Theme: Love Ole Lampkin - Four phrases based on what is probably the first internet shorthand we learned, boxing the unifier in the middle.
20A. Comfortable situation to live in, with "the": LAP OF LUXURY
41A. Cyberchuckle, and a hint to this puzzle's four longest answers: LOL
56A. Low-paying but rewarding project: LABOR OF LOVE
11D. Minnesota-based dairy cooperative: LAND O'LAKES
29D. "Like that's going to work!": "LOTS OF LUCK!"
Argyle here. Laugh Out Loud, if you like but I want a show of hands for people who first thought LOL stood for Lots Of Love. I'll start by raising my hand.
Across:
1. Where many knots are tied : ALTAR. [insert smart remark here]
6. Tabula __: blank slate : RASA. Comes from the Roman tabula or wax tablet, used for notes, which was blanked by heating the wax and then smoothing it to give a tabula rasa. Rasa meant scraped, leading to erase.
10. Elmer's product : GLUE. This Elmer and not this Elmer.
14. Ballerina's rail : BARRE. Image.
15. In __: stuck : A JAM
16. Bear with too-hot porridge : PAPA
17. Twisty-horned antelope : ELAND
18. Powerful wind : GALE. The National Weather Service defines a gale as 34–47 knots (63–87 km/h, or 39–54 miles/hour) of sustained surface winds.
19. Tiny army marchers : ANTS
23. Anonymous Jane : DOE
24. Research facility : LAB
25. Songwriter Neil : DIAMOND. And singer. Cracklin' Rosie(3:01). The story behind the song, per Wikipedia, is worth a quick read.
27. A deuce used as an ace, say : WILD CARD
32. Store, as a hose : COIL
33. "Much __ About Nothing" : ADO. Shakespearean comedy.
34. Beethoven's Third : EROICA. A symphony completed in August 1804, and first performed April 7, 1805.
36. Li'l Abner's creator Al : CAPP
39. Went to the polls : VOTED
42. Cake maker : BAKER
43. "Born Free" lioness : ELSA. She was an orphaned lion cub raised to adulthood, and released into the wilds of Kenya. Subject of book, movie, and song.
44. "Romeo and Juliet" city : VERONA. And now this Italian town is a tourist mecca for romantics.
46. Before, to Shakespeare : ERE. Our third Shakespeare reference.
47. "Free Willy" critter : ORCA. Misnamed the killer whale, it belongs to the oceanic dolphin family.
49. Turns on, as an engine : STARTS UP
51. What mirrors do : REFLECT
54. Golfer's support : TEE
55. Dot-com's address : URL
62. Very dry, as Champagne : BRUT
64. Musical quality : TONE
65. __ but wiser : OLDER
66. Nuts : LOCO. And 70A. Nut, e.g. : SEED
67. Ending for exist : ENCE
68. Leaves out : OMITS
69. Actress Sommer : ELKE
71. Past or present : TENSE
Down:
1. Adam's second son : ABEL
2. Refrain syllables : LA LA. Reminds me of this Jan and Dean song(2:35).
3. Mouse catcher : TRAP
4. Golfer Palmer : ARNOLD
5. Showing shame : RED-FACED
6. Brand over spaghetti : RAGU
7. Brand under the sink : AJAX. That clue just sorta lays there.
8. Spanish toast : "¡SALUD!"
9. Part of USA : AMERICA
10. 4.0, for one: Abbr. : GPA. Grade Point Average.
12. Pulitzer author Sinclair : UPTON
13. Relaxed : EASED
21. Angle iron : L-BAR. Add a letter, L-BEAM. Add another letter, L-BRACE.
22. NBA's __ Ming : YAO. Basketball Player Yao Ming, 7' 6"
26. Glittery mineral : MICA. Remember the isinglass discussion?
27. Breaker at the shore : WAVE
28. People magazine focus : IDOL
30. Romeo or Juliet, e.g. : ROLE. Shakespeare even down here.
31. Christian's dresses? : DIORS. Christian Dior launched his haute couture empire in 1946.
35. Coagulate, as blood : CLOT
37. Lima's country : PERU
38. Get ready, briefly : PREP
40. British peer : EARL
42. Like a stroller at the shore, shoewise : BAREFOOT. Or in the park.
44. Moves out : VACATES
45. Peacekeeping gp. since 1949 : NATO. North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
48. Animation collectible : CEL. From before they became digital cartoons.
50. "Out with it!" : "TELL ME!"
51. Moscow money : RUBLE
52. Filmdom's Flynn : ERROL
53. Steakhouse steak : T-BONE
57. Grimm beginning : ONCE. upon a time.
58. Oboe or bassoon : REED
59. Chief Norse god : ODIN
60. Docs for doggies and dogies : VETS
61. Gaelic language : ERSE
63. Stubbed digit : TOE
Answer grid.
Argyle
Note from C.C.:
A belated "Happy Birthday" to our talented constructor John Lampkin, who turned 65 on January 22 Saturday.
20A. Comfortable situation to live in, with "the": LAP OF LUXURY
41A. Cyberchuckle, and a hint to this puzzle's four longest answers: LOL
56A. Low-paying but rewarding project: LABOR OF LOVE
11D. Minnesota-based dairy cooperative: LAND O'LAKES
29D. "Like that's going to work!": "LOTS OF LUCK!"
Argyle here. Laugh Out Loud, if you like but I want a show of hands for people who first thought LOL stood for Lots Of Love. I'll start by raising my hand.
Across:
1. Where many knots are tied : ALTAR. [insert smart remark here]
6. Tabula __: blank slate : RASA. Comes from the Roman tabula or wax tablet, used for notes, which was blanked by heating the wax and then smoothing it to give a tabula rasa. Rasa meant scraped, leading to erase.
10. Elmer's product : GLUE. This Elmer and not this Elmer.
14. Ballerina's rail : BARRE. Image.
15. In __: stuck : A JAM
16. Bear with too-hot porridge : PAPA
17. Twisty-horned antelope : ELAND
18. Powerful wind : GALE. The National Weather Service defines a gale as 34–47 knots (63–87 km/h, or 39–54 miles/hour) of sustained surface winds.
