google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Tuesday, December 8, 2009 Timothy L. Meaker

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Dec 8, 2009

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 Timothy L. Meaker

Theme: PHONE (61A: Caller's device, and word that can precede the ends of the answers to starred clues)

17A: *Art class supply: SKETCH BOOK. Phonebook.

35A: *Suitcase attachment: NAME TAG. Phone tag.

53A: *Arcade attraction: PHOTO BOOTH. Phone booth.

11D: *Dreaded end-of-semester handout, perhaps: REPORT CARD. Phone card.

27D: *Hotel offering: WAKE-UP CALL. Phone call.

Argyle here. Quite heavy themage for a Tuesday, with 5 theme answers and a unifying entry, which is nicely placed at the very end of the grid. Total 62 theme squares. I liked the puzzle.

Across:

1A: Caught some z's: SLEPT.

6A: Solheim Cup co-sponsoring org.: LPGA. The Solheim Cup is a biennial golf tournament for pro women golfers contested by teams representing Europe and the United States. It is named for the Norwegian-American golf club manufacturer Karsten Solheim.The Ryder Cup is the equivalent men's event. LPGA, in full, the Ladies Professional Golf Association.

10A: With 10-Down and "and," rigidly formal: PRIM. (10D: See 10-Across: PROPER.) Neato.

16A: McEntire of country: REBA. She has her own TV show, too. Sitcom

19A: Birthstone for a 6-Down, often: OPAL. 6D: Fall sign: LIBRA. Zodiac sign for birthdates: September 22 - October 22

20A: Words of apology: I'M SORRY.

21A: Left, at sea: APORT. Right, at sea: ASTARBOARD. (That's what the dictionary said. Trust me.)

22A: __ Nostra: COSA. Allegedly, the Mafia operating in the United States.

23A: Not as ruddy: PALER.

25A: Egyptian city on the Nile: ASWAN. Site of the Aswan Dam. The High Dam(111 m) was completed in 1970. The earlier Old Aswan Dam or Aswan Low Dam was completed in 1902.

28A: Like some chocolates purchases: ASSORTED.

32A: Actor Delon: ALAIN. Alain Delon (born 1935) is a César Award-winning French actor. By the age of 23, he was compared to James Dean. He was even called the male Brigitte Bardot. He worked with 49D: Schneider of film: ROMY. on the stage in 1961.

33A: Ohio A.L. team, on scoreboards: CLE.

34A: Commercial suffix with Water: PIK.

41A: In the dark: CLUELESS.

43A: Judaic feast: SEDER.

44A: Fourth estate, as it's known: PRESS.

45A: Thai bread?: BAHT. Cutesy clue for currency.

47A: Food that's filled and folded: TACOS.

49A: Brockovich portrayer: ROBERTS. The movie, Erin Brockovich (2000) Starring Julia Roberts.

52A: "__ my lips!": READ. George H. W. Bush's downfall.

56A: Author __ Stanley Gardner: ERLE.

57A: San __, Italy: REMO.

59A: Bought, to a retailer: SOLD.

60A: Jet-black stone: ONYX.

Down:

1D: NYSE units: SHS. Shares

2D: Mythical trickster: LOKI. Norse god who creates discord. If you want more, go to Wikipedia. There was too much to condense.

3D: K-6: ELEM. Elementary school.

4D: X-ray alternative: PET SCAN. Positron Emission Tomography (Help? Someone?)

5D: Business big shot: TYCOON.

7D: Tricky maneuver: PLOY. A little misdirection here.

8D: Shine, in product names: GLO. Like Mop-N-Glo.

13D: Soda shop buy: MALT.

18D: Slugger's stat: Abbr.: HRS. Home runs.

21D: As a companion: ALONG. She took her brother along.

23D: Tests for jrs.: PSATS.

24D: Big land mass: ASIA.

25D: Meat garnish: ASPIC.

26D: Frosting feature: SWIRL.

28D: Baldwin and Guinness: ALECS.

