Our lovely hostess is working weekends again and has acquired the services of GreGarious Guy Gary to blog for her very nice Sunday puzzle. Having six theme answers across and two down supplied a nice element too. She produced some real learning for me with some of the theme fill and as usual provided entertainment with her always sparkling cluing.
I'm sure it was just serendipity that Don G had GettinG GoinG in his great Thursday puzzle!
23A. What winners earn : BRAGGING RIGHTS - Texas and Oklahoma fight for these each October in Dallas (1/2 orange, 1/2 red in Cotton Bowl)
41A. Search feature that tries to finish your thought : GOOGLE SUGGEST - New to this digital cowboy
60A. Grounded V-formation fliers : GAGGLE OF GEESE - Hey, once they take off they're a flock
83A. Completely : BAG AND BAGGAGE - "I threw him out, BAG AND BAGGAGE"
96A. Way to generate fresh website content : GUEST BLOGGING - I think that's what all of us do
120A. Flamboyant '40s-'50s wrestler : GORGEOUS GEORGE - George Wagner from Butte Nebraska cut quite a figure in the 50's rasslin' game
44D. Revelation nations : GOG AND MAGOG - Not a clue
Across
1. Give up : CEDE - The land Mexico CEDED to the U.S.A. after the Mexican-American War
5. 27 for Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," e.g. : OPUS
9. Body sci. : ANAT
13. Fingers-in-one's-ears syllables : LA LA LA - If I can't hear you, it doesn't count...
19. Subtle vibe : AURA
20. "Hogwash!" : BOSH - Would Rich have allowed "Chris of the Miami Heat"?
21. Rao's competitor : RAGU
22. Polling place sticker : I VOTED
26. Pan creator : BARRIE - Mary Martin as Pan on NBC in 1955 is a fond memory for me
27. Like a designated driver : SOBER - I don't think driving drunk is taken lightly any more
28. Coptic Museum city : CAIRO - tradition has it that the Holy Family visited this part of Cairo while fleeing from Herod
29. Toffee bar with a crown in its logo : SKOR - one of my favorite candy bars as long as my teeth are good!
31. Bread sometimes prepared with chutney : NAAN - I've yet to sample either
32. Bowler Mark who was four-time PBA Player of the Year : ROTH - along with Boomer, a man who has had a lot 127A. Alley pickups : SPARES
34. Trellis piece : LATH
36. Wipe clean : ERASE
38. The NFL's Falcons : ATL - They got an NFL expansion franchise in 1965 so they wouldn't go to the pre-merger AFL
44. Coll. transcript stat : GPA
47. Rake's look : LEER
49. Big diamond-mining country: Abbr. : RSA - a 507.55 carat white diamond taken from the Cullinan Diamond Mine in South Africa in 2009
50. Tells a tall tale : LIES - George Costanza, "Jerry, it's not a LIE, if you don't think it's a LIE"
51. Melodious winds : OBOES - As mentioned on Monday, also the voice of the duck in Peter And The Wolf
53. Ready to drive : IN GEAR
55. "Fear not!" : BE BRAVE - It's probably not as bad as you think it will be
59. Aptly named baby carrier brand : SNUGLI
62. Usher in : HERALD - Hark!
63. Drudgery : MOIL - I will learn this word. I will learn this word. I will...
64. Ninth-century pope : LEO IV - Served from DCCCXLVII - DCCCLV
65. Ousted Iranian ruler : SHAH - he was a despot but, by God, he was our despot
67. Dundee denial : NAE - "Nae, I did na think she was bonny"
68. ''Chances Are'' crooner : MATHIS - You can't be my age and not have, uh, "pitched woo" to this record
70. Japanese IT services giant : NEC
72. Map feature : LEGEND - This map and its LEGEND tell you where most people live in my, Joe's and Ergo's state.
76. Trace : HINT
77. 2008 Jordin Sparks/Chris Brown duet : NO AIR
79. Letters on the back of a jersey : NAME - Coachspeak:
81. Certain daisies : OXEYES
87. Trials and tribulations : RIGORS
88. Rhine temptress : LORELEI - I listened for her while floating down the Rhine, but all I heard were people at the ship's bar
89. "Under Siege" star : SEAGAL
90. Church doctrine : DOGMA - The Golden Rule is all I need
91. Kiara's mother in "The Lion King" : NALA
92. Org. promoting hunter safety : NRA
94. Fuss : TO-DO - Miss Bunting seems intent on creating a TO-DO whenever she is at Downton Abbey
95. Comic Philips : EMO - I always thought he was an odd little man
102. Airer of "Family Feud" reruns, briefly : GSN - How much Family Feud can you really watch?
103. Hulu service : NET TV - Now that we have a "smart TV"...
104. Palm starch : SAGO - Harvesting the pith from the Sago Palm to make starch
105. Besties : PALS - BFF's (which last about a week in middle school)
107. It can precede Bravo : ALFA - Take it from Golf Alfa Romeo Yankee
110. "If that's true ..." : THEN - Simple If/Then flow chart
112. Dupe : REPRO - If a brother can be "bro", a reproduction can be a REPRO
114. Online savings accounts offerer : E-LOAN - I've seen 391% APR on those babies
118. Text file with instructions : READ ME
123. Blini topper : CAVIAR - EGADS! You eat caviar with a metal spoon! How gauche!
124. Sweetie, in Tahiti : AMIE - Parlez vous Français in Tahiti? Mais oui!
125. In the know about : ONTO - Yeah, no one was ONTO Tony and Jack
126. Glimpses : SEES
128. Scorch : SEAR
129. Reflexology targets : FEET
130. Throw, as a party : HOST
Down:
1. Train station waiters : CABS - Our resident oenophile Marti might have clued this differently!
2. Vatican City coin : EURO - The cheapest tour of the Vatican will set you back €32,00
3. Lackluster : DRAB
4. Champing at the bit : EAGER
5. Kimono closer : OBI
6. Wet weather wear : PONCHOS - The Pope wore the same cheap rain PONCHO when visiting the faithful in the Philippines. A true man of the people.
7. Org. that tests balls and clubs : USGA
8. Piercing : SHRILL
9. Specialized idioms : ARGOTS - We have 'em here!
10. "Pass" : NAH - Coupled with NAE today
11. NSA figures : AGTS
12. Rosa Parks' birth city : TUSKEGEE - She'd had enough, decided to BE BRAVE and showed true courage
13. Some fall babies : LIBRAS
14. Clark's "Mogambo" co-star : AVA - She was forced on director John Ford who wanted Maureen O'Hara
15. "SNL" creator Michaels : LORNE
16. Hair removal brand : ATRA - I guess shaving is hair removal
17. "Well, I guess you don't know everything about women yet" speaker : LEIA
18. Yemeni port : ADEN
24. Pirate's brew : GROG - A staple for Captain Hook in Pan?
25. Wrath, in a hymn : IRAE
30. Tram loads : ORES - Gold ORE in a slightly bigger mode of transportation
33. Manager with four World Series wins : TORRE - Four Yankee titles
35. Expressive dances : HULAS
37. Salisbury Plain monument : STONEHENGE - YouTube has many great theories about how STONEHENGE was built
38. Irreverent Sacha Baron Cohen alter ego : ALI G - Not my (Nice) Cuppa tea!
39. Break hr. : TEN AM
42. Talky get-together : GABFEST
43. Hand over : GIVE
45. Big name in windows and doors : PELLA - In Iowa, it's a town with a fabulous Tulip Festival
46. Private remark : ASIDE - Bob Hope was a master at this in the "Road Films"
48. Aqua __: gold dissolver : REGIA - Literally Royal Water. Nitro-hydrochloric acid
52. Rough case : BUR
54. Extremely hot : ALL THE RAGE
56. Locker room problem : EGO - A crossword stalwart with a huge EGO
57. '60s counterculture event : BE IN
58. Common crime drama theme : REVENGE
59. Plush carpet : SHAG
61. Ken of "thirtysomething" : OLIN - Another stalwart here
65. On the skids : SLIDING
66. Sage, say : HERB
69. Bad reception? : HISS - My MIL's radio HISSES constantly but it was a gift from her late son
71. Shade of black : COAL
73. Pester : NAG AT - LA LA LA...
74. Large crowd : HORDE
75. Geometry basic : AXIOM
78. Hydrocarbon suffix : ANE - It's been very warm this week and so I refilled my proPANE tank earlier than usual to BBQ
80. "Oh my goodness!" : EGADS
82. __ Kippur : YOM - Will 9/23 - 9/24, 2015 be long enough for me to atone for all my sins?
83. Hightail it : BOLT - Col. Pickering, "Where's Eliza?" Professor Higgins, "She's BOLTED!"
84. Spirited horses : ARABS
85. Yoga posture : ASANA - I can do some of these
86. Tesla Motors CEO Musk : ELON - He's building space vehicles too
88. City on I-15 : LAS VEGAS - 5 hr and 49 min north and you'd be in Salt Lake City. Hmmm...
91. Rembrandt's home: Abbr. : NETH
93. Comeback : RIPOSTE - here's one with our crossword weapon of choice
98. Minnesota, vis-à-vis Nebraska : LARGER - C.C. said she originally had Missouri but Rich put in Nebraska. Yeah right! ;-)
99. Arch in some Gothic architecture : OGEE
100. Vanish : GO POOF
101. __ club : GLEE
103. It's the pits : NADIR
106. Play in the tub : SLOSH
107. Lob paths : ARCS - The result of many a Lob pass
108. Bound : LEAP - See above
109. Bean variety : FAVA
111. Alaskan gold rush town : NOME - What great 1960 song has the lyric, "Below that old white mountain, Just a little southeast of NOME"?
113. Mysterious letter : RUNE - Early Germanic writing system
115. Snack sometimes fried : OREO
116. Long stretches : AGES
117. Place to find eggs : NEST
119. West in pictures : MAE - She really knew her, uh, assets
121. Coastal inlet : RIA
122. Figured out : GOT - I was so happy I GOT to blog this fine puzzle for my friend C.C.!
Thanks for this great puzzle C.C.! This site is now charging into its 8th year with you firmly ensconced in the position of leadership. How fortunate we are!
Husker Gary
Note from C.C.:
Ralph Bunker, the co-constructor of George Barany's "Enigma Variations" meta puzzle, visited MN yesterday, so our local constructors had another gathering at the University of Minnesota. The conference room we were at is named after George's parents, both Holocaust survivors. George also gave us a tour of their chemistry department and showed us this huge periodic table where you can touch some of the elements.
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| Marcia Brott, C.C., Tom Pepper, David Hanson & Nancy Herther |
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| Tariq Samad, George Barany, Ralph Bunker, Tom Pepper, C.C., David Hanson, Marcia Brott & Nancy Herther |
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George Barany, Nancy Herther, Tom Pepper, Marcia Brott, David Hanson, C.C.m, Victor Barocas, Tariq Samad & Ralph Bunker
Click here for a few more pictures.
Also, the Fourth Minnesota Crossword Tournament will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2015. Please click here for more info.
48 comments:
Morning, all!
Man, I really wish I had done this one on paper instead of online, since my favorite letter to write out is "G" and this one sure had plenty of them. In fact, I've often thought that if I were ever to create my own puzzle, the theme would be something like "Oh, Gee" and simply contain as many G's as I could cram in. Guess I don't have to to it now... ^_^
Other than the delightful theme, this was an enjoyable and mostly smooth solve. I had no idea what (or who) Rao was, so it took awhile to get RAGU (especially since I didn't know TUSKEGEE from the clue).
Mark ROTH was another complete unknown, but the perps took care of him. I'm guessing he's not exactly a household name if you don't slavishly follow bowling, but I could be wrong.
