ZEBAL = BLAZE

YINAR = RAINY

GMOYSG = SMOGGY

SLUDHO = SHOULD

CARTOON ANSWER:

WHEN THE MOSQUITOES SWARMED DURING THEIR CARRIAGE RIDE, THEY RODE A —

BAERNYOGGSHUD = HORSE AND “BUGGY”

Good Thursday morning everyone!  The first three clue words came instantly, but I had to look at SHOULD a couple of times before it gave itself up.  With all of the clue words solved, I moved along to the cartoon puzzle.  I didn’t attempt to solve it without the clue letters because of the word in quotes.  The two G’s together in the letter layout brought BUGGY to mind and I figured HORSE AND would be all that was left to complete the pun.  Sure enough it was there and the overall solution was much easier than anticipated.  After the solve, I looked at the letter layout again and marveled at how well HORSE was hidden within the letters.  If the G’s were moved to different spots, this puzzle would have been a bit more challenging.  Jeff has drawn a couple of period pieces this week and they’re always a treat to look at.  Tomorrow I’ll be chaperoning a small cadre on a school field trip so I won’t have time to do a write-up.  I’m sure some of you will take the time to fill in the blanks in my absence.  Enjoy your Thursday and I hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods.  I’ll see you tomorrow!  🙂🐴