Theme: Latin Numeral Prefixes
20A: All-in-one home entertainment gadget: UNIVERSAL REMOTE
38A: Pact between two countries: BILATERAL TREATY
57A: Geometric solid with five faces, ironically: TRIANGULAR PRISM
Four is quadri/quadr, five is quinque/quinqu. The corresponding Greek prefixes are: mono (1), di (2), tri (3), tetra/tetr (4) and penta/pent (5). See this list.
TRIANGULAR PRISM is new to me. If it's "ironically", why don't they change the name to Quartangular Prism or Pentangular Prism? I wonder who originally coined the term.
I am glad we are given a Monday puzzle to start with. I was able to fill in lots of blanks with authority. No "Shock and Awe" or "Shock and Oh". Feels like a nice round on a Par 3 executive course at the beginning of the season.
However, the real shocker for me was to see Newsday puzzle (edited by Stan Newman) in our Star Tribune this morning. It's authored by Gail Grabowski. There is only a short 2-line announcement saying "Today's Newsday puzzle replaces the TMS Daily Crossword Puzzle, which is no longer available".
I hope you guys get LA Times puzzle. If not, you can always go to LA Times website and print out the puzzle. I won't blog Newsday.
Oh, Carol asked why this puzzle is titled "Card for Two" yesterday. I don't understand myself. Can you help us?
Across:
13A: Crime scene find: CLUE. Thought of GUNS immediately. But the CLUE clue is singular.
24A: Coin of the __: legal currency: REALM. New to me. So our coin of the REALM is U.S. dollar?
25A: Mt. Rushmore's state: S. DAK. Have never been there. Wikipedia says Mt. Rushmore was originally known to the Lakota Sioux as Six Grandfathers and was later renamed after Charles E. Rushmore, a prominent New York lawyer, during an expedition in 1885. I wonder why the sculptor did not carve 6 presidents initially.
27A: Intelligence, slangily: SMARTS. I was thinking of CIA/NSA style intelligence. But of course, I don't really know what their slang for intelligence is. Any idea?
34A: Colorful quartz: AGATE
37A: Durable wood: TEAK. And water-resistant, right? Since it's used to build ship. I've never seen TEAK timber in person, is it really oily?
42A: "___ Almighty", 2007 Steve Carell film: EVAN. Have heard of the film. Not interested.
43A: Where sailors go: TO SEA. Yeah, true. But I think they also like to go TO BARS.
53A: Pound's 16: OUNCES. My mind is clearly foggy this morning. I don't know. But I was thinking of Ezra Pound. Who knows, he might have written 16 famous poems/letters to someone I was not aware of. Or he could have 16 LOVERS, which also has 6 letters.
65A: Busybody: YENTA. The matchmaker in "Fiddler on the Roof" is called YENTE. And the Barbra Steisand film is named YENTL. Is this YENT some kind of Hebrew prefix?
66A: Exam for future Drs.: MCAT. (Medical College Admission Test). No idea. I thought it would be ?SAT like LSAT for "Exam for future attys".
68A: Netherworld river: STYX. Achilles' mom forgot to dip his heel here. Another Netherworld river is Lethe, the river of forgetfulness.
Down:
1D: Clean using elbow grease: SCRUB. I like this clue.
2D: 1985 Malkovich film: ELENI. I crossed the River Lethe on the name of this film. Saw identical clue somewhere before.
3D: See 10-Down: RUBIK. And ERNO (10D: With 3-Down, inventor of a puzzling cube). Reminds me of Will Smith playing RUBIK's cube in "The Pursuit of Happyness".
4D: "___ and Butt-head": MTV cartoon: BEAVIS. Obtained the answer from across fills.
9D: Fellow Dodger, e.g.: TEAMMATE. Ah, now we are solving LA Times puzzle. I expect plenty of Dodgers reference in the future.
29D: Westminster art gallery: TATE. Named after Henry TATE, a sugar tycoon & art collector.
30D: Terrier named for a Scottish isle: SKYE. And don't forget actress Ione SKYE. Really liked her role in "Say Anything" with John Cusack.
35D: Chinese way: TAO. Japanese corruption of our TAO is do. Judo is literally "Soft way". Kendo (Japanese fencing) is "Way of the sword".
39D: Like many Disney film: ANIMATED
40D: Bill Clinton's instrument: TENOR SAX. Or TENOR SEX to me, since there is no difference in my SAX and SEX pronunciations. I thought of SAXOPHONE first. But it did not fit.
41D: Incurred, as debts: RAN UP
51D: Saharan hills: DUNES
54D: Home of the NFL's Bengals, casually: CINCY. Not a football fun. Did not know where exactly is the home of the Bengals. It's rumored that Vikings are moving to LA.
55D: To be, in Tijuana: ESTAR. No idea. Don't speak Spanish. Only know "To be, in Paris" is ETRE. So how do you say "To be, or not to be" in Spanish?
56D: Clobber, in the Bible: SMITE. So smitten is "Awe-clobbered"?
57D: Uno plus dos: TRES. "The theme is mirrored in this clue and answer pair", according to Orange.
59D: "Picnic" Pulitzer winner: INGE (William). No waffling between INGE and AGEE this time due to the crossing clues. AGEE is "A Death in the Family" Putlizer winner. Also the co-screenwriter for "The African Queen". Oh, another crossword Pulitzer winner is ALBEE, who wrote "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf".
Full answer grid.
C.C.
20A: All-in-one home entertainment gadget: UNIVERSAL REMOTE
38A: Pact between two countries: BILATERAL TREATY
57A: Geometric solid with five faces, ironically: TRIANGULAR PRISM
Four is quadri/quadr, five is quinque/quinqu. The corresponding Greek prefixes are: mono (1), di (2), tri (3), tetra/tetr (4) and penta/pent (5). See this list.
TRIANGULAR PRISM is new to me. If it's "ironically", why don't they change the name to Quartangular Prism or Pentangular Prism? I wonder who originally coined the term.
I am glad we are given a Monday puzzle to start with. I was able to fill in lots of blanks with authority. No "Shock and Awe" or "Shock and Oh". Feels like a nice round on a Par 3 executive course at the beginning of the season.
However, the real shocker for me was to see Newsday puzzle (edited by Stan Newman) in our Star Tribune this morning. It's authored by Gail Grabowski. There is only a short 2-line announcement saying "Today's Newsday puzzle replaces the TMS Daily Crossword Puzzle, which is no longer available".
I hope you guys get LA Times puzzle. If not, you can always go to LA Times website and print out the puzzle. I won't blog Newsday.
Oh, Carol asked why this puzzle is titled "Card for Two" yesterday. I don't understand myself. Can you help us?
Across:
13A: Crime scene find: CLUE. Thought of GUNS immediately. But the CLUE clue is singular.
24A: Coin of the __: legal currency: REALM. New to me. So our coin of the REALM is U.S. dollar?
25A: Mt. Rushmore's state: S. DAK. Have never been there. Wikipedia says Mt. Rushmore was originally known to the Lakota Sioux as Six Grandfathers and was later renamed after Charles E. Rushmore, a prominent New York lawyer, during an expedition in 1885. I wonder why the sculptor did not carve 6 presidents initially.
27A: Intelligence, slangily: SMARTS. I was thinking of CIA/NSA style intelligence. But of course, I don't really know what their slang for intelligence is. Any idea?
34A: Colorful quartz: AGATE
37A: Durable wood: TEAK. And water-resistant, right? Since it's used to build ship. I've never seen TEAK timber in person, is it really oily?
42A: "___ Almighty", 2007 Steve Carell film: EVAN. Have heard of the film. Not interested.
43A: Where sailors go: TO SEA. Yeah, true. But I think they also like to go TO BARS.
53A: Pound's 16: OUNCES. My mind is clearly foggy this morning. I don't know. But I was thinking of Ezra Pound. Who knows, he might have written 16 famous poems/letters to someone I was not aware of. Or he could have 16 LOVERS, which also has 6 letters.
65A: Busybody: YENTA. The matchmaker in "Fiddler on the Roof" is called YENTE. And the Barbra Steisand film is named YENTL. Is this YENT some kind of Hebrew prefix?
66A: Exam for future Drs.: MCAT. (Medical College Admission Test). No idea. I thought it would be ?SAT like LSAT for "Exam for future attys".
68A: Netherworld river: STYX. Achilles' mom forgot to dip his heel here. Another Netherworld river is Lethe, the river of forgetfulness.
Down:
1D: Clean using elbow grease: SCRUB. I like this clue.
2D: 1985 Malkovich film: ELENI. I crossed the River Lethe on the name of this film. Saw identical clue somewhere before.
3D: See 10-Down: RUBIK. And ERNO (10D: With 3-Down, inventor of a puzzling cube). Reminds me of Will Smith playing RUBIK's cube in "The Pursuit of Happyness".
4D: "___ and Butt-head": MTV cartoon: BEAVIS. Obtained the answer from across fills.
9D: Fellow Dodger, e.g.: TEAMMATE. Ah, now we are solving LA Times puzzle. I expect plenty of Dodgers reference in the future.
29D: Westminster art gallery: TATE. Named after Henry TATE, a sugar tycoon & art collector.
30D: Terrier named for a Scottish isle: SKYE. And don't forget actress Ione SKYE. Really liked her role in "Say Anything" with John Cusack.
35D: Chinese way: TAO. Japanese corruption of our TAO is do. Judo is literally "Soft way". Kendo (Japanese fencing) is "Way of the sword".
39D: Like many Disney film: ANIMATED
40D: Bill Clinton's instrument: TENOR SAX. Or TENOR SEX to me, since there is no difference in my SAX and SEX pronunciations. I thought of SAXOPHONE first. But it did not fit.
41D: Incurred, as debts: RAN UP
51D: Saharan hills: DUNES
54D: Home of the NFL's Bengals, casually: CINCY. Not a football fun. Did not know where exactly is the home of the Bengals. It's rumored that Vikings are moving to LA.
55D: To be, in Tijuana: ESTAR. No idea. Don't speak Spanish. Only know "To be, in Paris" is ETRE. So how do you say "To be, or not to be" in Spanish?
56D: Clobber, in the Bible: SMITE. So smitten is "Awe-clobbered"?
57D: Uno plus dos: TRES. "The theme is mirrored in this clue and answer pair", according to Orange.
59D: "Picnic" Pulitzer winner: INGE (William). No waffling between INGE and AGEE this time due to the crossing clues. AGEE is "A Death in the Family" Putlizer winner. Also the co-screenwriter for "The African Queen". Oh, another crossword Pulitzer winner is ALBEE, who wrote "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf".
Full answer grid.
C.C.
Good morning, C.C. & gang - Well, it's a brave new world today for us today (by the way, 1984 is now 25 years in the past. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteThe puzzle itself was, as advertised, an easy Monday puzzle, both in theme and clues, so not a lot to comment on. It was interesting seeing an LA reference in 'Fellow Dodger', and I can't wait to see what Lois says she tried to fill in for 'Bill Clinton's instrument'. Also, I don't remember seeing 'MCAT' before - usually we get 'LSAT'.
Today is National Chip & Dip Day and National Near Miss Day, a phrase I have yet to understand. 'Near hit', I understand, 'close call', I understand - -'near miss'.....no.
Today's Words of Wisdom: "Like our shadows, our wishes lengthen as the sun declines." -- Poet Edward Young
And more Fun Facts:
- There are four states where the first letter of the state is the same as the first letter of its capital.
- The Pony Express only lasted a year and a half, from April 1860 to October 1861.
- Goats' eyes have rectangular pupils
And last but certainly not least -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY to both Doreen and Crockett - hope it's an outstanding day for both of you.
C.C., great interview with Rich Norris; nicely done.
ReplyDeleteOff to the gym.
Good morning CC etal,
ReplyDeleteI, too, woke up this morning to find that the New Orleans Times-Picayune has selected Newsday for Monday-Saturday with LAT for Sunday. Newsday puzzle today was "TV Guide easy" - I hope they get more challenging as the week goes on! Will continue to do LAT on-line during the week so as to stay in touch with y'all. Agree with Dennis that LAT was pretty easy as well, but we know that only lasts a couple of days.
Hope all have a great Monday!
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. A Brave New World. I was nervously excited this morning, weren't you? I think we will see lots of LA Dodgers/Lakers/Clippers references in the future. You misread the clue for MCAT. Interesting that goats' eyes have rectangular pupils. How about EWE? Rectangular pupils also?
Doreen and Crockett,
生日快乐!
Col G & Ink,
Re: Lord RAMA. Are all Hindu gods pictured as very feminine? If so, why? By the way, Col G, I tried your wife's recipe with my organic millet. Very tasty. But it's very troublesome for me to grind millet.
Good morning CC and all- The Beaver County Times will be carrying the LAT puzzles. There never was an announcement, but the switch came this morning. Nice easy puzzle today, not much to say about it other than I am happy for the LAT puzzle. Now let the blog continue....
ReplyDeleteBTW CC nice interview. Now I have some insight as to the editors thinking.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteNewsday Saturday is notoriously difficult. I am so happy that you will continue this LA Times journey with us.
Barry G,
Whoa! "Hold Your Horses", you are awesome.
Karen Q,
Congratulations on your daughter's success. Who are her favorite PGA/LPGA golfers?
Lemonade,
Oh, so Fritz LANG was a film noir pioneer. I thought it was started by some French director.
I finished in fifteen minutes. I wanted MSAT but CINCY looked better than CINSY.
ReplyDeleteA triangular prism is a pyramid: a pyramid has a square base and four triangular faces (five faces in all). Hence the name.
Doreen and Crockett,
生日快乐!
Happy birthday. :)
Martin
Dick,
ReplyDeleteTMS informed various local newspapers about the puzzle change long time ago. I really don't understand why our local papers did not relay the information to us.
Martin,
What puzzle is on your Taipei Times today?
Clear Ayes,
I look forward to your moaning next Sunday, pleasure or pain. You are amazing in picking up those most apt poem. Any special one for Rich Norris?
TJ,
Comment in the afternoon? I was surprised. The "swampy" and ALLIGATOR connection escaped me yesterday, hence I was lost on "Swampy daddy" for PATER.
Kazie,
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend at the time suddenly had tears streaming down his face when we entered Sacré Cœur. And since it's my first time ever visiting a church (and I did not know him that well either), I was overwhelmed and scared.
Borowskifans,
Join us on the LA Times bandwagon.
Anon @ 2:36pm,
I actually linked that big LVOV crossword building several months ago. But I completely forgot it yesterday. Thanks.
Anon in Chicago,
No more Wayne R. Williams TMS Daily or Sunday on Chicago Tribune. It's discontinued permanently. You can find his puzzle books in Barnes & Noble if you really like his style.
Have been reading/using your blog for some time & just realized how new you are to English. I think crosswords and other puzzles must be a great way to build vocabulary. You do great!
ReplyDelete“Swamp daddy” – alligators are denizens of swamps and “pater” is Latin for “daddy.”
Rory
Good Morning,
ReplyDeleteThe local rag just made the change with no announcement. I was glad to see it was the LAT. I liked the random schedule for the puzzle difficulty of the TMS. I guess I'll just have to get used to the end of the week ass whooping! It was nice to work right through this one though.
Not feeling much like spring today. Temps in the teens with a strong windchill around zero. Bright and sunny!!
Thanks for the interview CC. Very interesting.
Have a good one!!
Media is an important part of democracy. Without it who would expose corruption? I fear that the economy will destroy the media and government will be free to do what ever it chooses without the media to keep it honest.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile if we ever have another my way or the highway president who conducts business in secret how will we ever know without the media?
It's like the old saying if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it does it make a sound?
puzzle was great I would like easy/medium 6 days a week. No hammers!
For Clinton instrument I wanted saxophone on the 3rd try I came up tenor. My second thought was alto I played an also sax in HS 20 years ago.
Thank you Wayne Williams for years of enjoyment.
ALL GRAVY NO GRIEF
Prisms are named by their bases. A triangular prism has triangular bases which makes the lateral faces-three rectangles..five faces total.
ReplyDeleteHave enjoyed using your blog for last few months. Thanks
THAT WAS EASY !!!!
ReplyDeleteI won't be saying that on Friday:-)
C.C. Thanks for providing the interview with the editor... very nice indeed. I was surprised that he allows two word slang phrases. That I do not prefer in a puzzle.. but what the heck... like Dennis said... "it's a brave new world"
I may be wrong about Fritz Lang, but the "noir" style of both "Metropolis" and "M" combined both the atmosphere, and the vision of the actual film noir period, which ran in the 30's until the 50's. The dystopia theme, the seeming contradiction between reality, and the demeanor of the characters, remain fascinating to movie makers. Have you seen "Sin City?" "V is for Vendetta?" "Dark Knight," and the recently released "Watchmen?" The films are interesting, and have obviously recaptured the interest of the young; "Dark Knight” did 1 billion dollars in worldwide box office.
ReplyDeleteNo real comments on the puzzle, as it was a question of how fast i can write, and I am just not in Rex Parker's class. I did wonder how much longer puzzle doers will recall Lon Chaney and Lon Chaney, Jr.; going the way of Karloff and Leguosi.
Happy Birthday to both, hope the day brings only wonderful surprises.
Good morning-
ReplyDeleteI like Monday's.
Doreen and Crocket- Congrats on being born !!
Enjoy the week!
Triangular Prism vs. triangular pyramid.
ReplyDeleteMorning all,
ReplyDeleteIt has been many months since I posted, but I have been following the blog. Hope all is well with everyone. CC your interview with Rich Norris was very informative. Thanks for the insight.
I'm so impressed with the foreign language knowledge of people on this blog. After 63 yrs., I still haven't mastered English. And my poetry appreciation has been expanded beyond Roses are Red!!
Last week I did the LAT online (which allows me to cheat way too often) and had a really difficult time with Friday and Saturday. Amazingly, I didn't think the Sunday puzzle was that difficult. So maybe there is hope we will all get in the groove. Our paper, Reading Eagle, informed us last Thursday that we would be switching to the LAT this week, so I will be able to do it on paper. Interesting note, our paper recently changed its presses and therefore the format of our paper. Seems to be expanding when other papers are folding.
Take care everyone and I would love to have some chip and dip today.
Morning, all!
ReplyDeleteWell, I opened up my Boston Globe this morning and did a lovely puzzle by Cathy Banks over breakfast. The Globe had no mention of the switch but, since they never mention the editor in the first place, I guess they figured nobody would notice.
The puzzle was actually quite good. A bit on the challenging side, but not obnoxiously so. I have no idea who the editor is, but I think you'd like whoever he or she is, C. C. I'm always on the lookout for clues that I know you'd hate, and I didn't see any. Plus, the particular theme involved appending a word to the last word of each of the theme answers, and it was actually clued as "Word with the last word of the theme entries."
Sadly, however, I came here and discovered that you are all talking about a completely different puzzle. I have no idea what puzzle I'm getting, but it certainly isn't the LA Times (and doesn't appear to be the Newsday one either -- I just checked online).
I have a paid subscription to the Boston Globe and the NYT puzzle and barely have enough time to do both of those (I really like doing the one actually in the paper over breakfast, as opposed to doing it online). I'll try to see if I can do the LA Times puzzle occasionally (perhaps on weekends?) and I'll stop by to visit when I do. In the meantime, It's been really great hanging out here with all of you and I wish you all the best. Special thanks, of course, to C. C. for starting this site and keeping it going!
Oh -- and glad I could help with the "hold your horses" theme! ^_^
Jeanne,
ReplyDeleteNice to see you again.
Barry G,
Your puzzle is Universal Crossword edited by Tim Parker, who also edited USA Today. Print the LA Times and solve it while eating your breakfast then. You can't just leave us.
Mainiac et al,
Will respond to your comments tomorrow. Have reached my 5-post limit. Have a great day, everyone!
Jeanne, great to see you back; we've missed your posts. Hopefully you're back for good?
ReplyDeleteBarry, you need to find a way to stay with us; you'll crush C.C. if you leave.
C.C., no, I didn't misread the 'MCAT' clue - I was just making the point that the only "pre-test" we ever see is 'LSAT'. And no, no rectangular pupils here.
C.C., does this mean we'll be doing the same Sunday puzzle now?
I don't have the LA times puzzle. I have the newsday. I'm confused.
ReplyDeleteGood morning.
ReplyDeleteAn easy puzzle. Breezed right through it in Dennis time. I did it online so I don't know what our paper is carrying.
I also can't wait for Lois comment on Bill. C.C. had a good one when she said Tenor Sex as someone was really blowing on Bill's sax a few years ago. But I digress.
Yup - when two cars just barely miss having a collision it should be called a near hit. When they do collide, it is a near miss because they darned near missed hitting each other.
Indianapolis, Indiana; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Honolulu, Hawaii; Dover, Delaware.
Anonymous at 6:35 am is correct. A Triangular Prism is not a pyramid. Here is a Triangular Prism. What Marting describes is a Square Pyramid. Another type of triangular prism is one where all four faces of the polyhedron are triangles and this is also called a tetrahedron. Triangular Prism/Tetrahedron
Have a great Monday. I'm off to Kentucky.
Sorry - meant to say "another type of triangular pyramid" and not "triangular prism".
ReplyDeleteGood evening from India,
ReplyDeleteWell like Rich said Mondays are easy, I took under 10 mins to polish off the puzzle.
CC
Glad to see you liked the porridge, well here we get the Ragi in powdered form so its not a problem.
I have no idea why all Gods are shown so effeminate
C.C.,
ReplyDeleteIdaho Stateman in Boise switched to LA Times puzzle without comment.
CC:If the week goes "Mon.= easy, Sat./Sun.=difficult..." then Thursday should be just about
ReplyDeleteright! You can sleep a little later on Mondays, now!
My paper published a "xweditor" web address...but I`m sorry I went there. Just an AOL commercial and probably opened my account up to more spam.
At the risk of stealing Lois` thunder, a tobacco product came to mind first, for 40d. Brilliant man, it`s a shame that will always haunt him.
Loved the "switcheroo" fill. Shades of "Get Smart".
Interesting article in my paper about the last volume of a series on colloquial language. Dictionary of American Regional English
Dadism for today: (When I was being warned to stop mis-behaving) "Girl, I`m about to put a knot on you you can`t rub off with alcohol!"
It really is a brave new world this morning. So far, so good. My only slip was MSAT, never having heard of MCAT, and CINSY looked fine to me.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely no announcement re the change in the Wisconsin State Journal, but I was glad it was LAT, making it easier to get used to the blogged puzzle in print, rather than with the built-in cheatsheet online.
c.c.,
I suspect your boyfriend was simply overcome with emotion perhaps remembering a lost loved one. I also get emotional in places like that, which evoke memories from my past.
Also, thanks for the interview--it's always interesting to get inside an editor's mind.
Doreen and Crockett, many happy returns!
Speaking of returns, Barry G., c.c. isn't the only one to be crushed if you dip out on us. I would really miss your repartée and harumphs about French! So stay with it!
C.C. isn't the only one who would be crushed if Barry didn't check in here daily. It's amazing how quickly this group has become part of my morning routine!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the first puzzles I have finished unassisted - nice way to start the week! We'll see how it goes as the week progresses...
C.C. Sailors definitely go to bars. It was one of the things that resulted in lots of work for Navy lawyers.
ReplyDeleteI breezed through this puzzle. I will try to remember this good feeling as the week wears on.
Hi c.c. and all:
ReplyDeleteI was happy to find the LA Times Crossword puzzle in my paper. Easy one today! No problems at all. I will be looking forward to the progressively more difficult ones to come this week. Should be interesting.
c.c.: Great interview!
What a nice way to start the week. I am finished in time to get some of my chores done (make the bed, do the b'fast dishes). I had only to erase a few misspellings and was finished in record time – for me.
ReplyDeleteDitto comments that Barry G must not leave us.
Good morning, everyone. I started confidently putting SLAV for 1A and was surprised to find it was not correct! Backed off and corrected, and only had to change the A to an I in 2D to flow through the rest of the puzzle. C.C., you are the Queen of Themes! I looked at this and couldn't come up with a theme at all! It was nice to have a puzzle without a lost of proper names and/or obscure popular cultural references. I like the crossing of MISS/MARRIAGE. MCAT was a new one, as was ESTAR. CINCY was a gimme. A visit to Mt. Rushmore is inspiring. There were more faces planned, but the underlying rock structure was not stable enough to allow the project to be fully completed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the birthday wishes. I plan to make the best of the day!
@chrisinla I agree that the Newsday puzzle was very easy to complete.
@kristen I just happened to be there, LOL.
@anon@6:52 Thanks for the prism/pyramid diagram. And dr.dad as well.
@barryg I certainly hope you can change/adapt your solving experience and continue to post here. I have been amazed at how similar our solvings are and would miss having your input.
Have a great Monday! Happy Birthday, Doreen!
I didn't have the LA Times puzzle in my version of the Star Tribune that was delivered today. Instead, we had a Newsday puzzle. Super easy - probably took just under 10 minutes to complete. Wonder why you are getting the Star Tribune with the LA Times puzzle.
ReplyDeleteHad no problems with today. Will probably start leaning more on our group as the week progresses.
ReplyDeleteIn honor of new starts - I'm going to test my wings...
Things that make you go Hmmmm!?!?
If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn?
A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station...
@boyd C.C. also has the Newsday puzzle in her Star Trib, but she has chosen to blog the LA Times puzzle, not the Newsday one.
ReplyDeleteDictionary of American Regional English
ReplyDeleteThis is the multi-volume set where I recently discovered the meaning of Dutch kissing for CC.
I thought I would have to eat worms for not knowing MCAT but since finding Dennis, CC, and others didn't know it either, I will only (self-censored for excessive DFness) a worm.
My paper(Glens Falls Post-Star) announced the change to LAT for the Monday through Saturday puzzles only yesterday. No mention of changing the Sunday puzzle; the Observer edited by Charles Preston.
I just got off the phone with the editor at the Star Tribune (Susan Barberreri - sp?) who handles the crosswords. She said they "were going to" switch to the LA Times puzzle, but they had "someone on staff test it and determined it was too hard" so they switched to the Newsday puzzle. I asked her why some people would have the LA Times in their print edition but I had the Newsday one. She said that must have been a mistake because no one should be seeing the LA Times puzzle in their paper anymore. She confirmed the Star Tribune should only be carrying the NYT and Newsday puzzles from now on. I asked her if it was possible they were publishing two different puzzles in two different editions, and she said no. It will be interesting to see if tomorrow's paper carries the LA Times or the Newsday puzzles for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI need a new printer. Does anyone have experience with the Brother MFC-490CW, or Brothers in general? Any recommendations for a Print, Scan, Copy, and Fax unit?
ReplyDeleteArgyle, SPOCK(W), the (Society for the Prevention of Carnal Knowledge (Worm division) just called -- they want your address.
ReplyDeleteNever mind my Monday morning stupidity. I just read the blog notice on the home page and I'm with the program now. Will go work the LA Times puzzle now.
ReplyDeleteBreath of fresh beach air today - finished xword, cryptoquote AND Sudoku in one cup of tea - bet that never happens again. Been lurking for months but decided with change in puzzle providers in local rag to step out of the mist and actually make an occasional comment. Was getting tired of same old rerun clues. Enjoyed C.C.'s interview - who knew puzzle editing was so interesting??
ReplyDeleteGood morning everyone,
ReplyDeleteI decided to solve the puzzle in the Star Tribune in the morning today, came here, and realized it is not the LA Times one. Very disappointed! It was a very boring puzzle in the Star Tribune indeed!
C.C. do you think if we all complain enough they will change it? I really like opening my paper and doing it while I nosh with breakfast, lunch or a snack during the day. My husband will have a cow if I print out the LA Times one as he thinks I am crossword obsessed already.
I did do the puzzle online today and thought it was much better and more thoughtful than the Newsday one. I am looking forward to greater challenge as the week goes on (I may eat my words on that one on Friday). All in all a good puzzle though.
C.C. Thanks for the interview. That was really informative and nicely done. As for my daughter, I have no idea who her favorite golfers are. She likes many of them I think. She does not plan on continuing golf beyond college other than recreationally. It is so much fun watching her perform though. Should be great for her in business in the future, although I presume that many of the men will not appreciate her beating them when she plays from the same tee box as they do. All those egos might be crushed.
Sounds like awful weather here all week, but we leave for Florida on Spring Break on Friday, so looking forward to it.
Barry - you must keep blogging. Won't be the same if you don't.
Wow Boyd, you really went to bat trying to figure that one out. That was impressive, calling the paper.
