google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Friday, April 27, 2018, David Alfred Bywaters

Gary's Blog Map

Apr 27, 2018

Friday, April 27, 2018, David Alfred Bywaters

Title: Pre-fab puzzle. Did you all grow up hearing about pre-fab houses? LINK.

DAB seems to have slid into JW's every other Friday place here at the Corner. He also uses add letter(s) with today being the 'PRE' trigram. None of the themers jump out (for me) but they are consistent and Friday hard. All of David's LAT publications are Fridays, and he obviously is on Rich's wavelength; how about you all? He has some nice sparkle with ALCOVES, ANIMATE, CLERICS, SAVANTS, DINETTES,  POINTS TO,  SPECTERS and TEN CENTS.

The theme -

17A. Bishop in bed?: SLEEPING PRELATE (15). Prelate which is defined as a bishop or other high ecclesiastical dignitary might be tricky for some.

24A. "I happen to have a deck of cards right here"?: POKER PREFACE (12). The poker is random, but the alliteration is fun.

40A. Fake lawyer?: BAR PRETENDER (12). A little technical, and a little different as it splits a single word apart.
And the reveal-
52A. Software service provided by hardware sellers ... and a hint to three long puzzle answers: PREINSTALLATION.

The rest-

Across:

1. Short shots?: PICS. A nice way to clue an abbreviation that has become a word.

5. Toque wearer: CHEF.

9. Tenth of a grand: C-SPOT. Grand is also represented by a G-Note. 1/10 of $1,000.00; I will not link G-spot pics.

14. "Quickly!": ASAP. These days said "A-sap."

15. Quasimodo's creator: HUGO. Victor to his friends.

16. Conifer with durable wood: LARCH. This is a coniferous tree with bunches of deciduous bright green needles, found in cool regions of the northern hemisphere. It is grown for its tough timber and its resin (which yields turpentine).

20. Mid-'70s cost to mail a typical letter: TEN CENTS. Very random, and I would have preferred something else. That is just my ten cents worth. (inflation!)

21. Wears down: ERODES.

22. Veracious: TRUE. Not Voracious. This one is a cousin of veracity.

23. Enliven: ANIMATE.  But never re-animate. How about GOT?

28. "__ Rose Has Its Thorn": Poison hit: EVERY. The STORY of this Glamrock hit.

29. Bashes: RAMS.

30. "So there!": HAH.

33. Focusing aid: LENS.

34. "Under the Redwoods" author: HARTE. Bret Harte died in 1902 but was quite well received. READ the book for free.

36. Valley: DALE.

37. "Good Behavior" broadcaster: TNT. This SERIES was a serious departure for Michelle Dockery. She was not a nice girl. I loved her in the Netflix series

38. High spot on a farm: SILO.

39. Radio station, e.g.: AIRER.

43. Nooks: ALCOVES.

46. Get behind, with "for": VOTE.

47. Immature insects: LARVAE. Shout out for John Lampkin.


48. Indicates: POINTS TO.

54. Lacks: HASN'T.

55. Bad thing to take in a ring: DIVE. Before ROCKY there was BATTLIN' JACK MURDOCH.

56. Rim: EDGE.

57. Beasts of burden: ASSES.

58. Gravity-propelled toy: SLED. More sledding this week, but maybe the snow is finally over.

59. Seven __: SEAS.
The "Seven Seas" (as in the idiom "sail the Seven Seas") is an ancient phrase for all of the world's oceans. Since the 19th century, the term has been taken to include seven oceanic bodies of water:
the Arctic Ocean
the North Atlantic Ocean
the South Atlantic Ocean
the Indian Ocean
the North Pacific Ocean
the South Pacific Ocean
the Southern (or Antarctic) Ocean

Down:

1. Historian's field: PAST.

2. Archipelago piece: ISLE. In case you did not know it is a sea or stretch of water containing many islands.

3. Normandy city: CAEN. Caen is known for its historical buildings built during the reign of William the Conqueror, who was buried there, and for the Battle for Caen—heavy fighting that took place in and around Caen during the Battle of Normandy in 1944, destroying much of the city. The city has now preserved the memory by erecting a memorial and a museum dedicated to peace, the Memorial de Caen. Wiki.

