Back to the Salt Mines

Yesterday, I was in meetings for most of the day, so I didn't have a chance to post anything. After two days of beautiful weather, it's another cold, dreary day in the city.

Charles Slack (a constructor whom I've never heard) is the author of today's puzzle, called "All Mine." Here are the theme answers:

17A: British megalithic monument (STONEHENGE). Do you remember the scene in European Vacation when the Griswalds visited this ancient landmark? This was one of the funniest scenes in an otherwise mediocre movie:

55A: Deceitful one (SANDBAGGER). This type of person downplays his/her ability in order to deceive someone, especially in gambling and in golf.

10D: Town near Monterey (PEBBLE BEACH). Home to one of the most widely-regarded golf courses in the world. Also the resident of Clint Eastwood, George Lopez, and Charles Schwab!

24D: College auditorium event (ROCK CONCERT). There's nothing like seeing your favorite bands play live! We attended a great event over the summer, and we're all looking forward to the Voodoo Experience this Halloween!

The cryptoquote for today is by George Allen, Sr.:

"Every time you win, you're reborn; when you lose, you die a little."

George Allen, Sr. (1885-1972) was a Virginia state senator, as well as a founder of the law firm Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen (lol!) back in 1910. They handle personal injuries and there are still several family members who are partners. I did a Google search to find out what was the oldest law firm in the U.S. . . . It turned out to be Howard, Kohn, Sprague & Fitzgerald (HKSF), founded in 1786! It was founded originally as Enoch Perkins.

Gym tonight. . . . Matthew and I celebrate our 20th anniversary tomorrow!

Till then. . . .

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick

Fall Into Place

Once again, I apologize for all the sporadic posts. . . . Today is Columbus Day, which means no school. It was quiet on the subway for a change.

Today's puzzle, by Billie Truitt, is called "Fall Colors." The theme is, of course, the rich and varied colors associated with fall. It's my favorite season for fashion, culture, foliage, and weather. Here are the them answers:

19A: Seedless Citrus Fruit (NAVEL ORANGE). Yum, one of my favorite fruits. It's low calorie and sweet! They say that orange is a very calming aroma too.

39A: Celebrate in style (PAINT THE TOWN RED). An answer I have seen in many puzzles before. No explanation necessary. I should add that my hubby and I are celebrating anniversary #20 this week, and we plan to celebrate in style in New Orleans! More on the upcoming trip soon.

60A: "Winter Wonderland" clergyman (PARSON BROWN). This famous song was written by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith in 1934. The original bridge to the song contained the following lyrics:

"In the meadow we can build a snowman,

then pretend that he is Parson Brown.

He'll say 'Are You Married?' 

We'll say 'No man,

but you can do the job when you're in town!"

When the song was written, parsons (now known as ministers) traveled through small towns to perform ceremonies for those who didn't have a local clergyman. 


In 1953, the lyrics were changed to make the song more child-appropriate:

In the meadow we can build a snowman,

and pretend that he's a circus clown.

We'll have lots of fun with Mister Snowman,

until the other kiddies knock 'im down!

When it snows, ain't it thrillin'?

Tho' your nose, gets a chillin'

'We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland.

Today's cryptoquote is by Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915):

"The secret of salvation is this: Keep sweet, be useful and keep busy."

Elbert Hubbard was founder of an artisan town called Roycroft and one of the originators of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the United States. Proponents of the movement used traditional craftsmanship and often used medieval or romantic folk styles of decoration. Hubbard's publications included a nine-volume tome called Little Journeys to the Home of the Great and the short story A Message to Garcia. He and his second wife, Alice Moore Hubbard, died aboard the Lusitania. This was just three years after he wrote and account on the Titanic, particularly Ida Straus, wife of Isidor Straus. Mrs. Straus refused to board a lifeboat and insisted on staying by her husband's side.

Time to say good-bye for now. . . . Till tomorrow. . . .

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick

Mmm Mmm Good!

It's another rainy afternoon here in NYC.

