google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Monday June 15, 2020 Mark McClain

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Jun 15, 2020

Monday June 15, 2020 Mark McClain

Theme: AFTERSHOCK (64. Earthquake echo, or where the last words of the answers to starred clues might go) - "Shock" can precede the last word of each theme answer.

17. *Price a discarded item might fetch: SCRAP VALUE. Shock value.

27. *Preliminary book copy for editing: PRINTER'S PROOF. Shockproof.

48. *Salon job often shortened to its first four letters: PERMANENT WAVE. Shock wave.

Boomer here.

The Dow Jones average was not SHOCKPROOF last Thursday. We have a new garage door coming Wednesday.  Actually our existing door works fine however we are in a townhome association and it seems most of our neighbors have upgraded their garage doors, so we need to keep up with the Joneses.

Across:

1. The "M" in STEM, briefly: MATH.  One of my best subjects. I was always the one to keep the bowling scores.  Yup, I am so old we used to have to write the scores on a paper sheet.

5. Bistro offerings: MEALS.  Still shy of Bistros and the like.  C.C. and I like to visit a buffet once in a while, but not while the Covid-19 is still a threat. I think that's why the stock market crashed.  Some places have opened but the customers are staying home.)

10. Darkened for emphasis, as text: BOLD.

14. New York canal: ERIE.  Also a Great Lake.

15. Quiver projectile: ARROW.  Also a vintage Pierce automobile. Told you I was old.

16. "Buy It Now" site: EBAY.  I used to sell baseball cards and coin proof sets on EBAY.  Not so much anymore.

19. Zonk out: DOZE.

20. Snail's protection: SHELL. Also a gasoline company.  Are they still around?  I don't see Shell stations in Minnesota anymore.

21. Directs: OVERSEES.

23. "__ on Down the Road": "The Wiz" song: EASE.

26. Bus sked info: ETA.  When will I get there?  Last time I rode a bus was when my '81 Ford pickup decided to quit running on Lake Street.  The same Lake Street that is now boarded up.

33. Corp. money exec: CFO.

35. Medical pros: DOCS.  "What's Up??" - Bugs Bunny.

36. Take great pleasure in: SAVOR.  My favorite is pizza.

37. Ship frame: HULL.  The "Golden Jet" Bobby of the Chicago Black Hawks.


39. "__ one is better?": WHICH.  "Which Witch is a good Witch, Dorothy ??"

42. Great Pyramid site: GIZA.

43. Physicist Newton: ISAAC.

45. Surrey slammer: GAOL.

47. Butterfly catcher: NET.  Also a puck catcher.  Ask the Golden Jet.

52. RVer's stopover: KOA.  Nice campgrounds for travelers.

53. Interstate hauler: SEMI.

54. Glam or punk, to rock: SUBGENRE.

59. Cinderella's sweepings: ASHES.  Tobacco Store at Knollwood mall.

63. Horror film assistant: IGOR.

67. Sunscreen additive: ALOE.

68. Stale-smelling: MUSTY.

69. Grape soda brand: NEHI.  I think this was a favorite of Radar O'Reilly.

70. "Well, I'll be darned!": MY MY.

71. "Family Ties" mother: ELYSE.

72. Asian wheat noodle: UDON.

Down:

1. Total disorder: MESS.  Minneapolis and other cities witnessed this for several weeks.

2. Word with enemy or rival: ARCH.  The Golden ones sell hamburgers.

3. Grow weary: TIRE.  I have 30,000 miles on mine.  They might be growing weary soon.

4. Shaman, for one: HEALER.  I certainly hope Abejo finds the right one.

5. Dallas NBAer: MAV.  Not to be confused with Bret, played by James Garner.  I told you I was old.


6. Important period: ERA.  Important Stat for MLB pitchers.

7. Woody's singing son: ARLO.  "You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant.

8. Shutter with slanted slats: LOUVER.

9. Sugary goodies: SWEETS.

10. Places to sleep: BEDS.  Places for flowers. We added to the front of our home last week.

11. Flute's orchestral neighbor: OBOE.

12. Lounge (around): LAZE.

13. Hair salon colors: DYES.  Hair salons are not doing too well during the virus.

18. Flannel shirt pattern: PLAID.  I see a bit of this in Scottish bands in parades.

22. Knocks loudly: RAPS.

24. Winter forecast: SNOW.  "Oh the weather outside is frightful, your smile is so delightful."

25. Mark permanently: ETCH.  We had an ETCH A SKETCH when I was a kid,

27. Kind of ice cap: POLAR.  There are ads on TV, which the virus has me watching too much. You can adopt a POLAR bear for only $8.00 per month.  Good grief!

28. Endorse digitally: E SIGN.

29. Cleaner's cloth: RAG.

30. Like sheep: OVINE.  But I don't think you can adopt a sheep.  BAAAH.

31. Move like molasses: OOZE.

32. Greek campus group: FRAT.  I don't think those guys in "Animal House" were Greeks.

33. Short golf shot: CHIP.  Putts are usually shorter.  CHIP was one of  "My Three Sons".

34. Firecracker-lighting cord: FUSE.  Bussmann makes them, Graybar sells them.


38. Perp's escape: LAM.

40. Webber musical based on Eliot poems: CATS.

41. Sewing machine inventor Elias: HOWE.  NHL Hockey great - Gordie.

44. Wedding reception centerpiece: CAKE.  Some of these are really fantastic.  I never know how they build them so high.  I think many folks have the top layer in their freezer, waiting for their 50th Anniversary.

46. Buddhist teachers: LAMAS.

49. Generic: NO NAME.

50. Probably more than you wanted to hear: EARFUL. I was just thinking that this could be an adjective for my blog expo.

51. Hindu deity: VISHNU.

54. Thailand, once: SIAM.  Are you wearing pants??  Yes SIAM.

55. Like eyesores: UGLY.

56. Explosive sound: BOOM.  That would be me.  Born in the Truman administration.

57. Western writer Zane __: GREY.

58. Crafter's website: ETSY.  I wonder if they have ever seen my Boondoggle.


60. Worked the soil: HOED.  C.C. and I did a little while planting our tomatoes, beans and radishes.

61. Cavern phenomenon: ECHO.

62. Largest human organ: SKIN.  I wonder if that includes the skin of my teeth.

65. Sci-fi series extras: ETS.

66. Whiskey grain: RYE.  I like RYE bread.  Doc says no whiskey for me though.

Boomer





74 comments:

OwenKL said...

Nero's name was ETCHED in granite
To last for ages, thus he'd plan it.
In my time
I just E-SIGN.
My name's not as lasting, dang it.

Now, I wouldn't want to brag
But my children do not drag
An OOZING MESS
Into our nest
Unless they clean it with a RAG!

{B, B.}

Hungry Mother said...

Wanted “galley” PROOF, because that was the worst part of the process of writing my four textbooks. I learned “stet” and that publishing a book is about 25% fun and 90% drudgery. My only write-over was LOUVER 4 LOUVre.

MitziMouse said...

I am a novice of crossword. I've been playing LA Times Crossword for 5 years. I love this site because it explains a lot of words that I don't know. Since I am Japanese I know certain words. Is 72 across answer Soba instead ofUdon? I know some Soba(s) are made of buckwheat but not Udon.

desper-otto said...

Good morning!

Noticed EBAY, ETSY, and ESIGN, and thought we were headed for some sort of internet theme. Nope. Tried to put a WICK on that firecracker. Then the FU showed up. Oops! Yay -- d-o got the theme, even while failing to read the full reveal clue. This week is off to a good start. Thanx, Mark and Boomer. (Are you saying those paper bowling scorepads are a thing of the past? News to me.)

LOUVER: We had 100% jalousie windows in our house on Guam. In those days, the lowest temp ever recorded on the island was 57°, and that was during a tropical storm. The highs never got out of the low 90s. Those LOUVERed windows didn't provide much (any?) insulation, but since it never got cold, nobody cared?

Boomer said...

Desper-otto Good Morning. When I was a kid the bowling desk would give you a sheet of paper and the scorer's desk would have a pencil that you could rest on your shoulder while you write the scores. Believe it or not, the first games I bowled were at an UPSTAIRS bowling center and there was a real person behind the pins and he would retrieve the ones you knocked down and set them up for the next bowler. C'mon, I know you know all this. You must remember this. In 1960 those who had reached the ripe old voting age, were finally able to vote for a president with hair. (Not me - I was 13.)

Yellowrocks said...

