google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 David W. Cromer

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Apr 13, 2010

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 David W. Cromer

Theme: "GIMME A BREAK!" (63A. 1980s Nell Carter sitcom, and a hint to the puzzle theme found in the ends of 17-, 32-, 39- and 46-Across.)

17A. Manhattan rail hub: PENN STATION (STATION BREAK)

32A. Mattress support: BOX SPRING (SPRING BREAK)

39A. Cherished: NEAR TO ONE'S HEART (HEART BREAK)

46A. "Hold your horses!": "NOT SO FAST!" (FAST BREAK). FAST and fast duplication in the clue for LOOSE (52A. Fast partner?). Play fast and loose.

Argyle here.

Gimme a Break! was aired on NBC from 1981 until 1987. The series stars Nell Carter(in red) as the housekeeper for a widowed police chief and his three daughters.

PENN STATION and 47D. New York tribe, city or lake: ONEIDA. gives this puzzle an East Coast SKEW.(61D. Depict in a biased way)

FAST BREAK is when a basketball team attempts to move the ball up court and into scoring position as quickly as possible, often ending in a LAY-UP.

A nice Tuesday puzzle.

Across:

1A. Fuzzy fruit: KIWI. Alliteration.

5A. Royal headgear: DIADEM. And 48. Pageant winners' wear: TIARA.

11A. "...__ an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers": "Romeo and Juliet": 'TIS

14A. Viking war god: ODIN

15A. Draw in: ENTICE

16A. Pictures on the wall: ART

19A. Vert. opposite: HOR.. Old TV knobs. (vertical and horizontal)

20A. Lose support: SAG Reminds me that Lois would have a b...a good time with the DF in this puzzle.

21A. Go bad: ROT

22A. Ida of Hollywood: LUPINO. Nice to have her surname as answer for a change.

24A. "The March King": SOUSA. John Philip Sousa

27A. British boarding school: ETON

28A. First name in spydom: MATA. 6A yesterday.

35A. Like many notebooks: SPIRAL Pertaining to the binding.

38A. Unmoved: ALOOF

44A. Hi-tech greeting: E-CARD

45A. Dogpatch cartoonist: AL CAPP. "Li'l Abner" comic strip.

50A. Highland toppers: TAMS Flat Hat.

51A. Part of BTU: UNIT

55A. Social service?: TEA SET. Alliteration.

58A. R.E. Lee follower: REB He was the leader CSA army; REBELS to the Northerners.

59A. Hef's party wear: PJs. Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner hosted parties in his pajamas.

62A. Downed Russian orbiter: MIR. It was deliberately de-orbited on March 23, 2001.

67A. Educator LeShan: EDA. Crosswordese.

68A. Worldwide: GLOBAL

69A. Gutter site: EAVE

70A. One of the states of matter: GAS

71A. Summer ermines: STOATS. (Weasel)

72A. Oedipus' arrogance, e.g.: FLAW

Down:

1D. "Keystone" bunglers: "KOPS"

2D. Inventor's starting point: IDEA

3D. Hospital section: WING

4D. Quaint stopover: INN

5D. "Star Wars" surname?: DETOO. Droid, first name: Artoo.

6D. Where to find three men?: IN A TUB. In the nursery rhyme, "Rub-a-dub-dub, Three men in a tub, The butcher, the baker, the candlestick-maker".

7D. Firm pro: Abbr.: ATT. Law firm attorney.

8D. CCLI x 11: DII. 251 x 2 = 502

9D. Earth Day sci.: ECOL.. (Ecology)

10D. List of options: MENU

11D. Island from which the Bounty sailed: TAHITI. But the crew didn't want to leave.

12D. Attach, as a patch: IRON ON

13D. Able-bodied: STRONG

18D. 18-yr.-old high schoolers, usually: SRs

23D. Ideal: PERFECT

25D. What's-her-name: SO-AND-SO

26D. Car bar: AXLE

28D. AOL rival: MSN

29D. Barbary beast: APE. The Barbary Macaque population in Gibraltar; they are known locally as Barbary Apes or Rock Apes, because they are a tailless species, despite the fact that they are monkeys.

30D. Relative of Juan: TIA

31D. Rap sheet listings: ARRESTS

33D. Former Cubs slugger: SOSA (Sammy)

34D. Sci-fi author Frederik: POHL. Any readers out there?

36D. The Coasters' record label (coincidentally, all its letters appear in their name): ATCO. Don't Talk Back.

37D. Bread knife target: LOAF

40D. Like some tough tests: ORAL

41D. Org. for drivers: AAA

42D. Tach no.: RPM

43D. "Decorates" with bathroom tissue, for short: TPs. Throwing rolls of toilet paper(TP) in the trees around someone's house.

46D. Nog spice: NUTMEG. Connecticut is known as the NUTMEG state.

49D. Tried to rip open: TORE AT

53D. Shuts tight: SEALS

54D. Recede: EBB

56D. Quiche base: EGGS

57D. Pinball foul: TILT

59D. Ring out: PEAL

60D. Joe: JAVA. Coffee.

64D. Bovine bellow: MOO. One more alliteration.

65D. Wall St. exec's degree: MBA

66D. NFL whistle blower: REF. Great clue.

Answer grid.

Argyle

45 comments:

  1. Good Morning, CC and all. This was another fun puzzle. I still think that Tuesdays are becoming a tad easier than the Monday puzzles. My main hold-up today was thinking that a Hospital Section was a Ward as opposed to a WING.

    We saw MATA yesterday, as Argyle noted.

    My favorite clues were: Where to find three men? IN A TUB
    Bread Knife Target = LOAF.

    ONEIDA could also have been clued as a brand of flatware. My everyday "silver ware" is ONEIDA.

    It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn't ~ Martin Van Buren (does this explain his presidency?)

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  2. Another easy one. 12 minutes. No surprises or particularly difficult clues.

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  3. Argyle et al,
    What does "Tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers" mean?

    Rose,
    No, I've never visited the Spam museum, nor have I eaten any Spam product.

    Jazzbumpa,
    Get back to us soon. You've been missed.

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  4. Good morning, C.C., Argyle and all,

    I had brain lock when it came to seeing the theme this morning, and had to come here to get it. What a d'oh moment! I had little trouble solving, however. My only unknowns were Eda and Pohl, and I suspect we have had them before.

    Enjoyed your interview with David Cromer, C.C. I hope we see more of his work.

    Have a good day.

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  5. Good morning Argyle and All, another easy puzzle today, but contrary to Hahtool I thought this was a tad more difficult than Monday’s puzzle. I, also, tried to put ward in for hospital section and had bed spring in lieu of box spring. Having bed and not box really screwed up that section for awhile, but finally the aha moment when axle came to mind.

    For a change I did get the theme, but it did not help with the fill as they were already done.

    Congrats to Kazie on your milestone.

    Has anyone heard from Buckeye?

    Hope you all have a great Tuesday.

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  6. Good morning all:

    I am finding the puzzles fun, well clued and in perfect harmony for the days of the week. Speaking of which, we get three days of our week from the Norse pantheon which may surprise some.

    C.C. asks what Shakespeare meant with "Tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers" mean? Simply put, if you your do not cook food that is tasty enough to want to lick it from your fingers as you cook, it probably is pretty awful food.

    I really liked Pictures on the wall: ART, Royal headgear: DIADEM,
    Social service?: TEA SET ( tricky, I thought) and Where to find three men?: IN A TUB.

    Happy days are here again, except where is everyone? Dennis I hope all is improving, Buckeye? So many MIA….

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  7. I am with Hahtool. I thought today was a little easier then yesterday. I shaved a few minutes off my completion time.

    My favorite clue was Social Service? TEA SET but I also liked the SO AND SO and NOT SO FAST. We usually see LUPINO as the clue, not the fill so that was refreshing. I too had WARD vs WING at first. Had a couple of unknowns that were easily remedied with the perps.

    CC did you watch the game yesterday? What a fabulous beginning for the new stadium. We attended an event earlier in the month when the Gophers played there. I was quite surprised that they did that, but it was very nice for the fans to be able to see it in its entirety for such a reasonable charge (only $2 to enter that day). We have tickets for Sunday's game, and really looking forward to it.

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  8. ARABON, what book are you reading? I always love to read things set in my neighborhood. Never been to the Spam museum either, but my good friend lived in Austin among the Hormel execs. Sorry to hear about your eye. Hope the shots at least work given what sounds like a painful procedure.

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  9. Good morning Argyle and all.