Today's puzzle, by Sally R. Stein, is called "Pair of Fives." It's a tribute to one of my favorite candies, M&Ms! 

20A: Bigwig in publishing (MEDIA MOGUL). My hubby is waiting for one Mr. Rupert Murdoch to get his comeuppance. Mr. Murdoch has been involved in a major phone-hacking scandal in England, and it keeps getting worse. The scandal put an 168-year-old newspaper (News of the World) out of business, and thousands lost their jobs. Now Rupert and his son James may be going to the big house. 

58A: Nonstop talker (MOTOR MOUTH). We used to call my mom's friends "The Motor Mouth Crew." This was especially true when they got together for their monthly mah-jongg game. That's how I heard all the neighborhood gossip! 

10D: Parking-ticket writers (METER MAIDS). In the entire time I've been living in Forest Hills, I have yet to see one meter maid. We have nasty cops who write tickets to meet their monthly quota. However, they do exist, and the politically-correct name is parking enforcement officer.

29D: Celebrates noisily (MAKES MERRY). My new-found friendships with a group of girls from high school has resulted in several parties! From a hats to Halloween, we always seem to have a good time!

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) is the author of today's cryptoquote:

"When a dog runs at you, whistle for him."

This is the dream of every dog owner. However, dogs, like humans, can be sneaky. All it takes is patience and lots of rewards to get your pup to cooperate. Yelling doesn't help.

Thoureau was best known for his essay Civil Disobedience, which is about the right and obligation to follow your conscience, and not what the majority dictates. It criticized social institutions and policies, mainly slavery and the Mexican-American War.

That's all for today. Zumba followed by abs class tonight. It's supposed to be warmer tomorrow. We'll see.

Till tomorrow. . . .

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick

Easy Rider

My four-day weekend is over and it's back to the grindstone. 

Today's Gail Grabowski special is called "Let's Ride." You guessed it, it's about various 

Vintage Honda trail bikes

20A: Rough-terrain ride (TRAIL BIKE). A trail bike is a type of motorcycle that can be used either for on- or off-road recreation. However, a trail bike is more is not used for competition. Honda was responsible dirt-bike craze beginning in the late '60s. Up until that time, bikers were seen as outlaws and thugs. Honda's campaign slogan "You meet the nicest people on Honda." put dirt bikes into the mainstream.

60A: Yard ride (LAWN MOWER). We didn't own a riding lawn mower since our backyard wasn't big enough. I couldn't find the video from "I Love Lucy" when Lucy rides the lawn mower over her tulips. It was one of the few truly funny scenes from the Connecticut episodes.

10D: Track ride (RACEHORSE). My dad was (and still is) fond of betting on the ponies. Every day, he would buy Sports Eye and The Racing Form and go over the odds diligently. When he wasn't home, he used to make me go to OTB and place his bet. OTB was #1 on his speed dial (even over his own mother!). We teased him for it, until we discovered it was an addiction. One of my favorite songs about a horse is called "Stewball" by Peter, Paul and Mary. I didn't know the Hollies and Joan Baez covered this song too.

Vintage Corvette

36D: High-powered ride (SPORTS CAR). I owned a car for only five years. It was an Oldsmobile from 1988, what you could hardly call a "cool" car. Sports cars are lovely to look at, but I don't think I could bring myself to drive one. Insurance is too high, and with two seats only, there would be risk of an accident. However, I dream occasionally about owning a vintage, cherry red Corvette. To me, that's the ultimate sports car.

Today's crytopquote is really touching:

"Few things are more satisfying than seeing your children have teenagers of their own."--Doug Larson

Yup, they'll have to deal with the raging hormones, back talk, and requests for using the car.

Doug Larson (1926) also wrote many quotes that are widely circulated today, including "The pun is the lowest form of humor, unless you think of it yourself." He wrote a column for the Green Bay Press-Gazette called "Senator Soaper Says." 

As with all Monday, the day is dragging. Can't wait to go home!

Till tomorrow. . . .

Signing off,

The Puzzlechick