Theme: Alliterative Jobs
16. Alliterative union litigator: LABOR LAWYER.
25. Alliterative craftsperson: WOODWORKER.
47. Alliterative marriage specialist: MATCHMAKER.
60. Alliterative accompanist: PIANO PLAYER.
Boomer here.
Another
alliterative I have in mind is Crossword Constructor for which C.C.
fills the bill. I hope all of you enjoyed the Super Bowl commercials
which cost the vendors Seven Million Dollars for thirty seconds. I
suppose the prices of those items might reach your credit limit. Sorry, I
will watch the football game but I needed to prepare the blog a bit
early to preserve some time for healthcare.
Across:
5. In pieces: APART. Years ago I had "A PART" in a play.
10. The Beatles' Pepper, e.g.: Abbr.: SGT. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club band.
13. Attired: CLAD. Some electric wires are Copper CLAD.
14. Pennsylvania in Washington, for example: AVENUE. Most AVENUES run one direction and streets intersect.
15. Couple's pronoun: OUR. OUR home is on an "L" of two avenues.
18. State sch. with campuses in Providence: URI. The University of Rhode Island.
19. DoorDash rival: UBER EATS. We still buy most of our EATS at a grocery store. Years ago I had a job delivering pizza.
20. It follows dawn: SUNUP.
22. Ancestry.com concern: DNA. This is some kind of genetic ACID with a name I cannot spell.
23. Wicked one: FIEND.
30. Lawyers: Abbr.: ATTS. Attorneys.
33. To no avail: IN VAIN.
34. On a cruise, say: ASEA. Some of those multi-level cruise ships are unbelievable!
36. __ Tin Tin: RIN. Lassie's predecessor on black and white TV.
37. Discover: LEARN.
38. Word that fittingly fills the blanks in "_ _ propria _ e": APT. Appropriate.
39. About to explode: IRATE. You may be IRATE if interest RATES go up.
41. Rapper __ Kim: LIL.
42. "__, Brute?": ET TU. Old joke -- "How many eggs did you have for breakfast Caesar" ?
44. Nativity display: CRECHE. A Manger. Beautiful Christmas decoration.
45. Quite often: A LOT. I used to bowl A LOT before ......
49. Malodorous: FETID.
51. One-named "Cheap Thrills" singer: SIA.
52. '90s trade acronym: NAFTA. North Atlantic Free Trade.
54. Rain in light drops: SPRINKLE. This fell Thursday evening in normally snowy Minnesota. Spring is coming... Maybe?
59. NFL's Cardinals: ARI. Moved from St. Louis in 1988.
63. Anatomical pouch: SAC.
64. Being: ENTITY.
65. Act the blowhard: BRAG.
66. Civil War nickname: ABE. Five Dollar bill nickname last week.
67. Indoor parking lot features: RAMPS.
68. Nordstrom rival: SAKS. Fifth Avenue.
Down:
2. Love handles, essentially: FLAB. I have totally lost mine. Now 6 ft. 2 in. 159 pounds and still losing it.
3. Broccoli __: RABE. I am not a big fan of broccoli but I have heard it was voted Americas favorite vegetable.
4. Aroma: ODOR. I think people enjoy aroma, but hold their nose on ODOR.
5. Personal user pic: AVATAR.
6. Seats with kneelers: PEWS. Old days. Our church has no
kneelers. Attend Mass and either sit or stand. Okay with me. These
days I sit for the whole Mass.
7. "__ questions?": ANY.
8. Regret: RUE. Ms. McClanahan in "The Golden Girls".
9. Brusque: TERSE.
10. Music for a movie: SOUNDTRACK. "The Hills are alive, with the Sound of Music".
11. Trusted adviser: GURU. My GURU is C.C. (And Doctor Downs).
12. Excursion: TRIP. Most of our trips recently are to the VA
hospital. It is an excursion of about 35 miles each way. Traffic is
usually no problem.
14. Group co-founded by Bill W.'s wife: AL-ANON. I never needed
this. In fact, after Dr. Downs banned booze with my medicine, I donated
all the sealed bottles for door prizes at my bowling banquet. Then the
league secretary jimmied the drawing so I won two rounds of golf at a
local course. Guess who I played the round with.
17. Merlot or Syrah: RED WINE.
21. Acapulco article: UNA.
23. Big celebration: FEST. I think a FEST might be in order when CHEMO is wrapped up.
24. Anger: IRE.
25. Novelist Cather: WILLA.
26. Negro Leagues legend Buck __: O'NEIL. See who's there behind O'Neil?
27. Presidential workplace: OVAL OFFICE. Don't tear up any of those papers, Joe.
28. Patriotic org. since 1890: DAR. Daughters of the American Revolution.
29. Dead, as an engine: KAPUT. Sometimes this happens in our cold weather. However cars are more dependable these days.
31. Church donation: TITHE. I do this weekly. Not sure if it is as much as they recommend.
32. Contemptuous look: SNEER.
35. "Par avion" letters: AIRMAIL. I think most first class goes by air now. That's why it's always late.
