Theme: Tough Ending
17A: Loaf pan filler: BREAD DOUGH
29A: Mistletoe branch that was Aeneas' pass to the underworld: GOLDEN BOUGH
39A: Something to lead a horse to: WATER TROUGH
52A: "The Thorn Birds" author: McCULLOUGH
11D: "Cut it out": THAT'S ENOUGH
24D: Make a dramatic recovery: PULL THROUGH
I did not know GOLDEN BOUGH or the author of "The Thorn Birds" Colleen McCullough. I do know historian/author David McCullough though. Heard so many of his interviews when he promoted "1776".
This is an incredible puzzle. Four 11-letter entries, Two 10-letter entries. All with different pronunciation. Last time Kazie and someone else (Doreen?) discussed *OUGH ending words in detail on the blog. I don't think they covered McCullough though. Dan Naddor ploughed through the whole field and left no stone unturned. Amazing. Lots of clever fills too.
I cottoned to the theme very earlier on and was able to fill in lots of blanks. Had trouble with lower left corner though. I was so sure that the answer for 48A (WWII torpedo vessel) is U-BOAT. Have never heard of E-BOAT before. With letter U in place, my 44D (Pop or bop) became MUSIC rather than GENRE. Then I wanted ABUZZ instead of ABOIL for 45D: "Full of excitement".
By the way, crossword constructor Justin Smith is running a Metacross Contest starting tomorrow. See here for details.
Across:
1A: St. with a panhandle: OKLA. Wow, 9 states with panhandle. I thought only 3. Whenever I see the abbreviation St, I think of "saint" first.
5A: Polio vaccine developer: SABIN. He developed oral vaccine. Salk's is injection.
16A: "Now I get it": AH SO. Often clued as "Charlie Chan's comment". The complete Japanese interjection is "AH SO desu ka" (That is so). "AH SO desu ka?" means "Is that so"?
19A: Mane man of film?: LAHR (Bert). The Cowardly Lion in "The Wizard of Oz". Great clue.
20A: Fruity rum drink: COLADA. Ah, must be a gimme for Clear Ayes. She loves piña COLADA.
22A: Give authority to: EMPOWER
25A: Gets in the crosshairs: AIMS AT
26A: English subjects?: NOUNS. The ? mark makes this clue very interesting. Without ?, the clue is legit too.
27A: One may be proffered at a wedding: HANKIE. I have this 1991 Twins Championship Homer Hanky. I also have the original 1987 Twins World Series one.
32A: Eavesdropping org.: NSA (National Security Agency). "The Puzzle Palace". What is the nickname for CIA? I wonder if the author of "Enemy of the State" worked in NSA before. Great movie.
35A: First name in jazz: ELLA (Fitzgerald). I wrote ETTA. She is a jazz singer too. Very interesting: ETTA James said her mother told her that her father was "Minnesota Fats." How could that be?
38A: It's 0 at the equator: Abbr.: LAT (Latitude). Ecuador got its name from its equator location.
41A: Rained hard?: HAILED. Another great clue. I wanted POURED.
44A: Used Scope, say: GARGLE. I like Listerine.
46A: Dogs: POOCHES
48A: WWII torpedo vessel: E-BOAT. My disaster area. Wikipedia says it's commonly held that the E stood for "Enemy", but it is likely that it in fact stood for "Eilboot" ("fast boat"). Looks too big to be a torpedo vessel.
49A: Poe's "The Murders in the Rue ___": MORGUE. The first detective story ever. Unknown to me. All I know about Poe is "The Raven" and "Annabel Lee".
51A: We, to Henri: NOUS. Also "Us, to Henri".
56A: Fixes, in a way: RIGS
57A: Two-dimensional surface: PLANE
59A: Pre-coll, catchall: ELHI. El(mentary) + Hi(ghschool). Last time several ex-teachers said they had never heard of ELHI.
Down:
1D: Heavenly body: ORB. I thought of GOD. What's the first thing that popped into your mind? Victoria's Secret Angels?
2D: It can precede plop or plunk: KER. I like last time's "Plunk starter?" clue.
4D: Amazon predator: ANACONDA. Oh my goodness, so huge. I've never heard of it before. Wikipedia says it's mostly found in water, such as Nile or Amazon. I thought all snakes live on land. (Note: Here is the Sea Eagle Vs. Banded Snake clip PromiseMe provided).
5D: Move furtively: SIDLE
6D: Like Niagara Falls: AROAR
7D: Data transmission rate: BAUD. I forgot. It's named after Émile Baudot the French inventor.
8D: Swenson of "Benson": INGA. Swedish for "Hero's daughter". I tend to confuse her with Gloria Swanson.
9D: Disease research org.: NIH (National Institutes of Health)
10D: A hero might hold it: SALAMI. Hero sandwich. My favorite clue. Of course, I was picturing a war hero holding a flag.
12D: Dublin-born actor Milo: O'SHEA. Now I see why Rich Norris clued O'SHEA as "__ Jackson: rapper Ice Cube's birth name" yesterday. No repetitive clues on consecutive days.
13D: Razzie Award word: WORST. I like this clue too. I had never connected Raspberry Award with "blow a rasberry" until last time when BOOER was clued as "Raspberry blower" in our puzzle.
18D: Use a divining rod: DOWSE
21D: One of about 19 million Indians: SIKH. Hindu for "disciple" or "learner". Wikipedia says they wear turban, both man and women. Hello, can you hear me now?
22D: Georgia of "Coach": ENGEL. No idea. Is she very famous? Wikepida says she is in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" also.
23D: Dinero: MOOLA. Both slang for money. I used to mix up MOOLA with those Muslim Mullah.
27D: Rinsed, as a driveway: HOSED
28D: Violin virtuoso Leopold: AUER. Impossible vowel-heavy name. I bet I will forget it next time. I like the alliterative "Violin virtuoso".
30D: Author Zora __ Hurston: NEALE. The author of "Their Eyes Were Watching God". Saw this clue somewhere before.
31D: Diminish: BATE. My was FADE.
37D: Expel: FORCE OUT
33D: Smooth transition: SEGUE
39D: Droop: WILT
40D: "High Sierra" director Walsh: RAOUL. No idea. What's wrong with his right eye?
42D: Two-time U.S. Open champ Andre: AGASSI
46D: Cut back, as a branch: PRUNE
47D: Gave the eye: OGLED. "Give someone the eye" is a new phrase to me.
49D: Mid-12th century date: MCLI. 1151.
50D: One __: kids' ball game: O' CAT. See here for more information. I've never heard of One/Two/Three/Four O' Cat ball game. Why Cat instead of Dog?
52D: AWOL chasers: MPS (Military Polices)
53D: troupe for troops: Abbr.: USO. Learned this morning that USO was already established in WWII.
54D: Prizm maker of yore: GEO (1988-1997). The answer revealed itself.
Answer grid.
C.C.
17A: Loaf pan filler: BREAD DOUGH
29A: Mistletoe branch that was Aeneas' pass to the underworld: GOLDEN BOUGH
39A: Something to lead a horse to: WATER TROUGH
52A: "The Thorn Birds" author: McCULLOUGH
11D: "Cut it out": THAT'S ENOUGH
24D: Make a dramatic recovery: PULL THROUGH
I did not know GOLDEN BOUGH or the author of "The Thorn Birds" Colleen McCullough. I do know historian/author David McCullough though. Heard so many of his interviews when he promoted "1776".
This is an incredible puzzle. Four 11-letter entries, Two 10-letter entries. All with different pronunciation. Last time Kazie and someone else (Doreen?) discussed *OUGH ending words in detail on the blog. I don't think they covered McCullough though. Dan Naddor ploughed through the whole field and left no stone unturned. Amazing. Lots of clever fills too.
I cottoned to the theme very earlier on and was able to fill in lots of blanks. Had trouble with lower left corner though. I was so sure that the answer for 48A (WWII torpedo vessel) is U-BOAT. Have never heard of E-BOAT before. With letter U in place, my 44D (Pop or bop) became MUSIC rather than GENRE. Then I wanted ABUZZ instead of ABOIL for 45D: "Full of excitement".
By the way, crossword constructor Justin Smith is running a Metacross Contest starting tomorrow. See here for details.
Across:
1A: St. with a panhandle: OKLA. Wow, 9 states with panhandle. I thought only 3. Whenever I see the abbreviation St, I think of "saint" first.
5A: Polio vaccine developer: SABIN. He developed oral vaccine. Salk's is injection.
16A: "Now I get it": AH SO. Often clued as "Charlie Chan's comment". The complete Japanese interjection is "AH SO desu ka" (That is so). "AH SO desu ka?" means "Is that so"?
19A: Mane man of film?: LAHR (Bert). The Cowardly Lion in "The Wizard of Oz". Great clue.
20A: Fruity rum drink: COLADA. Ah, must be a gimme for Clear Ayes. She loves piña COLADA.
22A: Give authority to: EMPOWER
25A: Gets in the crosshairs: AIMS AT
26A: English subjects?: NOUNS. The ? mark makes this clue very interesting. Without ?, the clue is legit too.
27A: One may be proffered at a wedding: HANKIE. I have this 1991 Twins Championship Homer Hanky. I also have the original 1987 Twins World Series one.
32A: Eavesdropping org.: NSA (National Security Agency). "The Puzzle Palace". What is the nickname for CIA? I wonder if the author of "Enemy of the State" worked in NSA before. Great movie.
35A: First name in jazz: ELLA (Fitzgerald). I wrote ETTA. She is a jazz singer too. Very interesting: ETTA James said her mother told her that her father was "Minnesota Fats." How could that be?
38A: It's 0 at the equator: Abbr.: LAT (Latitude). Ecuador got its name from its equator location.
41A: Rained hard?: HAILED. Another great clue. I wanted POURED.
44A: Used Scope, say: GARGLE. I like Listerine.
46A: Dogs: POOCHES
48A: WWII torpedo vessel: E-BOAT. My disaster area. Wikipedia says it's commonly held that the E stood for "Enemy", but it is likely that it in fact stood for "Eilboot" ("fast boat"). Looks too big to be a torpedo vessel.
49A: Poe's "The Murders in the Rue ___": MORGUE. The first detective story ever. Unknown to me. All I know about Poe is "The Raven" and "Annabel Lee".
51A: We, to Henri: NOUS. Also "Us, to Henri".
56A: Fixes, in a way: RIGS
57A: Two-dimensional surface: PLANE
59A: Pre-coll, catchall: ELHI. El(mentary) + Hi(ghschool). Last time several ex-teachers said they had never heard of ELHI.
Down:
1D: Heavenly body: ORB. I thought of GOD. What's the first thing that popped into your mind? Victoria's Secret Angels?
2D: It can precede plop or plunk: KER. I like last time's "Plunk starter?" clue.
4D: Amazon predator: ANACONDA. Oh my goodness, so huge. I've never heard of it before. Wikipedia says it's mostly found in water, such as Nile or Amazon. I thought all snakes live on land. (Note: Here is the Sea Eagle Vs. Banded Snake clip PromiseMe provided).
5D: Move furtively: SIDLE
6D: Like Niagara Falls: AROAR
7D: Data transmission rate: BAUD. I forgot. It's named after Émile Baudot the French inventor.
8D: Swenson of "Benson": INGA. Swedish for "Hero's daughter". I tend to confuse her with Gloria Swanson.
9D: Disease research org.: NIH (National Institutes of Health)
10D: A hero might hold it: SALAMI. Hero sandwich. My favorite clue. Of course, I was picturing a war hero holding a flag.
12D: Dublin-born actor Milo: O'SHEA. Now I see why Rich Norris clued O'SHEA as "__ Jackson: rapper Ice Cube's birth name" yesterday. No repetitive clues on consecutive days.
13D: Razzie Award word: WORST. I like this clue too. I had never connected Raspberry Award with "blow a rasberry" until last time when BOOER was clued as "Raspberry blower" in our puzzle.
18D: Use a divining rod: DOWSE
21D: One of about 19 million Indians: SIKH. Hindu for "disciple" or "learner". Wikipedia says they wear turban, both man and women. Hello, can you hear me now?
22D: Georgia of "Coach": ENGEL. No idea. Is she very famous? Wikepida says she is in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" also.
23D: Dinero: MOOLA. Both slang for money. I used to mix up MOOLA with those Muslim Mullah.
27D: Rinsed, as a driveway: HOSED
28D: Violin virtuoso Leopold: AUER. Impossible vowel-heavy name. I bet I will forget it next time. I like the alliterative "Violin virtuoso".
30D: Author Zora __ Hurston: NEALE. The author of "Their Eyes Were Watching God". Saw this clue somewhere before.
31D: Diminish: BATE. My was FADE.
37D: Expel: FORCE OUT
33D: Smooth transition: SEGUE
39D: Droop: WILT
40D: "High Sierra" director Walsh: RAOUL. No idea. What's wrong with his right eye?
42D: Two-time U.S. Open champ Andre: AGASSI
46D: Cut back, as a branch: PRUNE
47D: Gave the eye: OGLED. "Give someone the eye" is a new phrase to me.
49D: Mid-12th century date: MCLI. 1151.
50D: One __: kids' ball game: O' CAT. See here for more information. I've never heard of One/Two/Three/Four O' Cat ball game. Why Cat instead of Dog?
52D: AWOL chasers: MPS (Military Polices)
53D: troupe for troops: Abbr.: USO. Learned this morning that USO was already established in WWII.
54D: Prizm maker of yore: GEO (1988-1997). The answer revealed itself.
Answer grid.
C.C.
Good morning, C.C. and gang - I think I'm finally starting to 'synch up' with these puzzles, and I'm really enjoying them. Seems like the secret is to think even more abnormally than normal, at least for me. As with this puzzle, the answer's not always the obvious one. 'Okla' instead of Flor', and 'E-boat' instead of 'U-boat' are two examples. I really believe that the more we do these, the easier they'll become.
ReplyDeleteUnknowns for me were 'The Thorn Birds author', 'High Sierra director Walsh' and 'Violin virtuoso Leopold'. I thought 'Mane man of film' and 'A hero might hold it' were insanely clever clues.
Today is Titanic Remembrance Day (1912), and Rubber Eraser Day.