    Agree with Hahtool about the ease of Tuesday puzzles; but fun nevertheless. No searches or need for white-out. Didn't get the theme until the end. Sigh. For 'Lee' follower, toyed with CSA before settling on REB. Liked cleverness of IN A TUB.

    ONEIDA - Went to the nearby Oneida's resort and casino for their Easter buffet last week. Very classy with live music and great food selection. They do Mother's day, too.

    Enjoy the day.

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  10. G'morning all,
    As noted above, a nice easy Tuesday, not much different from yesterday. Favorite was the IN A TUB clue. I waited for the A in TIA to be sure it wasn't TIO, but other than that, no pauses. However, I wasn't sure about the theme until coming here. I looked for something in the actual ends of the long clues, rather than what followed them.

    Jeannie,
    You were right about the chasteness, but only after that first night, which was pretty much as I said, with the addition of a lot of giggling.

    ARBAON,
    I have started writing, but it's a family saga, and begins with my grandmother's generation. It's taken a backseat to several other projects for a while,and I really must get back into it.

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  11. This was a fairly easy puzzle today with the exception of diadem. That was a new word for me today but managed to get it with the perps. My favorite clue was joe: java, oh and I lick my fingers all the time! Enjoy your day. We are getting some much needed rain on and off here today.

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  12. ARBAON,
    Sorry I forgot earlier to say I hope all goes well with your eye problem and things improve quickly. Anything to do with our eyes is very troubling.

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  13. Good Morning All, I'll come down on the "a little bit more difficult" side today. It was mostly my own fault though.

    5A, since "headgear" can be singular or plural, I tried both CROWNS and TIARAS (I hadn't reached 48D yet).

    5D was also a problem. I'd only seen the little white fireplug's name at R2D2. SKYWALKER and KENOBI were too long and the only other surname I knew was VADER. I wound up working "up" in that area.

    My big "D'oh!" was at 58A. I had -EB and quickly filled in a beginning J, thinking of Confederate general Jeb Stuart. It took me a while to see I had missed K.I.S.S. by a mile.

    Have we had 34D Frederick POHL before? If we have, it didn't stick.

    It was all finally resolved, and I smiled at my dopey mistakes. A fun puzzle and a fun theme too, this was a good start to a Tuesday.

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  14. I'm pretty sure we've seen this poem before. Shame on me if we haven't and it is worth a second look. Since there are a couple of answers in today's puzzle that relate to royalty, I thought I'd post it anyway.

    OZYMANDIAS

    I met a traveller from an antique land
    Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
    Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
    Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown
    And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command
    Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
    Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
    The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
    And on the pedestal these words appear:
    "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
    Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
    Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
    Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
    The lone and level sands stretch far away.

    - Percy Bysshe Shelley

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  15. Good day, Arhyle, C.C. and all.

    Fun and easy Tuesday for me; however, my first error was "crowns" instead of "diadem" and "ward" for "wing".
    Otherwise, it almost filled itself. I like to work up and down together to validate each fill and that went fast.

    Liked:
    social service: tea
    lose support: sag
    bovine bellow: moo

    As I recall "Gimme A Break" was an entertaining sitcom in the 80s. I learned to like Nell Carter, then one year in NY my daughter and I saw her in "Annie" as Miss Hannigan; she was a fabulous singer and actress.

    Have a great Tuesday!

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  16. Clear Ayes:
    I love that poem! Thanks for posting it.

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  17. A nice one today, maybe a bit easier than yesterday. "Dear to one's heart" is the way I've always heard it, but that wouldn't fit, of course. I'd only seen R2D2 also but it's good to know how to spell it.

    Rose, are your shots for macular degeneration? I've a friend who has had some success with those, if so. They have pretty much stopped the progress for now at least. Wonderful what can be done.Hope you get some relief, whatever the problem.

    Kazie, I envy you all your travel adventures. What fun to be in your 20s and seeing the world, meeting wonderful people!

    CA, have you had lots of rain this past weekend? Strong winds here, too. All the pretty trees have lost their blossoms. Summer's on its way, I guess.

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  18. Interesting poem, CA, which I have seen many times before, which now harkens to the comic book saga and film, The Watchmen and one of its anti-heroes OZYMANDIAS which is a very inresting graphic novel and interesting movie.

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  19. A nice Tuesday puzzle, it went well with coffee and a bagel sandwich.

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  20. KQ,
    Yes, I did. It's a great game. Boomer is taking me to the Target Fields in June.