Quick sashay. For a few answers I needed to wait for a perp or two to confirm which answer would fit with crosses.
Boomer, fun blog. Ray's style is rubbing of on you. Yes, Siam.
My dad liked buckwheat pancakes. In re buckwheat: "And despite its name, it's really not related to wheat at all. Buckwheat is actually the seed of a flowering fruit that is related to rhubarb and sorrel. It's completely gluten-free and unrelated to wheat and all the grasses in the wheat family. Oct 8, 2008" Soba is made from buckwheat I like cold soba noodles, served with a dipping sauce.
Udon is made from actual wheat.
One summer my brother worked as a pinsetter.
I know someone who called jalousie windows JAH LOUSY windows.
Time for my walk. I waited until after breakfast and finishing the puzzle today.

desper-otto said...

Boomer, my first cash-paying job was as that guy who set the pins. I learned how to pick up four pins -- two in each hand grasped at the neck -- and pitch them into the rack, skipping the slots above the still-standing pins. If the bowler missed, I could just push down the rack and it'd be ready for the next bowler. It paid the princely sum of 10¢ per line (game). But the last time I was in a bowling alley, they were still using paper scoring sheets. How do you prove your 300 game when there's no written record of it?

Anonymous said...

Today's took 4:38. This was unfamiliar to me, "Surrey slammer: gaol." I guess it still is.

Spitzboov said...

Good morning everyone.

Easy solve; straightforward theme; and a fine intro from Boomer. All's right with the world. No erasures and no searches were needed.
UDON - Udon are chewy Japanese noodles made from wheat flour, water, and salt, typically served in a simple dashi-based broth. They’re thicker than buckwheat soba noodles—typically two to four millimeters—and can be either flat or rounded. Udon dough can be difficult to knead, and some swear by stomping on the dough to relax it.
ARROW - I shot an Arrow into the air
It fell to earth I [knew] not where,
For so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.

ERIE - Thinking of Abejo. Do you know that L. ERIE is the only Great Lake whose maximum depth is above sea level?
OOZE - Had my black-strap molasses with oatmeal this morning.
POLAR - Here are today's ICEBERGS

Read an Op-Ed piece in the WSJ, and the word lickspittle was used twice. I think we might say an A**K***er?

billocohoes said...

Anon at 7:45 - Surrey is in England, "GAOL" is English spelling for JAIL, jail = the slammer in American slang

Lucina said...

Hola!

STEM made me think of STEM cells so I was off the track for a while but perps easily altered my course.

Naturally at ERIE my thoughts are on Abejo with the hope that he will be well.

Oscar Wilde introduced me to GAOL where he spent some time and wrote about it.

Salons are open here but with very strict guidelines and limited access. One of my friends went for a haircut and PERMANENT WAVE on Friday and she described the details.

CAKE and SWEETS in the puzzle give me a virtual taste of forbidden foods.

Zane GREY's home in northern Arizona burned a few years ago during one of the forest fires.

Thank you, Mark McClain and Boomer! Yes, Boomer, we have SHELL stations here.

Have a lovely day, everyone!

TTP said...





Mark, your puzzles are always clued so cleanly, and I for one appreciate the lack of crosswordese.

Thanks for the review, Boomer. Your quips often make me chuckle.

Desper-otto, as Boomer said, no more paper sheets for scoring. Now they use "telescores" that project the scores over the lanes. They have these translucent sheets that are held in place on the table by an open metal frame over a glass panel, with an upward projecting light below. Scores are recorded with a type of a wax pencil, almost crayon-like. The image is projected upwards into a small hood over the table, where mirrors are used to project the enlarged image outward and over the lane above the foul line.

Abejo, I'm hoping you get good news today.

Abejo said...

Good morning, folks. Thank you, Mark McClain, for a fine puzzle. Thank you, Boomer, for a fine review.

Puzzle went quickly. I slept a little better last night, so I did not get up to work the puzzle so I could make myself tired.

Caught the them when I was finished. Made sense.

Saw that ERIE made the puzzle. Nice. Spitz: Caught your note about Lake Erie's depth. That is interesting. I never knew that fact. I knew that Erie was shallower than the rest, not above sea level. Good to know. Thanks.

We are getting ready to head to the doctor. So, I will not hang around here much longer.

Thank you everybody for your kind wishes yesterday. I read them last night. I will let the blog know what happens.

Best Regards and see you tomorrow.

Abejo

( )

Irish Miss said...

Good Morning:

A nice, easy-peasy start to the week. No clue to the theme until the Aha reveal! Several catchy duos: Etsy and EBay, Lamas/Lamb, ETs/ETA/Era, and The Etch/Etsy/Echo trio. CSO to all the cat lovers (CATS), Abejo (Erie), and Boom (Boomer). No unknowns and no w/os made this an enjoyable solve.

Thanks, Mark, for a pleasant Monday offering and thanks, Boomer, for the chuckles and commentary.

Abejo, best of luck.

MitziMouse 6:32 ~ Welcome, hope you’ll join the group. I love your user name, BTW. 🐭

I’m going to have a “Lucina Day” 💲💲💲without leaving the house or using my computer.

9:00 ~ Cleaning Lady
1:00 ~ Hair Dresser
12:00 ~ A/C Serviceman

Oh, well, as my husband used to say: “It’s only money.”

Have a great day.

Husker Gary said...

Musings
-Much is made of a STEM gender gap. I never saw it in my middle school kids
-Prove a Timex watch is SHOCK PROOF? Tape it to Mickey Mantle’s bat
-Getting up at dawn at a KOA at the foot of the Tetons was amazing
-It appears that NO NAME products are big in Canada. Canada Eh?
-I got an EARFUL of gossip last week from an acquaintance while golfing
-The score is kept automatically on a TV over your lane for everyone to see.
-My mom taught me two things: How to figure a bowling score and how to keep a baseball scorebook
-We HOED and tilled but for the first time ever our tomato’s leaves wilted and we started over
-Hungry Mother, on what subject did you write texts?
-Welcome MitziMouse!

Mark McClain said...

Thanks, all for the nice write up and comments! In this kind of puzzle (sometimes called "words with") is usually difficult to figure out the theme, and this one is no exception. When I'm solving a puzzle and the first two theme entries don't seem to have anything in common, I often jump down to look for that "reveal" entry that explains it all. That sometimes helps in figuring out the other themers. Or not. Anyway, happy Monday to everyone.

inanehiker said...

This was a nice breezy Monday - but with a little crunch which I liked to wake up my brain!

When I was growing up we had the score pads with the wax pencils that then would project up on an overhead screen, but the last time I went bowling the lanes themselves know how many pins were knocked down and it electronically fills in overhead with no one having to know how to score! Our family used to like to go bowling over Christmas holidays often a Boxing Day activity, but now that kids are working and don't have longer school breaks it has often gone by the wayside!

Thanks Boomer for the smiles and Mark for the puzzle!
and continued prayers for Abejo and family!

Yellowrocks said...

The appliance repair people are coming this afternoon to repair my washer. No one, except for myself, has been in this house for three months. I am leery of this visit, but it is necessary. I will wipe everything down when the workers leave.
If Anon T and his family got the virus while being so careful, that makes it even scarier.

inanehiker said...

Oh and I forgot we have Shell stations everywhere here too like Lucina!

NaomiZ said...

Loved the puzzle. An easy Monday solve with fair clues and common knowledge answers. Yellowrocks, I have been wondering whether to have service people in the house. One oven has died, but I do have another. I have replacement faucets to be installed and a long list of other plumbing chores. And frankly, it's a little dusty in here! My cleaning efforts fall short. My brother had COVID-19, suffered as if from a very bad flu, and recovered but with the TOTAL loss of his sense of smell, which several weeks later shows no sign of returning. My mother-in-law, age 93, is recovering from COVID-19 now. I would prefer to avoid it!

oc4beach said...


Hey Mark, Great puzzle today. Boomer followed it up with a great grid tour and an explanation of the theme which I didn't see while filling out the puzzle.

Perps did not take a LAM today. They helped with the theme entries along with UDON (I also tried SOBA), GOAL, and it totally filled in ELYSE which I didn't know even though I used to watch the show back in the 80's.

HG: I remember the live Timex commercials back in the 50's with John Cameron Swayze. Takes A Licking and Keeps on Ticking. Here is the classic Outboard Motor Commercial where the watch came off of the blade.

IM: My DW was scheduled for a Perm just as the Governor closed the state down in March. So it was almost 4 months since her last one in February. After we got to the Green Phase she was able to schedule an appointment last week. Happiness reigned. She has cut my hair 3 times so I am not in bad shape. I'm going to try to schedule a hair appointment sometime this week.

I hope everyone stays safe.

Lemonade714 said...

Two certainties on a Monday. Mark McClain will entertain, and Boomer will deliver humor!

Thank you also OKL.

Wilbur Charles said...

Boomer you were terrific this morning. I was born just before HST took over for FDR.
In Boston we had Big Brother, Bob Emery and this:
"Oh, the grass is always greener
In the other fellow's yard
The little row, we had to HOE,
Oh boy that's hard"
If we all could wear green glasses now…"

My last box was the WAG of MEAL/MEAd. Is there a dOUVER?

I wonder if the"No-Name" restaurant in Boston will sue for copyright infringement? I wonder if they offered RayO a job?

It was Candlepins in the Boston area. Duckpins further South in RI. I was a wild lefty who once threw a 156 with a 3 box and a 4 box. And a LL Box of 0-0-9-11. The last two: SO's and walks but I don't know the order. Six innings.

Oh, I found this Saturday hard in spots with barely enough perps to save abject humiliation. Did it online

WC

Sewsweet said...

Started to put shook for shock before I read the clue, otherwise no mistakes! Happy Monday everyone. I look forward to this blog every day.

OMaxiN said...

Nice Monday puzzle with a few crunchy answers.
It doesn't matter to me whether my bowling score is electronic or paper because I rarely make a strike or spare.
SHELL branded gas available only at convenient stores in this area.
NEHI was good, but my favorite was NuGrape.
MAVerick Bret & Bart. Boomer this also appears to confirm my age.
MAVrik - new Calloway irons
Thank you Mark and Boomer.
MO

CanadianEh! said...

Marvelous Monday. Thanks for the fun, Mark and Boomer.
I FIRed in good time with only a couple of inkblots. Gaza changed to GIZA when OVINE appeared; Vishna changed to VISHNU with UDON. And I found all the AFTERSHOCKs.

I smiled to see BEDS, DOZE and LAZE in the top NE corner. We had EBAY, ESIGN and ETSY (oops, d'otto beat me to it).
Salons are not yet allowed to open in our area; many are waiting for DYES and PERMANENT WAVEs. I would just like a cut; it has been 137 days (like oc4beach's DW, I cancelled an appt. in mid-March). I now have a pony-tail.

We still have SHELL gas here in Canada, Boomer.
Hungry Mother - if you had been reading my -er vs. re rants, you would have entered LOUVRE automatically LOL (also note GENRE) (I see d'otto @6:57 missed the memo too!). . . and we even had GREY spelled properly today. (But not SAVOR - sigh!)

Continued thoughts of Abejo with ERIE.
Yes, HuskerG, we have had NO NAME brand for a long time. Some are OK; others not as good.
Welcome, MitziMouse.
Wishing you all a good day.

Ray - O - Sunshine said...

Almost a no-inkover FIR but put putt instead of CHIP too quickly. Should have checked the perp first otherwise fun Monday. And.....as usual.....didn't get the theme.

ETSY should pay LAT an advertising fee.

Didn't know STEM. That logo implies something after my time. Although we didn't cipher with a piece of coal on the back of a shovel there must be a scholastic rule that math has to change enough each generation so parents can't help their kids' with homework

Isaac's other discovery the fig (or various fruit filled) Newton is supposed to be a loCal snack unless you eat ten of them like I can't resist doing. Can anyone eat just one crossword oreo?

The final blow to cursive is ESIGN. Wedding centerpiece: Martini Fountain wouldn't fit but CAKE would.

First thought for largest organ was liver, too many letters. As Boomer said? sussed it by the SKIN of my teeth. Wiki claims the largest organ is the Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ in Atlantic City. 33,000 pipes 150 tons.

Which brings us to....

Ten strikes for 300 points. He ______ a perfect game....BOLD
"Elias, _____ did you come up with that idea?....HOWE
Hoagie or grinder..... SUB GENRE
Other side of the "pond"......OVERSEES

Good luck with test results Abejo







Wilbur Charles said...

"Martini fountain" cracked me up

Lemonade714 said...

G- soft g
AO-long a
L- ell
_
gal = jail

why not?!?

Misty said...

Fun Monday puzzle, thank you, Mark, and thanks for checking in with us. And your write-ups are always a delight, Boomer, thank you too. I was going to look up STEM and was so thankful that you explained it with illustration. Also nice to see you get a shout-out with BOOM. I also loved your posting a picture of Radar O'Reilly--one of my favorites from the old days.

Like Hungry Mother and others, I too had LOUVRE before correcting it to LOUVER.

Welcome to the blog, MitziMouse. And you too, Sewsweet.

Fun poems, Owen.

Sorry to hear about the COVID problems in your family, NaomiZ.

Good luck with your procedure, Abejo.

Have a good week coming up, everybody.

Abejo said...

Folks:

Just got back from the doctor. He told me I have lung cancer. Next is an MRI of the brain, and then an oncologist will contact me.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers of the past, and I could use a few more now, if you have some to spare. See you tomorrow.