ReplyDeleteDennis, did you know there are also four states whose capital cities are names of Presidents? Love those fun facts. Keep them coming.
Well ... I like a nice puzzle that I can finish without pulling my hair out, but that LA Times puzzle was just a little too easy. Six minutes to finish? Feh!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to tomorrows. I do think I liked the cluing on the LA Times one better than the Newsday.
kazie:
ReplyDeletethanks, i'm glad someone responded. i was thinking my post might get ignored (i'm not much of a forum-poster, in general, and i can only imagine what it seems like when you have a nice little community of folks & some random dude comes in and asks a question that you have already been discussing for weeks).
i figured your response was what was loosely going on (and confirmed monday morning; local chicago tribune editions had the LA times crossword). i guess i was just a bit in shock, and going through some denial. bummer.
i've already got the trib's sunday crossword omnibus edited by WRW in my amazon cart. maybe that will keep me satisfied for a while (assuming i don't remember puzzles i've alread done!).
one last question: does anyone know if the aforementioned "omnibus" merely reprints "volumes 1-5"? the omnibus is 250 puzzles, and the individual volumes are 50 puzzles each, so i assume so, but again, it's hard to find specifics online.
anyway, thanks again (and sorry for the typos in my previous post; ugh). i've really enjoyed using this blog as a resource, and if i happen to give the LA times crossword a try (i'm sure i will, once i get over my disappointment), i'll be sure & check here for tips.
best,
"anon@8:19"
In Spanish and in Portuguese there are two forms of "to be". One, is "estar" which means a sort of "temporary" "to be": for example, one can be tired (estar cansado). The other "to be" is a quality or state that is intrinsic to the being: for example, I am a man (eu sou um homem - yo soy un hombre). Sorry if it is confusing but it may help...
ReplyDeleteHi, Boyd,
ReplyDeletePerhaps if you called the editor back and explained that the LAT gets harder as the week goes on and that who ever told her it was too tough did some poor reporting and based their decision on just one puzzle, maybe she would reconsider. Just a thought.
You don't have to respond; I know you're getting near the post limit.
Good Morning All, The puzzle is all online, all the time, so there was no angst for me this morning. I've mentioned our newspaper, The Modesto Bee, usually isn't delivered until 9:30 or 10:00 AM (that's country living for you), so I don't know what puzzle they are carrying.
ReplyDeleteNo glitches on a Monday morning, so it is a nice way to start off the week. The only place where I might have fallen down is the cross of 54D and 66A. But thanks to G.A.H.'s garage "metal sculpture", I knew CINCY right away. That made MCAT a "has to be".
C.C., What a great addition The Full Grid link is. That will certainly take care of the question, "Where are ALL the answers?"
Happy birthday, Doreen and Crockett1947.
The editor at the Star Tribune responsible for puzzles is:
ReplyDeleteSusan Barbieri
Assistant Features Editor
susan.barbieri@startribune.com
Perhaps any of you who are interested in doing so can contact her and explain why you like the LA Times puzzles better. I may do so also.
Good Morning from chilly Oregon. It was a rainy weekend, but back into 60s as the week progresses. Only problem with todays puzzle was the SE corner. I wanted MSAT and didn't think CINSY was wrong for a casual CINCY. Anyway, our paperthe Medford Mail Tribune still has the xword as (c)Tribune Media Services, Inc. puzzle. OK with me as long as this blog and my puzzle have the same answers.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't as easy to find a welcome poem as it is to find a "Goodbye forever!" poem. But I did have a funny little poem in the back of one book. It was written by Edgar Guest, who was known in the first half of the 20th century as The People's Poet. It's a nice welcome to all the guests. both familiar and new, in C.C.'s "house".
ReplyDeleteWelcome Guest!
Hello, Guest and how-dee-do
This small room belongs to you,
And our house and all that's in it-
Make yourself at home each minute.
If the temperature displeases
Take a couple of our breezes;
And if that should chill you later
Sit upon our radiator.
If a hunger pain is twitchin'
Make a raid upon our Kitchen-
Help your self to book or blotter,
Easy chair or teeter-totter;
All is yours that you like best.
You're at home now. Welcome Guest!
C.C.
ReplyDeleteI know you are the boss, and this your blog so you set the rules, but speaking on behalf of a clear majority of me, I really think it dosappoints many of to see you run out of posts, especially when it happens early in the day. After all, there are days when you have comments from 50 to 75 different people, and some may be very provocative, even if they come afdter you have reached your 5 max. I understand most of us are not shy, but I do believe if you had a poll or vote, you would get the dispensation....
Will check in later..have to be somewhere in a bit. Fun Puzzle.
ReplyDeleteI see several new faces today...that is a very good thing.
C.C., I'll second what Lemonade said - there's no reason in the world that you should limit your posts. You're the reason all of us are assembling here each day, and now it seems that, earlier and earlier, we're losing that 'back-and-forth' with you that's been so enjoyable. To the extent that the blog interferes with your personal life, I understand, but I, and probably everybody else, hope you'll reconsider limiting yourself.
ReplyDeleteGood Afternoon C.C. and Co.,
ReplyDeleteC.C.: Thank you for the Rich Norris interview.
"Feels like a nice round on a Par 3 executive course at the beginning of the season."
Nice analogy, C.C. I don't know squat about golf, but a nice analogy none-the-less.
Yes, our 'coin of the realm' would be the the U.S. dollar. However, given the events that led to the formation of this country, the application of this terminology to U.S. money might be the most dubious of any nation. I can imagine, however, that one might argue that that distinction belongs to France. The U.S. revolution was, after all, kicked off with insistence that there be 'No Taxation Without Representation'. This is a decidedly more pragmatic motivation for breaking free from the clutches of an oppressive kingdom than the very noble 'Liberté, Êgalité, Fraternité' motto of the French revolution. Wouldn't you agree?
As for TEAK, living here in the 'Yachting Capital of the World', I have seen plenty of teak. I have not, however, seen freshly hewn teak. Apparently, though, the natural oils in the wood are what provides its weather resistance.
Adding to what Anon@1057 said: In Spanish, there are two forms of the verb 'to be': ser and estar. The former is used to indicate permanent conditions, the latter to indicate transient conditions. In the case of Hamlet's query, the permanent form would be used. One would say, "Ser o no ser, esa es la pregunta".
It looks like we are in luck here in this area. The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel has the LA Times puzzle this morning. Breasy puzzle. I flew through it not slowing down a bit until I got to the SE corner where I had mistakenly put in RANTO for 41D. Once I realized my error, the corner fell in place. Also, like C.C., I considered whether Mr. Harrison was referring to Ezra Pound for 53D. The only other thing that gave me pause was a slight giggle over 40D. :)
I got ELENI and ERNO from the perps.
Happy B-Day, Doreen and Crockett1947
Barry G: Don't go!
Argyle: My fax machine is a Brother MFC-1850MC. I have had it for years now and have never had a problem with it.
Smitten: Clobbered with a mitten.
Good morning, Literati--
ReplyDeleteThis morning was a breeze. I got MCAT easily enough after having worked at our local med school for 10 years. This morning, The Virginian-Pilot had the Pancho Harrison puzzle, so we're in sync, I guess. We always have both NYT and LAT on Sundays. I hope everyone can at least download the daily puzzle under discussion, so they can stay in the loop. Anyway, see you in the funny papers...