29D: Southfork Miss: ELLIE. From the TV show, DALLAS. Portrayed by Barbara Bel Geddes, Miss Ellie was the matriarch of the ranch, Southfork.

35D: "Frasier" brother: NILES. Actor David Hyde Pierce

36D: Iowa college town: AMES.

40D: Promise to marry: BETROTH.

42D: Worn by wind: ERODED.

43D: 1984 Cyndi Lauper hit: SHE BOP. Video.

45D: Wrinkle remover: BOTOX.

46D: Blood typing letters: A B O.

47D: Very, in Verdun: TRES.

48D: Prefix with sol: AERO.

50D: Oz barker: TOTO. Dorothy's dog in "The Wizard of Oz".

51D: WWII weapon: STEN.

53D: In favor of: PRO.

54D: Egg producer: HEN. So the chicken came first?

55D: Any of four Ottos: Abbr.: HRE ( Holy Roman Emperor).

Answer grid.

Argyle

60 comments:

Dennis said...

Good morning, Argyle, C.C. and gang - with the exception of two letters, this one was pretty simple, with hardly a pause.

Other than initially having 'piC' for 34A and 'RoRy' Schneider (I think I had Roy Scheider in mind), not much to comment on other than a well-done theme.

Today is National Brownie Day, and.......National Take It In the Ear Day. What??

Today's Words of Wisdom: "Sin writes history, goodness is silent." -- Goethe

And a couple clever definitions:

- Adultery: the application of democracy to love. -- H.L. Mencken

- Banker: a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining and wants it back the minute it starts to rain. -- Mark Twain

Hahtoolah said...

Good Morning, CC, Argyle, and Friends. This was a good puzzle with lots of fun clues for me.

Did anyone notice that ASWAN intersected with SWAN? I was in Aswan a few years ago. The old Old Cataract (which I believe is currently closed for renovations) is where Death on the Nile was filmed. It was a beautiful place to stay.

I watched Dallas for a few years. It wasn't as good after Miss ELLIE died.

A traveling Broadway series production is in town, so we will be seeing the Wizard of Oz and TOTO (50D) tonight.

On Friday, we had a smattering of snow and it was very cold. Today it is pouring and will be about 75!

QOD: An Alcoholic is someone you don't like who drinks as much as you do. ~ Dylan Thomas

Mainiac said...

Good Morning Argyle, CC and All,

Argyle, Nice write up as usual.

Worked this one from the SE to the NW with the theme popping in about half way through which is the only reason I finished in pencil. Couldn't remember how to spell Baht and had to erase a T to fill in Shebop. Cyndi Lauper is one of my wife's favorites.

Have a great Tuesday!

Anonymous said...

This one was a little harder for me than the usual Tuesday. Wouldn't have know ALAIN, SHEBOP, HRE or BAHTS without the perps. My grid looked a bit messy when all was said and done, but got her done anyway.

I get all those scans mixed up. My friend with breast cancer just had several Pet Scans to see that it hadn't traveled through her body anywhere else. I guess that is what they are for. Sadly, everyone in our family except my daughter has now had a Cat Scan due to my latest migraine incident. Had another on Sunday. Not good to begin these at my age. Hitting a doc today to get his take on it all.

My favorite clue was Wrinkle remover. Loved seeing ALEC Baldwin. For those of you who missed my post the other day, Merry Christmas from Mr. Schweddy Balls. Hard to fathom how they could keep a straight face.

Predicting lots of snow tonight. Will need the boys to do the shoveling as hubby is headed to Boston. Wish him good luck on the return flight. The snow could keep him from getting back today.

As I have been absent for a while, thought I would let everyone know that my hubby did pass the California Bar. What a relief that is. We had to do several double takes on the online notice informing you of the results. They say "The above named person has been listed on the State Bar of California's pass list". Could they not just say "you passed". A friend of ours said that is because lawyers get paid by the word. HA. Nice Christmas present though.

Hahtoolah said...

