Theme: "Cel Mates" - The first word in each theme entry is a Disney character.
22. Disney dog serving in Congress?: LADY OF THE HOUSE. Lady and the Tramp.
34. Dale's brother, away from their home turf?: CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK. Chip and Dale.
49. One of Snow White's pals acting shellfish-ly?: HAPPY AS A CLAM. Seven Dwarfs.
68. Franchises owned by Donald's girlfriend?: DAISY CHAINS. Donald Duck and Daisy Duck.
88. Kitchen cooker belonging to 22-Across' beau?: TRAMP STEAMER. Lady and the Tramp.
97. Plans made by Bambi's skunk buddy?: FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS. The skunk Flower in "Bambi".
120. Hoggett's pig strolling on a forest path?: BABE IN THE WOODS. Hoggett is the farmer in "Babe".I chuckled at the puzzle title. Paul might be inspired to make this puzzle while taking care of his grandkids.
I
noticed that Paul does not seem to mind going over 78 for his total
black square count. Has any editor ever objected to your 82 black
squares, Paul? Maybe I should do the same. In a few of my previous
puzzles, 80 or 82 would have give me smoother fill.
Across:
7. Elaborate dos: COIFS.
12. Complicated situations: MESSES.
18. Brit's editorial: LEADER. Did not know this.
19. Formally disciplined: WROTE UP.
21. Clothing: ATTIRE.
24. Nova __: SCOTIA.
25. "Ah, me!": ALAS.
26. Spring zodiac sign: ARIES. Can't wait for the next spring. I want to linger in stores and touch things.
27. Mil. decorations: DSCS. DSC = Distinguished Service Cross.
29. Put up: ERECT.
30. Dorm, briefly: RES.
31. Part of FNMA?: MAE.
32. Assumed the role of: ACTED AS.
42. Name near the top of a "Citizen Kane" movie poster: ORSON.
43. Bed-and-breakfast, maybe: INN.
44. Lord's Prayer start: OUR.
45. "If all __ fails ... ": ELSE.
54. Surveillance tactic: STAKE OUT.
56. Photo __: OPS.
57. City near Provo: OREM.
58. Arch type: OGEE. Like this shape.
60. O, The __ Magazine: OPRAH.
61. Fernando's fire: FUEGO.
62. URL intro: HTTP.
64. Suffice: SERVE.
65. Trendy berry: ACAI. You can get the unsweetened açaí puree packets at Trader Joe's.
73. Line holder: REEL.
74. Gets thinner: BALDS.
76. Big name in pet food: IAMS.
77. Sweatshirt options: HOODS.
79. Bear: ABIDE.
80. Egyptian Christian: COPT.
82. Sign of cooking: ODOR. Odor can be good or bad. AROMA is always good.
83. Well put: APT.
86. Games category: TABLETOP.
93. "Night" author Wiesel: ELIE.
94. Baseball card stat.: RBI.
95. Trick taker, often: ACE. Card game, right?
96. "Rolling in the Deep" singer: ADELE.
104. Subject of 2001's "Blow": COCAINE.
107. "Bravo!": OLE.
108. Tide competitor: ERA.
109. Battery part: ANODE.
110. Chowder order: BOWL. Ah, I can't take cream. I love this
type of bowlful in Guangzhou. That deep red thing is date. Cantonese
like to put a few dates or figs in their soup. A few Goji berries. A few
slices of ginger. No blending or mixing. You can clearly see what
you're eating. Food integrity!
112. Informal byes: CIAOS.
114. Heave-ho: BOOT.
118. Enigma: RIDDLE.
123. Feral feline: OCELOT.
124. Developing: IN UTERO.
125. Perfect spot: UTOPIA. Thought of Tibet. Probably because I always associate Tibet with Shangri-la.
126. Moistens overnight, maybe: BEDEWS.
127. Backgammon piece: STONE.
128. Quarterback, at times: PASSER.
Down:
2. Authentic: REAL.
3. "Et voilà!": TA DA.
