Last, Lest, List, Lost, Lust

I missed yesterday's post -- I was too busy trying to meet all my deadlines at work before I take off for the Windy City tomorrow. So here is today's puzzle solution grid:

The puzzle, by Bruce Venzke, was called "Rundown." Each clue began with the letter "L" and was followed by the vowels "a," "e," "i," "o," and "u", respectively. It was more complicated than the usual Newsday puzzle. Here are the theme answers:

New York's State Veggie!
It takes it's place alongside
the apple, official fruit of NYS.

17A: Quitting precursor, perhaps: LAST DITCH EFFORT. At this moment, New York is making a last-ditch effort pass the gay marriage bill. The Senate acted quickly in naming sweet corn the official state vegetable, but they seem to be stalling on this important issue, as well as the rent regulations.

23A: Line from Kipling: LEST WE FORGET. This is phrase from the poem "Recessional." This poem was written for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. It warns us against the perils of haughtiness and arrogance and the decline of imperial power. For a complete text of the poem, see http://www.daypoems.net/poems/815.html.

38A: Lean right, at sea: LIST TO STARBOARD. This is also the name of a book by the American author and artist Francis Hopkinson Smith (1838-1914). You can download the complete book at http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23702,

46A: Came unglued: LOST ONE'S HEAD. Something I do often, and it was especially true with all the stress I was under this week. I've always been an emotional eater; whenever I was bored or things went wrong, I would head to the fridge. Now I use exercise to get out my frustrations.

58: Lifelong asset: LUST FOR LEARNING. No explanation necessary.

Today's cryptoquote was a tough one and is by Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910):

"In difficult circumstances always act on first impressions."

Initially, I thought letter "v" in the puzzle would be coded for "e."

Tolstoy is most famous for his very long tome War and Peace and Anna Karenina. To read his works, link to http://tolstoy.classicauthors.net/.

In entertainment news, Peter Falk, aka Columbo, passed away at the age of 83.

I found out something interesting about David Laffer, the psycho pharmacy killer. His father was a science teacher when I was in middle school (called Junior High back then). Mr. Laffer was a bit odd, and I found out he was a card-carrying member of the NRA. He passe away in 1996. The whole thing is very creepy.

I will be taking vacation from the blog for a week. See you in July!

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick

Platonic Love

Today's crytpoquote is from the philosopher Plato:

"The contemplation of beauty causes the soul to grow wings."

Plato was, of course, the best-known student of Socrates. His work The Republic is probably one of the most important works in Western philosophy. He divided human beings based on their intelligence, strength, and courage. His ideal state was called the aristocracy, meaning ruling by the brightest and the best. Nearly everything he wrote took the form of dialogue, which influenced today's drama.

When we talk about platonic love, we speak of a kind of passion that is non-sexual. According to Plato, a beautiful person inspires the mind and directs one another to spiritual things. 

Plato wrote about platonic solids in which he associated each of the four crucial elements (earth, air, wind and fire) with a regular solid. Here's are some examples of platonic solids:

For a list of Plato's works, click on this link: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/searchresults?q=Plato.

I'll never forget this scene from "Soap" in which Jodie Dallas (Billy Crystal) talks about Plato:

Jodie Dallas: Plato was gay.
Jessica Gatling Tate: Mickey Mouse's dog was gay?
Jodie Dallas: Goofy was his lover. 

The crossword puzzle was called "Golden Trio" (by Fred Piscop). The theme answers are below:

20A: Golden State Park locale: SAN FRANCISCO. A city I have never visited but have always wanted to. There are so many distinct neighborhoods. Union Square is the main shopping and hotel district. Nob Hill (affectionately called "Snob Hill"). and Pacific Heights are where the wealthy live. You have Haight-Ashbury, home to the 60s counter-culture. Then there is the Castro, the center of gay life. Their Chinatown is almost famous as ours here in NYC. The long-running series "Full House" took place there. And of course, you have cable cars and Rice-A-Roni. Rice-A-Roni was actually invented by a family (the DeDomenicos) that consisted of Armenians, Italians, and Canadians. You can read about the history of Rice-A-Roni here: http://www.ricearoni.com/About/Our_Founding_Family/.