KQ: Congrats to your husband on passing the California Bar. I know how stressful it can be to both take a bar exam and wait for the results!

Dennis said...

KQ, congratulations to you both - that's one hell of an accomplishment. Gonna do anything special to celebrate?

Dr.G said...

Does Baht look like white bread? If not, what does it taste like?

Dennis said...

Dr.G, the baht is the currency of Thailand. 'Bread' is slang for money. I'm guessing Bahts taste pretty bad.

Jeannie said...

Smooth sailing for me today. I found this much easier than yesterday’s puzzle. It’s a good thing I got perp help for Aswan, Alain, and Erle. I have some friends that traveled to the southern part of Thailand and said it was breathtakingly beautiful; hence, I knew “baht”. I never knew that the press is known as the fourth estate.

KQ, congrats on your husband’s accomplishment. I know you are from MN, why did he need to take the CA bar? Planning a move?

An egg and a chicken are laying in bed. The egg, is obviously relaxed smoking a cigarette and the chicken grumpily rolls over and mutters, “I guess we answered THAT question”.

Argyle, one tongue recipe coming up…

kazie said...

Good morning all!

I'm surprised to be only the #10 commenter today, as it's late. I've shoveled the driveway and walked the dog already (to get in before the real snowstorm that's coming!), as well as worked a bit on the next DKG newsletter I'll be doing pretty much alone this time.

Only snags for me were HOLEY--I kind of wanted that in there but was not certain of SHS--had STS for stocks, didn't know LOKI or pEtscan, which I haven't heard of. there are so many different scans now. Also in the SE misspelled BAHT as BAAT and hadn't a clue about sHebop.

Congrats to the DH, KQ!

Warren said...

Hi Argyle, C.C. & gang, My wife had to leave earlier this AM for an 8 AM meeting so we only finished 80% of the puzzle. I finished it online quickly. I liked the 45D wrinkle remover clue the best.

Here's a picture of Thai money AKA 'bread'
Aside: it was very frosty here in San Jose last night and at the present moment the morning sun is causing the frost on our 'good neighbor fence' to steam as it melts...

Spitzboov said...

Not much to comment on. Went pretty easily.

BAHT; had bhat at first, but when blood types perp came in, realized how to spell it.

Haven't seen ROMY clued before. Nice soft eyes. One of my early crushes.

Thrown a little bit by ERODED, since it is not specific to wind action. Wind blown deposits are termed eolian or aeolian. The widespread loess deposits of the Midwest are eolian.

Congrats to KQ's husband on the bar exam

Cheers

DCannon said...

Congrats to KQ's husband. Great accomplishment. I know you are both happy about that.

Easy and fast today. What I didn't know was taken care of by perps. I knew the press was the fourth estate, but I put "media" on first pass. I just accepted "baht" at Thai bread and didn't even think about the money connection until I came here. Also, penciled in the "h" in "Shebop" because it looked right - don't know Cyndi Lauper, except for hearing the name somewhere. "Alain" Delon is a complete unknown to me, so I trusted the perps for that, too.

We had "black ice" conditions this morning, but it melted quickly. Our high temp yesterday was 29º and it is already 32º today. Should be low 50s this afternoon.

Crockett1947 said...

Great write up Argyle.

@kq Such good news about your hubby passing the bar. He must not be Irish.

Happy Tuesday to all!!

kazie said...

Alain Delon was an early crush for me when I first started watching French movies. From these linked pix, you can see he's had a long career, but began as a real cutie.

Clear Ayes said...

Good Morning All, Not too difficult today, with lots of gettable theme answers. I did have some problems with those pesky abbreviations. I didn't know SHS and "K-6" clue has given me trouble before. I always think of K9 the robot dog from "Doctor Who", or K2.

I've never thought of ASPIC as a "meat garnish", but more as meat jello. When I make a pot roast, I chill the pan juice, so that the fat will congeal on the surface and I can remove it. The defatted aspic under the fat layer is used for gravy.

