Theme: Hat Pun - The first word of each two-word familiar phrase is replaced by a type of hat, and the resulting phrase is humorously clued.
20A. Opportunity to examine some headwear? : CLOCHE ENCOUNTER. The base phrase is "close encounter". Cloche hat is bell-shaped & close-fitting, worn by those flappers in 1920s. Last consonant sound change.
33A. Call-in broadcasting for chefs? : TOQUE RADIO. Talk radio. Chefs wear toque. Vowel & last consonant changes.
40A. Northerners who dress with Scottish flair? : TAM YANKEES. "Damn Yankees" the musical. First consonant change.
47A. Hats that are soft and angular? : BOWLER OPPOSITES. Polar opposites. First consonant change also.
Minor inconsistencies. Tough to come up a focused set of theme entries with consistent sound change.
Still a fun theme theme. Wish clues were more consistent though: the first & last theme clues have a direct reference to hat, not the middle two.
Other than one Q, no other expensive letters (J/V/X/Z) today. And plenty of 4-letter words (total 36) in the grid, which always makes the puzzle accessible, to me any way. FYI, the average word length in this puzzle is under 4.97, shorter than our average Fridays.
Across:
1. Stage routines : ACTS. Rare to gain an immediate toehold on Fridays.
5. Full of spunk : SASSY
10. Shenanigan pullers : IMPS
14. Multilayer farm site? : COOP. Hens lays eggs again and again, hence "multilayer"?
15. Twaddle : TRIPE. Twaddle suggests silly talk. Tripe is just rubbish. No equation to my ears.
16. "Ta ta!" : CIAO
17. It's entered and processed : DATA
18. Needle bearers : PINES. Pine needles.
19. Pachacuti, for one : INCA. Have never heard of Pachacuti (literally meant "earth-shaker"), Inca Empire builder.
23. Grub : EATS
24. Recycled T-shirt? : RAG. Not the cryptic signal "recycle".
25. Carol beginning : ADESTE. "Adeste Fideles".
28. Proactiv target : ACNE
30. One of a cup's 48: Abbr. : TSP (Teaspoon). I bet Jazzbumpa saw "... A Cup's...". He's been concerned about the deflation effect on bra size in crossword.
35. Pampas weapon : BOLA
36. "Seinfeld" actress Julia __-Dreyfus : LOUIS. Elaine Benes.
37. Posed : SAT
38. Idol whose fans are known as Claymates : AIKEN
39. Gray area?: Abbr. : ANAT. Gray's Anatomy.
42. Condiment for pommes frites : SEL. French for "salt".
43. Livens (up) : PEPS
44. Delicate : DAINTY
45. Mendicant title : FRA
46. God attended by Valkyries : ODIN. We just had AESIR yesterday.
55. Plant used for first aid : ALOE
56. More than 70% of Earth's surface : OCEAN
57. Stretched just short of the breaking point : TAUT
58. Tidings : NEWS
59. Sudden movement : START. Thought of JERK.
60. Gumbo ingredient : OKRA
61. "Gee willikers!" : GOSH
62. Keep an __ the ground : EAR TO
63. McJob performer : PEON. Did you think of TEMP also?
Down:
1. Versatile, electronically : AC/DC. Didn't emerge easily.
2. Historic Newcastle resource : COAL. Don't know where Newcastle is. Not familiar with the idiom "selling coal to Newcastle" either, a foolhardy or pointless action, a la Wikipedia.
3. Miss Gulch's bête-noire, somewhat literally : TOTO. " The Wizard of Oz" dog, which appears in many of Donna's puzzles.
4. Garb for Apollo : SPACE SUIT. Pictured the Greek god Apollo, not that I know what garb he's wearing.
5. Religious guardian : ST. PETER. For heaven. No abbr. hint in the clue.
6. Astrological ovine : ARIES. Ram sign.
7. __ Fein : SINN
8. Blueprint item, briefly : SPEC
9. "Just give me an answer already!" : YES OR NO. Nice answer/clue.
10. Hockey infraction : ICING. No idea. Don't follow hockey.
11. After-dinner item : MINT
12. Step : PACE
13. Look down on the clouds, perhaps : SOAR. Dudley our pilot guy would love this clue.
21. Can't take : HATES
22. Seven sheikdoms fed. : UAE (United Arab Emirates)
25. Rand's shrugger : ATLAS. "Atlas Shrugged".
26. Shortbread cookie surname : DOONE. Got me. Have never had "Lorna Doone".
27. Peer : EQUAL
28. Apple or ale lead-in : ADAMS. Adam's ale = water.
29. Pierre, e.g. : CITY. I've got to think of South Dakota next time Pierre comes up.
30. Perfunctory : TOKEN
31. Wintry woe : SLEET
32. Flower name derived from the French for "thought" : PANSY. New trivia to me. Pencer is French verb for "to think". Sounds similar. (Correction: It's penser. Thanks, Kazie!)
34. PDQ cousin : ASAP
35. Halter, perhaps : BIKINI TOP. In a way, yes.
38. "Henry & June" role : ANAIS. Stumper. Returned my Netflix on this movie. Could not warm myself to it.
40. Lady Hillingdon is a cultivar of one : TEA ROSE. Yellow and has a tea fragrance. See here.
41. Enlarge, as a house : ADD ONTO
43. Ante- equivalent : PRE
45. Meat : FLESH
46. Victor Vasarely's genre : OP-ART. Victor Vasarely was a Hungarian French artist whose work is generally seen aligned with Op-Art, says Wiki. Total stranger to me.
47. Explosion : BANG
48. It's found in tubs : OLEO. Not bathtub.
49. Awes : WOWS
50. Tetra- times two : OCTA. Prefix for "eight". Tetra, "four".
51. Fruit with a "check the neck" ripeness test : PEAR
52. Steal : TAKE
53. Slovenia capital : EURO. "Capital" always refers to "currency" in late week puzzles.
54. Ollie's sidekick : STAN
Answer grid.
In the next few Fridays, I am going to show a recent photo of our regular blogging contributors. We start today with Darling Santa Argyle. He said: "My cousin took a picture of me saying a prayer before his son attacks my hair and beard. I'm not gonna showing the "after" picture." Argyle's nicknames: Scott, Scotty, Cid/Sid, Skid, Skidney, El Cid and "Hey, you".
C.C.
20A. Opportunity to examine some headwear? : CLOCHE ENCOUNTER. The base phrase is "close encounter". Cloche hat is bell-shaped & close-fitting, worn by those flappers in 1920s. Last consonant sound change.
33A. Call-in broadcasting for chefs? : TOQUE RADIO. Talk radio. Chefs wear toque. Vowel & last consonant changes.
40A. Northerners who dress with Scottish flair? : TAM YANKEES. "Damn Yankees" the musical. First consonant change.
47A. Hats that are soft and angular? : BOWLER OPPOSITES. Polar opposites. First consonant change also.
Minor inconsistencies. Tough to come up a focused set of theme entries with consistent sound change.
Still a fun theme theme. Wish clues were more consistent though: the first & last theme clues have a direct reference to hat, not the middle two.
Other than one Q, no other expensive letters (J/V/X/Z) today. And plenty of 4-letter words (total 36) in the grid, which always makes the puzzle accessible, to me any way. FYI, the average word length in this puzzle is under 4.97, shorter than our average Fridays.
Across:
1. Stage routines : ACTS. Rare to gain an immediate toehold on Fridays.
5. Full of spunk : SASSY
10. Shenanigan pullers : IMPS
14. Multilayer farm site? : COOP. Hens lays eggs again and again, hence "multilayer"?
15. Twaddle : TRIPE. Twaddle suggests silly talk. Tripe is just rubbish. No equation to my ears.
16. "Ta ta!" : CIAO
17. It's entered and processed : DATA
18. Needle bearers : PINES. Pine needles.
19. Pachacuti, for one : INCA. Have never heard of Pachacuti (literally meant "earth-shaker"), Inca Empire builder.
23. Grub : EATS
24. Recycled T-shirt? : RAG. Not the cryptic signal "recycle".
25. Carol beginning : ADESTE. "Adeste Fideles".
28. Proactiv target : ACNE
30. One of a cup's 48: Abbr. : TSP (Teaspoon). I bet Jazzbumpa saw "... A Cup's...". He's been concerned about the deflation effect on bra size in crossword.
35. Pampas weapon : BOLA
36. "Seinfeld" actress Julia __-Dreyfus : LOUIS. Elaine Benes.
37. Posed : SAT
38. Idol whose fans are known as Claymates : AIKEN
39. Gray area?: Abbr. : ANAT. Gray's Anatomy.
42. Condiment for pommes frites : SEL. French for "salt".
43. Livens (up) : PEPS
44. Delicate : DAINTY
45. Mendicant title : FRA
46. God attended by Valkyries : ODIN. We just had AESIR yesterday.
55. Plant used for first aid : ALOE
56. More than 70% of Earth's surface : OCEAN
57. Stretched just short of the breaking point : TAUT
58. Tidings : NEWS
59. Sudden movement : START. Thought of JERK.
60. Gumbo ingredient : OKRA
61. "Gee willikers!" : GOSH
62. Keep an __ the ground : EAR TO
63. McJob performer : PEON. Did you think of TEMP also?
Down:
1. Versatile, electronically : AC/DC. Didn't emerge easily.
2. Historic Newcastle resource : COAL. Don't know where Newcastle is. Not familiar with the idiom "selling coal to Newcastle" either, a foolhardy or pointless action, a la Wikipedia.
3. Miss Gulch's bête-noire, somewhat literally : TOTO. " The Wizard of Oz" dog, which appears in many of Donna's puzzles.
4. Garb for Apollo : SPACE SUIT. Pictured the Greek god Apollo, not that I know what garb he's wearing.
5. Religious guardian : ST. PETER. For heaven. No abbr. hint in the clue.
6. Astrological ovine : ARIES. Ram sign.
7. __ Fein : SINN
8. Blueprint item, briefly : SPEC
9. "Just give me an answer already!" : YES OR NO. Nice answer/clue.
10. Hockey infraction : ICING. No idea. Don't follow hockey.
11. After-dinner item : MINT
12. Step : PACE
13. Look down on the clouds, perhaps : SOAR. Dudley our pilot guy would love this clue.
21. Can't take : HATES
22. Seven sheikdoms fed. : UAE (United Arab Emirates)
25. Rand's shrugger : ATLAS. "Atlas Shrugged".
26. Shortbread cookie surname : DOONE. Got me. Have never had "Lorna Doone".
27. Peer : EQUAL
28. Apple or ale lead-in : ADAMS. Adam's ale = water.
29. Pierre, e.g. : CITY. I've got to think of South Dakota next time Pierre comes up.
30. Perfunctory : TOKEN
31. Wintry woe : SLEET
32. Flower name derived from the French for "thought" : PANSY. New trivia to me. Pencer is French verb for "to think". Sounds similar. (Correction: It's penser. Thanks, Kazie!)
34. PDQ cousin : ASAP
35. Halter, perhaps : BIKINI TOP. In a way, yes.
38. "Henry & June" role : ANAIS. Stumper. Returned my Netflix on this movie. Could not warm myself to it.
40. Lady Hillingdon is a cultivar of one : TEA ROSE. Yellow and has a tea fragrance. See here.
41. Enlarge, as a house : ADD ONTO
43. Ante- equivalent : PRE
45. Meat : FLESH
46. Victor Vasarely's genre : OP-ART. Victor Vasarely was a Hungarian French artist whose work is generally seen aligned with Op-Art, says Wiki. Total stranger to me.
47. Explosion : BANG
48. It's found in tubs : OLEO. Not bathtub.
49. Awes : WOWS
50. Tetra- times two : OCTA. Prefix for "eight". Tetra, "four".
51. Fruit with a "check the neck" ripeness test : PEAR
52. Steal : TAKE
53. Slovenia capital : EURO. "Capital" always refers to "currency" in late week puzzles.
54. Ollie's sidekick : STAN
Answer grid.
