Theme: NN-ending Famous Names
17A: "Songcatcher" co-star: AIDAN QUINN
36A: Former Georgia Senator: SAM NUNN
56A: "Little Big Man" director: ARTHUR PENN
11D: "Death in Venice" author: THOMAS MANN
27D: Star of "Captain Blood": ERROL FLYNN
*ANN, *ENN, *INN, *UNN, *YNN, the only one missing is *ONN. I bet Wiseman searched hard for an *ONN ending famous name but came up with nothing. He did compensate this with BONN (6A: Beethoven's birthplace).
I've never heard of "Songcatcher", "Litttle Big Man" or "Captain Blood", but the theme answers were not difficult to obtain, given the easy crossings and self-evident theme.
I dislike the clue for SOWED (60A): Scattered (seeds) since SEED POD is the answer for 42D: Vanilla bean. Also, why "Vanilla bean" for SEED POD? I don't get it.
Across:
15A: Half of CXIV: LVII. Roman 57. I am so happy that I am not a Roman. I don't think I can calculate without first converting those Roman numerals into Arabic numbers first.
16A: Auto-racing org.: NHRA (National Hot Rod Association)
21A: Kern and Robbins: JEROMES. JEROME Kern composed "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes". JEROME Robbins won an Oscar for directing "West Side Story". I knew neither of them.
24A: Argentine port: PARANA. See this map. I've never heard of PARANA River/port. My wrong guess was MARANA.
33A: Municipal grp.: DPW (Department of Public Works)
38A: Islands of Indonesia: ARU. Here is ARU Islands again (lower right corner).
39A: NHL coach Bowman: SCOTTY. Wow, 11 Stanley Cups, very impressive. Too bad, his name means nothing to me.
45A: Some changes: CENTS
49A: Peace pipe: CALUMET. No idea. Dictionary says CALUMET is "a long-stemmed sacred or ceremonial tobacco pipe used by certain Native American peoples." Native Indians seem to love feathers for decorations.
51A: Bay of Alaska: PRUDHOE. Have never heard of PRUDHOE Bay. Easy inference though.
Down:
8D: Martial arts masters: NINJAS. It's rooted in Chinese 忍者. Nin is "endure". Ja is "person". I know the name, did not know that they are "Martial arts masters".
9D: SF gridder: NINER. Wikipedia says San Francisco 49ers have won 5 Super Bowls, and they "share the Super Bowl win record with the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers". For another 10 days?
12D: Art Deco artist: ERTE. "Symphony in Black" is probably ERTE's most famous image.
24D: Platte River valley people: PAWNEES. New word to me. Does PAWNEE have any special meaning in their own language? Can't be PAWN related.
25D: Canton folk: SWISS. Good clue. I was thinking of those folks I left behind in Canton (Guangzhou), China. Did anyone think of those football Hall-of-Famers in Canton, OH?
26D: Stupor: pref.: NARCO
37D: Ref's cohort: UMP. Look at this guy's impressive bobblehead collection. I wonder if he has a 1960' UMP nodder.
40D: Screes: TALUSES. I did not know the meaning of "Scree". Checked the dictionary and it explains "scree" as TALUS, broken rock debris at the base of a cliff.
44D: Gas in Glasgow: PETROL. Good alliteration.
52D: Shaped with an ax: HEWN
50D: First-class: A ONE. And ONE A (53D: SSS class)
C.C.
17A: "Songcatcher" co-star: AIDAN QUINN
36A: Former Georgia Senator: SAM NUNN
56A: "Little Big Man" director: ARTHUR PENN
11D: "Death in Venice" author: THOMAS MANN
27D: Star of "Captain Blood": ERROL FLYNN
*ANN, *ENN, *INN, *UNN, *YNN, the only one missing is *ONN. I bet Wiseman searched hard for an *ONN ending famous name but came up with nothing. He did compensate this with BONN (6A: Beethoven's birthplace).
I've never heard of "Songcatcher", "Litttle Big Man" or "Captain Blood", but the theme answers were not difficult to obtain, given the easy crossings and self-evident theme.
I dislike the clue for SOWED (60A): Scattered (seeds) since SEED POD is the answer for 42D: Vanilla bean. Also, why "Vanilla bean" for SEED POD? I don't get it.
Across:
15A: Half of CXIV: LVII. Roman 57. I am so happy that I am not a Roman. I don't think I can calculate without first converting those Roman numerals into Arabic numbers first.
16A: Auto-racing org.: NHRA (National Hot Rod Association)
21A: Kern and Robbins: JEROMES. JEROME Kern composed "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes". JEROME Robbins won an Oscar for directing "West Side Story". I knew neither of them.
24A: Argentine port: PARANA. See this map. I've never heard of PARANA River/port. My wrong guess was MARANA.
33A: Municipal grp.: DPW (Department of Public Works)
38A: Islands of Indonesia: ARU. Here is ARU Islands again (lower right corner).
39A: NHL coach Bowman: SCOTTY. Wow, 11 Stanley Cups, very impressive. Too bad, his name means nothing to me.
