NASTL = SLANT
RUFTI = FRUIT
MOABOB = BAMBOO
TELVEV = VELVET
CARTOON ANSWER:
AFTER SPECIALIZING IN MINIATURE SCULPTURES, WILLARD WIGAN MADE A – – –
SLNFRUAMOLET = SMALL FORTUNE
Happy Tuesday, Jumble players! All of the clue words that we see today are old favorites. A couple of them haven’t been used in quite some time which gave me the feeling that they were new. The oldest of the group (and the most troublesome one for me this morning) was BAMBOO. Last seen on 4/27/15, it was jumbled as BOMOAB. Although FRUIT wasn’t any trouble at all, it’s the second oldest of our quartet making its last appearance on 5/18/16.
The setting for today’s cartoon at first appeared to be a laboratory where two men were focusing their attention on a small needle. Upon reading the dialogue and sentence I learned that I was only partially correct and discovered that we’re actually in an artist’s studio looking at some very tiny art.
The artist, Willard Wigan, is the gentleman that we see on the right side of the panel. Mr. Wigan is known for his microscopic art that is typically placed in the eye of a needle or on the head of a pin. These sculptures are usually so small that they can only be viewed under a microscope. If you have some free time, do yourself a favor and Google his name and you’ll see some of his very best pieces.
There were a couple of details in the cartoon that caught my attention. One of them was so small that it felt as though Jeff had added it after being inspired by Wigans work. The piece of paper that the man on the left is holding is a check and the payee line has Willard written on it in the tiniest writing! Although the dollar box is partially obscured from view by the characters pinky finger, there are three zeros visible making this tiny piece of art worth a lot of dough. The other interesting addition was the drawing on the wall. It appears to be some type of castle made out of rectangles, triangles and circles. I was unable to identify the artist after only a few minutes of searching so perhaps this is a Knurek masterpiece! If you have any insight as to what it could be, please be sure to leave a comment below.
The anagram for the final solution was wonderfully cryptic and didn’t give anything away. All of the information that I read about Mr. Wigan coupled with the details I had observed in the cartoon gave me the answer instantly making for a mighty quick solve. Have a terrific Tuesday, and I’ll see you tomorrow!
Jumble Answers 
🎶It’s a world of laughter…A world of tears, It’s a world of hopes, and a world of fears…There’s so much that we share, that’s it’s time we’re aware…It’s a SMALL world after all…It’s a SMALL world after all, It’s a SMALL world after all, It’s a SMALL world after all…It’s a SMALL, SMALL world…🎶 “It’s A Small World” – Richard Sherman & Robert Sherman – 1964
🔬 I know of Willard Wigan, read of him years ago,
The tiny FRUITS of labor he creates are quite a show.
His SLANT on things unique for sure, his outlook not like ours,
Creations of his, done with hairs…they take him many hours.
The eyes of needles, heads of pins, a slight wisp of BAMBOO…
Through microscopes they come alive, are seen by me and you.
I’m not sure about VELVET, I know he uses oils…
And flecks of diamonds here and there, he uses as he toils.