4. Big name in ice cream: EDY'S.
5. Old Metro maker: GEO.
6. Sounds from a kennel: ARF ARF.
7. Manitoba tribe: CREE.
8. Fireworks reactions: OOHS. Stunning, Anon-T!
9. "Who am __ judge?": I TO.
10. Like some laws or lords: FEUDAL.
11. Figured (out): SUSSED. When in doubt, "Hi, Tom!".
12. More, in Madrid: MAS.
13. "And so on and so forth," for short: ETC ETC.
14. Shop owners: STOREKEEPERS.
15. Located: SITED.
16. "Fear of Flying" author Jong: ERICA. Wiki says she has been
married four times. Her second husband is Allan Jong, a Chinese American
psychiatrist. Jong and Chung (as in Connie Chung) is the same
character.
17. Capacity count: SEATS.
19. Bridge ancestor: WHIST.
20. Ab neighbor: PEC.
23. Not kosher: TREF. Jewish law. For Muslims, not Halal is HARAM.
28. Manual gesture of respect: SALUTE.
31. "__ Lisa": MONA.
33. "Cooking From the Hip" chef Cat __: CORA.
34. Silver salmon: COHO.
35. '60s civil rights activist __ Brown: H RAP. Learning moment for me. H stands for his given name Hubert.
 |
36. Xfinity and MSN: ISPS.
37. Suddenly appear, with "up": POP.
38. "This round's __": ON YOU.
39. Minute Maid brand: HI C. Never had it.
40. Blowup: Abbr.: ENL.
41. Audio giant: BOSE.
46. "Casablanca" actor Peter: LORRE.
47. Urbane: SUAVE.
48. Singing Merman: ETHEL.
50. Cézanne's "Boy in __ Vest": A RED.
51. Dreamcast maker: SEGA.
52. Mine, in Metz: A MOI.
53. Closet pests: MOTHS.
55. Ali's 37: KOS.
59. 3.0, e.g.: Abbr.: GPA.
61. Nonsense: FIDDLE FADDLE. Is this a common saying? Never heard of it.
62. Marriott rival: HYATT.
63. Channel showing many old MGM and RKO films: TCM.
65. Let up: ABATE.
66. Plotting ring: CABAL.
67. One can help you get off: ALIBI.
69. Bit of a draft: SIP.
70. Its four-word name was reduced to four letters in 1973: IHOP. Good to know. Always thought it's just called IHOP.
71. Okays: NODS.
72. Sweep's target: SOOT.
75. "Comprende?": SEE.
78. King's iconic vision: DREAM.
80. All-natural flytrap: COBWEB. All-natural, ha!
81. Five-year-old Ron Howard first played him in 1960: OPIE.
83. "Absolutely!": AMEN.
84. Bombard: PELT.
85. Chic modifier: TRES. The French It girl Jeanne Damas.
/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__273821__jeanne-damas-rouje-lipsticks-review-273821-1543505039038-main.700x0c-9a9a4c21684944878beede85aeeb59d8.jpg)
87. 1982 Disney sci-fi film: TRON.
89. Red inside: RARE.
90. Unlike this ans.: ACR. Across.
91. __ culpa: MEA.
92. Citrus drink suffix: ADE.
98. Hide: LIE LOW.
99. Mountain ash trees: ROWANS. Also new to me. Pretty.
100. Nearly entirely: ALL BUT.
101. "Cool!": NEATO.
102. David who played Rhoda's husband Joe: GROH. Also stranger to me.
103. Relax: EASE UP.
104. Chocolate substitute: CAROB.
105. Chilled: ON ICE.
106. In need of deciphering: CODED.
111. Kimono sash: OBI.
112. Diez squared: CIEN. 100.
113. About, on a memo: IN RE.
114. Barrage from bleacher "birds": BOOS.
115. "Uh-oh!": OOPS.
116. Yellow comics dog: ODIE.
117. Bygone despot: TSAR.
119. UFO crew: ETS.
121. DDE's WWII domain: ETO.
122. Org. for the Williams sisters: WTA.
Happy 83rd birthday to dear Lucina, who's been with our blog for over 10 years. I met with Lucina and her sisters 8 years ago in Mall of America. You can see more pictures here. Lucina is very tight with her sisters.
Funny you shouls ask about black squares, C.C. Just last week, Rich asked me to trim some from an approved theme's grid. Also on the subject of C.C., last week she had the rare Sunday double. I said to myself, boy this doesn't happen often, two excellent Sunday puzzles from the same constructor. Now, I'd rate today's LAT as a fairly average theme, but I'd forgotten I also have the Universal today. We're told the schedule in advance, but sometimes it's way in advance. By the time it rolls around, I open the puzzle and I'm surprised to see my name.
ReplyDeleteThe Universal puzzle "This and That" started as a 15x, but its editor David Steinberg saw problems with half the theme. He challenged me to make it better. I worked on it a lot and managed to come up with enough material for a 21x. Neither of us thought it could be done, and it turned out one I like a lot. If you get the chance, please come back and tell me what you think. Universal puzzles are available on the Today's Puzzles tab at Crosswordfiend.com.
Good morning Cornerites.
ReplyDeleteThank you Paul Coulter for your enjoyable Sunday CW. I FIR in too much time to mention. Thanks for giving me another of your CWs.
Thank you C.C. for your excellent review.
Happy Birthday Lucina.
Ðave
Good morning!
ReplyDelete(Reposted to fix the music link.)
This one came in under 15 minutes, which is super-fast for d-o on a Sunday. Got the theme, but didn't realize that Babe was a Disney movie. It is Disney-cute, though. TREF is a word I've only seen in cws. I enjoyed it, Paul, and thanx for the tour, C.C.
FIDDLE FADDLE: Here the Leroy Anderson version.
"Jong and Chung (as in Connie Chung) is the same character." What? They're the same person? Oh, their names are written the same in Chinese. D'oh.
Happy Birthday Lucina Dale. I know that C.C. isn't particularly tall, but she towers over Lucina in that photo. How tall, Lucina?
Dear Lucy Dale does not reach 5' but had a birthday CSO with old partner Chip. Paul also added one for me.
ReplyDeleteFiddle Faddle is a silly word created in the 1600s, but in 1967 it became a
candy-coated popcorn produced by ConAgra Foods. Speaking of silly, International House Of Pancakes eventually became IHOP.
While not a big star, DAVID GROH was the co-star along with VALERIE HARPER od the second most watched TV episode , more than 50 million, when their characters married.
Since ancient times people in Scotland have been planting a Rowan beside their home as in Celtic mythology it's known as the Tree of Life. In the US we call it Mountain Ash.
Congrats on the Sunday double, C.C. had a triple last Sunday with a USA Today as well as a write-up here to go yard!
Lemonade - Thanks for the correction on C.C.'s triple last Sunday. I didn't know about her grid in USA Today. That isn't among the puzzles I regularly solve.
ReplyDeleteNo problem Paul, despite having Erik Agard take over as editor, USA Today is still not considered a major puzzle site. It also is a 15x15. It was dated 11-29-2020 (Sunday) but it does not appear easily. It was called Contact Us .
ReplyDeleteThank you, Paul and C.C.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Lucina!
FIR, but 61 down flummoxed me when I boldly wrote in "fiddlesticks". Took a few to see my error!
ReplyDeleteDid anyone else have FIDDLEsticks before FIDDLEFADDLE? My mom used to always say that about my nonsense. Maybe it's a regional thing.
ReplyDeleteLiked the theme but didn't realize all were Disney characters. Only took 48 minutes; might be a Sunday record for me.
Hand up. I think it made an appearance in one the puzzles here earlier in the week.
DeleteMusings
ReplyDelete-Gimmick made this a speed run. Foreign words _IAO/_IEN held me up for a short while. ROWANS and GROH filled themselves in.