45A: Some changes: CENTS
49A: Peace pipe: CALUMET. No idea. Dictionary says CALUMET is "a long-stemmed sacred or ceremonial tobacco pipe used by certain Native American peoples." Native Indians seem to love feathers for decorations.
51A: Bay of Alaska: PRUDHOE. Have never heard of PRUDHOE Bay. Easy inference though.
Down:
8D: Martial arts masters: NINJAS. It's rooted in Chinese 忍者. Nin is "endure". Ja is "person". I know the name, did not know that they are "Martial arts masters".
9D: SF gridder: NINER. Wikipedia says San Francisco 49ers have won 5 Super Bowls, and they "share the Super Bowl win record with the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers". For another 10 days?
12D: Art Deco artist: ERTE. "Symphony in Black" is probably ERTE's most famous image.
24D: Platte River valley people: PAWNEES. New word to me. Does PAWNEE have any special meaning in their own language? Can't be PAWN related.
25D: Canton folk: SWISS. Good clue. I was thinking of those folks I left behind in Canton (Guangzhou), China. Did anyone think of those football Hall-of-Famers in Canton, OH?
26D: Stupor: pref.: NARCO
37D: Ref's cohort: UMP. Look at this guy's impressive bobblehead collection. I wonder if he has a 1960' UMP nodder.
40D: Screes: TALUSES. I did not know the meaning of "Scree". Checked the dictionary and it explains "scree" as TALUS, broken rock debris at the base of a cliff.
44D: Gas in Glasgow: PETROL. Good alliteration.
52D: Shaped with an ax: HEWN
50D: First-class: A ONE. And ONE A (53D: SSS class)
C.C.
Good morning, C.C. and gang - this one started just like yesterday's for me. Blew across the top again with a bit of perp help (Aidan Quinn) then got slowed quickly. No g-spotting, but again needed perp help in several spots. I don't remember seeing 'screes/taluses' before, and was reluctant to put it, since I knew talus was a bone in the foot. I strongly disagree that 'Come to a stop/slow' is correct -- obviously, you can slow without coming to a stop. I did just that with this puzzle.
ReplyDeleteAnd regardless of your political bent (sorry, Kay), I hope everyone got to see the inauguration yesterday - it was the majesty of our democracy on full display for the world to see.
Today is both National Hugging Day and National Squirrel Appreciation Day. I recommend you not try to combine the two.
Today's Words of Wisdom (and a personal favorite): "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." -- John Stuart Mill
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteI found your "burst of anger" yesterday fascinating. I also liked Buckeye' "Mea Culpa-ed" view.
I think a little bit of politics adds zest to the blog conversation. No apology is needed.
Crockett et al,
Thank you for the sweet messages yesterday. It's been a very rewarding blogging experience for me personally. I've learned so much about the real American culture from each of you and have made so many friends. Thank you all for the support.
Seattle John,
Great to hear your NY Times puzzle is back.
Ink & Clear Ayes & Warren,
ReplyDeleteI confused "Winter apple" with French "pomme de terre" yesterday. Thanks for the RUSSET apple link.
The Hayraker,
Yes, I think so.
Lois,
Finally we got to see you up closely. Nice photo.
Linda,
No, but I wish I had.
Argyle,
ReplyDeleteIsn't strange that SOLAN goose is a kind of gannet?
Barry et al,
Theme answers:
Barack Obama
Rock Opera
Back Order
Black Olives
Theme title: Split Ends. Why?
C.C., amen to the zest; when present in this blog, it makes it that much more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteOff to the gym. Guess whose face is on the heavy bag today?
Good morning CC: Pretty tame puzzle and just hard enough, but blew it on Pawnees perps. I disagree w/36D since to me a 'strum' is a technique not a 'beat', but in banjo lingo maybe it is. I was proud to get NHRA for once. Loved the parallel of Scotty and Solar...as in "Beam me up, Scotty." Glad to know 'calumet' since my mom grew up on Calumet in Chicago - and it's a pipe I haven't tried yet - a 'piece pipe' is more my style.
ReplyDeleteGreat quote Dennis. After the President's inauguration speech yesterday, patriotism should hit an all time high. What an inspiration!
I finally get 'flakes' today, just not made of snow. Enjoy your day.
Good morning CC and all. Seems that Dennis and I have had the exact same puzzle experiences the last two days. I flew through the top half and almost completely bogged down in the lower half. I was finally able to get most of the fills but finally had to Google 56A. For a change I got the theme rapidly which helped in completing the puzzle.
ReplyDeleteI did not like the clue/answer for 62A. Calumet was a while in coming to mind finally appearing from the deep recess of my brain.
39A Scotty Bowman was a gimme for me as he coached here in Pittsburgh for many years before going to Detroit. While in the Berg he was blessed to have two of the best hockey players on ice, Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr. In addition Bowman has won nine Stanley Cup Championships.
Good Morning All,
ReplyDeleteQuite a historical day yesterday.
As much as I cannot stand politics and all the deal making that goes on in those circles, I watched the ceremony and can only hope that everything goes as planned!
As to the x words of the last few days....PHEW. I don't get Sundays but from Sat on I have been of the opinion that I must have been hit on the head and lost all of my cognitive thought processes!
I always thought NINJA was a made up name for some turtles dressed in black! But,alas, it's a real word. I still wonder about NARCO being another word for STUPOR.