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  21. Clear Ayes,
    The OZYMANDIAS poem looks very familiar. Look at what I found in our past thread:

    From Clear Ayes (December 9, 2008 11:44am)

    The clue of MARY Shelley reminded me of this favorite Percy Bysshe Shelley poem. Ozymandias, one of his more famous poems, is about the transitory nature of power.

    Doesitinink, Perhaps, Illinois' governor(s) should have paid attention when they read this one in English literature class.

    (then the poem...)

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  22. Then JD response:
    "Clear Ayes, enjoyed Shelley's sonnet. I used that poem when I taught 6th graders about ancient Egypt. I did not go into how Ozymandias symbolizes political power, but used it to refer to the mighty works of Ramsesses II. Shelley wrote it for a contest and was inspired by a colossal statue of R. II that had just arrived at the British Museum. His poem paraphrases the inscription on its base: "King of kings I am Ozymandias. If anyone would know how great I am and where I lie, let him surpass me of my works."

    Then Clear Ayes again:

    JD, The loser in the Ozymandias contest was On a Stupendous Leg of Granite, Discovered Standing by Itself in the Deserts of Egypt, with the Inscription Inserted Below by Shelley's friend Horace Smith. It is not surprising that Smith's poem didn't catch on the same way Shelley's poem did. It was noted in a New York Times article a few years ago, when comparing the two poems, "Genius may also be knowing how to title a poem."

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  23. C.C. Thanks for the reminder about the Ozymandias discussion. I'm glad I was pretty sure @11:17 that it had been posted before.

    Also interesting was the reference to former governor Rod Blagojevich. I don't watch the show, but I've seen TV ads showing he has been on Donald Trump's show "The Apprentice" this season. Power certainly is transitory.

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  24. Because I wanted "near to my heart," middle right gave me some problems, but that`s all. "List of options" was a clever clue as was "social service."

    I went back and read yesterdays personal post and it did sound like it was my eyes. I`m so sorry to have mis-led you...the eyes in question belong to the person I`m chauffer for. Thank you for the well wishes anyway. You are all most kind and yes, it is macular degeneration, "wet" in the worst eye, "dry in the other.
    My worst eye problem is that I see things only one way: mine.

    The novel set in Minn. is a light, inspirational one called "Aprons On A Clothesline" by Traci Depree. I also have a Belva Plain one going: "Carousel."

    On the OZYMANDIAS note: We tend to forget that no one gets out of this world alive. It has been said that Alexander the Great wept, while still in his 20`s, that "there were no more worlds to conquer." And he too died. The wisest man who ever lived said, "then whose shall these things be?" Puts it in perspective, doesn`t it.

    Thank you again for your well-wishes...I`ll pass them along.

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  25. Does anyone know if San Francisco Chronicle carries LA Times puzzle?

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  26. Anon- The San francisco Chronicle carries the LAT puzzle seven days a week. The puzzle is published in real time. Today's LAT puzzle is in today's Chronicle.

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  27. C.C. and folk:

    I did the c/w late last night, it occupied my span of sleeplessness. My husband and friends went on a week long rafting trip on the Great Salt River. They left yesterday morning. It's me and my 3 dogs here holding up the fort. I get scared when I stay home alone in this 3 story house.

    Enough about me, now the puzzle. Gimme a break was my feeling about the theme. It went way over my head until I came here. The interview (good job, C.C.,) helped me to understand the simplicity and playful spirit Mr. Cromer was expressing (good Job, Mr. Cromer...may I call you Dave? lol)

    My favorite clue/answer was social service-tea set.

    @Jeannie and CA or anyone?, in reference to diadem,the word and poetry, I call to mind a poem that seems to be in the style of Emily Dickinson, "...caught (?) in nature's diadem," being the last line???

    @ARBAON, my prayers go out to you! I wish for success of the procedure and for your eyes/sight.

    I'm out!

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  28. An interesting poem from a most prolific poet Sky is Low .

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  29. Hi.
    The on-line version of the Chron
    carries the Universal. Don't know
    what the print copy has.

    Doesn't look as if the other falcon
    egg is going hatch.

    eddyB

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  30. Lemonade, good for you for finding the Dickinson poem.

