google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Sunday, March 28, 2010 Pamela Amick Klawitter

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Mar 28, 2010

Sunday, March 28, 2010 Pamela Amick Klawitter

Theme: From the Produce Department - Different fruit is embedded in each theme answer.

23A. Chancellor Angela Merkel leads it: GERMAN GOVERNMENT. Mango. I love tropical fruit, esp pineapple.

32A. Bologna location: DELI MEAT COUNTER. Lime. Thought of the Italian city Bologna first.

54A. 1989 Fred Savage comedy: LITTLE MONSTERS. Lemon. Have never heard of the film.

70A. Houdini et al.: ESCAPE ARTISTS. Pear. Asian pear is the best. Sweet and crisp.

91A. Proving ground NW of Vegas: NEVADA TEST SITE. Date. I love almond stuffed Medjool dates. Heavenly!

105A. 50:1 bet, e.g.: EXTREME LONG SHOT. Melon.

122A. Striped reef dweller: EMPEROR ANGELFISH. No idea. Looks fake.

112A. A different one is hidden in each of this puzzle's seven longest answers: FRUIT

All of the fruit spans across two word, quite consistent. Lime, lemon & orange, Ms. Klawitter must love citrus fruit then.

Also a bit of Italian undercurrent:

58A. Firenze's land: ITALIA. Firenze is Italian for Florence.

68A. Ristorante dessert: TIRAMISU. "Pick-me-up" in Italian.

77A. Con __: spiritedly: BRIO. Most musical terms seem to be rooted in Italian.

95A. Olive Garden specialty: PASTA

50D. Sistine Chapel ceiling figure: ADAM

93D. Slowly, to Liszt: ADAGIO. Ad agio is "at ease" in Italian.

Smooth sailing for me today. Simple & sweet theme. Very few unknowns.

Across:

1. Pamplona parlor: SALA. Spanish for "room". Inside a casa (house). Alliteration in the clue.

5. 1912 Nobelist Root: ELIHU

10. New Balance rival: ASICS. Wikipidia says ASICS is an acronym of the Latin phrase "anima sana in corpore sano" which translates to "a healthy soul in a healthy body" or "a sound mind in a sound body".

15. Ancient symbols of Egyptian royalty: ASPS

19. 2005 A.L. MVP, familiarly: A-ROD. I've never liked him.

20. They get carried away: REPOS. Great clue.

22. First name in "Popeye"?: SWEE. Swee'Pea.

26. Clue: LEAD

27. Historical records: ANNALS

28. Oft-named period: ERA. Victorian Period, Obama Era, etc.

29. __-a-brac: BRIC

30. Cathedral feature: APSE

36. Top cards: ACES

38. Radio CD players: DJS

39. "Mad Men" airer: AMC. I guessed ABC first.

40. Tubs with jets: SPAS

46. Internet commerce: E-TAIL. So many nice baseball cards on Ebay.

49. Truman's Missouri birthplace: LAMAR. Can never remember this name.

57. Tussaud, for one: MADAME

59. Luau fare: POI

60. Friend of Rover: FIDO. And ARF (47D. Corgi comment). Dogs.

62. Neural impulse conductor: AXON. Are you a impulsive person?

63. 1983 self-titled debut album: MADONNA. The answer emerged itself.

65. Pigged out (on): OD'ED. Overdosed.

73. Do covers: HAIR NETS. Hairdo.

78. Furniture movers: CASTERS. Man, I never know the wheels under my chair are called casters.

83. Salinger character who said "I prefer stories about squalor": ESME. "For Esme with Love and Squalor".

84. Ply a scythe: REAP

86. School name follower in many addresses: EDU

88. Eye maliciously: LEER AT

89. Car shoppers' options: LEASES

96. Had an effect on: FAZED. Big effect then. Now, what does this Marisa Miller have an effect on you, guys?

97. Bigfoot cousin: YETI. The Abominable Snowman.

98. Come across as: SEEM

99. Genealogically based men's gp.: SAR (Sons of the American Revolution). Got me.

101. "Norma __": RAE

103. Rave partner: RANT. Rant and Rave.

117. Ditzy waitress on "Alice": VERA. No idea. Which one is Vera?

118. Trompe l'__: OEIL. "Eye' in French.

119. Winter coat: ICE

120. Sault-Marie filler: SAINTE. Sault Sainte Marie.

121. Dhow sailor: ARAB. Dhow is sailboat used by the Arabs. New to me.

126. Diana's escort: DODI (Fayed). I remember the tragic car crash. I like ARAB sits atop DODI in the grid. Dodi is an Egyptian Arab.