I wanted coma or trance., but they were out of the question And, yeah, I don't think 62a is as good a clue as it could be.
'Nuff for now,
CY'All Later
Another nice puzzle.... but where is the INAUGURAL theme... What's up with that?
ReplyDelete@ARGYLE Yes I have had Dalwhinnie (finished at Xmas) and Talisker... very nice indeed. The malt from the Isle of Mull is Tobermory... that had a deep smoky taste... not my favorite.
@JANEFONDA... I remember you well. I was an agent in MI and had the pleasure of tailing her and having her arrested when she drove into FT MEADE in her efforts to stir up the troops. It has been almost 40 years. She had quite a mouth... it was the first time I ever heard a woman use the F word. I remember her also many years later on a late night talk show apologizing for her actions. Though unforgiving of me, I just can not accept it. Enough said !
@ Lois, it's hart to tell who is the young one in your picture. And, you look so innocent, wow!
ReplyDeleteMorning, all!
ReplyDeleteSame experience as Dennis and Dick -- blew through the top half, got bogged down in the lower half. I did manage to finish unassisted, though.
Unknowns today were AURTHUR PENN, PARANA, ARU, SCOTTY, FLUMES and TALUSES. TALUSES in particular was hard, since I didn't even know what the clue meant, and the intersection of TALUSES and FLUMES could have been quite nasty if not for the fact that L was the only letter that seemed to make any sense. I suppose it could have been TARUSES/FRUMES, but fortunately I guessed correctly.
CALUMET, PAWNEES and PRUDHOE were words that I barely remembered, but I was able to pull them out of the dark crevices/crevasses in time to save my bacon. I originally had WHEW instead of PHEW for 51D, for example. I didn't know who ARTHUR PENN was, but the D in PRUDHOE let me get SEEDPOD, which in turn gave me the P in PENN. PAWNEES let me get PARANA, of course, and CALUMET gave me the U in TALUSES. It all felt very tenuous, however.
Some sloppy cluing in the puzzle today, I felt. I couldn't believe that INTONER was clued as "Monotone utterer" and refused to accept that INTONER was correct for awhile. Vanilla beans are a type of seed pod, but the terms aren't synonymous and the clue should have had "for example" appended to it.
Theme answers:
Barack Obama
Rock Opera
Back Order
Black Olives
Theme title: Split Ends. Why?
This may be too much of a stretch, but all the theme ends have the letters K and O split, and a KO ("knockout") usually signals the "end" of a boxing match.
Hi, I'm a retired teacher and finally have time to do crossword puzzles. I found this site awhile back and some of your comments give me a chuckle. I guess you are about 25 or I'm really an antique. Here are a couple chuckles from recent puzzles: When a woman looks at a sleeping child a frequent comment is "what an angel". An ulu knife - I guess you have never been to a Pampered Chef party. You can probably pick one up at Target. It is small,curved blade with a short ball type handle held in the palm and rocked back and forth. The Moog synthesizer really dates me and you - Bach
ReplyDeleteGloria
CC: thanks for the compliment. Apparently my deflect & distract and camoflage techniques worked.
ReplyDeleteDick, you sweet talker, you. Thank you for the compliment. You know what flattery will get you ..(always a good thing). Moral to the story? Don't judge a book until it's uncovered.
I agree with Dennis on SLOW--you can get ticketed if you only do that at a stop sign.
ReplyDeleteIn the same mood as Dennis' quote, here's a way of distinguishing patriotism and nationalism:
Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their own specific virtues. The pride of nationalism, however, trumpets its country's virtues and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of other countries. It wants to be, and proclaims itself to be, "the greatest", but greatness is not required of a country; only goodness is. -Sydney J. Harris, journalist and author (1917-1986)
--particularly apt after Obama's speech yeaterday.
Welcome to Gloria, from one old teacher to another! But it's a good idea to read all the previous posts before commenting--your explanations have already been dealt with on the day of that puzzle. We are all a bit more than 25--check out some of our profiles.
My main hangup today was around PARANA, but did a bit of googling besides that too. What is the first letter of 61A?
The German clues--Thomas Mann and Swiss were gimmes--I read Death in Venice in college. Prudhoe Bay, otherwise known as Deadhorse, is near the oil drilling sites on Alaska's north slope, where my son worked for nearly three years.
Kazie, well said on the issue of patriotism vs. nationalism.
ReplyDelete61A is 'wens'.
Hi C.C. and Happy Anniversary :)
ReplyDeleteYou have created a wonderful little spot in cyberspace.
I am afraid I was unable to check with the blog a couple of days ago and I missed your question.
You asked:
"PromiseMe,
What is a head shop? What's the difference between mango salad and mango chutney? Also, what's so funny about that Wiley's Dictionary link? I don't get it."
A head shop is a store that sells paraphernalia (good XW word there?) that is used to ingest, inhale, imbibe or otherwise interact with illicit substances which have either a mild or profound affect upon one's head. Thus, a 'head shop'.
As for the difference between a mango salad and a mango chutney. My differentation is that a mango salad would likely consist of some kind of leaves together with fresh mango slices. This could also inlcude any number of other things like almonds or other nuts, any kind of cheese one might prefer or just about anything else you like. A chutney, on the other hand, is a type of preserve ... like strawberry preserves, only with mangoes instead. There are a lot of varieties of mango chutney. Many of them have a bit of a kick to them. I said in the post that I like Patak's brand, but I also like Major Grey's, as well.
As for the Wiley's Dictionary entry, The term 'hip replacement' typically refers to having to have surgery to have one's hip replaced. However, when used as a slang term, pertinent to the jazz world, 'hip' means 'cool', 'with it', 'happening', etc. So, since an accordian player is decidedly 'unhip', a hip (cool) replacement for him would be a jazz pianist.
I will chime in on today's puzzle a bit later.
21:44
ReplyDeleteI just can't seem to get my brain in gear.
1 across Boxer tether had me stumped. It should have been clued German shepherd tether.
I was trying to imagine a tether for boxer. As in a pugilist.
21 Across Kern & Robbins unfamiliar.
I have no excuse for not remembering 36 across GA Senator Nunn. He occupied the seat curently held by Republican Saxsby Chambliss.
The order of procession is
Nunn, Max Cleland, Chambliss.
39 Across NHL Scotty Bowman also unknown also.
My anecdote involving Erica Jong, Harold Robbins, Jackie Collins & Danielle Steele.
My mom and I used to have an argument when I was younger. She caught me reading Harold Robbins she called it smut and burned the book. But it was ok for my sister to read Erica Jong, Jackie Collins, Danielle Steele.
The Harold Robbins book belonged to the library. The penalty for not telling her was I had to replace the book. She asked me why I didn't tell her. I said you told me to shut up about the book.
The moral of this story is that my mom thought that Harold Robbins is smut , but Erica Jong, Danielle Steel and Jackie Collins are ok.
Thanks Dennis--a doh! moment for me!
ReplyDeleteHI GANG. Below is from last night.
ReplyDeleteJanuary 20, 2009 10:24 PM
Blogger Buckeye said...
To all: I agree with Dennis that what we were discussing was not politics (although, it may be called "geo-politics"), but rather a free expression of opinion. Dennis and I have agreed on so many things, it would be a shame to think we are not "comrades" because of one disagreement, as hurtful as it is, especially for him. Respect overcomes disagreement when you have "never walked in the other man's shoes".
It is past midnight in God's Country(EST. God forgive you Western pegans; who, by the way, make up over 75% of our "blogeters" (See Fred)) Allow me to say this: c.c. what you have created, on this blog, is one of the most incredible things ever. You have brought together high school dropouts, who may or may not have gotten their GEDs, H.S, grads, college grads of all degrees and some of the most creative people I've ever encountered. We have run the gamut from Drdad's chemical discriptions of things we may never have been introduced to, great cooking, to idiots, like myself. You have allowed us to help you create a haven for thought and expression. You are a miracle of creation, and I'm sure I express the opinion of all of us when I say - Congratulations but more importantly -THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US!!!
I must be off
To all:
ReplyDeleteTo me,'Calumet' meant my Granny`s baking powder which came in a partly red, paper "can" with a native American in feathered head dress. Today, it would be un-pc but the "cans" are collectibles.
Kazie: Here are two original, neo-political definitions I`ve lived long enough to conjure;
ReplyDeleteA politician does what is best for him/her self whether it`s good for his/her constituency or not.
A statesman does what is best for his/her constituency whether it`s best for him/her self or not. (They usually last only one term, unfortunately).
Have you seen any of the excellent programming about all the
Presidents on the History Chan.?
Interesting comment about 3 teams - 49ers, Cowboys and Steelers tied for most super bowl wins C.C. The 49ers of 1987-89 were probably the most fun to watch football teams ever. The "west coast" offense, created by Coach Bill Walsh QB Joe Montana, WR Jerry Rice, RB Roger Craig and DB Ronnie Lott may be the best players ever at their positions. One unbelievable season from 6-5 record to Super Bowl win.
ReplyDeleteAll the more reason to root for the Arizona Cardinals Feb. 1st.
Inshah' Allah
Your friendly Hayraker
re Calumet:
ReplyDeleteI was very aggravated not to get this answer, because I graduated from Calumet High School in Chicago many decades ago and had known that meaning of the word. Old age - Bah!
Calef.
Good morning(one minute before noon here)
ReplyDeleteC. C. said @ 5:49 AM
Argyle, isn't (it) strange that SOLAN goose is a kind of gannet?
Not really, there are plenty of common names for animals that don't match what they truely are. Panda bear, fisher cat, sea horse, etc.
Did anyone think of those football Hall-of-Famers in Canton, OH?
You know some constuctor will see that and think, "What a great idea!", so watch for it.
Calumet Baking Powder The Indian is much more stylized now. Calumet was a French-Canadian word for pipe.
Barry G. is probably right about "split ends".
Does PAWNEE have any special meaning in their own language?
Pawnees were a confederacy of four tribes. Pawnees had a most unusual hair style in that their hair was stiffened with paint and fat and curved back like a comb at the centre of the head with the rest shaved. Other tribes named them Pawnee which means 'horn'. Pawnees referred to themselves as 'chaticks-si-chaticks', meaning 'men of men'. Pawnees were traditional enemies of the Lakota and served as scouts for the US Army.image I think I've seen this guy at the mall!
24A) Parana - Argentine port / important port on the river about 100KMs upstream from the ocean.
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteEasy today with perps that came through without too much effort.
C.C.
"Litttle Big Man" or "Captain Blood", great movies with former starring Dustin Hoffman and the latter a black and white starring Errol Flynn.
Hi C.C.and gang, I didn't have too much trouble but seemed to solve this in a circular pattern, left corner then down left side and across the bottom, up right side and then got stopped in the upper right corner and stayed that way. Finally had to try google. Many of the names were unknowns.
ReplyDeleteI am sure Calumet is(was)a brand name of baking powder. I remember the can was red and white and had an Indian pictured on it. It was always in my Mom's cupboard. Oh, I just continued reading and found that you already knew this. :) Thanks Argyle and Linda, I am glad my memory is still good.
Linda,
ReplyDeleteThanks--I guess the names say it all--politicians are political in their thinking, while statesmen are concerned for the state and its people.
BTW, Errol Flynn was born in Tasmania in 1909--probably the first of many great Aussie film stars.
Argyle: your mall comment reminded me of a cute joke: An 'older' man was staring at a teen w/multicolored spiked hair and the kid snapped, "What are YOU lookin' at? Didn't you ever do anything weird when you were a kid?" "yes, I did. When I was in the Navy and stationed in the tropics, I got drunk and made love to a parrot. I was just wonderin' if you were my son."
ReplyDeleteWell, I thought it was funny. I'm going to go appreciate a squirrel now.
Hi c.c. and all,
ReplyDeleteWell, I thought this was going to be a hammer, but luckily I figured the theme out which helped out a lot. I had to google Parana as I didn't know either Parana or Pawnees. I had halt for 62A, but changed it to slow. Everything else I wasn't sure of came from the perps. I did keep looking the ending of "onn", but that didn't happen.
Buckeye: Great tribute to c.c. and BTW you are not one of the "idiots". I so enjoy reading what you have to say because you are really a funny guy.
c.c. Congrats!
Off to the gym! Have a great day everyone!
Good morning, everyone. Not as bad as yesterday, but there were a fair share of across unknowns: AIDAN QUANN, PARANA, SCOTTY, ARTHUR PENN. That said, I didn't hve to go to the G spot today, so it was easier than yesterday's for me.
ReplyDelete@ Hayraker Interesting sign-off. Learn something every day on this blog.
@ Dennis, You wouldn't hit an old man like me, would ya? Yeah! I know whose face is on the bag. I suggest you find another face. Dick Chaney. After all, Chaney is in a wheel chair. He threw his back out when he picked up a box labled "Hallibertin Kickbacks". BTW. Lois, Don't ever say "blew it". I had to go back to bed to get my heart-rate down.
ReplyDeleteIMBO
Good Morning All, Any puzzle that has ERROL FLYNN as an answer is OK with me. Apparently his personal life was pretty wild, but he was a Movie star with a capital "M".
ReplyDeleteSongcatcher is a very nice movie about a musicologist researching Appalachian folk music in the early 1900's. AIDAN QUINN is the love interest for the lead actress. There was a lot of banjo STRUMming going on.
First I agreed that STRUM wasn't "banjo beat", but after a few YouTube videos of banjo strumming, it looks and sounds like the STRUM is the beat and the "picking' is the tune. Any banjo players out there?
PARANA was a toughie, but PAWNEES are often the "bad guys" in western movies. The most recent example is in Dances With Wolves.
CALUMET baking powder isn't as "ancient" (Hi, Calef!) as it might seem. It is still sold and I have a can of it in my pantry right now.
I think Barry's theme sounds correct also.
ReplyDeleteI hated this puzzle. Although the theme came easily, the SW corner stumped me. I did not know CALUMET, WENS, TALUSES or FLUMES (I could only think of sloughs or skids). I suppose I could have Googled, but I never do.
I agree that, 'strum' is a technique not a 'beat'.
Kazie, I did not know that Errol Flynn was from Tasmania. Thanks for the trivia.
Cute joke, Lois. I think I will share that one with my mom :)
Hayraker. The "west coast" offense was NOT started by Walsh and the "49ers". It was started and developed right here in my home town of Middletown, Ohio (and I played football under him) by a genius named Glenn "Tiger" Ellison. Many people claim "Mouse" Davis developed that offense, but even "Mouse" confessed he got it from "Tiger". "Tige" called it the "Spread" or "The Lonesome Polecat".
ReplyDeleteThe first time ANYBODY ever saw a quarterback, working from a "drop-back position" (shotgun, today), without any running backs in the backfield, was the night we beat Portsmouth High School 69-0. From the third quarter, they would punt the ball to us, and on first down, we would punt it back to them. "Tige" was also a GREAT teacher. ENGLISH! He would walk into the classroom and say, "We gotta dig,dig,dig little pigs, It's time to learn a little Willy." He was talking about Sheakspeare. "To be, or not to be...." When "Tige" talked, you learned.
