google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Saturday July 11, 2009 John Farmer

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Jul 11, 2009

Saturday July 11, 2009 John Farmer

Theme: None

Total blocks: 29

Total words: 72

A pangram, all 26 letters are used. Awesome.

Of all the long quality fills (lots of 10's, 9's & 8's), I love these three the most:

17A: "Night" writer: ELIE WIESEL

14D: 1922 physics Nobelist: NIELS BOHR

30D: Former dominion that included India, Pakistan and Bangladesh: BRITISH RAJ

We often see ELIE, NIELS or BOHR & RAJ alone, so it's good to see the full names. I was also happy to see TEA (42A: 49-Across product) and ASSAM (49A: State in northeast India) together.

Vigorous slog this morning. Quite a few unknowns to me.

Across:

1A: Tightens the screws: CLAMPS DOWN. Only 2 vowels. The first entry always has plenty of consonants.

11A: One of the Karamazovs: IVAN. From "The Brothers Karamazov". I guessed. Have never heard of the book. IVAN is Russian for John.

15A: Comic strip guy with an eye patch: BAZOOKA JOE. I wonder if today's BAZOOKA baseball card brand evolved from BAZOOKA Bubble Gum.

16A: Indonesian Island: BALI. Sometimes the answer is JAVA.

18A: Fashion issue: ELLE

19A: Awesome: RAD. Read this article about our fellow LAT solver Kathleen Wolf (WM). She is so talented.

20A: Uncle of Prince Wm.: EDW. Prince Edward.

21A: Kind of identity: SEXUAL. Should have got SEXUAL immediately after I filled in X from the intersecting "horny" IBEX (11D: Alpine goat).

23A: Curse: SWEAR

25A: Acrylic from DuPont: ORLON. ON is a suffix suggesting textile fiber. Same as NYLON, also coined by DuPont.

28A: Visitors from afar?: ETS. Nailed it immediately.

29A: Breathing heavily, perhaps: LABORING. I was picturing football players breathing heavily in the football field.

31A: __ rule: MOB. Mine was AS A.

32A: Marked by obscenities, say: RATED R

35A: Mariner's dir.: SSE. Had difficulty obtaining this dir.

36A: Cellar prefix: OENO. Prefix for wine. Oenophile refers to one who loves wine.

37A: "Don't change a thing!": I LOVE IT. I felt stupid struggling with this answer.

39A: "Composer" of "Fanfare for the Common Cold": P.D.Q. BACH. Sigh. He stumped me again, even with the Composer in quotation mark.

41A: Slalom feature: GATE

44A: Pistol-packing pacer: DUELER. Nice alliterative p p p clue.

45A: U.K. honor: OBE (Order of the British Empire)

46A: Suspicious looks: FISHEYES. New word to me.

48A: Skip: LAM. Verb?

50A: Fix, as a reed instrument: REPAD. No idea. Need KittyB/Jazzbumpa to explain.

54A: Sci-fi psychic: EMPATH. I only know empathy.

56A: "Anna and the King" actress Ling: BAI. Do you like her hair? BAI is "White" in Chinese.

58A: Workers' rights gp. since 1919: ILO (International Labor Organization)

59A: Mexican kin: TIOS

60A: Battle fatigue: RUN ON EMPTY. Had difficulty obtaining this answer also.

64A: Rumors: TALK. I was looking for a S ending word of course.

65A: Sign of possession: APOSTROPHE. What a simple yet tricky clue!

66A: Singles: ONES

67A: Cats' get-together: JAM SESSION. Oh, Jazz "Cats".

Down:

1D: Some radio users: CB'ERS

2D: TV drama whose title appeared on a California license plate: LA LAW. New to me. Susan Dey is all I know about LA LAW.

3D: Sodium __: salt used in airbag systems: AZIDE. Also new to me.

4D: Stooge with bangs: MOE. Larry, MOE and Curly.

5D: Coca-Cola quencher: POWERADE

7D: Korea automaker bought by GM: DAEWOO. Ha ha, I had no idea that GM owns DAEWOO. DAE is big, WOO is universe. I can tell the literal meaning by its Hanja characters.

