tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post1011163351653792907..comments2024-03-28T20:15:26.332-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Port in Lower Saxony / SAT 4-2-16 / Bastille prisoner 1784-89 / Service branch disbanded in 1978 briefly / Mattie Silver's love in fictionRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55093859249386531582016-05-08T12:46:13.896-04:002016-05-08T12:46:13.896-04:00I think resort, in the vacation sense, is a word t...I think resort, in the vacation sense, is a word that has evolved. At one time it suggested an all inclusive place, like a single Club Med Resort. At least in the ski world, ski towns like Aspen and Alta, have come to be called Ski Resorts. Sun Valley and Deer Valley are pretty close to real resorts, although I think you can day-ski there without staying there.Longbeachleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10945278798020339134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66105260833623565162016-05-07T20:05:42.295-04:002016-05-07T20:05:42.295-04:00In Chaucer's 14th-century Canterbury TALES, th...In Chaucer's 14th-century Canterbury TALES, the sensual wife of Bath describes herself as follows: "Gat-tothed I was, and that bicam me weel" or "GAP-TOOTHED I was, and that became me well". <br /><br />Thought Metz was in Germany so had some odd abbr. of Fraulein in 45A for far too long. Also, had the strange cross of BARBQUE and ELOQUENT before SUSSing HIBACHI and EDUCATED.<br /><br />Otherwise, a pleasant May 7 walk in the park.Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42916004766772851222016-05-07T17:05:01.272-04:002016-05-07T17:05:01.272-04:00When I lived in Center City Philadelphia there wer...When I lived in Center City Philadelphia there were no large supermarkets nearby. I walked everywhere. And I shopped in a Mom & Pop (there were many, many) store almost every day after work. Got in the habit of choosing my dinner on the day I eat it. So I continue to almost daily shop. I enjoy it. Big super stores, small markets, TJ's - they all put a smile on my face. And when you put away only one day's worth of food after shopping, unloading isn't much of a chore.<br /><br />But I love me some TJ's. I love the local murals on the walls, the "customer in training" little carts for the kids, the tasting booth, the "Sasquatch" mascot they hide in the store so kids can find it and get a treat. I love how easily you get thru the checkout line (no coupons, no special card or phone number, no special sales). A line of two people will take longer at Rite Aid than a long line at TJ's. And you get smiles instead of offers to sign up for the latest ()*&^ing discount card.<br /><br />So, despite the FACT that Trader Joe's sells some of my favorite cheeses and wines at the lowest prices in town, and WHOLE FOODS is often referred to as "Whole Paycheck," WF was my first "for sure" entry. <br /><br />And away I went. Off to Very Bad Answerland. Here's an example: I had people bringing back coLdS instead of TALES from their travels. Even tho I listened to Rick Steves this morning and never heard him describe any colds from his trips. Thus, Michael had something to do with a "cooth?" Hmm, that seems wrong somehow. <br /><br />Had parrOT, that Peruvianally lovin' bird/animal. I'm not making this up. <br /><br />Speaking of discounts, I wanted something like "price cut," but in my heart knew it was a misdirect of sorts. POOHPOOH at me if you wish. <br /><br />I even had yeS before NOS. OK, I'll wait 'till you stop laughing. (Altho I would not mind seeing "BYBY" on a campaign sign or two.)<br /><br />Loved "crib note" and the "little sweater." Sang "Sweet CAROLINE" with the waiting (I'm good at that) crowd at the Bloomsday start line. And said HOORAY when I didn't get TANLINES around my watch. SPF 70 to the rescue!<br /><br />Armed with my trusty eraser, I eventually SUSSed out all of my EVEL ways, yielding a satisfying finish. So I'm off again to the gym, and then the store, so Mr. Waiting won't complain about a DEARTH of cookies. Haven't tried that TJ Cookie Dough Butter yet. Perhaps today? With pretzels - sounds good.<br /><br />Wish y'all could see the squirrel attempting to shop at our backyard birdfeeders. Mr. Waiting's contraptions are too cleverly designed to be foiled by a rodent, but this little guy will not give up. <br /><br />That's all from Lake Spobegone, where the squirrels are all above average.<br /><br />Diana, Lady-in-Waiting for DinnerDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36991474118941508582016-05-07T15:30:56.705-04:002016-05-07T15:30:56.705-04:00Surprisingly easy trip with few TALES to tell. GAP...Surprisingly easy trip with few TALES to tell. GAPTOOTHED anchored the NW and GUITARSOLO was the key to the SE.<br /><br />Some head-scratchers along the way: spelling of GEWGAW, oddly clued WAH and SOP and amusingly (cutely?) clued PORE. All, needless to say, easily SUSSED out. So why do I say it? Because I like writing it all in caps for a change.