I didn't "Google" before I wrote this, but I'm sure you can find
"Tige's" book on Amazon. AND, if you order today, I'll include my book by Hardon Young (my '60s R&R name) entitled, "If Einstein Were So Smart, Why Did He Get A Divorce; A Plan Before Action", absolutely free.
Back to the trees for a while. Nurse Ratchet is concerned about my communicating with you "nitwits", and she thinks I need a break. Actually, my head is starting to hurt.
IMBO
Buckeye, yes, Cheney's would work well.
ReplyDeleteClear ayes, Kazie, back in the late 50's, my stepfather took me with him on a trip to LA. We stayed at the Las Tunas motel in Malibu, which at one time was evidently Errol Flynn's home. As I vaguely recall, several of the rooms had animal skin bedspreads, and there were mirrors everywhere, including the obligatory ceiling mirror. My stepfather was a big Flynn fan, obviously.
Lois, outstanding picture of both of you! No more of those long-distance shots, please. Oh, and be careful with your squirrel 'appreciation' -- I understand they're very protective of their nuts.
C.C.: May I add to the many congratulations expressed on this blog. You have created something that is dear to many of us all around the world.
ReplyDeleteAbout yesterday's OBAN: I was so disappointed with my faltering brain. I was there two summers ago for a wedding of a friend's son in a castle right outside of Oban; we stayed at a small place in Oban. And I missed it yesterday. My friend grew up in a town not far from Oban, and her son married in a rented castle, and the wedding had bagpipes and kilts. All are US citizens now, but how could I miss the clue?
Linda, very much liked your joke. Very appropriate.
And everyone: the inauguration was wonderful to see. And we were a few minutes with the president being the Secretary of Defense because Bush was out at noon, no matter what. And the swearing in is done two minutes before noon so there is no time without a pres. But the Sec. of Def. was in a place removed in case of a happening. Fortunately the only happening was they were running late.
Sorry, c.c. This doesn't count as a post.
ReplyDeleteLois, you are priceless!!!!
IMBO
Buckeye, I remember seeing something about Tige Ellison on TV, and I think they credited him with developing the 'run and shoot' offense.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my 60s R&R name was Harley Matters.
Forget Jane Fonda and Dick Cheney....
ReplyDeleteHow can my fellow West Coasters let Buckeye skate on his "It is past midnight in God's Country(EST. God forgive you Western pegans; who, by the way, make up over 75% of our "blogeters" comment?
Every sensible person knows God loves the west coast better than the east coast. We know this because we can get east coast feed on TV and don't have to stay up half the night, losing essential beauty sleep, in order to see Late Night With Conan O'Brien.
As far as 75% of the "blogeters" being westerners, just look at Crockett's map to see all our mid-country people huddled together for warmth. The only reason us westerns are huddled together in the Portland area and northern California is so we don't fall off into the Pacific Ocean.
This was a relatively easy puzzle. I had difficulty only with PAWNEE and am not sure why I missed it as it is a name with which I am quite familiar. Perhaps if I had taken just a few more minutes…. There were several unknowns that came easily from the crosses.
ReplyDelete@Argyle at 5:13 pm yesterday – Thank you, I could not agree more.
@Kazie – Thanks for the Sydney J Harris quote. I was a faithful reader of his column from about the 7th grade on until he died.
@cc – Happy Anniversary! I am awed by the dedication and discipline you demonstrate in creating each day’s blog without break. When you sent me Barry Silk’s crossword puzzle on Sunday morning, the e-mail was posted just after 4 am. I do not know how you manage it. I have been journaling for the past year and find it difficult to find 5 or ten minutes every day for that.
Clear Ayes. You make my point. You on the left coast need "beauty sleep". We in the "heartland" are naturally beautiful and sleep is a "post-coital" exercise. We arise early to go out into the farm-yard and milk the capons, and collect their eggs.
ReplyDeleteIMBO
Since everyone has already covered all the problem spots on the puzzle I will chime in with a Fun Food Fact for all you single malt whiskey lovers(BTW I am a big fan of Scottish single malts and always try to bring home something unusual from my visits there)...Also on the Isle of Mull is a family that makes a fabulous cheddar called Isle of Mull. Because there is not a lot for the cows to eat on the island, they take all "leftovers" from the distilling process in the whiskey making and feed it to the cows. The cheese is very pale yellow due the lack of chlorpyhll in their diet and when the cheese is at is best, you get the lovely, slightly smokey taste of the whiskey.
ReplyDeleteThe cheese is available in the states through Neal's Yard Dairy at very high-end cheese shops and some gourmet stores. I bought some of the Tobermory over there so we could taste it with the cheese.Yum!
I also have to side with ClearAyes on the West Coast/God's Country thing...we have amazing weather, fabulous food, incredible scenery, and of course a large part of the state has region-designated vineyards. We can have snow or the beach just a short drive away...
I am a 3rd generation SF Bay Area native...so, of course I would feel this way.
Buckeye, Ha...gotcha back! Forget about "post-coital" anything. We westerners can do it in our sleep. At least I know my ex sometimes said, "Wake up!"
ReplyDeleteBTW, how can you infer that famous west coasters like Joan Rivers, Burt Reynolds, Kenny Rogers and Pamela Anderson are not naturally beautiful? For shame!