KQ, I'm adding my congratulations to your husband. That's quite a big deal.

Jazzbumpa said...

Hi gang -

Did the puzzle yesterday, but never got here. Our new furniture, ordered months ago, was delivered. La-Z-Boy (a namesake, of sorts) 100% made in America. Played last night at a shopping mall. Horrible venue, but still fun, and a good warm-up for our real concert next week.

Happy BD Windhover, a day late. I guess you're a day older than I.

The LW got me a bottle of OBAN, a nice single MALT that I'll be trying for the first time.

OK PRIM and PROPER puzzle today. Tight and a solid theme, but not a lot of sparkle. Watch out for LOKI, though. Always nice to see ROMI Schneider. Made me think of Last Tango in Paris, but that was Maria. Good cross with REMO, my step-son's late rescued greyhound. Poor dog got skunked in my yard one night.

Other good fills: SWIRL, ONYX, CLUELESS, ASSORTED, BOTOX. TOTO crossing OTTER. On further review, very technically strong puzzle. I should have liked it more than I did.

Time to go put out some Christmas decorations, before the bad weather hits.

Cheers!
JzB the aging but BOTOX-free trombonist

PJB-Chicago said...

Happy Birthday JazzB! And, KQ, Congrats to your husband for passing the California bar exam. (sorry to hear about the migraine, though.)

Will be back later for puzzle stuff. Kind of slippery on the sidewalks, so I'm walking extra slow.........ly.

carol said...

Hi Argyle, C.C. and solvers -

Fun, fast (except for the NW corner). I stared at 1D for a long time, put CAT scan in for 4D...when the answer revealed itself, I thought it was something a vet would do! I have never heard of a pet scan. Could not remember LOKI.

KQ - many congratulations to your husband on his big accomplishment!! Are you moving to Calif??? Hope your Dr visit sheds some light.

We are in the 'deep freeze' here (by western Oregon standards). Got down to 14 at our house last night...it is only 20 now and not expected to get too much higher. We don't bike outside in these conditions...indoor bike will have to do. We did take a very long walk the last 2 days as well. It is very dry out...I have a tea kettle steaming on the stove as the humidity in the house got down to 30%, and that is too low.

Jeannie: LOL - loved the chicken joke!

Jeannie said...

For you Argyle...
Beef Tongue
1 Beef tongue
1/2 cup Vinegar
1/2 cup Sugar
1 Tbsp. Cornstarch, (or flour)
1 cup Cranberries
1 Bay leaf
Salt and Pepper to taste
add at least 3-4 garlic cloves as well as large chunks of celery, carrot and onion to the pot.
Put the tongue into a pot with the bay leaf and cover with water.
Bring to a low boil and simmer for about 3 hours, skimming off any scum that may rise to the top. Remove the tongue and skin it. Keep the tongue warm while making the sauce.
Boil the water that the tongue was cooked in, reducing it to about 1 cup.
Add the vinegar and the sugar, and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the cranberries and taste the sauce, adjusting the sugar and vinegar.
Dissolve the cornstarch (or flour) in some water, bring the sauce to the boil, and add the thickener.
Slice the tongue fairly thinly, and spoon some sauce over it to serve.

I know it sounds really gross but you would be surprised. It is very close to beef tenderloin.

eddyB said...

Hello all.

Bits and pieces today.
Since it is Tuesday, it was an easy puzzle.
Julie and Julia is available on DVD today.
The Alex Baldwin skit (Schweddy Balls) will be repeated on the special SNL show Dec.17 @8PM
When Elin told the troopers that
Tiger was sleeping, it probably was the truth. He has been taking
Ambien and Vicodin.
Today dawned sunny. We are to get into the 50s.
I have to blow more leaves onto the street so they can be picked up.

Stay warm everyone. EddyB

Anonymous said...

VERN said:
K-6 stumped me for awhile as my experience was K-8 (all eight grades were considered elementary school). Differences between then & now: (1) We had one teacher for each grade from 1 - 8; (2) Typically no more than 1 kid per class had braces; (3) Typically no more than 1 - 2 kids in class were overweight; (4) Valentine box handled differently; in those days no thought was given to "feelings" and some kids got many and a few got 1 or none. Although I was "lucky" I always thought the system was especially cruel.

Clear Ayes said...

Here's a wintery poem. I hope that all of you who are experiencing icicles aren't as pessimistic as the poet is here.

Improvisations: Light And Snow: 05
When I was a boy, and saw bright rows of icicles
In many lengths along a wall
I was disappointed to find
That I could not play music upon them:
I ran my hand lightly across them
And they fell, tinkling.
I tell you this, young man, so that your expectations of life
Will not be too great.

- Conrad Potter Aiken, written in 1916

Jeannie, I like beef tongue, but most markets don't carry it. I guess it isn't too popular nowadays. I'm going to save the recipe, so I'll be set, just in case I find a market that sells it.

PJB, I'll have to try some cardamon, the next time I make pepparkakor. Don't you just love the gingery smell when they come out of the oven?

Buckeye said...

Guday all. Congrats KQ and hubby.

Kazie; I wanted "Ox barker" to be "Dingo" but it wouldn't fit. Time to finish the outdoor decorations.

I must be off

kazie said...

Buckeye,
That was my first reaction as well.

I think our big storm has finally arrived. Funny thing is, when we get these "big ones" the flakes are often tiny as they fall, not big and fluffy like they are in Christmas scenes

Mainiac said...

Congratulations to you and your husband KQ! It must feel great to get it behind you. Hope the Dr. gave some insight on the migraines.

I developed a taste for beef tongue when I worked bar tending and waiting tables for Brooke Astor. She had a German chef who loved me because I was taking German in high school. She would package up the leftovers for me to take home. Very much the same recipe as yours Jeannie but I recall she went heavy on the pepper.

We've got 4-8 inches on the way tomorrow and tomorrow night. It's supposed to switch to sleet and freezing rain and then back to snow at some point. Should be fun!

Off to the oldest's B-Ball game.

Dennis said...

Buckeye, just what do those outdoor decorations consist of at the home?

Zhouqin (C.C.) Burnikel said...

KQ,
Wonderful Christmas gift. Huge congratulations!

Jazzbumpa,
Happy Birthday! Hope you enjoy your OBAN.

Warren,
You really should get your wife comment on our blog. She sounds like a very fascinating woman.

lois said...

Good evening Argyle, CC, et al., Squirted thru this puzzle...off and on.

We study the PET scans in class and what I know about the workings of it, you could put on the head of a pin, but the cool thing about it is that you can watch the brain at work. They shoot radioactive sugar into the patient and a computer makes a colorful map with the most active parts lighting up when words are spoken or math problems are being solved. Isn't that amazing? It's brain cartography. Neat stuff!

Gotta run. Piano time. Get to play around for a while.

Enjoy your day. I'll be back.

rich scholl said...

at first i had 'catscan' then corrected to 'petscan' from the crosses, but i never realized before about how the two words are related in the first syllables.

Clear Ayes said...

Happy Birthday, Jazzbumpa.

Mainiac, Did you work for Brooke Astor at her summer house in Maine? I've read in the newspaper that Brooke Astor's son and attorney have been convicted of looting her estate. Apparently, the last years of her life were made pretty miserable by the group of money grubbers who surrounded her. Strangely, some very well-known celebrities, among them Whoopi Goldberg and Al Roker, have petitioned the court to not sentence the son to jail time because he is 85 years old. It didn't seem to bother him that his mother was 100 years old when he was robbing her.

Dennis said...

Jazz, Happy Birthday.

Clear Ayes, you're right - the son and his crew should be shown no mercy. Brutal story.

windhover said...

Happy Birthday, JazzB. We're headed out to celebrate son's 37th tonight. He's the youngest of three.

Annette said...

