Theme: KING ME (71A. Board game demand, and hint to this puzzle's theme) - KING is added to the end of three-letter word of a common phrase.
18A. Temporary teacher's lot? : SUB PARKING. Subpar. The only theme entry where the base phrase is one word. Temporary teacher = Sub.
23A. What it would have been if 10-Down went down? : ORIGINAL SINKING. And ARK (10. Ararat arrival). Noah's Ark landed in Mt. Ararat. What exactly is the "Original Sin"? Eve & Adam ate the forbidden fruit and then made love?
52A. Brusque words about strong coffee? : ESPRESSO BARKING. Espresso Bar. Quite an evocative clue. Brusque order from a customer.
61A. Actress Brenneman losing on purpose? : AMY TANKING. Amy Tan, author of "The Joy Luck Club", very real portrait of Chinese American mindset. I liked Amy Brenneman's role in "NYPD Blue".
Interesting that every one of Jack's recent puzzles has a unifier entry. "King Me" came to my radar only because Lois had lots of DF fun with the term some time ago on the blog. I've never played Checkers.
As you all know, I am quite fond of clue echos and cross-references, but I truly dislike those ones that give absolutely nothing for me to decipher. In today's case:
6D. 13-Down relative : EDU
13D. 6-Down relative : ORG
They are relatives because both are common internet address endings?
Across:
1. Rhine tributary : RUHR. In Essen.
5. Word spoken while pointing, perhaps : HER. New clue.
8. Slow tempo : ADAGIO
14. Sitcom redhead : OPIE. Ron Howard in "The Andy Griffith Show". I thought of LUCY Ball.
15. Stock ending? : ADE. Ending to the word Stockade.
16. Sole sauce : TARTAR
17. Hosp. workers : LPNS (Licensed Practical Nurses). New abbr. to me. Maybe it's gimme for August & Crazy Horse.
20. Escorted : LED IN
22. Where to kiss the Blarney Stone : EIRE
30. Nat or Red : NLER. National Leaguer. Washington Nationals/Cincinnati Reds.
31. "The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom" author : ORMAN (Suze)
32. '60s activist gp. : SDS (Students for a Democratic Society)
35. Former sergeant, perhaps : EX-COP. Needed crossing help.
38. Classic Callas role : TOSCA. No idea. All I know about Maria Callas is her affair with Ari Onassis.
39. "Very funny" : HA HA
41. Greenish blues : TEALS
43. Links sight : CART. Golf.
44. Memorable mission : ALAMO
46. Pond papa : DRAKE. Alliteration.
48. __ Arc, Arkansas : DES. Not familiar with this city. We also have ARCED (25D. Bowed). Minor duplication.
49. Former name of the Mariinsky Ballet : KIROV. Previously Kirov Ballet.
50. Fanatics : NUTS
59. Like an undeliverable pkg. : RETD. Returned I suppose.
60. Where to get down : EIDER. Duck down.
67. Normal opening? : PARA. Opening to the word Paranormal.
68. Hunts diligently : SCOURS
69. Date : SEE
70. It acquired Applebee's in 2007 : IHOP. Unaware of this fact.
72. Little shaver : TOT. Shaver = Small kid.
73. Peter of reggae : TOSH. Gimme. The Wailers. With Bob Marley.
Down:
1. Rich kid in "Nancy" comics : ROLLO. Stumper. I don't read comic strips.
2. Berth place : UPPER
3. Language that gives us "cheetah" and "chutney" : HINDI. Any good recipe for mango chutney?
4. Quit : RESIGN
5. Holds : HAS
7. Rise up : REBEL
8. Pong creator : ATARI
9. Are more than reluctant to : DARE NOT. I say this a lot.
11. VW hatchback : GTI. GTI = Grand Tourer--Injected. Who knows? Volkswagen is the largest foreign car maker in China.
12. Creator of Q and M : IAN (Fleming). Q & M are Bond characters.
19. Circle constants : PIS
21. __ green : NILE
24. "What happened __?" : NEXT
26. McDonald's founder : KROC (Ray)
27. "When __ she comes to me with a thousand smiles": "Little Wing" lyric : I'M SAD. Stymied. Jimi Hendrix song. Any The Corrs fans there?
28. Shell layer : NACRE. Mother-of-pearl. Mollusk shell.
29. Punkies : GNATS. Punkie is a new word to me.
32. Wooden shingle : SHAKE. Was ignorant of this carpentry term.
33. "The Sacrament of the Last Supper" and others : DALIS. Here is the painting.
34. Off-key, in a way : SHARP. Need Jazzbumpa's explanation.
36. Watercraft control : OAR
37. Alternate strategy : PLAN B
40. Cupid : AMOR
42. Arctic predator : SKUA. Hi there!
45. Like many a baseball pitch : OVERARM. Overarm pitch.
47. French 101 verb : ETRE. "To be".
51. "Never mind" : SKIP IT
53. Common quality? : SENSE. Common sense.
54. NYSE buy : STK (Stock)
55. Lyrical poet : ODIST
56. Only state that borders six states and Canada : IDAHO. Wow, it's true.
57. __ Circus, where St. Peter was crucified : NERO'S. Learning moment for me. Jack likes to put a few Biblical references in his puzzle.
58. Plotting device : GRAPH
61. Quiz : ASK
62. Verizon subsidiary : MCI
63. That, old-style : YON
64. Harbor vessel : TUG. Quite a few 3-letter word entries in the grid. Total 21.
65. Revival prefix : NEO. Neoclassic, e.g.
66. Fetch : GET
Answer grid.
C.C.
18A. Temporary teacher's lot? : SUB PARKING. Subpar. The only theme entry where the base phrase is one word. Temporary teacher = Sub.
23A. What it would have been if 10-Down went down? : ORIGINAL SINKING. And ARK (10. Ararat arrival). Noah's Ark landed in Mt. Ararat. What exactly is the "Original Sin"? Eve & Adam ate the forbidden fruit and then made love?
52A. Brusque words about strong coffee? : ESPRESSO BARKING. Espresso Bar. Quite an evocative clue. Brusque order from a customer.
61A. Actress Brenneman losing on purpose? : AMY TANKING. Amy Tan, author of "The Joy Luck Club", very real portrait of Chinese American mindset. I liked Amy Brenneman's role in "NYPD Blue".