10:03 today. I'm sorry I haven't been blogging much lately.
ReplyDeleteI do the NY Times puzzle at breakfast (syndicated, so five weeks later than the puzzle in the NY Times paper). When I get home, I'm spending a lot of time on the St. Valentine's Day Massacre map rally, so my blogging time is reduced.
@buckeye: I'm not sure that the Run and Shoot offense (used around here by Mouse Davis at Portland State University) is the same as what is referred to as the West Coast Offense (the latter originally coined to refer to a style of pro football play).
Clear Ayes. I know you "West-coasters" can do it in your sleep. I've slept with a few of ya'all, and that's exactly what it was like.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the weather; anybody can endure paradise, but it takes a "poet"s" heart to confront Mother Nature and all of her vanities, and say, " We Are One! What you deliver, I shall serve. Please be kind!"
I love ya, Sis.
IMBO
ClearEyes, that 'Pennies From Heaven' clip is a gas! I have newfound appreciation for Mr. Walken's talents. I half expected that tattoo to read, 'Mother'. I kept trying to figure out if the woman watching him was Madeline Kahn or a young Susan Sarandon. After checking the IMDB, I see that it was Bernadette Peters. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteAs for Bill Maher, I also disagree with him on many counts. He is funny, though. I have not seen 'Religulous', but I suspect I will recommend it once I do. I am not atheist, but I think religion should be left to serious mystical seekers. In that regard, I think atheism is probably the best path for the 'fair-weather friends of religion', those who simply makes use of it (when convenient) as a means to their own ends. As it is, they are just pawns of those aforementioned serious mystical seekers who would use them to achieve their own ends.
Also, it has occurred to me that my newly-coined term ought to be 'Double-Entendresque'.
Embien. You're correct about "run 'n shoot' and "west coast offense", etc. What I was saying, the "empty backfield" and even the "slot back' position was "Tiger's". He was the second coach to ever split a tight end. (No comments Lois). When we ran "Tigers" offense against our foes, the defense coaches had no idea how to defend it. It was fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm seriously of to the trees.
IMBO
On a cross blog. Be careful PromiseMeThis. You're attitude about theology is starting to sound like mine. Soon, nurse Retchet will be seeking you, and that ain't fun!!
ReplyDeleteIMBO
Crockett 1947 - when you say you're going to the "G Spot" are you saying you have actually found it? If so, please tell me how. Been looking for one of those things since college days, and that's a bunch of years ago.
ReplyDeleteHayrake
ClearAyes...I know you said you were working on the Quark. Was the final as good as you hoped?
ReplyDeleteLois...what a cute photo.
Buckeye...loved the Halliburton/Cheney bit. A new day dawns.
"Soon, nurse Retchet will be seeking you, and that ain't fun!!"
ReplyDeleteHey, one man's poison is another man's antidote! I was never averse to a little slap and tickle. Sometimes, though, it just doesn't tickle anymore and you have to ramp it up a notch. It's all a matter of degree. Cést la vie!
"... the "G Spot" are you saying you have actually found it?"
If so, better you than me.
" ... Been looking for one of those things since college days,"
Needless to say, you will get no help from me.
PromiseMeThis. If nurse Rathcet comes to you with a Louisville Slugger in her hand and says, "It's play time!!", then you know what I'm talking about.
ReplyDeleteAs for the true "G" spot, it's in the cerebrale cortex. Be open to her needs, and she'll direct you where to go - and you'll love it!!
IMBO
And finally. Judy, I got your e-mail and responded, but it was rejected. If you would send your e-mail separately, I will send my response. Regardless, thank you.
ReplyDeleteIMBO
Dennis (at 12:18) and Clear ayes (at 1:25) LMAO - thanks, I needed a few good laughs!
ReplyDeleteLois, loved your joke - bet that shut the kid up (he probably went home and shaved his head!)
Hayrake (at 2:21) re the "g-spot", my condolences to your significant others!
CC: Happy Blog Birthday to you!
ReplyDeleteSallie; I think you gave me credit for a joke from Lois...
Here`s one from me:
A blond (I get a lot of these being blond, more or less) was watching the news with her husband and heard "Two Brazilian sky divers die in tragic accident. Details at 6." She burst into tears and wailing to which her husband said, "Honey, in a sport as dangerous as sky-diving...that`s bound to happen occasionally." She sniffed and said, "Just how many is a Brazilian?"
I take issue with the clue for 62 across. "Come to a stop" is not the same thing as "Slow"
ReplyDeleteLinda: cute joke. Love that one!
ReplyDeleteDennis: LOL about the squirrel and his nuts. Also thanks for the compliment. I'll pass it along to my make up artist.
Buckeye: If "Tiger" was the 2nd coach to ever "split a tight end", who was the first.."Woody" Hayes? Dang, I love football!
Also, that's sweet that you think I'm priceless. "Affordable" was really what I was going for. Guess I overshot my mark.
Let me get this straight: Left coasters sleep a lot, do it in their sleep, needing their beauty rest; beautiful heartlanders use sleep as a post-coital exercise; then that must leave the Right coasters near perfect and sleepless 'cause we're 'up'all the time to practice, practice, practice. I think that about sums it up. Works for me.