127. Lingerie shade: BEIGE

128. "__ a Grecian Urn": ODE ON. Keats poem.

129. Heavy reading?: TOME. Can't fool me.

130. Crossed (out): EX'ED. We often see X'ED.

131. "Consequently ...": AND SO

132. Jane of "Father Knows Best": WYATT. Have never heard of this lady.

133. NY Giants lineman Chris: SNEE. Also a mystery figure to me.

Down:

1. Epics: SAGAS

2. Ain't like it oughta be?: AREN'T. Lovely clue.

3. Doone of Devon: LORNA. "Lorna Doone". Alliteration.

4. Hyper?: AD MAN. Oh, I get it: hyper = one who hypes up.

5. Coastal raptors: ERNS

6. Something to shake or break, so to speak: LEG. Shake/break a leg. Nice rhyme.

7. NYSE launch: IPO (Initial Public Offering)

8. Ramshackle home: HOVEL

9. PIN relative: USER ID

10. Philip of "Kung Fu": AHN. Of Korean descent. Chinese for Ahn is Ang, as in Ang Lee.

11. Carnival dance: SAMBA

12. Like helium: INERT

13. Like dunce caps: CONICAL

14. "The Big Bang Theory," e.g.: SITCOM

15. Lewis lion: ASLAN. C.S. Lewis's lion in "Chronicles of Narnia".

16. Used a broom: SWEPT

17. Veggies in a porridge: PEASE. Pease porridge hot... Our split pea soup.

18. Passover feast: SEDER

24. "Flash of Genius" actor: ALDA

25. Certain aircraft engine: RAMJET. No idea. Know nothing about airplane.

32. Regard: DEEM

33. Prohibit, legally: ESTOP

34. Right on a mapa: ESTE. Spanish for "east".

35. Golden State sch.: UCLA

37. Spot removers: CLEANSERS

40. Unlikely: SLIM. Unlikely/slim chance.

41. Gyro bread: PITA. I am hungry.

42. The slightest bit: A TAD

43. Manche department capital: ST. LO. The D-Day Normandy town.

45. Poke around: SNOOP

48. Last Supper query: IS IT I. And IT'S ME (115. Shout upon arrival).

51. Modest skirt: MAXI

52. Cookie guy Wally: AMOS. The real "Famous Amos".

53. Eye care brand: RENU. Bausch & Lomb contact lens brand.

55. Sheets and such: LINEN

56. Hit back?: SIDE B. Nailed it. Side A is the hit side.

57. Sermon subject: MORTAL SIN. Rich Norris is really in the alliteration mood.

61. Record: DISC

64. French play part: ACTE

66. Kernel holder: EAR

67. Did a dishwashing chore: DRIED. Dishwasher does the job for us.

69. Plus: ASSET

71. Yoga position: ASANA (AH-suh-nuh). Sanskrit for "sitting down". New word to me also.

72. USA __: TODAY

73. Troubleshooting menu: HELP

74. Cruising, maybe: ASEA

75. "__ shocked as you are!": I'M AS

76. Musical symbol: REST

79. Alec D'Urberville's slayer: TESS. "Tess of the D'Urbervilles". She killed the jerk Alec.

80. Northern terminus of I-79: ERIE. New clue for a tired entry.

81. Matter of interest?: RATE. Interest rate. Another awesome clue.

82. Apple projection: STEM. Hey, one more fruit, though in the clue.

85. Candy originally from Austria: PEZ. I have a few Twins Pez. Most of the Pez are still marked "Made in Austria".

87. Unborn, after "in": UTERO

90. Effortlessness: EASE

92. Offscreen friend in "Ernest" films: VERN. I peeked at the answer sheet. Names often kill me. Why is Vern "offscreen"?

