Theme: This & That - Two words that start with "R" connected by "and". The unifier is an abbreviated form of the other four so it isn't really a revealer, just a hint.
17A. Music genre that evolved in the '50s: ROCK AND ROLL
28A. How the wheels on the bus go: ROUND AND ROUND
39A. Time off, briefly, and this puzzle's theme: R AND R
47A. "Old" nickname for Zachary Taylor: ROUGH AND READY
63A. Complain hysterically: RANT AND RAVE
Argyle here.
After I did the comments, I realized there are a lot of names in this puzzle for a Monday, even though the theme was easy to get.
Across:
1. Toad feature : WART
5. Cravings : URGES
10. W.W. Jacobs short story "The Monkey's __" : PAW. No, not his father.
13. Etonic competitor : AVIA. No, it doesn't mean to fly.
14. Hollandaise and barbecue : SAUCES. Yes, it could include cranberry.
16. Genetic molecule: Abbr. : RNA. Molecule doesn't sound right.
19. "__ complicated" : IT'S. Probably the explanation to the above clue.
20. Evil smile : SNEER
21. Pac-10 hoops powerhouse : UCLA. University of California, Los Angeles.
22. Cambridge sch. : MIT. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
23. Letter before kappa : IOTA. Greek. (Handy chart, if you care about these things.)
26. Tranquil : AT PEACE
32. Possess : OWN
33. Italian "a" : UNA. Feminine and singular number.
34. Tide creations : POOLS. Here is a photo of a large one at Carmel, CA. Pools often have their own little ecosphere.
37. Formally relinquish : CEDE
42. Winter fall : SNOW
43. Hägar the Horrible's dog : SNERT
45. Zippy start? : ZEE. The letter "Z".
46. Well-armed org. : NRA. National Rifle Association. (Rifles aren't considered "heaters", either.) (From a recent clue.)
52. Nonsense : BALONEY
54. The ten in "hang ten" : TOES. Standing on the front edge of a surf board.
55. Batter's stat : RBI. "Runs batted in".
56. Power co. product : ELEC.
58. Freeze, as a plane's wings : ICE UP
62. + molecule, e.g. : ION. + indicates a positive charge.
66. Work unit : ERG
67. Like the night in a classic Van Gogh work : STARRY. Clip(4:12), w/ slide show.
68. All done : OVER
69. Knox and McHenry: Abbr. : FTs. Forts.
70. "Do the Right Thing" actor Davis : OSSIE. A younger version(Image) of the couple. Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis were married 56 years when Ossie died in 2005.
71. Wimpy : WEAK. My kind of Wimpy. Image.
Down:
1. Serious conflicts : WARS
2. Cosmetic caller : AVON
3. Paddy grain : RICE
4. Adopt, as a puppy : TAKE IN
5. "Top Gun" org. : USN. United States Navy, Navy Fighter Weapons School (better known as "TOPGUN").
6. "Groovy!" : "RAD!". Only in crosswords!
7. Hindu religious instructor : GURU
8. Chevy Volt or Ford Fusion : ECOCAR
9. Do business with : SELL TO
10. Temperamental diva, e.g. : PRIMA DONNA. Remember this one(2:41).
11. Shenanigan : ANTIC
12. Trash : WASTE
15. First-rate, in Rugby : SLAP-UP. New to me.
17A. Music genre that evolved in the '50s: ROCK AND ROLL
28A. How the wheels on the bus go: ROUND AND ROUND
39A. Time off, briefly, and this puzzle's theme: R AND R
47A. "Old" nickname for Zachary Taylor: ROUGH AND READY
63A. Complain hysterically: RANT AND RAVE
Argyle here.
After I did the comments, I realized there are a lot of names in this puzzle for a Monday, even though the theme was easy to get.
Across:
1. Toad feature : WART
5. Cravings : URGES
10. W.W. Jacobs short story "The Monkey's __" : PAW. No, not his father.
13. Etonic competitor : AVIA. No, it doesn't mean to fly.
14. Hollandaise and barbecue : SAUCES. Yes, it could include cranberry.
16. Genetic molecule: Abbr. : RNA. Molecule doesn't sound right.
19. "__ complicated" : IT'S. Probably the explanation to the above clue.
20. Evil smile : SNEER
21. Pac-10 hoops powerhouse : UCLA. University of California, Los Angeles.
22. Cambridge sch. : MIT. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
23. Letter before kappa : IOTA. Greek. (Handy chart, if you care about these things.)
26. Tranquil : AT PEACE
32. Possess : OWN
33. Italian "a" : UNA. Feminine and singular number.
34. Tide creations : POOLS. Here is a photo of a large one at Carmel, CA. Pools often have their own little ecosphere.
37. Formally relinquish : CEDE
42. Winter fall : SNOW
43. Hägar the Horrible's dog : SNERT
45. Zippy start? : ZEE. The letter "Z".
46. Well-armed org. : NRA. National Rifle Association. (Rifles aren't considered "heaters", either.) (From a recent clue.)
52. Nonsense : BALONEY
54. The ten in "hang ten" : TOES. Standing on the front edge of a surf board.
55. Batter's stat : RBI. "Runs batted in".
56. Power co. product : ELEC.
58. Freeze, as a plane's wings : ICE UP
62. + molecule, e.g. : ION. + indicates a positive charge.