    Frenchie, I couldn't remember the title and searched the phrase "In nature's diadem". It seems to have been a very popular poem line in the late 1800's. There are quite a few poems with that line or something very much like it. One of them, "Geraldine" by Martin Farquhar Tupper is 216 verses long. I won't bother linking that one! Another sweet little poem by Elizabeth F. Blanding is only 12 lines. I'll post that one tomorrow.

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  31. Hello All--Another fun puzzle with no lookups--two days in a row. My ego is beginning to expand. What will tomorrow bring?

    I do the across and downs together, so wanting ward, wing fell into place without a problem. I didn't even see Odin, gas and Mir until I came here and read Argyle's blog. Good job, by the way, Argyle.

    I didn't know Sci-fi-author Pohl, but it was easily filled in.

    Nell Carter had one of the nicest voices. I enjoyed her sitcom, Give Me A Break, but it was her singing that really made her a star.

    These are busy days for me, but I'm wondering, Jeannie, have you been shopping yet? Also, I've made your pork chop recipe a couple of times now and it is really delicious. Easy, too.

    Have a great evening, everyone.

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  32. 49D Tried to rip open: TORE AT. I saw a great hint the other day about how to easily open that plastic packets so many products come in these days. Use a can opener! I haven't had an opportunity to try it yet, but anything's worth a try.

    The QOD reminds me of the similar saying about it being easier to ask for forgiveness afterwards, than for permission before.

    I didn't know what Diadem meant, but I had enough perps to guess it as a word I remember from an old hymn at church.

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  33. Good evening all,
    Late checking in today, missed yesterday entirely. I really enjoyed this puzzle today--for me it was easier than yesterday, when I had a number of erasures. Loved seeing the words DIADEM and TIARAS in the same grid. Knew DETOO, so DIADEM came easily, as I remembered the word from a hymn I first heard as a child. I didn't get the theme until getting to the unifying clue, but smiled when I did. Among favorite clues/fills was 72A Oedipus' arrogance, r.g.--FLAW.

    C.C.-Thank you for another wonderful interview. It is always so interesting to learn from the constructors' perspectives. Incidentally, in a recent post (Sunday, I think), I didn't mean for you to contact Rich about who had come up with the clue. Please forgive me if I was misleading. I was simply musing.

    Kazie--Congrats, belatedly! (Okay, after a recent discussion of "belated", I hope I got that right.)

    Lemonade--Flower vs. flour.....TOO funny!

    Cheers!

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  34. I don't know the context the quote was in, but my take on "Tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers" was a little different. The word 'ill' is a broad synonym for 'evil'. And the 'evil' cook can't lick his own fingers because he's poisoned the soup.

    I've been watching Celebrity Apprentice this season. I wasn't familiar with Rod Blagojevich's story at all, but they said enough for me to get he was another disgraced politician.

    Trump "fired" him 2 weeks ago. In my opinion, he came across as a useless, schmoozing wimp. He couldn't make a decision to save himself, iterally!

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  35. @Lemonade (Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now, depending on what circumstances dictate!) Thank you so much for identifying the poem! Now, I can quit racking my brains out.
    @CA - Thank you for researching this diadem memory of mine! I look forward to reading the Elizabeth F. Blanding poem tomorrow. Again, thank you!

    ARBAON, in the light of it not being you getting needles in your eye, I'll pass my positive thoughts to your client!

    @Kazzie, Very romantic! I thought meeting my husband in a revolving door was romantic (...30 years ago) and we have been going around ever since! At any rate, fun courtship and a happy lifetime together...your husband and you have a relationship to behold! Again, congratulations and let romance and intimacy be yours forever and a day!

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  36. Good evening all,

    Found a few sticky spots in today's c/w, and then wondered why when they finally fell into place. I was not familiar with diadem(also put in crowns) or stoats.Knew Sousa, Mata and Al Capp, but the brain was not in sync.Forgot about Detoo/Artoo.

    Laughed at "in a tub".My mom was always so creative with our Halloween costumes growing up. We were 4 tombstones when all 4 of us were in school together;the next year we were the butcher...you got it.If I can find the picture, I will post it.

    Ca, enjoyed rereading the poem. CC, I believe anyone in power should read it, and think about what it says.History certainly repeats itself over and over. You'd think we'd learn.

    Annette, I have also seen a few episodes of C.A. and I agree with your description of Mr. B. I was embarrassed with his lack of communication skills.

