Theme: None
Total words: 72
Total blocks: 28
I think this is the first James Sajdak themeless we've encountered since the switch. He mostly focuses on themed puzzles.
No grid spanners or intimidating long stacks today. In fact, no entry is longer than 9 letters. The eight 8s & seven 7s are pretty good. I especially like the below consecutive entries:
61A. Nearly die laughing : BUST A GUT
63A. Zayre department stores creation : T. J. MAXX. Scrabby.
65A. Qualifying words : AS IT WERE. In a way.
Across:
1. Beliefs : CREDOS. Thought of TENETS first.
7. Caber throwers : SCOTSMEN. The large pole they toss is called caber. New to me.
15. Paris jilted her for Helen : OENONE. No idea. Literally "wine woman". Oeno is prefix for "wine".
16. Obama's birthplace : HONOLULU. Only know he's born in Hawaii.
17. Jaguar's coat? : CAR WAX. The question mark did not prevent me from thinking of the big cat.
18. "Two thumbs way up!" : I LOVED IT
19. Simile center : AS AN. Wise as an owl.
20. Quick to the helm : YARE. Meaning the ship is easily maneuvered. Learned from doing Xword.
22. Ancient "Prose" and "Poetic" works : EDDAS. "Poetic Edda" & "Prose Edda".
23. Autobahn sight : OPEL
25. Wipe the floor with, so to speak : DRUB. Defeat easily.
27. "__-mite!": J.J.'s exclamation on "Good Times" : DYNO. Not in my radar. Dynomite!
28. Accused : ON TRIAL. Needed crossing help.
30. Nothing to brag about : SO SO
32. "The Social Contract" author : ROUSSEAU (Jean-Jacques). I wonder if anyone has actually read this book.
34. Product with a secret sauce : BIG MAC. Close to Thousand Island dressing, a la Wiki.
38. Rotter : CUR. We also have 50. Rotter : LOUSE.
39. Divide, in a way : TRISECT
41. Purchase from Sajak : AN I. Got the AN? easily.
42. Channeling device? : STEREO. Why? I don't get the clue.
44. Piecemeal? : A LA CARTE. Nice clue.
46. Poetic peepers : ORBS. Eyes.
48. Just about knock down the door : STORM IN
49. O'Neill title flora : ELMS. was ignorant of his play "Desire Under the Elms".
52. First name in design : EERO ( Saarinen). Son of Eliel Saarinen.
54. Substantial content : MEAT. A LOT jumped to me.
55. Pouts : MOUES. Like this cute boy. .
57. Name for lime based on its chemical composition : CALX. New word to me. Has some calcium in it I suppose.
59. Fleshy-leaved plant : ALOE
66. Band aide : ROADIE
67. Took back : RECANTED
68. Quakers with deep roots? : ASPENS. Quaking aspens.
Down:
1. Chewable stimulant : COCA. Oh, coca leaves.
2. Deduce : REASON OUT
3. Delight beyond measure : ENRAPTURE
4. Drags : DOWNERS
5. Words before budget or mission : ON A
6. Hot : SEXY
7. Bake, as eggs : SHIRR. Shirred eggs.
8. Plant with flamboyant foliage : COLEUS. I only use "flamboyant" to describe a person. Not flowers.
9. Plastic __ Band : ONO. Formed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1969.
'
10. Carroll's "slithy" thing : TOVE. "Jabberwocky".
11. London hauler? : SLED DOG. Jack London's "Call of the Wild". Got me.
12. Not clear : MUDDY
13. Boy's name seen in 2000 papers : ELIAN (Gonzalez). Year 2000.
14. Wacky : NUTSO
21. Dwight's two-time adversary : ADLAI ( Stevenson)
24. Surgeon for whom a mouthwash is named : LISTER. Listerine.
26. Stubby-tailed feline : BOB CAT
28. Tolkien meanies : ORCS. From "The Lord of the Rings".
29. Oxygen-consuming organism : AEROBE. Aero + (Micr)obe. Makes sense.
31. "Being on a __ stops me from getting Alzheimer's": Jerry Stiller : SITCOM. Not familiar with this quote.
33. Third most populous nation: Abbr. : USA. After China & India.
35. Tea tray spread : MARMALADE. I like honey.
36. Immunity offerer : ANTITOXIN. Was thinking of exemption "immunity".
37. Javier's hundred : CIEN. Spanish for "hundred".
40. East Los Angeles bus line with a sun in its logo : EL SOL. Educated guess.
43. __ Stone : ROSETTA
45. Welcome center freebie : AREA MAP
47. Tied down : SECURE
49. Put away for a while : EMBAR. Imprison.
51. Score sheets? : MUSIC. Not sports.
53. Like most movies : RATED
56. Cut : SAWN
58. More, in adspeak : XTRA
60. Zsa Zsa has eight : EXES. Wow, really?
62. Pick up : GET
64. Relative of Chas.? : JOS. Chas. = Charles. JOS = Joseph. Had to get help from Argyle.
Answer grid.
Happy Birthday, Maria, wherever you are. Hope you are still solving LAT puzzles and following our blog.
C.C.
Total words: 72
Total blocks: 28
I think this is the first James Sajdak themeless we've encountered since the switch. He mostly focuses on themed puzzles.
No grid spanners or intimidating long stacks today. In fact, no entry is longer than 9 letters. The eight 8s & seven 7s are pretty good. I especially like the below consecutive entries:
61A. Nearly die laughing : BUST A GUT
63A. Zayre department stores creation : T. J. MAXX. Scrabby.
65A. Qualifying words : AS IT WERE. In a way.
Across:
1. Beliefs : CREDOS. Thought of TENETS first.
7. Caber throwers : SCOTSMEN. The large pole they toss is called caber. New to me.
15. Paris jilted her for Helen : OENONE. No idea. Literally "wine woman". Oeno is prefix for "wine".
16. Obama's birthplace : HONOLULU. Only know he's born in Hawaii.
17. Jaguar's coat? : CAR WAX. The question mark did not prevent me from thinking of the big cat.
18. "Two thumbs way up!" : I LOVED IT
19. Simile center : AS AN. Wise as an owl.
20. Quick to the helm : YARE. Meaning the ship is easily maneuvered. Learned from doing Xword.
22. Ancient "Prose" and "Poetic" works : EDDAS. "Poetic Edda" & "Prose Edda".
23. Autobahn sight : OPEL
25. Wipe the floor with, so to speak : DRUB. Defeat easily.
27. "__-mite!": J.J.'s exclamation on "Good Times" : DYNO. Not in my radar. Dynomite!
28. Accused : ON TRIAL. Needed crossing help.
30. Nothing to brag about : SO SO
32. "The Social Contract" author : ROUSSEAU (Jean-Jacques). I wonder if anyone has actually read this book.
34. Product with a secret sauce : BIG MAC. Close to Thousand Island dressing, a la Wiki.
38. Rotter : CUR. We also have 50. Rotter : LOUSE.
39. Divide, in a way : TRISECT
41. Purchase from Sajak : AN I. Got the AN? easily.
42. Channeling device? : STEREO. Why? I don't get the clue.
44. Piecemeal? : A LA CARTE. Nice clue.
46. Poetic peepers : ORBS. Eyes.
48. Just about knock down the door : STORM IN
49. O'Neill title flora : ELMS. was ignorant of his play "Desire Under the Elms".
52. First name in design : EERO ( Saarinen). Son of Eliel Saarinen.
54. Substantial content : MEAT. A LOT jumped to me.
55. Pouts : MOUES. Like this cute boy. .
57. Name for lime based on its chemical composition : CALX. New word to me. Has some calcium in it I suppose.
59. Fleshy-leaved plant : ALOE
66. Band aide : ROADIE
67. Took back : RECANTED
68. Quakers with deep roots? : ASPENS. Quaking aspens.
Down:
1. Chewable stimulant : COCA. Oh, coca leaves.
2. Deduce : REASON OUT
3. Delight beyond measure : ENRAPTURE
4. Drags : DOWNERS
5. Words before budget or mission : ON A
6. Hot : SEXY
7. Bake, as eggs : SHIRR. Shirred eggs.
8. Plant with flamboyant foliage : COLEUS. I only use "flamboyant" to describe a person. Not flowers.
9. Plastic __ Band : ONO. Formed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1969.
'
10. Carroll's "slithy" thing : TOVE. "Jabberwocky".
11. London hauler? : SLED DOG. Jack London's "Call of the Wild". Got me.
12. Not clear : MUDDY
13. Boy's name seen in 2000 papers : ELIAN (Gonzalez). Year 2000.
14. Wacky : NUTSO
21. Dwight's two-time adversary : ADLAI ( Stevenson)
24. Surgeon for whom a mouthwash is named : LISTER. Listerine.
26. Stubby-tailed feline : BOB CAT
28. Tolkien meanies : ORCS. From "The Lord of the Rings".
29. Oxygen-consuming organism : AEROBE. Aero + (Micr)obe. Makes sense.
31. "Being on a __ stops me from getting Alzheimer's": Jerry Stiller : SITCOM. Not familiar with this quote.
33. Third most populous nation: Abbr. : USA. After China & India.
35. Tea tray spread : MARMALADE. I like honey.
36. Immunity offerer : ANTITOXIN. Was thinking of exemption "immunity".
37. Javier's hundred : CIEN. Spanish for "hundred".
40. East Los Angeles bus line with a sun in its logo : EL SOL. Educated guess.
43. __ Stone : ROSETTA
45. Welcome center freebie : AREA MAP
47. Tied down : SECURE
49. Put away for a while : EMBAR. Imprison.
51. Score sheets? : MUSIC. Not sports.
53. Like most movies : RATED
56. Cut : SAWN
58. More, in adspeak : XTRA
60. Zsa Zsa has eight : EXES. Wow, really?
62. Pick up : GET
64. Relative of Chas.? : JOS. Chas. = Charles. JOS = Joseph. Had to get help from Argyle.
Answer grid.
Happy Birthday, Maria, wherever you are. Hope you are still solving LAT puzzles and following our blog.
C.C.
This was not as easy as Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday had prepared me to expect. It didn't slay me; it just wasn't a gimme by any means.
