Cryptoquote Spoiler – 01/18/18

“Treasure the love you receive above all.  It will survive long after your good health has vanished.”   —   Og Mandino

(And, realizing/appreciating that love will keep you going longer.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Image courtesy of Google

Jumble Spoiler – 01/18/18

Visual Description:  Putt-putt putting?

XTOCI  =  TOXIC,  RUYRH  =  HURRY,  SLUBEH  =  BUSHEL,  DUNOFE  =  FONDUE   —   Giving us:  TOIRRBSHFDE

Clue/Question:  Trying to putt with so many geese on the green was – – –

Answer:  FOR THE BIRDS

(Will you take a gander at that!  This was a slightly new take on a classic stinky Jumble pun.  But, I loved it!  Because, it’s true and topical.  Canada geese have been a problem for quite a while now, as many of them have altered their migration habits, mainly due to climate change caused by man-made global warming.   There.  Now that I’ve alienated the denying portion of my readers, let’s get on with the Jumble.

Three of today’s jumbles appear to be new, with “ruyrh” having definitely been used before.  I almost had to back into “fondue”, but it finally came to me.  Great jumble!  And, all of the clue words are old favorites today.  The answer letter layout was a wonderful jumble.  It took me a few seconds before the fairly obvious answer finally came to me.  Cute cartoon.  Canada geese are very handsome and majestic birds, but they’ve become quite a nuisance.  They’re fairly brazen, very noisy, and very messy.  Their poop is a very oily kind of poop, that doesn’t easily wash away, like other poops.  Some enterprising people make money by renting out their dogs to chase away geese from golf courses, parks, and university and corporate grounds, etc.  Usually Shelties and Border Collies, or various mixes of one or the other two smart and very quick breeds.  I used to have a Sheltie/Shepherd mix who was both rocket fast, and slippery agile.  When he would get away, as an adolescent, there was just no catching him.  At least not by me.  My one stepson, who is a gifted athlete, caught him a few times, but just a few times.  Fortunately, he knew how to come home, but sometimes it would be for a day or two.  I suspect he might have been running around with some coyotes back then.  I used to let him loose, as my wife would pull into the driveway, from about 200 yards or so.  He would get to her in about 4 – 5 seconds!  His name was Boone, and I used to call him Bullet Boonie!  He lived to be 17 1/4 years!  We probably should have put him down about 6 months to a year before he died, but my wife and daughter wouldn’t allow the conversation.  Anyway, back to the geese.  When Boone was younger, he ingratiated himself with some of my neighbors by chasing away the Canada geese on their lawns.  After being chased a few times, the geese eventually move on to safer realms.  We have Boone’s cremains on a little altar in our living room.  He was joined a few years ago by my sweet Ginger.  Sigh!  At least I have my Wally boy!  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR 

Images courtesy of Google  (The dog looks very similar to our Boone.)