8D: IHOP orders: OJS

9D: Trouble: WOE. Wrote down ADO first.

10D: "Naughty Marietta" costar (1935): NELSON EDDY. Stranger to me. Greta Garbo came to my mind when I read the movie title and the year of production. Jeanette MacDonald is the other costar.

12D: Fast-food combo order: VALUE MEAL

13D: Just like that: ALL AT ONCE. So simple in retrospect.

22D: College dept.: ENG

24D: Naproxen brand: ALEVE. Did not know the meaning of naproxen, though I often see ALEVE, Advil & Tylenol commercials on TV.

26D: Santa Fe et al.: Abbr.: RRS. Was this a gimme to you? I've never heard of Santa Fe Railroad.

27D: Have a problem ordering sirloin steak?: LISP. Clever clue.

32D: Verdi classic: RIGOLETTO. No, nope. AIDA is the only Verdi I know.

33D: Hank Aaron, by birth: ALABAMIAN. Stumper for me. Hank Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama. He is Dennis' favorite player.

34D: Family tree?: TOTEM POLE

36D: Large and then some: OBESE

38D: Mystery novelist Gerritsen: TESS. Holy moley, a Chinese American novelist. Sorry, I don't know you.

40D: They want to know: QUERIERS. I like the clue, though querier sounds like a made-up word. I suppose you can ER every verb.

43D: Solution reaction: AHA. Nice one.

46D: Budgetary excess: FAT. New definition of FAT to me.

47D: Adorn in relief: EMBOSS

51D: Longstocking of kids' books: PIPPI. Faintly remember this character. I was brought up by my grandma who did not read or write. So my exposure to any kind of kids' books (even Chinese ones) was almost zero.

52D: Notwithstanding that, informally: ALTHO

53D: Elder statesman: DOYEN. I kept thinking Cato the Elder. Anyway, I was more familiar with doyenne. Helen Thomas is often called doyenne of the White House press corps.

55D: Names, as a price: ASKS. Wish I were brave enough to haggle for a better price at baseball card show or flea market.

57D: Chamber opening?: ANTE. Antechamber is new word to me.

61D: Put __ fight: UP A

62D: Pierre, e.g.: NOM. Pierre is just a French name.

63D: Perps' patterns: MOS. I know MO is modus operandi, but the plural of modus operandi is modi operandi.

Answer grid.

C.C.

48 comments:

  1. Wow big man...where's your first post this morning?

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  2. To those who know Dennis, no more explanation is necessary; To those who don't know him, no more explanation is necessary either. There, Anonymous, I give you the last attention you don't deserve. Now leave.

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  3. Good morning, everyone. Early start to get to the quilt show in Sisters (3 hour drive).

    C.C., the baseball cards were always packed with a sheet of Bazooka bubble gum. The lack of same today must be the result of the popularity of collecting sports cards. Related? Yes, sired by.

    A tough one to muddle through, but lost of quality fill. PDQBACH was a gimmee for me. I'm a big fan. Reed and wind instruments have holes that need to be closed to change their tone. If the pads that cover those holes develop leaks, the instrument is ready for a REPAD. No, I don't like the hair. Think it looks ridiculous. Check out the RRS on a Monopoly set. Santa Fe is there.

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  4. CC: Learning more about your amazing life is why I read your solves...Is your Grandmother still living to see how well you`ve done?

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  5. Good morning CC et al., This one was a definate slog. A lot of unknowns. Made me want to 'swear', but after all was said and done...HELLO! The sun came out! Heated me right up! Had to LMAO when 'sexual' came through crossing 'value meal' and 'niels' 'bohr'. CC, your comment on 21A Sexual crossing 11D Ibex made me LOL. I misssed that one. So many DFs in this one, if I only had the time.

    I'm w/Crockett, PDQ Bach was a gimme, as was Verdi's Rigoletto. Good stuff, Maynard.

    I am 'run'ning on empty' myself. The wedding is consuming me. Doing 'pre-nups' bothers me. I get the reason, but it seems to cast more than a shadow of doubt on the union. Maybe it's just me.