His story’s quite remarkable, and accolades he’s won…
He’s gone on to amass what is…a definite SMALL FORTUNE! 🔬
Knowing who WILLARD WIGAN is, I let out a LITTLE laugh as the answer to our puzzle came immediately to mind…Then turning an EYE to our words, I found them all to be Sweet Repeats. Sometimes, LOOKing for these words is like LOOKing for a NEEDLE in a Haystack, but we try…Anyway, I easily PINned down our words, and turned back to our cartoon…Today Jeff brings us to the Studio of WILLARD WIGAN, the self-described “MICRO-MINIATURIST”, whose WORK just happens to be on exhibit now in the UK. He’s the MBE British Sculptor who is famous for his MICROSCOPIC ART, usually formed within the EYE of a NEEDLE, atop the HEAD of a PIN, on a GRAIN of SAND, or on the TIP of an EYELASH. He’s seen with a man who’s come to purchase his ART, and we can see the man’s left hand touching upon a MICROSCOPE, telling us that he’s just VIEWED a piece. WIGAN’s creations have sold for millions of dollars…giving all new meaning to…it’s The LITTLE THINGS in life that COUNT! And just to offer a LITTLE background here: WIGAN was ridiculed as a child, by both his classmates and his teachers because he suffered from dyslexia. Often running off and hiding in a LITTLE shed in a park, one day he began staring at a bunch of TINY ants. He became so obsessed with them, that he started making them houses, and furniture and clothing…To make a long story SHORT, it was the beginning of this unique, mind-boggling career. His story is truly an interesting one, and as I’ve advised before, should you want to know more about him, you can find a world of information on-line. But, I will share one more LITTLE item…About 12 or so years ago, while sculpting the cast of Alice in Wonderland, he left Alice for last. And just as he was about to place her alongside the others, he took a breath…and inhaled her! Along with some of the other characters! I don’t NOSE about you…but that BIT of information, really BLEW ME AWAY! Anyway, our question asks…What did WIGAN make? Millions of dollars? With TINY things??…He made…a SMALL FORTUNE! Yes, he did, David…and you’ve PINned down another good one!
Ok, eye candy…I was surprised to NOT SEE any tattoos drawn on WIGAN, since I’m pretty sure I’ve read that he has inked ART WORK on his body. He’s holding a trademark NEEDLE, emphasizing to his buyer the ART WORK within…but EYE mentioned that already…And there’s a drawing on the wall that appears to be a Castle with a Smiley Face. I tried to EYEdentify it, but I couldn’t put my FINGER on it. It might possibly be Disney’s SMALL WORLD attraction, but that could just be my way of LOOKING AT IT. So I’m going to go with what really CAUGHT MY EYE…The patron’s holding a check, that’s half VISIBLE. And if you LOOK real CLOSELY, on the endorSEE line? You can actually SEE the name WILLARD! Now how’s that for MINUTE ABSOLUTE? Major Kudos, Jeff! That one really PAID off! So, There you have it Folks, Done! Have a great day, Everyone…And always remember: In Life…A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY! 🎶Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the SAND…And now she’s in me, always with me, TINY Dancer IN MY HAND..🎶 🔬🙋🏻
Being on the road awaiting my accordion adventure, which starts tomorrow,meant an early online look at the puzzle,so early I beat your posts.Bamboo looked like baboom to me but alas bamboo came into view.The puzzle,with what seemed to be too many consonants,was problematic, but small and fortune came to mind,and mission was soon accomplished.
Good morning, Chuck! I too saw BABOOM and almost went with it. It just didn’t look right so I kept thinking about it for a bit longer. I finally found BOO which brought BAM finally into view.
All my best on your accordion adventure! I hope you share some details from the trip when you return. 😎
Good Morning, Professor! The 🎶Traveling Man🎶! Tomorrow? How exciting! Are you ready? I don’t want you FOLDING up there!😉 I wish you the Best of Luck, Sir! And I hope it all goes ACCORDION to plan! Enjoy! 🔬🙋🏻
Mike…I’m out the door, I threw mine up, I’ll be back in a LITTLE while…😉
That castle had me perplexed and and I took a TINY bit longer than usual. Have a wonderful morning. 🙂
Good Morning, Mike! Phew! One of those mornings…In the midst of an on-line conversation that was turning DARK, …STROKE of Luck! I got an offer of a ride to the store. I’m doing Jambalaya tonight, and I’d rather pick out my own fish! I’m a seafood snob! LOL…In my rush, I left my glasses, so I couldn’t even read your post…But since I know the send button by hART, I just posted. Now I’m laughing because we LOOK like REPRODUCTIONS of one another! Good EYE, 👏🏻 fellow ART SOLVER…I mean LOVER! 😉 And I just took a shot with the Castle…Once again, without Jeff shedding some LIGHT, it’s another one of those NEEDLES in the Haystack! Wishing you a wonderful day, Mike! Enjoy! 🔬🙋🏻
I’VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THAT CASTLE ALL MORNING AND IT’S DRIVING ME BONKERS! Sorry to shout but it’s my frustration boiling over. 😉
Jambalaya sounds fantastic and I applaud your seafood protocol! Enjoy the day!
