Theme: Imaginary Places - Familiar two-word phrases ending with "locations" are punnily reinterpreted in correspondence to their clues.
18A. Where yearbooks are made?: ANNUAL PLANT. Annual plant grows and dies in a season.
26A. Where Hershey's makes new discoveries?: CHOCOLATE LAB. Chocolate Lab has chocolate-colored coat.
47A. Where astronauts worship?: SPACE MISSION. SPACE STATION anyone?
60A. Where littlenecks try their luck?: CLAMS CASINO. Littlenecks are soft clams, aren't they?
Robert W. Harris's LAT "Giant Leap for Mankind" puzzle was published on the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moonwalk. He seems fond of science.
Melissa Bee blogging.
Across:
1. Cool one: CAT. Two for the price of one.
4. Overused: STALE
9. Drink with a "generation": PEPSI. Barry Manilow wrote the jingle (at 4:00).
14. Kitchen catchphrase: A LA. In the manner or style of. Chicken A La King.
15. Implied: TACIT. A tacit agreement.
16. Betting everything, in poker: ALL IN
17. Food made from 35-Down: POI. And TARO (35D. Source of 17-Across).
20. Uncaptured: AT LARGE
22. Spring celebration: EASTER
23. Surrender: CEDE
24. Beam: RAY
25. That, in Monterrey: ESO. Spanish. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México, is the third largest city in Mexico. The "City of the Mountains."
31. Long, on Lanai: LOA. The Hawaiian name "Mauna Loa" means "Long Mountain." Largest volcano on the planet.
32. Broods: MOPES
33. What some tickets are for: SEATS
37. Russian-born Deco designer: ERTE. C.C. has drilled this one into my head.
39. Anger: IRE
40. Bare-bones subj? ANAT. Anatomy. Great clue.
41. Some religious observances: FASTS. Like Ramadan, or Lent.
43. Rub out: ERASE
46. College sr.'s test: GRE. Graduate Record Examinations.
50. Prof's helpers: TAS. Teaching Assistants.
53. Bullring cry: OLE
54. It will come back to you: ECHO
55. Esoteric: ARCANE
57. Maddened: ENRAGED
63. Living cell constituent: Abbr.: RNA
64. Prefix with tropic: HELIO. Prefix for "sun".
65. Unwise homebuilder's material, so the story goes: STRAW
66. Put together: ADD
67. Lip-curling look: SNEER
68. Early five-and-dime entrepreneur: KRESS (S. H.)
69. Howard of the Three Stooges: MOE
Down:
1. Bit of bullring gear: CAPA. Dictionary.com says cape originates from 16th century Sp. capa. Never understood this "sport".
2. Loads: A LOT
3. Men's formalwear: TAILCOATS
4. Made-it-big status: STARDOM. On the heels of Jazzbumpa's question yesterday, "you know you've made it big when ____."
5. Hybrid fruit: TANGELO. Tangerine and grapefruit or pomelo. UGLI appears more often in our puzzles.
6. Teen's concern: ACNE
7. Actress Lucy: LIU. One of "Charlie's Angels".
8. Two after epsilon: ETA. Greek alphabet. Nice change from the standard airport abbreviation clue.
9. Melonlike fruits: PAPAYAS. Papaya enzyme is a useful ingredient to treat ACNE.
10. Wings with blueprints: ELLS. Building additions.
11. Likely spot for dinner? PLATE. Cute.
12. Trig functions: SINES
13. Words about a speaker, briefly: INTRO
19. Sharon of "Boston Public": LEAL. Had no idea.
21. Post-WWII nuclear org.: AEC. Atomic Energy Commission. According to wikipedia, it was established in 1947 to foster and control the peace time development of atomic science and technology. Abolished in 1974 when it's functions were reassigned to other agencies.
24. Stitch over: RESEAM
26. Staff symbol: CLEF
27. Romanian dance: HORA. The circle dance often seen in traditional weddings and other celebrations.
28. Individually: APIECE
29. Lafayette's land: TERRE. French for "land". General Lafayette of American Revolutionary War.
30. Arthur who played Maude: BEA.
34. Cardiologist's request: ANGIOGRAM. X-ray that shows blood flow through an artery or vein.
36. Early submachine gun: STEN. Never heard of it.
38. "The War of the Worlds" invaders, e.g.: ETS. Extra Terrestrials.
