Jumble Spoiler – 05/18/17

Visual Description:  Burgeoning breadbasket.

CUONE  =  OUNCE,  YUPPP  =  PUPPY,  OMTTSU  =  UTMOST,  RIGLEB  =  GERBIL   —   Giving us:  NCPPPOUGRI

Clue/Question:  In the 1880s, farms in the Midwest were – – –

Answer:  CROPPING UP

(They made the nation what it is today!  A well fed nation is a strong nation.  But, too much of a good thing can result in a fat and lazy nation.  The U.S. has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world, and the majority of the farm labor these days comes from less than legal immigrants.  Too many Americans think that they are too good for menial labor.  And, that seems to go hand in hand with a growing and disturbing sense of entitlement.  Sweat labor is good for the soul.  It builds character, and gives you both perspective and empathy.  I believe our country would benefit from a national program of mandatory service, for our high school graduates.  They would have the option of one of the branches of our military, or the Peace Corps, or AmeriCorps, or Habitat for Humanity.  Things of this nature.  They would earn a combination of funding for college, and/or college credits, and they would gain a truer sense of work and sacrifice.  So, vote for Uncle Rave, and I will make this happen!  LOL!

All of today’s clue words are old favorites, but all of the jumbles came up as new.  I almost had to back into “utmost”, but it finally came to me after solving “gerbil”, which also wasn’t a gimme.  The answer letter layout was a wonderful jumble, but I think the crowding of the Ps made getting the answer easier, for me.  Great cartoon.  Corn and potatoes.  Talk about your staples.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR