Cryptoquote Spoiler – 06/17/19

“Like a true Italian, Mom valued beautification in every area of her life, and I try to do the same.”   —   Rachael Ray

(Wow.  A “mom” quote the day after totally ignoring Father’s Day!  It sure looks like somebody has either daddy issues, or a more general misandry problem.  That’s too bad.  This is no reflection on Rachael Ray, or her lovely quote though.  This appears to be her first quote here since I’ve been posting these spoilers, so we welcome Rachael to the Cryptoquote Club today!  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Image courtesy of Google

Jumble Spoiler – 06/17/19

Visual Description:  To defeat the skeets he developed DEET.

VECOR  =  COVER,  RYCEM  =  MERCY,  TURZQA  =  QUARTZ,  FSAYLH  =  FLASHY   —   Giving us:  CORMCARTFSH

Clue/Question:  To file for his mosquito repellent patent in 1946, Samuel Gertler started – – –

Answer:  FROM SCRATCH

(Mosquitoes suck!  Figuratively and literally.  But, this pun doesn’t suck.  It’s a good, solid groaner.  Developed in 1944, DEET was put into production by the U.S. Army a little too late to help our troops fighting in the Pacific.  But, it’s been used very successfully ever since.  It has had its critics, but – for the most part – it is safe, when used as directed.  And of course, when used in moderation.  But, as with most things, it’s not tolerated well by all.  There are more and more botanical repellents out now that do the job just about as well.  No doubt they are more expensive than the DEET products, but all natural products seem to cost more than the good old fashioned chemical industry products.

Hoyt keeps sneaking in more new clue words.  Today he gave us “flashy” for the first time.  Our good buddy, ralis95 will have to update his world famous clue word database yet again.  And, all of the jumbles are coming up as new.  The answer letter layout is a fine eleven letter jumble.  It didn’t give anything away.

The cartoon was sufficiently geeky.  Sam is wearing his pocket protector, and the chart that he’s pointing to shows the chemical composition of his invention/discovery.  Try to avoid having standing water on your property, so mosquitoes have no place to spawn.  Bats and dragonflies, and many birds, are the best predators for keeping mosquitoes under control.  Get ready, folks.  Summer is upon us.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Images courtesy of Google