<br /><br />Thanks for the break Doug, Brad, and Will.leftcoastTAMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57790048211752260872016-05-07T14:33:59.090-04:002016-05-07T14:33:59.090-04:00Once again, I'm predicting an easy rating. Be...Once again, I'm predicting an easy rating. Because I finished w/o (I think) errors. Certainly w/o help. Now I'll read Rex et. al. See ya later.<br /><br />Diana,LIWDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67843072013612448332016-05-07T14:01:59.501-04:002016-05-07T14:01:59.501-04:00I have to say that I enjoyed @Rex's junior hig...I have to say that I enjoyed @Rex's junior high school write-up much more than his normal cranky one. Sounds (reads?) like he and his friends were having a pretty good time, which, after all, should be the case.<br /><br />Easy but engaging puzzle today. I might be the only solver to first enter ANISE, then GEWGAW. It just went like that today. The wavelength thing, I guess. <br /><br />I have never shopped at WHOLE paycheque, but I do patronize TJ's when I visit the USA, and I think it is a great store. I don't think it is expensive, and I've never been disappointed with their products, and I appreciate the welcoming atmosphere in the store.<br /><br />Hey, @Spacey, notice the misspelling of your name in there? Also, wondering if you red-flagged P AND A.<br /><br />Dreck-free and fun puzzle.<br /><br /><br />rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72890923063608757132016-05-07T13:41:49.253-04:002016-05-07T13:41:49.253-04:00Another easy puz. Easiest week ever methinks. Must...Another easy puz. Easiest week ever methinks. Must be the sweeps period to attract a wider audience. GAPTOOTHED was a gimme, but led to my only problem area by filling in HurRAHS, which kept 15a and 17a at bay for a time. <br /><br />Coupla yeah babies crossing today with classic rocker Joan JETT and Madam LEONI. RYAN could’ve been Meg.Wouldn’t mind checking their TANLINES.<br /><br />Speaking of which, record high 93 degrees here yesterday makes me want to get the kayak out on the St. Croix and not get TANLINES. The reality is that next week will be highs in the 50s.<br /><br />. . . Sweet CAROLINE, baa baa baa, good times never felt so good, so good, so good, so good . . .<br /><br />We even have @spacy in the puz. Where’s rondo?<br /><br />Fun easy Sat-puz, IMHO. When ONE fixes up his HOORAHS.<br />rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59619043653103594622016-05-07T12:55:47.357-04:002016-05-07T12:55:47.357-04:00Whole week right in my wheelhouse. Pretty easy for...Whole week right in my wheelhouse. Pretty easy for a Saturday. Thought GAPTOOTHED immediately then GEeGAW which I quickly changed. Hand up that TJ's is nothing like WF's. Shop at the former often, the latter, never. SE last to fall and had the D'oh moment at SKIRESORTS even though I figured out pretty quickly had nothing to do with Venice.<br /><br />In keeping with the bar scene, have fond memories of playing Sweet Caroline on the juke for everyone's BD and pretending we could sing.<br /><br />Go Warriors & Sharks!eastsacgirlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6419346480201392512016-05-07T12:20:48.310-04:002016-05-07T12:20:48.310-04:00SAVOIR TALES (WAC OFFS)
In TOTO it’s a REDLETTERD...SAVOIR TALES (WAC OFFS)<br /><br />In TOTO it’s a REDLETTERDAY<br />when ONE GETSTO see CAROLINE.<br />IHEARYOU get that PORE MLLE to say,<br />“POOHPOOH, PAL. See? I’ve no TANLINES.”<br />(HOORAHS!)<br /><br />--- GAPTOOTHED GENE OHARA<br />Burma Shavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59189170418377003032016-05-07T11:39:03.004-04:002016-05-07T11:39:03.004-04:00The Fearless One definitely should get out more. I...The Fearless One definitely should get out more. It mellows him, and that can't be bad.<br /><br />If not for a couple of glitches, I'd have agreed with the "easy" rating. In the first ONE, I had to empty my gun of nAiLs and load up with CAULK, reconfirming what I already knew: that when something goes wrong at home...CALL somebody! Bob Vila I ain't.<br /><br />Glitch #2 was mis-cheering rahRAH in the almost-always-last-to-go NW. You see, I had been conditioned for the repeat by POOHPOOH in the NE. That pesky NW was really stubborn until I SUSSed GEWGAW--which all of a sudden let GAPTOOTHED come roaring in, and so to bed.<br /><br />I liked it; how could I not, with the shout-out at 52-across? Even though not a Bosox fan, Sweet CAROLINE was a flat gimme and an excellent shoehorn into this puzzle. I make it easy-medium, and today we have two Daily Damsels--and they cross! Very different, to be sure, but both LEONI and JETT get my DOD thumbs up. Birdie.spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76968082109221538112016-04-06T03:52:54.895-04:002016-04-06T03:52:54.895-04:00No, it's really cookie butter! And it's de...No, it's really cookie butter! And it's delicious. I like to dip pretzel sticks in it. Barnswallownestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82461370385450584302016-04-04T22:35:12.611-04:002016-04-04T22:35:12.611-04:00A very fine puzzle ... for a Wednesday. Despite th...A very fine