LZWTA – WALTZ
COIVE – VOICE
NHIYNW – WHINNY
DLIMAS – DISMAL
CARTOON ANSWER: THE CARPENTER WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE STAIRS SQUEAKED BUT COULDN’T – – –
WAT OI NN DIL = NAIL IT DOWN
Good Morning, Everyone! 🏃🏻A Hop, a TRIP and a Jump!🏃🏻
🎶If I had a HAMMER, I’d HAMMER in the morning…I’d HAMMER in the evening all over this land…I’d HAMMER out danger, I’d HAMMER out a warning…I’d HAMMER out love between my brother and my sisters…all over this land…🎶 “If I Had a Hammer” – Peter, Paul and Mary 1963
🏃🏻 He’s done a WALTZ around this step since 2009,
And it still gets its share of laughs each and every time…
The man, in case you don’t know from Modern Family,
Is one of the great comic actors…playing Phil Dunphy.
His VOICE alone has made me laugh, his cadence always right,
It’s nothing like a WHINNY sound, Phil reigns on Wednesday nights…
And what could have been DISMAL, a broken step to bear…
Instead became a running gag that’s lasted all these years.
And Ty Burrell enables one to never wear a frown…
The role he plays Phil Dunphy? We’ve seen him NAIL IT DOWN! 🏃🏻
Today’s puzzle offers up all old favorites, with only VOICE having a repeat anagram. WHINNY is a fairly new word, having made its first appearance on 11/11/18. In fact, today we have a little Jumble quirk as I like to reference it. All four words were not only last seen in 2018, they also ran consecutively from September thru December. And while none of them were terribly challenging, a few of the Early Birders did have the slightest blink at DISMAL.
I’m going to STEP forward, and say that our cartoon today brings us into the home of Claire and Phil Dunphy, part of the wonderfully talented cast of TV’s Modern Family. Not only does our character look like Phil, (played to perfection by the master of comic timing, Ty Burrell), who I FELL for immediately, but ever since the show began, back in 2009, there’s been a running gag with that broken STEP. And no matter how many times we see Phil trip on the way up, and say, “Gotta fix that STEP“, and Claire for some reason trip on the way down, it’s still hysSTAIRical. And since Jeff is a big fan of Phil’s, and despite our question referring to a “squeaky” STEP, not a broken one, I’m still STANDING by my belief that Jeff just left it up to us to PHIL in the blanks! So, with our Carpenter holding a hammer? He just couldn’t…NAIL IT DOWN! Good one, David! You’ve STEPped UP once again..,
Eye candy? Besides the Carpenters cap, with its crossed Hammer and Saw, and the Tell-Tale NAIL behind his ear, there’s the picture frames hanging on the wall, just like in the Dunphy home. The one at left, is of the entire Dunphy clan, Phil with Claire in the background, and the three Dunphy children at front: Haley, Luke, and Alex, who looks to be holding an iPad, (which she is often seen with on camera). And the photo at right, of Phil, pictures him as a Cheerleader, which he was while in College. And in a cute little detail, if you look real closely, on the STEP Phil’s touching upon, you can see two NAIL HEADS from the former repair. Nice detail, Jeff. But I’m going to STEP it up a bit, and make today’s eye candy a spoken one. The Carpenter saying...”I could have sworn I fixed it”....Phil DID fix the step early on, but after an Earthquake hit in 2010, it broke again…and it’s remained broken ever since, even as Modern Family sadly enters its’ final season…So, There you have it Folks, Done! Have a great day, Everyone…and I don’t know about you, but when I think about saying goodbye to Modern Family, and Phil?…I keep hearing 🎶The STAIRS of a Clown🎶 playing in my head…Even though Phil’s afraid of Clowns! 🏃🏻🙋🏻
Jumble Answers 
First foray of the day;
Every step I take is a graceful WALTZ
Humming to my inner VOICE may seem like schmaltz,
But nay, it sounds not dismal,
More like a squeak or abysmally tinny
Or as my wife might add
“more like a whinny”
As I continue to attune my sound
Hopefully some day to NAIL IT DOWN
Good Morning, Jim. Yes, first foray is right! I see your mind is fast at work already this morning…Bravo, Sir! 👏🏻👏🏻I applaud your whimsy! And I always enjoy it! Especially on a dark, DISMAL rainy morning such as this! And I hope your sunshiny attitude continues throughout the day! 🌞🙋🏻
A good day it is already. Up and out awaiting my annual Easter haircut with much else to accomplish. Was waiting to see if you caught my play with the word nay and whinny which also connotes a neighing horse. Nevertheless I look forward to the weekend as it provides needed down time and a chance to read your witty and playful approach to the world of Jumble