Mike…Calm down! No need to get so dishARTened! I think we’re both just a TINY BIT nuts! 😉Let’s direct the SHOUTING where it’ll do the most good…Towards Jeff! Jeff? A LITTLE help HAIR, please? Thank you! ..And as for my Jambalaya…I’m sooo picky! And besides, last time I wasn’t too crazy about the SHRIMPS Lou brought home..!!! 😂😂😂 Hang in there, Bud.. I’m sure we’ll get to the BOTTOM of things! 🔬🙋🏻
That’s my problem. I love discovering these gems on my own without help. I’m about ready to throw in the towel though. If it’s a Knurek original masterpiece then all of this searching was for nothing! 😉
I enjoy the quest too, but sometimes a cigar is just a cigar! 😉 But I do agree, the not knowing is frustrating. And we do know that Jeff has a method to his madness! Oh it symbolizes something alright..but unless we get a clue? 😉 We could be googling all day, and not find the TINIEST bit of information…I’m throwing in the TROWEL…I got bigger FISH to fry! I mean sauté! 😂🙋🏻
It’s a world of laughter,
A world of tears.
It’s a world of hopes,
And a world of fears.
There’s so much that we share,
That it’s time we’re aware,
It’s a small world after all.
….So, does this mean I win the 2 tickets to Disney World? Or are you offering to do a duet with me? I’ll settle for either or, really! 😂 Good Morning, Hoosier Man! Am I right, then? Is this one of those Cryptic messages everyone speaks about? ..🎶There is just one moon and one golden sun…And a smile means friendship to everyone…Though the mountains divide, and the oceans are wide…It’s a small world after all…🎶 Tip of the cap, Jeff! Here’s to Disney, and you! 🍷🙋🏻
Mystery solved! 🙂
The BAMBOO shoots growing on the SLANT in the mountains of Luzon have a FRUIT which feels like VELVET.
Mike–thanks for all the background on the micro-artist in the cartoon. He is one of the people who somehow escaped my notice and I am happy to be introduced to him through Jumble. Your focusing in on the “micro-scoptic” details, e.g. the check , which I didn’t even see, is amazing.
Thank you.
Angela—again a song which is new to me but spot on and the Shermans should be familiar to me but I am in the dark. Help???
Your poem this Tuesday is teasingly, tauntingly transparently a throw-back to Emily D—-at least in my mind–“wisps” and “flecks”and “eyes of the needles” I have to do some Dickinson research to see if I am truly on to something, but in my mind you sewed it up just right.
You and Mike seem to be able to pick out those details which I tend to miss thanks to you and your keen eye.
Have a soupy day if you venture out in the east.
The details are my favorite part of the Jumble, Earl!
Your sentence amazed me as I had no idea how you were going to use those words. I figured BAMBOO would be paired with SLANT but FRUIT and VELVET had me clueless. Thanks for brightening up my morning. 🙂
Good Morning, Earl…I’m so sorry. I’m answering these from the emails alone, and I haven’t looked at the blog page itself. Your email was in my Junk folder. Lately, random mail is ending up there, IDK why. And here I’ve had the light on for you since y’day when you said you’d be back! 😂😂 I find your offering today, once again brilliant! Luzon, indeed! 👏🏻 But I think you’re going to LOL when you hear today’s song, Earl…I doubt very much that you’ve never heard it before! I truly believe most of America has listened to it (ad nauseam) at one time or another! It’s sometimes hard to get away from! Actually, it’s been described as “The most played, most translated, and most hair-pullingly-catchy tune on Earth”! I swear! LOL..It’s an adorable tune, but…😉 As for the authors, they’re two brothers who worked for Disney and composed most of it’s movie music. Robert died in 2012, but Richard is still around, having just turned 90. The Shout Out, I thank you…But my Poem? I truly thank you for your comparing me to Emily Dickinson. It’s very humbling, and wayyyy too kind. ❤️ I should be so lucky! And your alliteration, once again thrills the bejesus out of me! You so know how I love alliteration…The “tauntingly” alone has my head reeling! Thanks again, Earl, so much…And soupy says it all…I’m choking down here! I wish you a wonderful day, Kind Sir! 🔬🙋🏻
A blind solve and was only briefly BAMBOOzled on the clue words.
Hi, John! I’m glad you mentioned BAMBOOZLED because I found it as a surprise answer to 01/28/17’s puzzle. It was too obscure so I passed on using it in my write-up. Have a great day, my friend! 😎👍🏻
Good morning. Nice job Mike and Angela. Some interesting facts and the song choice was perfect. One of my fondest memories was going to Disney World with my son,daughterinlaw and two small grand daughters. The youngest one was born on 911 that year. Every time I hear that song I thing of us going in the boat while the music played. Had no problem with the words but gave up on the cartoon answer. Even with the Claritin-D I’m still under the weather. Gave up trying to read my book a week ago because my eyes water to much. I’m finally going to the doctor with a late appointment. I should have done that last Thursday and not wasted a week of just lying around doing nothing. Until tomorrow stay well
Hello, Paul! I didn’t know that your allergies were causing you so much trouble. I hope your Doctor can come up with a solution to make things better for you. As I mentioned, the letter layout was very cryptic and easily the best one we’ve seen in over a week. If I hadn’t done so much reading on the artist, I probably would have been stumped for a lot longer. Thanks for checking in and please let us know how your appointment goes. All my best! 🙂
Good Morning, Brooklyn…You’re doing the right thing…Sure, you probably should have gone sooner, but no use crying over spilt milk! You’re doing enough with those watery EYES as it is! 😉 Thanks for the Shout Out, Bud, you’re a doll! 😘 And tell the truth…Isn’t that song CLOGGING up your head now worse than the pollen? I cant get it to stop!!! 😉 Good Luck with the Appt…I’m sure you’ll be fine…I’m saying a prayer for ya! Let us know how you make out…Ciao, Bello! 🤕🙋🏻
Mike, a baseball oddity – The A’s hit for the cycle of home runs at Texas last night: Solo shot, 2-run, 3-run and Grand Slam. They must like those gametime temperatures of 99°, predicted to steadily rise to 105° on Thursday.
I’m surprised I didn’t hear about that, Steve! That’s awesome!!! Did you watch the game?
Dennis Eckersley often fills in on the NESN broadcasts when Remy is out and he was back in Oakland on Sunday celebrating the ‘89 World Series Championship. It was cool to see a picture of him with his A’s Jersey on!
I read an article last night about how Californians are being asked to conserve energy during this heat wave. They said to turn the A/C up to 78 degrees and not use major appliances between 5-9pm. YIKES!!!😳
Three words came easily, but I had to guess “small” to back into BAMBOO. That gave me the letter o and enough to find “fortune.”
I never heard of the artist or art of that size. Thanks for all the info. Just yesterday I saw some art made of dryer lint.
Lelia, I hope you, Jerry and family are making out OK in the intense heat.
Dryer lint?! Now that’s something I’ve got to see. Thanks, Caroline! 🙂
Easy time of it today . Thanks for all the information, Mike. Your little pearls of information are great. I always look forward to your analysis and learn something. I just heard the weather report and I, too, hope you and yours are okay in the intense heat predicted in Arizona, Leila. Have a good Tuesday everyone.
My pleasure, Betty!!! 😊😊😊
We figured it was small fortune but we discounted it because we had no “O” The circles in Baboon were 2,3,6, thereby giving the letters A,B,N. How did everyone else get an “O”?