38. Just slightly: A TAD. If your TITHE is a TAD, you may want to reconsider ??
40. "The Crying Game" actor Stephen: REA.
43. "Enough!" in a text: TMI. Too Much Info.
44. Happy as a lark?: CHIRPY.
46. Hanoi holiday: TET. Reminds me of the Vietnam era.
48. $100 bills, in slang: C SPOTS. NOO! They are called BENJAMINS.
50. Narrow to a point: TAPER. When we mail a package, I am usually the TAPER.
52. Astronaut's insignia: NASA.
53. Speedy steed: ARAB. Kentucky Derby is coming soon.
54. Barbershop sound: SNIP. Old days, now the sound is a buzz from the clippers.
55. Apprehends: NABS.
56. Actress Sedgwick: KYRA. Wife of Kevin Bacon.
57. Plumbing problem: LEAK. We hired the wrong company once for a
new toilet. The next thing we knew we had dripping in our garage.
Luckily our bathroom is over our garage and we hired a different company
to fix it.
58. Units of work: ERGS.
61. "Be there __ sec!": IN A. I am here already.
62. Bank convenience, for short: ATM. I have not used an ATM in years. But now I get phone calls from shysters telling me how to get free money.
Boomer
Thanks, C.C. The working title for this theme was Alliterative Assignments. My original submission had the pair Portrait Painter and Social Scientist. Rich wanted them to all end in -er, so I revised. C.C. is certainly a great abbr. for crossword constructor, and it almost would have worked. There are quite a few 2-word jobs that start with the same letter, but not so many that also end in -er. Who can think of one I missed. I recommend eating some Valentine's Day chocolate while you mull this over. I find that chocolate (or any snack, really) helps the old thinking cap to fit.
ReplyDeleteFIR, but erased stl for ARI, reb for ABE, and orvil for ONEIL. Waited for ren/RIN. DNK APT, Cheap Thrills, Bill W., WILLA or ONEIL. CSO to our own stinky sea mammal.
ReplyDeleteI’m so old that I remember when the ACLU protected the rights of all people, regardless of their political leaning.
My sister finally became a member of the DAR, after tons of research and documentation. She told me that there is a Sons of the American Revolution, and they will accept her research if I want to apply. Haven’t been motivated to do so.
Thanks to Paul for the Wednesday-on-Monday puzzle. I know that some will find this one easy, but mot me. And thanks to Boomer for the fun. Hang in there pal, and have a few doughnuts. BTW, on the first Saturday in May, the racing horses at Churchill Downs will be Thoroughbreds, a different breed from ARABians. I've been to the Run for the Roses (which is also a sweet song by Dan Fogelberg) many times. Been there, done that, got the pewter julep cup.
FLN, WC I don’t think that the top-tier players (those who own their own jet) are motivated by the purse any longer. As you probably know, the Saudi golf tour has become controversial because the appearance money they offer makes the purse much less significant. Interesting to watch that play out.
I guess I've procrastinated long enough. I’ve mentioned that I’ve been living with a deep sadness for a while now, and I guess it's time to fill folks in on what’s going on. When my wife and I first met more than 30 years ago, I was impressed not only with her beauty, but also with her intellect. We were great compliments for each other – she was great at people skills – negotiation, sensing hidden motives, remembering names. I’ve always been good at analytics and attention to details.
ReplyDeleteShe was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago. As the disease progresses, I am taking on more of the tasks she did or that we shared. I do the driving, bookwork, scheduling, cleaning, laundry, medication dispensing, and many other more minor jobs.
That takes a lot of time. In addition, her fiercely independent personality has changed to dependency. If I want to make a quick trip to the hardware store, she insists on going too. Helping her get to and into the car, into the store, back into the car, and back into our home easily triples the time required for the errand. And she doesn’t want to be left out. When I click YouTube links, I have to make sure the sound is muted or I’ll have to replay it and explain what she’s seeing, even though I know she won’t be able to understand.
I know the future will be much worse. Before I go to sleep each night, I think about how I can make the world less bewildering to her and how I need to approach the near future.
Not pleasant, but it is an obligation I am honored to undertake. It may be the most meaningful long-term project of my life. A very sad labor of love.
Good morning!
ReplyDeleteJinx, I'm very sorry to hear of the painful path that the two of you are traveling. Being the care giver is an all-consuming task. Hats off to you.
Got the theme; finished the puzzle. What's not to like? Just a single Wite-Out moment, changing FETE to FEST. No biggie. Nicely done, Paul. Thanx for the expo, Boomer. Good to hear that you aren't having any weird side-effects from the chemo. They're getting better targeting those drugs.
SPRINKLE: Saturday we were expecting some light showers, but the radar showed a one-hour window, so we headed out on our 3-mile march through the 'hood. The rain held off until we were 1-1/2 miles from home. Then the skies opened up. We were two drowned rats by the time we sloshed home. Had to change every single item of clothing. Getting soaking wet at 40° is not my idea of fun.