    Off to shop with the bride. I love this day!

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  6. @Jerome
    Good point you raised yesterday about how long it can take to do an early week puzzle. As you imply,there is no relationship between day-of-the-week difficulty level and how long it takes to create a puzzle. At times, I have spent twice as long creating a Monday/ Tuesday puzzle than I have creating a Thursday / Friday puzzle. And just as often, the reverse is true. Each puzzle is an island unto itself.

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  7. Good morning, C.C. and all,

    A hard slog this morning, but I finally finished with a little red letter and Gspot help.

    Re Santa Fe, there is an old chant, maybe a radio ad, that goes, " the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe"
    Somehow, this stuck in my mind.

    As for Bai and your link question, are you sure you did not mean pair?

    I have not had time for much posting lately, as I have a new occupation - lawn watering. We have had over thirty consecutive days with temps over 95, and NO RAIN. Farmers and ranchers are broke, cattle are dying. There is a big dome of high pressure centered over S. Texas that refuses to budge.

    I have been lurking a lot and have enjoyed everyone's posts except for Anon of recent days.

    Have a great weekend!

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  8. Good Morning All, I got ELIE WIESEL, NIELS BOHR and RIGOLETTO right away, but after that the puzzle looked like an old, broken down picket fence for quite a while. After a while, it just looked like a wall that a couple of MACK trucks had smashed the corners off. Those nine and ten letter fills on the corners furnished lots of "Aha" moments.

    BAZOOKA JOE looked vaguely familiar. Does anybody know why he wears an eyepatch? Usually those mishaps are explained somewhere along the line.

    PDQ BACH was a fun fill. Here's just a little giggle to encourage finding more.

    The Monopoly railroads are the Reading, Pennsylvania, B&O (Baltimore & Ohio) and Short Line. Here's On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe.

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  9. Hi Everyone and CC- don't know what I would do without your help on this one. The ole brain was tired this morning.
    Tough puzzle for me even though I did get upper left corner pretty quickly
    Thank goodness for my 3 Stooges knowledge to start!
    Looks like a lot of nastiness from anons since I was last on the site. Sorry to see that but glad all the wittiest amongst you took care of them!
    I am working way to much these days to even sign on but I enjoy each and every one of your posts!
    Gorgeous day in Chicago- out to the yard to dig!
    Take care Joan

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  10. Too much culture and a lame brain again today. I had to give up on paper and came here to get it done. Busy day ahead. Have a good one all of you.

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  11. I'm from Assam and it feels good to see my state listed here.
    I've been a constant follower of this blog(check it everyday without fail).
    The blog was also mentioned in our local San Jose Mercury News as the link to see the crossword solution.
    Way to go CC!

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  12. Good morning, C.C. and gang - late post this morning, as we have house guests for the weekend.

    GREAT puzzle today, lots of 'huh?' moments. I love the longer answers in puzzles, and this one had plenty. Additionally, very clever cluing, with 'Sign of possession', 'Cats' get-together' and 'Have problems ordering sirloin steak?'. Unknowns for me included Bai Ling and Tess Gerritsen

    Today is Cheer Up the Lonely Day (and boy, don't we all know one here), and World Population Day.

    Today's Words of Wisdom: "When I was young, there was no respect for the young, and now that I am old, there is no respect for the old. I missed out coming and going." -- Writer J.B. Priestley

    Mr. Fun Facts is taking the day off.

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  13. Great puzzle today! Loved solving it. Great work John.

    Barry Silk

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  14. Hey, hey,

    I knew most of the answers; too bad I didn't get the questions. I even missed my aha moment on the AHA answer. I'm going to sulk now, be back later. :~)

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  15. Good morning CC and all,

    I loved the design of this c/w.1,15,17 A and again 60,65,and 67 A.Wish I could shout "Aha!", but I googled way too much. It was interesting, even the salt in the airbag systems; not so excited about orlon, but a good guess.

    So many unknown people.

    Loved the bookAnna and the King and the movie, but did not recall Bai Ling.

