Leapfinger
Durham NC
I'm almost positive there are some who would describe SCAR/SCAB as a Mauna LOA/KEA, but I'm here to climb on my tiny hobby-horse and say that a SCAB is a sign of healing, while a SCAR is a sign of previous injury. Mmmpff [speaking as a quondam owner]
If you wanted to borrow an Enormous amount of money. I spose you could put up the entire Earth as collateral. That would make it A LIEN WORLD, if only you could plan it. Also: Wouldn't "Charlotte's Web" be perfect if Wilbur the Humble Pig lived in a STY MIES van der Rohe designed? And frankly, I don't want anyone to PADME any more than I PAD MEself. All this talk of doughnuts, PLAIN or otherwise, and then up JUMPS TART, probably with a WHEEL of BRIE on the side. Mixed feelings about NC being a PURPLE STATE; hope we aren't on the way to a gHOST COUNTRY. We ARTOO good for that. Let TACT KEEP me from making ALOE point here Shall just add that BUTTINSKIS fit so nicely in the BUSYBODIES slot, ALEXical coup! Well done, to T.H.E. Trent H Evans constructor. Thanks and come back soon
I rode upon my motorbike With PEARs in back of me. I hit a bump at 95 And drove on FRUITLESSLY. Aside from that, anyplace the MANGO, there go I. Thank you berry much, very zaftig, Mister Zimmer.
Anyone here old enough to remember those Maidenform "I dreamed..." ads? The sins of Madison Ave., long before the NOBRADAYS <a href="https://share.google/mme0t2zXYFNoCZv84" target="_blank">https://share.google/mme0t2zXYFNoCZv84</a> They say the French have a word [phrase?] for it, and I think "ni moi non plus" wins for NOR_I... It's a LOKI way to make clear it supports of an already-expressed disagreement. Sorry for the re-hash. Just SOYA know: whenever I see SPRIG, I remember TJ who commented briefly on WordPlay decades ago. He allowed as how his paycheck had arrived graced with a SPRIG of parsley... His wages had been garnished. Still makes me smile. You can put THUMBtips together to make the bottom of a heart, but too complicated to bring in the two index fingers On The Other Hand--- Jerk one back over the shoulder: GET_OUTTA_HERE!! Have a lovely Thursday, all y;all!!
Little Jack Horner called to say he was plum stuck on this theme for the longest time. Me? I figured that, sooner or later, I'd find THUMBthing to thay about this. [groaning with pleasure]
Kinda gotta dredge up some recent past as I'm still adjusting to having my yesterpuzzle ring up an astounding 6 hours, 43:53. Seems I forgot the pause the timer when we left to go see Avatar III, which ran the clock for over 4 hours plus travel time. Would have put a lot of ASTERISK if the SilverSpot didn't have those big comfy seats. Really liked this very vernacular SatPuzz as it wasn't loaded with a ton of RANDO stuff from the ME-ME-MeGeneration. Had JACKDIDDLYSQUAT trouble merging the vision of Eleanor of AQUITAINE lounging in a PLUNGEPOOL with listening to DEATHMETAL. That great Southeast corner also had ADAM good NOAM clue and I'll bet you have me pegged as an FM radio fan, YES/NO? My detour to Waterloo came at 44D, where I figured "Let up" would be EGEST, which fit nicely with the "Amazon wrapper" being a recycling-friendly BAG, instead of the punnish BOA. I MUSED TO IT for a while, as EGEST didn't quite seem to pass the Breakfast Test (if it's still in play?) Finally sorted out the SW corner with the help of the ELITE EIGHT, although noplace DOTTED THE I's... because they were all *capital*. Just like this puzzle!!
Figured out it was SAN_DIEGO in the snail shell once the NW corner was filled, and had a good laugh when I discovered that's how CALIFORNIA ROLLS. Abso appreciate the help in proceeding immediately to ROLL up the other corners, and hope there's no plan to sue she who did so. It might be that today, moreso than any other day, I'm likely to jump the gun Am still ridiculously impressed by this construction of city SPIRALs, which seems to have developed :first by selecting 8- and 9--letter CALIFORNIA names, :then by rolling them either clockwise or counter-clockwise, :then by starting the city-name in any one of 8 possible (non-central) squares, to see if the result would fit into any 3x3 ennead However it was done, I'll say EvanK came up with a darNED BEATTYful result. AND SO we now ARE THAt much closer to seeing if the nation has managed to Net Out The Vote.. Personally, I plan to stay INSPOi-RED. I TRUST YOU gentlefolk will allow what I just SAID, and Honi soit qui MALI pense. I suspect as the HRS ROLL by, we'll all be in our CUPS. In closing, shall just suggest every German HERR consider changing the honorific to THEMM PS: EELiasn must be appreciating Mies van der ROHE and I have A GEE for ELI YALE. Plenty ZIP, Mr. Kalish!
A clever new twist to a classic crossword cookie. With thanks to the trail-blazing duo who Byrne'd a new path to Bodily go where none have went before, and much appreciation for the back-story provided. A good lesson to bialy you can be. Salud!
Darlin' Deb, I gave up girding my loins about the time it became harder to reach them. PS: I know you just meant to be humerus, but the radius is either 'a bone...' or 'one of the bones' that runs from wrist to ELBOW. Hate to break up a good bony comment, but that's my knit and I'm sticking to it. As the incomparable @Deadline always knew, I never metacarpal I didn't like. Ms Raji, kudos galore for a Thursday debut that svelte really good!!
@Marshall, you may just have to 'skirt' the issue.
@Marlene @Hayden Sometimes it is AFAR FAR better thing to have a word too many than to have a word too.
I don't care what DR. FREUD says: THAT DOG WON'T HUNT! PS: I would never have known 10D had my grand nephew not named his excessively adorable Bernese mountain-doodle HAZY Fun too solve, reams easier than yesterpuzz, from my POV BOKEH Tov, Chaverim!
@Charles -- No argument about the distal radius is in the wrist joint, but you've introduced an interpretation of your own: the radius has two 'end_points', one proximal and one distal. This from a person who remembers sitting in the Med School library for *at least* 30 minutes straight, watching my forearm change palm up/ palm down in my lap, trying to visualize how the pronator and supinator muscles were doing that.
@Özge -- ITS vs IT'S IT'S = c'est ITS = ses, plural of 'son'
"Say, what was that movie about the VW Beetle, Darlin'?"... "HERBIE, LOVEBUG" "Umm, the crossword wants a 4-letter word for 'tractor-trailer. Any ideas, Honey?" ... "SEMI, SWEET" "How did you feel when they forgot your birthday at the office, Sugarbear?" ... "FROSTED, CUPCAKE" "How are you preparing for Hallowe'en, Babydoll?" ... "CARVING, PUMPKIN" Happily, we're a day past TRISkaidekaphobia, and now grateful for the monosyllabic ERA when EMU EASES EARS. THAT's SO enough out of me, having SCOUTed the SCENE for the SYNCing SCENT of YASSIFication, with a 'period' of abject confusion when I CAME RASHY all over. Closing with thanks to StellaZ from one who grew up with the Oxford comma, for the RIGHTNESS of her punctuation.
Tho, today'th theme ith CHICKEN partth? [Thigh]
@James -- Today, out of thematological respect, that will be spelled 'foodstuf'.