ReplyDeleteLiked: Poetic peepers for Orbs, Quakers with deep roots for Aspens, London hauler for sled dog, and Score sheets? for Music.
Didn't like: Flamboyant to describe Coleus, Xtra for more.
@C.C.: I think STEREO is a channeling device in that there is a left and a right channel in stereo music.
Interesting (to me, anyway) aside RE the T.J. Maxx entry: my son was recently in Germany, from where he sent us a picture of a store, using the same font-style, color, etc. and selling the same types of items... but called T.K. Maxx!
And to CREATURE, from yesterday's blog (you asked about a song with the words Zuider Zee in it):
Maybe you're thinking of Steve Goodman's song "Dear Margaret?" I learned that song probably 30 years ago at the Old Town School of Folk Music (Chicago) when it was located on Armitage Avenue, just about a block from the Ravenswood El station. It's still one of my favorites and I thought of it and was humming it to myself for the rest of the day after seeing that clue in Friday's puzzle! Happy memories.
===
The Dutchman's not the kind of man
Who keeps his thumb jammed in the dam
That holds his dreams in,
But that's a secret that only Margaret knows.
When Amsterdam is golden in the summer,
Margaret brings him breakfast,
She believes him.
He thinks the tulips bloom beneath the snow.
He's mad as he can be, but Margaret only sees that sometimes,
Sometimes she sees her unborn children in his eyes.
Let us go to the banks of the ocean
Where the walls rise above the Zuider Zee.
Long ago, I used to be a young man
And dear Margaret remembers that for me.
... and so on.
Good morning from Oklahoma.
ReplyDeleteFirst time poster here, have been following this blog site for about three weeks now, and am enjoying it very much. When I found out the Oklahoman gets its crosswords from the LA Times, I decided to go right to the source.
Today's offering was a typical Saturday puzzle, challenging (just the way I like 'em). What with the Obama birthplace controversy it would have been fun to add a question mark to 16 Across (Obama's birthplace?). ;)
For 12 down, I first wanted to put down "fuzzy" but "muddy" appeared after awhile. 12 down's "London hauler" got my thinking in the wrong direction as did 36 down's "immunity offerer".
I've noticed that posters have been giving weather reports from their locations and it looks like generally cool, dry and sunny here in Oklahoma. I didn't care much for last year's Christmas Eve blizzard and heavy snow. IMO, White Christmases? meh. Have a great weekend, everyone.
Morning, all!
ReplyDeleteThis one defeated me in the end, alas. Multiple passes let me make slow, but steady, progress throughout, except for the SW corner. I finally got BUST A GUT down there, which I hoped would open things up for me, but it was not to be. Especially after I confidently put TABLE instead of EMBAR for 49D. I finally had to look up the collected works of Eugene O'Neill to get ELMS, which made me realize that TABLE couldn't be right, and that was enough to finish off that section.
Aside from EMBAR, OENONE and COLEUS were some other complete unknowns. Fortunately, though, the perps took care of them.
Overall, it was a fun, very tricky, puzzle. Perfect for a Saturday, although i really wish I could have completed it unassisted...
Good morning C.C. and you all:
ReplyDeleteThis was a very challenging puzzle, with London hauler? : DOG SLED ; I used to love reading Jack London, but it was not until the perps filled dog that I was able fill. I almost put ELIAN in during my first pass, then forgot and had to work at that as well. I was pleased for HAHTOOL that Mr. Sajdak included her sought after CREDO, as well as his customary inclusion of PAT Sajak : AN I.
I enjoy mythology, and who does not feel bad for this WATER NYMPH who was betrayed by Paris and then killed herself by jumping on his funeral pyre.
I had a French teacher who loved Rousseau, so I have read some of the book, and Substantial content : MEAT, made me think of the original Wendy’s commercial (Where’s the BEEF) as well as this classic POLITICAL DEBATE . Mr. Hart came to South Florida and we spent a day with him touring the Century Villages looking for votes, and he got what he deserved with his career ending scandal.
And last but not least, Zsa Zsa has been around my whole life, and generally pretty entertaining, though the last of her exes, was a one day marriage. She did tell Johnny Carson that being married and divorced all those times made her an excellent house keeper. Every time she got divorced she kept the house.
Welcome Burrito34, invite the other 33 and we can have a party.
16-across -- "know" was an interesting verb for you to employ. Someone recently said that if the US was serious about keeping its secret diplomatic cable actually SECRET, that it would keep them in the same place as the President's birth certificate and college transcripts.
ReplyDeleteGood morning CC and all, today’s puzzle can be summarized in three words, slog, slog, slog and slog some more. (I know that is more than three words). For me, there were so many obscure and unknowns that this was not a fun or satisfying puzzle. I was able to complete with only one trip to Mr. G., but like I said it was a slog.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the new bloggers, hope you stick around.
Burrito 34, I had the same thought about Obama’s birth place.
Hope you all have a great Saturday.
Good Morning C.C. et al.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the write-up, C.C. I loved the "MOUES" link - so cute! I agree with you that I think of people, not plants, as flamboyant.
There were so many errors on my first pass, I don't think I can list them all:
"tenets" - no, CREDOS
"Scottish" - no, SCOTSMEN
"(Who the H*** is Paris Hiltons ex BFF??"
At that point, I jumped to the bottom:
"mopes" - no, MOUES
"ca ox" - no, CALX
"ALOE" - WHAT??? I got one Right????
Well, you get the idea. But after about an hour on gg (OK, so I got sidetracked on a couple articles...) I finally got it done. But it was not a pretty sight.
I am looking forward to tomorrows "easier" puzzle, so I'm just going to go sit in the corner and lick my wounds until then.
Have a great day everyone!
OH - I forgot to welcome Burrito! Loved your added punctuation for 16A - LOL!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning C.C. and all,
ReplyDeleteThanks,C.C. for your great write-up. I agree about using flamboyant for a plant vs a person; yet, I knew immediately what plant he was referring to. The patterns and colors of the coleus, even in the
same plant, are shocking and of much variety;it defies all logic.
The puzzle was challenging, but fun. The SW corner was, indeed, the problem for me,too. I,like Barry, used 'table' first and it took me a while to let that go in favor of 'embar'which is a word I'm not familiar with. It came by perps, so I stuck with it.
'Oenone'was also an unknown to me, gotten only by perps.
'Drub' is also an unknown to me, gotten by perps. Repetitious? That's what I thought. As far as drub and embar are concerned they should face the firing squad or submit to the GAVEUP. committee.
NC, what do you think? Our advisor,CA, has been on sick leave and I won't bother her with it. So its up to you. They're both horribe-sounding words besides.
WikWak, I love the words to your song. I've never heard it before, but wish I knew the tune.
I'm thinking about a musical with Danny Kaye, with a song about Copenhagen in it. The truth is, I'll be admitted to the looney bin if I don't drop it.
Gunghy, I was frustrated reading your posts from last night. You're so dear to your parents, but you do sound as if you need a break.
Back later, I hope.
Have a nice day everyone.
Hi to All~!
ReplyDeleteAnd welcome to our new bloggers this week.
I did OK with this one - the only thing I had to red-letter was BUST A GUT and GET...
...for you see, I had BUST A NUT (well now, I have said this) and I could REASON OUT that NET seemed like a perfectly good answer to "Pick Up", as in one's paycheck.
OK, so you know where my mind is this morning...
I liked ANTITOXIN, as I too was in "Law & Order" mode on this one, and I was on the right track for "Jaguar's coat?", but had ENAMEL first.
Nailed SCOTSMEN, knew about the caber toss.
No BIG MAC for me; it was BK last night.
Feeling a bit run-down, canceled a job this afternoon, had 'just enough' energy to get through the puzzle, he-he-he.
I agree with WIkWak on the stereo explanation.
This EERO design is right here on Long Island, very modern for an early 60's structure, and still fits in with today's space age society.
Splynter
Sherry here. New to site, which I enjoy very much. Extremely difficult for me. didn't enjoy too many obscure clues: Caber throwers,Coleus,etc.
ReplyDeleteAmsterdam (and most of the rest of the country) sits on below-sea-level land and the earthen dykes (not to be confused with the California dykes) are vital. The break in the dyke in the beloved story was scary because of that...
ReplyDeleteFunny the things you remember from freshman European geography...I probably know more about theirs than our! :(
Extended family has the sur-name "Dykes" which some of them put on a license plate until too much attention caused them to change it!
C.C. et al, Slog cubed (visions of yesterday) for me also! The NE corner took its toll on me with SHIRR, ONO, TOVE, EDDAS and CABER. If you knew these, you’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din. Even so, the final score for me was 5 cells short of an unassisted completion (5 French fires short of a Happy Meal?)
ReplyDeleteMusings-
-Tenets? Creeds? Nope, CREDO
-ADOREDIT? ILIKEDIT? Nope, ILOVEDIT.
-Loved Jaguar’s (Jag’ you are) coat!
-My grandmother was OPAL and OPEL fools me sometimes
-I pulled ROUSSEAU out of somewhere with no perps. Read it? Yeah right!
-Wanted REMOTE for Channeling device
-I also thought a STEREO tuner can pick up (62D) many channels as well as have 2 channel sound
-When my wife and daughter hit TJMAXX, Barnes and Noble here I come. They know I can’t look at cloth as long as they can!
-Took back? RECALLED, sorry, but thanks for playing, it’s RECANTED
-Loved ASPEN clue
-FIGUREOUT? Nope, REASONOUT
-London hauler? Wanted a Lorrie somehow but got Jack soon enough
-Not Clear? FUZZY? MURKY? Nope, MUDDY.
-ROLLING Stone? Not so much
-Loved Score sheets
-Kept seeing Cut as a verb for a long time
As you can see, there were many options and dead ends to this bad boy and lots of exotic words for semi-literate me! If these puzzles were easy, anyone would get 100%.
Hardest puzzle in a while (60 minutes). I missed one--ELSOL at 40D, which I could have gotten if I'd thought about it more. Didn't think of CALX at 57A and put CAOX instead. Didn't know SHIRR at 7D, OENONE at 15A, YARE at 20A or EMBAR at 40D but could work them out.
