google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Monday, October 12, 2009 David W. Cromer

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Oct 12, 2009

Monday, October 12, 2009 David W. Cromer

Theme: "With "in", where our summer weather is!" - theme answers all end with synonyms of exiting.

20A: Corporate-sponsored vacation: COMPANY RETREAT.

40A: Retirement account transaction that may incur a penalty: EARLY WITHDRAWAL.

59A: Local airline trip: COMMUTER FLIGHT.

Argyle blogging.

Shivering Santa here. We get our first freeze this morning. That should stop any zucchini that maybe left.

Straightforward puzzle today. Only wish TORO (39A: Matador's foe) were clued as a "Big name in lawn mowers" to pair up with DEERE (45A: Big name in tractors). TORO is based in Minnesota.

Across:

1A: A little batty: DAFT.

10A: Skips, as ads on a taped show: ZAPS. I'm not good with this clue.

14A: "Garfield" dog: ODIE.

15A: What an ump's protector protects: CHEST. To protect them from the jabbing fingers of managers.

16A: Approximately: OR SO.

23A: Ruhr valley city: ESSEN. 28A: Mediterranean island republic: CYPRUS. 31D: River through southern Russia: URAL. 53D: "Boot" country prefix: ITALO. All part of our European vacation.

33A: Place to retire to?: BED. Yes, it is (as soon as I get this blog done.)

36A: Tournament matches before finals, briefly: SEMIS.

44A: "Iliad" setting: TROY.

47A: Challenge a verdict in a higher court: APPEAL.

50A: Money you owe: DEBT.

55A: Love poetry Muse: ERATO.

64A: "A guy walks into a bar ..." may start one: JOKE.

65A: Christener: NAMER.

66A: Go-__: small racer: KART.

70A: Herbal brews: TEAS. What's your favorite herbal tea?

Down"

1D: "La __ Vita": DOLCE. Italian for "sweet".

2D: "Later, amigo": ADIOS.

3D: Law corporations, e.g.: FIRMS

4D: Conical abode: TEEPEE.

5D: CAT procedure: SCAN.

6D: Greeting at sea: AHOY.

7D: __ cotta: TERRA. Ah, Xi'An.

8D: Colorado's __ Park: ESTES.

9D: Unwanted radio noise: STATIC.

10D: No-fly __: ZONE.

13D: Brillo rival: SOS.

21D: Unable to sit still: ANTSY.

22D: Jamie Foxx biopic about singer Charles: RAY. Great movie. Foxx got a Oscar for his performance.

35D: Bit of medicine for the eye or ear: DROP.

37D: Suffix with meteor: ITE. Meteorite.

42D: Dr. of rap: DRE.

43D: Insurrectionist: REBEL.

51D: Tots' rides: TRIKES.

56D: Wide open: AGAPE.

57D: Crowd quota?: THREE. As in "Three's a crowd".

59D: Planetary center: CORE.

60D: Cajun vegetable: OKRA. Have you tried cooking with fresh OKRA? Quite tasty.

61D: Army meal: MESS.

62D: Actress Russo: RENE. She is in "Tin Cup", one of the best golf movies.

63D: Barney's Bedrock pal: FRED. Flintstone.

64D: "Jumbo" flier: JET.

Answer grid.

Argyle

44 comments:

Hahtoolah said...

Good Morning, Argyle and CC. An easy puzzle to ease into the work week (Unfortunately, I have to work on Columbus Day).

I would not describe skipping ad on a taped TV show as ZAPS (10D). ZAPPING is what I do with food in the microwave.

Some clever clues to make up for the ease of the puzzle: A place to retire (33A): BED and Crowd Quota (57D): THREE were fun clues.

Although it isn't freezing here, at least we are not still in that SERIOUS HUMID weather again today. I think it will only be "about" 75".

QOD: You might as well fall flat on your face as lean over too far backwards. ~ James Thurber.

Martin said...

Great puzzle. Absolutely fantastic!

Okay, now I know that no matter what else I say the constructor won't get angry at me. :)

I had TiVOS for ZAPS, RIO for BED (it does sound like a nice retirement destination, doesn't it?) and MONEY WITHDRAWAL for EARLY WITHDRAWAL and then I checked the down clues and cleared everything up.

I didn't really bother to check yesterday but it seems that pure is pronounced like "pyer" in American English and like "pyoor" (rhymes with "door") in British English. That seems definitive. Here it is also pronounced like pyoor but here it is pronounced like pyer.

