Theme: Spread 'Em - Theme answers are all breakfast spreads.
17A. Sweet toast topper: STRAWBERRY JELLY. Only strawberry jam in our fridge.
29A. Fruity bread topper: APPLE BUTTER. I've never made apple butter myself. Looks delicious.
50A. "Schmeared" bagel topper: CREAM CHEESE. And lox. Heavenly sandwich!
65A. Waist woe (caused, perhaps, by overindulgence in 17-, 29- and 50-Across): MIDDLE-AGE SPREAD. I wonder why the constructor let go of the straightforward BREAKFAST SPREAD. It has 15 letter too, and sums up the other three entries perfectly. Maybe not as sparkly as MIDDLE-AGE SPREAD?
Mangesh also sprinkled a few more food related entries in the grid:
1D. 1/16 of a cup: Abbr.: TBSP
12D. Bubbly drink: COLA. Symmetrically placed against DIET (57D. Try to reduce 65-Across).
39D. Container at an afternoon service, maybe: TEA CADDY. Defined as "a box, jar, canister or other receptacle used to store tea". I can't believe I've never heard of this term.
63D. Sugar source: CANE. Or BEET.
How did it feel to solve a puzzle made by a non-native English speaker? Something amiss?
Across:
1. Silently understood: TACIT. As in tacit approval.
14. "Well done!": BRAVO.
15. Early Yucatán dweller: MAYA. Ah, the mysterious Maya calendar and the dooming Apocalypse 2012.
16. Nebraska tribe: OTOE. Sometimes it's OTO.
21. Cancel: UNDO
22. Book of maps: ATLAS. Named after the Greek mythical figure Atlas, who is depicted as holding the world on his shoulders.
25. __-shanter: Scottish cap: TAM O. Tam O'Shanter. Odd breakdown partial.
27. State with 13-Down: Abbr.: FLA. And KEYS (13D. Largo, West, et al.).
36. Group of bits, in computer storage: BYTE
37. Other half, so to speak: SPOUSE. And IVANA (4D. A former Mrs. Trump).
40. Wood-dressing tool: ADZ. Penned in AWL.
42. Init. response team: EMTS
43. Complaint of "the weary": NO REST. No rest for the weary.
46. Kick into a net: GOAL. Initially thought the clue is asking for a verb.
49. Quilting party: BEE. Where are our quilting Barb B & KittyB?
52. Wimbledon do-over: LET
53. Made the scene: CAME
54. Terse order to a chauffeur: HOME. I wanted GO, GO!
56. Model of excellence: IDEAL
59. Assign stars to: RATE
61. Place for a beret? TETE. I sure need "béret" or some sort of French hint.
62. Leadership org. for females: YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association)
68. Hang in the balance: PEND
69. Schedule opening: SLOT
70. Without letup: ON END. Why do I always want NO END?
71. Hang around: STAY
72. Move cautiously: EDGE
73. Enjoys a kiddie pool: WADES
Down:
2. Greek city on its own gulf: ARTA. I've never heard of this city. What is it famous for?
3. Politician in a political cartoon, e.g.: CARICATURE. Awesome entry.
5. Garage service: TOW
6. Word of agreement: AMEN
7. The __ of Avon: BARD. Shakespeare.
8. Boring way to learn: BY ROTE
10. Direct, as a confrontation: TOE-TO-TOE. Nice entry too.
11. "__ cost you!": IT'LL
18. Like roads with many potholes: BUMPY
19. Copier problem: JAM UP. Oh, I see "jam" now.
26. "Washboard" muscles: ABS
27. Old Cannes cash: FRANC. Alliteration again.
28. Repair bill line: LABOR. Parts & labor.
30. School support org.: PTA
31. Rock climber's stop: LEDGE. Loved the "Rock On" Jazzbumpa linked last week.
32. Windblown desert plant: TUMBLEWEED. Why "desert"? We have tumbleweed here too.
34. Odometer button: RESET
41. Playwright Akins: ZOE. She wrote the screenplay for "How to Marry a Millionaire". Her name escaped me. We had this entry before.
44. Lowercase: SMALL
45. Cable sta. for old films: TCM (Turner Classic Movies)
47. Hibachi residue: ASHES
48. Summer sign: LEO. Zodiac sign.
51. Proclaim: HERALD
55. Loy of "The Thin Man": MYRNA
58. Ferber or Best: EDNA. Not familiar with Edna Best. Spotted her in Mangesh's list. Ha ha.
60. Popeyed: AGOG. Popeyed is a real word? Only know Popeye the Sailor.
64. Puts two and two together? ADDS. I figured out immediately that constructor wants the mathematical ADDS.
67. Sock-in-the-jaw sound: POW!
Answer grid.
Now I am hungry. What's your favorite breakfast spread? I love honey.
C.C.
17A. Sweet toast topper: STRAWBERRY JELLY. Only strawberry jam in our fridge.
29A. Fruity bread topper: APPLE BUTTER. I've never made apple butter myself. Looks delicious.
50A. "Schmeared" bagel topper: CREAM CHEESE. And lox. Heavenly sandwich!
65A. Waist woe (caused, perhaps, by overindulgence in 17-, 29- and 50-Across): MIDDLE-AGE SPREAD. I wonder why the constructor let go of the straightforward BREAKFAST SPREAD. It has 15 letter too, and sums up the other three entries perfectly. Maybe not as sparkly as MIDDLE-AGE SPREAD?
Mangesh also sprinkled a few more food related entries in the grid:
1D. 1/16 of a cup: Abbr.: TBSP
12D. Bubbly drink: COLA. Symmetrically placed against DIET (57D. Try to reduce 65-Across).