Speaking of San Francisco, I just saw the "I Love Lucy" episode where Ricardos get a surprise visit from Mario, a gondolier on their European trip. He was looking for Sam Francesca, but the gang thought he meant San Francisco. Watching Lucy make pizza is a classic scene. Of course, Mario's brother had been ill and was actually visiting Sam Francesca.

Sir Francis Drake

40A: Golden Hind Captain: SIR FRANCIS DRAKE (1545-1596). This English sea captain led the second expedition around the world. He was a notorious pirate and involved in the slave trade. During a slave-trading trip to the West Indies, they were attacked by a fleet of Spanish ships. This lead to a series of battles between England and Spain called the Spanish Armada. In the end, the British soundly defeated the Spanish Armada; Drake was second in command.

60A: Golden Rule starter: DO UNTO OTHERS. Here's everything you wanted to know about the Golden Rule, which is embraced by all religions: http://www.jcu.edu/philosophy/gensler/goldrule.htm. Basically, it means to treat others as you would like to be treated in the same situation.

Surprise, surprise: Sarah ("You betcha") Palin quits her bus tour!

Three more days till our trip to the Windy City. I can't wait to get out of town!

Signing off for today,

The Puzzlechick

Let's Get Cracking!

The theme of today's crossword is "Get Cracking" (Sally R. Stein). Until I can fix the problem with the grid, I'll just go back to the theme answers:

Courtesy of
The Phrase Finder
(www.phrases.org.uk)

20A: Apply oneself on a task: KNUCKLE DOWN. This phrase supposedly came from the game of marbles! In order to hold a marble properly, the player holds the marble in the crooked index finger and flicks it by the thumb.


58A: Good example: CASE IN POINT


11D: Bless: SMILE UPON. Here's a video from Coldplay called "G-d Put a Smile Upon Your Face."

36D: Place of refuge: SAFE HAVEN. On Austin Street, my local shopping strip, we have many buinesses that are declared a safe haven from bullies. The same should be done in cyberspace, with all the bullying that occurs these days. Physical walls cannot block text messages, instant messages, social networks, and e-mail. Parents can eliminate the amount of cyberbullying by limiting their kids' time online and monitoring their activity.

Today's cryptoquote is by Isak Denisen (1885-1962):

"G-d made the world round so we could never see too far down the road."

Courtesy of IMDb

Isak Denisen was the pen name of Baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke. She also used the pen names Osceola and Pierre Andréze. Denisen is best known for the book Out of Africa and the story Babette's Feast. Both became Academy Award-winning pictures. Here is the link to her official information site: http://www.karenblixen.com/.

I watched "Kate Plus 8" a little bit last night. Normally, I don't watch the show, but it was fun watching the kids helping out in a soup kitchen. I couldn't help noticing that Cara (one of the older twins) seemed very out of it. She put on weight and didn't look happy. . . . I still can't stand Kate; she exploits the children so she can earn an income. Ever hear of a job??? Also, she is rude to people.

On that note, I will sign off. . . .

Till tomorrow,
The Puzzlechick

Monday Monday

Today's cryptoquote is a Slovenian proverb: "Never whisper to the deaf or wink at the blind."

I don't know much about Slovenia except that it's a former SSR. For more information, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovenia.

Once again, the Newsday puzzle site continues to act up on me and I can't post the solution grid. :-(

Gail Grabowski is the author of today's puzzle, "Dealer's Choice."

Here are the theme answers:

20A: Having long-running resentment: HOLDING GRUDGES. We've all been hurt by the actions and words of others. You become angry, hurt, and confused. Some people, however, are quicker to forgive than others. Holding grudges will only increase stress and your blood pressure. After all, life is too short.