-I got WROTE-UP for a stupid quixotic thing I did at school and it cost me later
-Orson co-wrote the screenplay, produced, directed, starred in Citizen Kane. He might get a mention
-If all ELSE fails, read the instructions
-The 9th line had Ops, Orem, Ogee and Oprah
-I played 18 holes Friday with my HOOD down in 50F weather, full sun and no wind
-ANODE – I called up a YouTube video to figure out how to jump start my newer car
-Ever wonder what a messaged CODED on a Nazi Enigma machine looked like. Here ‘ya go
-Happy Birthday, Lucina!
IIRC, the movie "The Imitation Game" revealed that the Enigma's undoing was that the transmissions always had the date, time, and the string like "Heil Hitler" in the same position in the message header (based on a tip from a spy). Turing's proto-computer was able to leverage that info to determine how to set a captured machine to decode messages. Great movie.
DeletePaul, I liked your This and That puzzle. STALWARTLY immediately came to mind, and I was surprised when it fit, and even more surprised when it turned out to be right. Nice one.
ReplyDeleteFIR. My only errant move was LADYinTHEswamp before I got the theme. The rest was straight-forward. The names were not overwhelming, but not invited.
ReplyDeleteGood morning everyone.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Lucina. Stolat!
Seemed on the easy side today. The theme fill consisted of mostly common phrases so that made the perps less needed.
SALUTE - The notion of 'greeting' is strongly imbedded in a SALUTE. The US Navy does not salute while uncovered.
CODED - I sometimes had to decode CODED messages while in the duty section in port. I was sure glad I had taken Typing in high school. Noted that CODED crossed RIDDLE.
OCELOT - Sure wouldn't want to adapt one to mopping per the discussion FLN.
Condolences to the Nova SCOTIANS on this, the 103rd anniversary of the ammunition ship explosion in Halifax Harbour. 1800 deaths and 9000 injured.
Good Morning:
ReplyDeleteI loved this theme because it evoked pleasant images of these lovable characters, especially Lady and Tramp slurping up their spaghetti while gazing starry-eyed at each other, while romantic music plays in the background. Besides that, all of the themers were clever and fun. My only true unknown was Rowans and no w/os to speak of. I liked the duos of Boot/Boos, Olla/Ole, Tref/Tres, ETs/ETO, and Ace crossing Acr. There were two Easter Eggs with Arf Arf and IAMS, ala Lady and Tramp. I, too, noticed the O row that HG mentioned. CSO at Aries to PK, Moi, and dear Abejo and to Lucina at Fuego, Olla, Ole, Mas, etc.
Thanks, Paul, for a nice diversion, so much appreciated these days and thanks, CC, for the excellent review and, as always, sharing some cultural tidbits. The photo of you and Lucina is lovely.
Happy Birthday, dear Lucina, I hope you sashay through it with panache and pizzazz! Pizza, too, if so desired! 😉
CED, please check your email.
Have a great day.
I agree Irish Miss. It was evocative of sweeter, gentler times. One the gifts Teri and I received for our 50th wedding anniversary was a coffee mug decorated with a cel from L&T, showing doe eyed Lady sharing a strand of sphagetti with her Tramp while they are being serenaded by the tavern owner playing the squeeze box. Great memories.
DeleteSorry, I forgot Lucina’s 🎂🎁🎊🎉
ReplyDeletePuzzling thoughts:
ReplyDeleteFirst, feliz cumpleaños Lucina!
Second, thanks Paul Coulter and CC for your cute puzzle and informative recap. Learning moments in both
Third, speaking of puzzle publishing, my collaboration with CC is due to appear in the Wall Street Journal tomorrow! Numero dos for me!! Not sure that having our puzzle entitled “Shake it Up” publish on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor is what I had hoped for, but I / we think you’ll delight in its theme ...
Fourth, I couldn’t help but notice that the answer to 9-Down is also the name of a judge who became famous back in the mid-1990’s
A few write-overs here and there ... I had ALMOST/ALL BUT in 100-Down, which caused a mini train wreck in neighboring cells. But it all came out in the wash ... not sure I’d ever heard of a TRAMP STEAMER before but maybe some of my “elders” here can enlighten me to the meaning of this 🤡. It’s kind of fun knowing that at age 67 I may be one of the younger ones here at the Corner ...