39D. Container at an afternoon service, maybe: TEA CADDY. Defined as "a box, jar, canister or other receptacle used to store tea". I can't believe I've never heard of this term.
63D. Sugar source: CANE. Or BEET.
How did it feel to solve a puzzle made by a non-native English speaker? Something amiss?
Across:
1. Silently understood: TACIT. As in tacit approval.
14. "Well done!": BRAVO.
15. Early Yucatán dweller: MAYA. Ah, the mysterious Maya calendar and the dooming Apocalypse 2012.
16. Nebraska tribe: OTOE. Sometimes it's OTO.
21. Cancel: UNDO
22. Book of maps: ATLAS. Named after the Greek mythical figure Atlas, who is depicted as holding the world on his shoulders.
25. __-shanter: Scottish cap: TAM O. Tam O'Shanter. Odd breakdown partial.
27. State with 13-Down: Abbr.: FLA. And KEYS (13D. Largo, West, et al.).
36. Group of bits, in computer storage: BYTE
37. Other half, so to speak: SPOUSE. And IVANA (4D. A former Mrs. Trump).
40. Wood-dressing tool: ADZ. Penned in AWL.
42. Init. response team: EMTS
43. Complaint of "the weary": NO REST. No rest for the weary.
46. Kick into a net: GOAL. Initially thought the clue is asking for a verb.
49. Quilting party: BEE. Where are our quilting Barb B & KittyB?
52. Wimbledon do-over: LET
53. Made the scene: CAME
54. Terse order to a chauffeur: HOME. I wanted GO, GO!
56. Model of excellence: IDEAL
59. Assign stars to: RATE
61. Place for a beret? TETE. I sure need "béret" or some sort of French hint.
62. Leadership org. for females: YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association)
68. Hang in the balance: PEND
69. Schedule opening: SLOT
70. Without letup: ON END. Why do I always want NO END?
71. Hang around: STAY
72. Move cautiously: EDGE
73. Enjoys a kiddie pool: WADES
Down:
2. Greek city on its own gulf: ARTA. I've never heard of this city. What is it famous for?
3. Politician in a political cartoon, e.g.: CARICATURE. Awesome entry.
5. Garage service: TOW
6. Word of agreement: AMEN
7. The __ of Avon: BARD. Shakespeare.
8. Boring way to learn: BY ROTE
10. Direct, as a confrontation: TOE-TO-TOE. Nice entry too.
11. "__ cost you!": IT'LL
18. Like roads with many potholes: BUMPY
19. Copier problem: JAM UP. Oh, I see "jam" now.
26. "Washboard" muscles: ABS
27. Old Cannes cash: FRANC. Alliteration again.
28. Repair bill line: LABOR. Parts & labor.
30. School support org.: PTA
31. Rock climber's stop: LEDGE. Loved the "Rock On" Jazzbumpa linked last week.
32. Windblown desert plant: TUMBLEWEED. Why "desert"? We have tumbleweed here too.
34. Odometer button: RESET
41. Playwright Akins: ZOE. She wrote the screenplay for "How to Marry a Millionaire". Her name escaped me. We had this entry before.
44. Lowercase: SMALL
45. Cable sta. for old films: TCM (Turner Classic Movies)
47. Hibachi residue: ASHES
48. Summer sign: LEO. Zodiac sign.
51. Proclaim: HERALD
55. Loy of "The Thin Man": MYRNA
58. Ferber or Best: EDNA. Not familiar with Edna Best. Spotted her in Mangesh's list. Ha ha.
60. Popeyed: AGOG. Popeyed is a real word? Only know Popeye the Sailor.
64. Puts two and two together? ADDS. I figured out immediately that constructor wants the mathematical ADDS.
67. Sock-in-the-jaw sound: POW!
Answer grid.
Now I am hungry. What's your favorite breakfast spread? I love honey.
C.C.
Wake up everyone, and welcom Mr. Ghogre.
ReplyDelete19. Copier problem: JAM UP, I love this crossing with JELLY!!!!
I liked, 14. "Well done!": BRAVO, or a television network, home of TOP CHEF one of my favorites with the delightful PADMA .
I also was not familiar with ZOE .
38. Be next to: ABUT, easy to remember, who is your Favorite .
When I was a kid, everyone seemed to read, 6. "Dear" advice giver: ABBY, remarkable she and ANN LANDERS were TWINS .
I found Mr. Ghogre's story of how he familiarized himself with American idioms even though he was fully aware that he would never use any of what he learned to be fascinating. It's very clear that he possesses in great quantity and quality the primary quality required for prescence and personhood, namely limitless curiosity.
ReplyDeleteOur occasional puzzle answer (or clue) Rene Descartes said all one needs to do is think in order to "be". The Border Collie lieing beside me on the couch is thinking right now.
I would love to meet this constructor, andin some fashion I will. I plan to read what I can find of his writing on spirituality. Thank you for the interview, CC, and thanks to Rich Norris for broadening the horizon of the LAT Crossword.
Hello everyone. The puzzle makes me hungry. I have been maintaining my middle age spread for many years. Cream Cheese? Jelly? Apple Butter? Seems like a good theme would be "Fat Tuesday".