Martin

Hahtoolah said...

I found the theme a bit too subtle for me today. I easily got all the responses, but even after looking at all the long clues, didn't see the common thread.

Dick said...

Good morning Argyle, C.C. and all, a very easy puzzle today and I was able to finish as quickly as I could write. On another note the Pittsburgh Post Gazette has started running non LAT puzzles for awhile because people were complaining that the LAT puzzles were too difficult. This was week two of a four week trial run of the Sunday Puzzler distributed by United Media. For me the puzzles were far too easy, but I have a chance to offer my opinion which I will do.

Not much I can say about today’s LAT for, as I said above, it was very easy and straight forward.

We had frost here again last night and the remainder of the week looks like the highs will be in the low 50’s. Guess golf season is rapidly coming to a close.

Hope you all have a great Monday.

kazie said...

G'morning Argyle, C.C. et al.

I agree with Hahtool on ZAPS. I also didn't see any theme thread. It's not too strong anyway. You can be in flight without exiting. I am "in flight" when I'm halfway across the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, but am I exiting the USA or headed towards the destination?

Martin,
I can see you don't like losing an argument! That comes of being a teacher, I'm that way too.

Not too many comments yet for such an easy puzzle. Maybe everyone is getting over their weekend? Or sleeping in if they are among the few who get this "public" holiday in the US? Or maybe just can't find anything worth commenting on.

We had frost over the weekend here in SW WI, but today an inch of snow is predicted, so I'd better walk the dog before it arrives.

3 of Four said...

Morning all:

Great write up Big A...

Possible theme question - Answer to the "Fight or ?"

Easy peasy lemon squeezy Monday Xword!

Anonymous said...

It is morning, but I am not going for good today. Thought my cold was exiting, but had somewhat of a relapse last night and feeling really crummy today. The good news is they are predicting three inches of snow - yes they say it may set a record for this early in October. Other than a doctor appointment, I can just stay in and curl up today. If you can call that good news. The snow certainly makes one want to stay in though. It is pretty to look at.

I thought this puzzle too easy and the theme a little vague. Thanks for figuring it out Argyle. ZAPS felt completely wrong to me also, and I had the same favorite clues as Hahtool, but they didn't make me smile quite enough. Wow, I guess I am a little grouchy today.

My mother-in-law was up from Wednesday through Sunday. Each year I host her to attend our kids Grandparents Day at school. We always do the crosswords together, which is very nice. It was a little bittersweet this time though, as her completion of puzzles tends to emphasize her aging. She used to be quite good at completing them. I really worked at helping her be successful in completing them as the answers were often painfully obvious - things I knew that several years ago she would have gotten lickety-split. My husband just told me that they lost her luggage on the way home also:-(

On a more positive note, we did complete the NY Times Thursday puzzle (it was from September in our paper) and it was a fabulous puzzle. I never would have taken the time to complete it but for the fact that it was quality time spent with her. The theme was BOTTOMS UP and all the theme answers had descriptions of bottoms (FANNY, REAR, etc.) and were solved from the bottom going up to the top. We were so proud when we got it all.

Sorry to go on so long. It's just that I think this group will identify with this more than most. It's a tough time of life to go through, watching parents age like that.

hypatia1 said...

Good morning all.
Am still reeling from difficulty over yesterday's "LA Times Magazine puzzle" (only partially blogged at Crossword Fiend). Merl really outdid himself. How about "A TOM MIX SUBMARINE" and "HUGH HEFNER RIGHT / TO REMAIN SILENT" with theme being "The Full Name Game"? Crosses not easy either! (You have to be well along in years to remember Tom Mix, I think.)
Enjoyed today's relief puzzle. Didn't think ZAP was particularly apt.

kazie said...

KQ,
I had similar experiences with my m-i-l before she died. However, it's a gift, to be able to enjoy parents as they age. I lost both of my own when I was only 28, and hadn't the maturity to appreciate what I was losing. Only the selfish feeling that I didn't know what my life would be like without them.

MH said...

This was a nice-n-easy puzzle for a Columbus Day. Used to be that puzzles would take on the theme of a holiday. I was OK with ZAPS - it's an all purpose word for removing things. It's been a while since I posted but I usually read the blog after completing the puzzle. Does everyone else think that the puzzles have been really easy in the past few month? Even the Thursday and Friday puzzles rarely stump me like they used to. Or maybe I'm just getting SO much better at solving (not!).

