Title:
Doctor Doctor, gimme the news; I got a bad case of lovin' you. No pill's gonna cure my ill; I got a bad case of lovin' you...
Happy Friday and your most loving host is back on track alternating with C Moe. Today we have a classic add two letters (in this case DR the accepted abbreviation for Doctor) to create new and amusing puns and fill. It is also standard symmetry beginning with 17A. The distribution is 11/13/11/13 with no reveal needed. ZDL also laces the puzzle with some extra sizzle with four 10 letter fill packed into the down fill - STOLEN KISS, PRETTY SOON, I NEED SPACE, and BALD EAGLES. There are some challenging clues and some very witty ones but it is time to add more. The theme:
DR is added to the beginning of four phrases:
17A. Medical pro who avoids the rear of the ship?: DRAFT DODGER (11). If you picture a man in a white coat with a stethoscope around his neck who will not go to the rear (AFT) of the ship you get what is going one.
26A. Medical pro who holds a pal's hand in a tattoo parlor?: DRINKING BUDDY (13). Now we have a friend who accompanies another about to get a new Tattoo and is nervous.
42A. Medical pro who engineers hairpin turns?: DRESS DESIGNER (13). Ess curves are what makes driving a real challenge and a doctor who lays out the route for a Formula 1 race to make it scary, you have gotten it all.55A. Medical pro who is a sick chess player?: DRILL MASTER (11). Chess masters are their most successful players, and one who is not well and plays on would be an ill master.
In retrospect, very easy; now to review the rest.
Across:
1. Luxurious: PLUSH. Etymonline says "soft fabric, cloth having a softer and longer nap than that of velvet," 1590s, from French pluche "shag, plush..."
6. Bubble tea insert: STRAW. Very tricky and amusing since you must put in a straw to drink the tea.
11. Sweet sandwich, for short: PBJ. Peanut Butter and Jelly. I am Jelly, Oo is Peanut Butter.
14. A Marx brother: HARPO. Since their stage names were all 5 letters ending in O, this required the perps. Chico, Harpo, Groucho, Gummo, and Zeppo
15. Small crown: TIARA. I never thought of it that way, but it is obvious.
16. Grammy winner Corinne Bailey __: RAE. Norma has clearly lost her place; I did not know this singer.
19. Approximate fig.: ESTimate.
20. Actor Mineo: SAL. This is a dated fill though he was famous as an actor in Rebel Without a Cause and getting murdered. If you do not know this story here it is. LINK.
21. Yarns: TALES. Growing up in New England, the spinning of Yarns were the words not the cloth.
22. Key near Alt: CTRL. There are a few.
23. Farmers market buy: KALE. I still think of it as a garnish, not food.
24. Rum cocktail: MAI TAI. My sweet wife orders this when a cocktail is appropriate but they seldom come out as the same drink. The original RECIPE.
31. Actress Zellweger: RENEE. Anyone watching The Thing About Pam?
32. Eucalyptus eater: KOALA. According to National Geographic Koalas are not bears—they're marsupials.
33. Plant juice: SAP. Good for so many things including making maple syrup.
36. Peak: APEX. ACME, you pick.
37. The Good Book: BIBLE. There is much debate about the books and the history of the bible, a religious topic which I will not weigh in on.
38. Top-ranked: A-ONE. A sauce?
39. Sorrow: WOE. A quick double header, with...
40. "What a pity": SO SAD.
41. Aerial photography craft: DRONE. Doctor one is not a themer.
45. ABCs: BASICS. What you learn first in school, maybe.
47. Plus: ALSO. Rhymes with...
48. Big trade show: EXPO.
49. Noncommittal: VAGUE. Exactly describing the clue/fill.
51. Investigative journalist __ B. Wells: IDA. A pioneer of women and black women's rights. LINK.
54. Long of "Empire": NIA. She has starred in many movies and TV shows. Her IMDB.
58. Washington's Sea-__ Airport: TAC. Seattle-Tacoma. A niece of mine just moved there.
59. "Cross my heart!": NO LIE. Meh.
60. Title holder: SPINE. Very fun, as the part of a book where the title is embossed is the spine. Also where many tattoos appear.
61. Estadio cheer: OLE. Spanish lesson - stadium and cheer.
62. Lies for, maybe: ABETS. Helps someone get away with something.
63. Snap course: EASY A.
Down:
20. Actor Mineo: SAL. This is a dated fill though he was famous as an actor in Rebel Without a Cause and getting murdered. If you do not know this story here it is. LINK.