    CA, thanks for the PDQ Bach. Will watch more later.

    "Pippi" had bright red pigtails that stood straight out on each side.She was so strong that she could carry her horse.

    Fav clues: family tree and cats get together

    WM, loved LOVED that beautiful review. It's all true. Hope your turn out was as good last night.

    The song clip that I added last night had a great story behind it. A Canadian musician's guitar was mishandled and broken by UAL, who wouldn't pay for it, thus the song.

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  16. I'm still worn out from working on this morning's puzzle. It was a super challenge for me. But I agree with Barry Silk, I loved almost solving it.

    I forgot to mention I misread 59A as "Mexican kiln" (Huh??) and although I had BRITISH for 30D, RAJ took the perps to finish off. Among other fills that HAD to have perp help were TESS, BAI, ALABAMIAN and AZIDE.

    PIPPI Longstocking was a gimme. She is the lead character in a series of Swedish children's books by Astrid Lindgren. She is strong, lives alone with her horse and pet monkey and makes fun of all the pompous adults she meets. My daughter loved the books. What kid wouldn't?

    Welcome, Moon. Another San Josean heard from.

    NELSON EDDY and Jeanette MacDonald were favorites of my parents. They often harmonized to songs like Indian Love Call and Wanting You. (No wonder I grew up with a love of musicals and show business in general.) Most of us have heard Mel Brook's version in Young Frankenstein. But Jeanette and Nelson's version of Ah Sweet Mystery of Life in Naughty Marietta was the real deal.

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  17. You have to really admire a guy that can work BAZOOKAJOE into a puzzle. That BZKJ combo is marvelous. And PDQBACH, one vowel! This puzzle, I liked it all... every bit of it.

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  18. Cheery good morning...First off...thank you C.C. for the lovely compliment...we finally got to see the article last night and it was 2 1/2 pgs with color photos!Woo Hoo!

    I actually thought this puzzle was much easier than Friday's. First fill TESS, even though I haven't read any of her books...???Liked ASSAM and TEA, APOSTROPHE, JAMSESSION. Like PDQBACH and got OBE right off. It was a toss-up for EDW or AND(rew) momentarily. DUELER had me for a bit but this one actually had enough perps to fill eveything in...trust me, I was very surprised.

    Re: ANONS...people, I know it is upsetting, but why martyr these people and make them more important by ranting at them. We all know who we are and this is a lovely community. If you were at a party and there was an obnoxious drunk you would most likely avoid them until they were escorted out and on their way, let's do the same here.

    My SIL says that there are people who just cruise through blogs(by clicking on next blog) and leave caustic remarks to agitate regular bloggers...the most recent seems like a lurker, but still...ignore the elephant in the room and don't feed the trolls. Each response elicits further contact and no one needs to defend themselves. So please...as hard as it is , sit on your hands until the urge passes...no response to the trolls will help to remove their malicious fun. Okay?

    So, everyone have a great day and let's move forward. :o)

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  19. Hi all,
    I'm finding if I start the late week puzzles in the evening and finish up the next morning I do better. Maybe my brain mulls it over as I sleep!

    I got bazooka joe but was puzzled because I didn't know azide.
    Fish eyse did me in and did British Raj.

    Told the heat pump story to my hubby last night. He roared!

    We're working on outside window trim today. May be too hot to work this afternoon.

    Have a great day.

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  20. Hello All--I did this puzzle on-line with quite a few red letters, but managed to finish it all. Didn't know PDQ Bach--Thanks for the link C.C.

    My favorite clues were: Problems ordering sirloin steak and Sign of possession.

    My parents, too, loved Nelson Eddy so knew the answer to "Naughty Marietta" clue right away.

    A new word for me today was Empath. After looking it up when I finished the CW it made perfect sense as it is a person with a hightly developed sense of empathy. Also, Queriers came with the perps, but it sounds strange to me. Also a new word in my vacabulary. I wonder how a person uses this in everyday conversation?

    PJB: Well said yesterday evening.

    Moon: Another San Josean? We'll have to have a mini convention.