Some time ago, I compiled a report on women's health issues in several South Asian countries and became aware of Cardinal Sin of Manila. Archbishop Sin was politically active and a huge support of the People's Power Movement that resulted in Corazon Aquino replacing the corrupt regime of Fidel Marcos, who fled to Hawaii with wife Imelda and [hopefully] her 3000 pairs of shoes (1986?). Just like the Filipino people, how could you not love an Archbishop who greeted guests with 'Welcome to the House of SIN'? <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaime_Sin" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaime_Sin</a>
DOA SWE DO and and an Allemande right, Bow to your partner and skip away light! Nothing square about dancing to this delight Tuesday find, which SLEW me in multiple ways even before finding the theme was a two-fer all the way down. Unlike @suejean, however, I found a tiny grumble with the implied HIM AIM UP because (if it were UP TO ME) I'd make it a definite point that HER AIM UP as well We might spose that HER AIM UP includes the multi-talented Patti L. UPONE, who apparently celebrated a birthday two days ago, so Happy Commemorative 75, Patti L. UPONE Shan't worry about the TORTE that's only one layer because I find the alternative APRICOT so TASTY. SPAsibo for giving us your TWO bits, Ms Bowers
@sotto voce In multiple decades of puzzling with the NYT, I don't think I _ever_ caught on even one puny time when the trick was in the clues. Gets me Every Time. I think of cords as being WALED (WALEY?) but you can't fight the inexorable crosses
OK, @Mike When is a CHICKEN like Superman? .... When it has its CAPON.
@Petaltown -- Please assume several extra recos for the late great Gov. Richards. Molly Ivins would concur.
@Bill from Detroit -- reverting to Thurs' observation about Hek/ Hekate being a dating app for feminist Wiccans [um, is there another kind?] 'What is He to Hekate or Hekate to Him?' .... just took on a Whole New Meaning, and it briefly seemed worth mentioning after a long newsday.
At one point, when it seemed they might LAY IT ON TOO THICK, I thought SPARE ME...but when I realized they were only LAYING IT ON THICK, I could change that to SPARE US which was GNEISS because not so much is at STAKE when you aren't alone taking the brunt of the THICK-LAYING. Got that? There's some fairly subtle shadings in that PALETTE/ PALate/PALlet that not every AXLE ought'll ENJOY. Excuse pls the preceding, I may have had MORE of the SOURMASH than necessary. All I know is, I filled in that 6D with not a SKOSH of hesitation. Also came to mind that 12Down could easily have been a TRACTOR, if only that SIG frat guy hHad been a SCIentist. I'm sure AT ONE time or another, some rando TRACTOR was felt to be DISLOYAL by someone near and Deere. Have to say, partly INGEST but morely not, that this had some downright DEATHless fill. And aside from the INTEReSt generated by SEXTAPE and MUDWRESTLE, I'm pure glad that LUGER is no firearm. A very good Friday, Kelly Morenus; I stand to saLUTE.
At the supermarket, you have your choice of CHICKEN Broth and CHICKEN Stock. Today, the NYT xwp provided us the more flavorful option. As often touted, this helping of CHICKEN Soup is better than Penicillin. Minimal advance notice required to come over for a bowlful with matzoh balls, which I pep up with ginger and sesame oil. As Oliver GOLDNUGGETsmith has written: She soups to conquer
@Eric Hougland -- I'd buy the telephone book if Roz Chast did the illustrations.
@Evan Kalish --- lol And SANDI EGO sounds like a surfer dude Big Kahuna!
Aaargh It wasn't till The grid was about 1/3 filled (northeast and Atlantic seaboard) that the light shone on the clueless Leapfinger mind. Anagram, anagram, anagram onward Into the Valley of Tradenames the LF brain wandered. All we needed was a little ANTIC witty! And it wasn't nearly as PITiFALL as I thought it was going to be. Have to say it was as joyful as ever to see the OPAL show up; just one of the things I'll always share with @suejean, along with her five husbands and the ship's 'manifold'. A tip of the Hatlo hat going Harrogate way. Still chuffed, and I'm only 1/2 way there...
@Mike -- Isn't it just like you to Spiel the Beans!! (Can you tell I'm DOIN you a Fava?)
@Leapfinger adds: As to whether that hound WON'T or DON'T HUNT, it seems clear to me that the DOG DON'T HUNT if the discussion is about something in existence that DON'T work right, while the DOG WON'T HUNT if talking about something that's planned but has a high Doubtful Index. Thanks also for a Steinbeck quote with pithy currency. [SIGH]
@Steven -- I don't know you, but those are lovely. "See red", forsooth!!
@Maddie -- Not in my easy chair!