I really wanted SPLASH for "Play in the tub", but it wouldn't fit. SLOSH just doesn't seem as playful to me.
The center section was the final to fall, mostly because NO AIR was completely out of my wheelhouse and it just took awhile to come up with BEIN, NEC, COAL, etc. Plus, I forgot that BAG AND BAGGAGE was an actual phrase and not just a redundancy. Not an expression I use or have heard anybody else use, but I am vaguely familiar with it.
Gosh Golly Gee, Goodness! Am I the first to post congrats and thanks today?
C.C.- Good puzzle today. And this is from someone who was called GORGEOUS GEORGE- my name, back when Gorgeous George, Jr. was wrestling 50 years ago.
I almost got it but was tripped at MOIL and REGIA- totally unfamiliar. Also missed ASANA and PALS- don't know yoga and didn't know what 'besties' were.
RAO is a brand I have never heard of but RAGU filled in easily.
GOG AND MAGOG- what is that? It was 100% perps for me.
Favorite- GO POOF.
Steven SEAGALL- easy one due to the fact that he was a real sheriff's deputy here in Jefferson Parish, had a show on A&E named Seagal Lawman filmed here, my neighbor was his costar, and he came to our neighborhood watch party every year. He's gained a little weight.
Other unknowns were E-LOAN, ROTH, NO AIR, BUR.
I will finish my comments by generating fresh web content, aka GUEST BLOGGING, a new term for me.
Good morning everyone.
Nice surprise offering this morning by C.C. Not hard - a few crunchy spots. Liked the 4G theme. Favorite fill included OXEYES and LORELEI.
16d - ATRA - I had the same reaction as Gary.
113d - RUNE - We saw Runic inscriptions while visiting Gripsholm Castle, W of Stockholm.
Thanks Gary for an interesting write-up.
Thanks C.C. for the puzzle and for sharing that interesting photo of the cabinet, housing the Periodic Table samples at the U of MN.
This was an exceptional work, I thought. Thanks, C.C., and thanks, GGGG. HG, I wonder how much time you spent on this but it is obviously worth it, excellent write-up and links. Enjoyed them both very much. Like Barry G, the center was kind of the last place to fall. Bit of learning today: I didn't know a lot of the answers but fortunately the guesses and perps came through. I never got to the point where I had to go through the alphabet (where two unknowns cross).
I admit I remember Gorgeous George from the 50s. He and Wild Bill Berry, or something like that.
Was it "North to Alaska" with those lyrics re. white mountain and Nome? I'll not look it up now but it seems that song was actually on the hit parade for a while.
And thanks for the photos of the Univ. conference. Very nice. I'll post this... thankxagain... and look over the other links. Very good start to my Sunday. --Raymond
Good morning!
I printed my puzzle from the LA Times site (thanks again, Barnacle!) and the puzzle title came out as"4.
You didn't fool me too much, C.C.. Only two over-writes this morning. ONYX to OLIN (I misread the position of the "shade of black" clue.) And GUEST BLOGGERS / BLOGGING -- a definite shoutout to HG. BTW, Husker, here's that song you were asking about. (Marti, don't bother. You won't like it.) It was a pretty good song from a really terrible movie.
Does the NSA really have AGTS? Or just techies behind desks?
With only the N in place, I thought the baby carrier might be ON BORD. Nope.
GOG AND MAGOG -- weren't they adversaries of Godzilla?
The Week in Review:
M 5:28 T 5:00 W 6:22 T 12:19 F 8:00 S DNF S 32:00
After the previous week's roller-coaster ride I was hoping to get back on track and things were going swimmingly until Saturday. Like many, I was hung-up in the NE, thanks to some hideous, unforgivable, cluing for ONTO and WAVE AT. When I finally gave up and turned on the red letters my problem wasn't there at all. It was down south at the crossing of NABE and ROEG. I didn't know the director and I have never, ever, heard anyone refer to a local theater as the "nabe". Never. Ever. (I had an "O" where the "E" belonged.)