21. Yarns: TALES. Growing up in New England, the spinning of Yarns were the words not the cloth.
22. Key near Alt: CTRL. There are a few.
23. Farmers market buy: KALE. I still think of it as a garnish, not food.
24. Rum cocktail: MAI TAI. My sweet wife orders this when a cocktail is appropriate but they seldom come out as the same drink. The original RECIPE.
31. Actress Zellweger: RENEE. Anyone watching The Thing About Pam?
32. Eucalyptus eater: KOALA. According to National Geographic Koalas are not bears—they're marsupials.
33. Plant juice: SAP. Good for so many things including making maple syrup.
36. Peak: APEX. ACME, you pick.
37. The Good Book: BIBLE. There is much debate about the books and the history of the bible, a religious topic which I will not weigh in on.
38. Top-ranked: A-ONE. A sauce?
39. Sorrow: WOE. A quick double header, with...
40. "What a pity": SO SAD.
41. Aerial photography craft: DRONE. Doctor one is not a themer.
45. ABCs: BASICS. What you learn first in school, maybe.
47. Plus: ALSO. Rhymes with...
48. Big trade show: EXPO.
49. Noncommittal: VAGUE. Exactly describing the clue/fill.
51. Investigative journalist __ B. Wells: IDA. A pioneer of women and black women's rights. LINK.
54. Long of "Empire": NIA. She has starred in many movies and TV shows. Her IMDB.
58. Washington's Sea-__ Airport: TAC. Seattle-Tacoma. A niece of mine just moved there.
59. "Cross my heart!": NO LIE. Meh.
60. Title holder: SPINE. Very fun, as the part of a book where the title is embossed is the spine. Also where many tattoos appear.
61. Estadio cheer: OLE. Spanish lesson - stadium and cheer.
62. Lies for, maybe: ABETS. Helps someone get away with something.
63. Snap course: EASY A.
Down:
1. Many profs: PHDS. More doctors.
2. "The Secrets We Kept" novelist Prescott: LARA. Some BACKGROUND.
3. River to the Caspian: URAL. This famous body of WATER. 43D. __ Grande: RIO. Another river dividing countries.
4. Sunblock letters: SPF. Sun Protection Factor, is a measure of how well a sunscreen will protect skin from UVB rays.
5. Quick, provocative opinion: HOT TAKE. Part of the end of true journalism IMO.
6. Unexpected smack?: STOLEN KISS. Very nice as a clue and an act.
7. Laundry brand: TIDE. This HISTORIC product changed doing laundry.
8. Old T-shirts, maybe: RAGS. Is there a man among you who has not lost a favorite shirt to this scourge?
9. "__ we good?": ARE. I hope so, I love you.
10. Simple card game: WAR. This is even played in casinos.
11. In the not-too-distant future: PRETTY SOON.
12. Iraq port city: BASRA. All you need to KNOW.
13. Actor who plays the Emperor in 2020's "Mulan": JET LI. The famous action hero appeared in the live action version of this anime classic.
18. "The Persistence of Memory" painter: DALI. Who doesn't love Salvador.
22. Spain's El __: CID. He was a Castilian knight and warlord in medieval Spain, made famous by this movie...
23. "Where creativity clicks" construction toy: K-NEX.
HISTORY.
HISTORY.
24. Slip-on shoe: MULE. I cannot imagine these asses staying still long enough to wear.
25. Programming pioneer Lovelace: ADA. The abandoned daughter of poet Lord Byron. LINK.
26. Sketch: DRAW.
27. Forfeited auto: REPOsession.
28. "Please give me some alone time": I NEED SPACE.
Greta Garbo anyone?
29. Sour: GO BAD. Milk anyone?
30. Birds of prey that were once endangered: BALD EAGLES. This is proof of what we can do if we commit as a country, oops never mind that sounds political.
34. Basketball Hall of Famer Donovan: ANNE. She died of heart failure apparently being 6'8" tall is hard on the body. This is not an issue for Friday bloggers.
LINK.
35. Social equal: PEER. Or a man by a urinal?
37. Bigwig: BOSS. Have any of you watched the Horrible Bosses movies? Rachel, why did we lose you?
38. Best Picture winner set in Iran: ARGO. This revived Ben Affleck's career and now he got to marry J-Lo. Hollywood is grand.