ReplyDeleteHey Windover, I guess the rest are all out frolicking, or they are too stuffed from all the recipes Miss Jeannie is providing. How you doing Lo-li-ta? Anyway, C.C. if you picture Roger Rabbit’s reaction to things where his eyes literally expand out of his head, this is what is meant by Popeyed: AGOG. For me, it brings back childhood memories of going to visit Mimi on Webster Lake. Do we all remember Webster Lake from last year, also known as Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg
ReplyDeleteGood Morning, CC. This was a pretty easy puzzle and I needed absolutely no outside help, but my thinking cap wasn't on this morning, so it took me some time to do. My only unknown was ADZ / ZOE. Not familiar with either one.
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing CARICATURE / TUMBLEWEED / SPOUSE. What fun words.
My "Aha" moment came when I filled in RATE, for Assign Stars To. Must have still been still thinking in the Oscar mode.
QOD: Fighting fire with fire only gets you ashes. ~ Abigail van Buren (aka Dear ABBY)
Good morning all
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Mangest on his achievement. He has good breakfast 'taste'.
C.C. My favorite breakfast spread is orange marmalade.
Easy puzzle today; no look-ups, no erasures. Lots of good fill, though. I count 36 blocks in the grid. Is this on the higher side for a 15X15 cw?
Only 2 French words, FRANC and TÊTE
Assume the comments will be schmeared with yummy food today.
Good Morning CC and All,
ReplyDeleteNice run through this morning. My only hang up not thinking in French and writing Head. Agog fixed it.
I don't usually eat breakfast but now I'm hungry.
Another great interview CC. Thanks for the write up also.
Have a great day all!
This puzzle got me thinking I have not had any orange marmalade recently, which made me think of jolly old England, which led to...perhaps it is time we had a new clue for EDNA .
ReplyDeleteDamn, Spitzboov, we are the same wave length
Pretty easy, just a little harder than Monday's puzzle. 12 minutes.
ReplyDeleteYmm. Orange Marmalade is my favorite toast topping, as well.
ReplyDeleteMorning all. Great work as usual on the interview, CC,
ReplyDeleteFavorite morning bread spread - Honey Butter
Did anyone notice that there is an "AGE" in the middle of all those spreads? It is running diaoganally from NW to SE.
Good morning, all.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this puzzle. Was able to complete without help, but did have to think about several clues. Didn't have any idea this was from a non-native English speaker until reading the interview. Very impressive! And another great interview, CC.
The only unknown was at the crossing of Adz/Zoe... which is quite interesting since I'm sitting next to my little Zoe while she eats her breakfast...
My favorite breakfast spread is Nutella. First had it as an exchange student in Germany in 1980 - am happy that it's readily available in the US now.
Lemonade, I also LOVE Top Chef, and am excited about the next Masters series, which I believe is coming soon. It's always fun to dissect the show with our chef - I'd love to see him on the show someday.
Time to get a move on. My better half had an early-morning meeting, so I have school drop-off responsibility today.
Enjoy the day!
Hi fellas,
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed one of the biggest days in my life to see my debut crossword in LAT. From where I started, this has been one wonderful journey. In India, crosswords are not as popular as sudoku is. We are more numbers driven. Maybe by seeing more Indian bylines, people here will also get motivated to solve and make crosswords. This hobby is the best gift I have given myself.
Nice to see that people are enjoying the puzzle. Though i wish if Rich could have retained few of my original clues. But then he knows best. No regrets.
Mangesh Sakharam Ghogre
Mumbai, India
C.C.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to my earlier post? It seems to have disappeared.
Mangesh, C.C., and all,
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview, and nice easy puzzle with several fresh entries. Enjoyment was doubled by the revelations of the interview. My hat's off to your perseverance and grasp of American vernacular, Mangesh! Have you any knowledge of our other Indian visitor, Deepak Gopinath, who used to comment here daily? We haven't heard much from him since the change to LAT.
C.C.,
Perhaps you didn't know "tea caddy" because it's more a British usage, I think. For one thing, Americans tend to use more tea-bag tea, whereas the British and Aussies use more loose leaf tea, which can be spooned directly from their tea caddies into a full size tea pot to serve the whole family.
I love all manner of sweet things on toast--jam, jelly, honey, but I don't enjoy the bitterness of orange marmelade. I do still enjoy the occasional toast with Vegemite too, but that satisfies my need for something savory, rather than when I'm in a mood for sweets.
Good morning from sunny, warm Florida, C.C. and gang - went for an invigorating swim a little while ago, then sat by the pool and did today's puzzle. Definitely a well-done puzzle, just a bit more difficult than yesterday's, with some fresh cluing. As with C.C., I'd never heard of the city of Arta.
ReplyDeleteMangesh, what a magnificent accomplishment! Congratulations on an excellent puzzle; I hope we see a lot more of your work.
Buckeye, how did the testing go? We need you and your humor with us for the long-term.
anon@8:12 from last night, The temp here is upper 60's already, with mid 70's this afternoon, and 80's coming the rest of the week, so I'm not sure where you're getting your "low 60's" information.
And as to the political discussion the past couple days, my personal opinion is that I'd much rather see any political/religious stuff on an ancillary blog, and not on this one. I've got strong political views that encompass both left- and right-leaning beliefs, but I'd never think to express them here. To what end? Would it make me feel better? Do I think that I'd change someone's mind? Neither serves this blog well. Anyway, hopefully we can all agree to keep the blog fun for everyone.
C.C., great job with today's blog, as usual. As to my "favorite breakfast spread"......yes, I do have one.
Mangesh:
ReplyDeleteWe who love puzzles are in awe of you achievement, and I for one would love to see your original clues; if you feel it is inappropriate here, you can email me at either address listed with my Profile.
LEMONADE should be TART like good MARMALADE, right Sweet Tart?
Dennis:
ReplyDeleteI'm responding to you here rather than privately because I believe your comments need addressing by us all.
First, there can be no logical argument against what you said. You are correct, and that is that.
It is also certainly true that my comment last night violated both the long standing rule and the very sensible interpretation of it that you laid out just now. I will first aploogize (yet again), and make two comments.
1) part of what makes this blog unique and interesting is the daily banter and sharing of information and opinion that takes place here every single day. If it doesn't occasionally skirt the edge of propriety it will not be what it is. That, of course, is no excuse, just an observation.
2), and why I wrote last night and am writing again now, is to defend our friend Buckeye, who after yourself I consider the indispensable man here. His posts are often/always edgy (who else could get away with saying f&@k here?), but also always humorous, pithy, and entertaining.
Any idiot (and I use the word advisedly) who could complain about his story the other day, whatever your political views and from whichever of the left/right propaganda machines you get your worldview, has no sense of humor or fairness whatsoever. His total post (all five) was no longer than some Jeannie's recipes, one of Al's dissertations on health issues, or one of my occasional rants. I'm willing to bet the tractor I'm sitting on that whatever the stated reason, the objection was to the content.
I will certainly try to do better, and you know from
our previous conversations that I am not offended by your correction or by CC's. When I'm wrong, I'm wrong.
Have fun in sunny Florida, and enjoy that breakfast spread any time the notion strikes.
Your damn good friend, WH
I really enjoyed the puzzle today, and even more so after reading the interview with Mangesh. Makes me feel so incompetent that he who doesn't even have English as his first language, as well as never living in the US can accomplish something like this, and I struggle just to get through the late week puzzles. Ah well. Such is life.
ReplyDeleteI found this puzzle to be quite easy to get through. Sometimes early in the week I try to accomplish the puzzle with a perfect grid - in pen, no erasures and looking very pretty. I was able to do that this am. It requires a little more time to complete as I won't put an answer in until I am sure that I have the right fill. I love when I can do this. This must mean a good day is ahead.
Spent the am doing some things to reduce that MIDDLE AGE SPREAD. We are on the beach in a few weeks and I am rather frightened that any summer clothing I have will not longer fit!!! I guess that would be a good reason to buy something new, but don't really want to do that for this purpose. The winter has been a bit too long I guess.
I do wonder why bagels conjure up cream cheese but I like them very much. As for my favorite spread, honey would be the choice. It doesn't have to be for breakfast either.
Lemonade thanks for the tip. I do know this, but it is often not as high quality as the original. I think Robin has taken it off already. She does change avatars quite frequently.
Good day all.
...which brings me to a corny joke...(my fav kind) "Said the little biddy, as he ran to his sibs, (after finding an exhausted hen sitting atop a rather large, orangish orb) "Ya`ll come look at the orange Mama laid!"
ReplyDeleteFavorite spread? The newspaper with the LAT puzzle in it (at least Monday through Thursday...)
Good morning, C.C. and All,
ReplyDeleteBravo! What a tasty dish you have served us today, Mangesh, and as has been said, doubly so because you are not a native speaker. I thoroughly enjoyed the interview and I'm really impressed by your accomplishments. I plan to go back and read more of your writings.
This was great fun just to see what the next serving would be.
My two fav spreads are orange marmalade and strawberry jam on toast.
C.C.
Tam O'Shanter is famous, I believe, because of a poem by Robert Burns.
Interesting to know that tumbleweeds also grow in MN. Here, some people collect them at Christmastime, arrange them in a pile and decorate them with lights, etc. as they would Christmas trees.
I must add my support and admiration, too, for Buckeye. I completely enjoyed Saturday's tale and I love his lusty comments. He is certainly creative and adds much sparkle to the conversation.
Where are you, Buckeye? I hope your tests went well.
Have a lovely Tuesday everyone!
Hi C.C., and friends,
ReplyDeleteI say "BRAVO" to Mangesh Sakharam on his LA Times debut! A terrific accomplishment. My favorite clue/fill today was 43A NO REST. Lots of fun words and a very tidy composition/grid.
I rarely eat any type of sweet spread, but rather top bread or crackers with cheeses, or sliced chicken or turkey.
C.C.-(From yesterday)--I have never seen "American Gigolo". Were you perhaps thinking of someone else?
Enjoy the day!
KQ I have it up just let me know where to send it. Can you drag it off my comment?
ReplyDeleteWindhover, an excellent post. I'll respond off-blog, because I really don't want to see this become today's topic of discussion.
ReplyDeleteI will say this - I hope no one thinks that what I wrote was an attack on Buckeye, who I think the world of, or on anybody here. It's just my own personal feeling and my sense of what C.C. wants to see in this blog.
It suddenly clouded over here, so it's off to find food, then to a great, gigantic Barnes & Noble nearby to try and edumacate myself.
Robin, when I try to drag or save it off your blog site, it isn't working for me. My email is on my blog. Just click on my name, go to the email, attach the image and send off. Thanks. My chemo friends will thank you also.
ReplyDeleteHi C.C. and all -
ReplyDeleteI actually had an easier time with this fun puzzle than I did with Monday's.
I just finished breakfast so the toppings did not make me hungry but my favorite one is peanut butter. Next favorite would by apricot jam.
Buckeye, sure hope your tests came out ok, I enjoy your posts so much! They are fresh, funny and provide a good 'ol gut laugh...something that everyone can benefit from.
Dennis and WH...nicely said comments and I heartily agree with both. We are all adults with beliefs and opinions that are forged with time and not likely to change radically by reading the opposing view, but it is good to keep an open mind..that is how we all form those opinions. Sometimes a point is brought up that I had never considered. 'Nuff said :)
Lemonade,
ReplyDeleteJolly old England? Dame Edna Everage is a character played by Australian comedian Barry Humphries, as affirmed in her/his performance you linked.
Buckeye,
I'm certainly hoping the tests turned out well for you. Let us hear.
Good Morning All, I really liked this puzzle. Maybe an "other side of the world" perspective is what made it so much fun.
ReplyDeleteOf course CARICATURE, TOE-TO-TOE, TEA CADDY and TUMBLEWEED were great fill. I also enjoyed NO REST, HERALD and "Assign stars to" for RATE.
The theme entries were wonderful. Like C.C., I got hungry just looking at them. But, as you know, I solve the previous night when I can and a hunk of toast slathered with jam would not have been a good idea, given the state of my hips.
We're lucky because GAH's brother has about a dozen fruit trees and makes jellies, jams and fruit butter every year. We get enough to last us all year long. I love his apricot jam, pluot jam and pear butter. Hmmmm, it is morning and now it is legal to indulge in a toasted "Sandwich Thin" with some peanut butter and apricot jam....delish!
I guess I'm in the marmalade minority. I don't care for the citron flavor of peel and zest that most marmalades incorporate.
If I'm going to have a bagel, it will have cream cheese, lox, tomato and purple onion on it. (I'm starting to get drooly right now.) After reading Manesh's interview, I had to laugh at his Yiddish "schmeared" clue (or was that a Rich Norris addition?).
To Dennis, Windhover and Buckeye, you're all right and alright. To Buckeye/T.O.C., I hope you are OK as well.
KQ done fingers crossed
ReplyDeleteHello all.
ReplyDeleteBuckeye keep posting. I love your
stories and hearen what's hapnun at the home. Letem complain.
I KNOW people don't like what I say
some times. Sorry about that.
Jazz your reference to sh-boom
brought back a flood of memories.
I was a sophomore in HS when it went to #1. As soon as I can get the family room furniture out of the living room, I'll look to see if I still have my copy of the Gaylord's version.
CA my eyes ARE half closed by 11PM
and I turn into a pumpkin at midnight.
That is enough for now. eddyB
Orange marmalade!
ReplyDeleteThank you ever so much for a terrific interview and a fun puzzle.
Mangesh: Wonderful job!!! And congratulations on your first LAT puzzle! I hope we see many more.
ReplyDeleteFun, fun puzzle! Other than making you hungry, it also made you reminiscent, and anxious about that MIDDLE-AGE SPREAD! The only problem I had was from a simple French word…my personal Achille’s Heel. Then, while reading the commentary, I realized I still had AWL in 40A instead of ADZ. I thought LOE looked odd, but forgot to go back and revisit it.
My favorite breakfast spread (does maple syrup count?) would be apple butter, if it’s available. If not, then definitely strawberry jam. I do remember some wonderful cherry preserves my mother used to make when I was little. The last jar is long gone though. I sampled some fig preserves at Whole Foods a while back that were very good! I’ve been meaning to get back there and buy a jar.
2 of Four: Wow, great catch of “AGE” in the center of the puzzle!
Arbaon: I loved that joke! Puns are my favorite. I liked your spread response too – clever!
To C.C. Yes, I used to speak Mandarin Chinese pretty well, but have gotten extremely rusty over years of not using it. Lived in Taipei, Taiwan, for a couple of years way back in the early 1960's. Before you were born! Loved the country and the people. Climbed all the way up to the "Temple of 1000 Steps" even. I sure can't do that any more.
ReplyDeleteBest regards.
@mangesh: STERLING! I remember solving my first x/w with Ben Franklin and Thomas Paine, and even with that experience and with English as my first (and only) language, I would NOT be able to construct one. My envy and congratulations on your accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteMy test is tomorrow. I'll let y'all know the results, when I regain consciousness.
Please see the last post from last night.
All opinions regarding, but not limited to, my post of Saturday have been stated. I actually enjoyed the differences of opinion. Thank you, friends and supporters. I'm truly humbled.
It's time to move on. 'Nuff said!
I must be off!
Tea caddy led to scone with marmalade, which led to England, which reminded me of Eddie Izzard, which reminded me of Dame Edna, a more traditional transvestite, who I knew to be Barry Humphries from Australia, but I did not fill all the steps in my thought process, and did not think it worth mentioning. (the ... was intended to suggest there were many steps from England to EDNA). I am curious if it is national pride, or dedication toprecision which prompted your comment. In any event, it was not my intention for anyone to infer EDNA was British, as I assumed they would watch and appreciate the link. I wil try to be more careful next time.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've solved a puzzle and gained three pounds in the process!
ReplyDeleteFun crossings- JELLY, JAM. LABOR, NO REST. BUMPY, CALM. And my vote for the most curious crossing of the year so far- TOE TO TOE, OTOE.
Fabulous- TUMBLEWEED.
Great job, Mangesh. And by the way, all constructors have a certain amount of their clues changed. Never let that bother you.
HI:
ReplyDeleteI have been really busy with work, and learning my son is planning on getting married, and I still have not completed preparation for his Law School graduation in May, so I have not commented often. but I am doing the puzzles and getting better.
Anyway, I am really confused by the recent events and the comments about "pithy" and "succinct" as I had the impression this blog was intended to be fun, unlike all the other technical blogs. In fact, I always have felt out of place as my comments have been rather short and to the point. I generally do not have time to participate in most of the gossiping and df which seems so popular, but I do know Buckeye is a hoot and one of the best things about this experience for me. As an educator of young people, we always try to discourage children from running to the teacher to complain about fellow students, asking them to try and address issues directly. It is sad to see someone would show such little respect and bother C.C. with a complaint, without talking to Buckeye first.
