KOLAP = POLKA

LUDFI = FLUID

GENAMA = MANAGE

TGUINO = OUTING

CARTOON ANSWER:

TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE NEW SHOE STORE, THE TV NEWS CREW NEEDED —

OAFGEOT = FOOTAGE

Have a spectacular Saturday everyone!  🙂

PRUUS = USURP

RUDOG = GOURD

NARMEN = MANNER

WUNIES = UNWISE

CARTOON ANSWER:

SHE WANTED HER DAUGHTER TO CLEAN HER ROOM AND WASN’T —

SURGODMANNISE = MESSING AROUND

Good morning my friends and happy Friday!  The clue word choices were excellent today with USURP being my pick for the most difficult word to decipher.  It’s not that it’s a “difficult” word, but rather an uncommon word that is rarely used or seen in print.  GOURD would have to take second place for the same reason.  With all four words solved in a flash, it was on to the cartoon.  I’m pretty sure most of us have experienced this exact moment a few times while growing up and now I find myself telling my son to pick up all of his toys on a daily basis.  Apparently this mother has the same problem and she’s very upset with her daughter as indicated by her wagging finger and her ominous hand on hip pose in the doorway.  I was able to figure out the answer before writing out the clue letters for a surprising fourth day in a row.  If you had difficulty coming up with the solution, the letter layout was very cryptic and you had a bit of work to do before finding a starting point.  Have a fantastic Friday and I’ll see you tomorrow!

GORRI = RIGOR

PRAGH = GRAPH

WUTOIT = OUTWIT

TAUDEP = UPDATE

CARTOON ANSWER:

THE NURSERY THAT SOLD BAMBOO WAS EXPERIENCING —

RORGHWITPDA = RAPID GROWTH

Good morning everyone and happy Thursday!  All of the words came instantly this morning, but UPDATE would have to be my pick for the most challenging word.  Moving on to the cartoon, we arrive at the “Minnow Nursery” where Gilligan, The Professor and The Skipper are all hard at work diligently building a “hut resort” out of bamboo.  Was this yet another get-rich-quick scheme concocted by Mr. Howell?  Probably, but it’s also a well drawn cartoon by Mr. Knurek that will trigger your nostalgia for the mid-1960’s sitcom Gilligan’s Island.  The letter layout for the final solution was cryptic and perfectly jumbled, but wasn’t needed for me to solve the puzzle.  I’m on day 3 of being able to guess the answer so let’s hope that tomorrow’s solution is a real brain teaser.  Enjoy your Thursday and I’ll see you tomorrow!

HURES = USHER

LEYID = YIELD

GUNLEP = PLUNGE

DSOETD = ODDEST

CARTOON ANSWER:

HE DOZED OFF LISTENING TO MUSIC ON HIS HEADPHONES, AND WAS ABLE TO —

USEYELPLNODS = SLEEP SOUNDLY

Good morning everyone and happy Wednesday!  USHER was the only word that needed a second glance before it came into view, so it’ll be my choice for the most difficult word today.  Moving along to the cartoon, we are in the backyard where a dad is sleeping soundly in a hammock while his son is mowing the grass.  I really enjoyed the lines coming off of the top of the mower indicating that it’s causing a lot of noise.  You can tell that the dad has been asleep for quite some time not only by the ZZZ’s coming from his mouth but by the drool that is coming down the side of his face!  I also couldn’t help but notice that his fingers were in a meditation pose indicating that he’s in a truly restful state.  The final solve for this one came instantly without the need for the clue letters.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday and I’ll see you tomorrow.  🙂👍🏻

BEATA = ABATE

LORTL = TROLL

PHSSLA = SPLASH

TETAST = ATTEST

CARTOON ANSWER:

WHEN THEY BUILT THE NEW ROUNDABOUT, THEY PULLED OUT —

ATEOLLSPHTS = ALL THE STOPS

Good morning everyone and happy Tuesday!  Today’s puzzle had a “little bit of everything” including a couple of challenging clue words and a visually stunning cartoon.  ABATE and ATTEST were the two words to give me pause with the latter taking the most time to decipher.  The 3 T’s made it difficult to find a starting point, but with a few self-jumbles, the answer finally gave itself up.  Moving on to the cartoon, we’re treated to a front row glimpse of a new roundabout opening with a bevy of different characters and scenes to delight just about everyone.  Jeff really put extra effort and detail into this piece with my favorite image being the family of three in the back left corner.  It’s probably because it reminds me of my own family, with my wife carrying a balloon and my son on my shoulders.  If you look closely, you can see the image on the man’s shirt being Captain America’s shield — perfect attire for a parade!  My other favorite bits are the Miss Carmel pageant winner waving to the crowd followed by the Beach Boys striking up their iconic tune.  The answer was an instant solve after reading the sentence which was just fine with me because it gave me more time to admire all of the cartoon detail I missed the first time.  Have a terrific Tuesday and I’ll see you tomorrow!  🙂

DOFOL = FLOOD

CULYK = LUCKY

WYOLSL = SLOWLY

TNIKET = KITTEN

CARTOON ANSWER:

TO GET MORE CUSTOMERS, THE LOCKSMITH SET UP A —

OKYSKE = “KEY-OSK”

Good Monday morning my friends and welcome back to another week of Jumble fun!  The first three clue words came instantly today, with KITTEN giving me only the slightest bit of pause making it my choice for the most difficult word.  Moving on to the cartoon, we see Jumble Jeff visiting a small curbside stand where an employee of “Sure Lock Homes” can be seen crafting him a spare key.  The employee seems to match the description of the “nefarious” looking woman from last Tuesday’s “SHARP LOOKOUT” puzzle that was buying a knife, so I hope Jeff got his key and left quickly!  Although the letter layout was as cryptic as could be for a 6-letter solution, the answer came instantly for a quick Monday solve.  I hope you have a wonderful day and I’ll see you tomorrow!

CLIFEK – FICKLE

OILERO – ORIOLE

MYSSET – SYSTEM

NUMMIE – IMMUNE

RUUPES – PURSUE

ALXEEH – EXHALE

CARTOON ANSWER: TO BE AN EXPERT MECHANIC REQUIRES – – –

Continue reading →

SOCRS – CROSS

LECRI – RELIC

VRUDEO – DEVOUR

SUPMCA – CAMPUS

CARTOON ANSWER: THE CLASSIC VINYL ALBUMS WERE SELLING FOR:

CROREIDERCPS – – RECORD PRICES

Good morning, Everyone….

🎶”Oh yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away, Now I need a place to hide away….Oh I believe in yesterday. Suddenly, I’m not half the girl I used to be, There’s a shadow hanging over me….Oh yesterday came suddenly…”🎶

5AM…Brooklyn, NY. Watching images of Texas being ravaged by Hurricane Harvey. There isn’t enough coffee this morning. Jeff, I wish it was any other day, because this cartoon is a Gold Mine. What I could do with this…And maybe I will another day, but not today….

Except for a slight tic at DEVOUR, today’s words posed no challenge. Our cartoon. Jeff’s in a Record Store, (is that the correct terminology), questioning the cost of the vintage Beatles album, Yesterday and Today. ( I think it’s the infamous Butcher Cover…) Last week it went for 4 Grand, today it’s 5. The proprietor is obviously a man Jeff knows, and he tells Jeff that this vinyl is selling for RECORD PRICES. What a GREAT pun. But the eye candy today is the entire panel. Jeff’s a singer-song writer, who plays guitar. Posted on the desk, is a flyer announcing the upcoming acts at a Chicago Rock Club named Lounge Ax. The details are amazing. These are the acts: Wilco, The Blisters, (which features a member whose Father is a Wilco artist and whose Mother is an owner of the Lounge), New Duncan Imperials,  Poi Dog Pondering, (Remember them)? The Bishops, and JEFF KNUREK! How cool is that? Jeff’s wearing his signature Wilco T-shirt. (That color looks good on you, Jeff). The proprietor’s holding that classic Led Zeppelin album from 1969, while wearing a Clash shirt. There’s a sticker for the Ramones, one for Poi, and one for 93 XRT, an alternative radio station in Chicago. It goes on and on. This is one of Jeff’s best. Talk about chomping at the bit, the possibilities here are endless. But not today…
🎶Yesterday…all my troubles seemed so far away…🎶 My heart is broken for Texas and the Gulf area states. My thoughts and prayers are with them. 🙏🏻
To better days, for Everyone….🙋🏻