Jinx, while it is not the same, my brother and I walked a similar path taking care of my mother during the last 12 years of her life. We at least shared the responsibilty each taking half of the week. My thoughts and prayers to both of you.
ReplyDeleteBoomer, you too continue to impress and amaze.
Paul, thank you for the diversion. I know none of us has a journey without pain.
Oo and I had a date night out followed by the Super Bowl. Kudos to the Rams and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris who adjusted his defensive scheme. Joe Burrow is young, Matthew Stafford - not so much. This was a playoff season that brought me back to watching the NFL. The joy shown by Kelly Stafford - a brain tumor survivor - and his college sweetheart was pure Americana in the good sense.
Happy Valentine's day all and happy birthday Heart Rx whereever you are
Took 4:30 today, and I'm hoping to beat Irish Miss pointing out that her moniker for me would be very apropos for this puzzle.
ReplyDeleteThis seemed more of a Tuesday than a Monday, even though I often think of the two as being nearly interchangeable. I guess that's a convoluted way of saying it was a slightly trickier Monday - which is not a complaint.
Jinx, that's unbelievably tough to experience. Best of luck to you and Mrs. Jinx.
Fun and quick solve as expected for a Monday. Like D-O, I had a switch from fete to FEST, but also had a switch from C NOTES to C SPOTS- not knowing the song "Cheap Thrills" - I had the cross NWA which went to SIA for the singer.
ReplyDeletePaul had asked for other theme options that end in -er- two off the top of my head: Street Sweeper and Pullman Porter.
Thanks Boomer and Paul
Good to hear of positive reports of the "strides" you're making in PT (groan- bad pun!)
Jinx - will be keeping you in my prayers and cyber-support - I've walked that road with my dad and MIL as well as many patients- hard to lose people in increments. I've had many people benefit from the Alzheimer's Assn. support groups- not only for having someone who knows what you are going through but with lots of helpful tips and sharing info of how to cope. With COVID a lot of that is happening online these days.
Boomer- Apologies. I mistakenly thanked C.C. for the review instead of you.
ReplyDeleteJinx - Hang in there, pal. You're doing a great job. My dad went through the same thing with my mom. It was never easy, but he loved her very much and would do anything for her.
InaneHiker - Those are two good ones off the top of your head.
There's ODOR and then there's odeur(de la femme). C-eh, is it odor for les Habs?
ReplyDeleteIn a fit of devotion I tried kneeling. Knees were sore for days. I do the sitting Kneel.
My VA excursion is across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 20 miles as yesterday's crow flies it but 35 by car.
"Enough" was EEW yesterday. OK, who is that guy behind Buck?
NOO they are C-notes or ABEs
Jinx I'm with you on Mon-Wed, my thought exactly. Rich has even been reversing it lately too
And… Jinx, our prayers go with you. Re. SuperBowl…
Refs decided it as usual. But bogus call made up for earlier misses call. Betsy wanted to watch for commercials and watched me to make sure I watched commercials. Halftime? Now I know who the Corona Beer guy at the beach is. Rap lyrics? Can't understand a single syllable
WC
Jail janitor?
DeleteGood Morning:
ReplyDeletePaul’s puzzles are always fun and I marvel at his creative ability in developing themes. No roadblocks to speak of although I don’t know Sia by any song titles only by her bizarre habit of covering her face with her hair. Paul gave us oodles of duos this morning: Saks/Avenue (Fifth would have been a Triple Crown), A Lot/A Tad, Odor/Fetid (Hi, MalMan), In A/Una (Hi, Lucina), Snip/Trip, Sac/Sak(s), Labor/Ergs, Irate/Ire, and Flab/Rabe. CSOs to HG (NASA) and Lemony and Hatoolah (Atts).
Thanks, Paul, for a pleasant start to the week and for dropping by and thanks, Boomer, for the chuckles and commentary. Good luck with your trek and your treatments. Keep those PT people laughing! One of my PT’s jokingly referred to herself as my Physical Terrorist!
Jinx, your very sad news brought tears to my eyes. Your eloquent and heartfelt words resonated with the care and concern you have for your wife. I am so, so sorry for you both. We are here for you always.
SS @ 7:25 ~ Not only did you beat me in mentioning your moniker’s connection to the puzzle, but I never even thought of it. As I replied to Lucina’s comment recently, my steel trap mind (her compliment) is sometimes a steel sieve! Congrats on your finish time.
I didnt get any texts or phone calls, so I guess I didn’t win any of the pool money. I saw snippets of the game and judging by the score, it was a good one. The few commercials that I did see were 👎.
Have a great day everyone.
Good Morning.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Paul, for a nice start to the week. A m\Monday with just a tiny bit of crunch for me made this very enjoyable. I liked the alliteration today. CSO to our Manatee.