4. Ghosts: SPECTERS.

5. Calisthenic exercise: CHIN UP. Different from a PULLUP. Pull-ups, done with both hands in an overhand (or prone) grip slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, prove to be the most difficult of the pair. The wide grip isolates your lats, taking away much of the emphasis from the biceps. The underhand alternative—chinups—receives high praise as both a bicep- and back-builder.

6. Fox pursuer: HUNTER. This juxtaposition makes this next one harder.

7. What some poachers poach: EGGS. Tricky, not someone hunting or fishing where he is not permitted, just cooking.

8. Metrosexual: FOP. I guess as a fop is a man who is concerned with his clothes and appearance in an affected and excessive way; a dandy.

9. Priests, e.g.: CLERICS.

10. Biblical dancer: SALOME.

11. Milan-based fashion house: PRADA.

12. Work for a chamber group: OCTET.

13. What we have here: THESE.

18. Matthew who led a 19th-century expedition to Japan: PERRY. Matthew C. Perry, not to be confused with Matthew L. Perry, became quite famous in his own RIGHT. However,  look at some of his famous relatives, may compel to sign up for Ancestry.com. LINK.

19. Alter, in a way, as a file: RENAME. I do this everytime I download a scan.

23. "__ lot of good that'll do you": A FAT. I bet you want to know its ORIGIN.

24. Bombard: PELT.

25. Roasting site: OVEN.

26. Canterbury's county: KENT. Kent is a county in southeastern England. In the city of Canterbury, Canterbury Cathedral has a 1,400-year history and features a Romanesque crypt and medieval stained glass.

27. Mistake: ERROR.

30. Word with cash or candy: HARD. Hard money is very important in all real estate transactions.

31. Away from the wind: ALEE.

32. German title: HERR.

34. Staff expanders: HIREES.

35. Multinational range: ALPS.

36. Sets for some 43-Across: DINETTES.

38. Learned experts: SAVANTS.

39. Company name inspired by a volcano: AETNA.

40. Like oxen: BOVINE.

41. Gradually develop: EVOLVE.

42. Labored: TOILED.

43. Highest-ranking: ALPHA.

44. "__ Theme": "Doctor Zhivago" melody: LARAS. They were a beautiful couple.

45. Salad green: CRESS. Not watercress, but a plant of the cabbage family, typically having small white flowers and pungent leaves. Some kinds are edible and are eaten raw in a salad.  Garden cress is genetically related to watercress and mustard, sharing their peppery, tangy flavor and aroma.

48. Gardening aid: PAIL.

49. Aspect: SIDE.

50. Roman robe: TOGA.

51. Small tip components: ONES.

53. NFL stat: TDS.


We have rushed to the end of April, with spring apparently finally here. We will see what next week brings; thank you, David, and thank you loyal and entertaining readers, commenters and agent provocateurs. Lemonade out.


Notes from C.C.:

1) Lemonade's grandson Owen turns 7 months old. Here's a picture of Owen and his two beautiful sisters.


2) Here are three more pictures from Kazie's beautiful family:

 Kay's youngest son David and his fiancée Aimee

Kay's daughter-in-law's grandmother, Kay's husband Barry and Kay

Granddaughters, Mila (2) is standing and Lea (5) is sitting on the swing.

55 comments:

  1. Thanks to Bill G, Yellowrocks, PK, Misty and all who have sent kind words and good wishes on behalf of my brother, Russ. I'm sorry I haven't mentioned everyone who posted warm thoughts, as I really appreciate each and every generous word.
    He is still hanging in there, but it is a day to day situation. At this stage, the main thing is that the docs are keeping him as comfortable as possible.