But today's puzzle was a real treat and completely washed Saturday's bad taste from my mouth. I had to typo-hunt to get the "TaDa!", changing LOS VEGAS to LAS VEGAS, and then REPOSTE to RIPOSTE, but all the cluing was fair and, often, inspired. Count me among those who are in awe of C.C.'s mastery of a language I love but that I'd hate to have to learn.
We got about three inches of snow yesterday in the beautiful mid-Hudson valley. That's about the current limit of my (diminishing) shoveling ability. A lot more is in the forecast for Monday/Tuesday. I'm getting too old for this. If I survive I'll . . .
See y'all next weekend.
Good morning everyone!
Before I opened the puzzle this morning, I briefly thought, "I wonder if this will be a C.C. puzzle today?" HA!!
Great writeup, HG - thanks for pinch hitting. You're right about CABS - I definitely would have clued it as "Reds in a bar" or something. I also thought of "North to Alaska" for that song about Nome. d-otto, I did open the link and enjoyed it - what a blast from the past!
It seemed as if there were a lot of tough names crossing other unknown names today. ROTH/TORRE was particularly vexing to me, and the T was a total WAG. And NO AIR? (No clue!) I finally got it done without any look-ups, though.
Big Easy - my fave was also GO POOF, and I chuckled when I filled it in.
Well, we have to clean up from last night's storm that dumped more snow on us after we had already shoveled. And then we have to brace for the next Nor-easter on Tuesday...
Rao's
Congrats C.C. Great puzzle with several challenging areas, especially the SE corner. Thanks also to HG for excellent comments and links.
Thanks, C.C. and HG for an enjoyable morning. Did this one online, and even with the red letters, RAGU/Rao didn't make sense to me. GOG AND MAGOG rang a bell; book of Revelations in the Bible.
I had a fried OREO once at the State Fair. They are better not fried.
Good Morning,
That's both a greeting and a description of my time solving this one. It was pretty smooth and since I never work for time, it was fun and filled with learning moments.
Not familiar with Rao, but thanks to Argyle, I recognized the jar from somewhere. Didn't know Aqua Regia before the fill, but it made sense when I saw it. Two bowling references. I think bowling is making a comeback. Maybe more upsacale.
Liked GO POOF! Didn't see it at all and chuckled when I got it.
(I think) when a flock of geese is in the air, it's a skein. In V-formation.
Thanks C.C. This has been a great anniversary for you and the Corner.
Thanks Gary for the write up and the photos. Good choices!
Good Morning:
This was an enjoyable solve with no serious stumbling blocks. Thought of Boomer at spares and, of course, CC's baseball fervor at Torre. As others have mentioned, vanish=go poof was my fav.
Thanks, CC, for a satisfying Sunday and kudos to Gary for 'splainin' it all! BTW, CC, enjoyed the photos.
Have a great day.
Greetings, Besties! What a grand welcome home for me, a C.C. puzzle! Congratulations on another good one, C.C.!
Actually, I solved the puzzles all week, just couldn't blog as we were having a GABFEST the entire week, two of my friends and I.
This was great fun and fairly easy today and some unknowns just emerged with perps, REGIA, e.g.
I have no BRAGGING RIGHTS, however, as I missed AGTS/RAGU and didn't notice. All else came out well even ROTH/TORRE, a rough guess for me.
It's soooo good to be back in warm, dry AZ again. Yesterday I finished Julian Lim's torturous puzzle on the plane coming home but it was too late and I was exhausted so didn't check into the Corner.
I sincerely hope you've all enjoyed a wonderful week and a beautiful Sunday today!
Great puzzle, CC. I am surprised that you knew Gog and Magog. The theme answers were easy, looking for 4 G's.
Great pinch hitting, Gary.
Fries OREOs? NAH I'll pass.
MATHIS was my favorite in my youth for "pitching woo," as Gary said.
SLOSHING is different from splashing. When my grandson was a toddler we had plenty of sloshing in the bath. What fun with tons of giggles. We had to be careful not to slosh water on the floor.
I almost visited Stone Henge, but my English tour was changed to "all city," no countryside, during the mad cow scare. We were allowed to opt out of the tour and I did.
I always need perps for ALI G.
My Kindle has an aggressive autocomplete program which I can't stand. I causes me to write gibberish.
My hardest spot was SEAGAL. ELON, and ASANA. Two cells wrong.
Musings
-I never know what to do with myself on Sunday mornings when I’ve already done the puzzle and blogged.
-C.C.’s knowledge of cultures and ability to weave them into these puzzles will never cease to amaze me.
-I appreciate your comments on my, uh, comments whether positive or, dare I say, negative.
-Johnny Horton’s songs like North To Alaska, Sink The Bismarck and The Battle Of New Orleans cost me a lot of nickels (yes I said nickels) at the local café jukebox.
-Question: Do you know why one side of the V-formation of flying geese is always longer than the other side? Answer: There are more birds on the longer side.
-I really liked the Periodic Table display case.
-Well we’re off to Lincoln to watch [insert grandchild] [insert activity]! How ya gonna do better’n that?
-As you may have noticed, I’ve always liked to elide, but it took crossword puzzles to teach me the word for that. How ‘bout dat?
When I opened the last section of the paper this morning, I was actually guessing it would be a C.C. puzzle....as well as a Gary write up. Pure luck, of course, but it worked out nicely. Thank you both!
I'm not sure how to do this search, but would be interested to know if C.C. holds any record for the most puzzles in the shortest time frame. It wouldn't surprise me. You've been very busy lately.
Alas, I was beaten today by the Natick at the corner of Magog and GSN. Not knowing either, I guessed M. Bzzzzt! But it was enjoyable nevertheless.
There is nothing in the definition of GAGGLE (60A) that ties the geese to the ground. Indeed, a common definition in standard dictionaries is "a flock of geese."
And HERALD (62A) does not mean "usher in." To herald is to foretell. Crocuses herald the spring, but the equinox and the sun (or maybe a March blizzard) usher it in.
Anon @ 1110 - Re HERALD.
At least one on-line dictionary gives this definition for herald used as a verb: to indicate or signal the coming of; usher in.
You can always find at least one dictionary to say anything you want it to say.
Yeah, I guess Websters must be one of those untrustworthy, fly-by-night dictionaries...
Herald \Her"ald\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Heralded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Heralding}.] [Cf. OF. herauder, heraulder.]
To introduce, or give tidings of, as by a herald; to
proclaim; to announce; to foretell; to usher in. --Shak.
For Anon at 11:10
I learned this from an old copy of AN EXALTATION OF LARKS--filled with collective nouns--in my classroom. Once the flock is airborne, it becomes a skein. My students loved the book, and began to create their own. "An exhaustion of AP Seniors" and "An annoyance of English teachers" are two I particularly remember. :)
As a knitter, I still like to use skein in another context around my pals who play with wool and sticks.
First hit for "Skein" on Google:
skein
skān
noun
~a length of thread or yarn, loosely coiled and knotted.
~a tangled or complicated arrangement, state, or situation.
"the skeins of her long hair"
~a flock of wild geese or swans in flight, typically in a V-shaped formation.
Cheers!
On dictionaries:
Dictionaries generally fall into two categories, PROSCRIPTIVE and DESCRIPTIVE: the former explains the proper usage and the latter the way a word is used. Hence the sometime disparity in the order of first, second and third definitions.
At any rate, I'll bet the cruciverbalists know ALL the third definitions, common or not!! ;)
Many dictionaries equate HERALD with USHER(in), using one sense of the verb.
Many dictionaries define GAGGLE as a group of geese on the ground.
Dictionary editors sample word usage from a wide variety of print and oral sources. Just because we ourselves don't use the words that way does not make them incorrect. In addition, I have been finding that some words that bloggers consider uncommon are well used in highly regarded books and publications. I often wonder why we make our own experience the only arbiter of what is correct or common. End of rant.
Madame D,you are a gal after my own heart. I have been reading more and more about prescriptive and descriptive language after joining this blog.
I read that “Because of all of the outside forces acting on the English language ......very few modern dictionaries are technically prescriptive. The last major American prescriptive dictionary was Noah Webster's ‘An American Dictionary of the English Language,’ published in 1828.”
What's more, what is acceptable, even in very formal situations, is changing over time.
I believe that there are different types of language appropriate to different situations. Informal language and slang are appropriate to some situations. Not using formal language in those settings is not incorrect, just as not wearing a suit and tie to a picnic,is not incorrect.
Some words have many different meanings which are equally correct. Being 2nd or 3rd does not necessarily make them less correct. I see that different dictionaries place different meanings or spellings first.
In crossword puzzles insisting on formal correctness does not work. We see slang, obsolete words, regionalism, British terms, variants, etc. etc.
Impressive write-up today, Gary, and I really enjoyed this puzzle, C.C., even though my brain is not working particularly well today. Thanks to both of you.
As semi-related comment about dictionaries, I use the Farlex/Free Dictionary (on-line) when I want to look up a crossword query. Couldn't figure out what in the heck BESTIES could be and finally decided to check it out. Farlex only brought up several German usages so no help there today.
I hardly ever use Google any more for crosswords since it brings up so many ads.
Interesting. There was a time when suit and tie were worn to picnics.
Yellowrocks,
Language is fluid. Think about how fast a language changes in a lifetime. In terms of humanity, that's only about 75+ years--a blip on the screen. It's moving even faster today with such easy access to communication. Twenty years ago, I would have done my Sunday puzzle and put it to bed--maybe I would have talked to another person who did X-words, but not as many as I can learn from here.
I learn so much in this Corner!
GrannyAnny
Bestie is slang for best friend.
Enjoyed the puzzle, CC and write-up, Gary!! The minute I saw the theme I wondered where GAGGLE OF GEESE would show up and wasn't dissappointed. I didn't use any google help, but I often think out loud on tricky clues while my husband is reading the rest of paper. He chimed in LORELEI and GOG AND MAGOG so WE solved the puzzle today.
GOG AND MAGOG are mentioned in the book of Revelation in the bible as well as Ezekiel as nations mentioned in end-times prophecy (a gimme for my pastor husband.) I think they are mentioned in the Quran as well.
I always remember them as the names of Anne Shirley's china dogs in the Anne of Green Gables series https://storygal.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/dscf48891.jpg
How nice to wake up on a nice leisurely Sunday and find a C.C. Creation. Funny how most of you found the middle tough, and I ran out of steam at the bottom. Always lots of unknowns-Pella, Torre, Roth- but in most cases the perps helped or just a WAG. I'm sure I went thru the ABC's a few times.
I confidently put Hermes instead of Barrie, and slat for lath without checking perps 1st. Oboes threw me too. I was thinking wind currents like the Santa Anas, so I had heard of Hawaii's kolas and pali winds that sweep thru.I think oboes was all perps.
Never noticed the crown on the Skor...had you CC? How do you know this stuff?? I usually go for the Heath Bar instead, and cut them up for a yummy cookie recipe.
Oreos fried?? Really? LOL
This puzzle has left me humming many of my favorite Johnny Mathis songs.
Kudos on your great write up, Gary. You never leave anything out so I feel educated. You are a bit of a show off listing Leo's dates in Roman Numerals ...ha,ha.
Great stuff CC.
Great stuff HG.
I didn't guess right at MOIL and REGIA. Guessed an L.
Didn't know the intersecting G at SNUGLI and GOG, but it had to be.
Rainman, I am more than not sure that I inadvertently posted my Saturday comments to the Friday blog.
I think I am ON TO something about that. In fact, I am certain that is exactly what happened. That would most assuredly be more than less certain. Or more than not sure, as it were.
