TDPAA = ADAPT
TOBUA = ABOUT
HOYTER = THEORY
SPULCT = SCULPT
CARTOON ANSWER:
WHEN FIREFIGHTERS RESCUED THE KITTENS FROM A TREE, THEY AVERTED A – – –
APAOTHERSCT = “CAT-ASTROPHE”
Good morning Jumble friends and happy Monday! If you do the Jumble during the weekend, you’ll no doubt remember Saturday’s puzzle which had a very challenging surprise answer paired with a stellar cartoon. If you happened to skip it, do yourself a favor and seek it out. It was so much fun that you don’t want to miss out!
Monday’s are usually a cakewalk, so with that mindset I began my solve. The first two clue words were no trouble whatsoever. THEORY took only a few seconds to decipher and ended up being my pick for the most difficult anagram of the day. If you had trouble solving it, my suggestion would be that when you see a “Y” in a Jumble, you should try making words that end in “Y”. Of course it doesn’t always work, but if your drawing a blank it doesn’t hurt to give it a try. Moving along to the final clue word, the S and T were in their correct location making SCULPT instantly visible. And just as quick as I began, I was ready to venture over to the cartoon.
The setting for today’s panel is a scene that really warms your heart but in reality very rarely occurs. We see a firefighter climbing up a ladder to rescue a kitten that’s “stuck” in a tree while the other firefighter hands one over to its owner that’s just been “saved”. The owner in this case is a stereotypical “cat lady” that looks a bit crazy standing there in her house lounger dress and slippers. She’s thankful to have her fur-babies back and maybe this time she’ll keep a closer eye on them.
My favorite detail of this piece was very small but definitely caught my eye. If you look at the right arm of the firefighter on the ground you’ll notice that he has an American flag patch on his arm. Some might think that Jeff made a boo-boo by having drawn it backwards, but you’d be incorrect! The flag displayed on the right shoulder of a uniform must ALWAYS have the blue star field be in the highest position of honor which is towards the front. An easy way to think of it is by thinking of the patch not as a “patch” but as a loose flag attached to his arm like one on a flagpole. As the firefighter walks forward, the blue star field advances first leaving the red and white stripes to flow to the back. Great job, Jeff!!!
The solution to this jumble was an instant solve for me after reading the dialogue and sentence. The letter layout definitely kept the answer well hidden, but the visual clues were more than enough to get the job done.
Lastly, it’s the beginning of a new month so that means it’s time for another prize giveaway! The prize this month is going to be fantastic so keep an eye on the homepage where I’ll post all the details later today. Have a marvelous Monday and I’ll see you tomorrow!
Jumble Answers 
Good morning on this snowy day. Thank you Mike for that information I had no idea about the flag and was glad you enlarged it so we could see. Today’s puzzle was fairly easy for me. I had no problem with the words and flew right to the cartoon. It took two good looks to come up with the answer. All and all a good day. A belated Happy Easter and holiday to all. I went out early after mass and came home a little late. I finished the words this morning but have not gotten Sundays answer yet or even read the blog. Can’t decide to try for a solve or give up yet. Until tomorrow stay well.
You’re welcome, Paul, and I’m happy that you had a wonderful Easter! You should keep trying for the answer just a little longer. It was a very fun puzzle and I’m sure the answer will come if you give it some time. 🙂🙂🙂
Morning all,
You’re right, Mike, about THEORY, which was the only word I had to back into. It was even harder for me because I was thinking that catastrophe ended with a y instead of an e. After much futile jumbling, I realized my mistake. Thanks for your interesting explanation of the flag patch.
You’re most welcome, Caroline! I didn’t even think about the Y at the end of catastrophe. Lots of people checking in today so they might be having the same trouble. Enjoy your day! 🙂
Blind solve, and only a minor speed bump on THEORY.
Until tomorrow.
Happy Monday, John! Thanks for checking in! 😎👍🏻
I had no problem with any of the words,not even theory .I usually have a problem with a hyphenated solution,but cat popped right out with cat- astrophe,following quickly,
Happy Monday, Chuck! You’re off to a great start this week! 😎👍🏻
Good morning, Everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Holiday weekend.
I looked at today’s puzzle early this morning, and I caught my breath for a second, and felt my heart skip a beat. Here in NYC, we’ve had a really tough go of it these past few weeks, losing too many members of the Bravest as we call them. FDNY- NY’s Bravest. I personally attended two wakes-memorials-funerals…call it whatever you’d like, it’s still something held only because we’ve lost one of these heroes. So, in my heart I just couldn’t “go on wth the show”…and pun and rhyme about cats stuck up in a tree, and a woman outdoors in bed clothes and slippers. Even though there was some great material there to work with. Just my heart speaking instead of my mouth and my pen. The old “the show must go on” took a back seat to the reality and the loss I’m still feeling. I will say this though. I know many men of the Brotherhood. And that flag patch is especially endearing to me because I remember being told one beautiful summer night by one of these beautiful brave men that the “field of stars” is worn “closest to your heart”. So when I saw Jeff’s drawing, it especially touched mine. 💔 I’m sure my Fireman embellished the explanation much further, but it’s that piece of the conversation that’s stayed with me ever since. And I also remember coming away that particular night with a different sense of what it takes to make these men do what they do…They’re a rare breed. And I tip my cap in salute.