Sheila
I will add a third to comments made by Lemonade 714 and Dennis. It is not the same without your comments CC.
ReplyDeleteCC: Ever done a profile on your bloggers? This is what I think I know about most of them:
ReplyDelete1. Opinionated (and I mean that is the kindest of ways :)
2. Sticklers for detail
3. Wordsmiths extraordinaire
4. First-born
5. Membership (or qualifying for) in at least one higher-than-average IQ group
6. Artistic; in words, visual or fine arts.
7. Educators in one capacity or another.
8. At least some college work
9. Average age; 50 plus
10.Open-minded on most things
11.Well-read and well-travelled
12.Stunningly beautiful/handsome. (who else will brag on us if we don`t!)
13.Proud of our families
14.Retired but active in a variety of fields/endeavors
15.Health-conscience
16.Diverse and deeply-held religious beliefs
17.Come from "salt of the earth" stock
18.Are comfortable "in our own skin"
19.Like word challenges more than number ones.
20.Despise being found "wrong"
Add any you care to that you have observed or none at all.
I`ll add my vote to ask that you reconsider limiting your own posts on your own blog...the five @day limit should be just for your bloggers.
Have put off taxes as long as I can...I do most of the work and still have to pay H & R a bundle! :(
I woke up this morning wondering what puzzle would be in the Chicago Tribune, the editor never having mentioned there would be a change to a new editor. Fortunately, since I prefer to work a puzzle on paper rather than on-line and because I often do not turn on my computer until much later, it was the LAT puzzle that cc has blogged.
ReplyDeleteNot much to say about the puzzle as it was very easy. I wonder how we will all fare as the week progresses. I am STILL trying to finish Friday's NYT puzzle...I have completed only half of it. So if the end-of-week LAT is anything like the NYT, I could be in big doo-doo.
@Barry G...I hope you can manage to stick around. You have brought much cheer to me with your postings, and I would miss you.
@cc...YENTA is for female, yeltl is for male. Barbra Streisand's movie was titled Yentl because she dressed up as a boy.
TTFN...time to turn over several of my raised vegetable beds in anticipation of the planting season.
C.C., I agree with Lemonade, Dennis, and Dick in pleading with you not to limit your comments. It's fine for the rest of us, but not for you.
ReplyDeleteLinda, wow, nice job - there's something there for everybody.
ReplyDeleteWe are indeed an eclectic group.
Weather, good to see you back. I'm in a 'Medford' also, except that mine in in NJ.
Razz, keep 'em coming.
Argyle, I used to have Brother multi-purpose machines at the stores, but switched to HP when the 'All-in-One' machines went on sale. I don't know if you're locked into Brother, but you might want to compare similar machines; I found the HPs to be faster and of better quality. Just my opinion, of course.
g8rmomx2, good to see you again; I'm hoping to run down to your neck of the woods soon to get some relief from this cold crap that's persisting here.
Rory, don't be a stranger - the more the merrier, right?
I'll add my vote for c.c. to have more posts. It's frustrating knowing that she has to read all ours in her email, yet wait until the next day to catch up with responses, thus reducing her opportunity to respond even more for that next day.
ReplyDeleteThe Detroit Free Press began carrying The LA Times puzzle today. In giant letters across the top of the front page they said: TRY OUR NEW CROSSWORD PUZZLE. On an inside article they said the would carry The Times Mon-Sat, but on Sunday they would carry The Boston Globe Sunday Puzzle.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed that in the print edition neither Rich Norris as editor nor the constructor received any printed credit. BOO!
I believe the NEWSDAY puzzle has a Tuesday difficulty level all week except for the tough Saturday puzzle.
ReplyDeleteYeltl: A pissed-off Jewish boy
ReplyDeleteWow, 500+ point jump in the Dow today. Let's hope it builds momentum.
ReplyDeleteI would also vote for CC not limiting entries.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite sayings to my crew......."Do as I say, not as I do!"
Barry, I used CC's link and did the Universal on line. I have to admit it wasn't too bad. Though with most everyone doing the LAT, I would really miss your insight. This coming from a "newbie" who recently quit lurking!
I've got to go down to the pier and pick-up my bucket of shrimp!! Fresh off the boat. If I'm lucky they'll have scooped up a couple of flounder too!
It's all good!!!!
Good afternoon, c.c. and co.
ReplyDeleteA very nice puzzle, i originally subscribed to the Sun Sentinel, just so i could get the same puzzle as my friend in Naples, and then discovered the Star Tribune Cross/Corner was blogging the same puzzle so that was even better, last week I took a peak at some of the Miami Herald C/Ws and realized i had already done them on the LAT ! So this morning i checked the Sun Sentinel before printing and , voila' i did not have to print it because now i get it on the MiamiHerald.
One happy camper, i just don't know what puzzle will i get on Sunday ?!
c.c. In ref. to your self imposed limit, i say please yourself , once you are happy, everyone will be happy too.
You do a lot of fine work for us, and i, very much appreciate it, as we all do .
Very nice interview with Mr. Norris.
Pmt, spanish, impressive!
Linda, thank you, I agree with Dennis, very nice evaluation of the bloggers.
BarryG. well, my goodness, i was printing out the puzzle for months, why can't you do the same !
I think the LAT is definitely of higher caliber then what we have been used to , and you could stay with the group !
I might add , i was just getting used to your minutial description of how you get there every time, so please don't stop.
Happy Birthday , Crockett and Doreen !
I am with everyone else on not limiting CC's posts. She writes the blog, she should be able to do whatever she wants with it.
ReplyDeleteBoyd, thanks for the editor info. I will think about contacting Star Tribune editor on the Newsday puzzle. We shall see how they are all week. I wonder if they are trying to get an easier puzzle to complement the NY Times one above it. That one definitely gets harder as the week goes on, and I usually skip it about Thursday or so. Don't have enough time in my day to putter with it that long. For now I guess I will have to do this puzzle online most days or print out. I really like writing the answers on paper better.
Oh, and ClearAyes, very nice poem , not too much not too little, just right.
ReplyDeleteWhat nice welcome to Mr. Norris
CC, In any group it is well known that R(ank
ReplyDeleteH(as)
I(t's)
P(rivileges).
Since YOU are the ranking member of this diverse group, you MUST post frequently, if for no other reason than, when you don't, you are missed!!!
As to the X word. No notice, no fanfare, just a quiet change to the LAT. Everything looks the same as it did. The only thing people in this area will see is different authors. Our local paper gives not much credit to it's readers. Nor do they (I think) have enough respect for them to even say there's been a change.
Pretty easy! I just can't wait till later in the week!!!
CY'All Later
I don't know about you but I am so disappointed with the new puzzle. It's not challenging enough. I'm not asking for the NY Times...but this is just too easy. What do you think? My 84 year old uncle and I work the puzzle together every morning. We can't believe the difference.
ReplyDeleteGrace
Hi C.C. and all,
ReplyDeleteYaaaah, Norfolk paper is carring the LAT puzzle. Not much time this evening have pool league.
Here is 68a with Come Sail Away
Grace, the LA Times puzzle gets progressively more difficult as the week goes on. See what you think, say, about Thursday. I suspect you'll be much happier.