CUPHO – POUCH

ONRIY – IRONY

LIPRAL – PILLAR

GLIYHH – HIGHLY

CARTOON ANSWER:  WHEN THE HULA DANCERS ENTERTAINED THE SAILORS, THE SAILORS SAID – – –

POHIOYPARHIH – – – HIP HIP HOORAY

Good morning, Everyone!     🐚  SHELL WE DANCE? 🐚

🎶”For goodness sakes, I got the hippy hippy shakes. Yeah I got the shakes, I got the hippy hippy shakes, I can’t sit still, with the hippy hippy shakes… Well I’ve been shakin’ to the left, shakin’ to the right, you do the hippy shake shake With all of your might…”🎶

I’ve always wondered how Hawaiian women MOVE their HIPS like this. I’ve tried…many times. It’s an art, and maybe my ART ‘ain’t in it, because it just ends up…”HULA my kidding”! The last time I tried, I was with my friend Lou. It went something like this: ME: “LUAU, I think I broke my HIP…” Lou: “Geez, what a WAIST of time…” Anyway…let’s SAIL on to our words…POUCH, IRONY, ✔️✔️. PILLAR…Blink, blink. It’s HIGHLY likely the R threw me off…MOVING along; our cartoon. Hawaii, with the tiki lamps, the sun setting, and the one female SAILOR wondering…How do Hawaiian women move their HIPS like this…?! Jeff’s got the men jumping through HOOPS, understandably so. Who wouldn’t marvel at the way these dancers MOVE. The males are impressed, (the female perplexed…), but they all agree, HOORAY! “HIP, HIP HOORAY”! ISLE give it to you, Jumble Guys, you’ve LEId it on us once again!

My eye candy today? I like the DIXIE CUP flung into the air. It’ll probably fly away. There it goes…Here today, gone to MAUI!
So, it’s Friday, Folks! Best SWISHES for a great weekend…and ISLE be seeing you…ALOHA! 🌴🐚 🙋🏻

Prayers for Texas 🙏🏻

IGAME – IMAGE

GYROL – GLORY

YEHHNP – HYPHEN

RWASLP – SPRAWL

CARTOON ANSWER: THE BOWLERS WHO STARTED PLACING BETS WERE- – –

IGLORHHESRL – HIGH ROLLERS

Good morning, Everyone! 🎳 BOWLING FOR DOLLARS 🎳

🎶”Keep the ball rollin’, Keep the ball rollin’. Girl, the name of the game is love. On your mark, get set, let the kissin’ start, and just keep the ball rollin’ baby….right into my heart.”🎶

BOWLING! Good exercise, good fun…But, Goodness, gracious, GLORY be, get a GRIP, guys! GAMBLING galore! Ok, BABY, SPLIT to our words…Despite being RETURN favorites, HYPHEN caused this BROOKLYN girl to bang my head against the BED POST. DOUBLE blink…Lying here on the CLEAN SHEETS, my cup FILLed with coffee, I was ready to LEAVE it alone and RETURN to it later…But I’m not one to BACKUP, so I did a DOUBLE take..Ah, Hyphen! Ok. Good scrambling, Dave! So, getting past that, I APPROACHed our cartoon. I’m not big on BOWLING, it’s really not up my ALLEY. My nails, those shoes…I guess you’d call me a MISS AVERAGE…(Those shoes)! But, you GUTTER do what you GUTTER do, so let’s ADDRESS this. Jeff’s FRAME is giving us four BOWLERS, at the Alpine Lanes. As one is taking his SHOT, his teammates behind him are on a ROLL! $100. on a single STRIKE? Are you kidding me? This is how you get HOOKed! These TURKEYs keep this up, they’ll be WASHed OUT financially before the game’s over! Guys, calm down, put that money back in your POCKETS! High stakes here..with these ROLLERS…These…”HIGH ROLLERS”! Good job, Jumble Guys..You’re still the KINGPINS around here! Ok, eye candy: It has to be the sole woman, sitting to the SIDE of the LANE. Someone’s MOTHER-IN-LAW, perhaps? Whoever she is, she’s stunned. ANCHOR you blame her? She’s just BOWLed over!
Well, that’s it for today. Great puzzle, left me time to SPARE. Maybe I’ll have that second cup of coffee, or maybe some fruit. A SOUR APPLE, perhaps.
Ok, so, let’s not be DEADWOOD today. LEAVE your comfort zone, and do something new! We shouldn’t have to expLANE anything…Life is short… SPLIT happens! Get out there and STRIKE IT RICH!  🎳 🙋🏻

