Title: A memo from the desk of Jeffrey Wechsler
For this last puzzle edited by Rich Norris, a most accomplished and prolific LA Times constructor was chosen. Our leader, a most accomplished and prolific constructor, has chosen me to prepare my very first Sunday blog to mark this occasion. I am thrilled.
As with all Sunday LAT puzzles, this is the only day of the week where the constructors provide their own title. JW's is "In re" a Latin phrase used as the start of most American memoranda. I hope Tom (desper-otto) bothered to read Jeffrey's choice as it really helped pinning down (a CSO to Tom's early career) the themers. Simply, you put RE in various phrases and the new phrases are clued with whimsy and charm. With JW, there is always more to his plan, as he is very careful to avoid adding the RE as either a prefix, or a suffix to a word. That extra layer makes this 8 themer puzzle just a bit more special.
My tried and true blogging approach does not fit a Sunday as there are many more words and many long ones but I point to a few of the 7 and 8 letter fill I liked: DEMO CDS, HEROINE, LAMENTS, ODOROUS, SET ROLE, STROBES, AGITATOR, GATORADE, STEERAGE, STIRRERS, TASTE BAD, SEND IT IN, and TYPING IN.
22A. All caps in an angry blog?: INTERNET SCREAM (14). With what we charge for blogging, this is obviously not a SCAM, and I assume you all know that using all caps in a post or text signifies yelling, this is a perfect place to begin the adding RE and letting everyone know the theme.
32A. "Untoward behavior shall call for appropriate countermeasures," e.g.?: FANCY THREAT (11). FANCY THAT is a British English spoken phrase used to express your surprise or shock about something. (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English). Plug in your RE and you can hear the British accent making that warning.
47A. Wiseacre mom and dad?: SMARTY PARENTS (13). SMARTY PANTS is a British English phrase to describe someone who always says clever things or always has the right answer, in a slightly annoying way. (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English). Wiseacre is an old fashioned way to say wise guy.
63A. Type of dog that does origami?: FOLDING BREED? (12).
A folding bed is a rather mundane image, but a dog who is using his paws to create classic Japanese paper art is extremely silly and a nice image for our dog lovers.
84A. Finishing touch for foppish painters?: PLACING A BERET.(13). Who here has never PLACED A BET, for money or otherwise? Here if you want to be stylish (not foppish), you can wear a beret.
HERBERT HOOVER was not only the President from 1928 until his defeat by FDR in 1932 because of the depression, but he was optimistic and probably did dream of winning that election. He also was President when the Boulder Dam was commissioned and it was named after him unofficially. It became official in 1947, by act of Congress. This is a more serious themer. It is the largest damn dam in the world.
118A. Hush-hush lamasery topic?: BUDDHIST SECRET (14).
Across:
1. Beat decisively: DRUB. This is probably not a popular 1A, as this is not a common word, though I do hear the sports announcers referring their teams giving/receiving a drubbing. What I found interesting is the etymology sources disagree completely about the history of this word.
5. Evoke an "Eww!," maybe: TASTE BAD. The verb set.
13. Venetian Renaissance painter: TITIAN. He was an Italian painter during the Renaissance, considered the most important member of the 16th-century Venetian school.
Mars, Venus and their son AMOR from last week .
Do you all realize you know the definition of a lamasery? It is a place for Lamas, yes the one Ls. Like a monastery, a nursery or a surgery it is where the lamas hang out. SECT becoming SECRET paints a great picture of these holy people whispering and probably gossiping.
We also have a return to classic (rotational) symmetry with 14, 11, 13, 12, 12, 13, 11, and 14 themers.
Now time for the rest...
1. Beat decisively: DRUB. This is probably not a popular 1A, as this is not a common word, though I do hear the sports announcers referring their teams giving/receiving a drubbing. What I found interesting is the etymology sources disagree completely about the history of this word.
5. Evoke an "Eww!," maybe: TASTE BAD. The verb set.
13. Venetian Renaissance painter: TITIAN. He was an Italian painter during the Renaissance, considered the most important member of the 16th-century Venetian school.
19. He played Klaatu in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (2008): KEANU. This was a remake of the classic version starring Michael Rennie.
20. Inferior accommodations: STEERAGE. The part of a ship providing accommodations for passengers with the cheapest tickets. Most of my forbears arrived that way to the US.
21. Common cone color: ORANGE. Not a common cold.
24. Glutinous: VISCID. Viscous is such an evocative word.
25. Christmas in Rome: NATALE. The Italian word. Buon Natale -T!
26. Etna output: ASH. Etna again.
27. Nonsense: ROT.
29. Artist friend of Dalí: SERT. Josep Maria Sert i Badia was a Spanish muralist, the son of an affluent textile industry family, and friend of Salvador Dalí. (wiki).
30. They usually have frames: GLASSES. Movies did not have enough letters.
36. Trig function: SINE. No math today.
37. Word with tax or L.A.: DODGERS. A droll combination.
41. __ martini: DRY. Shaken not stirred? A wonderful link yesterday by HG to explain it all. Or 126A. Sticks in drinks: STIRRERS.
42. Put away: ATE.
43. Fruity, so to speak: BANANAS. I do not get this clue/fill. I know a banana is a fruit...I guess fruity can be a bit "barmy."
44. Absorbs, with "up": SOPS. Picture a thick, juicy steak and a fresh yeast roll. NO! Not during Passover!
46. Barfly: SOT. Nice placement.
53. Hider's hissed revelation: IN HERE. My eyes deceived me and I read this as "Hitler's hissed revelation."
55. Biblical spy: CALEB. Along with Joshua, he was faithful to his belief and told Moses that the Israelites could take over Canaan. The other 19 sent out were afraid, irritated the divine, and caused the 40 years of wandering the dessert, so they say.
56. Means: AVENUE.
59. Skilled at painting, say: ARTISTIC.
69. Perjurious testimony: LIES. Spellcheck does not like it, but it is a word.
70. 81-Down friend: ROO. 81D. Storied bear: POOH.
71. Astonish: AWE.
72. 23rd Greek letter: PSI. The Greek ALPHABET is back. The letters of the Greek alphabet are: alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, eta, theta, iota, kappa, lambda, mu, nu, xi, omicron, pi, rho, sigma, tau, upsilon, phi, chi, psi, omega.
73. Capital NNW of Copenhagen: OSLO. To our Norse scions.
77. Submit a crossword, say: SEND IT IN. An inside joke I guess.
79. Nytol competitor: UNISOM. To sleep, perchance to DREAM.
80. "I'm not __ brag, but ... ": ONE TO. Always said by braggarts.
81. Urban park snack snitcher: PIGEON.
92. __ roll: ON A. I like sesame.
93. Long-running CBS drama: NCIS. Gibbs is gone, get used to it!
96. Nose-wrinkling: ODOROUS. Ponderous.
97. Prov. bordering four Great Lakes: ONT. Hey Canadian Eh.
98. Formicidae family member: ANT. You knew The Formicidae is an unequivocally monophyletic group, previously defined by Bolton (1994, 2003) as eusocial, sexually dimorphic aculeate Hymenoptera bearing metapleural glands and geniculate antennae. Sure.
79. Nytol competitor: UNISOM. To sleep, perchance to DREAM.
80. "I'm not __ brag, but ... ": ONE TO. Always said by braggarts.
81. Urban park snack snitcher: PIGEON.
92. __ roll: ON A. I like sesame.
93. Long-running CBS drama: NCIS. Gibbs is gone, get used to it!
96. Nose-wrinkling: ODOROUS. Ponderous.
97. Prov. bordering four Great Lakes: ONT. Hey Canadian Eh.
98. Formicidae family member: ANT. You knew The Formicidae is an unequivocally monophyletic group, previously defined by Bolton (1994, 2003) as eusocial, sexually dimorphic aculeate Hymenoptera bearing metapleural glands and geniculate antennae. Sure.
99. Mourns: LAMENTS.
100. Meat serving: CHOP. Steaks are basically beef chops. Pork chops and lamb chops are basically pork steaks and lamb steaks. Why? Why not?
108. Fixed function: SET ROLE. Help techies, all I can find is it is a command which sets the current user identifier of the current SQL session to be role_name . The role name can be written as either an identifier or a string. ???
110. Gator relative: CROC. Gator-Alligator as Croc-Crocodile.
111. White team: SOX. My childhood heroes.
112. Shout: CRY.
115. Heat units: THERMS.
116. "Tear down this wall!" speaker: REAGAN.
122. Keep going: ENDURE. These Sundays are long.
123. Higher than normal, maybe: ELEVATED.
124. Cal State city: CHICO.
125. Joust participants: STEEDS. Let's hear it for the horses.
127. Brings together: WEDS. People, or ideas.
Down:
1. U.S. peak officially renamed in 2015: DENALI. Bad enough to be shot, but President McKinley lost that honorofic.
2. Palm used in furniture: RATTAN.
3. Angst: UNEASE.
4. Rounded, knotty tree growths: BURLS. These are not related to MR. IVES, or are they?
5. Follower of Mao?: TSE. Or Chris.
6. "__ girl!": ATTA.
7. Congressional mtg.: SESSion.
8. Worker with mice: TECH.
9. Go left instead of right, say: ERR. No Politics!
10. One inspiring PDAs: BAE. The new it word for your it girl.
11. "F Troop" corporal played by Larry Storch: AGARN.
12. Musicians' garage creations, maybe: DEMO CDS. Garage bands. That really is where more successful bands start out.
13. "Mazel __!": TOV. I hope you are all having a great Passover, Easter, Kwanza or whatever brings you joy.
14. "Fighting" Indiana team: IRISH. Notre Dame.
15. It's shocking: TASER. Ha Ha.
16. Go up: INCREASE. Prices.
17. Washer component: AGITATOR. I said no politics.
18. "Spider-Man" reporter __ Leeds: NED. Not a major character.
19. Board members who might become mated?: KINGS. Chess board.
23. Supplies order phrase: NEED BY.
28. Beginner: TYRO.
31. Ivory, for one: SOAP. Aslo a Coast, which also happens to be a soap.
32. Viking great Tarkenton: FRAN.
33. No. 2: ASST.
34. Entering, as data: TYPING IN.
35. Head of France: TETE. Just French.
38. Significant archaeological find: DNA.
39. Long-nosed fish: GAR.
40. Boise-to-Fargo dir.: ENE. Who goes from Boise to Fargo?
45. Brush off: SNUB. Not to be confused with DRUB.
47. Make a killing on, in a way: SCALP. Tickets.
48. Skyler's sister on "Breaking Bad": MARIE. Never watched it.
49. Redo: ALTER. I am sure the pets do not like this.
50. Come out with a more current version of: REISSUE. Not for me.
51. "Chad" network: TBS. Chad? Never heard of it. I thought it is a country near the Ivory Coast.
52. "A pity": SAD.
54. Most any Disney princess: HEROINE. All of them.
57. Ones often seen in restricted lounges: VIPS.
58. Massachusetts motto starter: ENSE. Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem. Seek peace but only in freedom.
60. Sleeper, for one: TRAIN CAR.
61. Electrolysis products: IONS. Are they the products, or the process?
62. Pixar film set in Mexico: COCO.
63. Distant: FAR.
64. Need to pay: OWE.
65. Permit: LET.
66. Fragrant compound: ESTER. We had this recently. Looks like a WORDLE word.
67. Top names: ELITE. And another.
68. Prohibition words: DO NOT.
75. Privy to: IN ON. Gossip?
76. Concert piece: AMP. Tricky and not true of all concerts.
78. Pt. of an age calculation: DOB. Date of Birth.
82. Unworldly: INNOCENT.
83. PepsiCo sports beverage: GATORADE. More CSO to me and my alma mater.
85. 1970 Kinks hit: LOLA. Our new downstairs neighbor.
86. Driver of "BlacKkKlansman": ADAM.
87. Dot follower?: COM.
88. Choler: IRE.
89. Prefix with event or issue: NON.
90. Nerve: GUTS. They are related.
91. Valuable things: ASSETS.
94. Swing voters: Abbr.: INDS. Is that really an abbreviation for independents?
95. Lightning simulators: STROBES.
100. Yuletide display: CRECHE. More religion.
101. Really awful: HORRID.
102. Early Mexicans: OLMECS. Talk about a gimme after this week's puzzles.
103. Basil-and-pine-nuts sauce: PESTO.
105. Lauren Hutton has been on its cover 26 times: VOGUE. Why?
106. Modern greeting: E-CARD.
107. Rejoice: EXULT. Lots of reason to do this now.
109. "Superman & Lois" network: THE CW.
112. Burn a bit: CHAR. My oldest granddaughter.
113. Solemn event: RITE. Lots of them this week and next.
114. Belgian river: YSER. Look at your list of four letter European rivers.
116. Hi-__ image: RES. Not to be confused with...
117. Video game letters: NES. Nintendo Entertainment System.
119. Agnus __: DEI. Lamb of G-d. Timely for all Judeo-Christians.
120. Binge-watcher's device: DVR. Not so much anymore.
121. Ideal NFL drive endings: TDS. Touchdowns which is the perfect place for me to end this tour and return control of your computer to each of you. Rich we all appreciate everything you have done for C.C., this blog, for all the new constructors brought in by C.C., and for Jeffrey Wechsler.
Patti, we have enjoyed your puzzles and look forward to a long working relationship pushing the envelope while appreciating our history.
Lemonade out.
Notes from C.C.:
1) Boomer's CT scan last Monday did
not show more cancer progression, so Dr. Downs ordered one more blood
draw on Wednesday. Thankfully Boomer's white blood count went up, so he
was able to get his 4th chemo infusion on Thursday. The scan did show
two tiny nodules
on his lung, but Dr. Downs was not overly concerned. Boomer will have
one more scan after his 6th chemo. Light schedule next week. Only one
appointment with his spinal cord doctor.
2) Thanks for the special Rich, Jeffrey & Lemonade treat, Lemonade! You always brings the best of Jeffrey's grids!
 |
| Rich Norris and his wife Kim Taylor |
For anyone still around I am adding a picture of my grandchildren. Look how much they have grown in less than 5 months from Devi's wedding.
FIWrong, by two cells.
ReplyDeleteVISCIl + NEl < VISCID + NED, both unknown.
INOs + sCIS < INON + NCIS, just sloppy entry.
Sorry I haven't done much poeting the past couple days. My financial difficulties deepen. Got the $3000 payment for the car into the bank, with only $200 in bank fees. Breathe easy now. Nope. Even though (I thought) she knows now the scammers are frauds, she still sent them another $1500! Aaugh! My big hopes now are that our tax refund check comes in soon, or that any bills that come in over the next couple months are tiny. She has (on her own initiative) canceled her ATM card to keep from doing it again. Her gullibility is a disease, a compulsion! Worse than gambling, since there's at least a chance of return on that!
Anyway, back to poetry. I hate doing it on Sunday. There are too many choices! And I can only fit half the puzzle on my screen at once. AcrossLite is an excellent program in other ways, but scrolling, no way! Still, I've taken up so much space, I guess I oughta try.
Glutes are back-cheeks, one and two.
Gluten comes from grain; beer has it, too.
A glutton overeats
All food within reach.
GLUTINOUS is glue-y, a VISCID goo!
TITIAN was a Titan of Renaissance art.
