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