35. Social equal: PEER. Or a man by a urinal?
37. Bigwig: BOSS. Have any of you watched the Horrible Bosses movies? Rachel, why did we lose you?
38. Best Picture winner set in Iran: ARGO. This revived Ben Affleck's career and now he got to marry J-Lo. Hollywood is grand.
40. Jiff: SEC. Not more Peanut Butter.
41. Pathology study: DISEASE. What does the study of paths have to do with illness?
44. Run-down area: SLUM. I do not think this is a politically acceptable word. Pre-gentrified maybe?
45. Box lunch?: BENTO. The word “bento” was actually derived from the Southern Song Dynasty slang term biàndāng, which means “convenient.” Timeline.com.
46. The first "A" in CAT scan: AXIAL. CAT scan stands for Computed Axial Tomography.
49. Dreadful: VILE.
50. Came to rest: ALIT. This bugs me.
51. Terse affirmation: IT IS. Make it so!
52. Turn down: DENY. Not the bed, but the offer.
53. Painter's calculation: AREA. Hopefully a calculation made by all who are working on your house.
55. Genetic info carrier: DNA.
56. Director Reiner: ROB. Most famous for the scene with his mother and Meg Ryan.
57. Mani-pedi place: SPA. How fun to end with a complete shout out to our own super hero Lucy.
Another struggle with technology but we made it to here. Thank you all for coming, reading and writing. I also send a big THANKS to Zachary for the entertainment and we would look silly if we had no puzzle to discuss.
Be well all.
FIRight. Parsing JET LI and MAI TAI caused a hiccup, and guessing the great themers, but no really serious problems. This is Friday?
ReplyDeletecalling out the gendarmes really would be amiss.
Involving Scotland Yard, or the Pope's guard of Swiss.
The caper was grievous,
A heist most mischievous,
Her father was umbrageous -- it was just a STOLEN KISS!
High balls and functions were requisite
The ladies of the Regency were not ones to sit.
Their bustles so inflated
As if direly constipated,
The PHD professor was DOCTOR AFT-DODGER as he flit!
{A, A-.}
I understood the gimmick right off the bat
ReplyDeleteOther than that, it wasn’t terribly difficult for a Friday. FIR, so I’m happy.
ReplyDeleteYes, TTP, it worked! You’re a genius! And Ray-O-Sunshine, now you know you can get an iPhone and still use your avatar! And Irish Miss, thanks for your encouragement to keep going, even when all hope seemed lost! What a team! I LOVE this blog!
ReplyDeleteGood morning!
ReplyDeleteI'm really starting to like these no-reveal puzzles. Even d-o managed to suss the theme. Yay. Those 10-letter downs were nice. Looked sideways at KNEX -- sounds like a radio station. Couldn't make LEGO fit in that spot. Nicely done, Zachary. Your technological battle was worth it, Lemonade. Enjoyed the tour.
El CID : I somehow managed to miss that Charlatan Heston epic. Saw him as Moses and Ben and even Taylor (that space traveler in Planet of the Apes), but not as Cid.
FIR, but erased champ for SPINE. DNK IDA, and at first thought RAE x JETLI was a Natick, until Lemony fixed the parse. Oh yeah, him. And I only know two Prescotts, the Dallas Cowboys' quarterback and the town in Arizona (pronounced PRESScut). Waited for ANNa/ANNE and rNA/DNA. ANNE was the star player at ODU, just a couple of miles up Hampton Blvd from here.
ReplyDeleteMy college roommate liked EASY As. He took "Football Physics", while I took the "real" course. He got an A in his, and I got to take mine twice.
It had to be ROB, because "Meathead" wouldn't fit.
I had forgotten that WAR is played in casinos until Lemony mentioned it. I first learned that fact from the wonderful documentary film "Vegas Vacation", starring Chevy Chase.
Thanks to Zach for the fun, easy-for-Friday puzzle, and to Lemony for another fine tour.
Oh yeah - DNK KNEX either.
ReplyDeleteDr Aft, Dr Ink, Dr Ess & Dr Ill...what fun & so clever!
ReplyDeleteAha, there is a KNEX radio station -- it's an FM outlet in Laredo, TX.
ReplyDeleteCompleted the puzzle without cheats. Never did get the hook.
ReplyDeleteKNEX and BENTO were all perps, completely unknown.