A.R.E. said...

C.C.,

Good day to you and all the other Crossword Corner bloggers!

Another easy Monday for the LA Times puzzle. Under 8 Minutes, no mistakes and no g-spotting. I'm just not that good.

My local paper has taken advantage of Wayne Robert Williams new service and is now printing his puzzles (replacing the Universal Syndicate puzzles Monday - Sat, but using the LA Times puzzle on Sundays).

I don't think WRW is using outside freelancers as it seems that he is doing all the puzzles himself. I remember when a lot of the bloggers were upset when the Chicago Tribune shut down their crossword operation and let go of Mr. Williams. Now that I am doing his puzzles again, I find them lacking. Too many obscure references to Catholic vestments, Latin phrases, unusual abbreviations, etc. Of all the puzzles, I like the LA Times best (especially Mr. Naddor’s puzzles) and am glad to have the opportunity to solve them on-line (as my local paper wimped out and went another direction after the LA Times puzzles were criticized).

Enjoy the Columbus Day Holiday,

A.R.E.

Moon said...

Good Morning!
This was as easy as it could get...I did have one mistake though..spelt GO KART as GO CART.
I liked the theme.
Fav clues (same as Hahtool's): BED and THREE.

Good blogging, Argyle.

CC, where art thou?

Pretty chilly here for an Oct morning..plus there's a storm approaching which will bring rain tomorrow...not looking forward to it.
On the bright side, the Indy Colts did play well on Primetime.

Have a great Monday!

Al said...

This seemed pretty easy even for a Monday to me, but since it IS Monday, I guess that's OK. I did this as all downs, and to get the happy pencil I only had to check perps for one letter, which I had simply mistyped along the way. Ural = mountains and river. Aral = sea, and I knew that, just couldn't type it. All of the across clues, including the theme, were lost on me.

I don't know if this really counts, but red Rooibos is made from the needles of a shrub, so if "herbal" tea is defined as anything else that does not come from a true tea plant, then that's mine.

Columbus day? Just another workday to me, but every day is a gift. That's why they call it the present.

Jazzbumpa said...

Hi gang -

I solved the puzzle in a rush, then tried to figure the theme out later, with it not in front of me, and couldn't do it. Obvious, now that it's been pointed out.

Guess I'm having a bad theme week.

KQ -
I understand the aging parent situation. I thing I had to teach myself is to be patient with my mother. Not hard, just requires paying some attention to the concept. She's going pretty strong at 89. My M-I-L is 80, and not doing quite so well. That's why we travel to T-town with such frequency.

In my midwestern dialect POOR rhymes with DOOR, and PURE rhymes with SURE (Though SURE lacks the buried "Y" sound of PURE, insead mutating the "S" into an "SH.") But POUR does not rhyme with SOUR. At least not at this early HOUR.

Aren't diphthongs wonderful?

Cheers!
JzB the POOR PURE SOUR trombonist

Anonymous said...

MH, because you haven't been here for a while, Dan Naddor has eased up on puzzles due to complaints that they were too difficult. So you are right, they have gotten easier all week long.

Moon, Argyle always does Monday's puzzles, and CC usually has him do Tuesday's too, although sometimes a guest blogger does it.

When is Dennis expected to return? Seems like he has been gone quite a long time.

Anonymous said...

I whipped through this puzzle today 8 minutes 9 seconds.

Everything is going great our play "Bull in A China Shop" closed last night.

After doing 2 B2B I need a break. A third play is currently holding auditions. But I'm going to help out backstage and work on set construction for this one.

RSD

Anonymous said...

I know that Jeannie sends out recipes for entrees but I got a recipe from a friend that I was cast in a play with.

Pumpkin cookie sandwich

2 eggs
2 cups dark brown sugar
(firmly packed 1 lb bag)
1 cup canola
1 tsp vanilla
blend until smooth(brown sugar will lighten in color)
then add (1) 15 oz can of pumpkin
sift together
3 cups unbleached flour
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
[ratio= 4 parts cinnamon, 2 parts ginger, 1 part ground cloves]
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

add slowly to pumpkin mixture

heat oven to 350 use ungreased cookie sheet.
Drop by rounded tbsp about 1 1/2 inches apart kind of flatten each pillow of dough or cookies will end up very fat. Bake until the dough just resists indentation, about 15 minutes. A slight browning on the edges of some cookies may be seen. Do not over bake cool slightly remove form sheet to finish cooling

Once cool ice with butter cream icing and glue two cookies together making small pumpkin cookie sandwiches. Makes about 3 dozen iced cookies.