Boomer, thank you for the tour. I always enjoy your humor. Good way to start the week.
Jinx, ❤.
Have a sunny Monday. Doesn't look possible here, so I'm off to make my own.
I liked the theme with the alliterative occupations. Just slightly more challenging than the usual Monday because I needed all perps for SIA, ARI and APT. So ARI is Arizona. I never see it abbreviated that way. APT, from picking put letters in APROPRIATE, meh. SIA was totally new to me.
ReplyDeleteErykah Badu sounds African, so I wagged AFRO and it fit the perps.
I love historical novels about the westward movement in early America. I liked Cather's O Pioneers and My Antonia.
When I remodeled my bathroom my constructor found it would take weeks to get a plumber to install the tub and toilet so he did it himself, and it passed inspection. He told me after the fact. I was a little concerned. In six months the toilet leaked because it was not seated on the ring properly. Then the toggle to close the tub drain for a bath failed and would need major work. We did not have an access point behind the wall. It could not be fixed without making that access behind a built-in bookcase in the office. Then I was IRATE. My regular plumber fixed the toilet. I had to have the wet insulation around it and wallboard in the garage ceiling beneath it replaced. I just let the tub be.
Jinx, my heart goes out to you. My mother had Alzheimer's. I know the care is arduous and the loss of the personality we loved is so sad. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. I admire your loyalty and perseverance.
Monday FIR with a couple of WOs: FEte/FEST and started to put TRek/TRIP but perps soon corrected that. The theme was no puzzle. How about "window washer?" Thanks, Paul, I always enjoy your puzzles and your stopping by. And you used a new clue for APT! How appropriate it was.
ReplyDeleteThanks Boomer for your review. It's so good to see how well you are doing.
Jinx, I am so sorry to hear about your wife. My thoughts are with you.
FLN About the Cincinnati chili, TTP, I did use the linked recipe when I made it and used zucchini spirals instead of spaghetti as suggested. I liked it even though it was almost too picante for me. I could use a bit less cayenne pepper next time.
Hope you all have a sunny day!
GACK! A Monday FIW? I FETEd when I should have FESTerd. Shoulda, coulda, woulda proof read 34A/38A, then I wouldn't be eating CROW.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul for a PERFect Puzzle, which had I not ignored some of the former, I might have had a FIR.
And thank you Boomer for another punny Monday. At 5'6' I wish I weighed 159 lbs! But I hope you can decelerate your losses just A TAD.
Jinx, I am so sorry to hear about you wife's Alzheimers. You are a brave soul and she is in good hands.
Some clue/fill/bling FAVS:
22A DNA. So we're all on some kind of ACID TRIP?
41A LIL? She doesn't look LIL to me.
42A ET TU. Had just one EGG today and have lived to tell about it. Remind me not to eat any on 3/15.
51A SIA. Sure it wasn't this singer?
52A NAFTA? I thought that was a laundry starch.
3D RABE. Where are the BRUSSEL SPROUTS?
14D & 17D Don't mix well.
52D NASA. A CSO to Husker.
Cheers,
Bill
Word of the Day: valentine
ReplyDeletePronunciation: væ-lên-tain
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: 1. A loved one to whom a special card of love is sent on St. Valentine's Day, February 14. 2. The card itself or some other gift given on St. Valentine's Day to someone beloved.
Notes: The day celebrating love remains a proper noun, St. Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day. The noun valentine, as defined above, has long since become a common noun. The verb valentine, once used to describe birds serenading a prospective mate, has fallen by the wayside. The same is true, alas, of the blend Valentide, made from valentine and tide, when it meant "time", in the spirit of Christmastide. So we are left to send valentines to our valentines on St. Valentine's Day.
In Play: May today be a lovely day.A Valentine's Day present is shortened to just valentine these days: "That thoughtful guy, Amos, gave his wife a red lawnmower for a valentine." Since this word is so closely associated with St. Valentine's Day, the range of its possible uses is limited. Its association with the courtship of birds (See History), though, suggests we might revive the verb in figurative expressions like this one: "Fenwick seems to have valentined Maudy into marrying him."
Word History: February 14 was originally a Roman feast day celebrating the beginning of the mating season of birds (hence the association with love). Chaucer was still aware of this for, in Parliament of Foules (1381), he wrote: "For this was on seynt Volantynys day Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make" (For this was on Saint Valentine's Day when every bird comes there to choose his mate). The celebratory day somehow became associated with a saint named Valentine in the 3rd century, a priest and physician killed during the persecution of Christians by Claudius II. The connection between the two remains murky. (May everyone reading this be loved by someone special today.)
See Alpha Dictionary for more info.
Jinx,I am saddened to hear of the challenges with which you and Mrs. Jinx are coping. My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteMme D, I did a bit of a double take at 49 Across. Thanks for the CSO.
Thanks, Boomer and C.C.for your efforts. Your indomitable spirits shine through.
Never heard of " C spots" in banking for many yrs., C Notes.