DEEWG – WEDGE

LUYBK – BULKY

DEELYI – EYELID

NNCOAY – CANYON

CARTOON ANSWER:  THE PIANIST PLAYED FOR JUST A FEW PEOPLE. HIS PERFORMANCE WAS – – – LOW KEY

Good morning, Everyone!   🎹  Play It Sam! 🎹

🎶”What would you think if I SANG out of tune, Would you stand up and walk out on me? Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song…And I’ll try not to sing out of KEY. Oh I get by with a little help from my friends. Mm I get high with a little help from my friends…Mm going to try with a little help from my friends…”🎶
Sometimes it’s all you need…Today’s words: 1-2 ✔️, ✔️. Did you blink at EYELID? And did CANYON cause certain, casual, yet careful consideration? Repeat FAVORITES, Dave’s PLAYED them before…Ok, TUNE in…our carTUNE! Today Jeff gives us a shoeless man at a PIANO, surrounded by three enraptured listeners. NOTE the background, it suggests waterfront property; we see the ocean, and Jeff’s signature, sinking sailboat way off on the SOUND. Could it be the end of summer..no BULKY clothing?  Are we at a Piano Bar, something small and intimate? Just the four of them instead of people WEDGEd in four deep? The dialogue says it all. “Little less crowded”, “Very relaxing”. Well maybe not all…Did I mention SHOELESS? Yea, this is one relaxed piano player, tinkling those ivories..hitting all the right KEYS..He’s “LOW KEY”! Eye candy? Nope, not that sailBOAT, I’m drawn to the bare feet, just TOED me in! So, our whole puzzle today was easy, breezy…just like the theme. Good job, Jumble Guys, you’ve hit that high NOTE once again! Because, for whatever reason this guy ended up here, it’s all ok. Look at those faces! They’re all happy. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Being happy, surrounded by those few close friends?
Have a great day, Everyone. Hoping we all get by…with a little help from our friends…PLAY it, Sam, yea, PLAY it again…🎹🙋🏻🎹

AONPI = PIANO

ZOKAO = KAZOO

HELMUB = HUMBLE

DRANTS = STRAND

CARTOON ANSWER:

SHE WAS SHOPPING FOR JUST THE RIGHT KNIFE AND WAS KEEPING A —

PAOKOOHULSTR = SHARP LOOKOUT

Good Tuesday morning everyone!  The clue words were not a problem today as each one came instantly.  Moving along to the cartoon, we find ourselves inside “Julienne’s Cutlery” where a customer is searching for just the right cutting implement.  After reading the dialogue and sentence, SHARP came to mind for the 5-letter word and I struggled to come up with the second word.  Writing out the letters, I noticed KOO grouped together which made me think of LOOKOUT for the finish.  I thought the name of the shop was brilliant but the customer really took my eye as she seemed rather nefarious.  I hope she has good intentions for the knife she picked out!!!  Have a terrific Tuesday and I’ll see you tomorrow.  🙂

AIKKH = KHAKI

DUNRO = ROUND

BELPEB = PEBBLE

CURNBH = BRUNCH

CARTOON ANSWER:

WHEN THE ALL-STAR PITCHER WAS PRESENTED WITH A NEW CONTRACT, HE —

KADLEB = BALKED

Good Monday morning everyone and welcome back to another week of Jumble fun!  I’ll keep it brief this morning as most people seem to be in solar eclipse mode.  I didn’t have any trouble with the clue words as they were old favorites.  KHAKI would be my pick for the most difficult word to decipher.  Jeff definitely hit a home run with his cartoon featuring what appears to be a baseball team owner presenting his pitcher with a contract.  There were plenty of zeros visible on the paper but the player ultimately decides that he’s ready to hold out for more.  The six letter solution was easily visible to me for a fast Monday solve.  Did you notice the team owners baseball field belt buckle?  I didn’t see it at first glance and it’s pretty snazzy!  Enjoy the eclipse and be sure to let us know if you were in the path of totality.  I’ll see you tomorrow!  😎

SBIYUL – BUSILY

FLEENN – FENNEL

ICANTT – INTACT

ANDDIC – CANDID

SLEUUF – USEFUL

SUEERF – REFUSE

CARTOON ANSWER:  THE PLAY CLOSED BECAUSE IT HAD – – –

BYEETATCNDSERES – – – “SCENE” BETTER DAYS

Good Sunday morning, Everyone!

🎭 The Show MUST go on?? 🎭

🎶”BRING DOWN THE CURTAIN, saw the SHOW tonight, It’s so dark outside, soon be light. Enough is enough, can’t do it no more. Bring down the curtain, close the door”🎶

So, yesterday we were offered Dr Beau Tox and 🎶”Forever Young”🎶, and today it’s “SEEN BETTER DAYS”? Hmm…What’s up Jumble Guys? Feeling your age? Or trying to make us feel ours? Well, TAKE FIVE!…We’ve got a puzzle to do first! Our words: Did INTACT drive you Insane? Did you find yourself saying…”I-CANTT”?  I had to blink. And FENNEL could possibly be new, but did it make you want to FLEE? The others we’ve SCENE before. Good GROUP of words for a SUNDAY (IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE…or not)! A little eye candy before we GO ON any further…”Who’s that through yonder CURTAIN breaks…It is STAGE LEFT, and David is the sun…” Dave? That you? Struggling with a Boom Box? Is that RENTal equipment? (Are we in CHICAGO)? You win the AWARD today for Outstanding PERFORMANCE in a SUPPORTING ROLE! Making yourself USEFUL! What a TROUPEr! And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, PRESENTING the FINAL ACT, our cartoon! Well, would you just look HAIR! Jeff’s giving us aging performers, almost BREAKing A LEG, begrudgingly belting out a song. And there’s a  couple in the AUDIENCE, looking LES MISERABLES; BUSILY whispering ASIDE, that THE PRODUCERS should have brought the CURTAIN DOWN on this long before tonight! Let’s face it, they’re just being CANDID. Because this PLAY? It HAS definitely “SCENE” BETTER DAYS”! APPLAUSE! Good SHOW, Jumble Guys! “Creative, witty, entertaining…you’ll REFUSE to put your paper down…”, writes Angela, of the NY News…”I give it 4🌟STARS”!
So, OK..(let’s bring it)LAHOMA! (Yes, sorry, I know, even I’m groaning…)! Ok, to WRAP this up, none of us were BORN YESTERDAY. But all of us GUYS AND DOLLS shouldn’t worry so much about aging. Get out there today! Go to a CABARET, get on a CHORUS LINE… and be WICKED!
Because YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE…and THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG!….
Have a SMASHing day, Everyone! 🙋🏻 (Exit…Stage Right) 🎭🎟

AROCG = CARGO

SEVOH = SHOVE

TOCONT = COTTON

RRIMPE = PRIMER

CARTOON ANSWER:

THE PLASTIC SURGEON WHO WAS KNOWN FOR LEAVING NO SCARS WAS A —

AROSHOOTTOPRME = SMOOTH OPERATOR

Have a Spectacular Saturday and I’ll see you tomorrow!!!  🙂