Butter cream icing

4 oz Neufchatel cheese
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2 tsp vanilla
4-5 cups confectioners sugar

in a 4 cups bowl blend 1st three ingredients well add enough sugar to spreading consistency. Color if desired.


RSD

Bill G. said...

Nice blogging as usual. Thanks.

Hypatia1 said: "Am still reeling from difficulty over yesterday's "LA Times Magazine puzzle" (only partially blogged at Crossword Fiend). Merl really outdid himself."

I find the LAT puzzles on the LAT website. There used to be three choices for Sunday; Daily, Calendar and Magazine. Now only two (no Magazine puzzle). The Calender puzzle was by Sylvia Burzstyn. I didn't see any by Merl. What am I missing?

Al said...

@BillG, it can be found here:

PJB-Chicago said...

Good morning, all.
The puzzle suited my mood, this morning. As Monday's go, it was fine; neither a no-brainer, nor a waste of time. At least I know I started off the day getting something done & done right. Agree that ZAPS was a little "off" and like Argyle's suggestion about a clue for TORO. I also paused at "place to retire" because my pen wanted to fill in FLA, the state where I started life and where some people go upon retiring, but BED is a much better answer!

While on my pilgrimages by trains to and from work, I notice that most of my fellow crossword solvers are of my generation or older. I wish that there were some way to get more "next generation" puzzlers on board. The young'uns seem to prefer Sudoku or texting answers to the "caption contests" with the funny photos.

Watching a parent age or/and losing a parent are things for which I suspect most of us feel unprepared. Best we can do seems to be treasure the time and memories we do have. Hate to wax all philosophical, when I probably should be signing up for iceskating lessons or practicing making snow angels. Freshly vacuumed carpeting's not a bad place to perfect your technique! Mud is just too messy, but still fun. Haven't done THAT in a long time.
Be well.

Lemonade714 said...

Good morning:

A really nice Monday, never got the theme, did not need it; love some of the clues, and will not complain about the TEA as clue and answer. Wanted to add LA DOLCE VITA a very entertaining movie featuring a beautiful young Anita Ekberg, and Anouk Aimee and handsome as ever Marcello Mastroianni, directed by FELLINI; and, a better picture of RENE RUSSO who certainly added much to the Lethal Weapon movie series. A link to a Three’s a Crowd, also being THREE’S COMPANY which introduced us to the ageless Suzanne Somers. Or some original Ray Charles and friends .

Sallie, I cannot believe you posted the Ogden Nash Columbus poem last night, as I have been waiting all week to post it today! For those of you who are unfamiliar with either the poem, or the poet, please read yesterday’s post.

While we all miss Dennis and some of out other regulars like Elissa, and Tarra Jo, it is nice to hear from all the newbies. Please send C.C. some pics, and your general geography for the atlas and your birthday for the record books. Happy week

Clear Ayes said...

Good Morning All. Argyle, I loved your take on the theme. Still lots of summer weather left in Northern California, at least until tomorrow. The forecasts are 90% chance of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday.

I was OK with ZAPS. According to one Mirriam-Webster definition, it is "used to indicate a sudden or instantaneous occurrence". That would apply to ZAPing past a commercial or a quick cook in a microwave oven.

I wasn't crazy about TEAs as an answer to 70A and in a clue "Iced tea flavor" for LEMON (54D).

Thanks to Jerome, I am learning to appreciate the more easily solved puzzles. We know Mondays will be pretty easy, but a clever theme series adds that extra pizazz.

I liked both "Insurrectionist" (a five syllable word clue on a Monday!) for REBEL and "Place to retire to" for BED.

OK Dennis, the vacation is over. Time to get back to the blog.

Nice to hear from all the Canadian puzzlers yesterday. Come back and visit often.

carol said...

Hi Argyle, CC and all -
I have been too busy to do the puzzles this past week/week-end. Today's was very easy..no problem at all, so not much to write about.

Where are Dennis, Tarrajo, Elissa, Lois and a few others??? We miss you!