At portraits and landscapes he had a part.
Painting mythology,
And Christian iconology,
So ARTISTIC, from photos they couldn't be told apart!
{B+, B-.}
Good morning!
ReplyDeleteYay. D-o got the theme, and it even helped with the solve. Sometimes even a blind squirrel...
Surprised myself when FRAN Tarkenton bubbled up from some cranial recess. Lemonade, methinks you are over-thinking SET ROLE. To me it's just a thing which has a single purpose -- a toilet comes to mind. You "set" and let the good times "role." Very nice, Jeffrey. Thanx for the explication, Lemonade. (That is one angry-looking Persian cat.) Rich, thanx for all the puzzling experiences over the years. Enjoy your well-earned retirement. Patti, we look forward to your "STEERAGE" of the LAT cw ship.
LAMASERY: I get it now. I was picturing a midwife practicing some Lamaze technique.
OLMEC: Old cw friend. The most famous was Donald. People still sing the praises of Olmec Donald.
There were quite a few words I didn't know, "viscid" and "Chico" to name two. This puzzle took me a good while, but after much P & P, I FIR, so I'm happy.
ReplyDeleteFIR somehow, but erased wow for AWE, user for TECH, records for DEMO CDS (both are archaic), needed for NEED BY, tsk for SAD, and yogi for POOH. Too many unknowns to list, especially showbiz stuff, but typical of a JeffWech the perps rescued the day.
ReplyDeleteI knew that Jeff wouldn't have "poop" as Sunday fill, so I got "No. 2" without erasure.
Myrtle Beach golf courses have black-masked squirrels that will hop into your cart and snitch nabs or hot dogs left unattended.
I love GATORADE Zero. No sugar, no caffeine, plenty of flavor.
My favorite Cal State city is Northridge. CSU-N, pronounced "see-sun", is a great SoCal phrase. It is also an important landmark for aviators headed for VNY, the busiest general aviation airport in the world with more than 500,000 takeoffs/landings yearly. The ATC controller typically tells pilots to turn left over "see sun" onto final. The approach controller there talks as fast as an auctioneer.
Thanks to JeffWech for the fun, and to Lemony for presiding over Rich's retirement party's review.
Good Morning:
ReplyDeleteIt seems fitting that Rich’s last editing endeavor is of one of his most prolific constructors and, just as fitting, that Jeffrey’s endeavor be curated by his most prolific critic, Lemony. Kudos and many thanks to this talented trio who have given us such much enjoyment.
I caught the cute theme early on, aided by the spot-on title. I confidently plopped in Bossey Parents, thinking of Tina Fey’s Bossy Pants, even though I spelled Bossy wrong. Well, perps soon corrected that error. I also went astray at Phi/Psi, NoNos/Do Not, and Talented/Artistic. The few unknowns were Agarn, Viscid, Chico, and Marie, as clued. I’m always happy to see a mini theme of creatures/critters like today’s Roo, Pigeon, Croc, Gator, Steeds, Gar, and Ant. I won’t bore you with the recording-breaking number of fun pairings (20 by my notes), but I’ll list of few of the standouts: Crèche/Natale, VIPs/Elite, Scream/Dream, Snub/Drub, Croc/Gator, and Fran/TDs. CSOs to Ray O and Anon T (Pesto), All Nerds/Geeks (Tech), Hahtoolah, Lemony, MalMan and Picard ((Mazel) Tov), and Moi (Irish).
Thanks, Jeffrey W, for a very enjoyable solve and thanks, Lemony for your in-depth and thorough explication of JW’s offering. You’re more than up to the task of dissecting a Sunday grid. And many, many thanks to Rich for his dedication and knowledge which have given us so much enjoyment for so many years. Congratulations, Rich, and best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement. You’ve earned it. We look forward to Patti’s stewardship.
Have a great day.
FIR. The NE corner gave me some fits. I didn't know Titian or Ned, so a WAG filled it correctly. Still think proper names shouldn't cross!
ReplyDeleteJinx in Norfolk, They are Fox squirrels, some times mistakenly called Racoon faced squirrels.
ReplyDeleteMusings
ReplyDelete-Jeffrey never disappoints! Our retired art curator always has clue/fill that reflects his expertise.
-The controversial naming of HOOVER DAM
-The movie Titanic showed the contrast between first class and STEERAGE very well
-My SET ROLE as Easter Egg hider got thrown a curve at 10 p.m. last night. Oldest daughter is now bringing her stepson, who is always welcome, today and we had to rearrange our already set table and reorganize the Easter Egg Hunt by digging out 12 more eggs.
-Publisher’s Warehouse Contest’s tagline, “C’mon, SEND IT IN!”
-TYRO and OLMEC are on a long list of words I only see in crosswords
-IN RE: MARIE, She was a shoplifter
-Your thoughtful review was also enjoyable, Lemon!
-Congrats on a great run, Rich and welcome Patti! You editors have to tolerate not getting credit for some great clues!
A welcome FIR today, an Easter surprise. I started out slow getting the theme gimmick since I tried to put IN as well as RE in each themer. It only worked for two of them and I finally figured out the clever phrases. Other missteps were filling Judas/CALEB, next/ASST, slab/CHOP, Yogi/POOH (Hi, Jinx!), and Aztec/OLMEC. Perps cleared up the situation and I celebrate the result. Thanks, Jeffrey, Rich, and Lemonade! Well done!
ReplyDeleteVISCID was the only unknown today (Hi, Subgenius!) and fruity threw me off too, Lemonade. I tried to make BANANAy work. Husker Gary, at least you got some warning of the extra guest coming today! Hope things look up for you now, OwenKL. And finally FLN, congratulations AnonT on your FIR on the Saturday puzzle and your Youngest's success at Model UN. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday today!
Happy Easter and good luck Rich. As with all Wechsler puzzles this one was not a gimme. More A&E than usual for him but Sundays require a lot of fill, perps, and a few WAGS like the unknown NED crossing a word I'd never seen-VISCID. But in the end it was a FIR.
ReplyDeleteI noticed the inserted RE at SMARTY PA-RE-NTS and went back to fill INTERNET SC-RE-AM. I didn't know if it was BURLS or BERLS, and KEANU was a WAG, as was SERT (or DALI?).
My PERSIAN CARET started out as an IRANIAN but quickly changed once I realized the added RE should be added to CAT.
F-Troop- I remember Storch but not Corp. AGARN.
CHICO- had to wait for the perps.
CROC with the 'gator' clue crossing GATOR-ADE was unusual.
Nytol & UNISOM- read the fine print. Nytol is diphenhydramine (aka Benadryl) whereas some UNISOM pills are diphenhydramine and other are DOMALYMINE SUCCINATE, which is also in Nyquil liquid.
I'm off to a crawfish boil. It's a S. LA Easter tradition
Rich Norris Thank you for your years of service for us. And thank you for this enjoyable send-off with a delightful creation by Jeffrey Weschsler
ReplyDeleteCC and Boomer Good to hear some positive news in the midst of so much stress. Wishing the best of luck going forward. MAZEL TOV.
Lemonade I am guessing our families were together in those STEERAGE voyages to Ellis Island. Very grateful for their courage and sacrifice. Otherwise I would be in Ukraine now with the bombs falling.
Thanks for the learning moment about ANT geniculate antennae.
I have been to HOOVER DAM several times, but having trouble finding photos. As a teen with my family we got to do the inside tour. But my father didn't seem to take any photos. Film was so expensive. After 9/11 those tours were cancelled.
Here I found a HOOVER DAM photo from 2007.
From Yesterday:
Lucina CIRQUE DU SOLEIL was letting people take photos with their phones. But I did not own a phone. They were discriminating against me for no reason and hassling me for using an actual camera. My father taught me to use the right tool for the right job.