42. One buying time, perhaps: SPONSOR. Advertising time.
44. Raw or burnt pigments: SIENNAS. WM, can you elaborate?
45. Typical home-loan contract obligations: ESCROWS
48. Actor Baldwin: ALEC
49. ___ Na Na: SHA. Musical group from the sixties.
50. Dash instruments: TACHS. Tachometer of a car measures engine RPMs.
51. Senator Specter: ARLEN. Democrat, PA.
52. Model Proportion: SCALE. I only know model train scales, smallest to largest: Z, N, HO (Half O), S, O, and G. Dennis, do other models have similar scales?
56. Friend, in France: AMIE. Female AMI.
57. Pierce Brosnan's homeland: EIRE. Irish name for Ireland.
58. Prefix meaning "within": ENDO. As in Endoscope. ECTO is the prefix meaning "outer".
59. Miami-____ County: DADE
62. Narrow channel: Abbr.: STR. Strait. Strait of Gibraltar.
A celebration of Dan Naddor's life will be held at 1 p.m. today. Here is a great writeup of Dan's crossword career & philosophy in LA Times. Rich Norris mentioned that there are more than twenty Dan puzzles in LA Times pipeline and they will be published throughout the year.
Answer grid.
Melissa
18A. Where yearbooks are made?: ANNUAL PLANT. Annual plant grows and dies in a season.
26A. Where Hershey's makes new discoveries?: CHOCOLATE LAB. Chocolate Lab has chocolate-colored coat.
47A. Where astronauts worship?: SPACE MISSION. SPACE STATION anyone?
60A. Where littlenecks try their luck?: CLAMS CASINO. Littlenecks are soft clams, aren't they?
Robert W. Harris's LAT "Giant Leap for Mankind" puzzle was published on the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moonwalk. He seems fond of science.
Melissa Bee blogging.
Across:
1. Cool one: CAT. Two for the price of one.
4. Overused: STALE
9. Drink with a "generation": PEPSI. Barry Manilow wrote the jingle (at 4:00).
14. Kitchen catchphrase: A LA. In the manner or style of. Chicken A La King.
15. Implied: TACIT. A tacit agreement.
16. Betting everything, in poker: ALL IN
17. Food made from 35-Down: POI. And TARO (35D. Source of 17-Across).
20. Uncaptured: AT LARGE
22. Spring celebration: EASTER
23. Surrender: CEDE
24. Beam: RAY
25. That, in Monterrey: ESO. Spanish. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México, is the third largest city in Mexico. The "City of the Mountains."
31. Long, on Lanai: LOA. The Hawaiian name "Mauna Loa" means "Long Mountain." Largest volcano on the planet.
32. Broods: MOPES
33. What some tickets are for: SEATS
37. Russian-born Deco designer: ERTE. C.C. has drilled this one into my head.
39. Anger: IRE
40. Bare-bones subj? ANAT. Anatomy. Great clue.
41. Some religious observances: FASTS. Like Ramadan, or Lent.
43. Rub out: ERASE
46. College sr.'s test: GRE. Graduate Record Examinations.
50. Prof's helpers: TAS. Teaching Assistants.
53. Bullring cry: OLE
54. It will come back to you: ECHO
55. Esoteric: ARCANE
57. Maddened: ENRAGED
63. Living cell constituent: Abbr.: RNA
64. Prefix with tropic: HELIO. Prefix for "sun".
65. Unwise homebuilder's material, so the story goes: STRAW
66. Put together: ADD
67. Lip-curling look: SNEER
68. Early five-and-dime entrepreneur: KRESS (S. H.)
69. Howard of the Three Stooges: MOE
Down:
1. Bit of bullring gear: CAPA. Dictionary.com says cape originates from 16th century Sp. capa. Never understood this "sport".
2. Loads: A LOT
3. Men's formalwear: TAILCOATS
4. Made-it-big status: STARDOM. On the heels of Jazzbumpa's question yesterday, "you know you've made it big when ____."
5. Hybrid fruit: TANGELO. Tangerine and grapefruit or pomelo. UGLI appears more often in our puzzles.
6. Teen's concern: ACNE
7. Actress Lucy: LIU. One of "Charlie's Angels".
8. Two after epsilon: ETA. Greek alphabet. Nice change from the standard airport abbreviation clue.
9. Melonlike fruits: PAPAYAS. Papaya enzyme is a useful ingredient to treat ACNE.
10. Wings with blueprints: ELLS. Building additions.
11. Likely spot for dinner? PLATE. Cute.
12. Trig functions: SINES
13. Words about a speaker, briefly: INTRO
19. Sharon of "Boston Public": LEAL. Had no idea.
21. Post-WWII nuclear org.: AEC. Atomic Energy Commission. According to wikipedia, it was established in 1947 to foster and control the peace time development of atomic science and technology. Abolished in 1974 when it's functions were reassigned to other agencies.
24. Stitch over: RESEAM
26. Staff symbol: CLEF
27. Romanian dance: HORA. The circle dance often seen in traditional weddings and other celebrations.
28. Individually: APIECE
29. Lafayette's land: TERRE. French for "land". General Lafayette of American Revolutionary War.
30. Arthur who played Maude: BEA.
34. Cardiologist's request: ANGIOGRAM. X-ray that shows blood flow through an artery or vein.
36. Early submachine gun: STEN. Never heard of it.
38. "The War of the Worlds" invaders, e.g.: ETS. Extra Terrestrials.
42. One buying time, perhaps: SPONSOR. Advertising time.
44. Raw or burnt pigments: SIENNAS. WM, can you elaborate?
45. Typical home-loan contract obligations: ESCROWS
48. Actor Baldwin: ALEC
49. ___ Na Na: SHA. Musical group from the sixties.
50. Dash instruments: TACHS. Tachometer of a car measures engine RPMs.
51. Senator Specter: ARLEN. Democrat, PA.
52. Model Proportion: SCALE. I only know model train scales, smallest to largest: Z, N, HO (Half O), S, O, and G. Dennis, do other models have similar scales?
56. Friend, in France: AMIE. Female AMI.
57. Pierce Brosnan's homeland: EIRE. Irish name for Ireland.
58. Prefix meaning "within": ENDO. As in Endoscope. ECTO is the prefix meaning "outer".
59. Miami-____ County: DADE
62. Narrow channel: Abbr.: STR. Strait. Strait of Gibraltar.
A celebration of Dan Naddor's life will be held at 1 p.m. today. Here is a great writeup of Dan's crossword career & philosophy in LA Times. Rich Norris mentioned that there are more than twenty Dan puzzles in LA Times pipeline and they will be published throughout the year.
Answer grid.
Melissa
Good morning, Melissa Bee, C.C. and gang - a fun puzzle today; I really liked the theme. Some very clever cluing - my favorites are 'Bare-bones subj.?' and 'It will come back to you'.
ReplyDeleteHad one unknown in Sharon Leal; other than that, a pretty simple puzzle for a Thursday.
I thought a hora was strictly an Israeli dance, but according to the dictionary, it is indeed a 'circle dance of Romania and Israel'.
Melissa, 'Bren' and 'Sten' seem to be used interchangeably in crosswords, with Bren being the more common of the two. And yes, car, plane and ship models all have their own scales, such as 1/24, 1/32, etc. Great job with the write-up.
Today is Old Rock Day, a day to appreciate old rocks and fossils. I expect to be appreciated today.
Today's Words of Wisdom: "This moment is a gift; that is why this moment is called the present; enjoy it." -- Allan Johnson
And a few words on food:
- "The noblesst of all dogs is the hot dog. It feeds the hand that bites it." -- Laurence J. Peter
- "As for butter versus margarine, I trust cows more than chemists." -- Joan Gussow
seattle kress building, then and now.
ReplyDeletedennis, i half expected you to respond about swimsuit models ...
Good morning Melissa, C.C. and all, a fun puzzle today and one that I could solve with only the perps. I stared at 50D “dash instruments” for a long time before the mind turned on and I realized that the clue was automobile dash. Also, I misread 24D as switch over and this caused some pause. Ugh! Other than the above comments there were not any problems today. Nice write up Melissa.
ReplyDeleteThe weather forecasters are calling for 4 inches of snow here today and the high for tomorrow of 16 degrees.
Hope you all have a great Thursday
Good morning Dennis.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it relatively easy.
I liked the theme also.
Are you going to ignore my e-mail?
I sent it to the AOL account because I can't access the e-mail links on the profile page.
The LAT obit didn't mention the face book page started for Dan so the crossword community could gather and leave comments. Rich covered it when I cited his note
at cruciverb.com a few days ago.
New info was the apartment business
an the BA and MA from MIT.
eddyB
Melissa Bee, swimsuit models??
ReplyDeleteIs C.C. OK?
ReplyDeleteanon, yes, C.C. is fine - she just likes to have guest bloggers on occasion.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning, CC, Melissa Bee and Friends. I'm back and in crossword mode again. I thought this was a good puzzle with some cute clues. I wanted STAR MISSION, but it wasn't enough letters.
ReplyDeleteLafayette's Land: TERRA was an "AHA" moment for me. I was thinking it might have been a state with a town named Lafayette (like Lafayette, Louisiana).
Favorite clues included: It will come back to you (ECHO); One Buying Time (SPONSOR) and Likely Place for Dinner (PLATE).
I was saddened to learn that Dan Naddor has passed. He will be greatly missed in this community.
QOD: Eagles may soar in the clouds, but weasels never get sucked into jet engines. ~Attributed to both Jason Hutchison and John Benfield.
5-DOWN: Ugli is sweet tangelo.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Bee, swimsuit models??
ReplyDeleteLittleneck clams are hard shell and are steamed. Longneck clams are soft shell and are steamers. Longneck bottles go with either one.
Hitting the road now and won't be back 'til this afternoon.
Swimsuit models scale: 36-24-36
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hahtool - that went completely over my head. Melissa Bee, got any pictures as examples?
ReplyDeleteGood morning, C.C., Melissa, and gang,
ReplyDeleteGood job, Melissa, on this very fine puzzle, which had a number of fresh and clever clues. I agree with Hahtool as to the best. Thanks also for including the clip on Dan. I wish I could be there.
My only unknown was Leal, which I guessed. My time was 26 online.
We are bracing for a cold front here today. The temp is predicted to fall from a balmy 68 yesterday to below freezing tomorrow morning, with wind gusts of 50 mph. I know this sounds like nothing to you Northerners who have been enduring sub-zero temps and blizzards. But it is hard to go through such extreme changes.
Two football teams to root for this week. I have mixed emotions about the BCS game, as I attended Alabama for my freshman year. Rooting for the Cowboys can be an emotional risk, as they can so easily disappoint. Their defense is playing exceptionally well, and Romo is hot. He took a cheap shot in the back at the end of last week's game, which was not called. I hope he is OK.
Have a good day.
About the same level of difficulty as yesterday. No problems. No help. 15 minutes.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Melissa Bee, CC and All,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't spell correctly today and some wrong answers that sent me online for red. Snarl instead of Sneer, Dials instead of Tachs made the SW a miserable slog with a pencil. Ceed instead of Cede topped my typo ridden handwriting. Too much other crap in my brain today. Damn Work!!
Beautiful here today with temps in the upper twenties.
Have a good one!
I love the stylistic consistency of Crossword Corner blog.
ReplyDeleteSara
Good Morning All, So nice to see Melissa Bee. You haven't dropped by so often lately, so it is a treat.
ReplyDeleteI must have been on Robert W. Harris' wavelength today. I thought this puzzle was fairly easy for our ramped-up difficulty level, although I have to admit, I didn't grok the theme until Mel Bee spelled it out.
As usual it was the three letter entries like AEC, GRE and TAS that held me up. No worries, the perps took over very nicely.
Our neighbor's lab Lisa, yellow, not chocolate, visits GAH every morning to go for a walk with him and Charley. She's a sweetie.
Busy day....we have to take the Odyssey in for some de-dinging (GAH backed into the shed last week). No damage done to the shed, but there is a nice big dent in the van.
As long as we are in town, we're meeting some friends to see "Avatar" in 3D. I'll let you know what all the hoopla is about.
WH, from last night, no matter how much friction is applied, GAH will always have "hair to spare".
Welcome home, Hahtool. Adventures?
Good morning all,
ReplyDeleteI found the puzzle easy for a Thursday, though I didn't get the theme until reading Melissa Bee's write up. No idea what a CLAMS CASINO is. However some very clever clues and fresh fill made it a fun puzzle to complete.
Melissa Bee, thanks for the write up and links. Especially liked the Manilow jingle, but man, oh man, that hair!
Dennis, thanks for the link last night to Dan Naddor's obit. It did, indeed, run in this morning's paper, nearly a quarter page complete with a color photo. An honor for C.C. to have her blog and interview with Dan cited in the article!
Enjoy the day!
Clams Casino is a seafood entree (not sure of the rest of the ingredients)
ReplyDeleteGood Morning All and to the guest writer-upper Melissa. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNot so difficult and no strikethroughs. Did not know KRESS, LEAL, or SIENNAS, but perps helped. Theme words were fun, but did not get the theme until coming here.
Two French words: AMIE and TERRE.
STR: Clued as narrow channel; Straits are not necessarily narrow from a navigational aspect. Tatar strait (Rus) and the Little Belt (Den) are extremely narrow while Straits of Tsushima or Bering Strait are quite wide; narrow only relative to their connecting seas. Detroit is French for strait.
The strait connecting Lake St. Clair with Lake Erie is called the Detroit River. Go figure.
Stay warm
Quite easy for a Thursday. As a summer Mainiac, littleneck and clams casino were no problem and have worked in the nuclear world AEC was easy, most of it's functions were given to the NRC, Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ReplyDeleteGood morning all, and thanks to Melissa Bee for a nice, concise write-up.
ReplyDeleteAs others have noted, this was fairly easy for a Thursday. I was slowed a bit in the north, having TRITE for STALE before I gave up on it. Didn't know LEAL, and was unaware of what TANGELO was a mixture of, or the meaning of LOA, or that Brosnan was Irish. But it all came together quickly with no help. That's a first for some time on Thursday.
We got about 4" of nice fluffy snow overnight and it's still coming. Everything is already white again outside after the street was plowed, and it's clinging to the trees--looks like a Christmas card pic. Who could ever want to move away from such beauty? Where I grew up there was never snow, and I was 19 before I ever saw real snow (on a trip to New Zealand). I couldn't go back to living with no seasonal changes now.
Nice to see you Melissabee…great write up. Although I finished the puzzle with just one little trip to the g-spot (Leal) I never caught onto the theme. Being from the upper Midwest I had never heard of littleneck clams. Are they good? I once had a chocolate lab named Mocha. She was a good dog, smart and very loyal. Perp help included Loa, eso, Erte, gre, and Kress. Some of those answers just filled themselves in. We had the tricky DNA, RNA clue today and I nailed it! You know you’ve made it big when someone wants your autograph. Hasn’t happened yet. Favorite clue was barebones subj – Anat. Heavy winds with blowing snow and dropping temps in the frozen tundra that is MN. Got the daisies on again today :)
ReplyDeleteOh Dennis you wanted swimsuit model pics.
And like a fool, I clicked on it...
ReplyDeleteJeannie, you are mean, I also opened it and thought oh......
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa Bee, C.C. & gang, a tough puzzle for us today, we only finished the bottom 1/2 before my wife left for work and I had to finish it online. We had Cape for Capa which screwed up 20A until I got the A for AtLarge.
ReplyDeleteRemember that Sten
"is an acronym, cited as derived from the names of the weapon's chief designers, Major Reginald Shepherd and Harold Turpin, and EN for Enfield."
thanks for the kind comments, but i cannot take credit for imaginary places, that was all c.c.
ReplyDeletehahtool, nice to see you back. spot on with the swimsuit model scale.
clear ayes, thanks. my new work schedule has kept me from commenting often but will even out once my training is complete. since "training" includes receiving every treatment on the menu, i'll endure it.
Some very clever cluing, but there were a couple of pet peeves brought up with this puzzle that I'd like to whine about (just in case Jazzbumpa doesn't do a better job of it later).
ReplyDeleteSince is was CAPA instead of CAPE, shouldn't there have been some indication in the clue leading to a foreign origin? Like maybe "Bit of torero gear"?
Second, I hate clues like 17A and 35D that just refer to each other without really telling you much. Thank God the perps were helpful. Is this just a late in the week difficulty factor? Would they have been clued individually had it been a Monday puzzle? Jerome or Rich, any help here?
Diane - Thanks for explaining CLAMS CASINO. As a native West Coaster I was totally clueless on that one.