ReplyDeleteJinx, so sorry to hear about your difficult situation. When taking care of my dad I was told, “Take care of yourself first, as you can’t pour from an empty cup.”
ReplyDeleteNice Monday puzzle, AFRO and SIA were a guess.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all, and happy statehood day to Arizona. In 1912 Arizona became the 48th state admitted to the Union.
Hola!
ReplyDeleteHappy St. Valentine's Day to all!
Jinx, I am so sorry to learn of what is happening to your wife. May you be blessed with the love and strength it requires of you.
Thank you, Paul, for the easy Monday puzzle which I whizzed through. I love puns and alliteration.
I'll take a CSO at ARIzona and wish my state a happy birthday. As Yuman said, today is the anniversary of Arizona entering the Union.
On Mondays I volunteer at church so it's time to go. Later.
Have an exceptional day, everyone!
Bill @ 9:03 ~ No, It’s Sia whom I’m referring to. I have seen clips of her where she has her long hair combed forward covering her entire face, even when she is performing. I have no idea why but I find it bizarre.
ReplyDeleteSherry @ 9:20 C Spots is slang for $100 bills, nothing to do with Government issued investments. Think of Sawbucks for $10.00 bills.
IM @10:08 AM Actually I was referring to the clue: Cheap Thrills, which I associate with the album by Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin's iconic performance of "Take another piece of my heart", ranked as one top 500 R&R songs of all time.
DeleteMarvellous Monday. Thanks for the fun, Paul and Boomer.
ReplyDeleteI FIRed in good time, and saw the alliterative themes. (My entry will be my CSO, Pill Pusher!)
Only one inkblot to change Trek to TRIP (hello ATLGranny).
I have concluded that Rich has discarded the Dupe rule. I noted TWO today - LAWYER in 16A and the plural in 30A clue, plus ODOR and 49A clue Malodorous. And IRATE/IRE might be another slight dupe. Perhaps Paul knows for sure.
Yes WC, Les Habs use odeur, and you all know that I use odour (and ODOR was crossing LABOR - Gasp). And yes, I would use TWO U’s in malodourous!
And while we are talking about Canadian/American differences, NAFTA is called CUSMA on this side of the border and USMCA on your side. I’m not sure how we came to a trade agreement without agreeing on the name. (Slight amendment Boomer - NAFTA stood for North AMERICAN Free Trade Agreement, not Atlantic - that’s NATO).
IM didn’t note already, so I will: ARI/URI, RUE/GURU, and the A-game of UNA, INA, DNA, REA, SIA, KYRA, WILLA, NASA, NAFTA, (ASEA Is A TAD of an outlier).
Jinx- your love and caring for DW exemplifies the true meaning of Valentine’s Day. I echo inanehiker’s recommendation of the Alzheimer’s Association for support. Continued thoughts and prayers.
Happy Birthday, Marti.
Wishing you all a great day.
We have had SIA here before several times.
ReplyDeleteSIAwardrobeMalfunction
A few additional items:
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day.
Thanks for stopping by, Paul.
Is anyone else experiencing issues with the Chicago Tribune puzzle site? The LAT puzzle for today is not available to me when I go to that site. The Thomas Joseph and Eugene Scheffer puzzles are available, however, so the issue I am experiencing seems not to be "global".
Yes, the Alzheimer's Association is a good source of support. We've been members of the Alois Society for years. We also make annual donations to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund where all donations go to research into preventing, slowing, or reversing the disease. Science has made big strides against cancer, but so far understanding the causes (and possible treatments) of Alzheimer's remains elusive.
ReplyDeleteMal Man: Try this lick to WAPO.https://www.washingtonpost.com/crossword-puzzles/daily/
ReplyDelete(The following was written last night, but I fell asleep before the blog was posted. I had especially wanted to get it posted before Paul did. Oh, well. I haven't read the expo or comments yet, so apologies for any redundant comments.)
ReplyDeleteFIRight. It's Monday.
Paul, you ought to visit us on other days, rather than just when you are the constructor. In particular, see this (and several comments below it).
First themer, Alliterative union litigator, I confidently put
CESAR CHAVEZ.
⬜⬜⬜���� ⬜⬜��⬜��⬜
Once perps straightened that out, the rest were easy.
A LABOR LAWYER, from the A.C.L.U.
Was Cesar Chavez' legal GURU!
They got organized
Against farmer guys.
Used strikes when that was their only AVENUE!
A player piano needs no PIANO PLAYER.
It's a sort of a robot music MAKER.
Its range is small,
No emotion at all.
But that's good for a karyoke purveyor!
Refreshments should not include RED WINE
To help AL-ANON members to unwind!
At the D.A.R.
Some wine would go far,
And at the Gourmet's club, it's by design!
{B, A-, B+.}
Let's try that line oveer again:
ReplyDeleteFirst themer, Alliterative union litigator, I confidently put
CESAR CHAVEZ,
⬜⬜⬜🟨🟩 ⬜⬜🟨⬜🟩⬜
LABOR LAWYER.