In the next few Fridays, I am going to show a recent photo of our regular blogging contributors. We start today with Darling Santa Argyle. He said: "My cousin took a picture of me saying a prayer before his son attacks my hair and beard. I'm not gonna showing the "after" picture." Argyle's nicknames: Scott, Scotty, Cid/Sid, Skid, Skidney, El Cid and "Hey, you".
C.C.
81 comments:
Good morning, C.C. and gang - boy, I like Donna's puzzles; they truly exercise the mind. I got 1A and 1D right away, but didn't really get a foothold until the west central area with 'atlas', 'doone' and 'equal', which gave me my first theme fill, 'Toque radio', so at least I knew what I was looking for in the others. And the others were also extremely clever.
I got fooled on 'Multilayer farm site?', 'Garb for Apollo' and 'Gray area?' and I didn't know the 'Henry & June role' or the 'Lady Hillingdon' answer. I wasn't familiar with 'Proactiv', so my original answer was 'ache' instead of 'acne'. Overall, this puzzle was packed with fresh clues and was a perfect Friday solve, IMO anyway.
C.C., I knew you'd come through on 35D; nice selection. And Argyle, great picture!
Today is National Hot Dog Day, and Vanilla Ice Cream Day. Now that's a full day.
Here's some more "What's in a Name?" did you knows (forgive me if I repeat any that someone else mentioned yesterday):
- a group of hares is called a husk.
- a group of kangaroos is called a mob.
- a group of owls is called a parliament.
- a group of toads is called a knot.
There's also a clowder of cats, a bale of turtles, a gam of whales and a streak of tigers.
Good Morning, CC and all. I love Donna Levin puzzles. She and I were on the same wave length today. I sped through this, but really enjoyed all the fun clues. As a big fan of hats, I loved this punny theme. My favorite theme clue was TOQUE RADIO.
I liked the misleading clue to Garb for Apollo. Hand up for thinking of something a Greek god would wear.
My first entry for McJob performer was Teen. Since two of the letters also corresponded with PEON, I was stymied for a while.
My grandmother's favorite flower was the PANSY.
My favorite clue was the Recycled T-Shirt = RAG.
Bonnie seems to be heading in our direction, so we are getting out of Dodge today. Even though it isn't supposed to develop into anything major, I don't want to be here "just in case."
In honor of 38D, here is today's QODs:
Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. ~ Anais Nin
Hello Puzzlers - I have liked Donna's puzzles too, and this one's no exception. Took a while to suss the theme, but when I did that rescued some of the sparse spots.
Have to rush, in a soggy Ontario campsite with a wobbly Wifi.
C.C. - Good morning to you! Yes, I liked SOAR. There is a certain beauty to flight above the clouds; their tops are always white, even when the bottoms aren't.
GM all;
I found this a difficult puzzle to finish. I agree the theme with some mentioning hats and some not was confusing, but the answers were fun; if I had not gotten the theme after TOQUE RADIO, I would never have been able to get through. In my mind, I heard Sean Connery saying CLOCHE ENCOUNTER, to overcome my confusion with CLOCHEEN COUNTER.
My unknowns are the same as Dennis, except my kids used PROACTIV when they were teens. I am not sure how I missed Henry and June but I have no memory of it, despite having read and enjoyed the entire TROPIC series.
The MULTILAYER for the hens in their COOP was very cute; I am not sure I relate to a McJob performer as a PEON; sounds a bit condescending.
My ex-wife owned a Cairn terrier named TOTO who was also black and could have been a stunt double for the movie, but for the 40 years that had passed.
Had no idea PANSY came from PENSER; wonder why it is also used to suggest a feminine man?
For all the 5 day solvers, have a good week end; we have a little tropical storm (BONNIE) on the way. For all the comments lately, keep up the conversation, I am learning all kinds of stuff.
CIAO
CC:
I think the "multilayer" refers to the fact that in commercial laying flocks the nest boxes (or more likely cages) are stacked in rows and layers. Not so in farm flocks, including here at Windhover; they are in one single row, and the hens come (and lay) and go as they see fit.
Re: Newcastle
There are quite a few towns in Kentucky (as in most states, I guess) named after cities in England. I live near Lancaster, there is a New Castle about 75 miles from here, and we also have London, Dover, Winchester, and my personal favorite, Morehead.
Here is another take on 14A. Multilayer farm site?. The more chickens you had, the more nesting boxes had.
Morning CC and All,
Had a great time with this one. Lots of picking and pecking with just the opposite experience Dennis had in the west central where I had to go to red letter help for those fills. My first theme fill was Bowler Opposites and perps gave me Cloche Encounter.
Great pic Argyle!
TGIF.........This has been a wicked one!
Good Morning C.C. et al,
I flew through the N today and managed to get 20A right away. I love puns and this puzzle certainly gave me my fill for the day (no pun intended).
But I can't resist (someone stop me!!!)...
Would fast food with a crease be "Homburg and fries"?
Dennis, thanks for the little gems you always leave. I thought a group of hares was a "Down" (as in "Watership Down") ? I always learn something from you guys !
The midsection completely stumped me today. I didn't know many of the name references, so practically all my answers were complete WAGS. I went for APOLLO ONO on 4D and had SKATE---- . The only theme clue I got was BOWLER OPPOSITES, also a WAG since I had no idea about the others. Never heard of CLOCHE, didn't think of TOQUE, had RED ROSE instead of TEA, so TAM didn't surface. Adams ale means nothing to me, nor do Proactiv, Miss Gulch (though I guessed TOTO), Aiken or the cookie name. I was lost on halter, because I had TEEN for PEON.
All very clever when you see the answers, but my brain is not with it.
C.C.,
'Think' in French is 'penser', not pencer.
Donna Levin is my new favorite punster.
FUN Friday.
First off, my After-dinner item is not a MINT.
(see Avatar!!!)
The gimmies; TOTO, ARIES, SINN Fein, UAE.
ATLAS, DOONE & EQUAL got me my first theme pun, TOQUE RADIO.
Lady Hillington's TEA ROSE, never heard of it.
"Henry & June" role, ANAIS. No idea again. My PANSY (thought) was ... Henry?
Both completely via crosses.
As for that pun on my TAM YANKEES, well we lead the Major Leagues with 60 wins.
Learning moment, the CLOCHE hat.
I drove from Zagreb, Croatia to Ljubljana, Slovenia at least once a month for two years but that EURO messed up my McJob teen for PEON.
Probably something I would never call that kid getting me my McMuffin.
Plus ALL work is honorable.
I haven't looked at the puzzle today but it can't be harder than yesterday's - can it? Maybe my problems were compunded by the fact that tornado sirens were going off at intervals. We had some wild weather in the area for several hours but ours wasn't too bad, just a lot of rain. It's still raining today. I'm glad it isn't stretching north to Oshkosh and the big fly-in.
Jeannie, I am so sorry to hear about Jen. I'm glad you located her. Sometimes people withdraw because they don't want to be a burden on others. But that is when they most need a friend. I'm glad you're there. Also, will pray for your truck driver friend.
Dot
Good morning, everyone.
Had to really work to get this one, but it eventually yielded. I also had TEEN for PEON, and didn't make the correction of PANSY from DAISY until the last -- thus giving me AIKEN and TSP.
Windhover, wonder what one can major in at Morehead State College?
HeartRx, hold the lettuce! Good one.
Have a great Friday!!
Good Day All,
Pleasant puzzle today, nothing like yesterday's trial.
'toqueradio' came quickly, illumining the theme, though didn't know what a 'toque' is. Put McJob='teen', but soon enough 'halter' changed 57d from 'tot' to 'top'. Belatedly saw capital as currency!
'Adams' ale=water?? I was thinking of Samuel Adams Pale Ale, something with a few more nutrients than H20.
After 'styli' earlier this week, I liked needle bearers='pines'. Re Proactiv, I was thinking Activia yogurt -- but I couldn't fit 'intestinal flora' into 4 letters beginning with 'A'! After NE gave 22a '..unter', my first guess on "examine headwear" was trying '???headhunter'. Just a temporary glitch.
I used to enjoy Lorna Doones as a kid. About 2" squares composed as spirals of shortbread.
So what's a 'bola'? Any relation to ebola?
Good Morning and Happy Friday to all,
Gosh, being able to finish a Friday puzzle with minimal help sure does make me feel good. That is why I do the crossword and I, like many others, have my own personal "rules" for solving. Had a little troulbe with the NW corner today. I too was thinking "What would the Greek god Apollo wear?" It didn't help that I had CLOTHE ENCOUNTER even though I couldn't figure out what that had to do with hats. Came here, got SPACESUIT and was able to fill the rest.
Don't know if this has been mentioned before, but Julia Louis-Dreyfus got a star on the Hollywood Walk of fame and they misspelled her name. She took it well and actually wanted them to leave it, but they did fix it.
Favorite clue of the day: Hockey infraction-ICING. That is how I met my husband. He was sitting behind me at a hockey game and I asked him what icing meant. It is when a defensive player shoots the puck past the 2 blue lines to the other end of the ice and there is not a teammate there to receive it. (I think I explained that properly.)
Jeannie - Being relatively new here, I don't know what all you are going through. It sounds to me like you are a kind hearted person and a good friend to have. I hope that all goes well for the people you care about.
Hahtool - Love your QOD. Copied it as my FB status.
Dudley - I am fascinated by flight. I have been parasailing twice and flew in a hot air balloon in the Rio Grande Gorge on my honeymoon. I love being up high above the world. It is so peaceful.
Have a great weekend everyone. Praying that Bonnie misses all of us who might be in her path.
In wine there is wisdom; in beer there is freedom; in water there is bacteria.
Ebola is the online version of bola.
For some reason, my comment posted 5 times. I have deleted the extraneous ones and apologize. I have no idea what happened.
Vettedoe: you and I are neighbors. I am getting out of town for Bonnie, even though it may never reach hurricane strength. After going through Katrina, Rita and Gustav in 5 years, I just don't want to be stressed again.
Anon at 9:47, nicely done.
A bola is a hunting weapon that's composed of three balls attached to ropes that are then tied together. When thrown at the legs of game, the legs become entangled and down they go. That's how I remember it from when I made/had one as a kid.
Here's what Wiki says on the subject.
@Vettedoe,
My comment was published multiple times as well. I just thought it was me with fat fingers, but glad to know I'm not the only one having this little "glitch" today.
Hahtool - Safe travels. My husband just texted me a while ago saying that we will probably get the worst of it tomorrow night and I need to decide if I should head north to my Mom's. He's hoping we just get rain and wind, but with a little one in the house, I am considering it.
Crockett - Thank you for the bola information. I forgot to look that one up.
HeartRX - I thought the same thing at first, but 5 times? Must be a heavy duty glitch!
Hi c.c. and all:
Just finished the puzzle and came here to check the answers. Even though I did not know cloche and toque I managed to fill it in right. I originally had check hat counter, but 2D would have been coah, so changed that to coal and finally got St Peters and Sinn. Not an easy one for me, but managed to finish it with no help!
BTW: My daughter just finished her last exam, Step 3 for her state MD's license. It was a 2-day test. She will find out in a few weeks if she passed! It sure will be nice to hear that she passes and of course one less stress for her!
Dennis: I didn't know any of those. I thought whales was a pod!
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Hi C.C. & gang, before my wife left today she got 4D Space Suit and I think we finished ~30%...
RE: Adam's ale == water?
I had to look that one up.
Here's another meaning:
"Of course, there has to be a beer with that name. Various ales using the brand name Samuel Adams are brewed by the Boston Beer Company, although to be grammatically correct they are Adams' ales."
Hello everyone ;
Even tho I live in CA I felt blown away by "DONNA",I've never liked her puzzles ,it feels like we are on 2 different planets..did lots of cheating to get this done..."CLOTHEENCOUNTER" got me going in the wrong direction.
as for 56 across..it should either be OCEANS " it takes more than one ocean to cover 70% of earth"
or WATER,,I believe water is the correct answer...70% of earth is covered in water "thats oceans, lakes and rivers..please correct me if i'm wrong.
Speaking of whales, I would love to hear what that couple told the insurance company if they didn't have the pictures of it landing on their sloop.
C.C.- You're right about multilayer. The question mark is the hint that the clue was intended to be punny.
Argyle- Terrific pic! Leonardo da Vinci has got to be in your family tree. Really.
On the Leeward side- Fun that CIAO has all the letters for IACCOCA.
Did anyone else pick FRAN for Ollie's sidekick and then TEEN for McJob performer?
Hello, puzzled solvers!
Thank youC.C., for the good information.
I love Donna Levin's puzzles. Looking at this one, I was instantly on her wave length. First, I love hats and wish they were back in style. So, toques, tams, bowlers, and cloches, I have checked them out in style magazines many times.
Some really good puns, such as multilayer farm site, can be applied both ways, I believe; the hens are the egg layers and the coops are layered as Argyle and Windhover noted.
Hand up for WATER on 58A, then quickly realized nothing else worked there and then OCTA gave me OCEAN. We should remember that ocean can also mean vast amounts, so an ocean of water can mean all the water in the world.
This was great fun and a big thank you to Donna.
As I have been reading Indian Givers, How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World, I'm very in tune with the Inca.
Pachachuti (1438-1471/72) was a great Emperor and it is believed it was under his reign that the Inca Empire expanded into its greatness; many archeologists believe Machu Pichu might have been his estate.
Please stay safe all you who are in Bonnie's path. Positive thoughts are going out for you.
Have a wonderful Friday everyone!
GDHusker:
Yes, my original fills were also FRAN and TEEN so that corner had me in fits for a long time until the light went on with Slovenia capital, EURO.
GDS Husker, the thought passed through my head, but I gave it up quickly.
GDHusker
Hand up for Fran and teen but TAUT corrected that area.
Tropical Storm Bonnie seems to be moving at a very rapid pace, WNW at about 18 mph, across South Florida and may skirt Dunedin by nightfall or sooner.
Highest wind around 40 mph.
Time for me to get my supplies:
A case of beer
Bag of ice
1.75L bottle of Scotch
And a small 7-Up
Maybe order a pizza
All the essentials!
Hello, all, TGIF for me today because I really, really loved this puzzle! I'm beginning to see patterns, at least, I feel really in sync with Donna Levin! A little glitch with Clay Aiken, contemporary music not being my forte; and even though I got 'bowler opposites', I still don't make a connection. Not the hat part but the 'opposites'? Feel free to clue me in, anybody.
Hahtool, I could almost reproduce your comment today verbatim, our reactions to the puzzle are so similar! Even to MY grandmother's favorite flower. Amazing. I have always had a 'thing' for hats, too. But my favorite fill was 'cloche encounters' which I got right away and gave me the theme!
Had the same hitches with MCJob performer and Apollo garb, too.
Where do you go to escape the storm?
Dennis, I thought it was a pod of whales? Maybe there are many names for a lot of the groups?
Argyle, you're a picture! I'd love to see the exposed face! Is that the way you look now, exposed?
By the way, I got SPACESUIT quickly because I am a NASA-trained physics teacher but had never heard of a TOQUE or CLOCHE. Mark one up for us left-brained people who also get ERG, DYNE, et al also but sometime struggle with literary and art clues! Variety is indeed the spice of life!
Kazie, I can sympathize. If you had had girls instead of boys, you'd definitely be familiar with Lorna Doones; the Girl Scouts used to sell them every year. I haven't seen them in the past few years, but maybe I just haven't looked.
dodo, I guess a bowler is hard/inflexible & curvy?
I usually am on the same wavelength as Donna Levin when I attempt her puzzles. Not so much today though. I have never heard of a cloche hat, and shame on me I didn’t know that a chef wears a “toque”. I also didn’t have a clue what a “pampas” weapon was. I also think “peon” as a Mcjob performer is kind of mean. Lots of kids get their first taste of working and earning a paycheck at QSR’s. Last but not least, can someone explain to me why atlas would be clued as “Rand’s shrugger”?
Windhover, I see there is a Morehead State University in Eastern KY. You might want to check that out.
Thanks to all of you for your well wishes for Jen and my truck driver friend. You are a warm and caring bunch of people. For all of you in Bonnie’s path, take care.
Hi, everyone.
@Dodo -- Bowlers are hard and round, so I played on the phrase "Polar opposites" to come up with BOWLER OPPOSITES (clued as hats that are soft and angular).
For those of you in the gulf states, good luck with Bonnie. I'm in South Florida, and all we've gotten is some rain and a stiff breeze. My fingers will be crossed for all who are in her direct path.
--Donna
g8rmomx2, dodo, both gam and pod are correct terms for a group of whales.
I hope everyone down south comes through Mother Nature's latest exercise unscathed.
Donna L., thanks for checking in; what was your seed entry for this one?
Jeannie, there are several books by Ayn Rand I read in college. One of them was titled, "Atlas Shrugged."
Does every puzzle have a seed entry?
Several of you are talking about your gardens. I used to have a nice little garden plot in a local community garden area about two blocks from my house. I grew white corn with pole beans planted close by so they could run up the corn stalks, great tomatoes, several varieties of squash, a wonderful asparagus bed and lots of other stuff. Alas, that land had to turn into some more school buildings so I no longer have a convenient garden space and have to depend on the local farmer's market. I miss it.
Jeannie, Author Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged". She also wrote "Fountainhead". As best I recall, she espouses a philosophy of self-reliance & the ethical value of industrious pursuit of one's own self-interests. Some folk regard it to be too self-centered & insufficiently concerned about the public good.
Donna L., forgive me, 'seed entry' is wrong, given that it's a themed puzzle. The question should've been, what was the genesis for the puzzle?
Now I feel kind of stupid. I was thinking of "Rand McNally" the atlas/map company.
Hello All--Donna Levin always gives you a run for your money. Today was no exception. I managed to fill in the first three across answers but it was a slog from then on.
One of the problems came from not knowing how to spell Sinn (Sein) so that gave me trees for Needle bearers. My editing implement had a real workout there and also in the central section where I had put in Tam Dandees instead of Tam Yankees. Finally fixed those areas, but ended up using Google for Anais, and Op Art.
Thank goodness I knew that tetra was four, so Octo came before I finally gave in and put in Octa.
All in all a very challenging, but rewarding puzzle. Thank you Ms. Levin.
I thought that Gray area and Proactiv Target were nice out of the box clues today.
Hatool, My hand went up for Apollo's Garb.
Argyle, I love the picture.
Sometimes hens can be a pain. My granddaughter thinks one of her hens is mentally challenged as she won't-as in never uses the nice nest box, but lays her egg on the hard ground just outside the door of the coop!
Enjoy your weekend everyone.
Heart RX, In Googling the Down question for Hares I found that it seemingly is interchangable with Husk.
I also found some groups that I don't think have been mentioned as yet.
Kettle of hawks, Array of hedgehogs and Sedge of herons. We've had so many that if I have duplicated some, I apologize in advance.
@Dennis --
If I recall correctly, the genesis of the puzzle was my inability to speak coherently when my husband and I were driving across the state one day. A bird swooped very close to our car, and we narrowly avoided a collision with it. I meant to say "close encounter" but it came out as "cloche encounter." That got me playing with other "hat" phrases, whence comes this puzzle.
I'm kind of surprised to find that "cloche" isn't as familiar as I thought. I grew up in the age of Ali MacGraw and "Love Story," when cloches were all the rage. I guess it's generational.
Good weekend to all ...
DSL
Donna, many thanks for stopping in and giving me an answer. I should have known what a bowler is, since I've seen it in books I've read; just never looked it up. I guess I missed the 'polar opposites' when reading the blog. Thank you.
Jeannie, I'm so very sorry about Jen. Does she have a place to stay? You've been a good friend to her and I'm sure it's very hard for you. Sorry about your trucker friend, too. As for 'Atlas Shrugged' (odd name for a book!) I tried to read it but Ayn Rand is far too self-involved to suit me!
BTW, you would look very good in a cloche, not one like the link, tho. I had a gorgeous one in the
50s, much more 'chic' than that!
Vettedoe and HeartRx, I think when your post enters several times it's because you unwittingly hit the 'publish your comment' multiple times. It happened to me once when I first came here and I have been very careful since not to push it more than once.
re: yesterday's discussion about bodies of trombones, I liked yours, Lemonade, "declaration", but I think more for trumpets?
Windhover, do the hens ever get in the wrong box and sit on somebody else's eggs? Just askin'.
A group of whales, in addition to pod and gam, can also be called a herd, school and mod.
Googled "Animal groups" and found a great site that listed a whole bunch of these.
My Fave was a group of stingrays is a fever.
Good Morning C.C., Argyle and folk,
@Dennis, thanks for your comments. They are inspirational for a pe(rs)on like me.
Today is National Hot Dog Day! Yay! I just bought tofu dogs yesterday...now I have a reason to light up our new grill!
I really enjoyed the theme. BTY, I found today's puzzle much more solver friendly than yesterday. I always enjoy Donna's puzzles.
I'm crazy about collective nouns! Keep 'em coming!
1a-stage routines-acts. My son, Calder, does improv.
17. It's entered and processed- DATA. My daughter, Annie, does payroll from top to bottom; to tips, wage garnishment, hires, fires, quitters, liquor licenses and renewals, etc. for Kona Grill. With roughly 25 locations, she keeps busy. She works most holidays :( as, above all else, people must get paid on time!
14a-coop-read it as co-op, like share cropping,I guess.
15a-tripe, Nexium is not needed in this stomach lining. I've never had tripe, but my mother, who's French, enjoys it.
There are other definitions as well.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripelining)
25. Carol beginning : ADESTE.
"Adeste Fideles", is this Latin?
I see many French words are used today.
39. Gray area?: Abbr. : ANAT. Gray's Anatomy, Gray, Henry. 1918. Anatomy of the Human Body. I've studied this book cover to cover for drawing classes. Tangentially, I am hooked on the series, "Grey's Anatomy, a medical drama.
56. More than 70% of Earth's surface : OCEAN, tried to fit water but as an artist, I could not rationalize opert instead of op-art...op-art conjures up psychedelic, black lights, neon..."Lucy in the Sky..."
60. Gumbo ingredient : OKRA, breaded, fried, done right, never slimy, goes great with fried cat fish. Too bad 4 me, there is no gluten-free soy version of fried cat fish! with, 45. Meat : FLESH...I'm feeling kind of squeamish!
@Hahtool, Mine is up! (hand)
@HeartRx, "Homburg and fries"? Good one!
@Lemonade714, McJob performer as a PEON; sounds a bit condescending. Ditto!
@Lucina, Hand up for WATER on 58A
I'm out.
Good afdternoon everyone. Diane you rock. The cleverness of much of the fill and the theme words made this one a lot of fun.
Fairly difficult but doable if the mind could be relaxed enough. Especially liked CLOCHE ENCOUNTER and TOQUE RADIO. BOWLER OPPOSITES fell after changing 'pro' to PRE and finally getting BIKINI. Also liked COOP. ANAT, ATLAS and OLEO.
ACDC isn't just versatile in the electronic sense.
Good weekend, all
Speaking of bowlers, did any of you enjoy John Steed and Mrs. Peel in "The Avengers"? She was so sexy.
Speaking of tripe, I think it's the basis for a Sunday Mexican treat called Menudo. My wife and I tried it once and liked it OK.
Frenchie,
Yes, Adeste Fideles is Latin, later translated as O Come All Ye Faithful. Look here.