Interesting that every one of Jack's recent puzzles has a unifier entry. "King Me" came to my radar only because Lois had lots of DF fun with the term some time ago on the blog. I've never played Checkers.
As you all know, I am quite fond of clue echos and cross-references, but I truly dislike those ones that give absolutely nothing for me to decipher. In today's case:
6D. 13-Down relative : EDU
13D. 6-Down relative : ORG
They are relatives because both are common internet address endings?
Across:
1. Rhine tributary : RUHR. In Essen.
5. Word spoken while pointing, perhaps : HER. New clue.
8. Slow tempo : ADAGIO
14. Sitcom redhead : OPIE. Ron Howard in "The Andy Griffith Show". I thought of LUCY Ball.
15. Stock ending? : ADE. Ending to the word Stockade.
16. Sole sauce : TARTAR
17. Hosp. workers : LPNS (Licensed Practical Nurses). New abbr. to me. Maybe it's gimme for August & Crazy Horse.
20. Escorted : LED IN
22. Where to kiss the Blarney Stone : EIRE
30. Nat or Red : NLER. National Leaguer. Washington Nationals/Cincinnati Reds.
31. "The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom" author : ORMAN (Suze)
32. '60s activist gp. : SDS (Students for a Democratic Society)
35. Former sergeant, perhaps : EX-COP. Needed crossing help.
38. Classic Callas role : TOSCA. No idea. All I know about Maria Callas is her affair with Ari Onassis.
39. "Very funny" : HA HA
41. Greenish blues : TEALS
43. Links sight : CART. Golf.
44. Memorable mission : ALAMO
46. Pond papa : DRAKE. Alliteration.
48. __ Arc, Arkansas : DES. Not familiar with this city. We also have ARCED (25D. Bowed). Minor duplication.
49. Former name of the Mariinsky Ballet : KIROV. Previously Kirov Ballet.
50. Fanatics : NUTS
59. Like an undeliverable pkg. : RETD. Returned I suppose.
60. Where to get down : EIDER. Duck down.
67. Normal opening? : PARA. Opening to the word Paranormal.
68. Hunts diligently : SCOURS
69. Date : SEE
70. It acquired Applebee's in 2007 : IHOP. Unaware of this fact.
72. Little shaver : TOT. Shaver = Small kid.
73. Peter of reggae : TOSH. Gimme. The Wailers. With Bob Marley.
Down:
1. Rich kid in "Nancy" comics : ROLLO. Stumper. I don't read comic strips.
2. Berth place : UPPER
3. Language that gives us "cheetah" and "chutney" : HINDI. Any good recipe for mango chutney?
4. Quit : RESIGN
5. Holds : HAS
7. Rise up : REBEL
8. Pong creator : ATARI
9. Are more than reluctant to : DARE NOT. I say this a lot.
11. VW hatchback : GTI. GTI = Grand Tourer--Injected. Who knows? Volkswagen is the largest foreign car maker in China.
12. Creator of Q and M : IAN (Fleming). Q & M are Bond characters.
19. Circle constants : PIS
21. __ green : NILE
24. "What happened __?" : NEXT
26. McDonald's founder : KROC (Ray)
27. "When __ she comes to me with a thousand smiles": "Little Wing" lyric : I'M SAD. Stymied. Jimi Hendrix song. Any The Corrs fans there?
28. Shell layer : NACRE. Mother-of-pearl. Mollusk shell.
29. Punkies : GNATS. Punkie is a new word to me.
32. Wooden shingle : SHAKE. Was ignorant of this carpentry term.
33. "The Sacrament of the Last Supper" and others : DALIS. Here is the painting.
34. Off-key, in a way : SHARP. Need Jazzbumpa's explanation.
36. Watercraft control : OAR
37. Alternate strategy : PLAN B
40. Cupid : AMOR
42. Arctic predator : SKUA. Hi there!
45. Like many a baseball pitch : OVERARM. Overarm pitch.
47. French 101 verb : ETRE. "To be".
51. "Never mind" : SKIP IT
53. Common quality? : SENSE. Common sense.
54. NYSE buy : STK (Stock)
55. Lyrical poet : ODIST
56. Only state that borders six states and Canada : IDAHO. Wow, it's true.
57. __ Circus, where St. Peter was crucified : NERO'S. Learning moment for me. Jack likes to put a few Biblical references in his puzzle.
58. Plotting device : GRAPH
61. Quiz : ASK
62. Verizon subsidiary : MCI
63. That, old-style : YON
64. Harbor vessel : TUG. Quite a few 3-letter word entries in the grid. Total 21.
65. Revival prefix : NEO. Neoclassic, e.g.
66. Fetch : GET
Answer grid.
C.C.
81 comments:
Good morning, C.C. and gang - well, this is two in a row where I really fought the puzzle. Got the theme right away with the first theme answer, but I still had a picket fence after the first time through. I also confidently put 'Lucy' in for 14A, 'Sitcom redhead', and that set me back a bit. As did putting 'ex-Cpl' for 'Former sergeant, perhaps'. Got through finally with lots of perp help, due to several unknowns including Peter Tosh and Nero's Circus.
I didn't like 5A at all, and in five decades of playing and watching baseball, I don't think I ever heard 'overarm' used. Overhand, yes, and sidearm, yes. And C.C., I'm with you in disliking the 'edu'/'org' combo, and yes, they're both common URL address endings. Still, all in all, I enjoyed the challenge, especially the fresh cluing.
Today is World UFO Day, and something else.....damn, I can't remember.
Did you know:
- Theater spotlights used to burn lime for light, thus the term limelight.
- If a frog keeps its mouth open too long, it will suffocate.
- A group of jellyfish is known as a smack.
Oh yeah -- it's also I Forgot Day.
Good morning all (but time for me to go to bed).
A belated HBTY to our fearless leader CC and to Rose.
Didn't feel well enough to attempt puzzle for Thursday. Worked it a while ago. The clue that led to MIDDLES is just plain mathematically incorrect.
Bill G.--As a former violist I can say that Leverage was really asking us to believe the impossible. (Actually, they do that a lot. Best to turn off brain. Same with "Burn Notice.")
I am sad that "In Plain Sight" is over at least for the season. Wow! What an unexpected ending.
First "Rescue Me" horribly depressing. I have been a recovering alkie for 14.5 years.
Thursday puzzle had only a few unknowns for me (OIL CAN HARRY, REDRUM) which were taken care of from perps. I have no interest in watching "The Shining"--think it would give me nightmares for weeks.
The last installment of "Persons Unknown" caused great depression. (Something to expect with fibromyalgia.) Anyone else watching it?
Today's puzzle had me resorting to googling. Sigh!
Have a great weekend all!!!
Good Morning, CC and all. This was a good puzzle to end the week. There were some great tricky and misleading clues, all the more so since I misread a few of them!
Sitcom Redhead = OPIE was especially tricky since every episode of the Andy Griffith Show was in Black and White! Raise a hand for Lucy.
I also misread Arctic Predator for Arctic Predecessor. Not that I could come up with a response regardless how it may have been clued.
I thought Sacrament of the Last Supper and Others was some sort of religious rite. I still didn't connect DALIS with the artist until I read your explanation, CC. Thanks.
I didn't realize that IHOP had purchased Applebees. That may explain why the former Applebees in our city is not an IHOP.
My favorite clues today were: Where to Get Down = EIDER
Common Quality = SENSE
Another rainy day here.
QOD: Pride, like humility, is destroyed by one's insistence that he possesses it. ~ Kenneth Bancroft Clark
Good morning, I thought this was a difficult puzzle, and I never was in tune with the theme; while I got the adding of the “KING” there seemed no flow to the clues. There also were things I did not remember, that I should, like SKUA which we have had periodically, and other like Mariinsky Ballet : KIROV, which I guess we have talked about, and DES ARC, which meant nothing to me. I also was unaware that the language that gives us "cheetah" and "chutney" : HINDI.
Since my boy is a Classics Major with a specialty in Roman Archaeology, I must link you to a nice discussion of the building of CIRCI in Rome, as well as the interesting fact that the site of NERO’s CIRCUS became the foundation of ST PETER’S BASILICA a distinctly religious reference introduced by Mr. McIntruff.
NANCY does remind me of the simpler times of my youth, when there were always obnoxious rich kids like ROLLO HAVEALL or CHADSWORTH from Dobie Gillis. The world did not like rich people, nor make them stars like we have done with PARIS HILTON, TIGER WOODS and others. Our rich were recluses like HOWARD HUGHES and NELSON BUNKER.
Morning, all!
This one defeated me, I'm sad to say. First time that has happened in a long time. I did finally get the theme, which helped in a number of places. And I did finally change HIM to HER at 5A, which also helped immensely. In the end, however, I just couldn't get that frickin' NW corner without resorting to Google.
Maybe I could have done it on my own if I didn't have SAWIN instead of LEDIN for 20A. That totally hid HINDI from sight [What language ends in "WI"? Must be something African...] Add to that the fact that I also really wanted LUCY for 14A (even though I knew it couldn't be correct since RESIGN was rock solid), I had no idea what river was a tributary of the RHINE (all I could think of was YSER for some reason), and the "berth" clue had me thinking of boats and piers.
I did finally Google "chutney," and once I had Hindi the rest finally fell into place. I agree that the clue for OPIE was particularly mean since the show was in B&W. I also agree with C.C. that self-referential clues with no other means of identification truly suck.
Ah, well. Overall, the puzzle was fine and quite enjoyable. But that NW corner... Oy!
I had a hard time with this puzzle. Wanted redhead to be LUCI i and pointing word to be SEE. I saw the theme early, but still fought the the above parts. Finally finished. I agree with Dennis. I have never seen the term overarm. This is a stretch. I don't believe this is a viable baseball term. Just waiting for Saturday's puzzle to see if it tops today's.
Good morning, all.
This was a tough one - I had to read CC's answer, and then fill it in the grid for virtually the entire puzzle...
I did figure out a couple - and coincidentally they're related to my 5th wedding anniversary today! I'll be hitting the links, riding a cart to celebrate with my amor today. (Just to be clear - I mean my husband!) We'll have a nice dinner downtown on the Capitol square - no IHOP or Applebee's for us today! Five years later and we're still nuts about each other. Most days... :)
Have a great holiday weekend everyone!
Good Morning CC and Gang,
Lucy was just the beginning of my troubles. I only had a few posts for the picket fence with the pencil. Chucked that thing and went on line for red letters. I got the theme but Original Sinking was like pulling teeth because I FORGOT Rollo!
My list is long preparing for the big weekend. There certainly will be something else I will forget!
Have a good one!
Hi CC and all
Wow, this was tough! 17A was a gimme for me but that was about all. I had to google a lot! I did like seeing my oldest son's name in the middle, 46A. I think MJ has a new grandson with that name. It's unusual and I don't see it very often.
Have to house ready for grandkids later.
Have a great weekend all
Good morning, everyone!
What a struggle! I wanted LUCY as well -- OPIE was a red head? Couldn't tell on our B/W tube. Had a few WAGs and had to finally g-spot to get ROLLO. Once I had him I abandoned LUCY and was able to complete the NW. I groked the theme and actually used it to my advantage although CARDINAL and ORIGINAL are the same length. Hey, a cardinal's a bird, right? And there were two of them aboard, so maybe a cardinal sinking would work -- NOT!
fermatprime, I hope you have a great weekend. Sounds like you could use a good one.
C.C., I don't understand your comment on SUB PARKING. SUB PAR is two words -- isn't that the core?
Lemonade714 -- Nelson Bunker?
Barry G, I was looking for something nautical for 'Berth' as well. For 'Links sight' I wanted TRAP or some such thing.
C.C., if a tone is sharp, it's a bit higher than it should be. Tonal center is the ideal, and it's nice when it can be achieved, but it isn't necessarily easy to accomplish.
Nat or Red gave me fits for the longest time, as did 'Former sergeant, perhaps.' I also had to google for ORMAN.
Andrea, sounds like you have a nice day ahead of you. Happy anniversary, and may you have many many more.
Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday before the Big Weekend!
Hello Puzzlers - Yessir, this was a workout. Had trouble getting traction, as usual, but caught a break when ADAGIO leapt to my mind, making the NE a breeze. Caught the theme early enough to benefit, but ultimately needed red letters to finish.
A former roommate had a GTI, which is VW's higher performance version of the Rabbit and Golf range. It was a speedy little motorcar!
subpar is one word.
Happy Anniversary, Andrea! Enjoy the day with your amore, whom I figured was your hubby.
Annette, say happy birthday to your niece from your blog friends.
Happy 4th of July, all!
Good morning. Definitely mixed feelings today. Overall a good puzzle but agree with others about edu, org and overarm (no, no, a thousand times no). I had to use two G's to finish.
I have to correct Hahtool and Barry G; there were several years of the Andy Griffith Show shot in color. These were after Don Knotts left the show. I often watch the reruns of the B&W shows but I never watch the color ones; the show was never the same after Barney left.
I also had Lucy at first and it took me a long time to remember Rollo; all I could think of for a while were Pluto and Plato but I knew they were the wrong comic.
Over and out.
Raking hay and blogging!
Nelson Bunker Hunt and his brother(s) were the sons of H.L. Hunt, who made his fortune wildcatting oil in Texas and Oklahoma. The brothers (in)famously tried to corner the market in silver, failing narrowly, which caused them to lose a substantial portion of Daddy's money. Among the things they lost was several thousand acres of prime Kentucky bluegrass land in several separate farms, one of which is about five miles from Windhover.
Another brother, Lamar, was a cofounder of the AFL and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs. Early in the history of the team they were losing about a million dollars a year. A reporter asked H.L, who was famously tight, what he thought of that. His reply was, "If he keeps it up for 150 years, we'll be broke".
Happy belated birthday, CC.
You too, Rose.
Back to work.
Happy Anniversary, Andrea!
This was a good struggle for a Friday. I had to resort to 'alphabet roulette' a couple times, but made it through.
For 'Sitcom Redhead', I tried REBA, then LUCY, and finally the perps pointed me to OPIE.
ODIST was an interesting new word to me...
Thanks for the explanation of 12D! I don't think I've ever sat through a whole James Bond movie, so I had no idea those were even people.
Lemonade, nice shout out to you in today's 'Red and Rover' comic!
ROLLO finally came to me once I had the "O" from ORIGINAL SINKING. It's amazing, the memories hidden in those dark recesses of our minds.
Thanks, Hahtool! I'll pass the birthday wishes along.
Got 'em all, but it took 46 minutes of thinking, trial and error. Last part to be completed was NW corner. Very challenging puzzle.
The Mariinsky Ballet, named for its theater, was called the Kirov Ballet during the Soviet era. Sergei Kirov was the communist party boss of Leningrad (now called St. Petersburg once again) during the 1930's. He was assassinated in his office under mysterious circumstances on December 1, 1934, despite several layers of security in the facility. It's widely believed he was murdered on Stalin's orders due to his growing popularity. The actual assassin, Leonid Nikolaev, was quickly shot by firing squad, and Kirov's security chief Borisov died on the way to interrogation, likely killed by his NKVD guards. Stalin wept openly at Kirov's elaborate funeral. The Mariinsky Ballet is still commonly referred to as the Kirov Ballet.
Well, my "blueness" is gone again. Don't know what I am doing wrong and don't have the patience to fool with it anymore. It accepts my password when I register, but when I leave and come back, it says the pswd is not good.
It is a real monster of a puzzle today. I turned to red letter help early and often. Had to G Ms. ORMAN. I knew her name and could even visualize her face, but the name just wouldn't come to me.
C.C., original sin was disobedence to God; he told them not to eat that particular fruit, but they did. Every other sin (sexual sin isn't the only one) followed that.
I put Reba, then Lucy - OPIE didn't come until I had HINDI. SKUA was a complete unknown to me.
Lots of rain here from Alex. It is keeping the temp in the 70s, which is a relief from our recent 100+. Nice to get the rain, too, but there has been some flooding.
Happy anniversary, Andrea. Many happy returns. Have a wonderful day.
Hi C.C. and everybody. Adding to Crockett's explanation, a sharp is a half-tone up. F sharp is halfway between F and G. Flat is a half-tone down. G flat and F sharp are played on the black key between F and G (on a piano).
Also, I knew "shake" because we used to have a wood shake roof on our house (cedar shingles). We finally got rid of it because it was old, it was harder to get homeowner's insurance and my wife was worried about a fire hazard.
Fermatprime, yes, I was thinking about you watching that last episode. Even harder to believe than usual.
Annette said: "It's amazing, the memories hidden in those dark recesses of our minds." Yes, that happens to me all the time. I'll see a couple of the crossing letters and a word or name will pop into my brain that I didn't know I knew.
Dennis, maybe today could be called CRS day?
I havne't looked at today's puzzle but thought I'd write while I have a chance to explain why I haven't been in contact for awhile. Although I've worked (or at least attempted it) most of the puzzles I haven't had access to a computer. On Wed., the 23rd I fell & broke a pelvic bone. I spent two days in the hospital and 5 more in rehab. I came home this past Wed. They had said the normal stay in Rehab would be 9 days so I feel very fortunate to be making such good progress. I have very little pain. I'll check in later.
Dot
Hi C.C. & gang, a extra tough Friday, my wife and I only got ~1/4 of it done before she left for work...
I was able to get the 'King' theme which helped lots on getting the theme answers but there were lots of unknown's, Skua indeed!
My wife wanted Reba for 14A: Opie
Ron Howard has now lost most of his hair now so who knows what color it was then in the Black & White TV era?
Here are some pictures of Ron through the years, notice that the picture of Ron Howard playing Opie is in B&W.
I was thinking of sub par in the golfing sense, i.e. under par. Didn't even think that subpar was a single word. My spell check thinks the same way I do.
Bill G., I was also thinking of 'sharp' as being somewhere between the black and white keys -- out of tune, and not readily identifiable as a flat or a sharp.
Blitches today -- my first post posted twice, so I don't know what will happen with this one.
Busy day ahead and no clue as to most of the clues or the theme today meant I gave up on the top half entirely before coming here. It didn't help that I had ERIN for EIRE and LUCY.
SUBs where I taught never had special parking--in fact we all had to scramble to get a spot most of those years before we got a new building with off street parking.
I've never heard of punkies nor have I ever played checkers enough to know any terminology.
Glad I wasn't the only lost one today. What will tomorrow bring? Maybe I should console myself that I'm just out of practice.
Dot: Sorry to hear about your fall and bone break. Glad you stopped by to let us know. Hope you are soon up and dancing around.
The NW corner was definitely my downfall. Like Annette and others, I also went through LUCY and REBA before thinking of OPIE. As a "little shaver" I used to read "Nancy" while waiting for my haircut, but could only think of Richie Rich and Sluggo. I would echo Dennis and Barry G's remarks about "overarm" and "berth". My learning moment was SKUA.
Reading comics while waiting for haircuts brings back fond memories. Next to the comics stack was a much more interesting looking stack of magazines, which I was not allowed to peruse. Maybe if I had been allowed I would be better at crosswords, or at least know what Lois is talking about.
Dot - So sorry to hear about the fall, but glad to read about the great progress.
Good Morning All, I keep hoping the day will come when I don't have to use the Across Lite "indicate incorrect letter immediately" solving preference for Fridays and Saturdays. So far I need all the help I can get. I don't think I ever would have finished today's puzzle without it.
Why would 5A HER be a "Word spoken while pointing, perhaps"? OK, in a police line up maybe. Mommy taught me that pointing is impolite anyway.
About 6 or 13 "Down relative" non-clues, I never have liked fill where you can't get one without the other. Why not make the clue for 21D "41 Across relative" and 41A clue "21 Down relatives"?
I found out post-puzzle that 17A term LPNS isn't used in California. No wonder I had never heard of it. In California and Texas it is LVN...Licensed Vocational Nurse.
I've never heard of 29D "Punkies" for GNATS. Is that a "back east" term?
I had less trouble with the theme entries than the rest of the puzzle after the first two KINGs, I filled it in at the end of the remaining two.
fermatprime and Bill G., Samuel Taylor Coleridge described "the willing suspension of disbelief" to justify the implausible in literature. TV scripts are literature (well, sometimes). Leverage is a fun show, but we definitely have to leave our common SENSE at the door.
Thanks for the KIROV background information, Bob. There is an excellent 1977 documentary, "The Children of Theatre Street", about the ballet school at the KIROV. It's available on Netflix.
Get better soon, Dot.
Happy Anniversary, Andrea. Enjoy the golf and dinner.
CA, I use the same setting on Across Lite that you do for the hard puzzles. Then I get all those nasty little triangles showing the world I messed up. That's one of the reasons that I do the LAT puzzle on the LAT website. But I use Across Lite for all the others.
JimmyB, since my barber retired, I go to a woman to cut my hair. No more 'interesting' stacks of magazines there. :>)
Dot:
I'm glad you're not in pain, but when/if you are, make 'em give you the good stuff. I hope you're up and going soon.
Lucy had me stymied in the NW for a long time. As I recall, the I Love Lucy episodes were B&W too but there was never any doubt she was a redhead.
I abhor circa-referenced clues. 6d see 13d see 6d ad infinitum.
Hi gang -
Dot - Get well quick! Sounds like you're on the right track
crazyhorse - enjoy your time with the grandkiddies.
Crocket and Bill actually used two different, but related sense of the word "sharp." In each case, it's relative to a specific tone, frex F. If that is raised a half step, you get F#, which is what is called for in the key of G (and several others.)
The other sense, as Crockett mentioned, is in playing a note out of tune (or "off-key) where you can be a bit higher (sharp) or lower (flat) that intended. My tendency is to play sharp. Putting a instrument with a slide in the hands of a man with a tin ear can lead to some unpleasant moments.
Temperature effects pitch. In the cold, wind instruments will go flat, since the air column vibrates more slowly; but strings will go sharp, since the string contracts and increases the tension.
That's your physics lesson for the day. Sorry for going all Norm from Cheers on you.
Interesting puzzle today. I can't remember ever having such a widely bifurcated response to a puzzle. This one is like the little girl with the curl. Very, very good theme, and lots of clever clues, great 5 and 6 letter fill.
OTOH, NLER is horrid. Is that in the language outside of puzzles? HAHA is dross. Two cutesy-clued affixes - Bah, humbug!
I agree with CC and others about ORG/EDU. The two fill - zero clue syndrome is a horrid flaw, and should be banned from puzzles forever. "Relative" clues are relatively inexact, and should be used with caution - if ever. Massive fail on the 6D, 13D pairing.
PIS is simply irrational. (Pun recognized after typing.) PI is a single, unique, and special mathematical entity. There are nouns that simply do not accommodate a plural form, and constructors fall into this trap occasionally. I can't imagine a more egregious example than PI!
This already over-long. IMBO.
Cheers!
JzB the occasionally SHARP trombonist
Good day, C.C. and happy puzzlers.
Wow! Today is my day, I forgot Day!
Seemingly I was on Jack McInturff's wavelength. Not too many problems; ROLLO the rich kid came to mind instantly and so LUCY would not work there, but with UPPER and HINDI, OPIE emerged.
SUB was a given but I had to wait awhile for PARKING and raise both hands to dislike 6D and 13D clues.
A royal treat from Jack today with only a few unkowns, Peter TOSH, SKUA and GNATS as punkies (?).
Thank you for the KIROV explanation, Bob and Clear Ayes, thank you for the movie reference. I want to watch it.
Really liked:
Where to get down: EIDER
Memorable mission: ALAMO
Shell layer: NACRE
Dot:
I'm so sorry about your fall, but am glad you are mending well.
Andrea:
Happy anniversary!
Fermatprime:
I'm so sorry you are ailing. I do hope you can find some sort of relief.
Windhover:
It is so nice that you can take a break from your work to visit.
I hope you have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful Independence Day!
Good morning C.C. and all,
As always C.C., your explanations clear up many unknown facts. Thanks!
Today's xwd took almost an hour with NLER being the last to fill.In times past, I knew lots about football and even basketball, but I have lost interest.
To be fair about Opie, most people know that Ron Howard was a redhead. Happy Days was in color. I too had Lucy, then thought Reba, but Hindi told me different.
Skua was new to me so I also went to Mr. G.These birds don't just steal food, they chase and bully other birds into regurgitating their meal.Yum! They also nest close to penguin colonies for the eggs and chicks.
I did know the meaning of circus, but was unaware of the history attached to Nero's circus.Lemonade and I were on the same journey.
Lemonade, I also like your perception of the rich.I always hesitate telling people that I grew up in Beverly Hills. People assume I was rich (farrrrr from it) and then they think "snob."But back then, people did idolize movie stars. Living among them they were no different except for the size of their homes.I had no clue in those early years who was ultra wealthy.
Dot, take care. Thanks for checking in with us.
Happy anniversary Andrea.
Gilroy gal, it is starting to warm up just in time for the festival.
Good afternoon C.C. and everyone.
C.C.,17A was a given but I had my qualms when I can't get a traction in that corner. CNAS(Certified Nursing Assistants) could fit too. I had AARE for 1A; LUCY for 14A. A total disaster; had to abandon that corner. I had better success in the other sections of the puzzle; finished in 38 mins.
Have a good day to all.
August.
CA, I didn't understand punkies either, but the gn--- gave me the answer. So, in my slang dictionary, the closest CLEAN definition of punk would be a petty hoodlum, or another one: any young circus animal..
adj. inferior,poor,bad
PUNK DAY- a day when children are admitted free
shake- most wood shake roofing has been replaced by composition shingles in our area, because of fires/insurance.
Good early afternoon!
First: Dot your injury is quite painful and bed rest and therapy is about all anyone can do...just take excellent care of yourself!
Windover: Thanks for the belated BD wishes. "Gonna have a hot time in the old town tonight!" (well, on the weekend.)
daffy dill: Your name tickles me everytime I read it. I want to say "Thuferin` thuckatash!"
Now, THE PUZZLE! (mumble mumble)
I only had trouble in the NW,NE,SW,SE corners and the middle. Other than that, it was a piece of cherry cheese cake! I DID get all the "kings" just not what came before them, and "opie" and "expresso...", "ihop" hehe" scours" "idaho" "drake" and "adagio" (Love adagio dancers!), "neros" then finally came here to lick my wounds. Oh well, time heals all wounds and wounds all heels, as I am "wont" to say.
Liked seeing "original sin" in one of "king" clues.
Dennis; I once read that worms "trained" (I have no clue) to remember were ground up and fed to non-trained worms and they exhibited the same traits as the sacrificed, trained worms! Moral?
(I have no clue!)
Blue again! Yippy tye yie yo!
Overarm? Iknow sidearm,overhand,underhand, submarine, and throws like a girl.
Never, have I heard "overarm". By the way, girls don't throw "like girls" any more. Also, Ray Kroc was not the founder of McDonalds. He merely purchased franchise rights from the McDonald brothers, and the rest is history.
Happy 4th
Sorry to make you HUNT for my reference to NELSON BUNKER HUNT . Thanks for having my back WH. My brain and fingers do not always cooperate as part of the Lemonade express.
Good afternoon, folks!
I really liked the theme of today's puzzle. Agree with gripe about 6D&13D. New word for the day: punkies. Favorite clue/fill: Where you get down/EIDER.
Hand up for Lucy. The only character I could remember from "Nancy" comic was Sluggo, and with the "L" in place from Lucy, I thought that perhaps I was spelling his name wrong. Once I found ROLLO in the cobwebs of my brain, the "O" gave me OPIE. I do remember seeing some of the shows in color when Ron Howard was about 11 or 12 years old.
crazyhorse-I too smiled at seeing DRAKE in the puzzle. Yes, our grandson is Drake, and we're looking forward to a vacation with him and his parents soon in where else, but Drake, Colorado. Enjoy your gradkids this weekend.
Andrea-Happy 5th Anniversary! Enjoy the golf and dinner.
Dot-Hopefully you'll continue to heal quickly. Take care.
fermatprime-I hope your health issues improve, as well.
daffy dill-Many of us have to enter our password a second time before being able to access our Google accounts.
RE: "I Forgot Day." Someone once told me that it's not that we forget, but rather that we fail to remember. I'd tell you who said it, but I forgot...OOps, I mean I don't remember.
Enjoy the day!
Hello everybody.
Frankly I didn't like this puzzle much at all. Figuring out the KING stuff was fun and helpful, but not enough to make the puzzle enjoyable as a whole.
I did think the clues and fills for ALAMO, DRAKE, and EIDER were clever and amusing.
Anyway, 'nuff said.
Best wishes to you all.
@daffy dill, type your email address rather than your avatar name when you sign in to comment.
I forgot to mention that the NW corner gave me fits. Went through LUCY and REBA before settling on OPIE. I had actually despaired of getting that corner, but then for the "rich kid" I thought - aha - ROSCO! After I filled that in, somehow ROLLO hit me (I'll recover). Then, with HINDI help the rest filled in.
There are three signs of old age. the first is loss of memory, and the other two . . . Damn -- I forgot.
Gloria's dad was a cop. Then, as an EXCOP he worked security at the art museum.
Cheers!
JzB the REBEL trombonist
Greetings, puzzlers. Happy anniversary, Andrea,
Dot, I'm so sorry you're laid up. Sometimes the fall itself is more terrifying than the actual injury! I know how you feel!
Well, the puzzle, mmmmm. Isn't it strange how sometimes you're just certain that you don't know a #$%^%$ answer and then, little by little it starts to come together? I honestly thought this one never would and I did end up with a few blanks: the 'o' in 34A, "excop". I just could NOT get out of the military with that one. I can't remember the other blank and I dont feel like searching for it.
I, too started out with 'Lucy', then 'Reba', then 'Lucy' again. But I was pretty certain about 'Hindi' and finally verified that, which at least gave me an anchor. I was sure 'berth place ' had something to do with harbor or pier, and I never read 'Nancy' more than once or twice. Then got 'Ruhr' instead of 'Saar' and figured the only logical letter to follow the 'r' had to be 'o' but even then I went for Rosco, because the last 'o' worked. AAARGH
Oh well, blah de blah de blah! I could go on forever
Just when I was patting myself on the back for 'improving'! So much for pride, speaking of falls.
On Saturday, April 24th, over 30 members of the Opera Company of Philadelphia Chorus and principal cast members from the upcoming production of La Traviata converged on the Reading Terminal Market Italian Festival. Wearing street clothes and blending in with the crowd, the artists swung into action after the first orchestral strains of the famed "Brindisi" were piped through the market, giving a rousing, surprise performance for hundreds of delighted onlookers who were there to enjoy the Italian delicacies and the everyday treats that the Reading Terminal Market has to offer. The four-minute piece won a thunderous ovation that included both laughter and tears from the audience.
Somebody forwarded this to me and I enjoyed it so much, I decided that some of you would too.
HEre is the link to the real Little Wing Song because that one was crap. Just thought you would like this better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad2EPO_y0ps
Here's a good example of how a helper square gets a constructor out of a big-time jam. 53 down, SENSE. Without the helper square above it what could Jack have used for a fill word? Nothing. Don't forget, you can't replace the S_N_E because they are letters in the crossing theme words. Take the helper out and you've got _S_N_E. What do you do with that!
Trained worms. Knew it was fishy from the get go. Ain't gonna take the bait on that one. Let someone else fall for it hook, line, and sinker.
I enjoyed this puzzle a lot. Really, really liked AMYTANKING.
If you celebrate I FORGOT day, GO FOR IT!
I, like so many others it seems had a tough go “at it” today. I did manage to figure out the “king” theme but still didn’t get all the theme answers. I finally threw in the towel and came here to ferret it out. I did think some of the clues were clever. I liked “sole sauce” – tartar, “pond papa” – drake and “where to get down” – eider.
No long weekend for me as I had to work today and also Monday. It’s supposed to be balmy and a little windy here tomorrow. I just hope it’s not too windy to take Lo-li-ta out. I hope all of you enjoy your 4th of July celebrations.
Checking answers to puzzle can envision a teacher marking 95 per cent wrong to few answers and several unanswerd ones. Another tough one.
Good afternoon everyone.
Did only about ten answers before I gave up. Agree about the nonsense of 6 & 13 Down. Did get the two "where"s.
Belated happy birthday greetings to C.C. and Arbaon, and happy anniversary , Andrea.
Thanks for a post with good info, Bob.
Dot: sorry to read of your accident. Hope your recovery continues to be smooth.
fermatprime: hope your health improves quickly.
Have a good Fourth, all.
Cheers
Hi all,
Puzzle very hard today. Whenever I think of Pi, I tkink of freshman Algebra. Our teacher had just returned from WW 2, was handsome and all the girls had a crush on him. I asked him about Pi- I wanted to know where it came from, what it was and why was it called Pi and how it came tobe. He never did say how and why it was Pi and I still don't know. I don't think anyone ever asked him before.
I looked at the picture of The Last Supper of Salvador Dali and
hadn't remembered he painted one. The only one I was familiar with was by Da Vinci.
As an RN I've worked in Wisconsin, New Mexico and Illinois and most of the practical nurses I knew were LPNs.
They always gave good care
Have a good day all!
Marge
c.c., i had not seen that corrs cover before, thanks ... really great version.
As is my ilk, I searched out the theme reveal, KING ME, early. Solved from the bottom up, East to West.
I watch a lot of CNBC so Suzy ORMAN and STK were total gimmies.
The "no-see-em" punkies, GNATS, also a gimmie for a Floridian.
DES Arc, Arkansas, in the last census had under 2000 residents. I think this town (clue) is a bit obscure.
KIROV I got from the 'K' in SHAKE (I've watched "This Old House") and the 'V' in OVERARM (though "overhand" is the term most baseball fans would use).
Last to fall was the NW. I had read the 1D Rich kid in Nancy comics, clue early. Couldn't think of him, and then when I got back he just popped in. I guess the Java had kicked in by then. That gave me the Redhead OPIE and RUHR.
NLER, etal, falls in the IRED bin.
Not a speed run but an appropriate level and FUN Friday puzzle.
I just had a chance to check back in, been holiday pre-cooking. About a month ago my daughter invited my sis and her husband and GAH and me for a BBQ tomorrow. Yup, the daughter who had carpal tunnel surgery a couple of days ago. She says it will be fine, but her husband is cooking the meat and sis and I are bringing everything else. GAH and I have a party to go to tomorrow night to watch fireworks over the lake (yes, Saturday night), so we'll leave daughter's place fairly early. She'll need the rest.
Thanks MN Doug. This being the day it is, I failed to remember that Ray KROC bought the McDonald's franchise from the brothers. Even though Kroc was the guy with the vision, they were definitely the founders. I used to go to the original drive-in in San Bernardino, CA in the late 1950's. Maybe the clue should have read "McDonald's Corporation founder".
I always thought McD's had the best fries, but I haven't been there in years, since we're not fans of their burgers. Burger King (yea, Jeannie!) has the best burgers, so we do lunch there once in a while.
Windhover, funny and somewhat sad remark from H.L. Hunt.
Guys like Hunt must be the reason for Lemonade's rich people musing.
At least Tiger Woods has an extraordinary talent that has made him rich. Paris Hilton's fame is based on the notion that any idiot can be born rich...."I'm as stupid as she is. Why ain't I rich?"
Aha, Clear Ayes, your son-in-law is a chef! :)
Hello All--Another difficult puzzle for me today. I had too many white squares after the first run through. I fell for the Lucy redhead, and many of the other problems everyone had.
Too many missteps for me to mention them all, but I did erase so much that I lost the numbers in a lot of the squares.
I did catch on to the long fills, eventually, and then the answers began to emerge. My first whole theme answer was Amy Tanking and so that SW corner started the rest off for me,but I had to come here to fill in the total grid.
We are having solar panels put onto our roof and they shut off the power today. When my computer was finally turned on the date and time was off by a day so when I came to the blog all I could get was yesterday's puzzle clues! Boy! It took me about a half hour to realize what was going on.
Double frustration--first with the puzzle, then I couldn't get on to the blog.
I'm hushing up for now but not before I wish Andrea and her hubby a very happy anniversary.
Jermome...actual LOL. No, he doesn't get paid for it, although the ribs are one of his spécialités de la maison. Maybe I'll leave a tip on the barbeque and he can have business cards made up.
Mango Chutney
5 mangoes, peeled and cubed
1-2 onions, diced
2 c. cider vinegar
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup raisins
2 tsp. salt
1T. fresh ginger
1/2 tsp. each garlic,curry,cloves,chili powder,hot cayenne
1/4 c. pickling spices in bag
mix and boil about 1 hour until very thick. Taste and adjust flavors. Remove spice bag, and bottle hot.
@BillG, Loved the opera link. What a wonderful unexpected treat for the people at the Philly Market. Thanks for posting it.
Back briefly to apologize for having skimmed comments too fast this morning to notice:
Dot,
I'm very sorry to hear of your fall. I hope pain doesn't set in later when you are more mobile. For now though, you are making great progress, which I hope will continue.
Andrea,
Happy 5th anniversary, and may you have many more!
Fermatprime,
Hope you feel better soon too.
Everyone,
Have a great July 4th (and 5th, since that's the holiday too!)
Apparently, the Greek letter pi has only been used to represent the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter since 1707, when Welsh mathematician William Jones first proposed the idea. He may have chosen the Greek equivalent of the English "p" for "perimeter" or "periphery" of a circle, now usually called "circumference." Pi represents the approximate number of lengths equal to one diameter needed to make up a circle's "perimeter."
Hello again!
Bill G--Thanks so much for the link! Forwarded it to several people!
No one commented on the other summer shows that I mentioned! No one here is as "bent" as I?
Thanks to all of you who sent me good wishes!
I hope you will be feeling better soon, fermatprime. We heard from you, our Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, about Thursday's MIDDLES "Means" clue being "Just plain mathematically incorrect". What do you think of today's 19A "circle constants" for the plural PIS.
I did mention at 11:13 that GAH and I watch Leverage....fun, but totally unbelievable. We are both hooked on Justified. He is an Elmore Leonard fan and likes the Kentucky background. I like those things too, but it is hunk Timothy Oliphant that keeps me tuned in. GAH is looking forward to the new season of The Closer...he just loves "Brender".
Bill G. great link. My gang of girlfriends and I often sing spontaneously in public, but I would love to be good enough to do something like that.
fermatprime:
"In Plain Sight" had an ending that insures we will be back when it returns.
"Rescue Me" became too much of a soap opera after a couple or three seasons.
(Note: This happens to a lot of shows. They have a great story-line, then decide to add way too much outside stuff, next thing I know I'm no longer interested or watching.)
Still enjoy "Leverage" and "Burn Notice" (Hey, It's in Florida).
Also like "Royal Pains" and "White Collar."
I've started to notice that USA and TNT have about half of the shows I like for mindless diversion.
Plus, congrats on 14.5 years.
With the 'C' I'm not giving up my Avatar.
Dot and Fermat prime feel better/ Why do I feel like a small wooden stick?
Nobody home; my ramblings of the rich come in part from my childhood; my father did not work very much so we had little money, but my brothers and I were good learners, so we went to private schools with bunches of rich kids. I also have doen lots of work with rich people, and everytime U have gotten money I manage to gert rid of it fairly quickly. But...I am not as suggested by Red and Rvoer FREE
I'm glad you all enjoyed the fun opera link. I wish I had been there to experience that in person.
I too enjoy 'The Closer.' Nobody has mentioned one of my other favorite good-quality shows, 'Friday Night Lights.' Great story lines and great acting.
Is 'Raising the Bar' coming back? How about 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency'?
Bill G
I believe I read where the "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' is NOT coming back. Great show. Tears ...
'Friday Night Lights' is just not my "Snifter of Scotch." Probably a good show, but that is why they have different offerings for different tastes.
Bill G.-Thanks for the link to the opera singers. I shared it with RJ, my husband. We both enjoyed it very much.
C.C.-We don't use chutneys, but I have a great recipe for mango salsa, a good accompaniment to Mexican style food, very refreshing for a summer treat.
Mango Salsa
1 fresh, ripe, mango, peeled, seeded, and chopped.
1/4 red onion, finely chopped
1 serrano chile (or jalepeno), finely minced
1 large Roma tomato, chopped
1/4 bunch cilantro, finely chopped
1/2 tsp salt
Mix together, and chill at least one hour. Yummy with tortilla chips, too!
Night, all!
Bill G - Thanks for the Reading link! I have seen a number of these "undercover" performances on YouTube and elsewhere, but this one just seemed more...touching. I am always grateful that the crowds seem appreciative, ultimately - after they get over the "WTF?" phase. Sorta repairs your damaged faith in Mankind.
Here is an early comercial for VW's GTI. (11Down)
Chiming in a bit late now, I suppose, but the weekend holiday plans have us departing Saturday for a camping trip somewhere in rural Vermont. I think it's safe to say we'll be out of wifi range. I hope there's time to do the Saturday SOB Puzzle before we weigh anchor!
Here's wishing you all a Happy Independence Day, especially C.C., for whom I wish the celebration to be the best ever!
Bill, I really enjoy The Closer but it isn't back on yet...is it? Also enjoyed Raising the Bar but I don't think it got enough publicity, and it's sad that No 1 Detective Agency isn't returning. It was almost as good as those little books.Without those TV shows, I tend to read more, or even go on an evening bike ride.
Fermatprime, so sorry to hear that you have been under the weather. I hope that things are looking up soon.
Dot, Your fall sounded like it wasn't much fun. I'm glad that you aren't in pain. Please give yourself time to heal.
Bill, not an opera fan, but loved that link! Thanks!
Just watched the Traviata link from Bill G. Wonderful! The sharing here is just terrific! Just as I finished laughing at Bon Qui Qui, I have gand opera! What an eclectic group. Thanks for all the fun!
There was once, and still may be, a restaurant in the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco called La Bella Voce (I think) where member of the S. F. Opera chorus waited table and sang in the same way that the Philadelphia group did! What a joy to go there on someone's birthday! I think it was the Hallelujah Chorus they sang Happy Birthday to You to. I don't know if it's still there. Melissa Bee, any idea. It was great fun!
fermatprime, I hope you'll find some relief from your pain soon. A friend of mine had fibromyalgia and was treated with predisone for years. Must have been a mild dose because she was very active and was in the 90s when she died of other causes. There's always hope.
Since many of us seem to like mango, Crystal Lite puts out a drink mix in peach/mango flavor. Just empty a little pkt. into a bottle of cold water, shake and it`s wonderful! Much lower in calories than soda but does have caffein. They have many flavors but this is my favorite (except for pulling the actual fruit off the pulp with my teeth!) Mango and avocado...can`t live without them!
Nytol!
Okay Jerome how about
ASANTE .
Bill G.:
I just now had time to watch the link you posted and thoroughly enjoyed the opera in the mall. Great stuff.
I would love to experience something like that. Thanks for posting it.
And I'm sad the Ladies Number one Detective Agency won't be shown. I loved it and all the books in the series.
I have an overnight guest so time has been limited.
Good night to everyone.
Take the helper out and you've got _S_N_E. What do you do with that!
ASANTE
Hey all "Ski nautique" is to water ski
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