Theme: Whatever moves you. The second word of each 2 or 3 word theme entry indicates a descriptor for being highly motivated. I wouldn't say they are quite synonyms, by they do have a common feel. These are the characteristics of ambition and, with along with some luck, skill, and tenacity, success - in business, sports, music or any meaningful endeavor.
17 A. Solar power, e.g. : RENEWABLE ENERGY. Five types are recognized: solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydroelectric. Personally, ENERGY is what gets you out of bed to face the challenges of the day.
26 A. Soul mate : KINDRED SPIRIT. Those with similar interests and attitudes are KINDRED SPIRITS. Soul mates are bound together more tightly than that, IMHO. Many years ago, I wrote a sonnet about them [see below]. Personally, SPIRIT is the enthusiasm that keeps you going.
THE SUBSTITUTE
There are those whose lives are meant to be entwined,
Lovers thrust together by the force of destiny,
When choice and fate converge, that they may be
Connected at the soul, the heart, the mind.
Within their closed circumference one can find
Two curves in perfect fit -- his yang, her yin,
That in each cycle once again begin
To cluster into love's sweet spiral bind.
But consider -- if in the vast span of infinity
One of them becomes displaced in small degree;
Is born a decade late, perhaps is sent
To the farthest corner of the continent --
The distant echo of an unfelt touch, an unseen face.
Who will be the one who comes to take his place?
1. Dull : HO-HUM. What - bored already? C'mon, let's keep it moving - at least as far as 20A.
17 A. Solar power, e.g. : RENEWABLE ENERGY. Five types are recognized: solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydroelectric. Personally, ENERGY is what gets you out of bed to face the challenges of the day.
26 A. Soul mate : KINDRED SPIRIT. Those with similar interests and attitudes are KINDRED SPIRITS. Soul mates are bound together more tightly than that, IMHO. Many years ago, I wrote a sonnet about them [see below]. Personally, SPIRIT is the enthusiasm that keeps you going.
THE SUBSTITUTE
There are those whose lives are meant to be entwined,
Lovers thrust together by the force of destiny,
When choice and fate converge, that they may be
Connected at the soul, the heart, the mind.
Within their closed circumference one can find
Two curves in perfect fit -- his yang, her yin,
That in each cycle once again begin
To cluster into love's sweet spiral bind.
But consider -- if in the vast span of infinity
One of them becomes displaced in small degree;
Is born a decade late, perhaps is sent
To the farthest corner of the continent --
The distant echo of an unfelt touch, an unseen face.
Who will be the one who comes to take his place?
48 A. Heavy military barrage : ARTILLERY FIRE. An assault using cannons, mortars, and other weaponry with greater range fire power than rifles and hand guns. Personally, FIRE [as, in the belly] is powerful ambition and determination.
63 A. Common transmission feature : FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. Unsurprisingly, this is a tranny system that provides power to the front wheels of a vehicle. Personally, DRIVE is the urge, sometimes innate, to achieve a goal or satisfy a need.
This theme is at once simple, but also possibly a bit elusive. And there's plenty of it, with 2 grid-spanning entries and 2 more at 13 letters each. The trade-off is more words of shorter length than is typical for a Wednesday. The lack of a unifier mid-week is also a little strange.
Hi, gang, JazzBumpa here, somehow feeling motivated. How about you? Lets FIRE it up, get the SPIRIT moving, and use that ENERGY to DRIVE through today's puzzle.
Across
Hi, gang, JazzBumpa here, somehow feeling motivated. How about you? Lets FIRE it up, get the SPIRIT moving, and use that ENERGY to DRIVE through today's puzzle.
Across
6. "Stronger than dirt" cleanser : AJAX. This is how I remember it. [Yes, I am THAT old!]
10. PCs' "brains" : CPUS. Central Processing Units.
14. Backspace over : ERASE. On a computer, not a typewriter.
15. Try to throw, at a rodeo : BUCK. The highly motivated action of an unwillingly mounted animal.
16. Tall concert instrument : HARP. One harp player I've worked with transports hers in a repurposed hearse.
20. Animal that sounds dull : BOAR. Male hog. Here's an insect that sounds even duller.
21. Those opposed : NAYS. Used in voice votes.
22. Simplifies : EASES.
23. Charged particle : ION. Formed by the transfer of an electron from one atom or molecule to another.
25. Gender problem : GAP. The discrepancy between men and women in opportunities, status, attitudes, etc.
33. Humiliate : ABASE. Disrespect.
34. Grand-scale poetry : EPOS. EPIC also fits, and giving it up gave me fits.
35. It's right on the map : EAST. Clever clue. I like it.
38. Slo-mo reviewer : REF. Baseball, football and hockey all have slo-motion replay reviews for close calls.
43. Any of three 10th-century Holy Roman Emperors : OTTO. The HRE started with Charlemagne in 800 A. D. and ended with Francis II in 1806. For several decades it was run on Otto-pilot.
Otto I [The Great] 962-973
Otto II 973-983
Otto III 996-1002
Otto I [The Great] 962-973
Otto II 973-983
Otto III 996-1002
45. Jazzman Jackson : MILT. Vibraphonist Milton "Bags" Jackson [1923-1999] was a founder of the Modern Jazz Quartet. Here is a slightly different line up.
46. Caravan stops : OASES. Fertile desert spots, with water.
51. Exact revenge on : GET. As in GET even.
52. Big lug : OAF. Lout, churl.
53. Letters after thetas : IOTAS. Not fond of this at all. The Greek alphabet is a unique thing, as are each of the letters in it. Sure, some word could have multiple IOTAS in it, but that is not the sense of this clue.
56. Until next time, in texts : TTYL. Talk To You Later.
59. Slanted page? : OP-ED. Located Opposite to the Editorial Page. Viewpoints are only slanted if you disagree.
66. Sportswear brand : IZOD. Ordinary clothing adorned with an expensive alligator.
67. Lawman played by Russell and Costner : EARP. Wyatt, of OK Corral fame.
68. Ill-fated Ford : EDSEL. Manufactured from 1958-60. Now a collectors item.
69. Lady Gaga's "Cheek to Cheek" duettist Bennett : TONY. These kids are having way too much fun.
70. Helpful hints : TIPS. Pro-tip: see if you can land a gig with Lady Gaga.
71. Virtual transaction : E-SALE. On-line commerce.
Down
1. Chef's flavoring : HERB. Tasty and/or aromatic plant leaves.
2. Double Delight cookie : OREO.
4. Password partners : USER IDS. Protection for your on-line activities.
5. Litter cry : MEW. It's the cat's meow.
6. "SOS" band : ABBA.
7. Month with fireworks : JULY. This is what makes the 4th of July my least favorite holiday.
8. Blackjack components : ACES. Along with face cards or 10s. Blackjack is the name of the game, but also a 2-card holding consisting of an ace, counting 11 points, along with one of the other mentioned cards, counting 10. Other spot cards have the count of their pips. Winner is the player who comes closest to 21 without going over, regardless of the number of cards held.
10. Inexpensive brand : CHEAPIE. Probably won't last.
11. Golf targets : PARS. In the abstract. PINS, the physical targets, also fits.
12. Try to convince : URGE. In another sense, could have echoed the theme.
13. 1974 Gould/Sutherland CIA spoof : SPYS.
18. "Worst Cooks in America" judge Burrell : ANNE. This is a thing?!?
19. Within walking distance : NEAR. Close
24. Mine extractions : ORES. Pay dirt.
25. Main idea : GIST. The heart of the matter.
26. Syrup brand since 1902 : KARO. Corn syrup. Not the same as high fructose corn syrup, which is highly processed.
27. Skeptical words : I BET.
28. Tripartite commerce pact : NAFTA. North American Free Trade Agreement.
29. Underworld boss? : DEVIL. No typical crime syndicate don, instead the master of Hades.
30. Be in a bee : SPELL. Participate in a spelling contest. I would lose.
31. Florence's __ Vecchio : PONTE. A closed bridge over the Arno, dating to some uncertain time before the 1400's.
32. Foot bones : TARSI. A cluster of 7 articulating bones at the back of the foot. Five of them connect to the metatarsals - the long bones of the foot.
36. Lifeline reader : SEER. Fortune teller, mystic.
37. Overpower with a shock : TASE. Use a Taser, an elecroshock gun, on someone.
40. Give off : EMIT. As light, heat, or an odor.
41. Boxer Oscar De La __ : HOYA. [b 1973] He holds dual American and Mexican citizenship. Representing the U. S., he won an olympic gold medal in 1992.
44. Fine cotton fabric : ORGANDY. A translucent fabric that is usually stiffened and used in women's clothing.
47. Provides with, as an opportunity : AFFORDS. From an Old English root meaning "go forth."
49. Trial : TEST.
50. Hot streak : ROLL. Experience a prolonged spell of success or good luck.
53. "__ ain't broke ... " : IF IT. Don't fix it.
54. Minestrone pasta : ORZO. Noodles the approximate size and shape of rice grains.
55. Snagglepuss, e.g. : TOON. Created in 1959, he was featured in a series of shorts, then became a semi-regular on the Yogi Bear Show, and also appeared in other Hanna-Barbera series.
56. Bangkok native : THAI. From the Kingdom of Thailand. The country has always been called Mueang Thai by its citizens. Until 1949 it was called Siam by outsiders.
57. Maryland athlete, for short : TERP. Terrapin, for long.
58. Slangy affirmatives : YEPS.
60. Tuscan tower site : PISA. Home of the leaning tower, in Italy.
61. First name in stunts : EVEL. Mr. Knievel [b 1938, d 2007.] Contrary to rumor, he never jumped the Grand Canyon. His Snake River Canyon jump was a bust, both as a stunt and financially.
62. Proofreader's "drop this" : DELE. Delete.
64. Just out of the pool : WET. Untoweled
65. Dead end? : DEE. Spelt out terminal letter. Rather a sad way to end a puzzle.
That wraps up another Wednesday. With only a couple of nits, my enthusiasm remains undampened. Don't lose that passion, peeps!
Cool regards!
JzB
That wraps up another Wednesday. With only a couple of nits, my enthusiasm remains undampened. Don't lose that passion, peeps!
Cool regards!
JzB
1) Happy Birthday to Kazie (Kay), who has been with our blog since the summer of 2008. Kay used to frequent our blog and was our authority on any French and German matter. Last time when she emailed me, she was readying for a German trip to visit her old son and family. She was also very happy that her young son was engaged.
2) Women of Letters puzzle packet is ready! All the 18 puzzles were constructed and edit by women. The
constructors include: Tracy Bennett, Laura
Braunstein, C.C. Burnikel, Amanda Chung, Debbie Ellerin, Gail
Grabowski (today's co-constructor) Tracy Gray, Mary Lou Guizzo, Angela Olson Halsted
(PuzzleGirl), Pam Amick
Klawitter, Sarah Keller, Lynn Lempel, Donna S. Levin, Ruth Bloomfield
Margolin, Andrea Carla Michaels, Robin Stears, and Robyn Weintraub. The
editors are our own Patti Varol and Amy Reyhaldo. Deb Amlen of Wordplay
initiated this project in early 2017.
To get the puzzles, please donate $10 or more to any of the charities listed in the website. Then send a copy of your receipt as proof of donation to WomenofLettersCrosswords@gmail.com. You'll get a beautifully designed puzzle pack with all the great puzzles, answer grids and all the constructor bios.
52 comments:
Greetings!
Thanks to Gail, Bruce and Bumpa!
Had trouble with some things. EPOS, HANA, ANNE and TERP.
Have a great day!
Regarding yesterday's comments: Chrome will remove ads on my Macbook Pro for 40 bucks a year! Same for Firefox! Opera, on the other hand, does not have any!
(Neither does Safari.)
Cheer up, Owen!
A surprisingly smooth solve for me this morning.
Evel Knievel Days in Butte, MT have been cancelled for 2018.
Snow cancelled my grandson's track meet Monday (in Montana.)
Hopefully there’s one today. I’m on my way to watch. Schools have only managed 2 meets this year. Disheartening for the kids.
Have a good day, everyone!
Montana
I'm glad that JzB explained the connections of the four theme fills because after completing them I tried but couldn't see it. We are definitely not KINDRED SPIRITs on that one. I don't want to describe the puzzle as HO HUM but it went fast, especially the theme spanners. EPOS also gave me fits, as the only place I've ever seen it is in crossword puzzles and the PONTE saved me with the perp. ANNE Burell and ORGANDY were unknowns filled by perps.
I'm outta here, or as Snagglepuss would day, "Exit Stage Left". TTYL.
Good morning (and thanx for the kind comments yesterday)!
Zipped through this one with nary a misstep. Of course, I didn't get the theme, but that's PAR for the coarse. I'll accept the CSO at 43a. Thanx, GG, BV and JzB.
Hearse: I thought my dad's 1950, straight-stick Cadillac hearse would make a great car for college. Dad, wisely, disagreed.
OK Corral: Visited Tombstone and did all the usual stuff -- traipsed around Boot Hill, watched the replay of the gunfight, and got a copy of the Tombstone Epitaph with my name in the headline. The town is off the beaten path, so you have to want to go there.
Some more 17-syllable poems, senryū or zappai, not haiku.
Miners or minors
Seeking what they each desire:
ORES or OREOS!
TED talk was HO-HUM.
'TOON as guest speaker failed:
Porky was a BOAR!
SEER'S SPIRIT seance
Postponed -- deceased had conflict --
Talk To You, Later.
Golden Horde problem:
Tooth plaque build-up spread to feet:
Tatar TARSI tartar!
{B+, B, B-, C+}
Thanks to Gail and Bruce for a doable puzzle.
Thanks also to JzB four the rview .
Thanks also to OWENKL for the chuckle.
Needed some perps and crosses to FIR .
Did not know EPOS ,ORZO or ORGANDY.
Was stuck for a while on Sportswear Brand till I remembered the shirt I’m wearing is an IZOD purchased in Chandler Az. DW was surprised that I had managed to pick out two shirts without her help./:-)
Good Wednesday morning, Cornerites. Thanks to Gail and Bruce for a smooth puzzle, and to JzB for the very excellent tour through the grid. Well done.
Very smooth solve this morning; zipped from top to bottom with nary a slowdown along the way. 18D ANNE Burrell was a complete unknown, but the perps easily filled in. 28D, NAFTA, and its renegotiation is very much in the news up here north of the world's longest undefended border, but I don't imagine it's making much of a ripple in the US of A. 44D, ORGANDY, was also a learning moment, an entirely good thing in my books.
A good day, all....
The SEVENTH-inning stretch may be unique to baseball in sports, but it's a tradition to stand for the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel's Messiah (also about 75% in). Some concerts even encourage the audience to sing along.
Musings
-Jazz, the last line of your Substitute poem fits me as a sub
-FRONT WHEEL DRIVE appealed to those of us who navigate through snow
-My typing teacher hated when I backspaced for a strike over
-GMO corn seeds eliminate the corn BORER problem
-Counting AYES and NAYS (NO’s) can be interesting and uncomfortable (2:45)
-Not only are the replays SLO-MO but so is their viewing. Make a decision already!
-The most famous GET revenge threat (:06)
-DST has moved July 4 fireworks back from 9 pm to 10 pm. Not our kitty’s favorite day!
-A dose of ABBA can EASE what ails me
-My “best ball” partner and I only managed to shoot PAR yesterday. Not good!
-The Hubble Space Telescope can detect starlight EMITTED millions of years ago from deepest space
-ORGANDY/ORGANZA
-Happy Birthday Kazie!
Whattaromp! Much faster than usual for a Wednesday. The only unknown was EPOS; even though the perps were solid, it just didn’t look right.
Thanks to Gail & Bruce and to JazzB, with whom I must (for the first time I can remember) strongly disagree—that July holiday is not considered (by me) to have been complete unless I have been able to lean into the finale and be sustained by the rolling percussion. If it makes the ears ring afterward, so much the better. That having been said, I totally agree with your assessment of the "meh"-ness of DEE.
Montana, this week kids all over the 6-county metro Chicago region are finally getting in their first track meets, having been rained, snowed, and frozen out of the first 2 weeks or so of the season. I hate to say it out loud, but (sssh!) spring may actually be here to stay.
Have a great day, all! (Or not—your choice.) :P
Quick solve today. Thanks for the fun Gail and Bruce, and JazzB.
I missed the theme because I was looking for associations with energy.
Hand up for Epic being forced to EPOS by PONTE.
KINDRED SPIRITS reminded me of Anne of Green Gables. Classic Canadian book.
I had TTFN before TTYL. Similar meaning.
Was that litter cry Yip, Arf or MEW?
I thought of generic before CHEAPIE filled the spot.
My first thought for "be in a bee" was Quilt before SPELL.
JULY fit for the month with firecrackers for this Canadian too. But our day is the 1st. May would be correct also (but wouldn't fit) with Victoria Day celebrations.
Yes, Northern Boy, those NAFTA negotiations seem to be causing much angst on this side of the border. On the other side, ?? - would other bloggers care to comment without being political?
Happy Birthday Kazie.