    Busy day today. Making apricot jam.

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  21. Wow, I thought this one was hard. Some stuff I've never heard of. I kept trying to get "Henry Aaron" into that slot that came out "Alabamian." Weird. Also had trouble with "British Raj." I googled it and still it didn't come up. There's song in the musical "Guys and Dolls" called ADELAIDE'S LAMENT; she sings, "I'm tired of getting the fish eye, from the hotel clerk!" That doesn't mean that I got it... It sat blank for a long long time.
    Empath is a strange word. I also kept trying "perfect" rather than "I love it." I think that's a stretch. "On the lam" is a criminal phrase that means "get out of town" or "disappear." I had to look up quite a few. What are red letters??? Thanks for this help. It's great.

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  22. Good afternoon everyone. I read thru the puzzle and knew only two short ones (Tess and Pippi), so I didn't even try.
    But Tess Gerritsen's books are great. They are mysteries with a medical background. So do try some of hers. She's one of my favorites.

    C.C. Thanks for sending me to WM's article about her work. Fascinating. I know others had the link, but I was lazy.

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  23. 23:16 today. I think this may be my favorite puzzle of the year so far. Look at that sparkling fill! BAZOOKA JOE, PDQ BACH, BRITISH RAJ! I love it all.

    Yeah, it took me 23 minutes, but it was 23 minutes that was exceptionally well-spent. Thank you John Farmer!

    Missteps? Yeah, I had a few, notably in the NW corner where I filled in CHIPS for the California license plate at first (I've never seen LA Law). And, to compound things, I filled in BARON (thinking of a German baron with an eyepatch) where BAZOOKA should have gone. I can tell you these two errors took a good long while to get straightened out. Interestingly, it was DAEWOO that eventually led the way out of the morass (I have a DAEWOO DVD player but had no idea they also made cars).

    @c.c.: I kinda like BAI Ling's hair--maybe not so much the colored streaks, but long, straight hair does it for me, so I'm willing to forgive that.

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  24. WM, You are so right and I WILL remember in the future.

    About hurt feelings, in general - Nursing secret grudges is neither helpful nor healthful. If an inappropriate comment is made, a little "Oops, too far? Sorry" goes a long way. Most of us have said things that we thought were amusing and they fell totally flat when they showed up in writing. I've both apologized and been apologized to. I've seen it happen dozens of times and we've all understood how a comment can go wrong, let it go, and got on with enjoying the blog.

    Example...Embien, long straight hair AND tee shirts and panties? "Oops, too far? Sorry." Totally kidding here and I think you are a lucky man and your wife is a very forgiving woman. :o)

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  25. @JJ: If you do the puzzle online using the stupid LA Times applet in regular mode, any incorrect letters will show up in red. Thus, you know immediately if you've made a mistake. Takes all the fun out of it for me.

    I personally prefer using Across Lite as it has a much better user interface than the LA Times applet. You can find the online LA Times puzzle here (link is at the top of c.c.'s blog page) LA Times puzzle.

    If you prefer the superior Across Lite interface, you can find the puzzle at cruciverb.com.

    You can download the Across Lite software (free). The best version is at NY Times site

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  26. @clear ayes: Actually, my wife has short hair.

    And when she was canning peaches I don't think she looked particularly alluring (being drenched in sweat), though tee shirt and panties is usually a good look (for my tastes).

    Your point is well-taken, though. I made a flip comment a few months ago that I regret to this day, based on some subsequent posts (and no, I'm not going back there).

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  27. CA...well said.

    I did mean to throw in a very well done for John Farmer and his terrifically fun puzzle.

    Embien...as always, a gentleman.

    Argyle...LOL, I often find that after finally completing a Fri/Sat puzzle that I intially thought un-doable that I also knew all the answers! Rich Norris is guy that zings us! Clever fellow.

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  28. Crockett1947,
    I have two minor connections to Sisters, Or. First, I passed through there on the return leg of a motorcycle trip in 1994 that ended (or turned around) on Vancouver Island. I often wonder how it has changed since then.
    Second, I subscribe to a quarterly, The Small Farmers' Journal, devoted to farming with draft horses, that is published in Sisters by Lynn Miller.
    Hope you enjoyed your trip there.