66. Work unit : ERG
67. Like the night in a classic Van Gogh work : STARRY. Clip(4:12), w/ slide show.
68. All done : OVER
69. Knox and McHenry: Abbr. : FTs. Forts.
70. "Do the Right Thing" actor Davis : OSSIE. A younger version(Image) of the couple. Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis were married 56 years when Ossie died in 2005.
71. Wimpy : WEAK. My kind of Wimpy. Image.
Down:
1. Serious conflicts : WARS
2. Cosmetic caller : AVON
3. Paddy grain : RICE
4. Adopt, as a puppy : TAKE IN
5. "Top Gun" org. : USN. United States Navy, Navy Fighter Weapons School (better known as "TOPGUN").
6. "Groovy!" : "RAD!". Only in crosswords!
7. Hindu religious instructor : GURU
8. Chevy Volt or Ford Fusion : ECOCAR
9. Do business with : SELL TO
10. Temperamental diva, e.g. : PRIMA DONNA. Remember this one(2:41).
11. Shenanigan : ANTIC
12. Trash : WASTE
15. First-rate, in Rugby : SLAP-UP. New to me.
Some great sleuthing by Clear Ayes: "About (15D) SLAP-UP: I "G'd" (15D) SLAP-UP as a rugby term and couldn't find anything other than Brit-slang "first-rate", usually referring to a meal. It took me a very non-Monday time to realize that the game is lower case and the clue must refer to a town named Rugby. Sure enough, the Warwickshire town in England is most famous as the place where the game was invented."
18. Yankee with 613 career homers, familiarly : A-ROD. "Alex" Rodriguez.
24. Bull: Pref. : TAUR. Such as TAURiform, shaped like a bull.
25. Oscar winner Paquin : ANNA. Canadian-born New Zealand actress. Paquin's first critically successful film was The Piano, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1994 at the age of 11 – the second youngest winner in history. (Tatum O'Neal for "Paper Moon" (1973) age 10).
27. Nephew of Cain : ENOS
28. Big birds of lore : ROCs. A mythical giant bird.
29. Wilson of "Marley & Me" : OWEN
30. Subordinates : UNDERLINGS
31. "Who's the Boss?" star Tony : DANZA. 80's TV sitcom. Tony was in Taxi, also.
35. Manor master : LORD
36. Oscillate : SWAY
38. Sock ending : EROO. Sockeroo.
40. Car scar : DENT
41. Overhaul, as a Web site : REDO
44. Workers with an ear for music? : TUNERS
48. Italian ice cream : GELATO
49. "Laughing" critters : HYENAS
50. Longtime Nevada senator Harry : REID
51. Money for taxes and insurance may be held in it : ESCROW
52. Lawyer's filing : BRIEF
53. NASA "Stop!" : ABORT
57. NBA's Shaq and Yao, e.g. : CTRs. The big men who play the position of center on the National Basketball Association teams.
59. A gutter is often under it : EAVE. It's over your head.
60. Eye part containing the iris : UVEA
61. Exec's extra : PERK. Formed by by shortening and respelling of perquisite, an incidental payment, benefit, privilege, or advantage over and above regular income, salary, or wages.
64. "Taking Heat" memoirist Fleischer : ARI. Taking Heat: The President, the Press, and My Years in the White House. Cover. He is the former White House Press Secretary for U.S. President George W. Bush.
65. PBS science guy Bill : NYE
Answer grid.
Argyle
24. Bull: Pref. : TAUR. Such as TAURiform, shaped like a bull.
25. Oscar winner Paquin : ANNA. Canadian-born New Zealand actress. Paquin's first critically successful film was The Piano, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1994 at the age of 11 – the second youngest winner in history. (Tatum O'Neal for "Paper Moon" (1973) age 10).
27. Nephew of Cain : ENOS
28. Big birds of lore : ROCs. A mythical giant bird.
29. Wilson of "Marley & Me" : OWEN
30. Subordinates : UNDERLINGS
31. "Who's the Boss?" star Tony : DANZA. 80's TV sitcom. Tony was in Taxi, also.
35. Manor master : LORD
36. Oscillate : SWAY
38. Sock ending : EROO. Sockeroo.
40. Car scar : DENT
41. Overhaul, as a Web site : REDO
44. Workers with an ear for music? : TUNERS
48. Italian ice cream : GELATO
49. "Laughing" critters : HYENAS
50. Longtime Nevada senator Harry : REID
51. Money for taxes and insurance may be held in it : ESCROW
52. Lawyer's filing : BRIEF
53. NASA "Stop!" : ABORT
57. NBA's Shaq and Yao, e.g. : CTRs. The big men who play the position of center on the National Basketball Association teams.
59. A gutter is often under it : EAVE. It's over your head.
60. Eye part containing the iris : UVEA
61. Exec's extra : PERK. Formed by by shortening and respelling of perquisite, an incidental payment, benefit, privilege, or advantage over and above regular income, salary, or wages.
64. "Taking Heat" memoirist Fleischer : ARI. Taking Heat: The President, the Press, and My Years in the White House. Cover. He is the former White House Press Secretary for U.S. President George W. Bush.