Moe-ku:
What did Judge ITO
Say, when FLOWER took the stand?
“ODOR in the court!!”
Hola!
ReplyDeleteThank you, C.C., for remembering my birthday. I love that photo of you and me. Yes, I am 4'11"and likely shrinking to even less. Most of the women in my family are/were under 5 feet. However, my oldest granddaughter is 5'10". Her father is 6'. Also thank you for the insight you provide us today and every Sunday.
Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I don't feel my age and thank God I'm in good health. December is a big month for Corner birthdays as we shall see in the coming week.
Thank you, Paul, for today's puzzle which was great fun. I enjoyed the Disney characters. LADY AND THE TRAMP was a big favorite with my daughter and my grandchildren so I've watched them all many times.
I love the puns and I believe DAISY CHAINS is my favorite.
IrishMiss:
I love the way you group some of the fill. No pizza for me today. We will go to the Longhorn Restaurant for steak.
Have a happy day, everyone! It certainly is for me reinforced by all you terrific Blog friends.
CMoe:
ReplyDeleteA TRAMP STEAMER refers to hobos who used to hop aboard a train in their quest for far away places. It may have started during the depression years.
Lucina —> thanks!!
ReplyDeleteBTW, as Lucina will attest, the AZ Republic newspaper finally got the constructor’s name correct in today’s paper!
tramp steamer
ReplyDeleten. Nautical
A commercial vessel that has no regular schedule but takes on and discharges cargo whenever hired to do so.
I loved the Disney character theme and the puns. I went through this one very quickly, but bogged own in the SE. I missed the O in GROH and the C and O in CIAOS, so I missed the C in CIEN. I believe I haven't seen that spelled out. I will try to remember it. The puzzle was still great fun, nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteHRAP and CORA were all perps.
Happy birthday, Lucina. I enjoy your posts.
I tried FIDDLE STICKS. When the last part didn't perp out I realized that FADDLE would work. I have heard it before.
This week I mentioned mistakes in novels. There are mistakes in TV news reporting also. Last night I heard that a politician was BRANDISHING his image. Wasn't that supposed to be BURNISHING?
Spitz, that is the definition of tramp steamer I know of.
FLN, I apologize for repeating, repeating, repeating. What I should apologize for was repeating that next to last glass of Cab.
ReplyDeleteSunday Speed Run ! Thank you, Paul Coulter (great title too!), and thank you, C.C. !
Happy Birthday, Lucina !
I spelled CIAOS ciaas. Not sure why. Another crossword with a single cel failure. See what I did there ?
I also did not know that an editorial was known as a LEADER in Great Britain. Also did not know H RAP. Thought there was something wrong in that area, but everything word and cross told me to just let it be. Also thought the same at ROWANS, and stet there as well.
IKEA before I-HOP. Nothing but the I was working and then the light bulb went on.
Cat CORA was a gimme. She was often on the original Iron Chef and then the follow on American version of the program. Still, my favorites have to be Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood on the Great British Baking Show. I love their good-natured banter and mutual respect for each other. He likes to tease her (gently), but she can counter and hold her own.
FIDDLE FADDLE - Using Google's ngram viewer, the term was most popular in the 1800s, with peak usages around 1820 and 1890. I knew it was a very polite way of saying, "BS, I don't believe (it, that, you, them etc etc)". But I also remember when the snack food Fiddle Faddle came out in the late 1960's. My mother loved it. Her fav for a long time.
Hand up for FIDDLEsticks before FIDDLEFADDLE. Didn't know ROWANS, GROH, or CORA, but that just means the perps were fair because I FIR. The occasional bit of French, Spanish and Hebrew really helps me out!!
ReplyDeleteFeliz cumpleaños, Lucina! Thanks, Paul, C.C., Rich and Joyce!