C.C. - Glad to see that there is no gender GAP with Women of Letters puzzles.
Enjoy the day.
Good morning everyone.
"That get-up 'n go that got up and went". (My take on the theme.)
Another easy solve; no searches were needed. TARSI spelling came from perps. Many cleverly worded clues; my favorite was "slanted page' for OP-ED.
OTTO - Is sometimes used in German to denote the average guy - Joe Public, Joe Schmoe, par ejemplo.
Enthusiastic write-up, JzB. Thanx.
Happy Birthday to Kazie. Miss your posts.
Good Morning.
Happy Birthday, Kazie!
Thanks, Gail and Bruce. I needed that. Fun. I even had some luck with the theme early on--a rarity for me. I had to laugh: my dad had a couple of buddies named OTTO and MILT. There they were today. You fooled my at BUCK. I wanted something a rider would throw like a lariat. Fun clue.
JazzB, thanks for another in-depth review. I enjoyed your witty commentary and the great links.
Have a fine day. Spring--maybe!
D-N-F ... only about 75% completed. UGH!
At least I got all the themes.
But I couldn't get the 1902 Syruo, KARO.
Or remember the 10th century Holy Roman Emperors, OTTO.
Nor the Minestrone pasta, ORZO.
Or the last letter in texting TTYL. Had the TTY_.
Then I wondered why Password partners USE-RIDS ...
Fave today was the clue/answer at 59-a, Slanted page? OP-ED
Catch y'all later.
Cheers!
"Puzzling Thoughts":
Thanks Gail, Bruce, and JzB for a wonderful Wednesday workout.
FIW due to a glitch in the "Northern Calif" region. I had a Natick w ABUSE/REV/NUVTA. Don't know what I was thinking ... Other WO's included BASS>HARP & BOON>ROLL
Call them as you want, I think the name "Moe-ku" sounds more "fun"! 😜
My 5-7-5 "EPOS" today are:
When a prostitute
Uses a kazoo, would you
Say that is HO HUM?
I hear Budweiser
Is brewing a low cost beer
For men, called "CHEAPIE" (cheap pee)
Good Late morning Cornerites.
Thanks to Gail Grabowski and Bruce Venzke for a crunchy puzzle. I was able to FIR in 36:00. There has been ample discussion so WEES.
Thanks Jazzbumpa for your excellent review. I am saving the links till later.
Ðave
My get up and go is returning with the lovely spring-like weather and flowering trees. I have completed several successful projects lately with good feedback. I think I am on a ROLL. The theme of this puzzle is a good motivator. Thanks, Bruce and Gail. Jazz, thanks for the wit and the musical links.
I waited for epic/epos and also for organza/organdy.
Wikipedia: Cotton ORGANDY is a semi-sheer fabric that is light and crisp. It is used primarily as an underlining in bridal gowns and historical reenactment period garb as well as an interfacing for fine garments.
Wikipedia: ORGANZA is a staple of formal dresses and other feminine wardrobe items. As a way to create full skirts on evening gowns, nothing beats this fabric for a graceful fall that produces attractive lines...... One of its main uses is in the creation of wedding dresses ..... Between wedding attire and uptown evening fashions, this fabric has a secure future in the world of fashion.
Happy birthday, Kazie.
Hi gang -
HBD, KZ !!
Owen - love your senryu. The construction is classic, with phrase and fragment structure, and 1st-3rd line interchangeability. Nicely done.
Wikwak - that's why there is more than one holiday.
Cool Regards!
JzB
Happy birthday, Kazie! I hope you are lurking.
Thanks to the power team of Gail and Bruce for a fine production!
It started slowly but gained momentum with more and more fill. I liked seeing the old time products, AJAX, EDSEL, KARO and even got the newer ones, CPUS, TTYL and of course, that talented old-timer, TONY Bennett.
Nice play on words at HOHUM and BOAR.
Thank you, JazzBumpa! For sharing your vast knowledge and clear explanations with us.
Have a very special day, everyone! I'm glad some of you are finally getting spring weather.
I love Gail and Bruce puzzles, but sports once again kept me from getting a perfect score. Didn't know TERP and put SERP on a guess, and put ISOD for that sportswear brand--guess I don't know my pasta (ORZO) either. But other than that everything worked great, even though some corners were a bit of a challenge. And I couldn't figure out the theme, even though once JazzB explained it, it seemed pretty obvious to me. Nonetheless, a good way to start a Wednesday--many thanks, Gail and Bruce. And JazzB your pictures and explanations were terrific this morning, many thanks to you too.