Good puzzle today, although I missed a couple words that I should have known – 22A COSA (which I had to google), couldn’t get the spelling of 35D NILES right, and I had 14A HOLEY, immediately but wasn’t sure so I waited for the perps. I was stuck on trying to abbreviate Stocks correctly for 1D, so HOLEY never fit until I came here. My favorite clue was 50D Oz barker: TOTO.

Congratulations KQ and your husband on his passing the bar. I’m sure he couldn’t have done it without your support.

Happy Birthday, JzB!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the well wishes. He actually found out the weekend before Thanksgiving. Much to be thankful for. We didn't celebrate too heavily. It was a busy weekend. We are taking the family to San Diego again for the Christmas to New Year break and we can celebrate then.

Jeannie, he works half time in San Diego since this summer. To continue to practice law there also, he needed to pass the California Bar. New York and Florida are he only two other states that require that. Extremely difficult exam, so we are very proud of his accomplishment and dedication.

I am now being referred to a neurologist on the migraines. My doctor thinks it is too rare, and wants me to see a specialist. Lets hope it doesn't happen again soon. I don't have the time to be laid up so often.

Hahtoolah said...

JazzB: Happy Birthday. Mine is tomorrow and I had lunch today with 5 others whose birthday is also this week. As one of our party said ~ all good people have December Birthdays!

PJB-Chicago said...

Good evening:
I taught some Indonesian grad students (their first winter here) an impromptu lesson on the fine of art of making "snow angels" this evening. Pictures were taken, and Mom and Dad are probably wondering why their son/daughter is doing such crazy things as an adult!

Nice to see the two French actors in the puzzle--I don't remember either making much of a splash in US cinema; Delon's son Anthony, a model/actor, inherited some of Papa's looks but maybe not that much talent.
Other well clued or fresh words unexpected on a Tues.: BOTOX, BAHT and ONYX. I wanted "iron" to be the wrinkle eraser!

KQ you share in your husband's accomplishments, so hats of to you too. No one gets through the Bar exam or medical boards without support from others.

JazzB and WHover:'cuz of you guys I am thinking of that Beatles' tune now about "When I'm 64." Hahtool, enjoy your special day tomorrow!

Anonymous said...

growing up here in KY radio station received pressure form church groups to not allow the song to air on the radio due to it's content.

Fortunately along came a Winchester radio station WFMI 100.1 who play the song with the following disclaimer. WFMI reserves the right to play the song, if you don't want to hear it turn your radio down for 4 minutes and rejoin us then.
WFMI years later became the 100.1 The Bull WBUL a country station then they moved to 98.1 and WKQQ moved to 100.1

Cydni Lauper

Anonymous said...

KY has rain all day today and will have wind gusts up to 70 mph tonight according to www.WKYT.com

Robin said...

Good evening all. This puzzle was "just right" for me today.

Happy birthday JazzB and Hahtool and belated Windhover, wishes to you!

National Brownie Day, meaning eating a or I am a.....day? And take what in my ear day? I'm so confused!!!

Congrats to the KQ family and I am very happy that you are off to see a neurologist. Very important I would say and good luck!

LOL@ Jeannies chickens!!

Crockett you must be irish too!

Tongue hummmm dunno about that.

Have a warm evening!

lois said...

Happy Birthday Jazz and Hahtool. Hope you both have many many more.

KQ: I also want to congratulate you both for the great accomplishment of passing the CA bar. Good luck @ the neurologist. Keep us posted, ok?

Jeannie: LOL such a cute joke!

Dennis: I never think of brownies w/out remembering your stint as a boy scout...always prepared and w/ a great appetite.

Crockett1947 said...

@robin No, not Irish. But, I never heard of an Irishman passing a bar, he just goes right in!

carol said...

Jazz - a very happy birthday to you!!! May you do and have whatever you want and many more.

Hahtool - you are correct about all good people being born in December...my Mom's birthday was Dec.22, I still miss her daily. Happy birthday to you for tomorrow!

