Sunday Cryptoquote Spoiler – 03/10/19

“Of puns it has been said that they who most dislike them are least able to utter them.”   —   Edgar Allen Poe

(A very clever quote, and one that I agree with.  I’m sure there’s at least a little jealousy in those who complain about puns.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Image courtesy of Google

Sunday Jumble Spoiler – 03/10/19

Visual Description:  Early to mid ’70s convenient store.

YFORTS  =  FROSTY,  VETDNA  =  ADVENT,  SWACEH  =  CASHEW,  EDREGE  =  DEGREE,  TIEUYQ  =  EQUITY,  CHIPUC  =  HICCUP   —   Giving us:  FRSAECASDREUTHCC

Clue/Question:  The successful launch of the first instant lottery tickets just – – –

Pre-Answer:  Three Words  (9-letters)  THE  (7-letters)

Answer:  SCRATCHED THE SURFACE

(Wicked stinky pun!  The first state to sell instant lottery tickets was Massachusetts, in 1974.  Since then just about every state sells a vast multitude of “scratch-off” games.  They used to be just a buck, and there are still a few el cheapos out there.  But a lot of them are $5, $10 and $20 a pop!  New York has one that sells for $25!  With both the scratch off games, and regular lottery games, they claim that they benefit education in the state.  But, a lot of the public schools in many states are lacking.  The ones that aren’t are usually in areas where the local property taxes are higher.  So, where is all the money really going???  I mean besides out of citizens’ pockets, and into someone else’s.

As per usual with the Sunday Jumble, there were no new clue words today.  I knew as I was solving it, but I referred to the ralis95 clue word database, as a matter of form.  The first four jumbles appear to be new, while “tieuyq” and “chipuc” have definitely been used before.  No head scratchers for me today.  The answer letter layout was a wonderful sixteen letter jumble.  But, I could tell where they were going immediately after reading the clue/question.

Fun cartoon.  I said convenience store, but it could just as easily be a liquor store, news shop, or smoke shop.  Maybe even a drug store.  It looks like candy bars being sold at the checkout counter.  The young woman has that mid ’70s look.  And, the lapels on the men look like the ’70s as well.  Good fun.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Images courtesy of Google