19. Tiny army marchers : ANTS
23. Anonymous Jane : DOE
24. Research facility : LAB
25. Songwriter Neil : DIAMOND. And singer. Cracklin' Rosie(3:01). The story behind the song, per Wikipedia, is worth a quick read.
27. A deuce used as an ace, say : WILD CARD
32. Store, as a hose : COIL
33. "Much __ About Nothing" : ADO. Shakespearean comedy.
34. Beethoven's Third : EROICA. A symphony completed in August 1804, and first performed April 7, 1805.
36. Li'l Abner's creator Al : CAPP
39. Went to the polls : VOTED
42. Cake maker : BAKER
43. "Born Free" lioness : ELSA. She was an orphaned lion cub raised to adulthood, and released into the wilds of Kenya. Subject of book, movie, and song.
44. "Romeo and Juliet" city : VERONA. And now this Italian town is a tourist mecca for romantics.
46. Before, to Shakespeare : ERE. Our third Shakespeare reference.
47. "Free Willy" critter : ORCA. Misnamed the killer whale, it belongs to the oceanic dolphin family.
49. Turns on, as an engine : STARTS UP
51. What mirrors do : REFLECT
54. Golfer's support : TEE
55. Dot-com's address : URL
62. Very dry, as Champagne : BRUT
64. Musical quality : TONE
65. __ but wiser : OLDER
66. Nuts : LOCO. And 70A. Nut, e.g. : SEED
67. Ending for exist : ENCE
68. Leaves out : OMITS
69. Actress Sommer : ELKE
71. Past or present : TENSE
Down:
1. Adam's second son : ABEL
2. Refrain syllables : LA LA. Reminds me of this Jan and Dean song(2:35).
3. Mouse catcher : TRAP
4. Golfer Palmer : ARNOLD
5. Showing shame : RED-FACED
6. Brand over spaghetti : RAGU
7. Brand under the sink : AJAX. That clue just sorta lays there.
8. Spanish toast : "¡SALUD!"
9. Part of USA : AMERICA
10. 4.0, for one: Abbr. : GPA. Grade Point Average.
12. Pulitzer author Sinclair : UPTON
13. Relaxed : EASED
21. Angle iron : L-BAR. Add a letter, L-BEAM. Add another letter, L-BRACE.
22. NBA's __ Ming : YAO. Basketball Player Yao Ming, 7' 6"
26. Glittery mineral : MICA. Remember the isinglass discussion?
27. Breaker at the shore : WAVE
28. People magazine focus : IDOL
30. Romeo or Juliet, e.g. : ROLE. Shakespeare even down here.
31. Christian's dresses? : DIORS. Christian Dior launched his haute couture empire in 1946.
35. Coagulate, as blood : CLOT
37. Lima's country : PERU
38. Get ready, briefly : PREP
40. British peer : EARL
42. Like a stroller at the shore, shoewise : BAREFOOT. Or in the park.
44. Moves out : VACATES
45. Peacekeeping gp. since 1949 : NATO. North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
48. Animation collectible : CEL. From before they became digital cartoons.
50. "Out with it!" : "TELL ME!"
51. Moscow money : RUBLE
52. Filmdom's Flynn : ERROL
53. Steakhouse steak : T-BONE
57. Grimm beginning : ONCE. upon a time.
58. Oboe or bassoon : REED
59. Chief Norse god : ODIN
60. Docs for doggies and dogies : VETS
61. Gaelic language : ERSE
63. Stubbed digit : TOE
Answer grid.
Argyle
Note from C.C.:
A belated "Happy Birthday" to our talented constructor John Lampkin, who turned 65 on January 22 Saturday.
Good morning, Argyle, C.C. and gang - a classic speed run this morning, just under 4 minutes. No pauses, no screw-ups, and the theme came into focus after 'Lap of luxury' and Land O' Lakes'. A nice Monday-level puzzle.
ReplyDeleteToday is Bear Can Appreciation Day and Compliment Day. John Lampkin, Happy Birthday and my compliments on your constructing skills; even a Monday becomes fun.
Did You Know?:
- The largest American city in terms of area is Juneau, Alaska, at 3,255 square miles. Los Angeles ranks second at 498 square miles.
- Hawaii is the only state in the United States that grows coffee.
- Chewing an apple is just as effective at waking you up in the morning as drinking a cup of coffee. The act of chewing works to stimulate the central nervous system.
No, a 'bear can' is not the outhouse you see the bears using in those Charmin commercials. It's actually BEER Can Appreciation Day. Thanks to Argyle for catching.
ReplyDeleteMorning, all!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dennis -- definitely a speed run for me as well. I swear we've seen this theme before, but it had lots of fresh clues that made it interesting nonetheless. I think "Grimm beginning" was my favorite.
It's currently -5 F outside. I suppose that's better than waking up to another foot of snow, but I'm really hoping my car will start...
Good Morning, Argyle and friends. This was Speed-Run Monday, but it did make me LOL! (and no, Argyle, I never associated LOL with Lots of Love).
ReplyDeleteI know LAND 'O LAKES mostly for its butter.
YAO Ming plays for the Houston Rockets. At 7 ft. 6 in, he is 2.5 feet taller than I am.
I thought of Natalie Portman when I filled in BARRE. Did anyone see the movie "Black Swan"? I can't really recommend it.
Jack Lalane died over the weekend. I have a vague recollection of him and an exercise guru.
Band of Brothers, which was referenced in a puzzle last week.
A belated Happy Birthday to you, John Lampkin! Your headgear made me LOL!
QOD: Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects. ~ Will Rogers
John, we will need the backstory on the headgear; were you trying to blend in?
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Argyle, CC and All,
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday John Lampkin. Great Monday puzzle as well.
I did this one top to bottom with the only erasure was 15A. I quickly wrote Deep. I think the 20 inches of snow last storm has affected me. The S for the Rasa Salud cross was a WAG and LOL nailed the theme answers for me.
We're still hauling snow out of the downtown and I spent any spare time at home making room for the next batch coming Wednesday or Thursday. We're also in a deep freeze. -4 this morning with wind chills approaching -35.
Playing catch up again.
Have a great day!
Argyle, Great write-up.
ReplyDeleteHand up for Laughing-Out-Loud.
John, Happy Birthday a few days late.
Thank You for a wonderful, FUN, Monday!
Really enjoyed the LOL themes.
Fave was that LOTS OF LUCK.
SALUD, yup, I use that one often.
Don't really speak anything but "AMERICA English" ... but I believe I can make a "Toast" in 15 languages.
BARE FOOT on the beach. A favorite pastime.
Hoping it warms up to the high 60's so I can take a long walk on Honeymoon Island this afternoon.
Best part is, on the South part, they allow dogs ... who really love going to the beach.
Hope everyone has a great week.
Cheer's !!!
Dennis:
ReplyDeleteJacksonville, Florida is 874.3 square miles.
Hello Puzzlers - What Dennis said. Not about bear cans, but about solving.
ReplyDeleteArgyle - I first thought it stood for "Lots Of Luck". My even older sister - who by virtue of working at a college has lots of contact with young people - soon set me straight. By the time I saw ROFLMAO, I was able to figure it out on my own.
Now it happens that one of my very first posts, a year ago, involved a puzzle with SINATRA somewhere in the fill. I opined that Sinatra was overrated, expecting lots of protests about that viewpoint. (None came, however)
Let's try again! I think Neil Diamond stinks. I am honestly shocked that so many Americans swoon over the guy. "Cracklin' Rose" is irritating. His soundtracks for "ET" and "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" damaged both films. So there.
Good Morning Argyle, C.C. et al.
ReplyDeleteGreat write-up, Argyle. I really never knew that "Cracklin Rosie" referred to wine. Now I like the song even better!
Our LaLaLinda sure gets a lot of shout-outs in crosswords, doesn't she?
Usual speed run here, too. Like most Mondays, I didn't even see half the clues until I came here. I thought the there were only three theme entries, because I totally missed seeing LAND O LAKES and LOTS OF LUCK, which were filled by perps...LOL !!
Never thought of it as "lots of love". But there are so many more ways to express amusement when texting:
L LHO LIS LMAO LMSO LOLA LOLZ LOOL LOU LTHTT LTIC LTIO LTM ROTFLMAO ROTFLOL ROTGL ROTGLMAO
I just really liked this theme, and the fill was very clean. All in all, a very nice Monday puzzle!
And a belated HBD, John Lampkin! Is the picture from one of your Jackalope safaris?
Dennis, I will have to let DH take care of beer appreciation day, as I don't drink the stuff. And since I already complimented JL on his puzzle, I think we have everything covered.
Have a great day everyone, and I'll "see" you all tomorrow.
Good morning Argyle and all, like the others today‘s puzzle was a speed run. I had one misstep when I put in a jamb instead of in a rut; otherwise, it was fill as fast as I could write. No, Argyle, I did not think Lots of Love for LOL, I leave that for Lois to comment on.
ReplyDeleteJohn, HBD to you and I would not wear that hat in western PA as some slap happy deer hunter might mistake you for a deer.
I am sure happy that I could stay at home, in front of the flat screen, to watch the Steelers game last night. Five degrees and wind chill of minus 4 is not a fun experience. Go Steelers!!!
Hope you all have a great Monday.
Good morning Argyle and all. Happy Birthday, John L.
ReplyDeleteVery easy one-pass solve today. I liked all the LOL theme words, as well as the LOL unifier in the center. Well conceived, with no obscure 'crosswordese'.
Cold here this am. -18ºF
Keep warm..
Good Morning Folks. Great start of the week. I really enjoyed whizzing through this puzzle this morning. Even got it done before I got on the train/bus. Thank you John Lampkin for getting me in a good frame of mind. Also, happy birthday. Nice hat/rack. Great job of the write-up Argyle, as usual. You are always clever.
ReplyDeleteI always learn something from a crossword puzzle. Today I learned that "Romeo and Juliet" was in Verona.
10D caught my eye, as my youngest daughter started college last week. I hope she focuses on her GPA as a worthy goal.
4D, Golfer Palmer/ARNOLD gave me a quick flashback to circa 1963 when I gassed up his private airplane in Erie. It was an Aero Commander, as I recall. He came up to the Kahkwa Club for a golfing event.
See you tomorrow.
Abejo
Good morning Argyle, CC, et al., Great job Argyle. Loved that explanation of Cracklin’ Rosie. Always thought it was a lady of the evening..like HeartRx, like it better now that's it's about wine. I like Neil Diamond, always have. Tastes differ in everything. Some people enjoy getting boil implants, whereas I'd rather have my fingernails ripped off. It's all good.
ReplyDeleteNever had the chance to wonder what LOL was b/c the kids were discussing texting and sexting some time ago before I ever started texting. And as far as catching it as a theme here? This went so fast, I didn’t have time to even wonder about it. Thoroughly enjoyable. I do love me some Lampkin on a Monday!
During semester exam review discussion, Tabula Rasa and John Locke were joked on by a student the other day by asking what is it called when a Jamaican refers to blank slate? Tabula Rasta It was a learning moment for some of the students who didn’t know about Rastafarian beliefs.
Belated Happy Birthday to hotty John Lampkin….65? Well done! Love the chapeau, mon ami. You are such a deer! Smart to stop while you were a-head. LOL blending is such a difficult thing to do sometimes. I think you almost got it.
Have eye surgery today, so no school for me. Carol is my role model and guide since she had this done not too terribly long ago.
Dennis: I'll be appreciating beer cans a lot later on today. Can do that blindly. Cheers!
‘See’ y’all later. Enjoy your day.
Good morning Argyle, CC, John and Monday marauders all. Easy puzzle, but clever clues that elicited a few chuckles.
ReplyDeleteBelated best wishes for your 65th, John.
Maybe it was a regional thing, but LOL was 'Lots of Love' long before there was an internet or text messages. Notes and letters between sweethearts were often signed with LOL and the envelope flap was SWAK.
Dennis, your 'bear can appreciation day' was the guffaw of the day. PMSL! Yes, I thought of that commercial, too. Now, BEER cans, even empty, are definitely something to be appreciated. I spent two years, as one of my careers, as an installation foreman on a "drawn and ironed" can line. There's a lot to be appreciated about the complexity of machinery that it takes to go from an 8000 lb coil of steel to a ready to fill beer can in about 30 minutes.
Ah, yes, I loves me a cup of fresh Kona coffee. I didn't realize that no other state grows coffee. Another good reason to keep PR out of the union. The stuff they grow and call coffee is terribe!
Abejo, your comment at 7:49 was interesting to me. In the early 60's I worked at the Latrobe airport and took care of Arnold Palmer's aircraft. You are correct, it was the Aero Commander 580 that he had at that time. However, he quickly moved up to a jet and my best friend was his pilot until he had a heart attack.
ReplyDelete@ Tinbeni,
ReplyDeleteI suscribe to the "elegence of simplicity" theory. No need for 15 different languages, just raise your glass and shout MORE!
Wow, super easy, even for a Monday. I liked the Wiki article on Cracklin' Rose, but not sure I believe it...
ReplyDeleteThanks for a good blog - lots of interesting links.
Speed run for me, which certainly is no 4 minutes, but it was done before breakfast today.
ReplyDeleteI too like Neil Diamond. Maybe it's a woman thing.
Congratulations John, and happy birthday! Bon Anniversaire! Ich gratuliere zum Geburtstag!
A great Monday level and filled with freshness, even the clues for some familiar answers. So what have you decided for medicare? I am still in the quagmire of deciding for April, and just wondering. Of course I want what's reasonable, but also want to be sure of quality service and reliability. And I hate decisions, especially when there are too many choices.
That's true; always take a Wiki article with a grain of salt...shot of tequila and a slice of lime!
ReplyDeleteGood morning solvers.
ReplyDeleteArgyle, you cracked me up with “Love Ole Lampkin,” especially after just turning 65. I never thought that I would ever be old enough for Medicare. Worse, I never thought I would actually need it!
C.C. surprised me by running that pic of me from a while back. For those of you wondering about the antler rack on my head, all I can say is (pick one):
Oh deer, is that me?
The buck stopped here.
Hey, I’m a horny guy.
That’s my attire for making pointed remarks.
I find that women are attracted to well-dressed men.
[Can anyone add to this list? Lois, yours are great!]
Seriously, if that is indeed possible, that pic was taken near Kernville, CA. Every year I go out for the Kern River Valley Nature Fest to photograph the migrant birds that stream through en masse at the end of April. Together with the local avians, one can easily count over 200 species in three days. I always create a photo book of the places I visit with (hopefully) amusing commentary, and close each book with an amusing self-portrait. Thus, I’m always on the lookout for silly stuff. Actually, I don’t have to look very hard; the silly stuff always seems to find me. LOL.
Thank you all for your kind comments and birthday wishes.
--Laughing Ole Lampkin
Good Morning C.C.,Argyle and all,
ReplyDeleteThanks, Argyle. I'll say I always knew it was Laugh Out Loud, but maybe not; at any rate, I think they're 'synonomous', cause if you make me laugh, I love you.
The puzzle was very easy, but enjoyable; the theme was its best part, and a great way to start the week. Thanks, John AND belated Happy Birthday! Hope you celebrate for months.
I'm late this A.M., because I got drawn into the Merl Reagle puzzle while checking last night's posts.
I'm hanging on to it for next week!
It was a challenge, but fun. The worst of it was I had to use a magnifying glass; I'm almost crosseyed.
HeartRx, quite a drama! Good for you!
Now I will read the posts; usually, I read then post, but time is marching on.
Have a nice day everyone.
Good day folks,
ReplyDeleteCount me in the Lots of Love group. Today was real easy, even for a Monday. One screw up that was corrected quickly. 15A STUCK: my first entry was in a rut.
Dudley, looks like we agree to disagree on Neil Diamond. Tinbeni, ever made a sunset toast with Cracklin Rosie? Me neither.
John L. a belated Happy 65th. Argyle, thanks for the informative write up.
Cold, cold, cold this AM. -03 at my domicile. Understand we may get our butts kicked by another storm around mid- week. I just hope this stuff melts gradually or we'll need lifeboats.
Have a good day everyone.
I forgot to say that LOL entered my wheelhouse too long ago to remember what I thought on meeting it for the first time. But having it as the theme today certainly made those answers easy to get.
ReplyDeleteLooks like more snow coming here today, but maybe not much. Mild temperature of 16.6F above.
Other than stubbing TOES, I remember in my former life on the beach, toes were always the best way to get used to the water temperature before plunging in. It's neat to watch the way the wet sand reacts when stepped on too--a circle of drier sand appears around each footprint as you walk. But standing ankle deep in the water makes your whole body accustomed to the cold before diving under that first wave.
John Lampkin - Happy Birthday and thank you for a most wonderful puzzle - enjoyed every moment of it -Great, to start off the week.
ReplyDeleteArgyle - Thank you for the oh so lovely write up - that was a 6 inch icing on the cake - loved your commentary - and hey, thanks for the song by Neil D. _ I have heard it many many times before, but never sussed out the words - now that I know what it means, I enjoy it even more. and thanks for the wiki essay.
All in all, everything's wonderful.
LOL ( the other kind - 'love' )
Have a great week, you'all.
Love Ole Lampkin, indeed! My first single digit finish time EVER! My only blip was getting stuck in A RUT instead of in A JAM.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday to the ole rackhead as well.
Argyle: wonderful.
Learning moment: Mainiac's Crackling Rosie link.
good morning c.c., argyle and all,
ReplyDeleteperfect monday puzzle, an entertaining way to ease into the week. i don't think i'll ever catch dennis at 4 mins - but i got it in 7.
deerly delighted to see you stop by, john lampkin - add my belated happy birthday to the rest. we're all so fawned of you. and, okay, since you asked:
jl: "all I can say is (pick one):"
i pick this one:
I find that women are attracted to well-dressed men. but i'd change it to ... get this ... sharp-dressed.
after all, a pun is it's own reword.
jd: yes, moving.
Hahtool... I'm LOL at the Land O Lakes logo link you posted. That is NOT the official logo. She sure isn't holding a box of butter. What is she holding? Well, it's her knees. That picture looks like a modification of a juvenile trick from many years ago where you would make two folds in the logo and move her knees up to her chest making the young lady appear bare chested.
ReplyDeleteHi all - Great puzzle for a Monday!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday John!! Thanks for the explanation of your interesting picture :) How about "Buck Up"?
I never remember RASA (6A) and when it crossed with 8D, which I didn't know either that was my only sticking point.
I have always like Neil Diamond's songs, maybe Kazie is right, and it's a female thing.
Lois, I am sure all will go beautifully for your surgery. I know you will not be able to read this until maybe tomorrow, but as I said in my e-mail, you'll be fine and might even have enjoyed the 'light show' during the procedure. :)
We'll all be thinking of you!!!
More later...got to hit the bike.
Tinbeni ,,
ReplyDeleteAt 2 in the morning in a bar,, you can say toast in Mandingo,, and I guarantee you everyone will understand.
Happy B'Day John.
Carol, I've been waiting for you!
ReplyDeleteThe other Neil singer/songwriter I first thought of was Neil Sedaka(one letter short) but it did bring me to this rarity: Oh, Carol, in Hebrew!
JohnL:
ReplyDeleteI recently (Dec. 7) turned 65 as well.
How about: Shoot me now!
And your remarks about Medicare hit home. I remember the day my SS card came in the mail in 1961. I mentally calculated what year I would reach (the then) retirement age (2010) and thought: Nah, that'll never happen. Guess what?
But I still find it hard to believe. The other day, on my way to an appointment I was already late for, I ran through traffic, against the light, across an 8 lane street. I didn't occur to me at all, until I was on the other side, that I am no longer a young man.
Maybe if they would install mirrors at crosswalks........
Monday EZ...favorite clue:Grimm beginning.
ReplyDeleteHBDTY Mr. Lampkin!
"Now...show me your rack"
(please don`t show this to my Mom!)
For Mr. Lampkin
ReplyDelete"When I asked her to 'give me some head' this was not exactly what I had in mind"
NC
Good Morning all, Argyle, I LOL'd about your "Love Ole Lampkin" title. It fit perfectly for a fine Monday John L. puzzle. Delayed HB to you, John!
ReplyDeleteThere were no sticking points today (dontcha love Mondays?). I particularly liked the crossing clechos of
30D "Romeo or Juliet" / ROLE and 44A "Romeo and Juliet" city / VERONA
2D LA LA and the song Linda...Factoid...Linda Eastman McCartney's (Beatle Paul McCartney's wife) father Lee Eastman was songwriter Jack Lawrence's attorney. At Eastman's request, Lawrence wrote a song called "Linda" in honor of the five-year-old. Yep....same song
Hahtool, I appreciated "Black Swan". "Like" isn't a word that comes to mind. If you walks into the theater expecting a dark,psychological story of a young woman slowly going insane, then you won't be disappointed. If you expect a story about the tough ballet life at the BARRE (think Turning Point), then it won't be a pleasing experience.
Dudley, hmmm, not much "You're Crazy!!" about your ENNUI for Neil Diamond. For me, Neil DIAMOND music is a selective. I don't like "Song Sung Blue", "Cracklin' Rosie" and others where he affects some kind of weird accent. I didn't care much about his music until a "friend" played The Grass Won't Pay No Mind for me. If you've ever experienced an encounter similar to the one described in the song, you might melt (like I do) every time you hear it. BTW, I think Neil has an equally broad fan base among women and men. A man (yes...that friend) was the biggest ND fan I've ever known.
John L. Melissa bee got it right. How about ZZ Top's "SHARP-dressed Man" as your theme.
Holy Hiawatha! Grumpy, Argyle and I have been wondering how long it would be before someone discovered that Hahtool's link showed the young Indian lass displaying her 'butter boobs'. Nice catch.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Bee said, "i don't think i'll ever catch dennis at 4 mins".
Oh, I'll bet you could.
Lois, good luck with the surgery. Try to keep your hands to yourself, especially during the delicate parts.
Good day, Argyle, C.C. and you all.
ReplyDeleteGreat blogging, Santa, and nice gifts, too, especially the music. Waving my hands wildly for Neil Diamond! Sweet Caroline is my favorite.
Belated birthday wishes, Mr. John Lampkin and thank you for your gifts. You bring me so much enjoyment with your puzzles.
My offering:
Are you going stag?
Today was a speed run but I was laughing out loud as it fell. Loved "grimm beginning" ONCE, Spanish toast, SALUD and a shout out to my Mother, LALA as well as to our LaLaLinda.
In VERONA there is even a balcony set up and, of course, the subject of many photos.
Also made my smile:
tiny army of marchers, ANTS
Christian's dresses: DIORS
As many of you have I'm sure, I've been involved in numerous LABORS OF LOVE, no pay but satisfying.
At 11 last night I started Merl Reagle's puzzle, amazingly clever, and have just a little left on it as sleep took over. Thanks, Dennis, for the link.
I hope you are all having a wonderful Monday!
Easy easy. 17a not in dictionary. Rasa never heard of. Got our weekly Elke, ere (IRE or EIRE). And getting tired of 48 down.
ReplyDelete".....and so after consulting the Urban Dictionary, I suggested an Antler Job instead".
ReplyDeleteNC
Hello Everyone ~~
ReplyDeleteThanks for the write-up, Argyle ... loved the links, and Happy Birthday, John Lampkin ... love your puzzles!
A fun puzzle today ... easy but enjoyable. I've always liked Neil Diamond, especially "Sweet Caroline" which is played after the seventh inning at all Red Sox games at Fenway Park. (As far as I know, no one is sure why)
Wow ~~ a puzzle with LALA in it and a link to the song "Linda." Doesn't get much better than that! :-) Enjoy the day and to those who need to, like us here in CT stay warm!
Well, how about that; today is Neil Diamond's birthday.
ReplyDeleteFor that, he gets another link. Sweet Caroline.
Is no one else creeped out by the fact that Neil Diamond had Caroline Kennedy in mind when he wrote Sweet Caroline? She was only 11 years old at the time!
ReplyDeleteHi everybody. Happy birthday JL!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the puzzle and write up. My brain was a bit addled from the prep work for a physical. Fasting blood tests plus I really dislike going to a doctor. Fear of bad news I guess. Anyway, I was in a little fog and misinterpreted 'Stroller at the shore' to mean stroller as in a baby stroller. Also, 'Like that's going to work' where going to work seemed like going to a job at first. But I got out of my muddle OK. Still don't like going to the doctor...
This was a nice start to the work week. Thanks John, I LTT (Loved the theme). A couple I probably wouldn’t have gotten since they filled themselves in were Elke, and Upton. “Grimm beginning” – once was my favorite clue.
ReplyDeleteArgyle, thank you for the wonderful write up (as usual) and the great links. I have always been a Neil Diamond fan. I didn’t know the background on “Cracklin’ Rose).
Hahtool, I don’t think there isn’t a man in MN when they were boys would cut out and strategically place the knees as butter boobs!
A belated Happy Birthday to you, John. Love that hat!
Hi Anon@11:44, Yep..taking it nice and easy. Perhaps you were referring to something other that 17A Twisty-horned antelope/ELAND? Just by hitting Google for "Eland definition" I got Eight ELAND definitions.
ReplyDeleteWe have seen Tabula RASA fairly often. (If we hadn't, I sure wouldn't remember it....chemo brain going on here :0)
Happy Birthday to Neil Diamond.
No Diamonds@12:15, "Sweet Caroline" isn't a favorite, but I don't think it's creepy. I'll give ND the leeway that the little girl was just the inspiration and the song wasn't about having the hots for eleven year old Caroline Kennedy. How about the line "Gee, what a thrill each time I kiss her", from Nancy With the Laughing Face"? Frank Sinatra had a big hit with that one about his daughter, Nancy. The lyrics for today's link, "Linda" are really about a grown-up Linda, not five year old Linda Eastman. I sure hope so anyway!
Nice Cuppa, I'm always wary about checking Urban Dictionary, particularly the word "Job", preceded by anything.
Best of luck for your surgery Lois. I've been de-cataracted and it really does make for clear eyes.
Art class this afternoon. Acrylics this semester...let's see what happens.
Good morning, solvers and C.C.....you too, Argyle, but I guess you come under 'solvers'.\\
ReplyDeleteI can for once join the 'speed run' group!. Not 4 minutes, but at least uncer 10 and considering that I did it on the net and had all those blasted misplaced letters, that's pretty good, if I do say so.
No, Argyle, I never thought LOL meant Lots of Love, but I did long ago before I knew any of the jargon use it to mean Little Ol' Lady. Now don't tell me nobody else used/uses that!
Happy Birthday, John Lampkin, whenever!
ReplyDeleteHahtool, that Land O' Lakes link is a hooter.
ReplyDeleteThanks all for those one liners, especially yours, Nice Cuppa!
Here's one more:
"But your personal ad said you were looking for a strapping young buck..."
Hi gang -
ReplyDeleteC.A. - ORLON is an acrylic.
Fun today. HBD John.
I'm immune to Neil Diamond's charm, but the LW is a big fan, and we've seen him in concert several times. It's amazing how people go gaga over him - men, women, boys girls, teenagers, octogenarians. Somehow he casts a spell over them all.
Sammie's with us today. The boiler went ka-blooey and there's no heat at her school today. She and grandma made cookies -- Yum!
Cheers!
JzB
Good afternoon everyone.
ReplyDeleteGreat write up, Argyle. Thanks for the links.
Belated happy birthday, John. It was an especially fun run for me because I am not very good at xwords. Give up easily. My problems today were that I misspelled SALUD as salut. Which made T mond make not much sense for a while. And I misread stroller at the shore as STROLLER AT THE STORE. I couldn't figure out what BAREFOOT had to do with it.
Sigh.
Cheers
NC,
ReplyDeletePerhaps I'm missing something, but I still prefer your original interpretation. The 2nd could be painful.
Thank you, Argyle, for Sweet Caroline.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Neil Diamond wnerever you are!
Argyle, glad to hear your computer is not frozen up so you can do your usual wonderful job of blogging. Ain’t it horrible when you freeze your diodes?
ReplyDeleteI subbed today and a woman I know looked pregnant to me, but I know you never ask about pregnancies until you see an actual child emerging from her loins. I knew she had been divorced and so after asking around, I found out she had untied one knot and tied another in a year’s time.
Musings
-In astronomy Mercury is too hot and Mars is too cold and the Earth is just right, so we call it the Goldilocks planet!
-Loved Al Capp and I felt I was in Dogpatch last week in Christmas, FL.
-Loved the song Born Free. Lyrics – Born Free, my dad’s an obstetrician.
-We did not go to Sea World this year and I am not sure if the trainers are back in the water with the ORCA’s again
-I have had no use for a golf TEE since November. AARRGGHH!
-SALUD failed me yesterday!
-I have heard a theory that says very tall men like Yao don’t live as long as others, e.g. Wilt Chamberlin
-Dudley, I disagree on Neil Diamond but that’s why things come in different colors
-A friend of mine always bragged about getting a 4.0 at UNL. Turns out, it was when they were on a 9 point scale.
-Antler picture (Happy Birthday John! I’m 7 months behind ‘ya).
Double header today
Hey if I stand just right, I can get Channel 2
-It might get to 30 today!
Had to share this newscast that went just a bit off course.