Thanks, Token Creek. Fortunately, while I usually solve on the Chicago Tribune site I was able to get today's puzzle on the LAT site. It was only the CT site that did not have the puzzle available.
ReplyDeleteJinx, I feel for you. My mother went though the same difficult process for ten years before she passed away. God bless you and keep you during your arduous journey. I'll be praying for you.
ReplyDeleteMusings
ReplyDelete-In a Monday puzzle, RABE worked itself out. On Saturday, it would cross a Yugoslavian screenwriter
-In D.C. we saw police clear Pennsylvania AVE in a matter of minutes and then saw the presidential limousine zoom by at 50 mph up to the capitol.
-UBER EATS spent millions on a SB ad last night to announce they now deliver most anything
-SUNUP is getting very early these days. I drove into the full sun going east to sub today
-A song from 1776 sings of “Foul, FETID, fuming, foggy, filthy. Philadelphia!”
-I’ll take TERSE over verbose any day!
-“Be there in A SEC” – I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited in the car after hearing that.
-I do not like greeting cards but I would RUE the day if I hadn’t gotten Joann one today. It was a cute card and a heart-shaped box of Turtle candy and so I did well.
-More sophomores to discuss Lord Of The Flies this period just came in so I’ll have to read comments later.
I don't have a lot to say about today's puzzle. It was pretty easy, as befits a typical Monday puzzle, but there was one spot where I almost went wrong. I almost put "C-notes" instead of "C-spots". But I figured it out, and FIRed, so I'm happy.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my new (replacement) smartphone is slated to arrive at my kid brother's house by tomorrow evening. He should be able to bring it to me Wednesday or Thursday. So, by next weekend, I will ("God willing and the creek don't rise") be able to post at Sunday's Crossword Corner again. I'm very happy about getting a new smartphone and I was glad it didn't take as long as Assurance Wireless first thought it would. Hurrah!
Unfortunately, I can't comment today due to item number one on my writing class crib notes...
ReplyDeleteJinx I am very sorry to hear of your ongoing challenges with your wife with Alzheimer's. Good that you have such a positive, giving attitude. But you still will need to set limits to avoid burnout. There is something called "Respite Care" if you need a break.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the ALLITERATIVE theme today. A bit of a Natick FEST with WILLA, LIL, ONEIL as clued.
Boomer Thank you for the write up, especially amid your health challenges. As one who grew up in WASHINGTON, I should explain that AVENUE has a different meaning than it does in New York. In New York, indeed, the streets go East-West and the AVENUEs go North-South.
But in WASHINGTON, the AVENUEs are named for various states like PENNSYLVANIA. They go at random diagonals to the other streets.
Here was the scene as we stood on PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE on November 15, 1969.
A march for peace with so many people that the march completely filled PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE from the White House to the Capitol and everything was at a standstill. This was just before my eleventh birthday and it was very cold. A memorable day.
I always shoot for under 10 minutes on a Monday CW, today was a nine minute romp to.a FIR with only a few unknowns and several words entirely filled by perps that I didn’t see till the expo. Thank you Paul for easing us into the week! I could only think of two alliterative occupations, Ticket taker and ditch digger.
ReplyDeleteBoomer ~~ good to see you at the helm this morning, hope your ongoing treatments and PT will be successful!
Jinx ~~ everyone who has been a care giver for someone suffering from dementia can empathize with you, hard to see a once vibrant loved one struggle with the progressive symptoms, in my case it was my mom. It requires so much strength and patience, and I wish you the best in your situation.
Hi All!
ReplyDeleteMessy Monday... Paul gave us a WORK[er]-out this morning.
Thanks for the Puzzle and for swinging by The Corner, Paul. I really may not have been your puzzle giving me a headache; there's a jack-hammer in my bedroom going through the foundation pad. //No, really.
Excellent Expo[ing], Boomer! Glad to see you're taking it all in stride but you gotta eat!
Nice snap of you behind O'Neil.
WOs: PueS -> PEWs, baSh -> FEST, C-noteS-> SPOTS (hello, inanehiker!).
ESPs: RABE(?), APT (as clued), CRECHE (??? - maybe I LEARN somtin' today?), KYRA, REA, SIA
Fav: A LOT & A TAD was cute
D-O: Sorry but... LOL. I've been there. We got nothing, precipitation wise, down here on Sat.
Jinx - A right to free speech doesn't remove folk's/society's right to react to it. The other week, I saw an interview with the ATTy that defended Skokie's Neo Nazis' speech. Not that I'm for Cancel Cultur[er] (bunch o' WINE-y a**s), but... I hate IL Neo Nazis [Blues Brothers] ;-)
And, Jinx - our thoughts & love are with you. My eNATAL great-grandmother had Alzheimer's; didn't even recognize her son much less knew who the heck I was. What she found most comforting was things from her childhood; "Mares eat oats and Does eat oats" would bring her to life. [It was like she was progressing in reverse.] My (unsolicited) advice is do what you can for her but make sure to take care of yourself. #WhatYumanSaid.