Loved seeing the reference to Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett--a fun performance.
Great dress and fabric explanation, Yellowrocks.
Owen, delightful poems--keep up the good work.
Happy birthday, Kazie.
I'm off to teach my last Spring class at the Senior Center this afternoon, on Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw." Hope it goes well.
Have a great day, everybody!
Good Morning:
Other than a few missteps, I breezed through this quite quickly, for a Wednesday. My errors were: Anti/Nays, Epic/Epos, and Ness/Earp. There were no unknowns but plenty of CSOs: Otto-DO, Tony-Anon T, Lemony's Oo-Thai, and Mew-CED, AKA, Mr. Meow., who I might say is waaaay overdue on a canine link! Hint, wink, hint!
Thanks, Gail and Bruce, for a mid-week challenge and thanks, JzB, for a spot on, detailed expo. You hit all the right notes today perfectly! And, your sonnet is lovely.
Happy Birthday, Kazie, hope it's a special day. 🎂🎉🎈🎁🍾
Owen, your muse is alive and well. Thank you.
FLN, Bill G, may Bella always have that infectious laugh and delightful playfulness! Thanks for sharing.
Before I heard Lady Gaga sing at some award show, I had chalked her up as a kook, someone who did outlandish stunts, and was just another blip on the pop culture scene. Was I ever surprised! She has a truly beautiful voice. I believe she suffers from fibromyalgia and has had to curtail performing.
Have a great day.
This is the type of puzzle that makes you think you are a better solver than you really are.....at least until you come here and see how almost everyone else aced it as well.
Still a quick outing for a Wednesday, no issues at all, what didn’t fill in was solved by crosses.
Thanks to Gail, Bruce for the thesaurus of vigorous zesty terms. JazzB did one hell of a commentary today. A noteworthy musical review that culminated in the Bennett/Gaga duet. I didn’t know L Gaga had such a good voice.
For those surprised by Lady Gaga's talents, here's an example from when she was just Stephanie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM51qOpwcIM
Cheers!
JzB
Hi Y'all! Fast & fun, thanks, Gail & Bruce. Also fun expo, thanks, JzB. Loved your sonnet. OTTO-pilot = good one!
Didn't GET the theme. Don't think any of those descriptive words pertain to me any more. Once upon a time they did.
Happy Birthday, Kazie. Miss you.
NAFTA: some of us farmers are concerned, Canadian friends, but that is overshadowed for us by some of Tweety Bird's other shenanigans. A time of much ANGST for many of us. That's as unpolitical as I get.
Nice gentle rain has been falling for several hours here which is much needed. We've been in a dry "pocket". Had a couple of days of high 70's. On radar it also looks like some of my farm fields may be getting a drink. Sure hope so.
Happy Birthday Kazie!
From last night, Here is what Daughter #1 sung to win the contest.
Really Irish Miss?
I am so busy right now,
looking for silly puzzle links.
Plus I have to go next door and check on the Siberian Husky,
She had a bad reaction to a new food they tried, and you know what that means...
but if you insist...
Just back from my annual "doctor fusses at patient" session. Glad that's over for another year.
Before I forget, happy birthday, Kazie!
OK, D4, I'll bite. Why are you in BLACK? Did you break your blogger account?
I liked this puzzle.™
renewable energy?
Kindred spirit?
I hope you get a bang out of this...
because this is as silly as it gets...
I use ditalini pasta in my pasta e fagioli. I don't mix the pasta in with the soup in the pot. I cook it separately, drain it and cover it. Then I add a few tablespoons of pasta to the bottom of each bowl and ladle the piping hot soup over it. If I add the pasta to the soup pot it absorbs too much water, especially if there are leftovers. The next day I just place some cold pasta in each bowl and add the heated soup to warm it up. I see by the online recipes that many, many different types of pasta can be used.
I am an admitted newsy junkie, so I hear and read about Nafta frequently. I never discuss NAFTA with my son or my friends who are adamant members of the "other" party. (World war III type discussion.) Headline this week: "Looming Deadlines Explain Why Trump Is Hurrying for a Nafta Deal." But, actually this deadline does not seem realistic. There is much partisanship on NAFTA in Congress and hard to resolve disagreements with Mexico and Canada. I doubt there will be a deal anytime soon.