ReplyDeleteWith this worthy puzzle, I depart from this blog as a regular participant. I've really enjoyed it and everyone connected with it, but the demands of my daily life compel me to cut back in some areas in order to preserve sanity. I'll be away from the computer for a while anyway, and the new year promises to be busier than the one now ending. Lately, just finding time to log in to the blog every day has been a challenge. I'll continue to read posts as I am able and perhaps to jump in on an occasional basis as I find time.
My thanks to everyone for your graciousness and for your many interesting contributions to the blog. It has been wonderful for me. My best wishes to everyone for Christmas and the New Year. Continuing happiness and health to all.
Hello Puzzlers - After about an hour of bits & pieces of a foothold, I caved to the force of Google to get OENONE (complete unknown), and confirmation of ROUSSEAU. I had forgotten how old The Social Contract is. Eventually massaged enough letters for a Ta Da.
ReplyDeleteGunghy from yesterday - Man, what an ordeal! That sort of cascade of troubles sounds like something that would happen to me.
Happy Saturday All -
Farewell to Bob (sort of), and you'll be missed. Although this blog does seem to be an "every day or not at all" type of addition, I hope (and have no doubt, really) that you'll have the discipline to stop in on occasion without it interfering with your real life. Thanks for your contributions. They've been meaningful to me.
ReplyDeleteHG:
My maternal grandmother was also named Opal, the paternal one Myrtle; two names that aren't likely to make the top 100 any time soon.
Good morning. Nice write-up, C.C.
ReplyDeleteI agree with some that this seemed to be the hardest puzzle in some time. Had to revisit it several times before finally completing without resorting to searches. Loved some of the fill like ENRAPTURE, MARMALADE, and ROSETTA. I thought there were too many compound fills like REASON OUT, I LOVED IT, and BUST A GUT, which detracted from its brightness.
Got CIEN and TOVE from the perps. WAGS included DRUB, ALOE, SITCOM, and AN I. My aha moment came with MUSIC.
YARE - I think C.C. is right. Pretty much a crossword word. A relic of sailing ship vocabulary? I never heard it used in modern times.
Welcome Burrito34.
Bob, Thank you for your beautiful mind. It's a pleasure to hear from you for however long or short you choose. I personally will miss you as my 'tutor of tutors'. I'm going to trust that you will drop in whenever you can. I hope for wonderful things for you and hope your mom is doing better. Please keep us posted, if at all possible. Happy Holidays to you, too.
ReplyDeleteI normally skip the hard, themeless Saturday puzzles but I got through this one with only a little red-letter help.
ReplyDeleteC.C., I like orange marmalade very much, especially the inclusion of the somewhat bitter peel. Sled dog got me too. I got it but didn't understand it until I read your writeup. I've heard but never had shirred eggs. Kind of like soft boiled or poached? Barbara and I have gone to a couple of Highland Games in the area (and one in Scotland) and the caber toss is quite something. It's not how far you can toss it but also getting it to turn over when it hits the ground so that it's pointing directly away from you.
Hi Burrito34! So long, Bob. I enjoyed your input. Gungy, I really felt bad for what you were going through yesterday. I remember similar times with my parents. I loved them very much but those times were tough. HeartRx, it wasn't Paris Hilton referred to in the puzzle. Drub is a word I know for beating someone thoroughly.
Barry and all,
ReplyDeleteThe SW corner did me in also. I Wikipedia's all of ONeill's plays and forgot that trees are flora! I finally got ELMS but couldn't get the BUST part of BUST A GUT. MUSIC to me is not a ? answer to score sheets. I had REDACTED for RECANTED, which has so many correct letters that I never got MUSIC or SAWN.
The other parts I slowly got using a lot of perps. I am horrible at plants. YARE was impossible to even look up if all you have is YAR_? DRUB I knew but started with beat. With all the ambiguous clues one is afraid to fill it in and go wrong, but one is left with nothing to test perps across.
I felt whipped and quit with the SW not done. This might have been less taxing if last weeks hadn't been so easy to do. I think I shall MOUE for a while.
Hola Everyone, Saturday puzzles usually aren't on my agenda, but I started this one today with the high hopes of an entertaining morning. Yipes! so hard for me, with too many unknowns.
ReplyDeleteYare, (I have that in my CW dictionary now), and Embar are my two learning moments today.
Missteps were too many to mention. I had to come here for C.C.'s excellent writeup to finish off the picket fences that were left in the grid.
Welcome to Burrito 34 and so long to Bob. So long, because we hopefully will be seeing you from time to time in the coming months. I've enjoyed your educational comments, and succinct style.
Husker Gary and Windhover were speaking of old-fashioned names. My mother's was Mildred and my maternal grandmother was Bertha, affectionately called Mom Bert. My paternal grandmother was Hattie Belle.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Sherry. VirginiaSycamore, have you tried doing the harder puzzles online? The red-letter help is often enough to get you through the really tough stuff while still letting you feel successful.
Hi all.
ReplyDeleteClose to Thousand Island dressing?
That is what I thought it was for a long time. I don't go there often. They do have free WiFi hot spots and the coffee isn't bad.
Must stop watching hockey while doing the grid. My face got redder
and redder when I kept seeig sports related clues last night.