You're no use if you're down. God Speed to both y'all.
====
WILLA Cather - I read My Antonia in HS for the Academic Decathlon (Nerd Alert!) along with about 80 other novels. Couldn't tell you what the book was about today. //I was a 'backup' in case one of the other nerds was, I donno, doping(?!).
SpeedySolvER - LOL.
IM - my steel-trap mind is rusted shut :-)
//++ I stick up for Sherry - I've heard $$ as notes 'cuz they, like all $$, are [Seinfeld]
Anyone enjoy the half-time show? I sorta like (not a Dr.) Dre & Snoop Dog but... I donno... seemed all too scripted / tame and the music felt piped-in. My $0.02, WC.
At least the game was good for a change.
Cheers, -T
Yooper Phil - Ticket Taker and Ditch Digger are very good, too. I mostly did ditch digging in a construction job one summer of my youth.
ReplyDeleteOwen - I enjoyed your verse today. I'm also grateful for your post about my Cruciverb interview.
Jinx, my brother took care of my mother for eight years, I would be there in a minute (six hours) if he needed me. He found great solace in a support group and is friends with many people still today. A lovely lady started coming in to help with bathing, and it was much easier for John if I was there for a poop party. Humor is essential!! And it is much easier with someone to help. When Mother started dipping her salad in her wine, you guessed it, we stopped giving her wine. All my thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteShe eventually died riddled with cancer, having no symptoms of pain, having lost no weight. We figured those parts of the brain that recognized the symptoms were eaten by the disease.
She had a very peaceful death, with my brother sister and I there. They say hearing is the last sense to go, so I just kept saying, "It's going to be wonderful and fine" over and over again. And it was.
I'm so sorry for what you're going through.
ReplyDeleteBecky
CanadianEh @ 10:09 ~ Nice job on picking up on all those additional treats. (I think maybe I wasn’t operating on all cylinders this morning. See note to SS above @ 8:16 and to Bill, below.)
ReplyDeleteBill @ 11:50 ~ Sorry for misinterpreting your reference but, as I’ve mentioned numerous times, my knowledge of pop music culture is minuscule. I’m aware of Janis Joplin but I couldn’t name one song she sang. Worse yet, I have never in my life heard of Big Brother and the Holding Company. Sounds like a team of sumo wrestlers! 🤣
Oh, IM. Janis sang this the year I was born :-)
ReplyDeletePuzzling thoughts:
ReplyDeleteFIR but had a w/o: CNOTES/CSPOTS
Jinx, kind thoughts and prayers to you sir
Boomer - like my “twin brother” waseeley, @ 5’6” and weighing in a few pounds more than you, we’d be quite a pair. Certainly not bookends!
Not sure if someone answers an earlier question about ARI: the sports world abbreviates ARIZONA (whether it’s the NFL Cardinals, MLB Diamondbacks, NBA Suns, or NHL Coyotes) as ARI on scoreboards or the like
CED —> 😂😂😂 at your image
I am among those who disagreed with the slang term for $100; it’s a Benjamin. As in, “show me the Benjamins”
Which of course prompted this Moe-ku: (not in the correct syllabic format)
Erstwhile stripper got
Excited when someone stuffed
A C SPOT near her g-spot
A nice, simple-themed Monday Valentine's Day EZ PZL from Mr. Coulter. Thank you, good sir.
ReplyDeleteBroccoli RABE won? Seriously, Boomer?
Who did the voting?
And C-SPOTS? First I heard of 'em.
I agree with Wilbur re. hip hop lyrics. I want to follow them, but they are much too fast for my old, slow ears.
Here's the thing: The reason most (traditional) songs repeat their lyrics is that the human brain does not absorb music and words at the same rate, or at the same time. Rap speeds by with little regard for this. Unless you already know the jargon, you'll get left behind very quickly.
The only reason I could follow Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton is that a friend sent me the sound track ahead of time.
A separate argument can be made as to whether rap is music at all. It is primarily (some may argue only) rhythm--the beat. Even so, your head may be nodding and your foot tapping before you realize there are words to be followed.
~ OMK
____________
DR: Just one diagonal, in opposition.
Its anagram (13 of 15 letters) is (how can I put this?) another strange one.
Hmm.
I suppose it refers to a particularly tense lady-of-easy-virtue.
Or maybe--I dunno--I should leave it up to the reader to make up the back story on this one.
The three-word phrase is...
"A TAUT STRUMPET"!
It reminds me of old Shakespearean actors' jokes about the phrase (to be found in The Merchant of Venice and Othello, and maybe some others, whenever (So-and-so) "is near at hand. I hear his trumpet."