65. PBS science guy Bill : NYE
Answer grid.
Argyle
67 comments:
Good morning, Argyle, C.C. and gang - wow, quite the breeze today, compared with the last three or four puzzles.
The two areas where I needed perp help were with Zachary Taylor's nickname (even knowing it was two 'R' words, I drew a blank until I got the 'Rough' part), and the Rugby term, 'Slap-up'. Other than those, everything fell into place pretty quickly.
Survived the turkey fryer on Thanksgiving, and I'm a convert - fried turkey is pretty damned good. We gave most of the leftovers away to our dinner guests, so I'm already looking forward to making another. I do hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and long weekend (sounded like it on the blog).
Argyle, nice write-up - re 5D, 'Top Gun org.', they're actually in filming for 'Top Gun II', also with Tom Cruise.
Today is Electronic Greetings Day, Cyber Monday and Square Dance Day.
Morning, all!
I breezed through this puzzle in typical Monday fashion, despite the presence of such weirdness as SLAPUP, TAUR and ECOCAR. And yes -- that was a lot of proper names!
Happy Cyber Monday! As a part-time online retailer, I'm hoping for big sales today...
Monday, Monday:
Well my return to work starts today, ready or not. Still cannot see much from the operated eye, but can manage. Jeff seemed to have me in mind with legal references (BRIEF, ESCROW) and a semi obscure eye part (UVEA) to commiserate. A nice tight Monday theme, and I now know more about the TOAD than I ever expected to know.
Anna Pacquin is all growed up TRUE BLOOD and married to her co-star.
I agree about SLAP UP, and the the presidential races sound like more fun when they had nicknames like Taylor's or TIPPECANOE .
Thanks Argyle and Jeff and a great finish to the month for all.
Good Morning, Argyle and friends. This was a speed run, today, but nothing boring about this puzzle. I loved all the clues and the R 'n Rs.
Old ROUGH AND READY has ties to Louisiana, so he was a gimme.
The Wheel on the Bus Go ROUND AND ROUND, but after Katrina, the wheels on these buses didn't go round and round.
The rugby term was new to me, but it didn't matter, since the perps had already filled in all the blanks.
I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving break. It's Back-to-Work Monday.
QOD: The less you speak of your greatness, the more i shall think of it. ~ Francis Bacon.
Forgot to ask in my first post: Now that we're really into it, what's everyone's strategy for Christmas shopping? Already done, strictly online, last-minute, etc.? Being in retail now, I'm always curious to hear how people approach it.
Argyle, Wonderful write-up.
That was my first thought for Wimpy, too.
Easy, breezy theme. Perfect puzzle for a newbie.
Again, I see my real initial's, ARI, made the grid. jeez, there sure are a lot of ways to clue them.
PERK ... my fave was when the Company paid for my Apt., Car w/Ins and gas, and the 1000 Euro exp.allowance per month, when I lived in Zagreb. Hmmm, that meant I was responsible for ... what?
Oh, now I remember, 2 bottles of Avatar a month to toast the Sunset each day.
Always like seeing SNERT, it's a "dog-lover" thingy.
Hey, my Scion Tc is now 5.5 years old. With 16,019 miles (or 2,913 per YEAR) on it.
Damn, I need to reduce all this driving around Tampa Bay.
A toast to all at Sunset!
Dennis:
Regarding your question "strategy for Christmas shopping?"
Well, mine is very simple.
Avoid the Mall's at all cost. (Too crowded)!
Avoid "Cyber-Monday" deals ... they will get better.
Remember that I have already finished ALL SHOPPING ... months ago.
Hey, come to think of it all I have left is the real "Spirit of Christmas" left to worry about.
(OK, there are those 25 stuffed bears I need to get on December 24th and deliver to ALL CHILDREN's HOSPITAL in St.Pete at EXACTLY midnight ... but that's just having FUN!)
Good Day Folks,
A nice way to start off the week with a very doable puzzle. The few unknowns... slapup, rough and ready.. were quickly dispatched with the perps. Least favorite clue was underling. I've always considered it a derogatory term. DNA or RNA..... I never know which term is correct or how to separate their meanings.
After a weekend of family and friends, Riley and I are going to spend a day or two catching up on our sack time.
As far as Xmas shopping, when I get a "want list", I'll go all out for one day, get it done and likely face up to any wrapping on Dec 23rd. Then when Jan 1 arrives, I will vow that in 2011, my shopping will be done by July 4th and the Hell with "want lists." It's the same resolution every year and one of these years I'll do it.
Good Morning Argyle, CC and All,
Great Monday puzzle which was pretty quick. I needed perp help for all of the names. I used the eraser as well because I put Slip in for Snow which led to Spin instead of Sway. I erased NRA once to do screw that section up.
Monday morning and I forgot my keys! Back later.
Good Morning Argyle, C.C. et al.
Great write-up Argyle! I needed a chuckle on this back to work Monday, and you always provide several.
This was a nice puzzle, and a speed run- I missed many of the D clues because I didn't need them except for a few for perp help on names. Didn't have a "favorite" this time. I did like the theme answers and how they were neatly tied in right in the middle of the puzzle with "R AND R". Great job.