ReplyDeleteA hairpin curve is not really an ESS unless you put two of them together, and even then...
A Friday FIR already must mean it's easy or I'm on Zachary's wavelength. Thanks for the fun! The only slow part for me was parsing the themers which I finally saw with the last: DR ILLMASTER. Oh sure. Now they make more sense.
ReplyDeleteLike others I found the perps were essential to fill my unknowns: KNEX, for example. Some names I VAGUEly remembered and needed reassurance. Thanks, Lemonade for the helpful review. You were in a cheerful mood!
Learning moment for me today was that both Sal Mineo and James Dean were in Rebel Without a Cause and both died young. Hope you all have a fantastic Friday!
I saw the dr in 5:29 today.
ReplyDeleteLike OwenKL, this did not seem like a Friday puzzle. Seemed more like a Tuesday level puzzle to me. Probably a Friday record time for me, if I kept track.
Good to see Subgenius is back.
I enjoyed "The Thing About Pam."
Also, I just finished "The Lincoln Lawyer," the 10-episode series on Netflix (not the movie). The series is good.
Neat theme. Not as difficult as most Fridays. Lego before KNEX, but I have seen this building toy.
ReplyDelete17A The medical pro could be a female, Lemonade, as is INANEHIKER. I now use "they" to refer to a single person of either gender, rather than he/she.
I liked Renee in "Chicago."
MAI TAI, too sweet for me.
OKL, thanks for the Stolen Kiss poem.
We ate from bento boxes on the Shinkansen Bullet train in Japan. We found them in many stores in Japan. The kids carry them as lunch boxes, lovingly and intricately made by their moms.
BTW The Song dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. (nothing related to singing.) Refer to Lemonade's blog.
"Outside Japan, it (bento)is common in other East and Southeast Asian culinary styles, especially within Chinese, Korean, Singaporean cuisines and more, as rice is a common staple food in the region."
Whenever I find a puzzle easy, many others do, also.
The Dr was easy but didn't get the hook. Dnk benpo or Kenx.
ReplyDeleteCounted 11 proper names of which I knew 6 guessed at 4..
Good Fri.
Good Morning:
ReplyDeleteI caught the theme early on which helped with the remaining themers. It was clever but not Friday level, IMO. There were also too many proper names for my taste, three of which I didn’t know, as clued: Rae, Lara, and the completely unknown KNEX. Tide and Rob could have been clued minus any proper name reference.
Thanks, Zachary, and thanks, Lemony, for the entertaining review. Yes, I watched The Thing About Pam and am still miffed that Reneé Zellwegger was snubbed by the Emmy’s. My learning moment was that War is played in casinos; that really surprises me.
Subgenius @ 5:31 ~ Congrats on solving your iPhone problem. Nice to see you and 🐨 in living color!
SS @ 8:13 ~ I, too, enjoyed The Lincoln Lawyer series, as well as the movie with Matthew McConaughey. While watching the series, every now and then I would detect a subtle but noticeable accent in the lead actor’s speech. I had no idea who he was but, after checking his bio, I discovered he is Mexican-American and English is his second language. Another series I just watched and enjoyed is Anatomy of A Scandal.
Have a great day and stay cool!
Forgot to compliment Owen on the stolen kiss poem. 👍
ReplyDeleteSherry @ 9:12 ~I counted 24 proper names, way too many, IMHO. 😉
Thank you Zachary for a surprising respite from our usual Friday WOES. The theme was just what the DOCTOR ORDERED, very THERAPEUTIC and resulted in an IATROGENIC FIR.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you Lemony for the your well illustrated, illuminating review.
Some favs:
11A PBJ. Sweet TEES that look perfect for snuggling.
15A TIARA. Also a name apparently. One of the clerks at our local pharmacy is named TIARA.
16A RAE. What a RAEVELATION!
20A SAL. DNK he was murdered.
23A KALE. We eat a lot of it, along with SPINACH, SWISS CHARD, MUSTARD, and TURNIP GREENS. They're actually quite tasty when fresh picked from the garden and served with sour cream. And good for you!.
32A KOALA. And a CSO to Subgenius (who is smarter than he lets on).
37A BIBLE. One of the most common references cited by puzzle constructors. As Lemony hints, we bloggers have to dance carefully around it.
6D STOLEN KISS. Favorite clue and a favorite pastime.
13D JET LI. JET almost naticked me, but RAE charmed me out of it.