Good morning Melissa, CC and all,
ReplyDeleteHave to agree that this an easier Thurs c/w, but I still need all the perps I can get.Should I have heard of heliotropic? Tacit and arcane are familiar, but not in my vocab.Burnt sienna was my favorite Crayola color as a kid; only came in the bigger boxes.Knew tachs, but thought it was tacks.Last fill was loa/hora.
Thanks for all of the added information, Melissa, a great write up.The B. Manilow clip was hilarious.What were we thinking in the 70's about hair?Seems we needed to have lots of it for some reason.BTW, how is that new job?
Spitzboov, interesting info @ straits.It seems that many of our geography terms have meanings relative to size, but seem contradictory at times, like gulf, channel and bay.How is Bay of Fundy a bay?
Fav. clue: unwise homebuilders material
Clams Casino
ReplyDeleteIngredients:
24 small clams in shell
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
Preparation:
Open clams; remove clams from shell. Wash shells; place each clam in deep half of shell. Discard remaining clam shell halves. Sprinkle clams with a little salt. Blend butter, chopped green onion, chopped bell pepper, chopped celery, lemon juice, and crumbled bacon. Top each clam with a scant tablespoon of the butter and vegetable mixture. Arrange the clams casino shells on a bed of rock salt in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 425° for 10 to 12 minutes.
Dick and Dennis...gotcha!!
Difficulty level of about 2 for me today. Good puzzle, several fun clues. The only ones I did not know were Leal and Loa and perps got those. I've seen "sten" in crosswords many times, but it is usually clued as a "British weapon" or something similar. I thought along the lines of runway models for 52D. (Thanks for the picture, Jeannie!)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa, for standing in for C.C. Good blog.
We got down to 20º overnight with wind chills in the single digits. Not too bad when I see that somebody up north got -50º wind chills. I know what tfrank means about the drastic change from one day to the next. Brrrrr!
@Hahtool, love your QOD! Very funny!
JD Re: How is Bay of Fundy a bay?. I'd call it a gulf. Bays are usually more enclosed. But then you have the Bay of Biscay, very open to the ocean.
ReplyDeleteMany geographic features were named by explorers and cartographers hundreds of years ago, perhaps when surveys were primitive or incomplete. Gradually, usage settled on one name or the other.
The puzzle constructor used the correct dictionary definition for clueing STR. I was merely ruminating on the fuzziness of applying the term in specific situations.
Spitzboov, I agree, I was just thinking out loud about the terms we use.
ReplyDeleteMelissaB:
ReplyDeleteNice work, as ever.
Jeannie:
Bad girl! Bad girl! Down!
As for unwise homebuilder's material, here in the Midwest, among a certain "green" demographic, straw bale houses have become quite popular. I have several friends who live in them. They are quite cozy in winter with minimal heat, and cool in summer. The iPhone doesn't lend itself well to linking, and even if it did I'm much too retrograde techwise to do it well. But Im sure Ms. Google will enlighten those who are interested.
BTW, yesterday I made my second error in as many days: Me and Bobby McGee was indeed written by Kris Kristofferson, NOT Roger Miller, who did have a country hit with the tune. Others might lay low; not I. If I can find another "fact" to garble I'll go for it.
ClearAyes:
It all in making the effort. I'm sure GAH is an overacheiver.
Dennis:
Ignore and Delete
Hi gang -
ReplyDeleteNice Job, Melissa Bee. Great Cohen/Rollins link.
Model Scale runs from AA to DDDD, I think.
Today's theme was clever, but kind of loose and vague. IMAGINARY PLACES ties it up neatly.
I agree with Jimmy B, who also did a fine job.
Can't get untracked today. I might need a CAT nap.
Ran some errands earlier. Snow is getting started here. Falling steadily now, with no wind.
Cheers!
JzB the ALL IN trombonist
Here is the best site I could find in a hurry on straw bales houses. Scroll down for more pix of construction. My son worked on some in several places while on a trip he took alone two years ago to Oz. he wants to build one here eventually.
ReplyDeleteRe: - straw houses - Ouch! How does one get fire or homeowners insurance? Maybe they're in 'good hands':-)
ReplyDeleteSpitzboov,
ReplyDeleteHere's a quote from the FAQ's:
"Q: Aren't Straw Bale Homes susceptible to Fire?
The straw bale/plastered wall has proven to be very resistant to fire.
