Rest In Peace, Joe Cocker.

Joe Cocker performing at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, FL. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Joe cocker performing; 16th October 1980 National Stadium, Dublin He does look happy, he was drunk as a skunk but gave an amazing performance to a half full venue. Photo: Eddie Mallin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The great British Rocker/Soul Singer passed away today, after a hard fought battle with small cell lung cancer.  Known best early on for his great cover versions, he went on to have huge hits with “You Are So Beautiful“, and “Up Where We Belong“.  His distinctive gravelly voice, with a range from a full growl to a sweet, sweet gentleness, made him instantly identifiable and wildly popular.  He helped a generation get by . . . “With a Little Help From My Friends“.  He will be missed, and will long be remembered.  Joe Cocker was 70.   —   YUR

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Cryptoquote Spoiler – 12/22/14

Charles Dudley Warner (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value.”   —   Charles Dudley Warner

(Lost on far too many people these days.  One of the things I really like about the Cryptoquote is that it introduces me to writers who I’d previously never heard.  This man led a very interesting life, and was friends with Mark Twain.  And yes, Art.  I was able to figure out the name today without having to look him up.  There weren’t any other Ds or Ws in the quote, but they just seemed to be the most logical letters.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

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Jumble Spoiler – 12/22/14

The Mona Lisa (or La Joconde, La Gioconda). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Visual Description:  Jeff’s Bohemian days!

KEEOV  =  EVOKE,  YORNA  =  RAYON,  YENOLF  =  FELONY,  REMHIT  =  HERMIT   —   Giving us:  ERAFNIT

Clue/Question:  Business was good, but the policeman only wanted to – – – 

Fine Arts at Unmaad Oct 2009. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Answer:  FINE ART

(Now, this is a great pun!  Not a lot of Fine Arts majors become cops, I bet.  After banking, I looked into it, but by then I was too old.  The wife would’ve crapped a brick anyway.  She didn’t even want me to be a guard at the county jail, or even be a limo driver.  Oh, well.  No new clue words today!  We did have a few new jumbles though.  Only the one for “evoke” had already been used, by my records.  The answer letter layout pretty good, for only seven letters.  The cartoon is fun.  I like the glasses on the Mona Lisa!  And, the pot-belly on the cop.  Fun for Monday!  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

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Sunday Jumble Spoiler – 12/21/14

A juvenile giraffe (giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi), 8–9 feet (2.4–2.7 m) tall, eating leaves. Pictured in Tanzania in a zoo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Visual Description:  Faithful friends, who are dear to us, gather near to us . . . once more.

TORFUH  =  FOURTH,  OZABEG  =  GAZEBO,  CUBASA  =  ABACUS,  KAYWLE  =  WEAKLY,  NURADO  =  AROUND,  CEXTIO  =  EXOTIC   —   Giving us:  FHEOCSWKONDEOT

Clue/Question:  The zebras stopped by to visit the giraffes when they were in the giraffe’s – – – 

Français : Stavo__est_kenya__47.jpg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Answer:  NECK OF THE WOODS

(Not a real stumper, answer-wise, but it was a good stinky pun!  We actually had a new clue word, in “weakly”.  Apparently, we’ve had WEAKEN and WEEKLY, but this is our first “weakly”.  ralis95 has a little work to do with his clue word database.  It looks like there were a few new jumbles too.  I liked the ones for “fourth” and “gazebo” . . . and “around”.  The answer letter layout was great.  Very cryptic.  It’s just that the answer was pretty darn obvious.  Great nature scene cartoon.  Straight outta National Geographic!  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR 

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Sunday Cryptoquote Spoiler – 12/21/14

English: Illustration of the mental process called “transcendence” during the practice of Transcendental Meditation Français : Illustration du processus mental dit de « transcendance » dans la pratique de la Méditation Transcendantale Español: Ilustración del proceso mental llamado “trascendencia ” en la práctica de la Meditación Trascendental Deutsch: Illustration der geistigen Prozess namens “Transzendenz” während der Ausübung der Transzendentale Meditation (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“My son has taken up meditation – at least it’s better than sitting down doing nothing.”   —   Max Kauffmann

(I wonder if ol’ Max would make the same crack about somebody praying?  Some people never want to leave their comfort zone.  Expand your horizons, folks.  There’s a big world out there.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

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