94. Coup d'__: ETAT

96. Citizens: FREEMEN

100. Lab slide critter: AMOEBA

102. Third-party account: ESCROW. Holding account

104. Nonstick cookware brand: T-FAL. What does T-FAL stand for?

105. Dodge: EVADE

106. Copy: XEROX

107. Diamond deal: TRADE. Bloody!

108. Beyond gung-ho: RABID

109. Oily compound: LIPID. Fatty!

110. Designer Cassini et al.: OLEGS. Cassini is the only Oleg I know of.

111. Intoxicating, as wine: HEADY

113. Breaks in relations: RIFTS

114. Strike caller: UNION. Thought of UMPIRE first.

116. Little laugh: TE-HEE

123. Vintage auto: REO

124. Museum funder: Abbr.: NEA (National Endowment for the Arts)

125. Figured out: GOT

Answer grid.

Picture of the Day: Here is a great photo of Jeannie's Mom & Dad on their wedding day heading off to their honeymoon in 1960. They just celebrated their 50-year anniversary on March 19, 2010.

C.C.

52 comments:

Dudley said...

Morning, C.C. - This took me ages to crawl through. I was handicapped, though - trying to hide my laptop under the covers so as to cope with insomnia while disturbing neither wife nor cat. Hard.

windhover said...

CC:
The MM picture has a mixed effect
on me. I'm often thrilled by beautiful sunsets, much less by unattainable goals. I much prefer the bird in the hand to the one in the bush. And of course, I'm happiest when there is no bush. Good Sunday morning to you all.

I was a high school sophomore in March, 1960. Had I been a little older, that beauty in Jeannie's pic might never have left Kentucky.

4

Hahtoolah said...

Good Morning, CC and all. I loved this Sunday puzzle. From the title of the puzzle, I was expecting to find vegetables. Liked the Fruit theme better.

There were also some fun clues. Some of my favorites (including some Aha!) included:

Do Covers: HAIR NET
Hyper?: AD MEN (which nicely complemented AMC's Mad Men)
They get carried away: REPOS
Winter Coat: ICE
Hit Back?: SIDE B
Matter of Interest: RATE (which is very, very low today)

Windhover: Thanks for the compliment from the other day. It came through after I had turned off my computer for Shabbas, so I didn't see it until this morning.

QOD: Always tell the truth ~ that way you don't have to remember what you said. ~ Mark Twain

Lemonade714 said...

Happy Sunday, and another Sunday puzzle under our belts (where did that phrase come from). We had this constructor before for her Sunday rainbow puzzle; I guess she likes the big ones. I read she wrote a book to teach how to write Poetry which sounds like a challenge.

I liked the start which had ASPS and APSE near each other, liked, carried away: REPOS clue, Tussaud, for one: MADAME seemed fresh. Overall, the cluing seemed fun, though I grew up in new England where many of the teachers were Daughters of the American Revolution (at 6, I thought it was literal, and poor Mrs. Sochor was in her 80’s, but I did not do the math) but I never heard of Genealogically based men's gp.: SAR, nor despite being a big football fan, did I know NY Giants lineman Chris: SNEE, even if I have heard his name; nor would I know, Nonstick cookware brand: T-FAL . I guess the T is Teflon?


As for some of your questions, Offscreen friend in "Ernest" films: VERN, is a never seen character who ERNEST speaks about often, either from past adventures, or advice from Vern. On the other hand, JANE WYATT had a very long career, including playing Spock’s earthling mother in the Star Trek original series and movies. She a blueblood, who was removed from the social register for becoming an actress. Times have changed.

Jeannie, great picture, now when in the world are you getting before a camera?

With Jewish and Christian holidays coming soon, I want to wish you and your loved one, a very happy and healthy time, and will offer my little prayers for all who are suffering.

WH, you still have it...

Dick said...

Good morning CC and All, a fun slog this morning and like Hahtool I was looking for vegetables at first. There were a few unknowns which caused me to visit Mr. G. 99A Genealogically based men’s gp./SAR was a complete unknown to me, 83A Salinger character/esme was a DOH moment, Phillip of “Kung Fu”/Ahn was another unknown as was 15D Lewis lion/aslan. I did like the puzzle and for the most part, it was very doable.

