Cryptoquote Spoiler – 06/18/18

“The ego can be the great success inhibitor.  It can kill opportunities, and it can kill success.”   —   Dwayne Johnson

(I just knew, from early on in his wrestling career, as “The Rock”, that DJ was destined for bigger things.  He has a great combination of brains, looks and a great sense of humor.  Much more so than his fellow wrestlers.  Olivier, Guinness, McKellen, and Branagh probably don’t have anything to worry about, but Dwayne can more than hold his own when it comes to commanding the camera.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Image courtesy of Google

Jumble Spoiler – 06/18/18

Visual Description:  A partnership of pachyderms.

GITEN  =  TINGE,  SUNKK  =  SKUNK,  PIATOU  =  UTOPIA,  ELMYIT  =  TIMELY   —   Giving us:  TNGSKUUTIIML

Clue/Question:  When the elephants worked together, they were – – –

Answer:  “MULTI–TUSKING“

(A mammoth of a Jumble pun . . . especially for a Monday!  I bet a good number of you scratched your heads for a bit, trying to figure this one out.  Even though all of the clue words were old favorites, all of their jumbles came up as new, today.  The one that gave me the most trouble was “piatou”, but I saw “utopia” after a couple of looks. 

The answer letter layout was a magnificent jumble.  Twelve letters long, and not overly obvious.  I mean, I knew that the word TUSK had to be part of the answer, just not in the punning context.  The quotation marks, and the two Us were the biggest hints for me.

And, of course the great cartoon played a massive part in solving this Jumble.  The elephants aren’t so much multitasking, as they are cooperating, but it wasn’t a huge stretch to the answer.  Also, the ears kind of suggest African elephants, who aren’t as trainable as their Indian/Asian counterparts, with the smaller ears.  But, it’s all good!  Very impressive for Paul McCartney’s birthday!  My newspaper’s “Today’s Birthdays” usually starts in the 80s or 90s, and works down . . . to whatever age they can still fit in.  But, today they started at 70, so there was no mention of Sir Paul, who turns 76 today!  Blasphemy!  LOL!  It’s going to be a hot one today, in the Northeast, so I hope everyone can stay cool.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Images courtesy of Google