There seems to be no compromise in government these days and thus stalemate and gridlock.
CE DAVE, Aww! The pets are so cute! Your daughter has a lovely voice.
Pay no attention to what that man behind the curtain says. Wait til he actually does something.
CED: Is that last clip what you call a "dragster'? That'd be helpful if you had a rutty driveway or gravel/dirt road. We used to have a separate drag tool for smoothing out the wet weather ruts.
Alas, I updated my browser again and have even more links than usual that I can't open.
I believe confirmation bias, reinforced by social media and cable news is stronger than it has ever been. People hear and accept only that which confirms what they already believe and tune out any other info. I like to make two lists, PRO and CON, on any subject and try to determine which has more advantages. I like to subject all claims on either side to vetting. I prefer college forensic style arguments and logic. I can never find this in any discussion in real life. I am sure that the other side has many valid points. I very possibly could learn something and change my mind on some issues, but confirmation bias assures that we talk past one another and learn nothing.
I recently got into an email argument with a political writer. I was amazed that his responses totally ignored and failed to discuss any of my claims that did not fit his preconceived view. He ended up angrily claiming he was the expert and listed his chops. I still read his work and sometimes learn something, but I no longer respect him.
I find this blog becoming more and more open minded and willing to exploring different ways of looking at things. I love it! We clearly know the difference between fact and opinion. Opinion is interesting and valid, just do not insist that it is actual fact.
Here ends my OPED, for Wednesday.
Really nice puzzle from Gail and Bruce. I was able to breeze through it quickly without too many hitches, although I didn't get the theme until JzB's tour brought it all together.
Foggy at the beach this morning, but the sun is out now and it's 70. Yea, spring may be finally getting here.
I can't add anything that hasn't already been said today, so, have a great day everyone.
Just a quick check in to record my Ta- DA!.
It's a busy day at the Fowler villa. Prepping the place for a visit from an ex-student while trying to run numbers for a sit-down with a financial consultant next week.
Meanwhile, my thanks to the Grabowski/Venzke team for another stimulating pzl. Didn't see the theme, but that made no nevermind. Anyway, thanks to JazzB for pointing it out.
Misty,
Lotsa luck 'splaining ol' Henry James! How could it not go well? Knock 'em dead.
____________
Diagonal Report: Four in all. A familiar lineup, with one main line (NW to SE) and a 3-way on the flip side.
Zero hidden messages. (One of these days ...)
desper-otto at 2:08 PM
Sheldor is back online.
Thank you for your concern. You wrote "OK, D4, I'll bite. Why are you in BLACK? Did you break your blogger account?"
On Friday 4-20 I was the first to post. I closed with "Sheldor AFK." A while back I posted a link to a clip from the Big Bang Theory Sitcom which explains that "AFK" means "away from keyboard." I use the phrase to mean I am away from my normal computer. Here is the LINK.
Once I opened my GMail account in November, I have stayed logged on at my usual computer. Therefore when I post on my alternate computer I use "D4E4H in BLACK, as I did today at 1025A.
I am back at my normal computer ergo my first statement was "Sheldor is back online."
Ðave
Yeah, I got my Monday/Tuesday level puzzle! Thanks, Gail and Bruce, for the fun! Great expo, JxB!
Dang! FIW! Put in PONTi, didn't notice the error in ARTILLiRY FIRE.
My first thought at 44d ORGANDY Simon and Garfunkel's "For Emily (Whenever I May Find Her)
FLN: I am currently reading "You Don't Look Like Anyone I Know" by Heather Sellers. It's about her life, growing up in a dysfunctional family, challenges she faced, and finally finding out, in her 30's, that she suffers from Face Blindness. I'd like to recommend it for Book Club but there is only one copy in the library system. It's very interesting and introduced me to an issue I didn't know existed.
I hope you all have a wonderful day!
CED @ 2:07 ~ Your daughter has a beautiful voice; I wish her luck in her musical endeavors. I loved the photo of the fur balls; thank you. (I hope your neighbor's Siberian Husky becomes less "accident" prone. Between dealing with his "deposits", finding silly puzzle links and flying for the RAF, you must be exhausted! 🐶 🐈
Completely off topic, but has anyone else noticed how inane and off-the wall the ads for Progressive Insurance and Spectrum have become? I'm glad I have a mute button!