Our carpeting is due to be installed on Wed and after that I can get my house back in some sort of order - geez, the place looks like we're moving out! With the interior re-painted and the new carpeting throughout the main floor, it will look like a new place! I'll be glad when it's all done!

Warren said...

Hi Argyle and C.C. & gang, it was a very easy Monday puzzle (again) but I never picked up a theme until I came here...

Without Dennis appearing here's some inspirational quotes from link

"Let us endeavor to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry. " --- Mark Twain

"The largest living land mammal is the absent mind." --- Capt. Beefheart

"My mother drew a distinction between achievement and success. She said that achievement is the knowledge that you have studied and worked hard and done the best that is in you. Success is being praised by others. That is nice but not as important or satisfying. Always aim for achievement and forget about success --- Helen Hayes

"Keep a good heart. That's the most important thing in life. It's not how much money you make or what you can acquire. The art of it is to keep a good heart." --- Joni Mitchell

When one tugs at a single thing in Nature, he finds it hitched to the rest of the Universe." --- John Muir

embien said...

3:49 today. I do believe that is my fastest LA Times solve, ever (I don't attempt to "speed solve", just fill things in at a steady pace).

My theme was "y'er outta here", coupling the puzzle (with a stretch) to the baseball playoffs. I got the theme immediately, though it didn't help with filling in any entries. I expect that our Minnesota contingent isn't here blogging due to drowning their sorrows after last night's game.

@KQ: I also enjoyed last Thursday's syndicated NY Times puzzle ("bottoms up"). The easing of the LA Times clueing has widened the gap between the NY and LA puzzles considerably--to the LA Times' detriment, IMHO.

Bill G. said...

Lots of clever clues in today's USA Today puzzle I thought.

embien said...

To Beth (from Sunday): I am far from a young sprout, as I'm happily collecting social security (thanks all you younger people for supporting me, lol).

I've been doing the crossword puzzles for several years and do the LA Times (the one in this blog) and NY Times (syndicated) every day, though I probably only get the Friday/Saturday NY Times about 50% of the time.

Oh, and I'm far from the fastest solver on this blog--I'd expect that honor to fall to Dennis, Crockett or Argyle (and probably others who don't post times). And, yes, as Annette mentioned, the times I post are only relative to my own solving speed. I don't "speed solve" (attempt to get through a puzzle really fast), so the times are a relative measure of difficulty--for me. That's how I know a time of over 20 minutes on Sunday is a "difficult" puzzle for me, as I'd guess I usually average around 17-18 minutes on Sunday LA Times.

Sorry if this is too much information for some, I do tend to blather on.

Anonymous said...

Lemonade, sorry to steal your thunder. I was inspired because our minister used it in the readings for yesterday's service. As I can't hear at all well and missed some, I googled it and felt it should be printed.

ClearAyes, I loved your three kinds of sofas and living rooms. As my relatives are all Canadian, those words resonated with me.

Had to erase dolt for 1A. I didn't much like Christener as a clue for namer.

Passed my yearly mammogram, thank heavens.

Cheers

Crockett1947 said...

@a.r.e. I have also found the WRW puzzles to be steeped in the obscure and inane. His Wednesday quotes/quips are no fun either. It's better than what we had in the Oregonian, but I have to revert to old habits and use the g-spot to get some of his references.

@jazzbumpa I so enjoy your posts. Is the trombone something an old tuba/flute/piccolo player can pick up? I've always wanted to play one, and here I am into retirement and haven't acted on it yet.

@kq I think you meant to say that Rich has lightened up on the puzzles during the week. We've seen a lot of Dan's puzzles, but he's not responsible for the entire week.

Happy Thanksgiving Day to our Canadian bloggers.

@embien I don't usually time my solves. When I do bother, you are usually a step or two ahead of me.

@sallie Congratulations!

Clear Ayes said...

We left coasters are counting on some good soaking rain in the next couple of days. Maybe posting this poem will give us some good luck. If not, it is still a beautiful poem. I love the phrase "vapory amethyst", such delicate imagery.

Before The Rain

We knew it would rain, for all the morn
A spirit on slender ropes of mist
Was lowering its golden buckets down
Into the vapory amethyst.
Of marshes and swamps and dismal fens—
Scooping the dew that lay in the flowers,
Dipping the jewels out of the sea,
To sprinkle them over the land in showers.
We knew it would rain, for the poplars showed
The white of their leaves, the amber grain
Shrunk in the wind—and the lightning now
Is tangled in tremulous skeins of rain!