The straw holds enough air to provide good insulation value but because they are compacted firmly they don’t hold enough air to permit combustion. It's a bit like trying to burn a stack of telephone books... pretty difficult!
In fact, the results of testing have proven that a straw built wall has a far greater fire resistant than most conventional building materials :-)"
The straw is all enclosed with plaster too, and thus really isn't any more fire-prone than wooden 2x4s. The insulation value is great--think of how thick those walls are! Nice wide window ledges for plants too.
JimmyB,
ReplyDeleteBullfighting by its very nature is foreign, since it is outlawed in the U.S.
Jeannie, you can add me to your gotcha list. As the saying goes, 'There's no fool like an old fool". I must quickly add that I am not saying that Dennis and Dick or old or fools. That is up to them to admit or deny (or ignore)!
Thanks, Kazie. The I know who live in straw houses love them.
ReplyDeleteJeannie, re: being asked for your autograph.
It isn't always a compliment. Evidently there is a coffeehouse/small bar type singer/songwriter here in the Central Bluegrass who resembles moi very strongly. A few years ago I was walking in Berea, Ky. When a young woman stopped me and asked if she could have my autograph. Being conditioned to not ever say no
a female, I took her paper and pen and signed the Windhover aka with as much style as I could manage and handed it back. She looked at it quizzically (and a bit more disappointment than I cared to see) and said, "Thats not who you are!". I told her I would like to be whoever she wanted me to be, but she didn't seem at all interested. I
have wondered what she did with it.
That's about as close to fame as I am likely to get, unless there are awards for midnight rodeo. Eight seconds doesn't seem all that long to me. Quick enough, Mel?
^ old fool
ReplyDeleteDitto Dennis!
ReplyDeleteWhat happens to the straw houses when the straw biodegrades? AND, one damp bale could self combust...I`m just sayin`
ReplyDeleteNice write-up, Melissa Bee!
ReplyDeleteDennis: You’re appreciated here EVERY day!
It’s interesting how some days you’re just in sync with the right options for the clue. As Maniac was saying about putting SNARL instead of SNEER, DIALS instead of TACHS. Next week, SNEER may come to mind first for some reason, and you're perfectly in sync with the constructor. I have some puzzles where I just go with the wrong option for everything. Then others, like today, where Romanian HORA comes straight to mind!
My faforite clue was "Where littlenecks try their luck?"
I think the woman in the pink swimsuit fits the model scale... Nice smooth chest on the other model though! Remember when having MORE chest hair was a sign of virility?
Anon@3:00pm,
ReplyDeleteJust go through the FAQ's on that website I linked. They deal with the moisture levels and discuss it fairly fully. As far as that goes, wasn't the old "daub and wattle" method of construction somewhat similar?
I was gambling in Hawaii and some "cat" was watching me drink my "stale" "pepsi" and eating my pie "ala" mode. My backers and I had a "tacit" agreement that I go "all in" on the next hand when they served me my "poi" (an "annual plant")>
ReplyDeleteMy mind wondered about the criminal who was "at large" and who escaped last "Easter". I could "cede" that there was a "ray" of dispare that he would be caught, since he had robbed "eso chocolate lab" in Mexico. I glanced out the window at Mauna "Loa" as the "mopes" sat in their "seats' admiring the "Erte" drawings. My "ire" increased and "anat" buzzed around my head. Not eating nats was one of my "fasts" I needed to "erase" from my schedule.
I was delighted that I had passed my "GRE" and was scheduled for the next "space mission" with some of my "TAS". When I told them they could come along, they yelled "OLE" so loud you could hear the "echo". I know it's "arcane" but I was "enraged" when they suggested we celebrate with "clams casino". I told them my "RNA" would not allow me clams and we needed to stay close to the lab so that the "helio" rays would not ignite the "straw" and, I admit, I did "add" a "sneer".
I'm off to eat my "kress" salad, since I promised that this year I would eat "moe" better.
Great job MB. Remind me to tell you about the time we booked Sonny Rawlins into our jazz club in Columbus, Ohio.
GO BUCKS - SORRY DUCKS!!
BTW. Easy puzzle for a Thursday. 6:31:17.
I must be off
Good afternoon!
ReplyDeleteNice straightforward blogging Melissa B.
Welcome back Hahtool; you've been missed! I bet the Patagonians miss you now.