Dennis, I will definitely be attending Cyber Monday - I avoid all malls from mid-November until after January 1. I already have several things that were ordered online and stashed away. Maybe one or two more to finish, and I am done!
Have a great week, everyone!
Good Monday morning gang. Easy run across the top third. The center slowed down but the bottom picked up the pace again. Perps filled in what was missing.
Most of the Christmas buying will be for family that we won't see. Online shopping will take care of physical items for the Grandkids. Prepaid Visa gift cards takes care of the rest. There might be a few things that will need to be purchased locally and shipped, but I try to avoid that if possible.
Dennis, I'm glad to hear that you didn't wind up on the local news among those that burned down the house with their turkey fryer. I haven't tried a fried turkey yet, but did one on the barbecue grill many years ago. It turned out quite good.
Tinbeni, you really should trade that gas guzzling Scion in for an ittybitty Ecocar and quit polluting the Tampa Bay air with all of that excessive driving. Although I must say that a little air pollution can cause some gorgeous sunsets.
In honor of Electronic Greetings Day and Cyber Monday Day, I hereby Cyber-ly greet you all and wish you a Happy Monday!
Hello to Monday ~!
I agree, today's puzzle was an easier one for a Monday, compared to some recent ones.
Hand up for not knowing the rugby term - that's my learning moment, and I knew it was probably not the answer, but I had DUNES instead of POOLS.
As a carpenter, I prefer to put my gutters 'on' the
EAVE, instead of below it - but I am just nit-picking.
Dennis; my strategy for Christmas is to do all my shopping online, shipped via UPS- love this ad, and I work there, so the more that comes through the terminal, the more OT I get this season - pays for those gifts!!
And no, I did not get to star in the commercial :-(
Take care, see you all tomorrow.
Splynter
I've been seeing that ad on TV lately, Splynter. As a former "brown" myself (mid sixties to early seventies) I recall that UPS was ranked as the largest company that had NO advertising budget. Times have certainly changed.
Good Morning All, I smiled all the way through this one. Pretty easy?..yes, as long as I paid attention!
There was so much enjoyable fill. I really liked PRIMA DONNA, UNDERLINGS, GELATO and BALONEY.
About (15D) SLAP-UP: I "G'd" (15D) SLAP-UP as a rugby term and couldn't find anything other than Brit-slang "first-rate", usually referring to a meal. It took me a very non-Monday time to realize that the game is lower case and the clue must refer to a town named Rugby. Sure enough, the Warwickshire town in England is most famous as the place where the game was invented.
Can you believe I looked at (39A) and couldn't see anything other than RAN DR (Huh?) until the third or fourth time through.
These days we don't have to buy a lot of presents. I'm pretty much an Amazon.com shopper at Christmas. We also pick up some dried fruit trays for a few friends and doctor's office at Costco (the fruit trays at Costco, not the friends or doctor's office :o).
My youngest sister has been cooking deep-fried turkeys for at least 10 years and got us started. GAH and I have a fryer and have cooked turkeys, pork loin roasts, chickens and tri-tip roasts. It can be messy, so we cook five or six chickens or roasts and freeze them. When you want one, thaw it, and heat/crisp up in the oven. Works great. Oh yes, the oil can be filtered and used again. AND we always set it up outside on the gravel walkway at least 10 feet from the garage, with fire extinguisher handy.
Good Morning C.C.,Argyle and all,
Nice and easy, with perps filling in as needed. I agree about underling THH; it felt bad just acknowledging it.'Slap-up' doesn't sound so good either,but if its first rate,ok; wonder how its used
in a sentence.
I liked the theme and knew 'old rough and ready'.'R and R' is what I need this week, and that's what I have planned.
Thanks, Jeff, for the idea.
Thanks to you, Argyle, for the tips to keep me from being clueless. Nice gentle nudges.
Gunghy, your pics of you and your son are so much fun to see. Thanks for sharing such a big day with us. I feel honored.
Tinbeni- very goodlooking and your finale is a stitch. Its great to be able to put a face with a name. Thanks,also.
Lucina, are you in the coven pics with Dodo? I think it says Lucia, but you said that's not your name.
Just wondering; impressed with your
yoga positions;wow!
Have a nice day everyone.
Creature,
My bad. I always misspell Lucina's name. Yes, she's with Dodo.
Re: Christmas shopping
Zip, nada, nil, zilch.
Although my religious (non)views are moderately well-known here by all but newbies, it IS a religious holiday, although it has been almost totally secularized and now serves mainly to help retailers survive the rest of the year.
Beginning about 20 years ago, after a surreal afternoon at the mall watching "shopping" behavior, I swore off. My eight grandchildren get a very generous birthday gift, thoughtfully selected just for them, and on a day that is uniquely theirs.
We gather three times; with my children and grandchildren, with my brother and immediate family, and with the Irish' family in the mountains of NC. We eat, drink, enjoy each other's company without the wrapping paper ripping frenzy, and celebrate the holiday in its original meaning, whether or not each individual possesses the religious impulse.
I relate this with no smugness. About the time we started this family tradition, there was a book by (I believe) Bill McKibben titled "The Hundred Dollar Holiday". I recommend it highly.
Also, the clue for 21A should read:
PAC-10 powerhouse, once.
That would be the Wooden era, and hasn't been true since.