Robin, do you have that in a TShirt? I may have too many literal friends, but...well maybe I would meet more people.
I do wish I cooked, but I was banished from my own kitchen this week end; Buckey, be well, and Mangesh, you amaze me. I guess I used up all of my posts in this one
Hi gang -
ReplyDeleteMangesh - Outstanding job on a fine, fun puzzle. Quite an accomplishment.
Buckeye - Remember what Tom Paine told you, and use some COMMON SENSE: be sure to study hard for your test tomorrow.
My favorite toast topper is peanut butter, but that can then be topped with a variety of other selections - apple butter, jelly, jam, honey, or that orange mama laid.
C.C. I can just barely stand to look at that ROCK ON picture. I am such a flat-lander.
Eddy - I was in the 2nd grade in 1954, but have a crystal clear memory memory of Sh-boom.
Cheers!
JzB
Nice write up and interview today with Mangesh C.C. Mangesh, superb job on your first LAT puzzle being published. Being somewhat of a “foodie” myself, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did get some perp help with Otoe, tete, Arta, and Myrna but no red letter help. C.C. my only gripe is where is the “ab” picture? Remember this is an equal opportunity blog. My favorite breakfast spread is a toss up between garlic & herb cream cheese and homemade strawberry preserves. It depends if I am in a sassy/savory mood or in sweet/tart mode. And yes, Counselor, a good marmalade should always be sweet and tart.
ReplyDeleteJust realized...Largo is very close by!
ReplyDeleteFor Annette: A barber told a customer, "Watch how dumb this little boy is...`Hey, son, do you want these two quarters or this dollar bill?` " The boy took the two quarters. The customer found the boy outside and asked, " Why do you take the quarters instead of the dollar?" "Simple!", said the boy, "the day I take the dollar, GAME OVER!"
Hi.
ReplyDeleteSo many things not said the first time. Like:
Great interview and great first time
puzzle.
Built a tumbleweed xmas tree when we lived in AZ.
Watch Dave and some 10PM shows the next day online. Happy for east coast
feeds so I can watch some at 7PM.
Magnifying glass now at 150 percent
so I can read what I write. Need new glasses
Marmaduke was funny today. On line again. Favorite strip is Mallard Fillmore. That's the way I think.
Was thinking about all the doo-wop groups from Philly.
eddyB
Buckeye: Happened to be "lurking" today and saw where you will go through "something" tomorrow and that you, some how. have gotten into blog-trouble.
ReplyDeleteI want you to know you have brought me many a smile in months past and what ever you do tomorrow, remember i will be praying for you. And stay out of trouble, my masked friend!
Nutella, CC.
ReplyDelete(Misplaced at the Interview comments)
ReplyDeleteGood morning, C.C. and pals,
I enjoyed Mangesh's puzzle this morning. My practice is to work the puzzle upon arising, on an empty stomach, and his theme entries have spurred my desire for food. I have skipped your interview and will read it after breakfast.
There were no unknowns for me, and thankfully, no show business or musicians names clued. This is a refreshing change, as these clues are my weak spot.
I grew up in the South, where bagels were uncommon fare, so I never developed a taste for them. As a child, I had homemade biscuits
with eggs, bacon or sausage for breakfast. Our sweet was either homemade jelly or jam from fruits picked in the wild, or molasses. Our grandfather grew sugar cane and was known as one of the best molasses makers in the region. It was not the tangy, dark kind often seen in stores, but golden, like honey, with a mild taste.
I am blessed with a fig tree in my yard and usually put up fifteen or twenty pints of fig preserves. I think I will go and have some now!
Have a great day.
I got introduced to bagels and lox in college by a couple of Jewish dorm mates. I still enjoy them especially with a thin slice of vine-ripe tomato. But I didn't grow up with them in Virginia. My favorite is homemade buttermilk biscuits. I can make a good approximation with Bisquick and using buttermilk instead of sweet milk.
ReplyDeleteMangesh, I think it would be interesting for all of us if you could post some of your original clues side-by-side with what Rich changed them to. Thanks for the puzzle. Very impressive accomplishment.
Jam Up and Jelly Tight by Tommy Roe.
ReplyDeleteBetter yet: Toast and Marmalade for Tea by Tin Tin.
Arbaon: It took a moment to sink in, but I loved it! Thank you, I needed it this afternoon. %$#^*& management...
ReplyDeleteDennis: That’s my favorite way to spend a rainy afternoon - wandering through Barnes and Noble.
Bill G.: I think my only exposure to bagels growing up in Pittsburgh were the frozen Lender’s bagels from the grocery store. I didn’t get what the fuss was all about until I moved to South Florida and tasted the real thing.
lemonade,
ReplyDeleteCertainly not national pride, but maybe thinking the accents could be confusing, since (s)he does refer to the queen in a rather familiar way, which might lead someone to think English especially after your lead in, if they didn't stick it out for the whole thing. I'm not sure everyone does watch all the U-tube links, since they are time consuming and not all of us have the time. No big deal really, but I guess I am a stickler for accuracy.
Was watching TCM when I picked up the puzzle, old movie called Casablanca was on.
ReplyDeleteTheme got me thinking, so it was a bagel w/CREAM CHEESE & coffee time.
Nice Tuesday level LAT, only BUMPY clue was for ARTA but the perps took care of that. Googled Arta and learned something new. Always a puzzle plus.