Hi, Elaine! The word was BAMBOO, not BABOON. 🙂
Thank you. As an elderly citizen, it has become frustrating to go through the remainder of my life as a moron. After several tries to unscramble the word, using my “M’, I suddenly saw the word “baboon” and my “M” had mysteriously become an “N.” Anything to make it fit, right? One might have thought I could have figured it out prior to publicly humiliating myself but thanks for solving my problem.
Elaine..Please don’t ever say that. There’s no such thing as humiliation here..nor judgement of any kind. Our eyes play tricks on us, regardless of age…And a moron, so to speak, could never tackle puzzles of this kind to begin with…You want to talk “making it fit”? There’s a relative of a relative of mine, that insists one can put two letters into one box while doing a X-word puzzle, “if it’ll make it fit”!!!! Poor little pitiful thing..as my Southern friends might say! And as for “elderly”? We become elderly when we STOP asking questions…Until then? You’re as young as you feel! Please drop by again….It’s been a pleasure speaking with you! Have a great night, Elaine! ❤️🙋🏻
PS: And may I add…you speak eloquently!
Dear Elaine, as a fellow “senior citizen”, please allow me to assure you that we have *all* “been there done that” and worse many times, and I for one will certainly go there and do that again. Trust me, you’re not alone! I’ve even taken a phrase for myself from one of my local newspaper columnists, “Dead Wrong in Public.” I hope we see you again here.
…And some of us have “been there, done that, and gotten berated over it too”! 😉 And that’s where the “Every knock is a boost” comes in! …It’s just a game. Enjoy, Grasshopper..Enjoy, Elaine! 🙋🏻
Breaker…Breaker…Better late than never,,,Sorry! 🙋🏻
Hi, Angela! 👋🏻
Hi,Breaker!!! 😂😂! JK!
Email..✔️ Name printing ✔️ Normalcy…Priceless!! 👍🏻🙋🏻
Misspelled the Breaker to see if the Editting was working…✔️. 👍🏻🙋🏻
Test reply to Angela on the main page – yes, I don’t see the later comments I made to John or Caroline.
Breaker…Breaker…Me either…Casualties of war? …Hello? Breaker??? You there? 😂😂
I just notice the quirks, I don’t cause or correct them! At least it seems all ok now…😵🙋🏻
Hi, Mike et al! Solved the words quickly with no writing except for BAMBOO, which I had to write 3 different ways before I saw it. After writing the circled letters, SMALL jumped right out, followed by FORTUNE.
I won’t be cruising in Bermuda for my birthday on July 31, but the parties will begin this Thursday with both daughters taking me to The Old Spaghetti Factory for my fav dish called the Manager’s Favorite. It is a plate full of spaghetti with half being covered with a rich red meat sauce and the other half with white clam sauce. Yum!
I posted this before lunch my time, but now it is gone. I also posted to Caroline and Betty and both of those are gone. I will try posting them together to Caroline and Betty.
Caroline and Betty, thanks for your well wishes to Jerry & me on surviving the heat. We have 2 different stories because Jerry keeps our thermostat on 78, which is almost cool enough for him to be comfortable in the house, however he does come in sopping wet with sweat after feeding the birds or getting the mail and sits under a ceiling fan while groaning & mumbling about the heat.
I am so cold at 78 degrees that I wear a long sleeved top in the house, which also prepares me to go outside with no sun on my arms, which are very prone to skin cancer. I enjoy feeling warm when I bring in the mail or get into my car in the garage, but I turn the air conditioning on before backing out into the intense heat. At the store I put a sunshade over the windshield that keeps the inside of my car many degrees cooler while I shop, and I turn the car & air conditioning on before getting back into my car after shopping.
Sorry about the earlier posts being deleted, Lelia. There was a technical problem and a few of them from this afternoon were accidentally erased. All is fixed now so it’s business as usual.
I’m glad to hear you’re staying cool in those temperatures. I wish we had some snow left that I could send Jerry! 😉
Lelia, thanks for reposting and explaining how you and Jerry deal with the heat.