- Thomas Bailey Aldrich
(written in 1880)

Carol2 said...

Hi Argyle, CC and Gang,

This was a very easy puzzle for me. Not much of a challenge unfortunately. I really need to give my brain a good morning workout! None today. Dan Naddor certainly provides excellent "brain food".

Hypatia1 - I agree, I love Merle Reagle puzzles. Talk about a challenge! His play on words can be unbelievable.

Thanks for all the advice on setting up a google account. Still no luck though. Don't know what the problem is. I'll keep trying.

Unbelievable Phillies game last night. Ended at 2AM in freezing temps. They won and no, I did not stay up to watch.

Sorry about the Twins, CC. Maybe next year!

Hope everyone is having a good day.

Anonymous said...

Hello all.

I am only doing the week end LAT or when it's one of Dan's. Went to the Philadelphia Inquirer for Merl's. Also doing The Boston Globe Universal's. The week end Universal in the Globe was different than the one in the SF Chronicle.

Look out East coasters! Jill is flying back to PA and OH for ten days. It usually snows when she goes back - even in May.

We may need the rain out here; but not the high wind that is forcast as well. I know that our backfence is going to come down - again.

eddyB

Jazzbumpa said...

Crocket -

Thanks, amigo.

Tuba to trombone is workable. Did you really play tuba and piccolo? I know one guy who plays trumpets and various wood winds. Monster player, too. Pretty rare to delve into both brass and reeds.

My oldest grandson took up French Horn at the beginning of last school year. We got him private lessons over the summer with one of my brass buddies. He told me that trombone and French Horn are not for everybody - but he would know in one half hour lesson if it was right for Danny. Turns out it is.

Trombone is probably the cheapest instrument out there - it's really nothing but a bent, flared metal tube.

You might also try euphonium. it's basically a tenor tuba. I got an old one cheap on e-bay a few years ago.

Cheers!
JzB the leaving for rehearsal trombonist

Bill G. said...

I think we're having Jeannie's meatloaf tonight. I went to the store and got the fixing we didn't already have.

If you can believe the weatherman, we're due for some rain over the next couple of days. Meatloaf, crossword puzzles and rain. Mmm, good.

Martin said...

Martin,
I can see you don't like losing an argument! That comes of being a teacher, I'm that way too
.

Well, Kazie, you speak French, don't you? Can you tell us how DIOR is pronounced?

I wouldn't mind losing an argument if I were wrong. What I don't like is somebody being rude to me.

Martin

Anonymous said...

All this talk about aging parents made me think of myself. Except for aches and pains, I haven't believed that I am 'deteriorating".
However,today I was expecting a friend to come from Milwaukee so I cleaned house (she's the perfect housekeeper), made a casserole and fruit salad for lunch & awaited her arrival. When she was a half hour overdue, I looked at the calendar & she is coming next Monday! To make matters worse, I was supposed to be taking another friend to the Clinic today. I told my daughter she probably should start looking into assisted living for me!

Hahtool, Thank you for the information about Simchat Torah. I had never heard of this feast day. Is it listed in the Torah or was it instituted at a later time in history?

I agree with all the comments about the ease of this puzzle.

Kazie, I did not know we were supposed to get an inch of snow. I had heard we would have flurries. I'm glad you're wrong - so far.

Dot

Anonymous said...

Hello All--The puzzle was easily completed today and my comments are much the same as those that have already been made. I did like the clue, Place to retire--bed. But, I didn't get the theme until I came to the Blog. Thanks Arglye. Great job, as usual.

Back to the real world today after spending four days at Lake Tahoe. The weather was great--between two storms. Just kicking back and doing nothing was very enjoyable. We didn't get a newspaper up there so I didn't have a crossword to do until I got back home.

I've been covering up all the patio furniture and umbrellas for the duration. We are supposed to get lots of rain and high winds starting this evening until Wed. morning. We do need the rain, but I don't enjoy the prospect of all the wind.

Hahtool, I love your new Avatar. Tell us about it.

I'll see if I can post this comment as my first one disappeared into cyberspace. Now it won't take my password!
Chickie

Clear Ayes said...

