI 13d.. FOI 11a. COD 1a because I love long anagrams that are word for word.

Hi Yevrah,
Took me a while to see 1d also, but I think it’s the first three letters = something you might say if you were taken aback.

14a apple pie often quoted with motherhood in the sense that is intended here

Ah yes. Thanks on both. One of my favourite books is "everything is obvious one you know the answer".

.... once ..... you know the answer

I count 5 birds together with 8 down

All done within about 30mins with the exception of 16d . 30 mins later still can't get it despite going through the alphabet numerous times .
Clue please! So frustrating as it will no doubt be easy .
On 23a was there any way of knowing which way round it was before getting 8d (or 16d if you could get it)?