Argyle - Thanks for the clips, Tin Tin on a 45 brought back the memories. As to the OBAN, smooooth!
Wicked busy up here so I had to backtrack and catch up on the weekend hoorah.
ReplyDeleteBuckeye, good luck tomorrow and I agree that all of the opinions were good reading and well vetted. Part of why I'm hooked on this blog.
Jeannie, I'm dealing with some arthritic issues everywhere but my hands. Drop me an e-mail and I can share my recent experience, rather than bore everyone here.
Speaking of ABS. My youngest was running around the house in his boxers the other night. The wood stove was cranking and we were getting dinner ready, waiting for Mom to get home when he got me with this one.
"Hey Dadio, guess what? I got called to the principal's office today"
I could feel my ears turning red as my blood pressure instantly rose. I said, "What'd you do son?"
Now picture a skinny 11 year old, with fists overhead flexing his biceps and absolutely no body fat around his midsection......
"She said I wasn't allowed to come to school with two guns and a six pack!"
My oldest hooted "He gotcha Dadio!" and I started winging the carrots I was cutting into the salad at them.
It's the simple things in life for me lately.
Catch ya later!
'Bumpa. I've been skimming material about stress tests - not really studying. As you recall, I studied for my last blood test and they didn't ask me one question about blood.
ReplyDeleteToday at the GBRV, Ben Dover came in.
"What's with Nurse Ratchet, Buckeye? She's been all over me for three weeks?"
"She's a pain in the neck, Ben. Just ignore her."
"I can't ignore her. She's harder to get rid of than Rasputin and jock itch."
Ben's a history major.
IMBO
Maniac - please share your experience dealing with arthritis. I was told to stay on a low-carb diet.
ReplyDeleteHi C.C. & gang, it was a great first start for a ESL puzzler. My wife and I had no trouble finishing it before she left for work.
ReplyDeleteJeannie: Thanks for the update on the pork chop recipe, perhaps you might like to update it and re-post it sometime?
All this talk of food made remember our 2007 trip to England and Wales where we found
Clotted cream
"Clotted cream (also known as Devonshire cream or Devon cream) is a thick yellow cream made by heating unpasteurized cow's milk and then leaving it in shallow pans for several hours. During this time, the cream content rises to the surface and forms clots."
I think that they offered Tea with a scone and clotted cream -- if you've never tried it it's really amazingly good.
A 'normal' weekend breakfast might include toasted English muffins with Irish butter and home made jam. My wife makes her own jam to sell at our pottery sales, see: this link
We also got hooked on Irish butter when we were there.
Good evening CC, et al., I just ate this puzzle up at supersonic speed. Guess I was ravenous. Now need to 'undo' my belt a notch, but what a good puzzle! Fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteThought about Dennis in 'Fla' and Melissa 'Bee' on the coast and Jeannie all over the place, our resident foodie.
'Tumbleweed' took me back to OK where tons of them go rollin' across the dusty fields. Makes me want to break into that old Bobby Bare song, "'I-vana' go 'home',
and 'Stay'...also a good command for my 'lab'. I laughed out loud w/toe to toe paralleling 'jam up'..
'it'll' sure teach you 'pain'. Prefer toe jam of a 'calm'er sort..you know where one 'wades' on the 'edge' of the wave and the wet sand feels like 'apple butter' being 'schmered' all over abs...I mean your....uh 'o..toe's,
yeah that's the ticket, and you ask for a better butter and your man says, butter? Butter! I don't even know 'er! Just 'let' it go. It's all good.
Anyhow, congratulations, Mangesh. You are utterly amazing.
Jeannie: Spring break will be spent in Antigua, sailing the Caribbean, snorkeling, diving, and island hopping as much as possible.
Buckeye: I enjoyed your story too. Love all you do. Good luck tomorrow. Hope you pass your test.
Dennis: Isn't that amazing! our favorite breakfasts are the same kind of spread. Funny guy!
Maniac: On "kids say the darndest things":
ReplyDeleteA friend took her three year old to the pedaitrician for a minor health problem and Mom tried to get the girl her 4- year- old shots while there, since she`ll be four the 14th of this month. The little girl heard the Dr. say, "No, she can`t have her shots until she`s actually 4." After he left, the little girl said, "Mommy, can I please just stay three!."
Jeannie: I didn't save you meatloaf recipe as I'm only feeding one person, me, but I would like to have that recipe for peanut sauce. I think it was with the meatloaf, wasn't it? Would you please email me a copy of that , or the whole meatloaf recipe, since my son-in-law loves new recipes? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks. dodo
ReplyDeleteOh,my, with all the talk about food, all I could think of was Jeannie's peanut sauce! Didn't even say 'Hi, all' or send kudos and congrats to Mangesh, or express my opinion on orange marmalade: 'Yick!' and my loooove of apricot jam (which I used to make in the days when everybody gave you apricots because they wanted to get rid of them, like zucchini is now). Please accept as offered.
ReplyDeleteMangesh, you are a wonder! You and C.C. are simply outstanding in you command(s) of the English language, and you, particularly, in your creativity in whatever language!
In the meantime I am struggling with an attempt to post my avatar; well, it's really a group picture in which I am one of the subjects. I finally found one I hadn't torn up. Of course, I'm MUCH better looking than in the picture! Anyway, C.C., your directions are straightforward enough, it's just that I am somewhat technologically challenged : if it isn't in Word, I probably don't know it! But I won't give up; I SHALL overcome! Be patient, all!