Crockett: that is why I married an Irishman! Gotta love the Irish!

Dennis - I don't think National Take it in the Ear Day sounds like much fun unless you are and E.N.T. physician and that sounds sort of creepy. Maybe it is for 'ear-worms'.

Jazzbumpa said...

Happy BD, Hahtool, a few hours early.

Thanks for all the good wishes friends. PJB - I won't be 64 until NEXT birthday.

Just cracked open the Oban, which, if I'm getting this right, is actually distilled in a cave in the highlands along the western shore of Scotland. The aroma is surprisingly sweet - the taste less so, but still rather fruity. Extremely smooth, but not too complex, and quite dense for a Highland. A bit smokey, but not at all peetey. Hints of strawberry, passionfruit, the faintest soupçon of asparagus, and just a flutter of like a nutty Edam cheese.

Well, maybe not so much that last part.

But still, very pleasant.

Cheers!
Jzb the likes expensive Scotch but cheap gin trombonist

Jazzbumpa said...

Hmmmm. Looks like I got the cave part wrong. It's behind the distillery. Did rather well on the flavor analysis though.

Other birthday boys:
E.C. Segar

Jean Sebelius. Next Friday, I'll be performing his 2nd Symphony.

Cheers!
Jzb the strong to the finish trombonist

Mainiac said...

Happy Birthday Jazz!! May you continue to blow happy tunes through your horn!! Cheers!

CA, Some very interesting times working for Mrs. A in Northeast Harbor. One of the highlights was showing up to do a gig and having to rush her out because one of her older dogs had bitten the end of her finger off. This was all due to the entrance of a new dachshund named Dolly, so every guest could say "Hello Dolly" when they came in for the evening. I was actually tasked with getting Mrs. A upstairs to bedroom upon her return from the ER. Her butler at that time couldn't make it happen due to the trauma of the event. She was really sick and just weak and maybe weighed 120 pounds, somewhere in her late eighties.

Alot of her guests were pompus asses! (IMHO) I did have a very genuine conversation about me and my goals with Henry Kissinger for a quick minute, when I was a Senior during one event. I try to focus on those communications to overshadow the others.

Good Night!!

PJB-Chicago said...

I am getting stoopider and stoopider. Sorry JazzB; I don't do well at math! Regardless, enjoy your presents.

COSA NOSTRA, in case anyone missed the Godfather movies, means "our thing" in Italian. Not too catchy a tagline, is it!?

C/W songstress REBA was decent in her sitcom, but Lucille Ball she wasn't. She's still one of my favorite singers. PBS periodically re-runs the broadcast of a good staged version of the musical "South Pacific" in which she's the female lead. She also got positive reviews on Broadway playing the title character in "Annie Get Your Gun." I didn't see it.

@ Argyle: thanks for the blogging and links. You've got talent, amigo.
Last, never least, @ Jeannie. I have eaten tongue a couple times and it's really pretty good once the shock of eating tongue wears off. Can't promise I'd ever prepare it, but..... BTW, great chicken joke.

Clear Ayes said...

Mainiac, I'm so glad I asked the question and I'm even gladder I checked in one last time tonight and saw your answer. Totally fascinating stuff for us and great stories for you to tell the kids..."Did I ever tell you about my conversation with Henry Kissinger?"

Hahtoolah said...

We just left a wonderful production of the Wizard of Oz. There was a real TOTO, just like in today's puzzle. It was 76F when we stepped out of the theater at 10:30 p.m.! Tomorrow it is predicted to be in the 30s during the day!

Argyle said...

Never Least Jeannie: what a great name for our sweetheart. Thank you, ever so much, for the tongue recipe. Sounds very similar to what we use to have but we may have had a few orange slices, too. Not more than one orange, I'm thinking.

I'm also thinking Reba would be great in "Annie Get Your Gun".

Jeannie said...

Argyle...no comment on your recipe request?
I am wondering which way to manuever my way to work tomorrow. It is snowing like hell and winds are supposed to pick up. Problem is I have to manuever high winds with dry, blowing snow over nicely plowed fields.