18D DALI. My favorite 20th Century painter, whom I admire almost as much as JAN VERMEER.
23D KNEX. Like plastic versions of the old Erector Sets.
25D ADA. At one time ADA was an official language of the DOD and my consulting firm had to learn it. Sorta like PASCAL on steroids.
34D ANNE. Excessive height is not a problem for this Thursday blogger either.
45D BENTO. Another important invention of the Song Dynasty was the down-draft kiln, enabling potters to reach the much higher temperatures (circa 2350 deg. F) needed to produce STONEWARE and PORCELAIN.
Cheers,
Bill
Seemed easier than most Fridays, and that is definitely not a complaint. Except for all the proper names: I count 13; I knew six and guessed or perped the others. Clever theme that I got with the first theme fill, which made the other theme fills much easier to suss. Overall, FIR in unclefred Mach 2 time of 24. DNK KNEX or 7 names. Thanx ZDL for the lovely CW. Thanx too to Lemonade for the entertaining and informative write-up. Lemonade, Groucho was the first Marx brother to come to mind, but it is 7 letters, not 5.
ReplyDeleteWas I the only one stumped/annoyed by the cross of RA? and J?TLI
ReplyDeleteCPNU @10:32 AM Well as it had to be a vowel and E is the most common I took a SWAG ...
DeleteUnfair cross. Is it a natick? Otherwise very easy for a Friday!
DeleteMusings
ReplyDelete-Windows : ALT :: Apple : Option
-My friend’s daughter is a veterinarian in Australia. When I asked about scratches on her arms, she replied, “Those KOALAS look sweet and cuddly but they can be aggressive!”
-When I had 50 kids in tall corn detasseling, a DRONE would have been very helpful
-On a shuttle ride from Sea-TAC into Seattle, the driver and a non-English speaking Asian woman were trying to decide if she wanted change or leave a sizable tip.
-We have some wonderful PHD’s on our site and I have some great exchanges with our many PhD constructors
-JET LI had to be but it took a few heartbeats to realize it was right.
-This is on a t-shirt of mine
-Kids have brought these to my physics class
Koalas are very sleepy and stinky.
Delete
ReplyDeleteFun, easy Friday with lotsa old friends ("ABC": BASICS, EXPO, APEX, TIARA, ARGO, SPA, ABETS etc.) and probably the most ingenious word game theme I've seen in awhile. Took some thought and not a computer database to come up with it. FIR with no inkovers making up for two tandem FIW's
Stolen smack (neitherWill Smith nor Oscar night would fit 😄)....HARPO Productions, Oprah's backward company
I wish we knew more about Japanese cuisine. DW and I always order the BENTO box as a sure thing.
First thought for "sweet sandwich for short" was the ubiquitous oreo maybe ORE? or REO? 😄. Forget the KALE, we buy the Amish ladies' blueberry pies at our farmers market. It's "title" is on the book's SPINE, clever!! (or clevre for Canada Eh 😃)
DW: "Do the laundry now!!" "Cuz time and TIDE wait for no man!!"
SEC (ans.) is an abbrev. "Jiff" (clue) is not.
First physician...DRONE
Small bottle...VILE
That cravat is____ MAITAI
Busy week...TGIF
Loved this puzzle. FIR. I too didn’t know KNEX.
ReplyDeleteI’ve used Tide washing powder my whole life.
OKL great stolen kiss poem.
All fun.
Hi All!
ReplyDeleteGreat Friday puzzle, Zachary. //I say that 'cuz I solved it :-)
I didn't glom the theme at 1st. 'These are just normal phrases', I muttered until I saw the DR out front. Cute.
Thanks for some Robert Palmer, Lem. Oh, and the expo was entertaining too.
WO: Dang it! - I put AREA in 52d's squares. Otherwise, a clean grid.
ESPs: NIA, JET LI
Fav:
{A+, A}
K'NEX (pronounced: 'Connects') is Tinker Toys on steroids.
Waseely - No. Erector Sets requires rudimentary skills with real (basic) tools.
CPNU @10:32 - you're not the only one. But, RAE is common fill and I happily filled.
Bill-O: BENTO boxes [14m how-to. Just watch the first 2m to get the idea] are little sushi lunches of love. Doesn't need to be sushi -- DW would charcuterie-up the kids' lunches with lovingly placed meats, cheese, fruits, nuts, and ants on a log with a smiley-face.
Good show, SubG! Nice to see your iVatar.
Jinx - DW & I took two different math classes (Trig, I think). She was crushing it! whilst I struggled. Mine was geared towards Engineers; her's was for English majors.
I ALSO took Physics 2x - bastard held class at 7am. I missed two exams.
Musical interlude inspired by ATLGranny: Only the Good Die Young. //what does that say about us? :-)
Ray-O: We love Japanese cuisine (best was in San Francisco's JapanTown - Houston has some good joints too). Toro (fatty tuna) is the best when they have it. Stay away from Sea Urchin - it looks like a brain and doesn't sit well on my palette (and I love anchovies).
Tante - I'm allergic to TIDE. Gotta have All's dye & scent free or my back itches something awful.
HG - I love that NASA tee!
I'll leave you with more of my favorite DR from WKRP in the hopes it draws out Bill G.
Cheers, -T
Xxxxxxxxxxx Fln, -T, you must have lived near (now infamous) Oak Ridge. And…
ReplyDeleteThe "Stuttering Parrot" sounds interesting, I had one that cursed up a storm
Two acute Naticks on an otherwise easy Friday. KALE, got it; But not N(t)IA
Said BIBLE debate is likewise ancient. Try Barbara Thiering if you want 'way out'.. Or…
Follow the Money
One thing I got very efficient at was DRILL.
I immefiately thought of this IDA (Of the famous Rockefeller expose)
Agreed Lemony, HOT TAKE as in Tweet
MULE has a drug connotation too
BENTO I see is ubiquitous
As I said you're at the top of your game, Owen. AFT Dodger indeed, I'm reading "The Man from St Petersburg by Ken Follett. All about London society and its opposite on the eve of WWI
Corsets were de rigueur
Charlatan Heston- not an autocorrect typo I'm guessing, eh D-O
Jinx my 50s BC pal had forgotten his text book on the morning of the exam. Art Donovan, future NFL hof said "borrow mine". The SPINE had not been cracked. Art passed btw
Atl, as did Natalie Wood as I gleaned from lemonade's link which was entertaining
"The Lincoln Lawyer" book got me started on Connelly
I counted 10 proper names but a singer ?IA could be several. Apparently BENTO boxes are familiar as JET LI and SAL Mineo are to myself
WC
Ms. Irish Miss: At times I could tell he had a Mexican/Spanish accent (including a few of the times when he was speaking Spanish...), but I was unfamiliar with him (and as a matter of fact, I still am). I enjoyed his character and acting. I give the series points for originality/creativity, as not everything was as it seemed.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous @ 8:13 today.
Hola!
ReplyDeleteFun Friday! Thank you, Zachary David Levy. And thank you, as well, Lemonade, for the CSO and the excellent expo.
The puzzle was EASY so I sashayed right through it.
It was SAD to see a BALD EAGLE caged at the zoo.
My first drink in Hawaii was a MAI TAI.
BASRA has often been in the news so that was also easy.
I never had a DRILL MASTER but our Novice Mistress was no slouch, I assure you!
Today I should go to the SPA. Tomorrow is the internment for my late Uncle Ray but I still don't know how I'm going to get there. Must make some calls.
Have a peaceful day, everyone, without any WOE!
Anonymous T: interesting about Tide allergy. Several years ago I had a bout of hives and thought maybe it was Tide related, so I switched to something else, but it turned out it was an antibiotic allergy, so I went back to Tide. At the time my doc told me that a doctor would rather see an angry wild tiger walk into his office than a person with hives because it’s always so hard to determine the origins of hives.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the congratulations . But it’s really all because TTP is such a whiz at tech. I hope he logs on today so I can thank him personally!
ReplyDeleteHello everyone! As per CC's suggestion on the How to Post page, I have been "lurking" for a while. The 31A CSO to me meant today I should finally join the fun.
ReplyDeleteHusker Gary@10:44 I once took a private tour of the Sydney Zoo. I remember the zookeeper saying that koalas were cute but NOT cuddly
= )
And stinky! (See above)
DeleteBill - A young guy's toy is an Erector Set. A middle-aged guy's Erector Set is an Ikea wardrobe. An old guy's Erector Set is a bottle of blue pills.
ReplyDeleteYR - Only under threat of firing, imprisonment or bodily harm will I ever refer to a single individual as "they".