Today's Words of Wisdom: "In a curious way, age is simpler than youth, for it has so many fewer options." -- Poet Stanley Kunitz
And yet more Fun Facts:
- Lil' Kim's manicurist charged $6300 a day to wrap her nails in shredded $100 bills.
- The telescopes on Mount Palomar, California, can see a distance of 7,038,835,200,000,000 million miles.
- The most abundant metal in the Earth's crust is aluminum.
8 and a wake-up.
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteThe SALAMI clue is also my favorite. Very creative and entertaining. But I have no doubt that some old folks will complain again that Dan Naddor/Rich Norris is "loose" and "unfaithful" to dictionary.
Martin,
Nice take on love.
Al,
Brushes are only used in Chinese calligraphy classes. In addition to what Martin said, it's very easy to guess the meaning of Chinese characters. For example, in Chinese character 明, the left is 日, meaning sun. The right is 月
, meaning moon, so 明 means shining/bright.
I did not see the poll question about the crossword puzzle but I would like to add my opinion. These new puzzles are more difficult later in the week and quite honestly I am so frustrated by that time, I'm almost ready to cancel my subscription.
ReplyDeleteEven when I see the answers, they are so obscure and oblique that it takes away from the challenge of the puzzle. Thanks for considering us regular folk!
"The Company"-nickname for the CIA
ReplyDeleteSABIN and INGA did me in: I had SABAN and ANGA. The rest of the puzzle was fine: I had guessed Rue MORGUE early on because I knew that Poe was an English mystery writer and I knew that the street name had to be both French sounding and a word familiar to English speaking people and having something to do with death. The hardest fill was GOLDEN BOUGH: I have no idea who Aeneas was. I also wanted BRITS for NOUNS (because a "subject" can also be a citizen in a monarchy), FIGHT for ARGUE, POODLES for POOCHES, BEEP for TOOT and MUSIC or TUNES for GENRE. (I would have preferred a clue like "Sci-fi or mystery" for GENRE.)
ReplyDeleteAs somebody mentioned yesterday, these puzzles would be a lot harder if we hadn't done crosswords before: STOW, SATE, O'SHEA and HAIL have all already appeared in puzzles this week and SABIN appeared in a TMS puzzle pre-regime change. EASE, USE and ORB are also common puzzle words. And didn't we have IAGO two days in a row too (Monday and Tuesday)?
I don't know if I'll bother with Thursday's puzzle because it's so much harder. That being said, Thursday's quip puzzles were also hard so it seems to me that the only difference between the difficulty level of the puzzles is that Monday's are a lot easier and Friday's are a lot harder. I can understand why some people would want clearer clues because they want to try googling so they can finish by themselves before they come here but, frankly, I think some people here look down on googling and consider it a kind of cheat. It's one way o learn new words though.
Martin
Anonymous @6:05am,
ReplyDeleteNot The Firm/The Agency?
Martin,
Yes, we did have IAGO two days in a row, but with different clue. Don't give up on Thursday. It's so un-Martin.
Crossed Lover,
Re: Whimsical Barbie?: DROLL DOLL. DROLL is whimsically amusing. Barbie DOLL. Make any sense?
Kazie & Wolfmom,
Thanks for the further explanation on gobshite.
Thea et al,
Thanks for the answers yesterday.
"Now I get it": AH SO. Often clued as "Charlie Chan's comment".Or it could be short for "AH, SO it is."
ReplyDeleteThe complete Japanese interjection is "AH SO desu ka" (That is so). "AH SO desu ka?" means "Is that so"?Not quite: the Japanese ka is like the Chinese toneless ma: you add ka or ma, respectively and a statement becomes a question so "AH SO desu" would be the statement and "AH SO desu ka" would be a a question. If you watch Japanese movies (or Heroes on NBC or a rerun of Shogun) you'll more likely hear the question "So desu ne?" which would be like saying "Really?" in English.
Martin
Good morning CC and all,..a very interesting puzzle today. I really liked some of the cluing while some others were complete unknowwns to me. In particular I liked the clue/answer for salami. Even after I got the answer from the crosses I had to stare at the answer trying to figure out why a hero would wave a salami, go Lois.
ReplyDeleteA few unknowns were McCullough, E-Boat (I wanted U-Boat), and Morgue. I also wanted canines for pooches.
A few rough spots but a really interesting solve today.
Hope you all have a great Wednesday.
Sometimes, the CIA is referred to euphemistically in government and military parlance as Other Government Agencies (OGA), particularly when its operations in a particular area are an open secret. Other terms include The Company and The Agency.
ReplyDeleteContents
from Wikipedia
ANACONDA today
ReplyDeleteYesterday ICE CUBE
connection ICE CUBE starred in a movie called ANACONDA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrAj3TUo-Po
Good Morning All,
ReplyDeleteI had a few erasures (seeing that its Rubber Eraser Day) that led to completing everything but the NE corner (ie CIA instead of NSA, U-boat not E-boat). I had Ahha instead of Ahso. the Salami clue was neat, but stumped me. I have never heard of Lahr or Oshea. I like this level of difficulty. I'm finding that just taking some risks I've been able to muscle my way to the correct answers, and nearly completing the puzzles. I've never heard of McCullough or Ocat but I new the theme and guessed at 52A.
If past weeks are any indication, let the bombing begin for the rest of the week.
A beautiful day here. Crystal clear with temps expected in the 50s. Cold nights lately in the 20s. Great sleeping weather!
Have a great day.
20A: Fruity rum drink: COLADA. Ah, must be a gimme for Clear Ayes. She loves piña COLADA
ReplyDeleteI thought of Pina Colada (Escape)
By Rupert Hines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVdhZwK7cS8
Good morning CC et al., Same unknowns as Dennis and thor'ough'ly enjoyed this puzzle. Clever clues, and loved having Okla being the opener. My favorite clue was 'jockey strap' 14A. Was hoping for 'boulder holder' or something similar for an answer but 'rein' was cute. Loved having that, 'salami' and 'hosed' in the same puzzle. Reminds me of the hot SB firemen from last wkend for some reason. I'm overlooking prune, morgue, ashes, orb, and hankie on purpose. That theme causes 'angst'and is the 'worst'.
ReplyDelete'That's enough'. Am being 'hailed'
Rubber Eraser Day? Well, that's half right almost Every day.
Enjoy your day.
Good morning, all,
ReplyDeleteGreat puzzle today! Like many, I wanted Uboat instead of Eboat. I liked the Lahr and hankie clues. I got the theme fairly early and guessed a lot of ough endings.
Did not Carson McCullough write The Thorn Birds? I am too lazy to Google it.
For me, this puzzle required perseverance, as many of them do. In fact, life itself also does.
I guess we had better gird our loins for the next two days.
It was Colleen McCullough.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking for the "old Folks" Today's puzzle started out easy is not for the feint hearted. I always fill in as many blanks as possible and then go back over & over till it makes sense."E-Boat, a real s t r e t c h! Scope is minty not too effective "rinse" not a medicinal "gargle" when I figured out ough the puzzle really got interesting. So this grandma has no complaints!!
ReplyDeleteC.C.,
ReplyDeleteI am embarrassed. I skimmed your blog and thought you attributed The Thorn Birds to David rather than Colleen. A second, more careful reading disclosed my error.
Enjoyed your interview with Dan Naddor. I hope we see more of his work.
Good morning, C.C. and all!
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun puzzle - not so easy that you didn't have to ponder any of the clues, and not so hard that you couldn't finish without help.
I agree with many who have posted before me that the clue for SALAMI was lots of fun.
When I saw OKLA right off the bat, I thought of Lois. C.C., I never realized there were nine states considered to have panhandles!
I truly object to the use of ELHI as a description of schools. I have never seen the term used anywhere but in the crosswords I've done on-line.
And, "Gets in the cross hairs" confused me for a bit. I was thinking from the point of view of the target, not the person aiming.
We have sunshine again! YEA!! We are supposed to go from the forties to seventy and back all within five days. I'm off to start my day. Happy April 15th, all!
Hi all!
ReplyDeleteColleen McCullough is an Aussie who lives on Norfolk Island about 1000 miles east of Oz.
I didn't know about E-boats, but the linked picture looks as if it might have operated like PT boats (think McCale's Navy?). Eile is German for haste, the verb eilen is to hurry.
I g'ed O'SHEA, AUER AND RAZZIE. but other unknowns fell into place on their own. Getting the theme early helped a lot. I did know that Poe wrote Murders at Rue Morgue. And no, I still have never heard ELHI, but it was guessable.
I had always thought that Jonas Salk was credited with development of the polio vaccine, but could not make it fit into puzzle. Sabin appeared from the fill ins. So, I looked up both names. Jonas Salk was credited as the first to develop the polio vaccine. Albert Sabin developed the oral version of the vaccine thereafter.
ReplyDeleteOld Sage in Virginia Beach
Hi C.C.
ReplyDeleteIf it wasn't for you I'd have thrown in the towel long ago. Old Dan's (Nadoor) easy once you're done with the puzzle--then everything makes sense. I don't pick up Jack McInturf offerings and I was starting to think the same way about Dan. I was surprised the bio on Dan indicates he's an intellectual. It only took 150 semester hours for my bachelors from Cougar High. Hope that qualifies me as an intellectual someday. Wife says crosswords tough for me because I haven't yet learned English as originally from Galveston. As an "ex-patriot" you're doing a great job, keep up the good work.
Happy Tax Day,
ReplyDeleteWell, Wed. and Thurs. puzzles are my favorites. Wed. doable w/o g-spotting and Thursday usually need some g-spotting but not always. Friday and Saturday puzzles are horrible for me. And that's not because I'm lazy, less intelligent than a dog, hate change, or don't like a challenge. Calculus was difficult for me in H.S. and I never adjusted to that course. So sometimes the difficulty level is just beyond the doable. My hope is that I will at some point enjoy the Friday and Saturday puzzles. Are Sunday puzzles the same difficulty level as Thursday's? I seem to remember they were both rated a 3 but not sure.
Hope everyone has their taxes finished and can enjoy the rest of the day. Spring may actually be arriving here tomorrow--it's about time.
Ah So!
ReplyDeleteThat was my 'ta da' moment when I completed the puzzle today online.
Wikipedia on Raoul Walsh Says:
* Walsh was set to direct and star in the Western In Old Arizona in 1929, but had to abandon the project when a jackrabbit jumped through the windshield of a car he was driving and cost Walsh an eye. Walsh's replacement Warner Baxter won an Academy Award for playing the Cisco Kid in the film, and Irving Cummings was nominated for his direction.
* After losing his eye, his doctor reportedly asked if he'd like an artificial (glass) one. "Hell, no," Walsh snapped. "Everytime I'd get in a fight, I'd have to put it in my pocket." He wore an eyepatch for the rest of his life.
Good day C.C. and bloggers. Using the online with red letters, I was able to get the rah, rah ending on that site. Quite a toot, I mean hoot. I had follows for dogs, which held me up until I went online. Got the ough soon, which helped a great deal (after finding breadcrumbs was not useful).
ReplyDeleteI don't like argue for locked horns. The former seems mild, while the latter is fairly violent.Agree with comments about ElHi. There must be some other way to clue those letters.
Did like salami and Lahr. Have mixed feelings about aroar for Niagara Falls. It's better than something about lions, but it still doesn't feel up to the rest of the puzzle.
Great interview with Dan Naddor, C.C. Thanks.
@Geri in Canada, is your new puzzle Newsday as well?
ReplyDeleteAnna
Hi c.c. and all:
ReplyDeleteWell, at first I had music for Genre, Uboat for Eboat, Mai Tai for Colada, Peons (English subjects)for Nouns, Etta for Ella, Ohso for Ahso, CIA for NSA, so pretty much a disaster. I did finally see the light and change the words. I also did not know High Sierra director Walsh, Violin virtuoso Leopold or Author Zola ___ Hurston, so ended up googling them. As Dennis says I believe they will become easier as time goes by. A hard puzzle for a Wednesday though, as I don't usually run into problems until Friday or Saturday.
Good Morning All, Ah, it is getting better and better. Wednesday feels just about right for me. I really liked the clue "rained hard" for HAILED.
ReplyDeleteThe Golden BOUGH is also a well known book about mythology and religion by Sir James George Frazer. It was published in the late 1800's and caused quite a scandal with its approach to discussing religion as a cultural phenomenon rather than from a theological viewpoint.
I love reading about the Golden Raspberry Awards every year. They "Honor" the worst films, directors, actors and screenplays of the year. For 2008, the Worst Movie was The Love Guru, which also won Worst Screen Play and Worst Actor for Mike Myers. Paris Hilton won Worst Actress for The Hottie And The Nottie. I didn't see either of them, but I did see The Happening which was nominated, but didn't win(?) for Worst Movie.
AROAR and ABOIL aren't words I would use, but they were easily gettable.
Right you are, Red Smitty. G.A.H. and I b"OUGH"t a new patio table and chairs yesterday, so I can hardly wait for a Pina COLADA on a warm summer evening on our patio.
@C.C.: No not all snakes live on land, in fact quite a few live at least part time in the water. As a kid we were always terrified to find water moccasions when we were swimming. I believe there are a few snakes that live in the Nile as well, although I can't recall them.
ReplyDeleteI can never remember Sabin and have to look him up every time. I always want Salk! Sited looked strange and I'm still not 100% on that one doesn't seem like a real word.
~puzzled_in_pdx
Dennis -
ReplyDeleteThank you - again - for the kind words yesterday. Are you a pilot?
Hayrake
Great interview C.C.!
ReplyDeleteI liked the puzzle today too, getting some wordplay exercise and learning some new terms like e-boat and o cat. Thought the English subject? clue both fun and inspired, although maybe not quite as much as yesterday's clever seasoned salt.
I had briefly trotted out Mr. Ed as a possible Mane man of film, but I sent him back to the barn after realizing the answer must be that other creaky old crossword puzzle stalwart, actor Bert Lahr of cowardly lion fame.
This one was definitely a Wednesday puzzle, a little harder than Monday and Tuesday as I had to hit the g-spot three times. McCullough, Zora Neale, and Leopold Auer.
ReplyDeleteI laughed at the salami clue as I was munching on a sub with salami on it while solving the puzzle.