I forgot to mention that our boeuf bourguignon buffet party went splendidly. It really is excellent beef stew. Of course it was preceded and accompanied by more than one glass of wine and that always helps. BUT, would I go through more than a dozen lengthy and time consuming steps to make it again?....probably not. I've found a couple of less involved crock pot recipes that I might try and see how it measures up. Even so, there is no getting away from making bacon lardons, sauteing the mushrooms and glaceing the onions. I think I may try buying enough unsliced bacon, mushrooms and small onions to make a few batches and freeze them for later use.

Oh yes, GAH's brother is growing another giant pumpkin this year. It is up to 714 pounds with another week until the competition. I don't get it, but he enjoys it. I'll send a photo when he gets it to pose.

My sisters are coming to visit tomorrow and I may not check in here for a few days. When we are together (not often enough) time seems to fly by.

Elissa said...

It is nice to know that I'm missed. I've been doing the puzzles, but have been so busy with stuff that I haven't had time to read the blog much. Hopefully things will ease up in the next few weeks.

Have to run to a meeting. Ah, the joys of volunteering with non-profits. And then I need to batten down the hatches for the promised deluge. If they're right, it may be time to start on that ark.

Anonymous said...

Jazz, I completely understand the patience aspect. I am not lacking that at all with my MIL. I still so enjoy working the puzzles with her. I am just mourning her loss. She is a dear woman. But as everyone has said, I just need to celebrate the time I have with her, and enjoy what I can do for her.

Crockett, I stand corrected. Thanks for the clarification. Sometimes I just don't think clearly, especially when congested.

Hahtool, yes I like the avatar also. What is the significance? Do tell.

Hahtoolah said...

Chickie and KQ ~ Glad you like my new avatar. I took it last year on December 11 ~ the day of an unexpected snow storm. It was the first significant snow southern Louisiana had seen in over 20 years. Mike the Tiger is the mascot of LSU. Not sure whether or not he liked the snow, but there he was! It has been so hot and muggy here the past few weeks, I needed something to remind me that we do sometimes get cold weather.

Dot. Simchat Torah is not mentioned it the Torah. The Babylonian Jews began the custom of reading Torah on an annual cycle sometime around 1000 BCE (Before the Common Era). Not as old as the Torah, but still an ancient custom/holiday.

Crockett1947 said...

@jazzbumpa Yes sir, I played flute from 5th grade through high school and was a decent player. Picked up the piccolo in HS. The sousaphone was what I played in marching band season. My older brother, the lead tuba/sousaphone player, recruited me in my freshman year. It was a good deal! I could march with my music and not have to memorize it! I played Sousaphone in my freshman year of college, and tuba as well. The flute and piccolo went for a good SLR camera.

I have three brothers, and all of us were sousaphone/tuba players. My younger brother was the best. He was in many honors bands, played in the Army reserve when things were crazy in 'Nam, and has dotted the I! He still hangs out around The Best Damn Band In The Land (TBDBITL) -- he's been their photographer for over 25 years.

kazie said...

Martin,
I pronounce Dior like door with an "i" added: Di-oor. Rhymes with "a priori" minus the ending. The uvular "r" at the end makes it sound more French.

Dot,
Yes, gladly the local forecast I heard was off. We're getting sun again tomorrow. Don't feel bad about your mixed up arrangements. I forgot to go and tutor last Wednesday, because I was buried in the newsletter editing job. it happens to us all!

Clear Ayes,
I have a quickie cheater recipe for BÅ“uf Bourgignon I got out of a journal I bought to use the second year I was in Europe. Each page had a recipe and menu for the day. I didn't mention it the other day as yours sounded so much more elegant and authentic. But mine is the kind you can make any time with no fuss, and it was originally French! Here it is:

BÅ“uf Bourgignon (from French Journal bought in 1971)

Sauté gently half a pound of diced bacon along with 10-15 small onions (or just chunk some larger ones). When golden, add 2# lean beef (I use round, cut into cubes.) Season with salt and pepper to taste. Scatter a tablespoon of flour over the lot and stir it in. Add garlic (the more the better!), thyme and bay leaf. Stir in 2 cups red wine and one cup beef stock. Cover tightly and simmer for 2 hours. To this basic recipe I usually add a can of button mushrooms or 4 oz. fresh sliced bellas, and sometimes a sliced carrot. But if you add too much it becomes too stew-like. I serve it with regular macaroni, but any noodles will do.
Bon appétit!

Anonymous said...

Hahtool,
Thanks for the information. I went to your blog & found it very interesting. also, I have wondered what BCE stood for. Now my question is what is the common Era?

Dot