    Your concern is greatly appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  2. OMK, this site was founded by C.C. with a foundation of curiosity but built as a caring community. While we can not heal anyone, we can be there for everyone. As one who had a horrible, frightening health year, it is great to feel the concern, and it helps. Hanging in is good.

    ReplyDelete
  3. - - Good Friday Cornerites, and Cornerettes. I pray for each member of our Corner family, and for their families. May each person feel the love of each of us at the Corner. Thank you C.C. for the picture of Lemonade's grandchildren. I didn't have children ergo I am not a Patriarch. I have missed an entire aspect of living because of that, but I don't know what I missed so I am comfortable with the "me" that developed.

    - - Thank you Mr. David Alfred Bywaters for this fine Friday level CW.

    - - We interrupt our regularly scheduled posting to bring you this Radiant Green Eyed Red Head. There is also beautiful music. We return to our regularly scheduled posting.

    - - I caught the "Groaner" theme at 17A when the "Prelate" overslept. It was so pfunny. I enjoyed the other three groans also, and they helped me fill out. Then I came to 48A / 49D. Words escaped me so I BAILed (bought an individual letter) with an "S." Once it was in place, POINTS TO, and SIDE showed up. Why could I not see them before? Was it blank face recognition?

    - - Thank you Le Mon for you detailed and informative review. Of special note is
    45A - - Salad green: CRESS. Not watercress... - - We see this often, and I would not know CRESS if I bit it.

    Sheldor AFK

    Ðave

    ReplyDelete
  4. Greetings!

    Thanks to David and Lemon.

    Nice puzzle, no real problems!

    Hope to see you tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good morning!

    My first entry was ST LO for that Normandy City. That raised an eyebrow at the way 1a was turning out. CSO to Lucina at 36a. Thanx for the challenge, DAB, and for the elucidation, Lemonade.

    Sorry to hear about Argyle's continuing problems. Thanx for the update, Jennifer and TTP.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hard to believe, a one cup of coffee puzzle on a Friday! More Wednesday-like.
    I enjoyed the PRE- theme. There were enough perps to suss sleeping prelate, giving away the theme.
    I liked Harte's Outcasts of Poker Flat and will have to reread it now. Thanks for the link to
    Under the Redwoods, Lemonade.
    I watched Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada twice. It is amazing how convincingly Meryl can play such a hard hearted conniving character and also play very sympathetic characters in other movies, a very talented actress.
    I thought of ST LO, but realized it wouldn't fit.
    Cute grandkids, Lemon.

    ReplyDelete
  7. First of all, thanks for all the nice birthday greetings on Wednesday from Canadian Eh, Spitz, Mme Dafarge, Yellowrocks, Jazz, Lucina, Misty, Irish Miss, CrossEyed Dave, Desperotto, Anonymous T., Lemonade and Abejo. It's flattering to be remembered even in absentia. Of course, if it weren't for c.c., I suppose none of us would remember any of these important dates! Thanks to our wonderful Blog Mistress!

    I haven't been here at all for the last month, as we were in Germany, like C.C. said, visiting our granddaughters and their German relatives. On our return last weekend, we were thrown into the whirlwind of getting back to normal, or trying to. Wednesday meant a day away to enjoy some restaurant meals so I wouldn't have to cook, and also to do some much overdue indulgent shopping for me, so I wasn't even here then to do the puzzle, much less check the blog.

    Now I'm on my way to the state convention for DKG this weekend, which this time is in Madison, so not so far away for me. I'm sending a couple of new photos to C.C. so she has some more recent ones to share with you all.

    Like the rest of you, I am very sorry to hear that Argyle is doing so poorly, and hope he at least is comforted a little, knowing of our concern.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good Morning:

    For some reason, I found this week's puzzles easier than normal, including today's. (Of course, the verdict isn't in yet on Saturday's!) I had a few little snags: C Note/C Spot, Loft/Silo, and Yoyo/Sled. I don't consider a sled a toy anymore than I would refer to a bicycle as a toy. Overall, though, a quick and easy solve. The theme was evident early on but the reveal was still a surprise.