Mr. Coulter had a cartoon character-themed puzzle today. I FIR NW to SE faster than the usual Sunday with only two changes. FIDDLE STICKS to FIDDLE FADDLE (never heard of that other than a brand of generic Cracker-Jack with no toy in the box) and ALL to ERA detergent.
ReplyDeleteThe Mississippi Delta took come guessing to complete with ROWANS, STONE, & CIEN all unknowns. I figured Diez was 10 in some language and let the perps help. Never played backgammon but STONE was the only logical fill due to plural Mountain Ash treeS (new to me). No other problems. Cat CORA, David GROH, ROWANS, CIEN, STONE were unheard of unknowns today.
Gets thinner was a great clue for this BALD guy.
Daniel ORTEGA- people voted him in TWICE just to get more 'trickle up poverty'. Unbelievable.
I don't know who made the clue for 35D as 'community activist'. They certainly didn't bother to see that H. RAP Brown was convicted as a BANK ROBBER- five year in Attica Prison. Currently residing FOR LIFE in a Georgia prison for MURDER.
Thank you Paul Coulter for a wonderful, doable puzzle, that was very enjoyable, and CC for a delectable review ! Anything I didn't understand, was clearly explained...
ReplyDeleteVery, very pretty pictures of all of you !!!
Happy Birthday Lucina, you dont look a day over 45. Honest. .... Have a great day.
Do ex-nuns live longer, happier, lives because they are one with the world and the ongoing environment ?
Or, are they conditioned to control their extreme emotions, and thus their physical attributes, like their blood pressure and endorphins, that they live sedately in this trumultous world of ours.? Maybe such a training is as important as Yoga or Tai Chi.
IMHO, Tramp Steamer, could more easier refer to an older ocean going vesssel, an unscheduled liner/ship that often hauls odd cargoes and contract merchandise.
Halal vs. Haram.
A 'Harami' ( one, who commits Haram, prohibited actions ) epithet, is an extremely obscene word in SE Asia. Used irrespective on one's religion. It is like the 'N' word.
Just a funny note ...
The original name of the IHOP franchise, was apparently International House of Eggs , but the name was changed, because the acronym, or logo, of IHOE was not considered enticing enough.
Thanks for a fun and fast puzzle.
ReplyDeleteI also had ALMOST at first and was stuck on the cross clue with Chowder BO-M?? Until I figured out ALL BUT.
Never heard of a ROWAN tree. That was a first.
While we are on Fiddlesticks and Fiddlefaddle, don't forget Fiddledeedee!
Delightful Sunday puzzle, many thanks, Paul, and thanks for your comment about the challenges of constructing. C.C., your commentary is always a pleasure, and I loved the picture of you and Lucina. Happy birthday, Lucina!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite solution in this puzzle was getting LADY OF THE HOUSE, and then TRAMP STEAMER, and putting them together as LADY and the TRAMP. Irish Miss, I loved your evocation of the two pups having spaghetti together.
Lots of nice names popping up, writers like ERICA Jong and ELIE Wiesel and ERICA Jong. And entertainers like OPIE, one of my favorites, and ADELE.
Have a great Sunday, everybody.
I am back from attending Mass at our church which though it can seat several hundred is at about half or less capacity these days.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the various definitions of tramp steamer.
And thank you for the continued birthday wishes. It's true, I don't feel my age. For as long as I can I shall continue doing yoga. It keeps me flexible and somewhat energetic. These days I am slower but can still accomplish maintaining my home clean, doing laundry, cooking, etc.
LOVED this puzzle! Took me back to my Disney Days (went to Disneyland two months after it opened). And it mentions Leroy Anderson. Dad was a Juliard trained organist who loved to play Anderson works - especially "Hot Canary". I grew up with his music! Oh, and "happy as a clam in your bed" is what Grandma Nonnie always said while tucking me in. Thanks for the memories, Paul!!!
ReplyDeleteFiddle Faddle was also a musical composition by Leroy Anderson. Popular in the 1950's.