puzzle ... for a Wednesday. Despite throwing in cElesTial for my Kind of day initially, just about everything went in fast fast fast. Thought I might get stuck in the SE as 46-47-48D were not coming, but once GUITARSOLO went in then OCELOT was obvious and we were done. I feel like we've had four Wednesdays in a row now difficulty-wise.kitshefnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10996934876844339512016-04-03T20:07:36.418-04:002016-04-03T20:07:36.418-04:00Like @Martin A, I polished off the NW first, thoug...Like @Martin A, I polished off the NW first, though I started by filling in 1A. Having seen Kelly&whoever a few times, GAPTOOTHED was the first thing I noticed about Mr S...well, the second, after that he seemed to be a nice guy. GEE, is it GEWGAW? HOORAy, HOORoar, HOORAHS, so 'tis! Although the TRansports turned out to be TROOPHIPS.<br /><br />Likes:<br />POOHPOOH, after recent hooroar over the plurality of POOHS;<br />BUSH SR greeting: "HI, BACH I" (descendant BACHs were to follow) in the vicinity of LEON I (another progenitor somewhere, I'm sure);<br />The crossing of SORE_AT/DE_SADE, smart as a whip.<br /><br />Point of curiosity: most EN-words seem to simply be modifying vars of the root word -- ENable, ENact, ENdear, ENcircle, ENcetera -- but ENJOIN seems to be qualitatively different from JOIN. Any thoughts on that? Some etymological link, perhaps?<br /><br />I thought the vision thing was an odd choice to clue for GENE, because I'd thought that visual acuity was a more complicated trait. So I looked up some stuff and discovered that a study of the<i> complete genomes of some 45,000 people </i> had identified about 2 dozen GENEs linked to myopia, confirmed about a dozen previously known. Things sure have advanced since I was EDUCATED in this field. The incidental eye-opener is that the research was carried out by the international Consortium for Refractive Error And Myopia (CREAM).<br /><br />Anyway, SKIRES ORT not SORT.<br /><br />ANISE puzzle, over too soon.Leapfingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14243620614139990887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21735226414088347082016-04-03T08:20:14.248-04:002016-04-03T08:20:14.248-04:00Paper and Ink also very ez, but couldnt suss out G...Paper and Ink also very ez, but couldnt suss out GEWGAW after several aphabet runs. Simply not in my vocab gave up and headed here. Ted in DenverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73700283403882128392016-04-03T08:01:16.560-04:002016-04-03T08:01:16.560-04:00@Rex, you must be having fun again; it's almos...@Rex, you must be having fun again; it's almost 8:00am. I hope today's blog is based on another group solve maybe over breakfast and Bloddy Marys. <br /><br />@machurka, interesting clip on GAP TOOTHED Women. I could literally see the attachment of the thick frenum on some of the women. Since it is also associated with a tight lingual frenulum, I could also hear that several of the women were also TONGUE-TIED. Since both can cause feeding difficulties in infants thes are sometimes snipped by an ENT or lasered by a dentist from r functional, not necessarily cosmetic, reasons. <br /><br />It took me a while but I did finally SUSS out today's theme.Aketihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07059835429995060000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7498276838847630532016-04-02T23:27:56.319-04:002016-04-02T23:27:56.319-04:00It looks to me like the Cruciverbal Aviary has a n...It looks to me like the Cruciverbal Aviary has a new member. The natural Scarlet Tanager, Pewit, and the unnatural Dook have been joined by the newest Cruciverbal species, the SKIRE SORTS. Long may they fly.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28145886265640603402016-04-02T22:03:06.665-04:002016-04-02T22:03:06.665-04:00p.s.
Looks like @009 is sitting at around #58, aft...p.s.<br />Looks like @009 is sitting at around #58, after 6 ACPTPuzs. Wishin him the very best, makin up lots of ground on that Sunday-sized 7th one. At any rate, he's doin about a jillion times better than M&A could ever muster. He's a feisty fast draw. Looks like PB1's puz #5 was unkind to him, today.<br /><br />M&AMasked and Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16027736429645378004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5301003107539697622016-04-02T21:33:02.554-04:002016-04-02T21:33:02.554-04:00Only 13 Comments as I write 12 hours after the las...Only 13 Comments as I write 12 hours after the last. <br /><br />Several write-overs first entered as FIREPIT, rahRAHS, DEsire, arrOws. GETSat, and had cheat for the G-A-P until realized it was a feature not a role (like co-host). So yay for me for a Saturday. It seemed a pretty easy week or I'm getting better at this...Nah, just an easer week.<br /><br />I'm sure others have commented in the interim about many things so I won't comment further on those.