Linda, That's another one I will forward. Very funny :)
ReplyDeleteThe following links are for mature audiences only.
Buckeye, "... the true "G" spot, it's in the cerebrale cortex. Be open to her needs, and she'll direct you where to go - and you'll love it!!"
If it's alright with you, I'll just take your word for that?
Re: Nurse Ratchet, I have just realized that I have been mistaken all along regarding your Nurse Ratchet reference. I was thinking that she was the nurse with the pointy t!t$ from 'High Anxiety'. Thinking about that reminded me of Cloris Leachman's appearance on Comedy Central's roast of Bob Saget. While she did fine, I don't think she compared to Betty White's roast of William Shatner. That show was a riot and the funniest of all was George Takei.
Buckeye - Thank you for identifying the "G" spot location for me. So, where is the cerebral cortex? If it's where it sounds like it is, I've been looking in the wrong place. So far, I've not had the pleasure of an acquaintance with a lady who knew how to find it. Or maybe didn't want me messing with it?
ReplyDeleteCarol - Your condolences are accepted and appreciated. I'm wondering now - if my significant others knew - would they not guide me to it, sort of?
I wish I knew you folks better. My thanks to you for trying to help me out of the woods, also a big thank you to our very talented editor C.C.
Hayrake
Whoo-Hoo.. congrats C.C. on your one year anniversary!!! We need a little "jump and shout" music, but, alas,I am still a computer idiot.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the puzzle: new walker, cute clue. I agree that slow is not the same as stop, nor is stupor another term for narco, although a dictionary would most likely prove me wrong.Had no idea what screes meant.I chose zip for pep.And if Kazie hadn't asked I would have asked about 61 A&D.. wens, also a new word.
Linda and Lois, loved your jokes! Lois, that is a great picture.
And Buckeye and Hayraker, no matter who started what ,the 49ers were an awesome team with Bill Walsh at the helm.We miss that team.
I remember those Calmumet cans. I've graduated to "Clapper Girl", whatever that is! Does anyone remember the Ben Hur glass jar with holes in the red lid? We have always kept a mixture of cinnamon and sugar in ours. I don't remember its original spice.
BTW, those of us on the left coast speak properly..Our snails can sleep for 3 years; they probably do it in their sleep also.
Hayrake, the ladies would direct you to "it", if they wanted you to "mess with it"- believe me! Perhaps a little work on "technique" would help?
ReplyDeleteHayrake, if you're truly curious about the g-spot, and the pursuit of it, email me and I'll be glad to get you up to speed.
ReplyDeleteJust one of the many services we provide here on Crossword Corner...
Wow, a busy day at buying burgers and fries and I could have been some help here so it seems. Sorry, I wasn't to the rescue sooner regarding the "G" spot. Here's the answer:
ReplyDeleteIf you wake up next to her tomorrow morning and start the day off right, and she makes you breakfast and then again lunch, by golly you found it. Just don't forget where you put it.
Hi C.C.,
ReplyDeleteSince Canton is in China, why is
25D Canton folk = swiss and not Chinese.
Luxor, Switzerland is divided into districts, which are called cantons.
ReplyDelete@dennis: geography, sex ed ... give, give, give ..
ReplyDeleteBeen away for the afternoon. Interesting and fun stuff going on.
ReplyDeleteBuckeye, "I know you "West-coasters" can do it in your sleep. I've slept with a few of ya'all, and that's exactly what it was like.. You know I love you, but if they kept falling asleep, maybe the fault wasn't with them.
I don't think your G-spot advice to PromiseMeThis is going to be used anytime soon.
Jeannie's analysis is right on.
Wolfmom, The quark seems to have turned out fine. It tastes tangy and delicious. I haven't used it in a recipe yet, but I think it will be a cheesecake by this weekend. I'll keep you posted.
clear ayes,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the quark, and good luck with the cheesecake/quarktorte! I made bread today--first time for a while. I usually do a batch of five loaves at once to make the effort worthwhile. I love how the house smells afterwards.
Hayrake,
It's probably time to ask if you knew the first reference you saw to g'spot here was referring to google, and not the traditional meaning which has been the object of the rest of today's discussion. If, however, you are still sadly in need of guidance, you'll find it just inside the entrance to the vagina against the bone at the front. But it may vary slightly according to the individual. Basically it's whatever works.
"If, however, you are still sadly in need of guidance, you'll find it just inside the ... "
ReplyDeleteOK! TMI!
Oh my, look what I started. @haymaker, I was referring to Google when I said G spot earlier.
ReplyDeleteHow about 62A "Prepare to stop" as the clue?
See you all tomorrow.
Just stopped by (on Thursday morning) to see the comments. Thanks to Dennis for keeping the "Today Is" thing going. Too ealy (as I suspected) to post anything for Thursday's crossword.
ReplyDeleteI have also seen Sitka clued as the first capital of Alaska.
ReplyDeleteLiving on the west coast, by
the time I get up and get through the puzzle, there are already 60 or 70 commentsin the blog. Sometimes it take me longer to go through the comments than to do the puzzle.
Seattle John