I really liked some of the clue/answers such as 4D hyper?/adman, 119A winter coat/ice were just two that stood out.

My biggest hang up today was when I put salad for 95A Olive Garden specialty instead of pasta. Salad was easy as I already had the A from the down clue and I love Olive Garden salads.


I am always impressed with the complexities of constructing a crossword puzzle and I admire those that can do it. Today’s puzzle was very creative and had a lot of fun clues. Good job MS. Klawitter.

Hope you all have a great Sunday.

Dick said...

Ditto on the MMM comments by MH and Jeannie nice pic. When I think of 1960 it doesn't seem so long ago and then I realize that it is 50 years gone by. Yikes!!!

Anonymous said...

HAHTOO LOVED THE TITLE OF TODAYS PUZZLE. HOWEVER IN SPRINGFIELD MA, THE TITLE WAS PRINTED AS
"FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT" INSTEAD OF FROM THE PRODUCE DEPARTMENT. KIND OF LEAVES US OUT IN LEFT FIELD

JD said...

Good morning CC and all,

Very clever hidden theme.Asian pears are my favorite fruit; wish I had planted a tree way back. We have too many oranges.

Sar, Ahn, Aslan, Elihu, Lamar and Ram jet were my unknowns. The 2 worded ones were harder for me today except, "Is it I?"

Still have the Madonna album. LOL! My girls loved her.Me not so much.

What a cutie Fred Savage was back in the day. "The Wonder Years" was my 1st guess.Danika McKellar, who played Winnie, is having a baby. Yikes! Time flies. Ben Stein was a hoot on that show..I can always picture him as a science teacher.

Have a lovely Sunday...grand kids will be here later. :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for another Marissa Miller pic! Some of us like to keep abreast...

Clear Ayes said...

Good Morning All, As soon as I saw GERMAN GOVERNMENT, I realized I could start looking for a big fruit bowl. I like them all, except for DATES (91A). I've never been a fan of those sticky little doodads.

Except for ASCICS, AHN and AXON, everything went pretty smoothly. I guess I was hung up on "A's" this morning.

Favorite clue was "Ain't like it oughta be?" for 2D AREN'T. An AHA! after I looked at it the second time.

I'm getting kind of tired of MM. How about RR Ryan Reynolds for a while today? That man has it goin' on! I think the ladies will appreciate his charms as much as the guys appreciate Marisa.

That's a charming photo of Jeannie's parents. Dodo and her husband's photo from yesterday was also a keeper.

Gene said...

Long time solver, first time blogger. Love your column. Todays puzzle breezy and fun. Saul "Sainte" Marie will always be a "ste" to me.

Lucina said...

Good morning, C.C. and fellow bloggers.

Ten comments? Ooooh, la, la, that's unusual for me.

How can I not love a xwd that starts with Pamplona parlor: sala, includes este and samba (where I first filled mambo)? I do, I do!

And then peopled with old friends: Madonna, Vern, Vera,(she's the one on the far right in the photo) Jane Wyatt, Dodi, Elihu, Tussaud, etc., etc.

Best clues:
do covers: hairnets
hyper: ad man
winter coat: ice
hit back: side B (I know this is a repeat, but I still like it)

And then we get dessert: tiramisu with a little music lingo thrown in for good measure: adagio, rest.

As if that weren't enough, we also have a fruit bowl! How great is that?

Finally, asana, we sit.

Great job, Ms. Klawitter!

C.C.
The casters are small, shallow cups that go under the rollers on furniture.

Please have a sensational Sunday, all!

Lucina said...

L714:
Thank you for the prayers. You, and all my blogger friends shall be included in mine as well.

Argyle said...

What a difference one letter makes. LIMPID vs. LIPID
"Those cool and limpid Green Eyes"
LIMPID is clear and LIPID is oily.

The crew at Mel's Diner.(117Across)
Left to right: Flo, Alice, Mel, Tommy(Alice's son), and Vera.

Clear Ayes said...

Another A that got me was ASANA. I didn't know that there are thousands of Asanas. This Savasana pose (Corpse pose) is my favorite so far.