    Dodo, we had a lovely rainstorm all day Sunday with wind.The clouds yesterday were unbelievably gorgeous...not typical for CA.

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  37. Hi all, first of all, a big sigh as I finished my taxes tonight on-line. I came out okay, don't have to pay but I expected better. The state of MN really knows how to "put it to 'ya".

    Chickie, I am glad you like the pork chop recipe and yes I agree it is easy. Just curious, did you make the homemade onion soup powder? A further answer to your question...no I didn't get out to shop as it was too nice this weekend for me to venture into town. I do most of my shopping on line these days but still can't decide between the shoes , the swimsuit or the one I covet . I think you know which way I am going.

    I got some bad news today as I thought I was heading to the Burger King convention in Miami and would have a chance to at least meet some Southern FL folks for a cocktail or two. It seems that they are sending the multi-unit Admin that has no clue what BK is up to, knows no one and can I just say WTF?

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  38. I forgot a couple of things.

    Kazie, I thought so and good for you.

    Annette, the only thing I buy now that is in plastic is bacon and I use a little paring knife to get that sucker open.

    Chickie, you solve a puzzle the same way I do. I get discouraged if I can't get 1-acrossed and 1-down right away.

    Frenchie...you didn't think I was going to let you get by. A revolving door, do tell more.

    C.C. anything blooming in your yard yet? My chives are coming up in a pot that was totally covered with snow and was beaten badly by Mr. snowblower this winter.

    I am covering for the dry buyer at work this week so have little time to comment. I am not sure what I am doing as I don't know his lines very well. So far, so good.

    Dennis, I miss you. That goes for you too, Lois, Buckeye, Windhover, and what ever happened to Embien?

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  39. Dodo, we had a rainy, windy Sunday and Monday, with some hail on Monday morning. We are still glad every time it rains because it postpones the day we will have to turn on the sprinkler system.

    Lemonade, thanks for reminding me about "The Watchmen". I had heard it wasn't your average sci-fi super hero movie. I put it at the top of my Net-Flix queue.

    I hope Lois checks in soon.

    Dennis, we miss you. Please stop by when you have a little time and let us know how you and your friend are doing.

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  40. Yes, there are a few of us missing in action. I have also worried that Embien may have health issues, after hearing of his frequent big restaurant steak meals.

    ARBAON,
    Glad to hear yours were not the eyes in danger, but do please pass our hopes along.

    Frenchie and others,
    Thanks again for all the good anniversary wishes. Not every day has been so wonderful of course. As in all relationships, there have been many ups and downs, but without the downs, how would we appreciate the ups?

    I'm curious about the revolving door too--fess up!

    Jeannie,
    I vote for the le Creuset in Flame, Carribean or Dijon--those colors all make a statement! The shoes don't look comfy enough, and let's face it, only a perfect figure looks any good in those swimsuits! Go for the comfort food you'll make in that pot!

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  41. Kazie, I am comfortable enough in my skin to know that yes, bikinis are out of my league now. I am happy to say that one day I did them justice.

    There is something to be said about a beautiful pair of shoes though. I own a few pair that have only been worn once or twice for different "special" occasions. I really don't think my new found money is going there. Even though I know I have $100 bucks going towards that pot, I still, somehow, can't justify it. Give me a couple more days this week covering someone who obviously doesn't know how to cover one's ass when one goes on vacation and I may just change my mind. Let's all face it folks...sorry guys, I want that pot.

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  42. Now how did I know that? I guess I did look reasonably good in a bikini once too--much longer ago than you, I'm sure.

    Even though you only won enough to cover part of the cost, if it's something you've always wanted, it's worth it. Think of it this way: if you were giving to charity, you'd think nothing of it. Be your own charity this once!

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  43. Jeannie, Last I heard from Embien, he was taking a break from crossword puzzles to concentrate on other activities -- about 4 months ago.

    Dennis and Buckeye, you guys are missed. Come back when you can.

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  44. Kazie, I just threw caution to the wind and ordered one in "crimson". That ought to satify you men folk too. Tfrank just picture me in my crimson heels (one of the nice pair I do own) cooking in my crimson pot.

    Now, if only I could get to Miami....I might put on my crimson heels and click them together just to see what happens....

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  45. Thank God I'm so old that when I was swimming, bikinis hadn't been invented! Cheers, Jeannie, have us all over for Boeuf Bourginon!

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