archaeoprof

In my ongoing encounter with Alzheimer's disease, Thursday puzzles are becoming an increasing challenge. Today, the shaded squares were a great big BUMP IN THE ROAD, and the north-central area left me OUT TO SEA. But ROPE-A-DOPE brought a smile, and although I did not finish the entire puzzle, I did enjoy it. As I once told my old friend Mick Jagger, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need."

102D "Groundbreaking vet legislation of 1944" touched my heart. After flying missions over Europe in a B-17, the US gov't gave my dad a college education. They called it the GI BILL. On that foundation, he became an accountant with GE. In the next generation, my sister was a VP at P&G, and I was a college professor and archaeologist. Maybe some people would call it "wasteful government spending." But it has never looked that way to me.

I would like to comment on 46D, but I can't.

Once again this week, the Thursday puzzle proves to be more than I can handle. The slow and steady effects of Alzheimer's are especially troublesome on Thursdays. Even when I gave up and looked at the answers, it still didn't make sense. But it was an enjoyable (if futile) quest, and I enjoyed it. On to Friday!

Learned ASL decades ago, because my wife's grandparents were deaf. Being fluent in sign had all kinds of positive uses, including that my wife could let me know very discreetly when my fly was open...

I recall fondly those years when I was slowly climbing the mountain from Monday, through the week, all the way to that happy day when I finally conquered Saturdays. But now, with the early onset of Alzheimer's complicating my brain, I find myself sliding slowly in the opposite direction. These days the Saturday puzzles are often too much for me. Or is it just that I am totally out of touch with popular culture? Either way, I still enjoy the effort.

DNF/DNC (Did Not Finish/Did Not Care). Why is it that some challenging puzzles make me want to try harder, while others feel like a waste of my time? Glad to hear that there were some who enjoyed this one.

This puzzle was stellar: it was way over my head.

I recall fondly those years when I was slowly climbing that mountain, when my first correct Monday puzzle sent me over the moon, and the journey toward mastering all the days of the week was a labor of love and enjoyment. Alas, now as I adapt to the effects of Alzheimer's, my Xword journey is moving slowly and steadily in the opposite direction. Today's puzzle lost me entirely. Perhaps I should try some "old timey medicines" (42D)...

All I can say is AWCOMEON.

After 30 years of solving the NYTX on a daily basis, I still cannot explain why some puzzles strike me boring. The comments here show that many of us enjoyed this puzzle. But I found it about as interesting as watching grass grow. Instead of a Saturday challenge, all I got was boredom. As the Romans used to say, "De gustibus non disputandum est." On to next week!

Another crash-and-burn for me, as I continue my ongoing encounter with Alzheimer's. Couldn't see it, even after I read the discussion. But today we are leaving for a week at our cabin in Canada. I think Canada is still there...

Peter Gordon's puzzles are typically charming and somewhat friendly for newer solvers. Alas, even the greatest among us have an off-day now and then. Solved it, but did not enjoy it. Thank you, Peter, but no more like this one, please.

4D ILLINI was a gimme for this graduate of the University of Illinois. My dad went there on the GI Bill after serving as a B-17 crewman in WW2. So when it came to my college choices, there was only one school he would pay for.

Perhaps it's just me, but for those of us of a certain age, HUE will always recall something other than a color. It was a place, and one we would much prefer to forget.

Monday puzzles are the gateway drug for our hobby. I predict that this offering will entrap many new solvers!

Couldn't help but wonder whether 46D SCAMS was the theme revealer in this puzzle. 😎

110A ACL recalled an unusual visit to Pompeii. As my wife and I were leaving the ancient city after a long hot day of sightseeing, she spotted a nearby bar with a sign flashing "Peroni." She immediately decided to take a short cut by climbing down the ancient city wall. But she did not stick the landing. At the hospital, we learned that in Italian for "ACL" is "anteriore cruciate ligamente." Since then I have often gone back to Pompeii, but she has never come with me.

Lots of smiles as I solved this very clever puzzle! Not a weak spot in there anywhere. I hope our constructor TOOK A BOW.

I share the concern of many who found this puzzle a bit out of place. Monday puzzles are a gateway drug for our hobby, luring new solvers into the adventure with relatively easy cluing. Once they are hooked, the hammer comes down later in the week.

WADI made my archaeo-heart go pitter-pat. For photos, google "Wadi Rum," and enjoy!

Most surprising clue/answer combination today? My vote goes to: "Very clear, as a stream" = IN HD.

Never have tried any of those mixed drinks in this puzzle. Or any others, for that matter. Just give me a Stoli on the rocks, please.

Fresh, delightful, interesting, and clever!

Quintessentially Monday: clean, clear, and fun. I predict that this fine puzzle will draw many more people into our hobby!

Dig, set, spike was the terminology I learned back in high school. Alas.

This clever and charming, but not-too-hard puzzle will be sure to lure new solvers to our hobby!

ASPS! "Very dangerous. You go first."

I wouldn't say that this was one of the better puzzles I have ever solved. Tut I would say that it was SEMI-good.

For several years I taught at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC, where the mascot is the Boston Terrier. Our opponents sometimes laughed at our mascot, but most of the time, by the end of the game, they weren't laughing anymore.

As the Mamas and the Papas used to sing, "Tuesday, Tuesday, ... Can't trust that day."

Did not remember that PLAYDOH has an "H" on the end. DOH!

Too much of a good thing is not a good thing.

According to an old saying, Wednesday's child is full of woe. Perhaps Wednesday's puzzle, too?

For the record, the song "Wanted" was written and performed by country singer Alan Jackson. You can listen to it here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa9w5VFfhao" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa9w5VFfhao</a>

A peaceful and easy puzzle, befitting today's news that Randy Meisner has passed away.