I guess if you are a nervous attendee at the Last Supper, you're going to be more grammatical with "IS IT I?" 48D, but if you are slamming the door on the way in from work, "IT'S ME" 115D is the way to go.

Jane WYATT also starred as "Sondra", Ronald Colman's love interest in the 1937 movie "Lost Horizon". It was another of those early movies that took what were meant to be Asian characters and filled the parts with American and English actors. A lack of Asian actors, or another example of movie racism? (Zip-a-dee-doo-dah?) Just fooling around folks. I'm feeling a little wild today.

Dudley said...

Lucina 11:37 - A small correction, if I may: casters are the wheels, not the cups. Casters (AKA castering wheels) are designed to swivel so that they can align themselves with the direction of travel, as in the front wheels of a shopping cart. Furniture casters behave similarly.

Tinbeni said...

The fruit at the end of one theme word, start of another made this an easy Sinday.

Designer Cassini, etal. OLEG is the only one I've ever heard of, with an 'S' was a stretch.

ST LO clued other than a WWII ref. was great.

ASANA, ASLAN, ESME, RENU & TFAL were all new to me (GOT via crosses).

I'd rate this puzzle ... BEIGE.

Anon 9:47
Liked the SHOUT-OUT ...

Argyle said...

A short list of offscreen characters besides Vern:

"Waiting for Godot" (a play)

"Vera", Norm's wife on "Cheers" (TV show)

"Carlton" the Doorman on "Rhoda" (TV show)

and almost offscreen:

"Wilson" neighbor on "Home Improvment" (TV show)

"The Millionaire" on "The Millionaire" (Old TV show)

"Charlie" from "Charlie's Angels" (TV and Movie)

Got more?

Argyle said...

Some trivia you might need some day: 58A. Firenze's land: Firenze was a centaur who was kicked out his herd in the Forbidden Forest because he let Harry Potter ride on his back. He became a Professor of Divination at Hogwarts.

windhover said...

Tinbeni @ 12:25,
A Freudian slip?
I'm there.

And ClearAyes @ 12:02,
Et tu? Go for it.

eddyB said...

Hello all.

Jane Wyatt was Ronald Reagan's first wife.

The other one reminds me of some one.

Almost race time. It is on ABC this week.

eddyB

Lemonade714 said...

Argyle, how about: Mary Tyler Moore as "Sam" on Richard Diamond, Private Detective, White Fang and Black Tooth on Soupy Sales.

There are others who are famous named OLEG or Oleg .

Tinbeni, may I be so bold to ask what you have in mind on this simple "SINDAY?" I do love a nice planned sin.

I am not up on my J.K. Rowling characters, but I do know FIRENZE as the capital of Tuscany, where my digging son has spent part of two summers, and brought back some wonderful wine. This year he will be outside of Rome in a project at GABII where he has his first staff position as topography intern! I am so proud of him, but I digress. WH, am I the only other one who is getting excited as we are down to 4?

Lemonade714 said...

EB, yopu were close
but it is JANE WYMAN who went to bed with BONZO

Anonymous said...

Jane WYMAN was Ronald Reagan's first wife.

eddyB said...

Forgot to add that the eagle is also sitting on three eggs.

eddy

Tinbeni said...

EddyB
It is raining here NOW.
Glad I went on Friday.


Windhover
In the NYT, was NEW HIGH, my daily quest.
But my 'typo' earlier is probably a statement about my life.

eddyB said...

Lem. Sorry about that. I told you all that my mind was gone. Early stages, I guess.

eb

Andrea said...

Clear Ayes - loving the RR photos. Thanks!

Jeannie - nice pic of your parents wedding day. My first thought was that 1960 was only 40 years ago, not 50 years ago. After all, I was born in 1963, and I'm only... oh. For some reason, I haven't aged a year since I hit 40. Or so I like to think. :)

Fun puzzle today.

MR ED said...

CC,
re which one is Vera on pic of 'Mel's Diner' from the show 'Alice". rear= Mel: front= from left, Flo, Alice, alice's son(forget his name) and of course Vera. The entire show was ditzy.

Also, shouldn't it be 'tee-hee'?

Hahtoolah said...

Good catch, Windhover, on Tinbeni's Freudian. LOL.

It is a beautiful warm sunny day here so we are sumerizing our outdoor furniture.