Sorry Jeannie.
Avs won in OT. Teams kept trading goals.
Left my Coleus plant behind when I left my last job. Hope some one took care of it.
Two thumbs up for this xwrd.
Take care.
Am gonna miss Bob's ( easy,nothing to comment on...7 minutes 35 sec.) postings, I was always in awe at the speed he does the puzzles, I call in sick from work somtimes to finish the puzzle ,and he's done in 7 minutes...lol
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw his post I thought its 1 of 2 things...
1.this guy is very smart,well educated ,with a memory of an African elephant .
2. or he's using a 1975 Timex watch to keep time and its running sooooo slooow,and so far behind that he's the only guy in the country thats serving Thanksgiving dinner on Holloween night..
I wish you and your loved ones happy and safe hollidays and hope you keep posting.. once in awhile atleast.
All,
ReplyDeleteI thought I had lost my first comment and repeated it. That is why I removed it.
My only new addition was that Sajdak seemed a bit of a CUR and a LOUSE to make such a MUDDY and DOWNER puzzle. IMO he should be put ON TRIAL.
To Bill G., Yes, I should have used the red letters today. I get in a rut and forget I can do it. Thanks for the suggestion.
@Ginny Sycamore, what's up?
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of your comments yet, but have to say right off the bat I hated this puzzle today. IMO totally ridiculous and obscure fills, such as CALX. Terrible.
ReplyDeleteNow I'll read what y'all had to say.
Bob, sorry to see you leave the blog whether it be short term or longer. Your comments will be missed. Once in awhile a new blogger shows up and is a real contributor, you are one of those. You remind me of Dr.Dad who is also missed. Good luck to you and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteSince I gave up early on the puzzle today and worked the rest of the time on my newsletter, I just came here for a break to see what you all thought of it.
ReplyDeleteI did have COLEUS and SCOTSMEN, but TENETS and MURKY ruined the rest of the north, so time was lacking and I caved.
WikWak,
My son and d-i-l were just talking about that before they left last Monday to return to Chemnitz. They are of the opinion it must be the same company, and we were theorizing about the reason for the changed name. The best we came up with was that since J might stand for "junior", the K might be for "Kind" ('child' as in "& sons"). But really we don't know.
Welcome to Burrito and farewell to Bob--I'll miss your technical explanations.
Sorry to read that you won't be with us on a daily basis Bob....used you as a measuring rod..never could equal your great time, but it was fun trying to beat you! You improved my game and I thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteI should learn to research before posting. here's the scoop on TK MAXX
ReplyDeleteBob, sorry to hear you are "leaving" us...and hope you check in once in a while.
ReplyDeleteGeez Gunghy, what a rough night! You really do deserve to hit the slopes and get away from it all.
Bill G., I had to laugh when I read your comment. I know it wasn't Paris "Hilton" the puzzle referred to. I was just letting everyone know how "off base" I was on my first pass. (And second...and third....).
I'm making homemade toffee today, so I'll have a sticky mess in the kitchen to clean up before dinner. But the end result is worth it!
HeartRx, sorry about Paris. I should have known better. Can you save me some toffee?
ReplyDeleteI just e-mailed our library and put the newest Ladies' No. 1 Detective Agency book on reserve. Also, the newest Robert B. Parker book. They should get me through the cold, rainy weather we're having. Hey, I'm not complaining, mind you.
Good morning C.C, and Saturday solvers,
ReplyDeleteOh my, I never know if it is me or if those words are obscure. I was in trouble with caber throwers ( a good learning lesson).Only had 12 gimmes at first(coleus, rosetta), so after a bit, just came here to see what everyone thought and I learned so much.Who knew about Dr. Lister...foul smelling stuff! Shirred eggs..not on my plate.
Oenone was a complete unknown, but she luckily has 4 vowels, making her a hot mama.
Lemonade, enjoyed the Zsa Zsa comment.
Learned last week about TKMaxx, the parent company of TJMaxx and Marshalls. They are located in the UK, Ireland, Germany and Poland. SIL says Cardiff (his home) has one.The K changed to J to avoid confusion.
Bob, you will be missed. You are our Latin/Greek guru.
I think the ? would have been disrespectful, not funny.Keeping rant to myself.
JD:
ReplyDeleteMe, too.
Glad to know I wasn't the only one who found today's puzzle sticky, I feel slightly less dufferish :-) Thanks for the write-up, as ever ... Had wanted cad not cur so that slowed the acquisition of reason out and enrapture unnecessarily -- and I then wanted figure out .... Lots I did know, but no amount of staring brought the others to the fore! Ah well. not so bad overall, and the first in a while that I wasn't quite able to finish -- good for the brain in any case!
ReplyDelete~ Ellie
Lemonade mentioned how he had courted Gary Hart, then a Democratic candidate for President (Spring 1987 ? ), around in Fla.--- before the sexual scandal, broke out with Mr. Hart and Donna Rice on the yacht, "Monkey Business" and/in the Bimini Islands -
ReplyDeleteActually - what is not well known, is that Donna Rice was actually a conservative, born-again Christian and a card-carrying Republican !