Dear @sotto voce, thanks for your opinion! Some others might attach a clinical diagnosis. [John Nash had a brilliant mind] I just figure if the column is called WordPlay, the door is open.
@suejean, I can't remember when last you grumbled... . . . . . . . .
@Mean Old Lady Remind DHubby that one good thing about birthdays is that nobody sews the bottoms of your briefs together. Pecan pie is great (esp with a dash of bourbon), but just for once you might consider an APRICOT TORTE.
LinkedIn has a puzzle editor? Who knew they have a puzzle? Excellent selection of cryptids (?right term?) for today’s special. All very well done . Especially taken by the manGOLEMonade, which reminded me of Michael Chabon’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay. For anyone interested in magic, classic comic books, or just outstanding writing …. Run don’t walk to find that book, a real fascinoma Happy All Hallows Eve to all who indulge!
@Laura They still function when the power goes out.
Yo ho ho, your groggy self, @Andrew! otoh, when my childhood self first read Treasure Island, I was very confused by the singing of 'Fifteen men on a dead man's chest' giving me a weird visual, and thinking that must have been very very crowded. Have I mentioned that English was not my first language?
@Deadline — A treat to see you back on this VENUE, m’dear!! I think of you often, but most particularly on New Years Eve, when I’m sure you and your small friend(s) are hunkered down under the comforters. Wishing you a safe & sane 2024!
@Evan Kalish --- Thanks so much for your response and the extras! For what it's worth, I found nothing shoddy about the NOLO/ ROHE crossing, but then I have a soft spot for Latin and architects and Latin architects. The only way your grid could have pleased me more is if it could have accommodated another infamous BEACH (and all the clams you can eat) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSzTDK5TAfY" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSzTDK5TAfY</a>
@Eric Hougland -- Good to know! Although I'll bet you have to adjust your chocolate birthday cake baking to the altitude. I suspect much of what was good in Texas went with Molly Ivins, who must be spinning a treat from wherever she's watching. Glad to hear you're happy in Durango, which even has a gorgeous name!
@Grant -- A short story by JD Salinger (one of his more obscure ones) about how this one young frail used to over-indulge: To ESME, With Love and Swaller
@G ETAL Canada is way ahead in this, having minted no more pennies since 2012 and halting distribution in 2013. It's certainly possible to also reconsider the role of Kash in American society
@Rich in Atlanta I like your second offering, p'raps because I've stolen a magnolia or two in my time. The first one? I'm thick enough that you could cut the TENSE with a knife. Love that every day you go looking for special interesting offers.
First of all, wanted to give thanks for the TESS clue on behalf of all the Olde Hardy readers, even if forced to it in Intro Lit 100. I think many cruciverbalists appreciated this theme, what with most having been up to NO GOOD as either a PRO or a RANK amateur. Myself found several things to amUSE ME, perhaps inspired by ST RODE, the patron saint of SINNING. So, for better or WHIRRS, here goes: A SIN tyro walked into a SIN S-HOP, and began browsing around. The PROprietor asked him: "What are your deSIRES?" to which he answered, "Well, as a SILLy beginner, I'm gOWEN slow. Maybe a BLIP of Envy, and a small PIECE of Sloth?" After a moment's consideration, he continued, "Actually, do you rent as well as sell? Then I could be a LESSoR OF TWO EVILS!" Y'all be good. And oh yes, be grateful that things amn't WHIRRS.
@Chungclan -- All I could see was a forest of herniated discs.
@Avital --- She was not clued by her former name; the entry was her former name. Which I FOR one did not know was a FORmer name, so thank you FOR that.
@Eric Hougland, you're anatomically correct. There's solutely more radius at the wrist than there is at the ELBOW.
@Valerie Really, ABsolutely!! Baby [minus AB] talk = By talk 'By talking' would be a better approximation for ORALLY, but sometimes it's up to us to make allowances, just to let a theme keep working.
Speck in the sea is Ham?* I thought it should be his father Noah, unless accompanied by brother Shem and Japheth... *German pun by HERR Photographer, or maybe by Sam Corbin