Clear Ayes, great sleuthing on 15Down, a real slap-up job. I've added it to the commentary write-up.
Hi all!
Thanks for the nice comments. Glad that I can give some people a nice Monday morning diversion. Monday puzzles are the hardest to create, since you can't really use many, if any, crossword-only type words. This one took a while!
Happy Monday!
Jeff
Argyle, I really enjoy the Van Gogh clip. Pretty pictures and pretty music. Thanks.
I've always liked toads. They're SO ugly.
I would enjoy trying a deep-fried turkey at least once but it will have to be at somebody else's house. It sounds like more of a task than I care to undertake for the first time.
In case you missed it, this was from my last post late last night.
In addition to Splynter's star chart, here's a visual to give you an idea how big some of the biggest stars are.
Thanks for dropping by, Jeff. I always appreciate your efforts.
OKAY, super easy Monday. I like the ego boost at the beginning of the week. Hope everyone is in good spirits after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Yesterday's NYT Sunday Crossword was a doozy. No comments since I think it appears as next Sunday's puzzle in some papers.
Great Blog today Argyle with fun info and Jeff, you caught the spirit of the day just right! Dennis, Christmas shopping strategy – get lists and get done early. Kids now copy and paste pix and send them out! Sorry Santa!
Rant and rave fit Nebraska’s football coach last week against Texas A & M because of the 18:2 penalty differential but what really set him off was what is now a viral video showing an A & M player using a UNL’s genitalia as a punching bag right out in front of God and everybody. He advocated for his kids but not in a very professional way.
Musings –
- You can’t go around a corner without seeing a gelato shop in Italy. One proprietor told us to sit down in his shop rather than going back out in the heat. His friendliness turned out to be that he could charge us extra for sitting inside instead of the benches outside.
- No idea on Slapup
- NASA should have aborted the Challenger launch on that cold day in January of 1986
- Harry Reid seems to be like so many politicians on both sides of the aisle that forget who elected them until they have to run again. What is it about crossing the Potomac that messes up internal gyroscopes?
- Growing up a Yankee fan (not so much now) frustrated me that former greats would not fit in. AROD of course cheated for years with steroids and has had a very paltry post season record. The Babe OD’ed on Beer and Hot Dogs!
- Some sports announcers now use RBI instead of RBI’s as Runs would make RIB’s redundant. It still sounds funny to me and who thought they would be the grammar police?
- I love cranberry sauce, salad, juice ad infinitum. Do they raise any of those near you Argyle?
Subbing today but have youtube and blog access! Life is good!
Happy Cyber Monday, Argyle, et al.
Thank you, Santa, for your blog; sometimes I am clueless until I read the explanation such as for SLAPUP and thanks to CA, too.
What a lovely speed run today, fun going ROUNDANDROUND with ROUGHANDREADY and listening to ROCKANDROLL. Thanks, Jeff.
I liked workers with an ear for music, TUNERS.
Most of my shopping is OVER as I went last Wednesday when the weekend prices started and hardly anyone was there. I love Kohls.
Then Saturday evening I hit Macy's and again was almost alone.
Much of it was on line as well.
Daughter and family give me their wish lists and I fill them.
We also have the late Nov.-Dec. birthdays next weekend so that factors into the shoppping, too.
The carpet will be cleaned tomorrow then the decorations.
Have a stupendous Monday everyone!
Grump1
You're right about the possibility of changing to an ECOCAR ... those 243 miles per month ... damn, that's nearly 8 miles each day! Every day!
But I do love my West Coast, Tampa Bay Sunsets.
(Note to self, bring camera and shoot one).
Husker Gary
I agree with what you said "AROD of course cheated for years with steroids."
But you failed to mention that when he took those 'roids he was a Texas Ranger not a member of my beloved NY Yankees.
(Note to self, your NY Yankee Flip-Flops need replacing ...).
Creature
You're too kind ... but those are the only 5 pic's of me in the last 15 years.
(I'm not taking any grief if someone decides to break their camera lens).
Hi everyone: Nice job Argyle!
I thought I was going to have issues with this puzzle but was saved each time by the perps (whew!). There were some clues like 10 and 13A that I had just never heard of...I did know AVIA once I had written it out.
I confidently put in 'DRAMA QUEEN' for 10D and since I already had 22A and 26A in - it fit until I tried to fill in the rest of the across areas and realized something was wrong. Got it all fixed though and didn't even have to use the V-8 can.
Lemonade: Glad the eye is making progress and continues to do so. Also, thanks for the info on toads. I think toads, especially tree toads are so cute. I like frogs too. Their 'songs' on a summer night are wonderful!
As to the electronic greeting cards, most are fine...but again I warn all of you, some contain mal-ware and can really do a number on your computer.
Christmas shopping has been severely cut in the last few years. People I used to buy for don't need anything and neither do we, so we all agreed to stop the gift giving and just enjoy each other's company. I have shopped on line before, but only with sites I know are trust-worthy. I had a very nasty experience with a site 2 years ago and the gift I ordered didn't arrive until January...by that time I had canceled the payment through Visa so it all turned out o.k. money-wise. I sent the gift back as well. I think it was some guy doing it from his house and was just totally overwhelmed with orders.
Forgot to say thanks to Argyle for the "Vincent" link. I've loved that one for a long time.