Vidwan and Wilbur Charles Thank you for validating my point about the appropriate tool for the job.
Vidwan Thank you for saying more about the mussels. So, you don't like any shellfish?
They are always toughies for me, but I can never resist a Jeffrey Wechsler puzzle, and this one was a usual delight. Many thanks, Jeffrey. Always enjoy your helpful commentary, Lemonade, thanks for that too.
ReplyDeleteAnd a special thanks for all the wonderful years of service to us, Rich Norris.
Had to look up most of the long answers, but loved going through them and finding the RE theme in each one.
My first right guess was Mao TSE. That eventually helped with the BAD TASTE and the STEERAGE.
Slight mistake putting I'M HERE for the hider's hissing. Okay, IN HERE.
Had to laugh when I got DOB for that age calculation. Of course, DATE OF BIRTH.
Boomer, so sorry to hear about your ongoing financial problems. How terribly sad. But thank you for staying strong and giving us your delightful verses this morning.
Have a lovely Easter Sunday, everybody.
I hope that the E.B. is treating everyone well today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the final puzzle, Rich.
Thanks for the great recap, Lemonade. The effort clearly shows.
Thanks for the update about Boomer, C.C.
Thanks for the (almost) CSO at 96 Across,Jeffrey.
I forgot to thank CC for the update on Boomer. Good news on the scan and a lighter schedule coming up. I hope Boomer’s after effects from the chemo aren’t so debilitating this time.
ReplyDeleteJust got home from a bountiful, boisterous brunch. The food was very good and the Bloody Marys were even better! 🍹34 Adults, 3 Children, and 1 Baby. Noisy, but nice. I’m ready for a nap!
Happy Easter and Happy Passover.
ReplyDeleteThank you JW for a very challenging puzzle. I completed it with difficulty, but did not enjoy it. It seemed too crafted and calculated and the difficulty was high. If it was intended as a swan song for Rich, .... then I guess, its OK.
I guess I haven't yet got the hang of solving complicated and tricky puzzles, with arcane clues based on argot and puns. In general I was familiar with most answers, except the names and VISCID, F Troop AGARN, NATALE, SERT...
Thank you Lemonade, as always for your witty review.
Picard, I am not averse to sea food and have no dietary restrictions, religious or otherwise.
But I am allergic to large shrimp, like scampi and seafood thats been broiled, rather than boiled.
Also I avoid unfamiliar foods, like clams, mussels, oysters etc..... especially anything eaten RAW.
Have a Happy Passover, Easter, and any other holidays or Rites I may have missed.
Now, back to some productive work ...
Thank you, Rich, for over two decades of sheer excellence, to say nothing of your pre-editorial work as a fantastic constructor...Mister Saturday!
ReplyDeleteThank you, C.C., for the encouraging news about Boomer -- a blessed Easter to you both.
Thank you, Lemonade, for the very cool blog.
And thank you, Jeffrey, for the (predictably) super puzzle.
This is Rich's last puzzle?
ReplyDeleteWell,
I don't know what to say...
(But I am sure he would edit it...)
perhaps, a cake?
So sorry, Owen. My sympathy for your financial troubles were meant for you, and I really will continue to pray that you arrive at a solution. My heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteBoomer, I was actually cheered by C.C.'s good news about your check-up, and hope we'll see your commentary on the blog tomorrow. Have a lovely day.
As the Sun begins setting on this Sunday puzzle, I would like to thank C.C. again for asking me to do the write-up. Sundays are different from every other day of the week for so many reasons. I have had a great time and appreciate those who took time away from their day to stop and say hello.
ReplyDeleteHi Y'all! Interesting challenge, Jeffrey! Labor of love in your opus, Lemony, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rich, for puzzling us well all these years. Will you now fill in the daily LAT puzzle to wean yourself away or quit cold turkey?