Oh, #1. How does one get into one's profile if she hasn't posted a comment?
Good evening C.C. and all, a nice easy puzzle again today. This is good as it gets me ready for the more difficult slogs later in the week.
ReplyDelete@ Dennis, your 9:33 post, I completely agree about the political innuendos that keep creeping into this blog recently. I also wish those involved would move to another venue if they want to inject politics and religion into the discussions, Neither of these subjects were intended for this blog.
Hello All--I thoroughly enjoyed the puzzle today. My only hangup was in the SE corner where I misspelled MYRNA as Merna and put in Beet for CANE. After I fixed those two errors, I managed to finish without any help. The perps filled in any unknowns, such as ARTA and ZOE. I thought the clues for RATE and EDGE were really fresh and different.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I thought my middle age spread was due to middle age and not all those delicious spreads that we had in the puzzle today. If I had my choice, I'd have Strawberry jam on an English Muffin for breakfast.
I make all of the jams and butters that we have here at home. I just finished the orange marmalade for this year. The little oranges on a backyard tree take forever to peel and prepare for the jam, but the end product is so worth the trouble. My Christmas gift to all my sons-in-law is one of each of the jams and butters that I make during the year, (along with a bottle of really good wine).
I've enjoyed the banter the last few days. It is what makes this blog my passtime during the day.
Have a lovely evening, everyone.
No, Jeannie, you didn't get me mixed up with Warren. We both made the Pork Chop recipe for dinner on Sunday. We're having the leftovers tonight. It is a keeper.
ReplyDeleteWarren, I went on your web site for the pottery sales and the studio is about two miles from our house. Let us know closer to time when the next sale is. I'd love to come.
Man who are you people and how do you know so much stuff? I am old and do not know all what you talk about, and some of you are funny, and some cute and some sassy (yes a popular puzzle word). Of course some of you are boring, but life is never perfect. Well I appreciate all you have taught me
ReplyDeleteCC does not like post after post of long comments, period!
ReplyDeleteCC in her own words " As I said before, #1 post can be (reasonably) long when the puzzle is discussed, but I'd like posts #2 to #5 to be pithy & succinct".
ReplyDeleteAs I read ll the food comments, I kept changing my idea of what the best breakfast topping is, then I read Warren's comments and I agree, nothing can surpass scones with clotted cream and berry jelly. Unfortunately, it is a regular staple in my diet. Probaly toast with peanut butter topped with cheddar cheese is one my most frequent choice.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very enjoyable, doable puzzle - probably because there were so few entertainment clues. I'm amazed that Mr. Ghorge could construct an "American" puzzle without having lived here. Congratulations on a job well done.
Linda, good to 'see'you again.
Dot
I think C.C. is quite capable of speaking for herself. This seems to be a good example of making a mountain out of a molehill. I'm guessing the few objections were about the moral of Buckeye's serial story about healthcare in the US rather than the length. But that's just me.
ReplyDeleteeddyB, Mallard Fillmore is a favorite eh? Good artwork but...
Poppy seed bagels from a local bakery are pretty good (with schmear, lox and a thin-sliced vine-ripe tomato) but I still like the buttermilk biscuits from my childhood. Say, they would go great with Jeannie's pork chops I'm guessing.
Buckeye, I hope the tests went well. Worrying about them might be worse than the actuality. At least, I hope so.
I love Dame Edna!
Jeannie,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to tell you I made a double batch of the onion soup mix over the weekend. I'm using it for all sorts of things--flavoring for gravy, mashed potatoes, hamburgers (they were really yummy!) Good for so much more than just the original ideas.
Maybe those objecting to Buckeye's story disliked it for the very reason I loved it. Have you ever wondered why all those other countries with their subsidized medical plans don't rush to change and adopt one like ours? If you can answer that honestly, you'll see why we really do need to change ours so everyone here can afford to be insured. Health care should be everyone's right, not just that of the comfortably off and the employed.
Kazie said: "Health care should be everyone's right, not just that of the comfortably off and the employed."
ReplyDeleteHeh heh. I agree but be careful. Some folks might complain about the length of your comment. :>)
Glad you all are enjoying the recipes, but it has been pointed out by Windhover and others that they might be too long. I guess they don't belong on this blog afterall. For any of you that have missed some and are wanting to procure them I guess Dennis said all you have to do is google this site and type in
ReplyDeleteJeannie's meatloaf, etc. I am not comfortable publishing my e-mail address.
Linda, Thank You. You know what I mean.
Sorry C.C. and all for making such long posts regarding those.
Glad you all are enjoying the recipes, but it has been pointed out by Windhover and others that they might be too long. I guess they don't belong on this blog afterall. For any of you that have missed some and are wanting to procure them I guess Dennis said all you have to do is google this site and type in
ReplyDeleteJeannie's meatloaf, etc. I am not comfortable publishing my e-mail address.
Linda, Thank You. You know what I mean.
Sorry C.C. and all for making such long posts regarding those.
Inadvertantly, I made the postest with the mostest by accidentally posting twice.
ReplyDeleteHi there, I am overwhelmed to see the responses of you all. am so glad that you enjoyed the puzzle. This was my firstattempt and i can assure you i will try to get better with time.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot to CC for posting my interview on this blog. It certainly motivates me to make more puzzles.
I do visit this blog regularly. But the puzzles in Times of India are published with a lag of 3 months. So i read blogs which are 3 month old and hence cant comment/chime in your dicussions.
Some people have suggested that i share my original clues. Though i am tempted to, but i think if i use them in my future puzzles, folks will enjoy it more.
Thanks again ..