Al at 8:01, I found the clue especially tough and devious, but fair for a Saturday puzzle. Devious.
I take it you didn't like it, with your comments, "... thanks to some hideous, unforgivable, cluing for ONTO and WAVE AT..." implied that even though you didn't like it, at least you understood it.
Happy Sunday! As expected, I enjoyed the puzzle and figuring out the G-filled theme answers. WEES. GGGGood fun! Thanks GGGGary and CCCC.
Yesterday AnonT reminded me of our enjoyment of master magician Ricky Jay. This morning, who should be featured on Sunday Morning but PENN AND TELLER, another favorite magic act, and, they even got Teller to talk.
I also enjoyed this informative and beautiful feature on STONEHENGE.
Bill G., I saw that Penn & Teller piece. As always, they were very entertaining!
Madame Defarge @ 11:50 AM, I once submitted a puzzle to Rich called “Groupies,” with my own definitions of groups of things. Here are some of the ones I came up with (not all were in the submitted puzzle, though):
PACK OF TOURISTS
BRACE OF DENTISTS
FLEET OF RUNNERS
STACK OF HAYSEEDS
STABLE OF JOCKEYS
MASS OF PRIESTS
HORDE OF MISERS
MOB OF GANGSTERS
CLUB OF GOLFERS
…he promptly rejected it.
GGaGGle Of GGeese?
I'd heard about the storm threatening the NE prior to today. But the evening news indicates that it will be much worse than expected a day or two ago. I hope all of you in the path are able to outlast it without threat to life or limb. Stay safe!
If no one hears from me for a couple of days, I'll just be hunkered down. We have a cord of wood, plenty of candles, driveway salt, gasoline for the snow blower, and a bulging refrigerator. If the power goes out, we can put all the food in the snow bank. So, no worries!
HeartRX at4:52
I am chucking here! These are great. I'm sorry they were rejected. I think it would be a great theme.
Sometimes the new weather forecasters are the voices of doom. Makes for a few days of good ratings. If you are snowed in, spend your isolation creating a few puzzles for us to enjoy. Stay cozy! :)
Husker Gary,
As I finished clearing the driveway, I remembered that I failed to comment on your, uh, comment, about "pitched woo." I had never heard that before. Had to search that !
Hunkering Down Marti,
It's been one busy weekend. Didn't watch any news. Had no idea there was a storm heading up through the northeast until seeing your (and Avg Joe's) comments. I'll sometimes go to Heavy.com for quick bullets on current events. In case anyone else has been working in the mushroom factory this weekend, Winter Storm Juno: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know.
Liked your groupies !
First off it needs to be said.....
Steven Seagal Can Not Act!!!
Second, latest predictions calling for
18" to 25" of snow.
Snowthrower Time
For those of you in the Hudson Valley, here's my "go to" weather site: www.facebook.com/HudsonValleyWeather
Stay safe. And warm.
Hello Puzzlers -
Late to the party. Congratulations C. C. on another major puzzle! How did you know Gog and Magog? I never heard of them.
Much of today was about getting set for post-blizzard dealings - food, gas, diesel, equipment repairs, the usual. We're feeling ready, same as Marti. A few days without power would be no big deal.
My brother borrowed my spare snowblower, and today, while getting the paths ready, managed to feed it a piece of plywood that was on the ground. It took much persuading to free it. Now he says there's a clunk in the front. Oh great.
Stay warm out there!
Talk about making the big time.... Elon Musk in both a crossword puzzle AND in an episode of The Simpsons on the same day.
Dudley, No real problem. The clunk
is just a bent auger. You'll soon see where it is hitting the side of the snowblower and then just bend it back.
Argyle, are you admitting that you actually
watch The Simpsons?
Hell, yes.
We're going to be affected by the storm but not as seriously as the coastal areas. Just hope everyone stays safe and warm!
Manac - that's what I expect. I'm due to look at it tomorrow. You may conclude from this that I am historically the better mechanic.
Oh, for cryin' out loud! Cruciverb is broken again!
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