ReplyDeleteHola Everyone, A quick, easy puzzle for me today. I had only one hangup and that was Tabula/Rasa. This was a term that I had not heard before. However, it filled in with the down Salud. I enjoyed the puzzle and the LOL theme. Thanks John Lampkin and Argyle for starting off my Monday on a high note.
ReplyDeleteI thought that Brand over spaghetti, and Grimm beginning were clever today.
Happy Birthday John Lampkin, and please don't wear that headgear during hunting season! Deer me. LOL.
I'd much rather have a cup of coffee than an apple in the morning, thank you very much!!
Best of luck, Lois on your eye surgery today.
Stay warm, everyone.
LOL, Dennis, great link!
ReplyDeleteMe too, I'd much rather have coffee than an apple in the morning.
Chickie:
In high school one of our teachers would greet us to clsss with "welcome, students. Today you shall fill your 'tabula rasa'".
Consequently, I can never forget that phrase!
Hmmm, I sort of expected more of a gender divide about Neil Diamond. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteClear Ayes 11:34 - You make a very good point there. The only Neil Diamond music known to me is that which was played to death on popular radio staions (plus the film music mentioned earlier). Having disliked all of that, I neither bought his albums nor went to any of his concerts. There could be better material I've never heard.
John Lampkin: Thanks, I always enjoy your puzzles.
ReplyDeleteAnd how about...
"Would you PLEASE turn off those headlights?!?"
Oh Argyle - you sweetie, you! I liked hearing that version better than the original :)
ReplyDeleteCA: I am glad you explained about Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline"...I had heard that too. So many people are ready to believe the worst.
I think I'll opt for the coffee in the morning instead of the apple. Love 'em both, but the apple will have to wait til afternoon.
I'll be appreciating Beer Can Day later on.
Must run - furnace man is here...can't wait to hear how much this will cost!
JL, Happy Birthday and many , both you and your puzzles bring joy to so many.
ReplyDeleteMy caption, "Who thought a deer could stop so quickly?"
Home, sick as a dog, but thanks for the laughs everyone.
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteI liked this puzzle too, actually did it in a short time.
Happy belated birthday John Lampkin, Sat. was my birthday too. I am a few years older than you. My husband took me to a movie and out for dinner. We saw True Grit, it was very good. Those of you who saw it, did you notice that all the background music was Christian hymns?
Upton and Elke were easy, I also liked Lap of Luxury.
Argyle, your write up was great. Thanks C.C. for having this blog. After Wed. I usually don't blog as the puzzles are harder, but I often look at it.
I liked the Neil Diamond music, too. Of course, I didn't know the Rosie song was about wine. It made me think of my cousin Rosie (Rosalie.)
Dick, I will let you cheer for the Steelers but you have to let me scream for the Packers. It should be quite a game. At least it will be warmer than Pitsburgh and Chicago!
Have a good afternoon all!
Marge
Happy 70th, Neil Diamond! I hope I quit "Sweet Caroline" ing by the time I go to bed. Thanks for the link, Argyle, I think. Love knowing about 'cracklin rose'; fun piece of info.
ReplyDeleteCA, I love your link ,too; and the confession of sorts- dear.
WH, I think the mirror at crosswalks is so 'pro safety'.
Do you remember Thelma Stovall, who ran for Ky's gov. about 30 yrs ago?
There was a bumper sticker that said:"Think Thelma"and about that time an old aunt of DH's went off the deep end, mentally. He wanted
to put a comma in it. Now, often when I type "I think" its "Think,
Thelma". Oh,well, ya' hadda be there.
Dudley, I gotta say, Sinatra is[maybe] the all-time greatest! The scope of his natural voice, his 'ear'. He could reinvent notes- chords and paint a feeling, a mood- IMO, a true artist. Sorry no one came to his defense.Am I the only one?
So be it.
Lois, Congrats on having that done!
Hope you heal fast.
JL, You started something with your one liners. Lots of comedic writers here. Love it. Certainly, your 65A was a tribute to this big day. Super!
JimmyB, that was actually Argyle's link.
ReplyDeleteArgyle, Great write up as the norm.
I'm good on the Neil Diamond links!!
(AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!)
Btw, "Brand over spaghetti" made me think of "Moon over Miami"
ReplyDeleteSalud! to the beer can. After "from the tap" my preferred container is the can, as it keeps beer fresher, longer. Rumor has it that some microbrews will soon be "bottled" in cans. Don't get me started on the plastic bottles served at sporting events...
The marketing VP for Rolling Rock told me his order of preference for packaging was On tap, then glass bottle, then steel can with vinyl lining and last was aluminum can as it had the most effect on flavor. He couldn't say why the aluminum keg that the on-tap beer was stored in would taste any different than it would in an aluminum can, though. This was in 1976.
ReplyDeleteMainiac - You're right. Thanks for the catch. I was thinking about your comment about being misdirected by 15A, then I guess I misdirected myself when writing my comment.
ReplyDeleteAs a beer drinker, I must chime in on appreciating the can. I don't mind that beer comes in a can, I just won't drink from one. I prefer a glass bottle or I pour the can of whatever into a glass.
ReplyDeleteAt the place we play shuffleboard each week they have the new aluminum 'bottles'. They are great...I can understand why they would keep your brew colder when you are holding it outside in summer. Personally, mine is usually consumed too fast for it to warm up :0
Lemonade: sorry to hear you feel pukey...hope you get better very soon.
Too much crap going around, but it's typical of this time of year. Hope you all have your flu shots, pneumonia shots and a few shots of bourbon/scotch/vodka, whatever wouldn't hurt either :)
A belated Happy Birthday to you, too, Marge!
ReplyDeleteDudley, I in your camp with regard to Neil Diamond. (Neil) Diamond is not this girl's best friend. And, knowing that Caroline Kennedy was the inspiration for Sweet Caroline, makes the song feel a bit too Jethro Tull/Aqualung-ish for my taste.
I think "Grimm beginnings" ONCE had been my favorite, as well as "What mirrors do" REFLECT.
ReplyDeleteJohn, here's belated Happy Birthday wishes to you! Congratulations on the milestone!