-T - My problem was that high school was so easy that I got nearly all As without studying, and I didn't have any study skills. When I went back to college as an adult, I wanted to know everything about the subject at hand, and didn't have to force myself to hit the books. (My MBA required a paper at the end of each class, and I did have to make myself stick to those tasks.)
I guess I get an 'I' for incomplete in my earlier post...
ReplyDeleteFav: STOLEN KISS. I love the clue and I love smacking DW w/ one - sometimes it turns out well :-)
TanteN - If you don't have problems with TIDE now, no reason to switch.
//I read an article yesterday that 70% of Americans stick with the brand they grew up with. Madison Ave won. :-)
Welcome to The Corner Sundaze (aka RENEE). Hope you stay, play, & tell us some stories. Cute avatar.
WC - Oak Ridge (four blocks from 3rd & Eastman) is where Lincoln was buried twice. Robbers tried to take him from the back hill (just behind the monument with a little gate under a hill) so moved him to his current tomb.
Every time I rode my bide through Oak Ridge (hills!), I'd rub his nose.
Jinx - um, blue-pill humour == groan (groin?) ;-)
I didn't get all 'A's (B- student at best) until going to public school in Shreveport after attending Ursuline. The Nuns had us two weeks ahead in the books (compared to the C.E. Byrd kids) and I was translating teach's geometry for the rest of the class.
That skill got me a date once ;-)
But, to your point - I had no study skills. It wasn't until Calc 3 or DiffE that I had to learn how to put my nose in them books. DW helped (she's studious).
More story? Sure.
We had a guy in our Discreet & Continuous Signals class that was programming the Mary Had a Little Lamb tune on his HP calculator during class. He looked up from his work and said to the Prof, "I think that should be a '-' (negative) in that equation."
And, damn if he wasn't right! I had to re-write 1/2 my notes.
Dude always broke the curve.
Y'all have a wonderful afternoon. -T
A most amusing PZL from Mr. Levy, brought home to us by Lemonade.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the easier Friday XWDs, but it makes up for a lack of challenge by delighting us with its "DR" theme.
And it kinda warms us up with a PHD ("PhD") in the 1D slot.
Today's theme impresses me once again with its constructor's eye. Whatever got Mr. Levy looking with such a slant at "DR" words, it is a gift most of us mortals lack. My fave (I think) is DR. INKING BUDDY.
I am least impressed by DR. ILL MASTER, defined as a "sick chess player." I don't see how the game of chess is implied. Yes, I know one may hold a master's ranking in the game, but I believe there are more generic fields suggested by the word "master."
Just wondering aloud...
All in all, an enjoyable start to Friday.
~ OMK
____________
DR: One diagonal, far side.
Its anagram (12 of 15 letters) seems to be a snatch of dialog from a Celtic gentleman, seated in a pub, expressing his shock to the lass who has just served him a mug full of something other than the Guinness he ordered.
"BEJASUS, COCOA?!!"
Very astute, OMK, for seeing PHD x the 1st Dr. I missed that. *Chef's KISS* to Zach. -T
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ReplyDeleteAs others have noted, today's puzzle was a little easier than the usual Friday puzzle. I was able to solve it without turning on Red Letters.
I go to an Amish Farm market three times a week during the summer for fresh peas, beans, sweet corn, strawberries, peaches, blueberries, cucumbers, cabbage, cauliflower, beets, cantaloupe, watermelon, raspberries, baked goods, home canned jellies and fruits and other things that are in season. BUT, never KALE.
I enjoy Michael Connelly's books also, especially the Bosch series. I think that Titus Wellever on the Amazon Prime Bosch series is what I expected Bosch to be like. I don't know if anyone would agree with me, but Tom Cruise is no Jack Reacher.
I grew up with my mother doing the laundry in Tide, but after my kids were born we switched to Cheer because they broke out in a rash because of Tide. Even in their 50's they still can't use Tide.
Have a great day and I hope it's not too hot where you are.
ReplyDeleteFantastic puzzle. Great theme, wonderful long fill. And terrific write-up!
The NE corner was the last part of this puzzle to grudgingly show itself, probably because I would much rather have a blt than a pbj.
ReplyDeleteI have not played War since I was a kid, and was surprised to hear it can be played in casinos?
(I've never seen it.)
Curiosity got the cat on this one as I had to see now this game went down.
skip the slow first minute or two and see how this fast action high stakes game plays out.