I am thankful for the farmers having a chance of cutting down their corn and harvesting it, but I don't look forward to my commute tomorrow.

Lois, I just knew you were gonna post that brownie/boyscout thing Dennis put out there a while back, and really thought about posting my OWN recipe.

Argyle said...

What comment? Something like, "I love tongue". Whoa! What a t-shirt idea.

Be careful tomorrow...it's awfully easy to lose your bearings in those conditions. Do you have a survival pack with you?

Jeannie said...

Argyle, I see we crossed posts...By all means throw some orange slices into the pot. It will marry with the cranberries in the dish. I would add them when the berris are doing their reducing though.

As you know I am hosting a get toghether for about five couples or five peeps *2. I usually have about 20-25 in or out. I cut it back this year due to $$ and time. One of the things I do is roast peppers on my grill that I peel and add some olive oil and garlic. Does anyone know if the jarred "so called red peppers" are the same? It's gonna be damned cold out there at the grill come Friday.

Jeannie said...

Rest easy Argyle and thanks for caring...remember the polar plunge I took last winter? I have a suit of Carhart coveralls, Sorell boots, and survival blanket(s) in my trunk. I also have stashed energy bars and other snacks including water. I just take my time traveling. If it gets too shitty tomorrow afternoon my company will put me up in a motel close by. I also have work clothes packed for that purpose as well. I'll be okay and will pop in to say so.

Chickie said...

Hello All--I didn't get to the puzzle until after 8 this evening. I was able to finish it without any help, but did have several mis-steps and erasures before I finished. My problems came in the spelling of Baht, and I hadn't heard of Shebop, but guessed correctly.

Petscan came immediately as my husband had had one last year. He was fascinated with the technology.

KQ, Congratulations to your husband on passing the CA bar. Also, good luck at the neurologist's tomorrow. Hopefully answers will come with your visit.

Happy Birthday Jazzabumpa and many more.

Hatool, Happy Birthday a bit early, but heartfelt just the same.

Our plants are all wrapped up outside to keep off the frost, and we're snuggled under our throws indoors. This cold weather seems to be everywhere. Winter is definitly here.

Argyle said...

Ah, I'll sleep better now.

Jeannie said...

Chickie, my coveted rosemary and thyme plants have found their way into my house as I use them most of the year. I can buy fresh basil (when I need it) and I ended up drying my oregano. If I needed to cover my herbs tonight I would be in BIG trouble. You living in CA concerns me though. I am not kidding, we had such a nice November that I got by just covering my pot of rosemary most nights. The worm has turned so it seems.

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PJB-Chicago said...

Jeannie: the jarred "roasted" red peppers should be fine but may need a little rinse. I make a spicy aioli with them sometimes--sure beats watching the fresh critters set the smoke detector to blaring when they happen to catch fire under the broiler or over the gas burner! NOT that I have ever done that, of course.

I'm hosting a small SOUP-APALOOZA in a couple weeks so may be begging for ideas from you, et al. -------Will make one tiny batch of peanut soup for the 2 vegans, but just can't imagine never eating eggs or cheese or milk.

G'night all. Drive/walk safe, okay?

Anonymous said...

La Cosa Nostra "This thing of ours"

Lucchese: Vittorio "Vic" Amuso (Ruling Committee/Panel - Aniello "Neil" Migliore, Joseph "Joey Dee" DiNapoli, Matthew Madonna)
Bonanno: Vincent Basciano (Salvatore Montagna is the acting boss)
Gambino: Peter Gotti (Ruling Committee/Panel - Daniel "Danny" Marino, John Gambino, Bartolomeo "Bobby" Vernace)
Colombo: Carmine "Junior" Persico (Thomas Gioeli is the acting boss)
Genovese: Daniel Leo (acting boss unknown)

The DeCavalcante crime family, based in nearby Elizabeth, NJ, also has ties to the five New York families.
5 families