Thanks, JzB for explaining the theme! I saw no pattern until you explained it! Hand up for TTFN before TTYL. I hope you were joking about the meaning of OP-ED! The OP of course is OPINION. Unknowns: HANA, ANNE, ORGANDY, ORZO, MILT, KARO. Did not know about the SPYS movie. Solved with crosses to FIR!
Here is a short video clip of our Early Music Ensemble performing this past Saturday. Notice the HARP in the middle!
I am at the far right end.
Here is the ending of The Doors song "Touch Me Babe" which ends with the AJAX slogan "Stronger Than Dirt"
Did anyone else think of that?
Thank you, Ol'Man Keith. We all agreed that "The Turn of the Screw" is a lot more complicated than it appears, but I guess the title already alerted us to that!
Hi All!
WEES - a perfect "Tuesday" puzzle from Gail and Bruce. Pat, I thought about your FLN comment as I was filling - today's was your "Tuesday!" :-)
Sparkly expo and nice prose Jazz; thanks for tightening up the theme for me.
WOs: pins b/f PARS, CHEAPos b/f seeing 'singular', aIdS b/f TIPS. Wrong ROLE at 1st.
ESPs: Names (sans TONY) +ORGANDY
Fav: ORZO xing the TONY
{B,A,C+,B +groan :-)}. {ha!, cute}
Spitz - your "get up and go got up and went" comment made me think of Aerosmith's Sweet Emotion.
Pat - I read something a few weeks ago on slashdot.org [News for Nerds - Stuff that Matters] about a study in the UK reporting >2% (or something, I don't recall and am to lazy to LIU) are face-blind. That might explain why a change of hair-style sometimes confuses me as to whom I'm talking.
CED - LOL the power-strip. True story: In the late '90s, a woman in our office plugged in her space-heater to warm her toes. To make room in the cube's socket, she unplugged the strip powering her monitor and computer and then plugged it back into the 1st open receptacle she saw.
Her toes were warm but she had to call the Helpdesk because her computer went blank. YEP, she plugged it into itself.
Worse - she was mad at us that she lost the document she was working on!
Happy Birthday Kazie! You know you're always welcome at the Corner and it's open 24/7.
Cheers, -T
Thanks all for the entertainment; I loved listening to Stefani
and very happy birthday Kay now and forever
YR: Amen to your thoughts on opinion. I recently made short comments on Facebook posts by two of my children which I thought were supportive and offered some helpful suggestions. They were immediately removed and I got a diatribe from each adult child. I was further instructed not to post anymore opinions or personal things on their sites. I was stunned because what I said was true and not at all detrimental. (Imagine that!) My son was so arrogant and demeaning (and wrong) after five emails to me I was ready to write him out of my will. (Haven't yet.) My take is that some people don't want dialog or information or a relationship. They only want an audience & applause (also a large inheritance).
Wow, PK! I'm afraid to post! Kids! Sheese....
YR, I agree we are open to lots of opinions. I can't tell if it more open now.
The puzzle was fun, and the explanation was fun and entertaining. Thanks to all.
Owen, great chuckle-worthy poems. Thanks!
Good evening, folks. Thank you, Gail and Bruce, for a fine puzzle. Thank you, Jazzbumpa, for a fine review.
Kazie: Happy Birthday, and many more!
CED: Your daughter's song was beautiful.
Puzzle was great. Got the theme after I thought about it for about a half hour.
Puzzle itself fell together easily.
A few tough ones, however, HANA, EPOS, MILT, TTYL, ORZO, HOYA, ORGANDY, PONTE. Thank you, perps.
Tried BASS before HARPS became obvious.
See you tomorrow.
Abejo
( )
Lost another one . The profile icon is too close to the square.
Misty, I'm motivated to reread "Turn. " .
Xword went smoothly . Kus and Yus were terrific.
WC
Thank you, Wilbur. My students all thought the writing was surprisingly difficult, and I thought making sense of what really happens is incredibly challenging, even though the work seems like such a simple little ghost story. So if you do re-read it, let me know what you think of it.
Picard @ 5:50 pm
LIU.......The Op-Ed page means "Opposite the Editorial page !
WR Hearst - both page sides, the OP and ED, have a slant/opine views as discerning reader knows. -T
I know what up ed means. I used it figuratively, something ,I would like to send in to the editorial page. I am very sad that there is little acceptance of objective fact today. Each person has his so called truth. Fact and opinion are treated as equally true.
OP ED, not UP ED, I must have been half asleep.
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