Abejo

( )

Shankers said...

Too fast today. Needed a break after a tough Saturday and Sunday. Now that we're all sharing bowling stories I have to share my own. As a kid growing up in Northlake, Il just west of Chicago, I started bowling around 6th grade and got my own ball for Christmas a year later. A couple times a week I would trek over to the new 76 lane bowling alley which gigantic for 1957. I'd draw a scoresheet in 3×5 spiral notebook to keep an ongoing record of my progress for every visit. It cost 35 cents a line at the time. After bowling I'd walk 1/2 mile to McDonald's (one of the first in the country) and have a vanilla shake for 15 cents. A line of bowling and a shake for a total of 50 cents. Life doesn't get much better than that! Well, 60+ years later doing crosswords maybe it does get better.

Ray - O - Sunshine said...

As a tyke used to go with Dad to watch him bowl in his league. Was fascinated by pin boys spotting pins. It must have been hot, they were all shirtless and had to hang back out of the way of the ball and pins.

Then one day they were gone, replaced by automatic pin setters. Dad and his buddies didnt exactly understand the timing of the machines. After a spare Dad immediately bowled again ... the ball smashing into the front of the pin setter. I looked down the lanes when I heard similar smashing. All the automatic setters were already dented up.

As I was previewing this I saw Abejo's comment. Not the greatest news but many treatment options. Keep us current

Wilbur Charles said...

Abejo, sorry to hear the bad news. Prayer and modern medicine are Hope.

WC

Lucina said...

Abejo:
I am so sorry! Yes, you will be in my daily prayers. Do you know how advanced it is and what stage?
Life is so unfair!

desper-otto said...

Abejo, sorry to hear your news. You can rest assured that we're all pulling for you.

Ray-o, it actually takes twelve strikes for 300 points.

Wilbur Charles said...

I knew there was something that sounded like DOUVER
Duvet

This is so obvious for so many in here.
My only solace is some of the stuff I am familiar with. The V8 can hit when I looked it up.

WC

John E said...

Abejo, you've got a huge squad here with you. Big virtual hugs, John

Irish Miss said...

Abejo, I am so sorry you had to receive such frightful news. You will definitely be in my daily prayers and positive thoughts, as well.

Irish Miss said...

SewSweet @ 10:26 ~ Belated welcome to the Corner. I hope you’ll join in on the daily camaraderie and commentary.

FLN

Misty, I‘ll do my best to live up to your flattering image of my crossword skills. 🤭

AnonDon said...


Boomer and DO

All this talk about bowling brings back memories. I was a pinboy back in the late forties. There was a peddle located in the center of the end of the lane, which when depressed, raised ten steel dowels which fit into holes drilled in the bottom of the pins. This allowed the pins to be set in the proper location. After the first ball was retrieved and placed on the return ramp the downed pins were removed in preparation for the next shot. (The "good" bowlers liked to have everything set up when the ball returned to the rack). The pinboy then hopped up on the barricade between lanes and prepared to defend himself against errant pins by kicking them away. There was a cutout in the barricade between every two lanes which allowed one pinboy to set both lanes. To set three lanes you had to jump over the barricade. At least once a night some half drunk SOB would think it was funny to hit the pinboy. They ended up on the outside looking in. We were paid with change thrown down the alley after the game.

Ray - O - Sunshine said...

Oops. My bad. Haven't bowled in years Thanks DO. As kids always had to ask the shoe guy how to figure and add up the final frames...understand score kept by machine now

Lemonade714 said...

Abejo, I join in prayers for your recovery. Cancer is horrible but the survival rate continues to grow.

Sew-sweet, welcome. You sound like you are. We will try not to needle you. Also, Mitzi-Mouse, are you related to our previous poster Anony-Mouse?

WC, I think your brain is trying to recall chef d'oeuvre a French co-opted phrase for a masterpiece, or hors d'oeuvre the premeal snack .

Bill G said...

Growing up, duckpins were the only bowling commonly available in northern Virginia. I liked being able to hold the ball in your hand rather than by using the holes. With smaller pins and more space between the pins, scores were lower even though you got three rolls per frame.

Abejo, the best possible good wishes heading your way from southern California!

~ Mind how you go...

AnonymousPVX said...


Abejo, I am thinking of you, my very best wishes for you.

This Monday grid filled quickly.

No write-overs today.

Stay safe one and all...see you Tuesday.

Anonymous T said...

Abejo - My God Mate. I'm so sorry to hear that. You must have a billion questions for the DOCS and the Lord/Universe/that other God in the puzzle...
Ray-O mentioned the treatment options - get the ones that give you best out-comes and best quality of life.

I'm with you Brother. God Speed. -T

PK said...

Abejo, so sorry to hear your news. Virtual hugs and continuing prayers for you. One of my sisters-in-law was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer four years ago and is still going after several rounds of chemo and medications. Hang in there!

PK said...

Hi Y'all! Fast & fun puzzle, Mark, thanks! More fun from Boomer, thanks, as always!

Liked the theme which I got with the reveal. All were filled earlier.

The only real problem I had was with GAOL altho I knew the English called it that. "Surrey" in the clue was the bug-a-boo. I could only think of the one "with the fringe on the top" and didn't know what would be slamming into that horse-drawn buggy. ESP

Hand up for LOUVre first.


Shankers said...

Abejo, all us Cornerites are so sorry to hear the latest news, but our collective prayers will help see you through this difficult time. We are all with you in spirit.

Wheels42 said...

Wishing you all the best, Abejo.

Ol' Man Keith said...

Seems like a lotta "comments" today--or am I just late in signing on?

Boomer ~ So you took your nom de plume (ou guerre?) from your birth during the Truman admin, eh? Because it was a "boom time" or because of all the A-Bomb tests?
By that reckoning, I should be called "New Deal," right?

Good pzl today. Enjoyable ride. Thanks to Mark McClain!

Misty ~ Why, oh why, did I also put LOUVRE before LOUVER? I am usually firmly opposed to these fancy Frenchified "re" spellings (like Centre and [ugh] Theatre), so why did I go there first?
The "re" is just a poor man's attempt at class, a hoity-toity bit of snobbery.
I mean, we don't even pronounce the "re" in the French fashion but stick to our good old Anglo-Germanic "er"!
~ OMK
____________
DR:
A 3-way on the near end.
The central diagonal yield's a threatening anagram. Could it be one of Tony Stark's weapons, an...
"IRON MAN CLAW"?!

Anonymous said...

Change LASE to LAVA and you get DOVE OVERSEAS

Ol' Man Keith said...

Abejo ~ Just read your serious diagnosis. Sorry, it's certainly not the best of news.
But I guess this is why hope was invented. My step-dad faced the same hurdle, and there were many good years ahead for him. Long happy times.
Keep hope alive; put it to work for you.
We are with you.
~ OMK

Spitzboov said...

Abejo - Sorry the news wasn't better. They are doing a lot of good things in treatment so we hope for a good outcome. When you go to the oncologist to plan your therapy, make sure to take someone with you who is a good listener and can take good notes. We have found it helpful because the patient can be overwhelmed with information and treatment options, while being distracted by his situation.
Take this time to go on line and find out all you can. It will make your Dr.'s visits more meaningful and productive. The patient has to be his own chief advocate.
I hope your treatments will be successful. I'll be thinking of and praying for you.

The Curmudgeon said...

Monday FIR-of course.

Don't think I ever had NEHI. As a kid I drank Grape Fanta.

I went to Elias HOWE School in Bridgeport CT (home of HOWE Machine Co.).

Anonymous said...

Abejo, I join with all the other members of this Corner wishing you the best of medical advice and care as you start this new journey. I'm sorry to hear of this diagnosis and hope modern medicine will cure you.

oc4beach said...


Abejo, this fellow Pennsylvanian is joining everyone else in wishing you the best.

Chairman Moe said...

Puzzling Thoughts:

Abejo, as a cancer survivor, you have my utmost attention, prayers, and positive thoughts. Hope they caught it early ...

Not much to add to the commentary re the puzzle, other than to echo the kudos to Mark and Boomer for the clever xword and recap ...

ETSY —-> quickly becoming a crossword staple ... EBAY, too ... I guess we got the “daily double” by having both in today’s grid ...

I used to love to bowl as a teenager. Was in a Saturday morning league. Rolled a 223 at age 13 ...

Do you ever get a song/tune in your head, and then have to create a limerick or haiku? No? Good! You have ME to be that crazy and WEIRD. Here are today’s: (hope you all can hum the melodies in your head, afterwards!)

Limerick du jour:

John and Yōko fulfilled their romance
With son Sean; but they soon took a stance,
When their child didn’t eat
Any veggies, they’d bleat:
“All we are saying, is give peas a chance.”

Haiku du jour(following the theme):

Sonny and Cher had
Similar problem, with Chaz.
And the beet goes on ...