Perhaps it could also be clued (with some camouflage, so to speak) as "____ Fidel_s", with possible misdirection toward 'Semper'?
Dodo:
Thanks for asking. I saw your question while mowing alfalfa (again!) in 96 degree heat, so I decided to come in, get a drink (water), cool off a little, and answer your question.
In a farm coop setting, unlike industrial egg production where the girls are caged, several hens lay in each nest. The rule of thumb, I believe, is 4 hens per nest. A hen lays an egg approximately every 25 hours, so a liitle later each day until she skips a day. So one hen will lay her egg, announce it to the world, then leave the nest. Another will hop in and do the same. They actually like to lay where eggs are already present, which is why some people leave a fake (wooden) egg in the nest to encourage the hens to use it. This may well be TMI for some, but the day may arrive (or maybe it has passed) when this type of knowledge is at least as important as "rocket science".
Back to the alfalfa and the heat.
I found this challenging as I had never heard of CLOCHE nor TOQUE. I guess I am just not familiar with hats to much. I knew TAM and BOWLER but it took quite a while to catch on to the theme. There were many great fills though, including my favorite "Multilayer farm site?".
We have been on and off line today as Comcast is doing some repairs in the area. Frustrating as it affects TV, Internet and phone service.
Pansies are one of my favorite flowers also. However, cannot plant them throughout summer as they just won't tolerate the heat. I usually buy some in the spring when I am dying for some flowers, and then rip them out to plant summer annuals. Kind of spendy, but worth it.
Spent hours today with the insurance adjusters from a hail storm a month or so ago. Looks like some windows need to be replaced, however, not necessarily the ones we wanted to replace:-( There is only one overlap there. Oh well, we shall be busy in the next few months getting this done.
Hope everyone can stay clear of Bonnie. Have a great weekend all.
I LOVED today's puzzle. The SJMERC was gracious and apologized for yesterday's ooooops - and published yesterday's complete puzzle page accompanied by today's complete puzzle page! WHEW!!!
I really enjoy reading this blog.
Have a great weekend.
...and now a little Limerick:
I love to do crosswords, you see.
I either get them, or they me!
Whenever I google a clue that is frugal,
I learn something new with such glee.
Donna: so good of you to stop by. I love your punny puzzles!
Jeannie: I never even thought of the map makers for Atlas Shrugged, but your response made me smile because the clue so just the mislead that makes Donna's puzzles so fun.
Hand up for first thinking Fran for Ollie's partner.
Donna, I wrote Diane earlier. Sorry.
A special note on 'The First Point of ARIES': The start of the Aries sector of the zodiac is, of course, the Sun's celestial longitude at the inception of the Spring Equinox. This longitude is also the reference point for the concept of Sidereal Hour Angle (or SHA) of the stars, a basic input for celestial navigation.
Crocket:
Would that make a parabola two bolas?
Doreen
Bill G, Mrs. Peel was the main reason to watch that campy show. Hubba, Hubba!
erieruth, loved the limerick!
Doreen, works for me.
Bill G- Menudo, breakfast of champions. Tripe, hominy, onion, and chili powder. Indeed, most working class Mexican restaurants serve it on Sunday. It's the greatest cure on earth for a hangover. Best when made super hot. I mean tear up, nose running, sweat out your eyeballs hot. Tripas, warm corn tortillas, cold beer. Cures a "crudo" but good!
eriruth:
I had to comment on your limerick; it's great!
Donna:
Thank you for visiting us. It's always wonderful to have some insight from the constructor. I do love your puzzles.
Thinking about the theme, Hat Puns reminded me of Hat Pins, and aren't pinpricks what sharp puns do?
Windhover:
How did you see Dodo's question while you were mowing hay? Do you have your blackberry with you?
BTW, I also appreciated knowing that information.
Santa:
I forgot to mention your photo! Very handsome.
Good afternoon everyone. (Although it isn't a very good one here in SW FL.)
Dennis, I sincerely apologize for writing, "Enough!" I did not mean to roil the waters.
Jazz, your definition of trollery is right on. And that's why I have frequently said to not feed the trolls.
Dennis, I suggest, if C.C. likes the idea, that when an anon attacks one of our named regulars you delete the comment. That way we won't be sucked into a spat. It does tend to go on and on when one occurs.
And yes, it's fun to be here, which is why most of us are. C.C. has created a wondrous blog.
Cheers
Jerome:
You took the words right out of my mouth! WEll described. Menudo is also traditionally served on New Year's Day.
Hello again.
I just want to say to Jeannie how sorry I am to hear about Jen and about your friend's back problem. Good thoughts coming your way.
Now I'll go read today's comments.
Cheers
Dodo,
I confess - I did push the publish button more than once. But the page returned to my "editing" screen after the first time, so I thought I had used the wrong key. Mea Culpa, I will never do that again ;-P
@Chickie & Dennis,
Of course, you are both right - there are sometimes more than one name for different animal groups. But I think of bunnies as soft and fluffy (like "down"), not hard and raspy like corn husks. As always, a treat to read this blog and learn new things each day. Problem is, I usually forget more than I learn each day, so I seem to be on a backwards slide toward senility !
Q.O.D.
"Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most" (Mark Twain)
Lucina:
You probably missed this when you started blogging, but I have no home computer, for a number of reasons, the primary one being that since I live quite some distance from
the road, my house is non-electric except for a generator used for a few tasks. I have a propane refrigerator, which keeps the ale cold and the ice cream hard (or maybe the reverse), Allladdin mantle lamps and propane gas lights, and my Internet connection consists solely of an Iphone. I call it modern primitive living. It works for us, mostly. No air conditioning is a b---- in hot weather, but we heat with wood in the winter. If I could just find a wood or propane powered computer, I'd be set. We may someday go solar, and I have a few small photo voltaic cells we use for various things (battery charging, etc), but so far the cost is prohibitive on what we are able to earn farming.
So, again, when I stopped for a break, there was your post and question.
Back "at it" for me. A nice pale ale waiting at sunset.