67A "Like the night in a classic Van Gogh work" Here's a poem titled Starry Night. I bet you wouldn't think of the name of the poet in a hundred years.
A creative heart, obsessed with satisfying
this dormant and uncaring society
you have given them the stars at night
and you have given them
Bountiful Bouquets of Sunflowers
but for you there is only contempt
and though you pour yourself into that fame
and present it so proudly this world
could not accept your masterpieces
from the heart.
So on that starry night you gave to us
and you took away from us
the one thing we never acknowledged
your life.
OK...give up?
the poet was rapper/actor Tupac Shakur who was murdered in Las Vegas in 1996.
Husker Gary, no cranberry bogs around here although we do have small pockets of bogs. But they are considered Wet Lands and you would have to be very well connected to get permission to farm them.
Tinbeni, of course I knew that about the Rangers and loved his nickname of Mr. April as opposed to Reggie Jackson's of Mr. October. I have become jaded about pro athletics in general when the best players can simply be purchased. If I had such a short career as they do, I too would take the most money (Hello Cliff Lee) and do what is best for me and my family and not necessariy for the pin stripes or any other organization.
Good morning Argyle, C.C. and all,
fun fun little puzzle this morning-I GOT THE THEME early on, so it actually helped. G'd "Monkey's Paw" and rough and ready, neither familiar. The perps filled Snert, taur, and toes(ashamed not to know that).Slap up was a complete WAG.
Lemonade, you are amazing. I hope your eye heals soon and you retain more vision.Now I feel silly complaining about a big ol' floater that would rival someone's bad modern art.So enjoyed your toad clip.
DH and I divide up the shopping for C'mas from wish lists. He shops on line while I shop during off hours. Hate shopping, but have to feel and see the items I purchase.I love the lights and music but C'mas is not a favorite holiday.My list is usually pleas for lessons on how to use electronics.I can see where texting would come in handy while watching grand kids.
Easy puzzle (11 minutes). No unknowns.
The Roc is an enormous fabled bird from the Sinbad cycle of tales in the Arabian Nights. Here's a film version (at the 5:00 mark) from Ray Harryhausen's film The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1958).
SINBAD
And Max Fleischer's cartoon version (1936) at the 3:00 and 5:00 marks. Also at the 2:45 mark on Part 2.
POPEYE PART 1
POPEYE PART 2
We haven't done the Christmas shopping thing in a number of years now. The kids in the extended family under 18 get funds or gift cards, so they can buy what they really want and need, but their numbers are now dwindling. The rest of us just like getting together when we can. I always get a small token gift from my mother, who just can't let the old practices go, and we all exchange cards. That's about it. I personally don't miss the shopping or getting gifts, and others don't seem to miss getting them either.
If you want to read the short story, "The Monkey's Paw," which is pretty neat, here's an online link to it. It's quite short.
THE MONKEY'S PAW
Good afternoon Argyle and all (aANDa:-) ). Did the cw first thing this am but didn't have time to post until now.
A real speed run, one pass, - but had to go back to complete 13a, AVIA, based on the perps. Got the theme easily, as well as the unifier. No searches needed. A good Monday start to the week. Thanks Jeff.
Have a good day.
This one was just right for a Monday. Even all the names didn’t bother me this time. Ones I didn’t know like Ossie and Slap up filled themselves in. Favorite clue today was “well armed org” – NRA, and I liked the “car scar” rhyme having just gone through that
Good to hear that your eye is healing counselor, but back to work already? Was that recommended by your doctor?
I buy most of my items on line and have them shipped directly to Michigan. You need to find the days when the shipping is free.
Enjoy your day, it’s raining here and supposed to turn to snow overnight.
Hi all.
Nice,easy puzzle to start the week.
Thought Rough and Ready might be
Teddy Roosevelt because of rough
riders.
Keeping track of mileage is a bit of OC for me. Also a carry-over from when I had the perk of a company car.
Only 40 miles this month on the old truck. I haven't got out much this month. Am buying on line. Free
shipping and no taxes.
Take care.
Oh, yeah, forgot to add:
Another benefit of not spending (or making) very much money - no taxes.
Addendum to my friend Tinbeni, Our Huskers certainly aren't pure either. I have rooted for them since Ike was president and we hire/recruit a lot of players from Texas, Florida, California, etc and I still follow them as if they were all from Nebraska (of course a consiberable number are). Schools that don't have UNL facililties probably aren't impressed but a lifetime of loyalty is a terrible thing to waste! Go Big Red and Go Yankees!
Windhover, this is a serious question, not a put down. You've mentioned that you have more than one child and you have eight grandchildren. Not that you can control your children's reproduction, but in keeping with your 'small is better' views, don't you advocate zero population growth? If not, why not?
Lemonade, I forgot to wish you well on your return to work. I hope it isn't too much strain.
As for electronic greetings, there is a very good subscription company from which I send e-cards for birthdays and holidays. They are delightful and everyone enjoys them.
JAYCE:
You must be on your way home. Hope you enjoyed your stay in Az.
fp,fps:
A great question, and taken seriously.
First let me say that my children were born in 1965, 1968, and 1972. The book "The Limits to Growth" which has influenced me greatly, was published in 1970. And I probably should mention (or maybe not) that the "Duke", aka the little brain, has not always shared my "large but subordinate" brain's political views.