Very doable puzzle today--I got the theme answers without completely zeroiung in on the theme. Only real probs were names KRESS and LEAL, and the RESEAM took some thinking. Loved the ANAT clue. CAPA looked wrong but fit like a glove.
Jeannie, please cease publishing photos of me modeling--those pics were for your eyes only! Thanks for the clams casino recipe--I used to go wading for clams as a kid, but was lousy at it. Found lots of broken glass and "pop tops" from beer and soda cans, though!
Beautifully written obit for Dan Naddor. Sad to see it, but glad to see our "homeblog" referenced. I did smile at the idea of wearing flip flops at a funeral.
Time to tackle the snowy streets....Brrr.
36A. STEN. WW2 British submachine gun. STandard ENfield mfr. 9mm, stamped steel parts. Has the magazine which extends to the side rather than down.
ReplyDelete44A. SIENNA is an earthtone color used by oil artists. The "burnt" shade is darker than the "raw".
Melissa bee, how did C.C. get the theme? Do constructors email her puzzles in advance?
ReplyDeleteGreat Loisism Buckeye!! You are one crazy guy!!
ReplyDeleteHello All--Good to see you Melissa Bee as the Write up Queen today. You did a great job. I didn't get the theme until I got here. I also has Space Station. I put that in so fast and had to take it out even faster as the perps wouldn't fall from the letters in station.
ReplyDeleteI thought the clues "It will come back to you" and "Wings with blueprints" were both clever.
I enjoyed seeing Kress today. This was a five and dime from my past! They had a great candy department where you could buy everything by the pound. My mother always stopped in Kress after shopping in town,and bought Chocolate drops. Perhaps that is why I'm a Chocolate-a-holic today?
Perhaps Robin's new avatar could be the swimsuit model you all are looking for.
Jeannie--Good One!
Not as good as a bikini avatar but...
ReplyDeleteWe just back from seeing "Avatar." It's not my usual kind of movie and it was long but it was sure something special. It's an interesting story with lots of action. The digital world where the story takes place is beautiful and fascinating. The 3D made it seem even more real.
Good evening,
ReplyDeleteBTW, you forgot to delete EddyB's first comment at 4AM.
Rodney
Good evening MelissaBee, CC, et al., Nice job, Melissa! Loved this puzzle. Actually, this puzzle went so fast I missed 'a lot' of the perp clues. Like Annette said, some days one is in sync w/the constructor... and some days one is as close as a starship descending into the depths of a black hole. And for a Thurs. at that! Go figure!
ReplyDeleteSeeing a reference to melons again made me LOL and then Holy
'tail coats' and ass hats a star is born with Jeannie's model link!Look at the 'sines'. Here comes
'made it big' status crossing where? 'at Large' no less, which also happens to be parallel to 'all in' and 'space mission'. That star can come check out my 'narrow channel' any time. I'm sure we could get something 'str' between us. He'll need the
'angiogram', not me.
Argyle: Love how you think! Longnecks do go with everything!
Enjoy your night.
Nice job on the answer sheet Melissa. Melissa Bee......cool name.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of helio-tropic as in 64A.
I worked for the 'AEC' in 1963 preparing for the moon landing 'before the end of the decade'. I think NASA took over for them.
Buckeye, Excellent, Excellent, Excellent! Great to hear from you again.
ReplyDeleteSettling in to watch the championship game. Go Crimson Tide!!
I'm sure I'll fall asleep. My youngest will fill me in on the first half!
I agree with BillG about "Avatar". It was long. OK, it was a huge action-adventure and also, not my usual movie preference. The plot was pretty much "Dances With Wolves In Space" with a little "American Psycho" tossed in for good measure. The computer graphics were totally amazing (think Academy Award). I have to admit, it took me a while to get used to the 3-D and found it distracting at times. It has been a long time since my last 3-D movie, I think it was "Creature From The Black Lagoon", so maybe I can be excused.
ReplyDeleteJeannie, more bacon?....yummmm
All you gals, I am glad you enjoyed MYswimsuit model version. Buckeye, somehow you channelled your sis CA, and CA channelled Lois...sometimes I have the tendency to channel Dennis on his feminine side...go figure.
ReplyDelete(Sorry Dennis...go eat some ice cream or chocolate and you will feel better.)
anon@4:43, you'll have to ask c.c. directly.
ReplyDelete