I can't spell to save my life today. It must be those Thompson woodseal fumes!

Now one last sweep to to be sure that all the chametz is out of my house before Passover begins tomorrow night.

eddyB said...

CRAP!

Hahtoolah said...

This isn't meant to be a political statement, just a humorous example of poor editing. Too big or too small?

dodo said...

Windhover, Why are you wrestling with that poor cow trapped in some kind of animal jail? And next time let's have a full face view so we can connect you with your witty comments!

Thanks, CA, about the pic. Fun days.

Argyle said...

Hahtool, I read the article and it was meant as a humor piece, something Lois might write.

windhover said...

Dodo:
To explain a bit:
I had just finished an artificial insemination procedure on the "poor cow", who was released a few seconds later. I think I was asking her, "Was it good for you, too?" As for a full face pic, trust me, the cow isuch prettier than I; she has big brown eyes.

Hahtool/Argyle:
I thought immediately of a very funny scene in
"Blazing Saddles", where the woman says, "It's twue, it's twue!"
Link, anyone?

Chickie said...

Hello All-- I didn't do the Sunday Puzzle, but I wanted to comment on the pictures we've had lately.

Dodo good to see you up close. I especially enjoyed the one of you and your late hubby.

Jeannie, Your parents look so happy. Those two handsome people have a beautiful family,

Thank you both for sharing.

Dennis said...

It's twue, it's twue

Anonymous said...

Good day all.

My DH wants to add a comment about Marissa and all the responses yesterday to the question C.C. posed as to whether they are real.

"We men would be disappointed in Marissa's wonderful set of standards."
(By that, I assume he votes for fake.)

Fun puzzle today.

Cheers

eddyB said...

Tin. Race moved to 10 AM your time on Monday. Gates open at 9.
Admission is free.

eddyB

Clear Ayes said...

The avatar photo is captioned "Windhover and lady friend". It must be twue.

I loved Madeline Kahn. She was a wonderfully talented lady. Her Lilly Von Schtupp is classic.

I will have to wait to make any more comments to add to 12:02. I have come into possession of a unexpurgated copy of "Song of the South", but I haven't watched it yet. I'll let you all know how evil, or benign it is and if my memory served correctly, or if Disney and my parents put one over on me.

lois said...

Good evening CC, et al., No time to do the puzzle but wanted to check in and see what everyone is up to....and you are in high spirits today! I did read the blog. Excellent job, CC, as usual. You are remarkable! I busted out laughing at 16D - I think - used a broom? 'swept'? Not in my world. My first thought was flown or moved...my old mode of transportation. I've upgraded to a vacuum cleaner now tho'. Orek's are light and so easy to maneuver. But what a clever theme. The ingenuity of these constructors amazes me.

CA: great comeback with Ryan Reynolds. Hoooboy! Yeah, and I doubt anyone will question the authenticity of his package. But like Lemonade and Bill G, whose altruistic intentions are undeniable, I too would take one for the team and volunteer to check RR out. Afterall, magnanimous is my middle name.

Argyle: that link about Obama was hilarious! LMAO! Soooo clever. Thank you...and thank you for the compliment....only that I could...

Dodo: wonderful pictures! I too loved the one of the both of you.

Lolita: great pic of your parents! That is sooo cool that you have that. What a wonderful family heirloom.

Windhover: The smile on your lady friend is unmistakable. I think she is waiting for a cigarette or a drink...maybe Ky bourbon ale? I disagree that she's the better looking one of the two in that picture.

Dennis: thanks for that link - one of my all time favorite movies.

Enjoy your evening.

Bill G. said...

Don't know why but I've never enjoyed Blazing Saddles as much as Young Frankenstein.

I came across a clue in last Sunday's Boston Globe puzzle that I didn't get. The clue was "Slave to crosswords?" The answer was ESNE. What am I missing?

Dennis said...

BillG, 'esne' is classic crosswordese for 'slave'. So to crosswords, a slave is most likely an esne.

lois said...