When Donna was later asked, how she could have preferred Mr. Gary Hart, over the Republican opponent, (then VP George HW Bush) --
She said, ' In my heart, I wanted Bush, but in my bush, I wanted Hart.'
Girlinfront:
ReplyDeleteEveryone in the world seems to have "rights" not to be slandered, maligned and disrespected except the "group" you mentioned. There are many on the blog and we try not to ridicule each other. Please don`t lump us all together or blame all of us for the actions of a few. We`ll return the favor.
JD/WH, Me too.
ReplyDeleteContrarian, I believe it has gone farther back than that. Remember White Water, and then Swift Boats? EVERYONE seems to have lost showing respect and teaching it to their children. Parents allow their kids to be disrespectful to elders, teachers,etc.Kids are not going to suddenly change when they become adults.
ReplyDeleteJD, I agree with you. Let me see if I can make this philosophical rather than political. I think that we all should be respectful of others. There's a fine line between being disrespectful and exercising our constitutional right of free speech to criticize politicians with whom we disagree.
ReplyDeleteThese days, it does seem many folks are having more trouble maintaining civil discourse about political differences.
I hope I said all of that non-politically and respectfully. :>)
@creature (9:03AM):
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to Steve Goodman singing the song with Jethro Burns: The Dutchman.
BillG: What's your favorite MARMALADE? Mine is Chivers Olde English style. It has the bitter rind pieces of which you speak. Available in a local supermarket here. Always looking for an improved taste, though.
ReplyDeleteBob, I wish you well. When you would write to explain something, it was always worth the time to read. Thank you for that.
C.C., I think your rule of NO POLITICS should be respected period. There are those of you who sneak your remarks in under the guise of small asides,etc., thinking that you have skirted the rules; but, you can not imagine the anger you have built up, that isn't forgotten. Of course, this may be your goal; I would not be surprised. So be it.
ReplyDeleteBillG:
ReplyDeleteI could not agree with you more, and yes, you expressed the idea quite well. We all need to be more respectful of the opinions of others, and tolerant of opposing points of view.
So when someone says the President (or the Governor, or the Mayor) is doing a lousy job, or his policies will ruin the country (or state, or city), that's opinion, and should be respected.
But when they say, against all credible evidence, that he is a Muslim (and so what if he is?), or that he was not born here, that's just willful ignorance and deserves a verbal slap. In truth, such idiots should not be validated by a response, but it is that type of ignorance and/or intentional misinformation that has brought us to the low level of civic engagement that you describe.
Most likely for reasons that differ widely from most of his critics, I'm not very happy with the performance of the Current Occupant either, but I have no interest in his religious orientation and no doubt about his provenance.
I hope my post doesn't rattle the antennae of the LIA's*, and I should point out that it doesn't contain or indicate any particular political point of view (other than disgust).
* Lurking Idiot Anons
such idiots should not be validated by a response
ReplyDeleteAnd THAT'S the bottom line, yet you continue to do it.
As do you.
ReplyDeleteHey, Bob, wait for me.
No political musings here.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say the only time I ever heard the word yare used was in one of my very favorite movies,
"The Philadelphia Story"...Katherine Hepburn to Cary Grant, "My she was yare, wasn't she?"
Bye Bob. I too looked forward to your posts and times.
Re. orange marmalade, I get whatever English brand is available at the supermarket. Often, it's Robertson's I think. I'll look for Chiver's next time.
ReplyDeleteALWAYS "?"
ReplyDelete"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.”
Albert Einstein
Girl in Front, love a good pun, especially one with a happy ending.
ReplyDeleteDisrespect is the name of the game. Teach your children to love and take care of themselves, eat plenty of good marmalade and be succinct like Bob. Garlic Gal, you are an inspiration, you post when you feel like it and do not worry about anyone else.
Sherry welsome, seems like we are having a little tiff today, but only because some opinons are too personal. Relax and enjoy the words or I will tell you some of the other jokes I wrote at 15. Yhere was this worm....
HeartRx:
ReplyDeleteWords to live by, no matter which side of any argument you're on. Authority should be questioned simply because it is authority, but you don't have to be an Einstein to know that; John Mellencamp said the same thing. Thanks for the quote.
And that is 5.
Sorry C.C. and all, I didn't mean to hit the political button, I'm just bummed about humanity in general who show a lack of respect for each other. I don't know if it starts at the top, or in today's families.
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteI came back to see what all the posting was about. I try to avoid all politics as I am a Conservative in a very Liberal part of town.
My favorite marmalade-like topping is Lemon Curd and it is so good I can't buy it anymore: I eat it all in one day. It tastes like concentrated lemon from lemon meringue pie.YUM.
Greetings, all.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this Saturday more than many. Finished all but the NE corner. "Murky" for "Muddy" didn't help, but I wouldn't have finished anyway. Familiar with shirred eggs, and quite familiar with drub, although I associate it more with berating a person than with sports. I think it is more common across the pond.
Yes, CC, I have read "The Social Contract". I have also read "Leviathon", "The Prince", "On Liberty", and "Two Treatises of Government". At another time, I read much of "On the Conditions of the Working Class in England".