My computer showed only part of the tops of RE so I didn't have that title help. I had trouble with half of every theme offering. I finally filled in PERSIAN CARET & thought the gimmick was a missing "P" for CARpET. Eventually figured out the "RE" but it didn't help my fills. The puzzle took me a little over 56 minutes.
Last fill was the CR in VISCID/SERT cross. DNK either word. Also DNK ten other words which others have mentioned.
Knew TITIAN because someone somewhere mentioned a person had "such lovely TITIAN hair" which caused me to look it up. He painted redheads.
ANT was a lucky WAG. Lemonade, such a lengthy description for such a tiny being.
Still praying for C.C. & Boomer. Also praying Patty will give us some fun puzzles.
Late for me - but couldn't miss posting with the last puzzle for Rich and a JW/Lemonade to boot on a Sunday- thanks to Rich and congrats to Patti for the promotion!
ReplyDeleteLong day which started with an Easter sunrise service in a local park, early afternoon driving the 2 1/2 hours to Kansas City to see my mom along with sis and nieces and nephews that had come up from Texas. Arrived back here after 9 pm sometime.
So a different mental exercise today as I solved the puzzle on the drive home with my husband reading the clues and what fill was already in, number of letters, etc. I can't read in the car due to motion sickness - so I have to visualize what he is saying, which is slower and makes me realize how much I rely on seeing the grid!
The whole theme was very amusing. A few were gimmes -e.g we had just gone to Indiana to see CHICO State to watch friends' son play in the Division 2 Elite 8 Bball tournament.
Recently did a virtual museum tour that included a TITIAN
So time to "hurry up and sleep" as my grandma used to say if she let us stay up later when we spent the night with her.
Thanks to all!
Sunday Lurk say...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update on Boomer, C.C.. Loving thoughts your way.
Rich, I'm sure you're not done yet. I look forward to your by-line in upcoming puzzles sans Lila Cherry, Nora Pearlstone, etal. Thanks for all you've done at the LAT; Will can eat his Shortz ;-)
Patti - Welcome to the helm. You've done great as asst. so I've no worries the LAT will wither. I'm sure it will remain the same daily syndicated joy under your editornesses(? - word-choice?).
{A, B+} I'm so sorry to read your continued financial scam woes.
Lem & Picard - DW gifted me a copy of the Ellis Island log with Great-Gramp's name ink'd after arriving from Italy. $20 in his pocket* and his sponsor (his relative (and my namesake)) promising a job in the coal mines in Riverton, IL. [zoom in, ENE of SPI] (us Italians are-a short - we-a fit in-a da mines :-))
LOL D-O inre: OL' MecDonald.
BigE - Crawdads are bait; crawfish are food ;-)
Maybe this video will load for y'all: E. Buzz Miller on "TIT -IAN". [SNL transcript]
Hope everyone had a wonderful <insert religious holiday> Sunday.
Cheers, -T
*It's my understanding that $20 was the minimum requirement and immigrants used the same $20 passed back in line. Donno if it's true but it's a fun story.
Hola!
ReplyDeleteIt's too late to wish everyone a happy Easter, but I sincerely hope you all had a good day, maybe even a great one! I certainly did! I saw my extended family for the first time in two years since the pandemic started. It was emotional and wonderful. The small grand-nieces and grand-nephews are no longer small! Some even have beards and mustaches! A couple of them are engaged and have future wedding plans. Even my ex-brother-in-law who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer looked good though vastly underweight.
It was a good day! I have been catching up on TV programs and finally realized what time it is.
Rich, If you read this I wish you a restful retirement! You have earned it and though we will miss you, we wish you well!
Felices pasquas! Happy paschal days!
Thank you Mr Wechsler for ruining my Easter afternoon, night and wee hours after midnight! Totally silly "theme" complicated by arcane defs provided me with fifteen hours of angst. Finally tossed it in the garage ...needed to "sleep it off"! One more entry like this one and I'll terminate my subscription to the Sunday paper!
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