VECOT = COVET

EPMTT = TEMPT

FITSHY = SHIFTY

RIMFON = INFORM

CARTOON ANSWER:

THE NEW DISCOUNT RETAILER’S CUSTOMERS HAD GREAT DEALS —

OETTESHINRM = IN STORE (FOR) THEM

Good morning everyone and happy Tuesday!  The first three clue words came instantly today leaving me to struggle a bit with INFORM.  It was jumbled very well so it took a few extra looks before it became visible.  It’s my choice for the most difficult anagram and I’ll be interested in hearing if it would be yours as well.  Moving along to the cartoon, we find ourselves outside the new Sprawl-Mart where a conversation is taking place.  Reading the dialogue, I thought at first that this was a couple that was excited for the new retailer to open but noticing the woman say “I’ll save” indicates that it’s two random people passing by.  As they have their conversation, a construction worker can be seen hanging an “opening soon” sign on the front door of the building as well as a small child in a stroller playing with a toy train.  It was great that Jeff had the little one playing with a toy rather than a cell phone as we too often see today.  The solve wasn’t too tricky as FOR was already given to us.  FOR THEM came to mind and sounded right so that’s where I started.  I noticed IN together in the clue letters so I crossed out those letters as well.  STORE was a quick find to complete the puzzle giving us a really punny punchline.  If you read the comments section of this blog, you probably know “Steve in Oakland”.  The man in the cartoon reminds me of him as he goes for his daily walk to get a Peet’s Coffee.  Have a terrific Tuesday and I’ll see you tomorrow!  🙂