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  29. WM: I`ve been remiss in not offering my congratulations on your Art Show...I have an Aunt by marriage (not the one with the woogity eye :) who also paints from photos and pictures...but hers are much like her models...I like the fact that you put your own personal "spin" on each one. Your sun-washed colors also appeal to me. (In my veddy best Brittish accent) "Good Show!"

    I froze our 3 gallons of plums and will do jelly when the weather cools...I did make one plum cobbler because I was asked to...

    "See" all ya`ll in several days.

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  30. I subscribe to a quarterly, The Small Farmers' Journal

    That's surprising -- I always pictured you as tall.

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  31. OK, I'm back.

    Here is an EMPATH I think we have had before. Counselor Deanna Troi is a half-human/half-Betazoid empath with the ability to read emotions and sense what is happening around her.

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  32. Sallie...thanks for the recommendation, I am always looking for good mystery writers...and I am a CSI fan and enjoy Kathy Reichs' books, so those sound perfect.

    And Lemonade from yesterday...and Linda today...and anyone else I missed...thank you.

    Dennis.re: Small Farmer's Journal...LMAO!! WH? are you out there?

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  33. WM,
    "Are you out there?"
    I am so far "out there" I can't see here from there.

    Dennis:
    Sending you the "evidence" by Email. And yes, that's the first time I've ever heard that joke. Not.

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  34. Ok, but please, no more naked pictures.

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  35. Dennis:
    The Irish made me quit giving those away. She has a concession with a dartboard manufacturer and a party game maker. They call it "Pin the $&@! On the Windhover.

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  36. Just returned from the art/wine show. Elissa's scarves are luscious; there are so many different ones, all works of art. It sure was easier to see them hanging than in our laps when WM and I 1st saw them. She's also selling her book, a wonderful read,Lawyer, Liar, Pants on Fire.

    Sallie, thanks for the tip on Tess Gerritsen. I also like mysteries, and read K. Reichs. Patricia Cornwell is good too.. am finishing up Trace.

    Dennis@3:49... LMAO

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  37. I confess to being fairly stumped by many of the clues today. I was proud that I knew Elie Wiesel right off the bat, and had an aha moment when I saw LA LAW. I remember now the license plate in the opening scene.

    Didn't know POWERADE was owned by Coca Cola, never heard of PDQ BACH, just feeling a little dumb.

    Trimming the FAT off the budget would be to cut the excess, so I actually got that one.

    Busy at baseball games this weekend, so late to post. It is a long drive each way to these tournaments (over an hour each way). I am a little tired of the car rides, but also know that I only have a few short years left of watching kids play. Trying to savor the time with them as best as I can. At least it was a beautiful day. Dusty though, as we desperately need rain.

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  38. Lots of interesting and often funny posts today.

    GAH and I will be entertaining more Swedish visitors for the next few days. I know, you are all wondering, "How many Swedish relatives can she possibly have?" The answer is, "A lot" and they all seem to want to visit California. The Swedish kroner is pretty strong against the dollar! We'll be doing the typical Mother Lode sightseeing with trips to Yosemite and panning for gold for the kids.

    Be back when I can.

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  39. Hi Gang -

    Crocket covered REPAD nicely.

    I worked the puzzle (sort of) in the car on the way to T-Town (the LW was driving.) Over an hour AT IT and still wound up with a desert peninsula of blank white squares in the SW corner.

    I had GATE, ONES and ASKS, but could get no further. For my money, opera can stay in the desert. Wouldn't have gotten TOTEM POLE, ever.

    Lots of great fills, and a pangram TO BOOT!

    But - If Battle fatigue relates to RUN ON EMPTY, somebody please explain it to me. Also making FISH EYES at FISH EYES, I LOVE IT.

    Wasn't QUERIERS Ives' partner?

    At the end of a typical episode of Martin and Rowan's In-Laugh, Dick would ask Dan some silly question and follow it up with, "He queried."