    Thanks, David, for a fun romp and thanks, Lemony, for guiding us along. Your grandchildren are precious and, I'm sure, a source of much love and pride for you.

    Keith, I'm so sorry you're brother is so ill and suffering. Thoughts and prayers for all affected.

    Jennifer, thanks for the update on Scott. I hope he knows how much he is thought of and missed. Hugs to our Santa!

    CED, I loved, loved, loved the cat-washing memo, especially the author! 😈

    Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lovely picture, Lemonade.
    I managed to solve this puzzle with a tiny bit of red letter help. That’s unusual on a Friday.
    Spring seems to be finally upon us. 80° forecast tomorrow after SNOW last Monday!

    Kazie, I’m soon headed to a DKG founder's birthday.

    As someone said, CC has created a wonderful community here with love of crosswords in common.

    Have a great weekend,

    Montana

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good morning everyone.

    Nice intro, Lemon. Nice picture of your grandkids.

    Sparkly puzzle as Lemonade said. I seemed to have done the wavelength 'handshake' early and I zoomed right through it. No significant issues. Sussed the PRE gimmick earlye with SLEEPING PRELATE. The G gave me EGGS FOR THE POACHING CLUE. CLEVER. CAEN dovetailed with TEN CENTS nicely. ASSES crossed BOVINE. Equine crossing bovine would have been interesting, too, but wouldn't work in this SPOT.
    SILO was a gimme. Today, tho, wind turbines are vying for the honor. Blade tip at 12 o'clock for high spot?
    PERRY - I knew the Japan Perry and L. Erie Perry were brothers, but were born quite a few years apart.
    DALE - German Tal, L. German Daal. In geomorphology, the line connecting the lowest points of a stream or river channel is called a talweg


    ReplyDelete
  11. WEES. I was surprised at the easiness of this Friday puzzle, especially considering that this was a DAB. Thanks to Lemon for the exposition.

    D4, I bet you'd know CRESS if it bit you!

    Hand up for wanting yoyo before SLED, and I agree with IM that I would never consider a SLED a toy.

    Spitzboov, I always enjoy your explanations of the German roots for so many English words. And I agree that EGGS for things that are poached was very clever. Made me grin right out loud, it did.

    Good thoughts for Santa; I can hardly imagine how difficult this must be to go through.

    Off to PT; have a good day, all!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Montana,
    I seem to remember one other time we discovered that we shared our membership in DKG. We are becoming a rarer breed I fear. Teachers are now spread so thinly with all they need to do, it's becoming harder to find time for professional organizations like ours, and so it's more difficult to attract younger members.

    ReplyDelete
  13. FIW Enjoyableworkout .
    Thanks to David for the puzzle and L714 for the tour.
    Had cash and candy BARS instead of HARD .
    Even when Bar pretenser didn’t sound right, did not think to change it. Had I taken more time I might have seen it but I felt pretty good about getting the rest. TGIF

    ReplyDelete
  14. Well this was a fun romp. Thanks David and Lemonade (lovely photo of the grands).
    I saw the POKER PRE FACE and got the theme. Several smiles!

    Like Spitzboov, I noted ASSES crossing BOVINE. Also PRELATE crossing CLERICS.

    This Canadian thinks of Toques as hats worn for SLEDding! And of course, I fought the spelling for SPECTERS (after I took out Spirits which was too short).
    I also had Worked before TOILED for the laboUred clue. LOL.
    I was trying to "Root for" before VOTE filled the spot.

    FLN, Northern Boy, I am familiar with AP Test. My daughter took IB (International Baccalaureate) courses and got her IB Diploma at our local high school. AP courses are also offered at many schools (both public and private) in Canada. IB was not as well recognized as AP at Canadian universities at that time. But it was a great learning experience for her.

    OMK - thoughts and prayers for your brother, Russ, as well as for you and all the family at this hard time.