<br /><br />63a I got the music reference right off reading the clue and the first thought was something about a wall of Marshall amplifiers stacked behind the performers: <br /><br /><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/fe/37/dc/fe37dc7fc5b4289205baeccd64b0e827.jpg" rel="nofollow">Father of Loud</a><br /><br />This is what they call Jim Marshall who came up with the legendary amplifiers that bear his name.<br /><br />Most of the amplifiers seen in such pictures are dummy cabinets, stacked for "show." Only a few actually work.<br /><br />CheersAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14124431793780560248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77872876083732146982016-04-02T19:46:53.498-04:002016-04-02T19:46:53.498-04:00Medium for me but liked a lot of the cluing especi...Medium for me but liked a lot of the cluing especially those for SKIRESORTS, BUSHSR, GUITARSOLO and EVEL. However, GAPTOOTHED I found a cheap shot, not to mention lacking in imagination. And, no way is WHOLEFOODS a competitor of Trader Joe's. I shop in both regularly and they have distinctly different profiles. Did this bother anyone else?LindaPRmavennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20075924859191625582016-04-02T18:56:40.845-04:002016-04-02T18:56:40.845-04:00OK, this is the second time this has shown up in a...OK, this is the second time this has shown up in a NYTimes puzzle. Check the dictionary. The plural of "no" is "noes." "Nos" refers to numbers. I have to believe "Some RSVPs" refers to plural of no, not to a number. Someone should clue Will Shortz in.Tom Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08747031714530310684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82587072520020827262016-04-02T17:27:45.179-04:002016-04-02T17:27:45.179-04:00Not too hard for a Saturday. For once I finished w...Not too hard for a Saturday. For once I finished without a mistake. Some stumbles along the way (1) thinking Metz was in Germany; (2) refusing to accept that "epithet" could be a synonym for nickname; (3) thinking that the gondola clue had something to with songs (ignoring the word "settings"); (4) wondering what a "skire sort" was before seeing "ski resort;" (5) not being sure exactly what "enjoin" means; (6) wondering what went with "Bush" and whether whatever if was went before or after "Bush."michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7989526729261913672016-04-02T16:59:41.322-04:002016-04-02T16:59:41.322-04:00Ski resorts. Makes sense. Ski resorts. Makes sense. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35239087558928419132016-04-02T15:59:27.293-04:002016-04-02T15:59:27.293-04:00Just finished this. Loved it. I'm going to g...Just finished this. Loved it. I'm going to go sit at a bar someplace and ask the person next to me if (he) would ever guess POOHPOOH was a discount. I would ENJOIN him to tell me otherwise.<br />SKI RESORT. Dang, I'm more of the SEA kinda person. I got GEWGAW and I really thought it was OBAMA telling Trump he's no (er) gentleman.<br />Speaking of Trader Joe's. Just today I was at BevMo picking up some vino for our soiree tonight and the Mgr. noticed my TJ's wine bag. He very seriously told me that TJ's was closing all stores nationwide. My jaw dropped and I'm pretty sure I yelled WHERE THE HELL AM I GONNA BUY MY CHEESE! I then had to go to World Market and I told the clerk the same thing. She wailed.....I started up again. Where, oh where will we get our cheese?<br />SNOPES says it was one of the best April Fools. On APRIL 2?<br />Pics...please...GILL I.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05605766053820226324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85122352074124877652016-04-02T15:44:05.190-04:002016-04-02T15:44:05.190-04:00Hooray a red letter day for me. I Googled a bit bu...Hooray a red letter day for me. I Googled a bit but almost had it all. Wahoo!<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68455164125676712972016-04-02T15:17:38.773-04:002016-04-02T15:17:38.773-04:00I really liked this puzzle, although it was over f...I really liked this puzzle, although it was over far too quickly. I like to get at least 30 minutes out of a Saturday. GAPTOOTHED went right in, no letters required. For all you squeamish PC types, get over it. Lots of very famous people have diastema. To name a few other than Mr. Strahan, we have Joan Severance and the famous English comedian Terry Thomas. Those people all have the financial wherewithal to correct the condition if they chose to, but opted out. If they're not worried about it, you shouldn't be either!<br /><br />@Jamie C: Sorry to disagree with you, but I loved the clue for PEDANT at 40@. When it comes to Grammar Nazis, I fall in line with LMS and those who can do without them. In the realm of the blogosphere where politics are discussed, GN's always default to grammar and spelling corrections when they have no ability to refute the adversarial poster's position. Said default often exposes the GN's nescience of the subject matter.<br /><br />@Z: Astute PPP analysis as always. Can't wait until Tuesday night, JV and the boys of summer. GO TIGERS! Chaos344https://www.blogger.com/profile/08901221000538028472noreply@blogger.com