Jeannie, You're not alone. I was thinking maps also. By the way, You are a wicked Sweetheart! Best thoughts to your friends.
Sitting here smelling Axe waft down from up stairs. Boys are getting ready for performance night for the camp they've been attending for the last three weeks. Rock bands tonight and tomorrow are the juggling acts, which are really cool. They don't just juggle different objects, they use their bodies, rolling under or jumping over others, as part of the act.
Wishing all in the gulf safety. Tinbeni, same way I prepare for storms. Good Luck!
Here's wishing you all a terrific, satisfying, and safe weekend.
G8Rmom,Best wishes to your daughter on the exam outcome.
Jeannie, You are indeed a wonderful friend.
Donna L., It was nice of you to visit and give us a little more insight into your puzzle construction.
ErieRuth, a great limerick, and I too, thought the newspaper made a nice apology today.
Frenchie, A group of sting rays could really give you quite a FEVER if you swam amongst them.
Take care those of you who are facing Bonnie this weekend.
Sallie & Lemonade probably have received quite a bit of rain today as the (now) Tropical Depression Bonnie passed through today.
Just saw Rick Cantori (sp?) on the weather channel. He was reporting from Sallie's Naples and at 7:00 pm, he was on the beach, and it was sunny the surf almost calm.
Man-O-Man this thing is moving fast.
Here, we barely have had a sprinkle but the clouds brought a nice respite from the heat. Probably will get some overnight rain.
It will go back to Tropical Storm status tomorrow as it gets near Hahtool. Hopefully only around 50 mph.
Mainiac: The supplies are a necessity but now I'm stuck with a small 7-Up.
Windhover: In many ways you live a life style I think many of us envy.
I thought your earlier comment was very interesting. The only thing I know about eggs is that I can get them at the grocery store.
Tinbeni: My DH and I truly loved your list for preparedness for a hurrican or tropical storm. Thanks.
Cheers
Erieruth, loved your limerick, very Nashy!
I'm thinking 'bevy' and 'covey' but I forget the reference.
I think cloches were some of the most flattering of hats. Very hard on the hairdos, though!
Windhover, you are remarkable, and the Irish, too; perfect examples of 'sustainability', more of which we all should be practicing to preserve our planet!
Thank you for honoring what I thought was sort of a silly question. I just think of hens as being inane. although I do have a vague memory of once seeing a hen that played the piano!
Windhover, I am a little envious of your lifestyle but at my age, I'm not envious of the hard work you have to do. How do you keep your iPhone charged? If you could afford enough solar panels to run stuff including a small A/C, that would improve your summers a lot I'm guessing. What am I thinking?? The iPhone is great but I know after a few days, I'd miss the computer, TV, sea breeze...
It just occurred to me that although C.C. mentioned that the cloche is a bell-shaped hat, she didn't explain that 'cloche' means bell in French.
I hope everyone stays safe in the storms that may or may not hit. Our area has been lucky with only 2" of rain yesterday and overnight, but in Milwaukee they had flooding and sink holes swallowing a house and car.
Have a good weekend all of you.
dodo- A hen that played the piano? What did she play, Bach, Bach, Bach.
Do you remember John Wayne's character,the hard boiled Rooster Cogburn and his famous line, "Egg White was Snow White's brother. Get the yolk?"
Thanks to those who complimented me regarding the Limerick. An unexpected compliment always makes me feel like I've won a prize!!
I found today's CWP much easier than yesterday's. There were a few false starts, quickly corrected by the crosses. I, too, wanted FRAN and WATER.
We cruise a lot and I'm quite used to seeing TOQUES on a daily basis when we do. BOWLER OPPOSITES was the first to fall and then the others fell rapidly. I wasn't familiar with CLOCHE, but it fit and sounded just punny enough to be right.
I spent a few years of my youth on a farm, and have spent my share of time in those multilayer farm sites, either cleaning... BLEEECH! or collecting cackleberries.
Bonnie passed right over us here in Naples this afternoon, but it was a total non-event. Light breezes and gentle rains doth not a tropical storm make... but that's what we had here. Here's hoping the remainder of the season is the same. Of course, there should be some strengthening as Bonnie moves across the warm Gulf waters. I doubt that it will be a significant storm when it hits the other shore.
The larger question, though, can Jim Cantori get from Naples to New Orleans before the storm does? After all, if he isn't there when the storm arrives, did it really happen?
jerome! hahahahaha ... that was great!!
Windhover:
I was familiar with some of your situation, but did not realize the full extent of your commitment. You have my utmost respect for living that way. I'm certain it can't be easy, but one does get used to things.
I'm curious, too; how do you charge your iphone? And does the propane handle a washer and dryer?
Forgive me if I seem to be prying, but I have been thinking about all the electrical servants we all have and if I could live without them.
Thankfully, you have been spared Bonnie's wrath, you who live in that area.
We finally got some much needed rain. It wasn't much, but April was our last one and it refreshed the outside and lowered the temps.
Dodo, Jerome:
I just saw the piano playing chicken on an old rerun of The Golden Girls!
I almost rolled on the floor after reading the comments here.
gGerry, thank you for the information. I've gone all of my life singing, "Oh Come All Ye Faithful," every Christmas season and had no idea!
"Yes, Adeste Fideles is Latin, later translated as O Come All Ye Faithful."
Positive energy to all in the storm path and to Jeannie...what a kind heart you have!
g8rmomx2, congrats. to your daughter!
Argyle, you are beautiful!
Again, very enjoyable puzzle...I will finish reading comments in the morning. I'm so tired!
Good Night to all and I'm out.
gGerry, thank you for the information. I've gone all of my life singing, "Oh Come All Ye Faithful," every Christmas season and had no idea!
"Yes, Adeste Fideles is Latin, later translated as O Come All Ye Faithful."
Positive energy to all in the storm path and to Jeannie...what a kind heart you have!
g8rmomx2, congrats. to your daughter!
Argyle, you are beautiful!
Again, very enjoyable puzzle...I will finish reading comments in the morning. I'm so tired!
Good Night to all and I'm out.
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