SwampCat said...

Abejo, I just read of your sad news. Prayers from here, of course, and the very best hope you find a medical miracle. They are out there! We are here for you!

TTP said...



Abejo, I just read your update. I'm saddened to hear that. However, as Ray-O said, you'll have different treatment plans available.

I think Spitzboov provided sage advice. Take you wife and daughter if you can, and have them take copious notes. Question what's not understood, and keep a positive mental attitude.

We are all pulling for you.

Yellowrocks said...

Abejo, so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I have known several people with the same who have survived well. Keep your chin up. The British say keep your pecker. Oh, the cultural misunderstanding. With your strong character and fighting spirit, family love and friends, the odds are strongly with you. Hugs. I know everyone here is pulling for you.

Welcome Sew-sweet. Do you sew? Welcome MITZImouse, cute name.

Jayce said...

Wishing you all the best, Abejo. Spitzboov's advice is good.

inanehiker said...

Abejo - you will definitely have my prayers!

One of the best resources I have had patients recommend was useful for them going through a new diagnosis is this one:

"Cancer, Now What? Taking action, finding hope and navigating the journey ahead" by Kenneth C. Haugck

https://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Taking-Finding-Navigating-journey/dp/1930445040/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EF0UXHPZR9MB&dchild=1&keywords=cancer+now+what+kenneth+haugk&qid=1592259478&sprefix=Cancer+now+what%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1

Misty said...

Abejo, take good care of yourself--you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Chairman Moe, your Beatles poem cracked me up--"give peas a chance"?!

Spitzboov said...

Inane's Link

Bill G said...

Today is our anniversary. Fifty-five so far. It seems like just yesterday we were in Sage Chapel at Cornell...

Avg Joe said...

I'm very sorry to hear the news Abejo, and wish you the very best in getting through this.

Yellowrocks said...

Expe. B
Experian told me my email address and password is on the park web. Is changing my password enough.

Irish Miss said...

Bill G @ 6:34 ~ Happy 55 th Anniversary to you and Barbara! That is quite a milestone! 🎂 🍾💞

My A/C is up and running, just in time for the 90 degree temps coming on Wednesday. The charge was $238.00 which I didn’t think was bad as the serviceman was here 1 1/2 hours and the service call alone is $95.00 to just ring your doorbell! Oh, well, my house is clean, my hair is cut and styled, and I’m comfortably cool, so today was a good day. 🤗

CanadianEh! said...

Abejo- sorry to hear this news. Continued thoughts and prayers for you!

Happy 55th Anniversary to Bill G and Barbara!

PK said...

Bill & Barbara, Congratulations on 55 years of marriage!

Yuman said...

Abejo, beating cancer is your new super power, you can do it!

Anonymous T said...

Hi All!

Abejo - man, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. What am I saying? I'm sure you are too... Peace Bro.

Thanks Mark for the puzzle and stopping in at the Corner. SHOCK is appropriate for today.

Great expo Boomer! Is that really your boondoggle?

WO: Laos b/f SIAM (um, yeah...)
ESPs: GAOL | HOWE was last fill.
Fav: Now, y'all know I like to pick non-themeres but, com'on PERMANENT WAVEs? [wiki] Spirit of Radio was RUSH's 1st Top 40 hit. [Brand-new animated short to celebrate 40th anniversary. D-O: You might recognize some of the DJs]

{A, B}
Sure, we all wish for whirled peas --- but the beet goes on? Nice Moe :-)
I'm this close to linkin' Black Sabbath OMK.
Really, Ray? BOLD?
:-)
//SUB GENRE was cute.

Welcome Sewsweet and MitziMouse. John E, are you new too? //no avatar to help jog the memory.
AveJoe - Like to see you under better circumstances (and where's your avatar? I was just telling Mom about the horse's a** last night*)

FLN - YR: I was getting sick two days b/f Eldest went to her dorm.

Spitz - I just found my new favorite word. Never heard lickspittle before but I bet I can use it before tomorrow's out.

pretty sure SHELL kept a presence downtown [worked in the building next door, I did.]

IM - Sounds like a red-letter day!

NaomiZ - I've heard that about covid & smell too. Seems odd but true.

Damn robots taking all the good jobs. [:50]

Happy Anniversary Bill G & Barbara!

Cheers, -T
*ever try helping your Mom setup a Twitter account? Oy!

Lucina said...

Bill G:
Happy anniversary! That is a milestone! I hope you did something special.