Cryptoquote Spoiler – 01/08/18

“No one is perfect – that’s why pencils have erasers.”   —   Wolfgang Riebe

(I don’t know about you guys, but I ain’t buying it!  This is the kind of “quote” that each of us had heard, one time or another, from one of our grammar school teachers.  The internet loves to attribute the everyday, generic statements to some kind of “celebrity”.  And that’s a shame.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Image courtesy of Google

Jumble Spoiler – 01/08/18

Visual Description:  Doomed mega-dinghy.

GHIST  =  SIGHT,  ZAMEA  =  AMAZE,  SENLOS  =  LESSON,  CUTEKB  =  BUCKET   —   Giving us:  IHTAMAESONBET

Clue/Question:  As the cruise ship rocked, the struggling crew and passengers were – – –

Answer:  IN THE SAME BOAT

(I’ve taken only one true cruise in my life, and that was in 1988.  But, back then cruising was a bit more luxurious than it is today.  We were on the SS Rotterdam, which was part of the old Holland American Line.  The ship had style.  The ship had class.  The ship looked like a luxury liner.  Sleek, with 3 of 4 decks above the main deck, with a passenger capacity of a little over 1100.  Compare that with today’s floating skyscrapers that call themselves cruise liners.  Today’s Oasis-class cruise ships have crews of about 2100, and a passenger capacity of over 6300.  I guess the cruise industry has adopted the airlines’ mentality.  Just squeeze as many buts in as they can, to increase their bottom line.  I don’t think I want to cruise like that.  But, to each his own.

All old favorite clue words today.  There were three jumbles that appear to be new, with “senlos” having definitely been used before.  I saw the all pretty quickly.  The answer letter layout was a beautiful jumble.  Good and cryptic.  Very amusing cartoon.  I was carefully looking at the portholes, to see if there was a classic sinking sailboat out there, but no such luck.  Jeff doesn’t want to overuse them, I guess.  I liked the reference to “The Poseidon Adventure”!  Great movie from back in 1972.  Did they do a re-make???  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Images courtesy of Google