Second, given our (the U.S.) rate of infant mortality, teen accident/suicide rate, the percentage of non-reproducing homosexuals, and various other Darwinian herd-thinning effects, three children per couple is very near a ZPG birth rate.
Lastly, to address your implicit suggestion of the imposition of a government policy to limit family size, my views as a Democratic Socialist Anarcho-Primitivist Agrarian Libertarian would never allow me to endorse such a program for the culture at large.
However, as a personal choice (although he is blissfully unaware) the Duke has been using blank ammo, so to speak, since October 19, 1973.
Does that answer your question?
Hi gang -
Cute puzzle, and a nice start to the week. First two theme answers had me off circling in the wrong direction.
Gloria does most of the Christmas shopping. We (e.g. she) have a good bite taken out of it, but aren't done yet. We avoid Black Friday, weekend shopping, and crowds, in general.
I have to figure out what to get for her . . .
Quick in and out today. IMBO.
Cheers!
JzB
Hey, All.
Great Monday speed run. For some reason I had trouble with Prima Donna, it had to come entirely from perps. And, of course, we all know the great actress ANNE Paquin.
I had trouble with warts and ion. Warts are a viral infection and I didn't realize that the term was also applied to the lumps on a toad. I've always considered molecules to be electronically neutral, but Wiki had this to say: "A molecule is defined as a group of at least two atoms in a definite arrangement held together by covalent chemical bonds. In the narrow use of the word, molecules are electrically neutral. Molecules are distinguished from polyatomic ions in this strict sense. However, in quantum physics, organic chemistry, and biochemistry, the term molecule is used less strictly and also is applied to molecular ions, charged organic molecules, and biomolecules." Damned, Jeff was right on both of them.
Argyle, speaking of molecules, you'll notice the definition of a molecule states 2 or more atoms. There is no upper limit. This is good, since DNA contains millions of atoms. RNA can run to a million or more as will.
Ecocar strikes me much the same as e-cash and e-vite. Incidentally, L714, when you responded to Splynter last night, was your 'eminded' a clecho or typo? We don't need a new one for the constructors to play with.
Shopping?? My Scrooge kicks into high gear about now. It seems every holiday is just another excuse to induce us to spend. I'm not a Christian, (I know, condemned to Hell) but prefer to use the time to reconnect with friends and contemplate my place in the universe. It doesn't help that my soon-to-be-ex put us in debt each holiday. Anyway, my kids will get their wish list filled, within reason, and I'll get something for the STBE and that's it. I've also got enough that I wish that people would stop buying me stuff.
OK, time to nap and see if I can get up on the right side this time.
One last thing,
Tinbeni, I purchase a new Toyota Highlander hybrid last December. Yes, that's right before all the recalls hit. It was a retirement present to myself, since the 70 mile round trip commute was gone. I've still got 3 weeks to it's 1 year anniversary and I've got 23,000 miles on it. (And a motorcycle, as well; A poor year, only 5K on it.)
Wow, Windhover. That must have been a dramatic event for you to remember the exact date after nearly 3 decades! You were game to answer such a persona question. Here's a article from the August Smithsonian magazine on population/demographic growth in America. It might alleviate some of FP, FPs concerns.
Nice new avatars, Mainaic and MH.
It was cold here over the weekend, but now it's near 80F and humid. We are also under a tornado watch.
Hahtool,
Nearly four decades. Here's how I remember the date:
The urologist's office was directly across the street from Commonwealth Stadium, home of the Kentucky Wildcats.
To take my mind off the scalpel in his hand, he asked me, "Do you think we have a chance to beat LSU tomorrow?"
I said no, not really, but I have season tickets, so I'll be there to find out. So do I, he said, but I promise you that after today, you won't be there tomorrow.
I asked him if he wanted to go double or nothing on the cost of the procedure.
He declined, I went to the game, visited him
at his seat at halftime, and we lost 28-21. I rarely forget anything that includes a number.
I was sore as hell on Sunday, though.
Windhover: What's a decade between friends! I don't do math. I did, however, earn my terminal degree from LSU.
Mainiac, I keep forgetting what I have been wanting to say to you since your new avatar. Love the family shot and the fantastic house you have been working on. I never dreamed of anything so grand.
I did use a magnifying glass to try to see your family better. Was the shot off the back side? your garage[?] looks big. the house looks endless. Thanks.
Windhover:
I, too, salute you for the thoroughness of your answer as my inclination would be NYB (not your business)but even to the exact date.
I do love this blog!
Windhover: what a guy! You answered such a personal question with levity and sincerity. I applaud you!
ps: I do understand why a man would remember the date of such a procedure :0
Mainiac: I want to chime in on your new avatar. The house looks sooooo nice!! Wonderful family home.
Good evening all. The drive home wasn't too bad, but to tell you the truth I would rather drive through snow in the dark rather than rain. supposedly, the snow is going to keep SW, so that's somewhat a relief for the trek in tomorrow.