LOL! You’re turning this DISMAL day around for me! Yes, I definitely picked up on the WHINNY, but just figured it was in keeping with the puzzles words. But…NEIGH! The “nay” got passed me. So sorry…And it was a good one, too! A Kudos was definitely in order…so I’ll offer it now…Kudos, Jim! 😉 I smiled at your “annual Easter haircut”, I’m not sure if you’re pulling my leg or not. But it did put me in mind of my Mother ❤️💔, Buon Anima, taking us for our Easter shoes each year, early on Holy Thursday mornings. Funny how the mind works…Ah, life…And as for my wit and playfulness? Thank you very much for saying. There’s so much to be sad about today, in this crazy world we live in…I try to lighten the mood whenever I can. It’s so much more fun…and besides…I’d rather have the laugh lines than the frown ones! Have a great day, Jim…As I said, you’re helping mine to be one! 🙋🏻
Good morning. I was stuck on DISMAL and went to the cartoon and after looking at the letters I had so far,I was able to get that answer fairly quick. Knowing the three letters I needed the last word appeared. All this without even taking my V-8. Terrific job Angela, your song choice was nailed spot on. Enjoyed your use of the words. I do not watch that show so I was not privy to all your information. Until tomorrow stay well.
Good Morning, Brooklyn…With all this DISMAL weather, you’re such a ray of sunshine! So I NAILED it spot on, huh? 😉 Thank you, Bud, good one! 👏🏻 Yes, DISMAL does seem to be a bit of a stickler this morning. But I’m glad you stuck it out and got the solve. You deserve that V-8′ Thanks for the Shout Out, as soon as I saw the Carpenter with that Hammer, I was done for…and that’s a song I haven’t heard in years. Funny how the passing of time hasn’t diminished it’s meaning though, right? It suits our present day world just as much as it did back then. And if you ever find yourself looking for something to split your sides, try watching the show. The innuendo and use of puns has made it one of the funniest, most intelligently written sitcoms I’ve ever seen. You won’t be sorry. I hope you used the video link I’ve included referencing the step. I laughed out loud, even though I’ve seen every episode over the years….Thanks again, Brooklyn, and I hope you’re staying out of the rain! 🔨🙋🏻
Chuck…I haven’t seen you the last few days, and I hope you’re well. But just in case you choose to return to us today, I’m ready for you! 😉 Here you go….💃🏻🙋🏻
° Trying to teach the WALTZ, to the group of rather DISMAL dancers, his VOICE took on a WHINNY sound, from repeating over and over the steps they needed to perfect in order to NAIL IT DOWN…
💃🏻 He wasn’t one to do a WALTZ, his manner somewhat gruff,
His VOICE alone could make one wince, he did appear quite rough.
His DISMAL outlook towards most things left much to be desired,
He really didn’t have the skills that genteel life required…
But he wanted so badly to prove he was no goon,
These WHINNY sounding, pompous folks…he’d definitely change their tune…
So practice he did constantly, albeit with a frown…
But it paid off when finally he learned to NAIL IT DOWN 💃🏻
Good morning, Angela. No matter how DISMAL the old nag felt, when she heard the farmer’s VOICE, she would always WHINNY and WALTZ around in her stall like a young Colt.
Good Morning, Chuck. Glad to see you’re well. This sentence is masterful! As you can see where I mentioned to Jim, throughout it all, my mind never went to horses, which probably should have been an obvious choice. But did I lean that way? NEIGH, I didn’t! 😂 I was so in STEP with concentrating on the dancing angle alone…I love the imagery with the nag WALTZing! It’s brilliant, really. Kudos, Chuck! 👏🏻👏🏻 Very well done…And of course, me being me, I automatically thought of this song, and went looking. .I hope it’s not a little too risque, especially with today being a solemn day, but I feel it’s all in fun.(although I sure don’t remember learning the song this way)! 😂 And anyway, how adorable is this man? His blushing and infectious giggle at around 2:18 is so endearing…I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Have a great day, Chuck! 🐴🙋🏻
https://tinyurl.com/y2s8z9rl
He looks a bit like a character from Hee Haw, Angela! Thanks for the morning pickerupper. May your day turn to bright sunshine..