    Best wishes for the day to all.

    ReplyDelete
  15. OMK: Best wishes to you and your brother Russ.

    And big thanks for the updates on Argyle.

    Hand up this seemed like a relative breeze for a Friday. I am happy for that! No obscure sports names that I will never have any reason to know again! Hand up for being stuck with CNOTE. Last to fall was RENAME/RAMS. When I lived near Oakland I remember many things there were named for Bret HARTE. Have not (yet) actually read any of his books. When I lived in that area Herb CAEN was a famous living writer.

    I usually find PRE-INSTALLATION software more of an annoyance than a service! In the old days you might get Office. Now you get an invitation to pay some outrageous annual fee for Office! Learning moment about AETNA.

    Last night DW and I saw these drummers perform live.

    Hard to imagine listening to drumming for almost two hours, but they hold your attention. And they are quite funny.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Y'all! On Friday, a little DAB will do it. (er...Bryl Cream) Thanks, David & Lemonade. (Lovely children, Lemony.)

    A challenge but doable. The WCenter was last to fill. IntERPREFACE before POKER. Didn't know TNT or "Good Behavior Broadcaster". PELT seems too mild for Bombard above TNT but blast didn't fit. Didn't know Canterbury's county was KENT. Two red-letter runs here to get me going.

    ReplyDelete
  17. A fun puzzle, and relatively breezy for a Friday, with the exception of C-SPOT. I was expecting C-NOTE and just couldn't get the perps to work.

    I would have preferred LEGAL (PRE)TENDER to BAR (PRE)TENDER, but probably would have made the construction too difficult.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you, DAB, for a mild Friday run! I was on his wavelength and sailed all the way. Thank you, d-o, for the CSO which I also acknowledged to myself.

    The themers drew a chuckle from me. PRELATE, CLERICS, priests and bishop almost gave us a mini theme.

    If a SLED is used for amusement, wouldn't that be a toy? In PAST times, of course, they were used for transportation, but a child's SLED it appears to me is purely for fun and isn't that what a toy is? Please correct me if that's not so.

    OMK, again I offer my hope and prayers for his comfort and peace.

    Lemonade, your grandchildren are growing into beautiful young girls. Thank you for your thorough and zestful commentary.

    Kazie, your granddaughters are also beautiful young girls! Thank you for sharing your photos.

    Argyle, know that we are thinking of you and hoping for the best recovery.

    Have a happy day, everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Delightful Friday puzzle, many thanks, David. I got much of it but had trouble in the northeast and southwest corners and had to cheat a little. But soon it all filled in with a clever theme and lots of fun clues. I got HUGO and PERRY and SALOME, and TEN CENTS popped right into my head as that stamp price. I loved LARA'S THEME in "Doctor Zhivago." But stupidly it took me a while to get SAVANTS. Anyway, an enjoyable solving morning, and witty write-up, Lemonade. What lovely grand-children you have!

    Ol'Man Keith, I will keep your brother Russ in my prayers. And also Argyle--so sorry you're still not feeling better.

    And, C.C., thank you for creating our warm and caring spirit on the blog.

    I also got a Diabolical Sudoku for the first time ever, this morning--Yay! Along with a Kenken and Jumble, all of which makes for a great morning.

    Have a good weekend coming up, everybody!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Flexible Flyer Toy Sled. Scroll down to the 8th item.
    Toy
    Kazie, lovely pictures of you and your family. Sweet granddaughters.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I thought this was going to be tougher than it turned out to be. Had to start in the SE as no traction elsewhere, and just solved from there.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I liked this puzzle. Good wishes to Scott and to Russ.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks David and Lemonade for a nice Friday puzzle and explanation.

    I was too busy this week to get to the corner, but usually did the puzzle.
    My prayers will go out for Argyle and Russ.