Mainiac, I too love your house! It looks like you have a huge lot there. It's probably a good thing you've got the boys to help keep it mowed :)
Clearayes, I have never heard of deep fat frying a pork loin or a tri-tip roast. How do you prepare them? I have never made anything in a fryer that size, but have witnessed the procedure and found the meat really moist. I will stick to my roasting method, as I like to stuff my bird.
Gunghy, what a man to buy the "soon-to-be-ex" a Christmas gift! How many nautical miles did you put on this spring/summer?
Windhover, I was anxiously awaiting your response to FpFp and was not disappointed. LOVED that you referenced the "Duke" more than once. Just a random inquiry: Do most men have a name for "it"?
I think the naming stops when one graduates from high school.
Jeannie,
Should I count the miles I towed the boat to Mont. for nationals? Regardless, I didn't put in nearly enough naut. miles. Too much time running up and down the hill to calm my folks. 150 mile round trip and I sometimes did it 3 times a week.
I was trying to account for all the miles, and that is a bunch of them. 3000 to Montana, about the same for trips to see Joe and about 4000 for trips to the SF area for Giants and Cal games. That gets it down to 12,000 and at least a couple K of the 12 are extra trips to the cabin. The problem is that I don't see any of those going away.
Lighten up anon, once it's named, it's always named. Jeannie, mine is called "Jake".
A Jeannie admirer.
Thank you for answering my question Windhover. I was curious about your views on zero population growth. You volunteered additional information that is personal and I would never have asked. For some reason others on the blog seemed to think I was asking you about your own sexual practices. Not so.
Since you assumed that I was for government population control, be assured that I am not. I believe it is a personal responsibility, not just for Americans, but for people world-wide. That doesn't mean I think many people, anywhere really cares about future generations.
The Smithsonian article stated, "A rapidly declining population could create a society that doesn’t have the work force to support the elderly". Is that why it is important to boost U.S. population by 100 million more people by mid-century? I found nothing comforting about the article.
A Jeannie admirer:
The names do go away, just like acne, insecurity and bad driving habits. It's called growing up.
This is my 5th, so the Anons (and their apparently anonymous and nameless manly avatars) may have at it without fear.
The name was bestowed by a nice Catholic girl from St. Paul, Minnesota, more than thirty years after high school. I rather liked it, since up to that time we both (the Duke and I) had been languishing in obscurity (but not anonymity), and you might say it stuck. Repeatedly.
And Lucina,
It was the very least I could do, after the D3 disclosure.
See you all tomorrow, or as anon would say, "one hopes".
I/we are jealous, WH. All we/I ever heard was 'Put that thing away!'
I don't think I have exceeded the post limit in my 22 months here, but this I can not resist.
"Growing old is inevitable,
Growing up is optional"
Or as Neil (and others) said,
I'd rather burn up than rust.
And fp,fps:
Don't worry, we're good. And I agree with you, mostly.
Here's food for thought:
While NASA spends billions to send a handful to unlivable places, our home becomes more unlivable everyday. If we had shot Wernher Von Braun at Nuremburg, we might be better off today.
Peace out.
Breaking the rules to argue over a penis name...hmmm...I rest my case.
Uh, it takes 2 2 tango, doesn't it?
Yes, but I admit that I am immature. That why I'm an anon!
For years, I thought mine was called, "Oh My God!".
Dennis: Guess that's why I always say "Oh god, oh god". Would that qualify as a new religion???
Windhover hunny - I just came in to see the boring puzzle - and I get a thesis on ZPG -
I DO admire you for your rough hewn honesty and forthrightness - those words, you wrote, so calm and yet so chilling, came straight from your heart, and said more about your character and decency than anything else I could have ever imagined. You are one straight shooter, and to quote an old western, if I had been surrounded by dem injuns - of any other person in this world, I would have preferred you to cover my back.
Abortion , whether you believe in it or not, (and this is for all readers - ) is also a way of reducing the birth rate - and in my opinion, a practical one, since the child was unwanted anyway - and the practical result is the same. This statement is not meant to be a justification for it - merely expounding on the practical result - if you don't agree, God bless you too - I am not doing this to start a political crossfire of opinions.
well, thats it.
BOB THANK you for the Popeye No 1 and No.2
and the chilling short story of the 'Monkey's paw' - not quite an O Henry, but still mercifully short.
AND thanks to everyone who take the enormous amount of trouble to present the BLUE text leadin(s) - they are always enjoyable !!!!!!!!!!
AND THEY ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED.
Gee Whiz....GAH and I were busy this evening and had two other couples over for dinner. (When you're retired, any old night is like a weekend.) Looks like I almost missed out on some interesting comments.
I agree with both fp,fps and WH...mostly.
Jeannie, for deep fried pork loins or tri-tip, I inject them with the same not too spicy marinade that I would for a turkey. I think I got the cooking times via the internet.
BTW, I made pasta from scratch for dinner tonight. It turned out very well. It wasn't all that purposeful. I thought I had a full package of ready-made in the pantry and discovered I didn't. No time, or inclination, to go to town to buy some, so with flour and eggs at hand, I found out it wasn't much of a chore. Best of all, got five compliments.
Argyle@10:28, thank you kindly.
Jeannie here; magic number...Tinbeni, I have never once thought you were a braggart. Anything you can accomplish in life, that you are good at and obviously you were; is all good to me. You aren't to look at either.
Sorry Marge.
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