DeleteFIDDLEsticks! I did the puzzle in two sessions and didn't catch RmS and TRmF at the top before reading C.C.'s puzzle explanation. Another Sunday FIW. The rest worked out fine and I caught the Disney character theme easily, the long fills speeding things along. Thanks Paul and C.C. I'll try to proofread better next time.
ReplyDeleteWe spent some time after lunch going after MOTHS in a closet today so that clue and answer was timely. Hope you all have had a good day so far, especially the birthday girl, Lucina!
Easy and fun puzzle. I loved the clue for 9-down. Who better than a judge? (ITO)
ReplyDeleteWell I blew it, again. I had MiTES, then MOTeS. No, CeAINS made no sense but Mr S convinced me. FIW. Aarrgghhh!!!!! On a relatively easy Sunday.
ReplyDeleteI had FIDDLEsticks, Hi KS(and a bunch of others). Yes, FADDLE is not uncommon.
For every headline there's a CABAL.
I had lTA as in Ladies.
USA Today paper version is expensive ($3.00). It's available for free at many motels.
Re. Enigma machine. If you recall "The 8-Eyed Spy"* if the Nazis communicated with their embedded Hawaii spies via enigma then England knew about the attack. 79 years tomorrow.
Vidwan, HOE House would have been worse.
And, HBD Lucina.
WC
* Referred to German family embedded into Hawaii to prepare for Pearl Harbor attack.
Sunday Lurk Say...
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Lucina! Longhorn is a fine way to spend it. May you have many, many, many more - though that's a bit selfish on my part; I just love reading your posts. :-)
What's cute - you and Mom (70 this year) share the same B-Day.
Great pics of you & C.C.
Have a wonderful time today.
C.C. If you like Food Integrity, Hi-C is not for you :-)
BTW, I listened to (a repeat) Radio Lab re: Wubi Effect (Chinese Keyboard) this morning. Fascinating.
D-O: I like the Avatar! Heckle & Jeckle, no?
IHOE - Funny Vidwan.
Lem - In HS, DW would have FIDDLE FADDLE pity-parties with her girlfriends when someone in the group had a new miserable experience* (e.g. boyfriend now an ex, CEE on a test, etc).
C.Moe: Added to tomorrow's todo: "Get Moe's WSJ".
Cheers, -T
*Also an album title by the Gin Blossoms :-)
Well, it took a while, and I did FIW. Did not know 18A/1D, and I guessed incorrectly.
ReplyDeleteI saw the theme early, and I was able to fill in all of those answers quite easily. Took me awhile, and it took some perps to remember FLOWER (before slapping my forehead). My fill worked generally from the NE, and by the time I hit the SW, I had most everything else done and was looking for a record-setting completion time for me and happy as a clam.
THEN, I hit the SW corner, and I toiled and troubled there forever. I messed up 65A/67D, which resulted in incorrect fills for 74A and 93A. Yes, I first had FIDDLESTICKS too, which caused much of my SW problems, but making the correction there did not save the aforementioned errors.
There were other unknowns, but they were covered by perps. I recognize David Groh’s face, but I probably never knew his name. (That’s the reason I don’t do well with names here.)
BEDEWS/CAROB were my last fills – the “B” being a complete WAG. Ho-hum.
Thanks Paul and C.C. Happy Birthday, Lucina!
Used to really like TCM, but I haven’t chosen to subscribe to it since it went over to the pay side. I thought the channel’s original concept and programming were excellent, but in recent years they have been running movies that I do not really consider classics. Gotta fill the time somehow, especially since you bought them. Nevertheless, I might go ahead and subscribe.
THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR CHOCOLATE!!!
-T --- I never made it back to the corner yesterday, but your house looks great! Glad C.C. posted the picture again today.
Anon-T
ReplyDeleteThank you and wish your mom a happy birthday from me!
-T, I thought for a sec that DW's friend found out her boyfriend was an ex- CON. And it was every bit as bad as a C on a test.
ReplyDeleteWC
I had fun solving this puzzle, which I was able to do without having to look anything up, which for me is very satisfying. Thanks, Paul Coulter, for providing entertainment to us all.