39A: Mail-order fees: HANDLING CHARGES. When I order something online, I think the shipping fees cost more than the actual product sometimes! Here's the link to an interesting article about excessive shipping and handling charges: http://wlflawyers.com/blog/setting-shipping-and-handling-charges/.

49A: Small Christmas gift: STOCKING STUFFER. I don't celebrate Christmas. However, if I did, here are some things I would want for my stocking: beauty products, funky magnets, a Coach wristlet, some cool desk accessories, pocket puzzle books, and some patterned tights.

I made a Word Search puzzle for Matthew for Father's Day. The theme was "Pinstripe Pride" and it was about his favorite team, the Yankees. He got all the words, but he didn't quite get the secret message. That was my fault . . . I should have told him to go in order with the unused words.

We saw the filmed performance of "Company" yesterday. Neil Patrick Harris, Martha Plimpton, Patti LuPone, Stephen Colbert, Craig Bierko and several other actors performed this classic musical with the Philharmonic. It was truly excellent! Before the movie, we had breakfast at Good Stuff Diner (http://www.goodstuffdiner.com/), a place that I highly recommend. The food is great and they serve you quickly. We also went to Barnes & Noble to buy some DVDs for Alex and puzzle books for me.

I had trouble swiping my MetroCard this morning. I hope it cooperates when it's time to go home.

I'll be back either later or tomorrow with the Sunday puzzle comments. I have quite finished the quote acrostic yet. Till then. . . .

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick

Monday Monday

Today's cryptoquote is a Slovenian proverb: "Never whisper to the deaf or wink at the blind."

I don't know much about Slovenia except that it's a former SSR. For more information, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovenia.

Once again, the Newsday puzzle site continues to act up on me and I can't post the solution grid. :-(

Gail Grabowski is the author of today's puzzle, "Dealer's Choice."

Here are the theme answers:

20A: Having long-running resentment: HOLDING GRUDGES. We've all been hurt by the actions and words of others. You become angry, hurt, and confused. Some people, however, are quicker to forgive than others. Holding grudges will only increase stress and your blood pressure. After all, life is too short.

39A: Mail-order fees: HANDLING CHARGES. When I order something online, I think the shipping fees cost more than the actual product sometimes! Here's the link to an interesting article about excessive shipping and handling charges: http://wlflawyers.com/blog/setting-shipping-and-handling-charges/.

49A: Small Christmas gift: STOCKING STUFFER. I don't celebrate Christmas. However, if I did, here are some things I would want for my stocking: beauty products, funky magnets, a Coach wristlet, some cool desk accessories, pocket puzzle books, and some patterned tights.

I made a Word Search puzzle for Matthew for Father's Day. The theme was "Pinstripe Pride" and it was about his favorite team, the Yankees. He got all the words, but he didn't quite get the secret message. That was my fault . . . I should have told him to go in order with the unused words.

We saw the filmed performance of "Company" yesterday. Neil Patrick Harris, Martha Plimpton, Patti LuPone, Stephen Colbert, Craig Bierko and several other actors performed this classic musical with the Philharmonic. It was truly excellent! Before the movie, we had breakfast at Good Stuff Diner (http://www.goodstuffdiner.com/), a place that I highly recommend. The food is great and they serve you quickly. We also went to Barnes & Noble to buy some DVDs for Alex and puzzle books for me.

I had trouble swiping my MetroCard this morning. I hope it cooperates when it's time to go home.

I'll be back either later or tomorrow with the Sunday puzzle comments. I have quite finished the quote acrostic yet. Till then. . . .

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick

RIP Clarence Clemons (1942-2011)

I'm going to start tonight's post with sad news in the music world: Clarence Clemons (aka The Big Man) Bruce Springsteen's longtime sax player, passed away tonight at the age of 69. He had had a stroke earlier this week, and I thought he was recovering. I know a very talented violinist who played with him. Her name is Randi Fishenfeld and she sat in front of me in homeroom for six years. Not only did she excel at the violin, but she was an excellent dancer as well. Randi has a band called Blue Fire . . . just listen to the music:

And here's the Big Man in one of his many shining moments with Bruce:

Now on to the puzzles:

Here's today's cryptoquote: "There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots, the other is wings.--Hodding Carter (1907-1972). This is so true!

Hodding Carter was a noted journalist who advocated for civil rights in the Deep South as well as the treatment of the Japanese during World War II. He won a Pulitzer Prize for his editorials on the latter subject. His son, Hodding Carter III, was an aid to former president Jimmy Carter.

The Saturday Stumper (by Brad Wilber) had some great clues and answers:

1A: Chatterbox: MAGPIE. Heckle and Jeckle anyone? I didn't watch this cartoon as much as others. However, I love Heckle's Brooklynese and Jeckle's British accent.

7A: Outdoor charity event: FUN RUN. I've found a list of all the fun runs taking place in New York this year: http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/racelocation/1,7912,s6-239-283-284-0-0-0-0-NY,00.html.

30A: Rock nickname with numerous claimants: THE FIFTH BEATLE. Several people apply because of their association with the Fab Four: Stuart Sutcliffe, Pete Best, Brian Epstein, Derek Taylor, Murray the K, George Martin, etc.

35A: Consumer-marketing device: LOYALTY PROGRAM. Many loyalty programs take the form of reward cards. I have several such as Loehmann's, CVS, Panera, Key Food, Borders, New York & Company. The CVS Extra Care Card is the best. We have saved over $400 off the retailer's price.

Today I went to the Lincoln Center crafts fair. This is the granddaddy of all the fairs. I overheard that they judge all potential vendors with just five slides. Basically, I see the same vendors every year. Most of the stuff is unaffordable. . . . It was also very hot since there was no shade!

We're listening to some Bruce music.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads and grandfathers!

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick

Blossoming Expressions

The source of today's cryptoquote is Louise Nevelson (1900-1988): "Most of us have to be transplanted, like a tree, before we blossom." Louise Nevelson was born to a Jewish family in the Ukriane and immigrated to Rockland, Maine at the age of 5.  Nevelson is know for her abstract expressionist sculptures. Here is one of her sculptures. Most her sculptures were wooden and used lots of found objects. I found her work very interesting. 


Stanley Newman, Newsday's own crossword guru, is the author of today's crossword puzzle. I was able to get the answer grid today; please see below:

The theme of today's puzzle is "You're Excused." The theme answers are below:

Muhammed Ali

19A: National Treasury: EXCHEQUER. An exchequer was actually part of the British government until about 1835. They were kind of like our IRS and collected revenues. This term is outdated and colloquial. 


39A: Punching bags, mouthguards, etc.: BOXING EQUIPMENT. I don't know why anyone would want to take up boxing. Don't get me wrong . . . I love kickboxing and using the punching bag at the gym. However, I've seen too many fighters get hurt or brain-damaged in the ring. The saddest case has to be Muhammed Ali (born Cassius Clay). A descendant of pre-Civil War slaves, he was so handsome when he was younger and had such a colorful personality. For four years, he was unable to fight because he joined Islam and opposed the Vietnam War. He was arrested for draft dodging. However, he developed Parkinson's as a result of severe head trauma. Ali remains a beloved figure in American sports. 


59A: NFL Backups: TAXI SQUAD. I hardly know anything about football, so I had to find out what a taxi squad does. Basically, they're benchwarmers and hardly ever get action in a game. The term originated in the 1940s and referred to a Cleveland Browns' list of reserve players who were paid by a taxi company. This was their way of skirting around the 33-person squad limit. A popular misconception was that these reserve players drove taxicabs for a living!


Today I worked from home, had lunch at Panera, took a walk to the mall, bought some sleepwear for our upcoming trip to the Midwest, and ate dinner. A pretty quiet day overall.


It's almost time for the Saturday Stumper! Till tomorrow. . . .


Signing off,
The Puzzlechick