ReplyDeleteOC Register is using Universal Daily, but I have a weekend subscription to the LA Times and their puzzles are edited by Sylvia Burtsyn. Why doesn't the actual LA Times paper have the puzzle by Rich Norris? Could it be that I get LA Times Orange County edition?
ReplyDeleteArgyl, I have an HP desktop, laptop, scanner and printer and are very happy with all. Of course, my son works for HP in Houston for the last 8 yrs. and I may be a little biased. Besides, I can get my computers for a good price. Really do like all their products that we have purchased. I guess any brand can present problems at any given time.
ReplyDeleteCC, every hear of the parents' lament, "Do as I say, and not as I do." Please post often if your personal time permits. BTW, never used that expression myself--well maybe a few times.
Hey, all!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the kind words. As I mentioned, I hope to drop by now and again, but I just don't have the time anymore to do so on a daily basis. I do the puzzle in the paper over breakfast before heading to work and don't have the computer handy to print it out even if I wanted to until I get to work.
Of course, now I'll have nobody to complain to about the obscure, poorly written clues, and what if I can't figure out the theme on my own? ;)
Anon@4:28pm
ReplyDeleteIf it were not for Monday puzzles, many future solvers would never join us in our mental exercise. By having the progression from Monday through Saturday, we can teach and learn all in the same place.
Linda: Just curious, why 1st born for our group? Also, our age diversity is pretty big from Dot and her husband on down, but I appreciate your thoughts and I believe you really did describe (very generously) most of us.
It is nice to hear from so many different voices today; am I the only one who questions the name "Pancho Harrison?"
Well. Barry G., we will certainly all miss having you around everyday. But you gotta do, what you gotta do. I will enjoy reading your comments all that much more on those occasions when you are able to pop in.
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes!
Hello All.
ReplyDeleteWatching four granddaughters today so it took awhile for my turn at the computer!!
Argyle, I also have a HP All-in-one. I am very pleased with it, but I didn't compare the units I just went to Costco. My new one uses a lot more ink than the old one though I guess that is why the quality is good.
CC, do what is good for you, but your input is needed most. I enjoyed the interview, interesting on the way the constructors are encouraged, probably why these puzzles are better.
Doreen and Crockett, Have a Happy Birthday.....and many more.
Linda, interesting profiling. I am not the first born, but with 12 years between me and my only sister we describe ourselves as "almost only children". When you read up on birth order they say that anything over 3 years difference tends to make the younger child more like an oldest child in personality.
See you all tomorrow.
Lemonade714: Many of the other characteristics are generally true for first-borns...just a semi-educated guess.
ReplyDeleteKazie: Been meaning to ask...Why OZ for Australia (if that`s where you were born)? If you were born there, how hard is it to have Christmas when it is cold instead of hot?
By the way...do they have the 4th of July in Oz? (trick question alert.)
Crocekett and Doreen...A very Happy Birthday to you both.
ReplyDeleteArgyle: I'm with Dennis on the multi-funtion HP...It does a terrific job and we have had no problems(knock wood) with it over the the years. Plus, I can pick up ink cartridges at Costco.
I very much like the puzzle and zipped right through it...but, like Crockett, I started out with SLAV and realized very quickly that wasn't going to work. I liked the fact that the cluing was very clear, straight-forward and logical. I found that to also be true with the end of the week puzzles although I worked those over the whole day.
Linda: Are you like psychic or something...I am pretty much everything but #10 and probably not an extraordinaire.
BarryG...Gosh darn, just print out the stupid puzzle...how could you possibly think of not posting...utter scariledge! :-P
KarenQ...congratulations on the great news on your daughter...All the golfers are in every part of the family but mine. I even got to be my mom's "driver" around Scotland when My Brother's family family went to golf at 4 very famous Scottish courses...I took in the great scenery and walked arounf the towns.80)My sister-in-law was hugely upset to find that most of the courses didn't allow women!
C.C. I hope you will reconsider doing an occasional post during the day as time allows...it is just so much more fun to get your take on things.
Well...that's it for me for the day...I had playtime this morning and now it is time to get back to work.
4:52 today (LA Times puzzle). Easy-breezy Monday puzzle. Any past TMS solver should have no problem with the early week puzzles, but I've not been doing LA Times puzzles much so I'm not sure about later in the week.
ReplyDelete@c.c.: Thanks so much for the Rich Norris interview. It is always nice to hear the editor's perspective.
As others have said, The Oregonian is sampling the Newsday puzzles this week (edited by well-known author Stanley Newman). If you want to solve the Newsday puzzle, it can be found at http://www.pzzl.com/global/newsday/crossword/. (You can print it out and solve, I don't think you can solve online.)
"Off We Go - Into The Wild Blue Yonder."
ReplyDeleteCapital Cities-presidents; Jefferson City, Lincoln, Madison, Jackson.
Capital/states - same letter ; y'all missed New Jersey-Newark. So there are 5.
Happy B-Day Doreen and Crockette. (C man: I knew you and Clearayes would BLAST Cincy. To those who put in an "s" in Cincy, there's no "S" in Cincinnati.)
@Tobylee: There was 12 yrs. between my older sister and me, too.
c.c.: You need to do what you will, but you created the blog and I created the Universe. You may send more than 5 posts a day if you wish. SO IT IS WRITTEN; SO IT SHALL BE DONE.
NOW!!! My rag has dropped the crossword and is now printing "Where's Waldo?". Instead of the Sudoku, they are printing "What Six Things Are Different In These Two Pictures?" And the Quiptoquote is gone, replaced with, "Color This Picture Using The Number/Color Chart Below". (That one is a "toughie"). I would print out the LAT x/w but I don't have a computer.
BerryG. You're a bright guy. I know you could figure out some way to post daily. I think you are getting a bit weary of posting, so maybe you need a brief break. Been there, done that. I would print out the puzzle and mail it to you, but as I mention - no computer.
Boss: "Well, you seem to have all of the qualifications for this job. Plus you told me you just got out of Yale. What's your name again?"
Applicant: "Yohnson".
I must be off
embien, you can solve that one online; just did it.
ReplyDeletebuckeye, my friend, Trenton is the capital of NJ. Trying to catch us, huh?
Dennis. Didn't take you long to catch that one. However, was Jefferson City, Mo. named for Tom or Davis?
ReplyDeleteIMBO
Yes.
ReplyDeleteTime Times is going with the LA Times puzzles. They say Williams is "retired".
ReplyDeleteMartin
Linda,
ReplyDeleteMost aussies are lazy and prefer to use Oz because it's nice and short.
I was born there, and Christmas was always a bit weird--snowy scenes on the cards we'd receive and send, until the last 20 years or so, after our departure, when they got a bit more proud of their own heritage and now have local scenery on them.
But the really weird part was the people who insisted on serving a typical (for Europe) hot meal for Christmas dinner. My Dad used to always boil a complete ham in the laundry copper away from the kitchen, and we'd eat it cold with wonderful salads. Then we'd go sleep it off on the beach.
As for July 4th--they still aren't fully independent of Britain, so no need. Australia day is January 26, celebrating the arrival of the first "settlers" (convicts) in 1788.
"Retired"? Tired again?
ReplyDeleteIMBO
So Kazie...what you're saying is that your calendar just jumps from July 3rd to July 5th? Trick question...