FIR in 16, a bit longer than the average Monday. Only W/O CNOTES:CSPOTS. In all my 77 years I never heard a $100 called a CSPOT; CNOTE or BENJAMIN, yes. CNOTE, never. Other than that this was a very nice Monday CW, thanx, PC. And thanx too for stopping by the blog. Thanx too to Boomer for the terrific write-up, which is always a fun read. WC @8:16 I agree: as hard as I tried, I could understand very, very little of the rap lyrics in yesterday’s 1/2time show. Jinx, I’m sorry to hear of your DW’s problems with Alzheimer’s. That is a hard road to travel. As others have said, be sure to get help when you need it, there is no shame in that, and if you burn out on it, you cannot help either DW or yourself. Irish Miss, if you have never heard the Big Brother and the Holding Company album featuring Janis Joplin, u need to find a way to give it a listen, it is spectacular blues/county/rock fusion.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Paul, for still another fun puzzle. (BTW, I think Rich was right in the case about the -er endings.)
ReplyDeleteBoomer, your review sizzles, as always.
Jinx -- I cried when I read your post and, like Gary, echo CanadianEh's words. May God continue to bless you and your obviously very much loved wife.
Musings 2
ReplyDelete-I regret I did not read the early postings and missed Jinx’s inspiring story before posting. We took care of Joann’s mom as long as we could and learned a new word associated with this disease – Elopement. One night we came home after spending 15 minutes at a former colleague’s funeral visitation and found Martha out on the sidewalk on a 14F night. We then knew we had to move her and Dunklau Gardens here in town and they do a wonderful job. I was really moved by your story Jinx and loved CanadianEh’s comment that this was a true expression of love on this Valentine’s Day. My thoughts are truly with you.
Jinx,
ReplyDeleteI never know how to respond to these events.
I just spent two+ years with my MIL's dementia
and I still don't know. I asked DW if she could offer any
advice re: nursing assistance/legal/estate/banking etc.
(She's done it all)
And she was overwhelmed in thinking of a response
As we only just buried MIL and are still working on headstones/the house, et al...
All I can say is that even with such unfortunate events,
she is still very lucky to have some one like you by her side...
On a lighter note:
ReplyDeleteIt is Valentine's Day,
and so I post this tribute to the love of my life...
Hmm,
Don't tell DW I posted this.
I didn't get a card (have you seen how much they want for a card?)
And my excuse is
"I thought Valentine's Day was the 16th..."
ReplyDeleteJinx,
It’s always been so heartbreakingly painful to witness a loved one deteriorate. I can only imagine how very difficult this has been, and especially the decisions you're having to make, and how you prepare. Joining with or talking to people in support groups that have first hand experience is sage advice. You don't have to go it alone.
My Valentine bought me flowers today, is fixing a special dinner (baked salmon, grilled potatoes, Rosé wine, etc.) and gave me this card. I am one of the most fortunate men alive.
ReplyDeleteGreat card, Bill.
ReplyDeleteWhatever the problem was at the Chicago Tribune site it now seems to have been corrected.
OMK - fun diagonal but that's not why I'm posting...
ReplyDelete//C. Moe's ku(ish) is LOL.
Blondie brought street music to the main stream [cite: Rapture]. Some quick lyrics, but that's not how it all started...
See, I'm not a big fan of Rap nor Hip Hop but I can appreciate it. Poor Robert Johnson; done sold his soul -- 'Cuz the the Blues gave Birth to R&Roll [super jam crossroads RRHoF #RUSH]
C, -T
ReplyDeleteATLGranny, thank you.
Dash T, I loved the super jam clip. That's just me.
Boomer, nice job today. Are we the only ones that recognize Harmon Killebrew ?
Jinx, going thru it now with my husband, the kindest, smartest (PhD in philosophy) man I've ever known. Yes, each task, whether a quick drive to the library or a trip for groceries, takes three times as long.
ReplyDeleteMy empathy to you.
Helen
While I had an FIR today, I didn’t know CRECHE/REA, so the crossing E was a complete WAG. Well, maybe it was an educated WAG; it seemed to be the most correct vowel to put there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice puzzle and for stopping by, Paul. I really enjoyed figuring out the alliterations. Your 27D was another one, although it was not a profession, and I had to double check 10D.
Thanks for the excellent expo, Boomer.
Sorry to hear about your wife, Jinx. Please be sure to carve out some ME time as often as possible, so that YOU don’t crater. Hopefully, you’ll have some help. You’ll need it. (Arms-length, well 1,100 miles, voice of experience.)
There was a football game yesterday?????
Things are looking up here at chez Dale, (taking a page from D-otto) my computer is working efficiently after a looooong session with a tech from Century Link and I found my missing files (misplaced) to work on taxes. I'll start on that task tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAh, Jinx, -T and Leo III speak truly: guard your energy! For 5 years with my wife (breast cancer, then multiple myeloma), then when she ran out of platelets ... all I remember doing afterwards was just months of sleeping. It's not only the triple timing on excursions, but worrying and praying 'way down deep.
ReplyDelete