LOL! Did you listen to the whole thing? I definitely don’t remember those lyrics! 😂 So cute! And he’s a real Cutie Patootie, that’s for sure! I’m glad it gave you a little lift! As for my day, it’s just always so hectic near the Holidays. But the atmosphere here, is definitely making it a better one..Mood wise anyway. Weather wise? ..it’s pouring rain…There goes the kid’s outdoor Easter 🐣 Egg Hunt…it’ll have to be indoors…where all the parents are relaxing with their Mimosas! 😂😂 Have a good one, Chuck! 🐰🙋🏻
It’s Monday again in America! Easy Peasy
Good Morning, Clay. LOL! Yes, it is….Easy, breezy! And you, Sir, may just be stuck in Groundhog Day! Good to see you, Clay…Hope you have a great day! 🏃🏻🙋🏻
What I remember about the Old Gray Mare, Angela, was at old Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, when the opposing team had to bring in a new pitcher, the organist would blast a few bars of same over the loud speakers. Does anybody else recall this???
I don’t know how far you’re going back, but I can’t say for sure that I remember that in particular, Chuck…Although now that you mention it, it does kind of ring a bell in relation to baseball. I think I know it from kids cartoons. I’m not even sure if that’s it either. It just automatically popped into my head. But I’m sure someone out there must have the same recollection as you…🤔🙋🏻
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Hi all – We saw MISLAID recently, so I tried the MIS as a prefix on the fourth word before seeing DISMAL. I thought the answer would be TRACK IT DOWN, like the track on a stair, but writing the letters gave the correct version. I like the perspective in the cartoon!
Never seen Modern Family, so thanks for the insights, Angela.
Also funny about your song, because I just saw Peter Paul and Mary’s third album at the thrift store the other day, and it reminded me that that was the only album I ever bought on commercial home reel-to-reel tape (Ancient History)!
If Phil does trip on the “stairs of a clown”, he’ll definitely be crying Pagliacci’s tears.
Have a great Saturday, everyone!
“His owner asked the one-trick pony to add a WALTZ to his act, but, unable to NAIL IT DOWN, he could only VOICE a DISMAL WHINNY.”
Hey G…I swear…you have no idea what you’ve been missing not watching this show. The puns alone are worth it’s weight in gold. There’s a few episodes that I’ve watched over and over, just because of how much good material I was able to glean from them. And the innuendo is off the charts. I literally LOL..And there’s also a lot of looking and speaking into the camera, that’s genius. The writing is absolutely amazing… Funny too that you mention the album. I have some old reel-to-reels too, up in the attic, (with the contraption to play them on), that were my brothers. I really have no idea why we kept them…😂 Nice sentence…👏🏻👏🏻 Kudos! So the owner and the horse actually converse? And he can PONY UP an answer??? 😂😂 Have a good one, Steve. And I hope you can PHIL up some of your time by watching the show…😉🙋🏻
I should have said it was Mr. Ed! 😂🙋🏻♂️
LOL! Yes, I thought of Mr Ed too! 🙋🏻
Isn’t it strange that the Carpenters never recorded the song “If I Had a Hammer”.. Or did they?
LOL! Now this is starting to get eerie!😂 Every time I typed Carpenter this morning, I thought of them…But no, to the best of my knowledge they never recorded the song…🙋🏻
They were too busy building a Stairway to Heaven, instead of buying one.
Don’t you think it’s unusual that the word “dismal“ clue actually started with a D. Don’t think I’ve ever seen the clue letters start with the same letter as the actual answer word!
Hi Gary. I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure…Nice to meet you. Good catch, but I do think it happens on occasion. I’ve never really given it much thought, though. Ironically, (or is it coincidentally? I always seem to confuse the two) DISMAL itself appeared back on 12/27/16, and it was anagrammed as: DASILM. But now, you’ve given me food for thought. Well, it’s definitely not happening today, I’m juggling as it is, but you’ve brought up an interesting point. Maybe if time allows, I’ll look into it one day…You’ve piqued my interest! Thanks for commenting, and I hope you’ll do so again. Here’s to a great day! 🍷🙋🏻