Dennis, Monday you were “10 and a wake up” and today you are “8 and a wake up”. Am I missing something here?
C.C. great interview.
T. Frank, how do you gird your loins?
FOR SALE: One gently-used first-born. Must sell to pay taxes. Call 555-can-tpay.
ReplyDeletePuzzle? What`s a puzzle?
Jeannie @12:36,
ReplyDeleteGood question; that saying probably goes back to Biblical times. I suspect it means to put on extra armor, maybe on your backside, because you may be running like heck before the day is over.
Anna,
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't know where it's from. I did write the editor , haven't heard back as yet.
The editor is
jfuller@theprovince.com
I do like it better than the LAT.
Best,
Geri
Thought this was one of the best constructed puzzles I've done in a while. Had the same issues as others - so wanted UBoat and knew I was off when I just couldn't make that corner work. Thanks for the answers CC!!! Am proud of myself for remembering Sabin from another puzzle - something finally sank in. Like CC I wanted Etta for Ella - both are used frequently and I can never figure out which one the constructor wants.
ReplyDeleteWarren - thanks for your eye patch story on Raoul Walsh. My favorite eye story is about a great aunt who had eye cancer and lost one eye. She got a glass eye and insisted on getting a completely different color from her other eye - I think she had blue and went with green for the glass eye. Said if she had to lose an eye and wear a glass one, she was darn well going to make sure people noticed. Funny lady.
There was a long article up in the local rag today about the change in xwords. They did a survey and it was almost evenly divided between people preferring the former puzzles and those liking the new ones. I actually was quoted in the article - nice to see your name in the paper in a place other than the obits and nice to know the paper editors actually read their emails. Their solution was for people to give it more time and get used to the new style as they felt choices of other puzzles were limited and would attract even more criticism than this change. Guess there aren't a ton of options. Provided some blog sites to assist but not CC's.
CC - loved the Dan Naddor interview; he seems like a fun guy. Your interviews are always so great to read and add a nice touch to the blog. Really appreciate your time and effort.
I enjoyed today's puzzle. The salami clue was clever as well as the "mane" man. I didn't google but came close. Everything finally fell into place.
ReplyDeleteC.C - To answer your question from Saturday, yep, I'm a farmer. We raise dairy goats and I make cheese. Nice weather today in Colorado, but gearing up for a big snow storm starting tomorrow through the weekend. It will leave me lots of time to do the crossword puzzles.
Oberhasli
Jeannie,
ReplyDeleteI tried unsuccessfully to make a link. Google "gird your loins" and click on the first choice offered.
Good morning CC and all,
ReplyDeleteThis was indeed a very clever puzzle, but it did not come together for me. I am very disappointed in myself. Such a HUGE jump from the easy Mon./Tues. Between the clever clues and unknowns(Oshea,Inga,Aver,baud,bate,segue,ELHI,NSA,aboil,NIH ...)I was doomed.Well, I have managed to celebrate Rubber Eraser Day; had honk for toot and ah ha for ah so.
Loved "Mane Man of film" clue.Nothing jumps out at me for research. I was a big tennis junkie for years so Agassi was a gimme.
Speaking of pooches, I do not understand the constant petty criticism Obama is receiving for getting his puppy as a gift.
After losing his eye, his doctor reportedly asked if he'd like an artificial (glass) one. "Hell, no," Walsh snapped. "Everytime I'd get in a fight, I'd have to put it in my pocket."Now that's what John Wayne's Rooster Cogburn might have said.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Warren.
Today, an E-Boat torpedoed my chance at a clean puzzle! If only I had filled GENRE first. Timing is everything. (It didn't help that I misread Henri as Henn.)
Guday, all. Started this puppy about 9:30 A.M., broke at 10;15 A.M. - did the Quiptoquote and back to this disaster; broke for the Jumble, then back again. Broke for lunch and back to the puzzle. Did the Sudoku then back to the x/w. Broke to make dinner (Beef Stroganoff - I like for it to rest in the wine, shallots, etc. all day before I add the fresh mushrooms and sour cream just before serving over noodles later this evening with a fresh Cobb salad and fresh asparagus). Then back to the puzzle -to discover that I had solved it. (No help). Time I stopped?? 1:28 P.M. Time on puzzle?? Priceless. (I'll never f*****G get that time back!!!)
ReplyDeleteI realized that I knew only one Proper Noun on the "Down" side, "Agassi", but had gotten all the rest from the perps. I'm sure that will not happen tomorrow, Friday and Saturday.
Hated ElHi, but knew Sabin as he developed his polio treatment ALMOST simultaneously with Salk. Sabin was at the University of Cincinnati when it all happened. He's still a hero 'round these here parts.
Hence, c.c., remove me from the "Do not know, yet" to the "Preferred the OLD TMS puzzles".
Dennis, love your WOW. Here's one:
"Thay's one thang you can say 'bout old age. It don't last long". Poet Hardin Young.
I must be off!
Hey, you guys have to see this. It was sent to me by a friend who knows how I love this song, and the play from which it comes. I think you'll be surprised when you see it:
ReplyDeleteSusan Boyle
Hi CC and all.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the puzzle today. If I couldn't get the across,the down was clear. I have to admit that I didn't get 'salami' until all the crosses were filled! The worst part is that then the clue sounded familiar. :o)
I liked clues for'rein', 'Lahr". I didn't like the answer 'elhi'.I liked the interview and I appreciate that you took the time to get it for us. It really helps to understand how the puzzles are created.
I have been dropping in to lurk and skim, but have been busy with the services for Holy Week and Easter. I made a trip to see some of my children in Washington and share the Holy Day with them. Their youngest children are twins, 9 months old. The boy, Luke is now 5 pounds heavier than his petite sister, Carly.
Still cold in Oregon, so little sunshine and so much rain. But I love the green and that's why I live here. Summer will come.
Lo-Li-Ta;
ReplyDeleteYou obviously have never been in the service, prison or prep school, all of which count down to events by days plus a wake up. The Wake up is what happens on the day whatever you are waiting for finally comes.
I really hated ELHI, think it is a bogus crossword only clue, but the rest were fun, and Bert LAHR was wonderful in the Wizard of Oz.
The mind is a funny thing, when the first clue was four letters I put in OKLA, thinking htere were only three states with panhandles, ans TEX and FLA did not fit; I was right for the wrong reason. I also never thought of Poodles for a second.
Presidents are always criticized because lots of people voted against the President and want to see failure; rather short-sighted, since we would but true.
mmmmm, let's see if this works
ReplyDeletestory of Aeneus
Dennis, the Susan Boyle ciip was sent to me yesterday. I loved watching Simon's face! Isn't her voice wonderful and the story behind her is so uplifting. She took care of her mother for years. Shame on all those people who were judging her by their idea of personal beauty.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I still need to work on this. Not sure why it says that.sigh
ReplyDeleteI had to stare at the answer trying to figure out why a hero would wave a salamiDick, all of Lois' heroes wave their salami.
ReplyDeletePuzzled_in-pdx, Old Tex, welcome. Good of you to join us and contribute.
Lois, as always.......well, you know.
Gladys, I think it's wonderful that you have no complaints; you're a good role model for us 'older' types.
KittyB, our weather's following yours; rainy/40s today, 60 tomorrow, 70s after that. Finally.
Jeanne, stay with it; the puzzles will get easier the longer you do them. Like I said earlier, you start to 'synch up' with the constructors after a while.
Some of you don't like ELHI (or never heard of it) but I reckon you'd better get used to it, pardners. It's been used over 140 times across all the different crossword puzzle syndicates.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine in Canada sent me the Susan Boyle link last night. I hope she gets the opportunity to sing professionally. She deserves it.
ReplyDeleteJD, Your link worked just fine.
Buckeye, you will be happy to know that your poet friend Hardin Young is now immortalized via Google.
We're all waiting for spring so here is e.e.cummings take on it.
Spring is like a perhaps hand
Spring is like a perhaps hand
(which comes carefully
out of Nowhere)arranging
a window,into which people look(while
people stare
arranging and changing placing
carefully there a strange
thing and a known thing here)and
changing everything carefully
spring is like a perhaps
Hand in a window
(carefully to
and fro moving New and
Old things,while
people stare carefully
moving a perhaps
fraction of flower here placing
an inch of air there)and
without breaking anything.
Good Afternoon C.C. and Co.,
ReplyDeleteC.C.,
Thank you for yet another interesting interview.
I agree that ELHI is surely a faux word/term.
"ORB. I thought of GOD. What's the first thing that popped into your mind?"
The Planet of My Dreams, of course.
I, too, wanted BRITS for 'English subjects, but I like PEONS better :)
I did not want to put BATE in for 'diminish'. I had never heard of One O'CAT. I got ENGEL, AUER, NEALE and RAOUL from the perps. At first, I missed the 'z' spelling of 'Prizm maker of yore'. I was trying to think of some long dead inventor, like DaVinci. Like many others, I had UBOATS and that was the reason the SW corner held me up. The puzzle wound up taking me 21:26.
Martin,
Poe was an American.
Kazie,
I was going to jokingly comment about Norfolk Island, "Isn't that also known as New Zealand?" Then I looked it up in Google Earth and found that parts of New Zealand's 'South Island' might even be closer to Oz. Colleen McCullough really does live in the middle of nowhere.
Buckeye,
What time is dinner?
Today is also Tea Bagging Day.
PMT, LOL, Your ARE a bad boy! I just knew you wouldn't be able to resist.
ReplyDeletepuzzled_in_pdx, you're right about some snakes living in the water. I remember, when I was a teenage counselor at a YMCA camp, that we were taught to be careful if we smelled cucumbers near water, as that was the sign of a certain type of water snake.
ReplyDeleteHayrake, no, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.
Jeannie, 10 and a wakeup means I have 10 days and a 'wakeup' the following morning before leaving for Ft. Lauderdale/South Beach (and HEAT) for a couple weeks.
SandbridgeKaren, you're right - we had the Salk/Sabin discussion a few weeks back.
Tobylee, yeah, that clip just blew me away.
Anna,
ReplyDeleteI heard from MR. Fuller that the Vancouver Province c/w is the
Daily Commuter Puzzle written by Jacqueline Mathews.
It is American.
Best,
Geri
Jeannie,
ReplyDeleteHope this works
Girding
I'm late getting here so it is now after noon...too many interruptions this morning.
ReplyDeleteC.C. I really liked the insight into Dan Naddor's cluing...actually finished the puzzle after reading it...got the theme very quickly but even though I filled in SABIN right off the bat, BAU and ARO were hanging me up for awhile. Also put in ETTA for a goodly time...so glad it is eraser day as I needed it...at long last, I finished it with no G-ing. I trip myself up by trying to be too clever...I was thinking of DOGS as someone following someone around rather than a straightforward answer...clever cluing often leads me into this trap.
Saw the Susan Boyle video earlier this morning...she is awesome and I just sat and cried at the beauty of her voice and the appropiateness of the song...so glad the world has a chance to learn that you should never judge a book by it's cover...
The wind has died down and I am so far behind today...g'Day to all.
14:03 today. EBOAT did me in, I just couldn't see it for the longest time.
ReplyDeleteThe puzzle was a lot of fun (other than EBOAT, lol), and the theme entries were scintillating!
Re: elhi. C'mon folks, just because you've never heard of it/used it, doesn't mean it's not a word. It's waaay common crosswordese and appears in the dictionary: elhiFor some reason I feel an overwhelming urge to go to the post office today. Wonder if those bulky envelopes sitting here have anything to do with that?
Dennis. I, too, love "I Dreamed A Dream" from "Les". I thought when Susan Boyle stepped out she would do well, but not like THAT!!! I did not catch her bio, but I'll bet there's professional training in there somewhere. Her breath control is something you seldomly hear from amateurs. THANK YOU for passing on that clip. I am being 100% honest when I say that tears were running down my face as she performed. What a marvelous happening!
ReplyDeleteIMBO
Buckeye, glad you liked it as much as I did. You can't help but fill up, watching that. I loved the reaction of the judges, especially Piers and the woman, and the audience. Incredibly moving.
ReplyDeletethese puzzles are off the wall.
ReplyDeleteJeannie: "Girding your loins" meant gathering and firmly tying your robe up between your legs and around your waist with a band of cloth, sometimes twisted or braided, for the purpose of making you able to run faster and more "comfortably." The "holding in" or "girding" is most likely where we got the name "girdle"...
ReplyDeleteI, too, had forgotten the author of the "Thorn Birds". The TV series was on before Richard Chamberlain "came out."
Caught the "ough' theme early...wanted "hand" for "what if offered in a wedding"...and was stumped there a while. A "still-doable with little help" day. Didn`t even try NYT today...found out rentals are no longer the tax help they once were. Our accountant suggested cattle farming...since there are still many tax breaks there. Didn`t we have a goat farmer blog recently? With the influx of people of the Muslim faith...goat farming might be better than cattle!
The Susan Boyle clip reminded me again that God pays little attention the outward package and that we are all wonderful in His eyes.
Dennis, Susan Boyle made my day...incredible!! Anyone know if she won, or is it going on now?
ReplyDeleteJd,
ReplyDeleteI agree about Susan Boyle. It's still going on. Here's the rest of the story
Dennis: thank you for that clip. Susan Boyle is sensational!
ReplyDeleteT.Frank: Ohhhh, to be a toga!
PMT: That last clip is very funny! Loved it.
On this day April 15th as we empty our pockets...
ReplyDelete1850 The city of San Francisco was incorporated.
Have you ever been to San Fran? If so, what was the favorite place you visited there?
1945 British and Canadian troops liberated the Nazi concentration camp Bergen-Belsen.
I know we have some Jewish friends on this blog. Did any of you lose any relatives during the holocaust?
1947 Jackie Robinson became baseball's first black major league player when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers. (His uniform No. 42 was retired on the same date in 1997.)
1981 Washington Post reporter Janet Cooke relinquished the Pulitzer Prize she had received two days earlier for a feature about an 8-year-old heroin addict after admitting she had fabricated the story.
Can you imagine the guilt that must have been eating at her for those two days, or was she found out?
1990 Actress Greta Garbo died at age 84.
I have never seen anything done by her. I thought she was very beautiful though. I also didn’t know she was bisexual.
2000 Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles became the 24th major league player to reach 3,000 hits.
Who has the record for most hits?
Susan Boyle mentioned in her pre-song interview that she aspired to be like Elaine Paige.
ReplyDeleteI've been an Elaine Paige fan for a long time. She was both the original star of Evita and Grizabella of Cats. Here is her version of I Dreamed A Dream. Keep in mind that comparisons between the two are not fair. This is just to show you what Ms. Boyle aspires to.
Susan Boyle is not only extremely talented, she also has excellent taste. It looks like she is well on her way to realizing her dream of becoming a professional singer.
BTW, I hope the "experts", don't do too much of a makeover on her. I like her face, including the eyebrows!
Jeannie, S.F. is about 1 hr drive from where we live.Natives do not want their city to be called Frisco or San Fran. I remember having to wear a hat AND gloves whenever we went to "the city."Almost too many fav. spots to list:
ReplyDelete"Top of the Mark" Hopkins Hotel to have a drink with a view
Golden Gate Park: museums, Japanese Tea Garden, walking/skating paths
China Town..go by Cable Car
Pier 39@ Fisherman's Wharf and Ghiradelli Square
a morning walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
It's 2:00; I'd better get out and do some gardening, as the wind has died down.
Great job T. Frank..woo hoo!!!
I'm with CA on the makeover bit...I think the description of her as cheeky was right on the mark...I thought she had a lovely, charming personality.
ReplyDeleteKazie...thank you so much for that background info. There was a similar gentleman on a while back whose operatic brilliance had the same effect...
Dennis...interesting WoW...I find that my options are still wide open if I am willing to embrace them. My brother always says that when doors open it your choice whether or not to step through...I usually step through. ;o)
@ Geri, thank you. That puzzle is too easy and uninteresting.
ReplyDeleteAnna
Linda:
ReplyDeleteIf your accountant is suggesting that you can save on your taxes by losing money, then cattle is a good way to go, especially if he would like you to lose money year after year. Seriously, before you invest in livestock of any kind on any scale other than hobby farming, talk to your county extension agent or someone similar and get some advice. There are some investment schemes out there that allow you to invest in cattle and other livestock without actually owning or caring for them yourself, but some of them are highly questionable legally and some are outright scams. Be careful!
Jeannie: Most hits: Charlie Hustle, aka Pete Rose. Beat you to it, Buckeye!
Windhover, former Redlegs fan
@Clearayes. I couldn't agree more. I hope the make-over people leave Boyle alone. She is so endearing as she is and her eye-brows have her half-way to Grizabella already. Think she'll do "Memories" next? One can only hope.
ReplyDeleteIMBO
jeannie @ 3:36 P
ReplyDeleteHi. We haven't met before so it's about time. "Have you ever visited San Francisco?" I lived there, actually Tiburon just north of the GG Bridge for 5 years and I love that place. My favorite spot to visit? That would still be Mount Tamalpias - Muir Woods with the Godlike Redwoods, and the summit where one can gaze out to the east and see the most spectacular city in the world when it isn't fogged in - then look to the west and see the great Pacific Ocean below. In the city itself - hmmm - not sure.
There are so many. I used to enjoy riding the cable car over Nob Hill to Fisherman's Wharf and eating fresh seafood all afternoon and strolling through Chinatown - said to have the largest Chinese population outside the Orient. The City has just about everything.
And who holds the M.L. record for the most base hits? I think that is still Charlie Hustle - otherwise known as Pete Rose.
I hope you are enjoying a nice Hump Day.
Hayrake
Windhover. You're too quick today.
ReplyDeleteIMBO
Also...Oberhasli...do you market your cheese outside your local area? I'm always curious as I was a cheesemonger for a number of years, have a huge collection of cheese books...including the new Atlas of American Artisan Cheese by Jeffrey P. Roberts cheese book...are you in there(without giving awy too much info)?
ReplyDeleteI always like to find new chevre makers...
@Clearayes. I don't know who that Hardin Young is on Google but he better change his handle. I'M the original Hardin Young and still am. (Oops. It's been over four hours. Maybe I better call Nurse Ratchet - or not. Better to suffer alone).
ReplyDeleteIMBO
Hi c.c. and fellow solvers. I use that term more than loosely, as we all seem to be getting on the wave length of the new puzzles.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the interview with Dan Naddor. I briefly checked out the Amy Reynaldo blog. Though interesting, I much prefer the format we have.
I too tried to squeeze Mr. Ed into the space allotted to (Burt) Lahr. I've never heard of an E Boat, so of course I wanted the old standby, U Boat. The CIA kept trying to muscle the NSA out of the way. Hankie never materialized for me. I wanted to somehow work hand into that spot. (Back off Lois). And last but not least, Wolfmom and I were on the same thought wave. I wanted follows for dogs. However, it was fun to work and "rework" the puzzle until all the letters were in their proper places.
Here's to a thoughtful Thursday puzzle. Adios
The lower left corner was tough for me, too. Never heard of an 'E Boat'.
ReplyDeleteClear Ayes: Thank you for the clip of Elaine Paige. It was nice to have a professional version of the song to compare with Susan Boyle's rendition. I don't know if it was the difference in the acoustics of the two pieces, or the shock of Ms. Boyle's delivery, but I actually enjoyed hers more than E.P.'s. When I listened to the lyrics as she stood before a group predetermined to judge her harshly, I believed the words came from her heart.
ReplyDeleteThanks again
I was in San Francisco when I was about 13yrs old and what i remember the most was how close the houses were together. It was also my first and only cable car ride. I also have fond memories of China Town and Fishermans Wharf. It looks like I need to go back for another visit.
ReplyDeleteHayrake, I believe we have "met" once before. But howdy again.
Buckeye....4 hours?? don't let that nurse Ratchet take things into her own hands!
Lemonade, no I have never been to prison, in the service or a prep school. What do all three have in common? Not very flattering uniforms for my "form".
I have been polishing up on my golf terminology though.... I'll meet you on the fairway and hopefully I won't fade after my follow through. If I get close enough to the flagstick I hope you'll grant me a gimmee. I might be a little green, but you won't experience a flop shot.
Still learning...Lo-li-ta.
Buckeye, aka Hardin Young,
ReplyDeleteQuick is not necessarily a virtue, but if your initials are HY, you always get another chance. You got us again.
Windhover, enviously.
Lola, you're right - the Susan Boyle one was more stirring than Elaine Paige's, and probably for the reason you gave.
ReplyDeleteBuckeye, have you heard 'Empty Chairs at Empty Tables'? That's the one that really gets to me, for obvious reasons. I rarely can listen to it.
Dennis, Lola and CA,
ReplyDeleteI just think Susan Boyle's voice is better!
Windhover: Thanks for the advice. Rest assured, hubby will know all the ins and outs before doing anything.
ReplyDeleteBuckeye: I`ve had only two formal voice lessons in my life (couldn`t handle all that Italian :) but I`ve sung solos, in trios, choirs and in ensembles since I was 13. You pick up a great deal of breath control, open vowels, projection, and how to handle the mike from just observation and by doing it. Perhaps that`s true of Susan Boyle.
Wow, everyone is on today. I must say that I just generally sucked at this puzzle today. I really liked the SALAMI clue and LAHR, even though I never got them myself. Some days I have it and some days I don't.
ReplyDeleteDid my favorite activity today, scrapbooking all day with the ladies, and I wasn't any good at that today either. I did make a mean bread pudding though using croissants and walnuts. It was to die for.
Then, finished my afternoon by visiting the dentist where he told me that my sore tooth was cracked. I proceeded to spend 2 hours in his chair having that prepped for a crown, and getting another crown replaced. Needless to say, my mouth is quite sore.
So that in a nutshell is why I couldn't do a puzzle today, and no time to blog much either. That's my story and I am sticking to it.
I did see the Susan Boyle performance on the news shows this am. She was something else too. I am awaiting "Memories" next also. She is a gem.
Wolfmom, I make a kick-butt chevre here in Colorado. No, I'm not featured in any books (big sigh). I am a local artisan cheesemaker and sell in the summer at our local farmer's market. I usually sell out early and can be home in time to milk my goats.
ReplyDeleteOberhasli
Susan Boyle clip reminded me of Paul Potts . Potts went on to have number-one albums in 15 countries. Hope she has the same success.
ReplyDeleteDennis 2:41 P 'No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once'. Isn't that about the same thing?
ReplyDeletejeannie 5:59 P "I believe we have met once before" Yes, we did jeannie. Way back for me - right after I stumbled on to this happy group. Seems everyone was chatting about the 'G Spot' that day and I mentioned I didn't know where to find it. Thought maybe you had forgotten about that and I wasn't going to bring it up again.
Hayrake.
Good Evening CC - Yaks & Loons:
ReplyDeleteWon't rehash all of the great comments about today's XW. Good clues, good constructor, good editor, good times!
Things that make you go Hmmm?!?!
+ Why isn't there a special name for the tops of your feet?
+ At a movie theater which arm rest is yours?
Truism to live by...(heard this one today!)
+ Never approach a bull from the front, never approach a horse from the rear, and never approach a fool from any direction.
Windhover, We have a neighbor who raises "oreo" Buelingo cattle. He writes a farming column in a local paper and often describes the difficulties that cattle ranchers are subjected to. It's a tough job, not something to take on lightly.
ReplyDeleteFormer Redlegs fan?? FOR SHAME...Right, Buckeye? Go, Cincy!!
Re: Elaine Paige and Susan Boyle. There is no doubt that Ms. Boyle's rendition was the more emotionally affecting. It was very much a "Rocky" moment. Elaine Paige gave a different, more "theatrical" performance. Both have beautiful voices. Perhaps we will one day be treated to a duet.
Les Miserables was the first live musical G.A.H. attended. It turned him into a musical fan. We've seen it three times and there are always several catches in the throat. I always tear up at On My Own.
Jeannie, My parents had friends who were Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp survivors. I clearly remember them showing us the camp identification tattoos on their arms. It's a moment I will never forget.
Most Northern Californians have visited San Francisco at one time or another. One of my favorites is a walk around the Presidio park. You get a fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as the bay. San Francisco is world famous for many good reasons. Every place that has already been mentioned is well worth a visit.
Have a great evening all.
In case you haven't noticed...everybody and I do mean everybody in the Bigs is wearing 42 today. Players, coaches, managers, umpires.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jack...
Oberhasli...thanks for the info. I have a friend in N.CA that also makes kick-ass chevre...Redwood Hill Farm. She is now making a raw milk aged cheese that is washed in cider called Gravenstein since the cheese making facility used to house a cider factory and it is on the Gravenstein Hwy...Are you a fan of Rikki Carroll? Love her cheese recipes. I think that Windhover has consulted with her.
ReplyDeleteJeannie...not to blow your image...but since you love to cook, if you ever get back to SF, be sure to be on hand Saturday mornings for the Ferry Building Farmer's Market. One of the most awesome in the bay area, and many local chefs can be found there snatching up goodies...
Anon@7:44...thanks for the Paul Potts link...that is who I was trying to think of...a fine and effortless Welsh tenor who sang Nessun Dorma and blew everyone's socks off. Good to hear he went on to great things...another major tearjerker for the beauty of it.
I think this is 4 for me...ta.
wolfmom:
ReplyDeleteYou sure know how to lob the old softball up there with the stitches showing. Question is, will she swing, and will she make contact. I'm talking, of course, of "blowing your image".
Windhover, tsk tsking.
My daughter will be on her local TV news at 10 tonight with a tea bag hanging from her sunglasses...attending her town`s "tea party." The apple never falls very far from the tree!
ReplyDeletehayrake, the g-spot needs some definition on where to find it sometimes. "Google" usual does the trick...Windhover, lobbed, stitches, doesn't sound too good for a male part that comes to mind...especially if he's "at bat".
ReplyDeleteLemonade...trying to to give you a "handi-cap" a "gimmee" a "sure shot" towards your ultimate goal...Don't cause a "divot" as those "green keepers" hate to fix those.
hello c.c. and all,
ReplyDeleteam gratefully busy as of late so don't get here often .. but still really enjoying the new regime. the monday/tuesdays not terribly challenging but i'm finding the cluing so clever (dig the alliteration) that they're still fun.
ditto everyone else on today's puzzle. interesting to see ELHI appear, thought that was only a WRW thing. i've seen it enough now that it's a gimme but for some reason it annoys me. c.c., your memory is impeccable. i do sometimes solve with mostly downs on the more difficult puzzles. i suppose it's kind of cheating.
enjoy the aviation talk, my dad is a brilliant pilot and i grew up in and around airports. and recording studios. and church buildings.
@dennis: thanks for that link. i had seen the image but had not stopped to watch/listen til i saw it here. i don't watch tv so sometimes miss things. omg. i watched it on my way out to a client's house, and when i got there she said, 'have you seen that video ...?' growing up in OK and TX, we were always watching out for water moccasins in the lakes.
i'm not so much a city mouse, but get up to SF occasionally. i prefer the non-touristy spots. like a favorite tea shop in china town. i do recommend the buena vista, famous for the view and the irish coffees. going up saturday with a girlfriend to a poetry reading.
@jeanne and kittyb: nice to see you both.
@c.c.: i'm continually amazed at your ability to break down these puzzles. it dawned on me recently that mastering an american qwerty keyboard must have been quite a challenge to a non-native speaker.
Okay...I have one more...No tsk tsking Windhover...I happen to think that Jeannie is a clever wordsmith and a talented cook...she just doesn't always share that side of herself on the blog. A person of far more depth than she lets on...I just know that she would be in food heaven at the Ferry building! So There! ;oP
ReplyDeleteI think that if Jeannie planned a trip to coast she would get lots of friendly help here on the blog of great things to do and see...us westcoasters are very nice people.
This is definitely #5 for me...nighty night all...have to go take that quiche out of the oven in a bit!
Who let the Cat O'____! If I was in San Francisco I would definitely need cooking "equipment" and "utensils".
ReplyDeleteLo-li-ta:
ReplyDeleteIt is way past my bedtime, but thanks for the mammaries, oops memories. We will have to resume tomorrow, it was a good day.
So ....
ReplyDeleteNobody was moved by Planet of My Dreams?
I am so disappointed in you all!