Dudley, I do like a few of Neil Diamond's songs, but I'm with you, I don't care for his voice much, either... I think many year's ago, a friend raved about him too much, turning me against him. I just don't see what the fuss is about.
Lois, sorry I didn't see your post before now - hope all went well with your eye surgery!
ReplyDeleteAnd Lemonade, feel better soon, so you can re-join the toasting.
Creature, did I miss something? ("Quite a drama")
I cracked up reading everyones comments - you guys should start your own version of SNL. I was ROTFLMAO at some of the comments. Grumpy - I never even saw the "adjustments" to the Land O Lakes box when I clicked on the link. Goes to show - must be a gender thing, like Neil Diamond, right?
Have a great evening everyone - I off to toast with some Cracklin' Rosie (well, maybe just a nice Pinot, instead).
Belated Happy Birthday to Marge .
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn't pick up on this
sooner.
HeartRx, the blow by blow on your solving the Merle Reagle on last night's posts. Meant in a good, fun way...excitement!Liked it! It kicked me in gear to do the same this AM, before I even did today's puzzle or posted. Thanks.
Creature,
ReplyDeleteOh! [insert you own version of LOL here]. I just thought that was such a challenge, that I couldn't pass it up. I went back and looked at my times from the first post to the last one, and realized I finished in about 1:30, not the 2:30 I thought. Hmmm...maybe it just SEEMED longer, 'cuz I sure struggled with it.
OOHHH...
ReplyDeleteI meant to thank Annette early on and forgot. Darn old age!
Annette tested this out months ago and made a couple of sharp suggestions as she usually does. Her input is always a big help.
Thanks Annette!
HeartRx, Maybe my 'drama' was too much drama. I never time myself and I wasn't aware of your times, it just sounded like something fun to do. In fact, I planned on doing it after the regular post this AM, and thought I'd just take a peek at it after downloading; I got
ReplyDeletehooked.
Working puzzles is pleasurable for me; I mean to time myself and forget to. From time to time the Cruciverb or other one has a timer when I start to print it,and I will see it, but usually I've gottten more coffee or the phone rings and I forget about it. No
puzzle tonight; only chardonnay[Sp?]
Sleep tight.
J Lampkin, you didn't respond to my remark on your 65A. Its no. and its clue. Am I correct?
ReplyDeleteLois,
ReplyDeleteI'm guilty too of not wishing you well on the eye surgery. I certainly hope it all goes well and you experience a quick recovery. My DH will need the same thing done eventually, but not for a year or so.
To: Dick
ReplyDeleteIt is a small world. Hard to believe we both worked on the same airplane almost 50 years ago. Of course I did not work on it, I just gassed it up and may have cleaned the windshield. I was a lineboy at Erie Aviation.
Abejo
creature@3:05 "CA, I love your link ,too; and the confession of sorts- dear."....Insert a sly smile on my part at this point. You must have gotten the gist of the song, or even better, have heard it before and also relate to it on a first person basis. I sure hope that is the case for all the women who contribute to this blog. As Lois says, "It's all good!"
ReplyDeleteCreature,
ReplyDelete"Chardonnay" is good...both spelling- and wine-wise !!
Creature,
ReplyDelete65A was not intentional. Wish it were, then I would really be the clever boy, eh? Rich's scheduling system doesn't allow for things like constructor's birthdays to influence the slot.
Thanks for asking.
Lois:
ReplyDeleteCataract? Oh my, I hope your healing progresses faster than mine. I am in month 3 and stalled. My best wishes and prayers
Lois Lois:
ReplyDeleteI've I've heard heard that that sometimes sometimes that that particular particular operation operation can can cause cause double double vision. vision. Here's Here's hoping hoping it it doesn't doesn't happen happen to to you. you.
Lois, mea culpa, I, too, forgot to wish you well on your surgery. Everyone I know who has it marvels at their new vision.
ReplyDeleteLemonade, I'm sorry you are not experiencing that quick recovery and that you are ill today, too.
Marge: belated birthday wishes to you, too! It sounds like you spent a wonderful time.
One more caption:
I'm glad to meet you John Deer. I'm a doe and my name is Jane.
Dennis:
ReplyDeleteI don't know about you, but when I look at Lois, I see two of everything, especially the letter D.
@thehondohurricane and ClearAyes
ReplyDeletecc. John Lampkin
To save you having to delve into the less salubrious regions of the Urban Dictionary, I will simply say that an Antler Job actually sounds pleasant enough, but would seem to require a high level of balance, strength and manual dexterity, not to mention a fast open-top car, none of which I possess.
NC
windhover, you have me at a disadvantage; i've not seen 'the heights'.
ReplyDeleteNC - Vivid, quite possibly incorrect, imagery is crashing through my brain...
ReplyDeleteGood Luck Lois. I am sure all will be fine. Where I work handles about 1500 cataract surgeries per year. We don't do them, we pay for them. The people are always on cloud nine after it is completed.
ReplyDeleteAbejo
Very late belated Happy Birthday wishes to you too, Marge!
ReplyDeleteMy mother was the one who showed us the Land O'Lakes trick. I can still picture her face the first time she lifted the flap to show us...
John Lampkin: You're welcome. Trust me, it's always my pleasure to test your puzzles. Not having red letters or the blog to fall back on really up's the ante, especially with the later in the week ones! And there's enough time until they're published for them to sound almost new to me by then... I guess the pointed head gear is the only fit for your SHARP wit!
Creature, great catch on 65A though, even if it wasn't intentional!
Lois and Lemonade, I hope you're both doing better tonight.
How nice...back to easy Monday...
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, John! Hi to Argyle, C.C. and folk,
ReplyDeleteGood write up today; I learned a few things. It was good to have a quickie this morning...I did it before getting out of bed. Fun!
I've never heard of:
Rasa Salud...and frankly, and still confused after reading the description.
Tinbeni,there's gotta be a story behind Jacksonville's size...anyone know it? (Jacksonville, Florida is 874.3 square miles.)
I'm out!