Bill G: I have always wondered the same thing and just resigned myself to Dennis' def. I looked it up just now - Meriam's online Dictionary doesn't have it, my old college hard back doesn't have it but I did find some synonyms online: beneficiary, bondman, dependent, esne, helot, liege, liegeman, peasant, serf, slave, subject, subordinate, tenant, thrall, varlet (I particularly like that one...sounds Shakespearian). But I still don't know how to pronounce esne. esss-nee? Never heard it, never read it, never saw it except in c/ws. So, Dennis has captured the essence of esne IMHO.

Bill G. said...

Lois, right you are. It wasn't in my desktop dictionary and I even had a bit of a struggle with it on Google. So far as I know, like you, I've never heard it or seen it in print before. I guess constructors have to occasionally resort to words like that to get a couple of extra E's.

I just spent a wonderful half-hour with my grandson. Jordan is in kindergarten and will be six next month. We read two books together. One was a pop-up book about colors and shapes and the other was a classic from my childhood, "The Little Engine That Could." He would read one page and I would read the next page. In the past, it's been a chore to get him to read even though he's good at it. Tonight was a pleasure.

Clear Ayes said...

Lois and I are esnes to duty! Sometimes it's a thrill to be a thrall. Since she beat me to "dibs" on verifying the authenticity of Ryan Reynolds' abs, I will have to volunteer my services for Usher. Don't be too concerned Ladies,Matthew McConaughey is still available. Don't worry if you are busy for a couple of days, Lo-li-ta, I'm sure it will be exhausting work and we will require a lot of assistance.

Chickie said...

I have an old crossword dictionary--small pocket size, and the word Esne is listed as serf. Under serf, Esne is the first definition and all the words that Lois entered follow. My only encounter with the word Esne is in crosswords, but it is legitimate. The old puzzles we used to have in our Newspaper used the Esne-serf connection quite often.

Dennis said...

Chickie, right you are. 'Esne' is one of the first two 'crossword words' I learned when I first started doing crosswords many, many years ago, along with 'peri' (Persian fairy). It's prominently listed in all three of my dictionaries.

Lucina said...

Dudley:
Thank you! I have always called the cups, casters; it turns out they are caster cups. I stand corrected. Something new learned. . .

Jeannie:
I loved the pic of your parents. You have great genes.

I hope you read the outstanding verdict on your marinade. I posted it quite late last night.

WH:
That is a particularly lovely female next to you. Does she moo-oove you?

Jazzbumpa said...

Hi gang -

I'm sleepwalking today. Looks like you've covered it all on today's puzzle, which I did enjoy. Missed the LAMAR - RENU cross. Spelling MADAMM with 2 M's didn't help. Why would I be thinking about MM, anyway?

Can never spell OEIL correctly. Most English words are troublesome enuff. French? Fuggetaboutit.

Just noticed ODE ON is ODEON, as in cineplex.

I heard that Size of Package article read on the radio a few days ago. The thrust of it was well placed, and quite penetrating.

That's about all I've got. Probably should have quit sooner. My Axons are tired.

4 and a w/u

Cheers!
JzB

Jeannie said...

C.C., thanks so much for posting the pic of my parents. Here's a quick backgroung story. She is from KY, and went to the U of K on a scholarship. When she got her teaching degree in Home ec she had her choices of where to go. She chose MI as that is where two sisters had moved. My dad at the time was persuing his Engineering degree and worked part time at a bar and as a farm hand. It was a big deal evidently for a new teacher to come to town and her pic was put in the local paper. As you can tell, she wasn't hard to look at. Anyway, my dad was taking bets on who would date her first and of course it was the local stud, who my Mom thought was a total drip. Part of her curriculum in home ec was for each of her Sr students to prepare a meal, set a table, and serve it. The crafty gal that set my parents up was the daughter of the guy who hired my dad as a farm hand, and guess who was invited to dinnner? The rest is history. BTW, that coat she has on in the pic was made by her as well as my Dad's sport coat. I never had a store bought dress until I moved away.

Heading to St. Paul tomorrow for set up and the foodshow is Tuesday. "Talk" to you all Wednesday night, as I am sure my inbox will be loaded when I get back.

Chickie said...

Jeannie,
I loved your parent's story. Thank you for sharing it with us. Your Mom was talented as well as pretty and your Dad was a lucky man. Your Mom didn't do too badly, either.