    Picard, thanks for explaining what PREINSTALLATION software is. I just thought it was freebies. And Microsoft used to have a basic version of Office called Works included. I have some software on CDs and I jealously hang on to it. The newer versions of Office, Quicken etc. seem to add things I don't need.

    For the postage, I figured that the last part was CENTS and TEN was the obvious first part.

    I am sure there is a Laurel and Hardy clip somewhere with "A FAT lot of good in it."

    Montana and kazie, what does DKG stand for?

    Live Well, Heal and Prosper
    VS

    ReplyDelete
  24. I enjoyed this puzzle. I got most of it OK. Thanks DAB and Lemon.

    As a kid, I think I remember when letters were three cents and post cards were a penny. Yes?

    There's been a lot in the news recently involving women accusing or testifying and several people have used the expression, "Telling her truth." So is that what we've come to? We each have our own truth? I always thought truth was more of an absolute. "One's truth" doesn't feel right to me.

    Continued good wishes sent in Argyle's direction...

    ReplyDelete
  25. I enjoyed today's pzl - Ta- DA! - once again appreciated for its distracting value. Mr. Bywaters' opus is a neat example of the type in which, like Jeopardy, the first answer that can pop into your head is likely to be the right one.
    (Corollary warning: if no answer "pops," don't try to force it.)

    Lemonade, Lucina, Picard, CanadianEh, Irish Miss, Misty and all, I thank you again for your caring words. I learned from my brother's daughter that today she signed "the papers" to remove him from support.
    It is hardest on her, I believe. As we age we come to reconcile ourselves to the inevitability of death, and we can often see it as a release. I know my brother is not in pain. I told her he would approve of her decision.


    ____________
    Diagonal Report: Three. Nothing on the recto side, but a 3-way on the verso.

    ReplyDelete
  26. OMK, I'm sorry to hear about your brother. His situation is exactly why it's so important to have an "Advance Directive to Physicians." If your brother had executed one, he would have made his wishes known, and his daughter wouldn't have been faced with the tough decision. Nobody likes to think about it, but everybody should.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Musings
    -I’m subbing for a lady who actually asks me to teach so the cwd bus is running late. Plus, youngest granddaughter turned 13 yesterday and so tonight is the party in Lincoln
    -I loved the theme and NE corner added just enough spice
    -My first thought on TEN CENTS
    -When I start a fire by focusing sunlight with a LENS, I always have a boy who wants to put his hand at the focal point
    -If only he had not been paid to take all those DIVES
    -I have a WORD file called “Master Blogger”. I work on it everyday and then RENAME and save it for the date and my master file is ready for the next day
    -Lovely pix!
    -Here come 7th Reading Class. We are reading The Earth On Turtle’s Back and learning the word PRECIPICE

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi All!

    Thanks DAB for this fun Friday puzzle. I didn't 'get' the theme early because of poor spelling (it's not CLaRICS) but, since 52a is in my wheelhouse, Nail'd it! (After spelling INSTALLATION with both Ls).

    Thanks for kicking-off the after-party Lem. Enjoyable expo, learned about CRESS, and cute grands. LOL about linking a g-SPOT. [I don't see the problem, I just did :-)]

    WOs: it wasn't Hounds pursuing Fox; C-note was out - as was Nook(s) being an e-readEr (86% wrong!).
    ESPs: CAEN, PERRY, SALOME, HARTE, LARAS.
    Fav: FOP as clue'd; my Brothers may apply. Me?, not so much. [seriously, they loaned me clothes before I could be seen out with them in Denver]

    OMK - I'm sorry. You've noted how you've lived the longest of all your forebears and this is the curse. I hope to take the pain of watching DW die so she doesn't have to go through it [of course, she could be elated :-)]. I'm thinking of you and Russ.

    And you Argyle - I finally found where I could even buy stamps; so the card I got you weeks ago is finally on the way.
    For the record, stamps are considerably more than TEN CENTS. And, did you know they actually sell them at the grocery store? MIL had to tell me that. The last time I got stamps was when they 1st introduced "forevers" and I got 100; that lasted me years!

    Kazie - welcome back and thanks for sharing the PICS.

    C.Moe FLN {cute}

    C, Eh! - Yeah, I thought of Bob & Doug @ 5a's clue too :-)

    Lucina - anything I use for work is a tool all else is a toy. I.e - My civic is a tool, my Alfa is a toy. All the "tools" in my workshop are my toys because I get to play with them. Heck, even my work-computer is 3/4'ths 'toy' - it's only doing TPS reports and other drudgery that it becomes a tool :-)

    Cheers, -T

    ReplyDelete
  29. After the 1st pass I thought I would go skiing,
    (a sea of white)
    but a lucky down fill led to the theme
    and the bottom filled in quite quickly...

    DNF (or FBC)
    (finished by cheating)
    due to the NE Corner!
    Cnote went up in smoke,
    Prada was a WAG
    Salome was a boldfaced looked up cheat,
    and I still could not get it!

    In the end I conceded defeat and
    went to the Blog Grid, saw "Animate"
    and I was off to the races...

    Very concerned about Argyle,
    To this point, I did not want to ask
    or say to much out of a respect for privacy.
    Just know that we care deeply dear SANTA...


    Preinstallation has solved the ASPCAs adoption problems
    just in time for Christmas!

    However Volkswagons idea
    maaay be creating more problems...

    ReplyDelete
  30. Had trouble with the NE corner. Tried CNOTE and CBILL...

    Fun puzzle. I always enjoy the play on word themes...

    ReplyDelete
  31. VirginiaSycamore,
    DKG are the first letters in the Greek alphabet for the Greek words meaning "Key Women Educators". It's an international organization of women who either are or have been teachers, and you have to be invited to join. It was begun in 1936 to help women teachers gain the respect it was felt they lacked as professionals. We could do with a new boost these days too!

    ReplyDelete
  32. "Puzzling Thoughts":

    DNF/FIW on too many ways to list...enjoyed reading Lemony's recap, and while I "got" David's theme, I failed at PRELATE and PREFACE. SO to Tinbeni, and the BAR (PRE) TENDER.

    Thoughts with OMK and Russ

    Misty, like you I do the Jumble and Sudoku each day, along with the x-word puzzle. I am noticing that the new authors/writers/punsters of the Jumble are using "fresh" words (as in, new). Never seen COZIER used before; glad to see them "mixing it up" (pun, intended!)

    -T --> thanks regarding last night's "ku"; I edited it and am re-posting, along with two new ones, using today's clue words:

    The British toddler
    Was weaned from tata(s), and now
    Prefers, Cheerio(s).

    A man who marries
    A pregnant woman, doesn't
    Care who PRE-seeded

    A high class stripper
    Is one whose guests place a C-
    SPOT on her G-String

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oops. Lemonade, I didn't mean to exclude your very cute grandson in my remarks.

    Yes, stamps are now 50 cents and I'm really torn about not sending Christmas cards. I love doing it but it's becoming prohibitive. Usually I send 80 and that's down from 100 from just a few years ago. So many friends and family are now gone.

    OMK:
    My heart is breaking for you. As one who had to make that decision, I know how your sister-in-law feels right now. It is, indeed, the hardest one to make.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Gary, your mention of starting a fire by focusing the sun's light reminded me of...

    Years ago, during the Christmas holiday season, I started to notice the smell of paper or wood burning inside our house. I looked around the living room and noticed the coffee table was filled with an assortment of snow globes. The sun was shining through the window. A large glass snow globe was focusing the sunlight onto some wrapping paper that was starting to smolder and smoke. Wow! I never would have thought of that as something to worry about.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Who uses a church key anymore?

    SALOME was slow in coming . Lots of alternative versions of that story . Barbara Thiering, a former nun derived some interesting ideas from the Dead Sea Scrolls. When I tried to buy the book I found that customs wouldn't allow it in the US . I bought it through Canada .

    The mother was quite a character.