On that note, there are a lot of people with a lot of political opinions, albeit many unsubstantiated. Regardless, they don't belong here, as per the blog hostess's request. So ditto, JD. Enough said.
Bob, sorry to see you go. I liked your contributions, whether a short check-in (it was very helpful to me to have a barometer), or longer (all of which I learned something new from). Hope you pop in often enough that I see you now and again.
Personally, I have strayed from regular reading in the past month because of a poster that is often disrespectful and posts under numerous names. (He is here today.) I find the tolerance for his disrespect to be off-putting, and to prevent growing irritated by his posts, I just stay away. I also don't understand how others cannot see this is one person, not ten.
I do miss reading many of you regularly, but then again, I pop in a few days a week and see what's been going on.
Hoping everyone's well.
Otis
OK, Enough. Sorry C.C. I really did not mean to discharge a political brouhaha... I was just chuckling about what I thought was an innocent comment. No more from me on this subject - ever.
ReplyDeleteIn reading the late posts I see a discussion on Marmalade and old-fashioned names.
ReplyDeleteMarmalade at our house is homemade. We have a small orange tree with 50 cent size very tart oranges. I can usually make just one batch of marmalade a year, so we portion it out with care.
The oranges used make all the difference in the taste. We like the tart, almost sour orange flavor. I have two jars left until I make our new stash in Feb.
Speaking of old-fashioned names. My mother was Gertrude and my mother-in-law was Ruby.
Good night all.
ReplyDeleteI agree totally with J.D., Windhover, and creature about the ? mark. I could go on a rant about this idea, but shall restrain myself.
Good night again everyone.
ReplyDeleteI went back to read last night's comments because of the mentions here.
Lemonade, yes, I have read all of Maron's Judge Knott books. Love them all.
Gunghy, after that terrible day, I hope things have settled down somewhat and that you get to enjoy the slopes next week. That's more than three bad things in a row!
At the risk of opening Pandoras Box and having all hell loosed upon my head, here's my take on why there's political statements often made on this blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming the original intent of this site was to discuss and talk about crossword puzzles. However, much of what is written about here goes far beyond our feelings about the daily crossword: Sickness, death, job problems, families, travel, poetry, food, and you name it it's there. If all this and more is fair game to comment about why would anyone think the narrow subject of politics shouldn't be?
To say this is a crossword blog, but you can discuss anything but politics is silly. Frankly, and this is where all hell is loosed upon my head, I'd rather have a discussion about politics than my dying or dead loved ones.
I finally found how I could print this Daily Puzzle from the internet. I had been using my newspaper prior to this morning. I started the puzzle at 5:30 AM. I had a meeting during most of the day and finished it tonight, late. It was very tough, in my opinion. There were a couple I just could not get. YARE, CARWAX, EDDAS,. It was invigorating to take up the challenge, however. I enjoyed all the comments from others and it seems that several people had the same problems I did. Looking forward to Sunday's puzzle. Hope to get started early tomorrow, take a break for church (playing my tuba there), and then working on it in the afternoon. Abejo
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how often it is not until late night that I finally read all the posts and am ready for my pithy comment, when few are likely to read anything, but I must follow my muse and my hero Jerome.
ReplyDeleteWe have become a bit of a cyber family here, which I believe we have some conflicts and some personal stuff, much of which is distressing. I think what C.C. is striving for is no proseltyzing for personal beliefs, and whenever politics or religion are injected into conversation, it seems someone either gets their feelings hurt or tries to hurt someone elses. No body likes bickering and despite what each of you may think in your heart, your opinion, is just that- an opinion, you should not want to control mine. It is the divisevness of too many discussions which quickly sink to name calling that is disruptive and should not be where we come to have fun and share knowledge. I also do not care for comments which attack the constructors for some perceived inadequacy, or chide others for spelling or grammatical errors. As you know, I do not see very well and I make mistakes. I also sometimes say interesting things or funny things so I am not leaving, and even when very busy, all I do is come here when I can. I am lucky as I have no routine. Politics as an esoteric concept do not bother me but please do not tell me what to pray to, or vote for. So there
I'm new to this blog. I'm checking to see if anyone ever looks at this blog soooo long after the fact. I enjoy this Saturday puzzle alot and work it at my leisure as I'm falling asleep. (ink stains on the comforter and all) I appreciate all of the comments. They help me realize I'm not the only one who doesn't get everything on the first pass, or second ...
ReplyDeleteMy motto is if you can complete a puzzle it was too easy for you - think about it! Peace
Anonymous @7:22am,
ReplyDeleteEvery comment reaches my and Argyle's email boxes, so rest assured that they are read by at least two, though we don't always respond. Hope you join the live action soon.
Yeah, so don't think you can post any snarky comments and get away with it. ;~)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, use a name instead of anonymous; too often anons are trolls.
C. C. and Argyle - thanks for your replies. I just finished (with help) the Jan 1 puzzle and read and enjoyed the blog. So obviously I'm not up to speed with you guys. Trust me, I'm not a troll, eventhough I'm 62.5% Norwegian. I'm just an old programmer who enjoys filling in the spaces. Peace
ReplyDeleteOK, that's cool. You sound cool, too.
ReplyDelete