ReplyDeleteBuckeye...good Yoke! 80)
Linda, Your list was very interesting and, I think, mostly true. Birth order way off for me, though. I was number 4 in a family of 7. The first three were close together, then 4 years, then me, followed by 4 years before the last 3 appeared close together. I always said I was an only child between two families, even though we all had the same set of parents.
ReplyDeleteOn the age point, I'm glad you said 50 or OLDER. I guess I was 50 once upon a time. Now my youngest is almost there. What really makes one feel old is when your child can join the same Senior group to which you belong!
Thanks, C.C., for the interview. It was interesting.
We had a great weekend in celebrating husband's birthday. Even the weather cooperated.
Dot
Hello C.C. & all.
ReplyDeleteTotally bummed out that the Star & Tribune made an arbitrary decision to run the Newsday puzzle, without even asking it's reader's their opinion!! The only notice we got was yesterday at the top of the puzzle page in very small print. Then they run this cupcake of a puzzle that even isn't worth the ink to complete!!
I'll give it one week, then I suggest us MN people start a protest! Thanks Boyd for the contact info. Maybe someone should tell her to go on line and actually DO today's LAT puzzle instead of relying on bad info. "that it's too hard". Today's puzzle was easy.
So now in order to keep up with my favorite blog, I'll have to do the LAT on line, which I hate. Yeah, yeah, I could print it out... if the printer worked.
(end rant)
C.C.,
You've given Dennis permission to "over post", please, as author of this blog , give yourself permission to post as often as your day permits. Us later in the day people are missing out!
Happy b-day Doreen and Crocket!
Steamed TJ in Osseo
Kazie, I thought it was "Oz" because, you definitely weren't in Kansas anymore.
ReplyDeleteLinda, You were knocking them out of the ball park. I am the oldest daughter of three. and my average age is over 50. But I definitely missed your mark on a couple of other points. I suspect that my I.Q. is higher than an avocado, but I don't know for sure. I'm not religious at all. I really don't mind being wrong, as long as my nose isn't rubbed in it and my family was hardly "salt of the earth". I just didn't know how quirky (think nuts) some of them were until I grew up. All kidding aside, that was a clever analysis of the group as a whole.
Dot, Red Hat Society??
Buckeye dear, The meds are in the top drawer of the nightstand.
Hi C.C.,
ReplyDeleteOur paper came out(unhearlded) with the LA Times puzzle, constructed by Pancho Harrison and edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols. It was fairly easy and probably the only one I'll be able to solve unaided for the rest of the week.
I want to join the pack in urging you to comment as many times as you please. I really enjoy reading everything you have to say.
Barry G, Print it out at work if you must and comment later in the day; But don't quit. You are very important to this blog.
Also happy birthday wishes to Crockett and Doreen.
Linda, You're still my hero.
Vaya con Dios
Good evening CC et al., Easy puzzle in 'Dennis' time. Was just relieved to see it's the same one here. Looking forward to the spanking later this week. Fun times!
ReplyDeleteLMAO w/40D! My mind went wild! How many ways can one spell Clinton's 'tools' w/8 letters? Man, I tried! Cigar pen. first came to mind, but Tenor Sex, may be a 'hard blow', but it worked with the 'perps', which I thought was probably exquisite justice - except for YentA. I left it 'sex'..so I missed a square. It was worth it!
Argyle 10:04: That is one lucky worm!
Dennis: 10:16 LMAO Hilarious!
CC: Great interview w/Mr. Norris. Thank you for that. You're input is invaluable, I also vote for you not having a limit.
Happy Birthday Crockett and Doreen. I hope you both have many many more.
PMT: Diverse: What comes before the chorus.
ReplyDeleteAll you # 12`s:Got a sack of books at the liberry (I just do that to annoy Kazie!) today...I made myself wait until I had caught up with all my "vacation pack" papers, juiced all the citrus, got the taxes pretty well lined out, and the last batch of pix I had sorted before the trip put into albums. (Going on the 14th album and fifth dresser drawer full of pix. Am determined to get the pix done before summer!) My system for sorting 40 plus years of pix? Sort first by decade...then sort the largest stack/sack by year. (I like to get the hardest job done first...then it`s all gravy...).Sort each year by month then get them in albums. I write under/by each one so that future gen. will know who was who.
Anywho (another one for you, Kazie) I`m taking the whole sack of books to bed now. See yuse guys tomorrow.
Now Linda, you know the real spelling is liebury! As in George Bush's place to bury his lies.
ReplyDeleteTobylee said:
My new one uses a lot more ink than the old one though I guess that is why the quality is good.
Have you tried adjusting the print quality to "draft" or "normal" instead of "best" which is usually the default? In most cases, until the ink starts to run low, it looks almost as good, but when it starts to fade, you can adjust it back up in stages until it dies completely. That will make it last much longer! I do that with my HP printer. It's an older one--932C.
"anon@8:19" and @later - you are correct about the Chicago Tribune Sunday Omnibus. 250 puzzles/5 volumes of 50 each is the standard format. I wouldn't touch that book with a ten-foor pencil, but I hope you enjoy! And stick around for the LA Times puzzles too.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I am not worthy. I have a closet of pictures that need "attention". You are an inspiration though. No mossy rock for you. Ok, after the taxes this week I will at least get them all in one place. It's a start!
ReplyDeleteKazie, thanks for the suggestion. I will give that a try. I just got this one last fall and each color has its own bottle. The black is larger of course, but still poops out pretty quickly.
Linda: Thanks so much for the blog profile. 12 of the characteristics fit me to a "T". As a first born amateur poet who teaches Spanish to preschoolers, I felt like you were peeking in my window. I retired from the Post Office after 35 years, and then completed my college work so that I could teach, which was always my dream. Making a living got in the way for a "few" years. I absolutely adore crossword puzzles, but have no patience for Sudoku. You might want to add animal lover, as evidenced by all the animal avatars appearing next to the posts. i.e. RichShif, Lola, Maria, and Dick. Thanks for the insight. Hasta Mañana
ReplyDeleteC.C.,
ReplyDeleteI guess this is a more reconcilable post for you, not being in the afternoon. Just wanted to reiterate my position on your (lack of) postings!!
Barry G.,
Maybe you'll invest in a home computer and printer?? We will miss you if you defect from our blog...
Hope to hear from some more MN people who will join me in the quest for a more challenging Star & Tribune puzzle, other than the NYT. I ask, how will puzzler's improve if not challenged?!? When I first starting doing puzzles (30 yrs ago) I could barely complete the NYT! (Just filled in the esses) Now I do it in pen 7 days a week! A progressive LAT would be the AAA League to the the NYT Major League solving! Let's achieve more and learn more with a more challenging puzzle.
Dennis, I'm afraid we DF'd Jeannie from contributing to our blog.. If so, I apologize to her and beg her forgiveness! She hasn't signed on since our last exchange about her buoys... Jeannie, please forgive me and please be a part of this blog, even if like me, you're getting the sub-par Newsweek puzzle. Maybe you can help me in getting a decent puzzle!
All this wind lately has had me thinking about sailing, with putting the lee side on edge reaching
and reading the gusts!
Linda,
Am sad to say, you're way off the mark with me, as for the poll. Guess I'm just the exception to the rule??
Goodnight to all..
TJ in Osseo
C.C.,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the interview.
TJ