So…not wanting to make this sound any more like a funeral dirge than it might already…I can’t help but think that Jeff must have been gritting his teeth with this cat panel…And thinking “Boy, this is really going to the dogs…” I wish everyone a great day…And if you get a chance, thank a Fireman today. Just because..🚒 🙋🏻
PS: On a lighter note: Today is what the Italians call La Pasquetta, Little Easter. Or Easter Monday of the Angels. On this day, we usually have a picnic of sorts. We eat outside, play Bocce, and enjoy the beauty of Spring…Well, here on Staten Island, it started snowing before dawn, and we got about 3 inches. It stopped a little while ago, and it’s starting to slush up a little. Not conducive to dining al fresco…So, in keeping with tradition, I plan to have some of the Littles sitting on the floor when they stop by later, on a huge old traditional checkered tablecloth…and eating whatever there may be of the leftovers…No Bocce, though…These kids are all card carrying members of the Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight…I can’t afford the cleanup…🙋🏻
I completely understand, Angela. Your words were extremely powerful and must have been very difficult to put down. Thank you for sharing a write up that reminds us all of the sacrifices these brave women and men make. 😢
Thanks Mike. I dropped the ball though, not mentioning the women who also serve. My apologies to them. My mind was on the men who fell. I enjoyed your post…🙋🏻
Straight from the heart Cara. We’ll done.
Thank you, Caro. ❤️🙋🏻
Agree,on a visit to NYC several yrs ago we walked by a firehouse on 9th Ave that had a memorial wall dedicated to the firefighters who were lost on 911. May we never forget that horrible day.
Hi Chuck. Among the hundreds, I personally lost Fire Fighter friends numbered in the double digits that day. And so many more are still losing the battle from the related illnesses they’ve developed. It’s something you never come to grips with. I hope you had a nice Holiday, despite Loyola’s loss…Maybe next year…🙋🏻
John Madden was in NYC that day and has noted several times on his radio shows here how affected he was by the sight of police and firemen running INTO buildings that everyone else was running OUT of. Seems like that could be the very definition of courage and bravery.
Yes, totally. I’ve heard Madden say that too. It doesn’t go away. I’m still haunted by images of that day…I can’t imagine what goes through the minds of the responders…🙋🏻
I too paused at theory but had already figured out the cartoon answer so backed into it. Thanks for the information about the flag on the firefighter’s arm. I did not know that fact so am proud to have learned something new today. I too have great respect for fire fighters and the most difficult job they do. If you have visited San Francisco you have probably been directed to Coit Tower onTelegraph Hill. In the 1800’s we had a local character named Lily Hitchcock Coit who was so fascinated with firefighters that she followed them to fires and eventually had her own fire helmet. When she died she left a bequest to honor these heroes. There is a lovely statue of firefighter’s carrying a woman to safety in our Washington Park and of course Coit Tower which does resemble the nozzle of a fire house though we are told that is strictly coincidental. Nevertheless it does seem a fitting tribute. Hey, Angela, I haven’t heard of La Pasquetta. I think you East Coast Italians have more celebrations than we West Coasters. Happy Monday everyone.
Hey Betty. We do like a good celebration! TBT, I don’t know if everyone here holds to all the old customs. My family raised us steeped in the tradition, and I don’t want the ones coming up to not know the richness of the culture. I try to keep them all going as best as I can. Any excuse to eat, drink and be merry, and at the same time keep the flame alive…But in Italy today they really pull out all the stops. It’s a national holiday. No work, no school, and you don’t have to go to Church, so it’s just time at the beach or in the country relaxing, playing games, barbecuing and eating. Always the eating! …And the wine…Lots of wine! 😉 I intend to do my part there, too! I hope you had a good Easter…Have a great day! 🍝🍷🙋🏻
Hey Betty. I got a chance to read up on Lily. She was definitely way before her time, wasn’t she? Fascinating woman. I had never heard of her, so I appreciate your sharing. Hope you’re enjoying your night…🙋🏻
Hi all – Yes, THEORY took an extra look but the rest was easy.
There were so many kittens and they were so high up, they should have charged her a “CAT-ASTRO FEE.”
‘Til Tuesday, be well.
🙌🏻..,but 🤦🏻♀️!