Not too thrilled with the casinos "edge" and I still do not understand why you would "burn" a card before going to war?
I liked this puzzle. As Kelly Clark said, "Fantastic puzzle. Great theme, wonderful long fill." Title holder wasn't CHAMP, but SPINE (hello Jinx).
ReplyDeleteHi Y'all! Groaner amusing theme, Z.D.L. Took me a while to suss that. Thanks, for a Friday doable despite unknowns. Thanks for a great expo, Lemonade.
ReplyDeleteHand up for being allergic to Tide & having to use All. I used Tide for years with no problem. The year I canned 120 quarts of tomatoes and over-ate them, I developed allergies to all sorts of things that had never bothered me before that I knew of. Mucho hives. A series of allergy shots helped but still can't use Tide or eat much tomato.
I just read that Rebecca Balding, this blog’s Becky, died. She was 73.
ReplyDeleteoc4beach @ 1:13 ~ Do you stop at the bank for a loan before you hit the farmer’s market? 🤭 I spent $14.00 yesterday for 8 ears of corn and 3 tomatoes. I don’t know about you, but I’m spending a lot of “cabbage” on vegetables. 🍅🌽 I’m not really complaining, though, as I love summer vegetables, especially corn. BTW, you certainly have an abundance of produce to choose from!
ReplyDeleteI’m off to a birthday party later for a niece. It seems like yesterday that these nieces and nephews were young kids and teens and, in the blink of an eye, they now have children of their own.
Sumdaze @ 12:12 ~ Welcome to the Corner, Reneé.
That is so interesting about Tide and allergies. Someone needs to apply for a grant and research this topic.😜 oc4beach: DH has read all the Jack Reacher books so far and couldn’t believe Tom Cruise was cast to play him. How lucky you are to be near this Amish farm.
ReplyDeleteWe’re moving next month and will be closer to my grand niece who grows veggies and has chickens, although a lot fewer than before because coyotes got her rooster and several hens. Nothing like fresh vegetables and fresh eggs.
How fortunate for all you who can obtain fresh fruits and vegetables.
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter and I are going on a road trip to the town of my birth, Concho, for the burial of my late Uncle. He is the last of that generation of Sandovals. All the aunts are also gone. I suspect he was already cremated (or not) and we might bury ashes.
Take care, everyone.
Not sure who Becky was..but that's Kind of young (as a 72 yo) too bad. Sorry about your Uncle, Lucina. Sometimes those memorial gatherings are bittersweet reunions for the family.
ReplyDeleteJack Reacher from the TV series much more convincing. I hope there are more seasons.
Sorry to hear of your uncle's passing Lucina. As the last of his generation it takes on an even deeper significance (in addition to the grief). Travel well and safely.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip Lucina.
ReplyDeleteRay-O: Becky would pop into The Corner every now and again. IMDB. I remember her from her role in Soap.
Only the good die young, eh?
Cheers, -T
I was sorry to hear that Becky had passed. I recall her commenting from time to time and she'd say that she really enjoyed her days in the limelight, but she also downplayed her stardom. Her Wiki article shows that she played in a lot more than Soap.
ReplyDeleteWish Wiki showed a picture of Becky. I can't place her. Didn't watch many of those shows except Lou Grant.
ReplyDeleteHaving read the Jack Reacher books, short Tom Cruise would not fill the very tall Reacher's shoes in my opinion, so I never watched him.
Lucina, sorry about your uncle. Always sad to see the last of a generation pass.
PK - USA Today has a pic of Becky.
ReplyDeleteI remember a back & forth I had with her once here at The Corner. I was #StarStruck & #Smitten.
I think is was Lem that pointed out she was 'that' Becky.
C, -T
Googled Becky and found a gallery of pictures, but don't know how to post pics. Very attractive and familiar face.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your uncle passing away, Lucina.
ReplyDeleteRay-O: thanks for the mention of the Jack Reacher series. I’ll try to get it.
ReplyDeleteIM @ 3:05pm: Yes, I do have to stop at the bank frequently to get cash because the Amish farmer only accepts cash and I average about $20.00 per visit. Otherwise I use plastic wherever I can.
They have corn from the first week of July until sometime in October. I get corn (bi color) at least twice and sometimes 3 times a week. DW grew up on a farm and her mother would get the water boiling before she went out to the garden to pick the corn. That's what I call fresh.