    It was a Friday but it finished in Wednesday time . D4-Dave etal, I find that if I allow the possibility of a cheat I'd never finish. Having said that I couldn't resist asking my cyber-wise son about Dell's ALIEN WARE last Saturday.

    I don't like to say but will "My prayers go out to Argyle and Russell" . I prefer to genuinely pray first. So now I'm committed. I'm enough of a Catholic to feel I need to actually be in church .

    Re. Friday-Saturday . Apres ca, le deluge

    WC

    ReplyDelete
  36. I just rec'd word of my brother's passing at 5:30 pm Florida time. Again, I thank all of you who have posted so many generous and caring words and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Ol' Man Keith - Deepest sympathy on the loss of your brother.

    ReplyDelete
  38. OMK: You have my deepest sympathy. Only consolation is that you say he was not in pain. I am very sorry for your loss.

    VirginiaSycamore: Yes, in the old days PRE-INSTALLATION software gave useful freebies. Now it is basically forced advertising that just does not stop.

    Mostly I use "real" (desktop) computers that I assemble myself. But for a laptop I am forced to buy a name brand. The worst seems to be Dell. It never stops nagging about some wonderful offer of "free trial" software that is already installed.

    Yes, I also am still using Office 2000! I can probably ignore the new features in the newer versions. But it is totally unacceptable to be forced to pay every year to use it. Until they return to the old business model of "buy it and own it" they are not getting any more money from me.

    One other option: Open Office which is free. But it is not totally compatible.

    ReplyDelete
  39. OMK, my deepest sympathy to you and your family at this tragic time. The knowledge that he's in a better place doesn't outweigh the pain of losing a loved one. My thought are with all of you.

    Argyle, I hope you feel better soon. Thanks for the update, Jennifer.

    Good evening to all.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wilbur Charles:
    No, you don't have to be in church to pray. God hears our prayers wherever we are. When I say I'm going to pray for someone I immediately stop and do so silently (unless I'm in the middle of a conversation or in public) but then pray later.

    OMK:
    Sincere condolences to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Keith, my sincere condolences on your loss.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Ol' Man Keith

     - - You have prepared us for the passing of your brother, and yet I am still at a loss for words to console you.  May your grief be gentle.

    Ðave

    ReplyDelete
  43. OMK - sincere sympathy to you and the family.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Keith, so sorry for the passing of your brother. Never easy to lose a chunk out of your life. May most of your memories be fond ones.

    Argylle, still thinking of you and praying you will return to health.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Keith so sorry for the passing of your brother. May memories of happy times with him sustain you.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Keith, our sympathies to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Condolences and prayers Keith. As the only one of my generation left in my family I know the pain of loss.

    ReplyDelete
  48. OMK, I am sorry for your loss. Peace be with you.

    ReplyDelete
  49. OMK, I lost my younger brother five years ago and can somewhat feel what your pain must be like. It ain't easy. My condolences.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Thank you Lucina. You are obviously so right .

    Omk let me add my condolences and prayers .

    Wordsworth's "We are Seven" helped when my mother died in 2013 .

    WC

    ReplyDelete
  51. Oh dear, Ol'Man Keith, I came back to the blog late this evening and just read your sad news. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. My heart goes out to you, and will be with you in the next days, which will be very difficult for you, I know.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I think the harder part of aging is not the medical and physical stuff, but the accumulation of 'holes' in the universe ... over time, my mother, my father, my wife, my godfather, friends ... each one leaving a 'hole' in me, around me.

    May Russ's memory be eternal before the Lord!

    ReplyDelete

For custom-made birthday, anniversary or special occasion puzzles from C.C., please email crosswordc@gmail.com

Her book "Sip & Solve Easy Mini Crosswords" is available on Amazon.

Please click on Comments Section Abbrs for some blog-specific terms.

Please limit your posts to 5 per day and cap each post length at about 20 lines in Preview mode.

No politics, no religion and no personal attacks.