ReplyDeleteThank you, C.C., for your write-up and insights.
Happy birthday, Lucina. May that smile never fade from your face.
Good wishes to you all.
Don't have access to the Sunday LAT puzzle but often take a peak at the narrative and comments to maybe learn something.
ReplyDeleteToday an opportunity to wish Lucina a Happy Birthday 🎂. Great pictures!
Ray - O --- Try this link:
ReplyDeletehttps://fun.chicagotribune.com/game/tca-la-times-sunday-crossword
I print out the whole sheet on one page. Then, because I don't like writing small, I separate the grid from the clues and reprint the grid at 150%.
I also reprint the clues at 100%, so that I have a full sheet. You'll have to ink in some of the clues on the bottom of the page. I haven't figured out how to keep my printer from cutting off a portion of them.
YMMV
So-soon-we-forget dept.: Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
ReplyDeleteAnon-T .... Thank you, thank you for that link om RadioLab: The Wubi Effect ( The Chinese Keyboard.)
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the most impressive and inspiring stories that I have read in the last 30 days.
It is incredible and yet so very true.
That men who have used a language for a thousand years, can continue to adapt that language and symbolic character notation for the next century and longer. And adapt it to the typewriters, and computers and AI and IT, and other forms of technology.
The ingenuity of Man, really knows no bounds.
I would count reading that one article as the biggest benefit yet, that I have received with all my reads thru this blog. Thank you.
Leo
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link. I do the 2 week old NYT puzzle our paper carries on Sundays. Today's was a disaster.
Leo 3 - The Christmas lights are all DW & Youngest. I said the other night that if it was on me, it'd look like crap. I just do the heavy lifting and high-ladder act.
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone who complemented the elevation all lit up. DW appreciated it.
//yeah, sometimes I do share The Corner's going ons.
Vidwan - Glad you enjoy'd Radio Lab. Pretty cool, eh?
Lucina - Mom was tickled to death that she got a Birthday wish from you.
//yes, I've mentioned you more than once during our standing Sunday phone calls. She remembered the Tamale story :-)
Speaking of Mom - Oy! She's nutz. Think of any conspiracy theory you can -- she believes! Vaccines will mark you, the ozone never had a hole in it, and universities only get money if they invent stuff to be afraid of...
*shakes head* But I love her...
OTOH, Mom's sweet and gave me a killer recipe for pumpkin bread.
Michael - no one can forget Laugh-In.
Cheers, Lurk... er, -T
I'm sure that Dave has a busy life but I was hoping for a birthday cake from him. Ah, well, it was a beautiful day for me with my family. And I appreciate all the good wishes from my Corner Blog friends.
ReplyDeleteLucina - Not as good as CED would whip up, but this is alls I's gots: a Cactus Cake.
ReplyDeleteand many more.....
Cheers!, -T
Ack!
ReplyDeleteIt is after midnight here,
I did the puzzle half in the morning, & half in the late afternoon
because, yes, I was busy today.
I was lying in bed, couldn't sleep, when I realized
"I never read the Blog!"
So, here I am, in my PJ's & slippers down the basement
while everyone else is asleep, only to find out
Anon-T has posted a better cake than I can find!
Ouch!
Happy belated birthday Lucina!
& here's an extra one...
I liked the puzzle, it was hard,
but there is something about the title
that I find disturbing...
O.K., I’m slow. One hour 13 minutes, but maybe a bit less as I had an on/off problem with my pen which took some minutes until I finally just tossed the pen and got another. Why is “tsar” spelled so many different ways? Hand up for “FIDDLESTICKS”. Had ALMOST for a while for ALLBUT. ROWANs is new to me. Anyway, even though I’m slow with the solve, I really enjoyed the CW, thanx, Paul! And the trrrific write-up, thanx, C.C.!! Sunday’s big grid always intimidates me! But I got ‘ER done.....eventually. Stay safe, everyone!! Science to the rescue soon!!
ReplyDelete