    Many educated guesses took me as far as I could get: the whole NE corner, PDQBACH, ASSAM.

    Had a nice AHA! moment with JAM SESSION, a thing I do occasionally.

    BAZOOKA JOE would up with the eye patch in an altercation resulting from his making FISH EYES at a baritone. Bet next time he'll think twice before crossing NELSON EDDY.

    Cheers!

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  40. I like this puzzle. Am familiar with the orlon, nylon, banlon, dacron, acrilon, rayon and cotton fibers. Nylon happens to be the strongest of the bunch. Orlon is the most vibrant when dyed.

    A little nostalgia with the reference to Bazooka bubble gum. Personally, I liked fleers double bubble the best. It made the biggest bubbles.

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  41. Good evening, puzzlefriends; am late visiting yet again, but still will add in my two cents. John Farmer gets a big ole kudos for a tough, clever puzzle!

    I'm thinking I like themeless puzzles better than themed; anyone else feel that way?
    Best clue for me? 65A--apostrophe--"sign of possession"--since I was thinking of "spinning head" or "burst into flames" kinds of answers. Biggest "aha" moment was learning that someone from Alabama is Alabamian! Is our president's term be called "Obamian"?!

    Pippi Longstocking books, did you know, have been translated into over 71 languages, & that in France they changed the Pippi's name into "Fifi" because "Pippi" is too close to the word kids use for 'pee'? Finally, author Astrid Lindgren got an asteroid named after her--not very
    useful for puzzle solving, OK,but may come in handy for gameshows--or to impress young readers!

    Here's hoping Sunday puzzle is smooth sailing.

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  42. CC: In case you'd like to see Pippi Longstocking's book cover in Chinese,I found a link--sadly, I haven't yet learned how to post links, (I will, soon) but maybe you can copy/paste into your browser if you're curious!

    http://www.astridlindgren.se/sites/default/files/imagecache/lightbox/omslag2_0.png

    PJB

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  43. @clearayes Thanks for the links!

    @treefrog That could very well be the case. Our subconscious is a mysterious area.

    @embien I so agree with you. The applet on the L.A. Times site is horrid. Across Lite and cruciverb.com is the way to go.

    @windhover It was a glorious day in Sisters. Thousands of people, thousands of quilts, and absolutely pristine weather. You wouldn't recognize the place. It has grown a lot, and a good deal of that growth is due to the quilt show -- always the second Saturday of July.

    @jazzbumpa Thanks. I had to repad my flute and piccolo many times when in high school. Battle fatigue -- you need to fight the fatigue you're feeling even though you're dog tired and RUNning ON EMPTY. Hope that's good enough to let you see the light.

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  44. I just want to reiterate, and I swear on my 96 year old grandmother's grave, that I have never, ever. posted as anon. I challenge C.C. to let this post stand, so as to clear my name. My jargon? When have I never capitalized my sentences? Yes, I am a lurker now, but because I value the words of Windhover, Crockette,LemondDCCXIV, Clear I's, the fun of Lois, and Argyle, Jazz, Jimbo, Crockette, Hayrake, and even Dennis, and so many other's, after the puzzle discussion. The continuing insights of other's life experiences and accomplishments is insightful to me, and something that I appreciate. And to those who think "I protest too much", I once again swear that I have never posted as "Anon", and that your ill will should be directed at another. Lord knows, I have enough to deal with without negative karma from this blog. Again, I've taken my Loon and gone home!! I've only posted to clear my name, because it has been made clear to me that like Clear I's, I can't stand to let my honor be besmirched, without a rebuttal.

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  45. 7D is a Korean car and thus the alphabet to which you refer is Hangul. The Korean Alphabet was "invented by King SaeSak to help his people read. Cindy m

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  46. Cindy M,
    I was referring to the Hanja 大宇 (Big Universe). I don't understand Hangul at all.

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  47. I am found of tv shows. Mostly I like sports tv show. Monday Night Football tv show is my favorite tv show. Now I am searching for Download TV Shows of this serials...

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  48. Great informative post!

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