Valentine’s Day Cryptoquote – 2018

“There is never a time or place for true love.  It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.”   —   Sarah Dessen

(But, apparently there is some kind of appropriate age gap for love, from what her Wikipedia page says.  Some people forget that girls generally mature earlier than guys.  First physically, but ultimately mentally as well.  My 30 year old son acts more like a teenager still, while my 26 year old daughter is a very mature young woman.  But, Ms. Dessen is an accomplished young writer.  And, she is new to the Cryptoquote!  So, welcome, Sarah!  Happy Valentine’s Day to all of my readers!  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR 

Jumble Spoiler – 02/14/18

Visual Description:  Coffee shop courtin’.

LAYEL  =  ALLEY,  IZEES  =  SEIZE,  EBOWLB  =  WOBBLE,  COVIRT  =  VICTOR   —   Giving us:  EYSEWEVTR

Clue/Question:  When he gave her a heart-shaped sugar cookie, she thought it was – – –

Answer:  VERY SWEET

(WHAT?  A SUGAR COOKIE!  Where’s the CHOCOLATE, bub?  This is Valentine’s Day, not Christmas.  Oh, well.  It’s the thought that counts.  And, maybe she’s one of those rare females who don’t like chocolate.  There are a few of them.  And besides, red frosting on a sugar cookie looks better than on a chocolate one.

I was REALLY surprised to find that two of today’s clue words are coming up as new!  Both “alley” and “victor” are not on my most recent copy of the ralis95 – world famous – clue word database.  And, it’s from November of 2017, so it’s not very old.  All of the jumbles came up as new.  The word “seize” goes against the ‘I before E, except after C’ rule.  I’m sure there must be some kind of loophole in that rule.  The answer letter layout was an awesome jumble.  It gave nothing away.

Ya know, Millennials call those hats “beanies”.  Those aren’t beanies!  They’re toques, or tuques, and sometimes tukes!  From my Doug and Bob McKenzie days!  When I was a kid, they were called either watch caps, or just knitted hats/caps.  Beanies were always those funky – read ugly – little hats that college kids wore.  They were more like yarmulkes, and covered pretty much just the tops of your head.  But, the kids are calling ’em “beanies” now, so we folk who know better don’t argue with ’em, cause that just makes us old!  Any who, I hope everybody has a Happy Valentine’s Day!  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR