Cryptoquote Spoiler – 02/20/21

“Before anything else preparation is the key to success.”   —   Alexander Graham Bell

(We’ve had a couple of easy ones the last few days.  I wonder if they’re setting us up for a doozie?  This appears to be only the second A.G. Bell quote since I’ve been posting the spoilers.  So, at least it’s not a tired re-run.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Image courtesy of Google

Jumble Spoiler – 02/20/21

Visual Description:  The appropriations committee.

VANLA  =  NAVAL,  VILDI  =  LIVID,  TRAEHG  =  GATHER,  EATORT  =  ROTATE   —   Giving us:  NVIDTHEROA

Clue/Question:  When his sister took his baseball glove without permission, he asked her to – – –

Answer:  HAND IT OVER

(If any of you are like me, you might have found this Jumble to be a sneaky hard solve.  For a while I was all thumbs.  I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, for a coupla minutes.  Ya gotta hand it to the guys!  If it weren’t for COVID-19 I’d give them a high five, or at least a fist bump.  I guess they’ll have to settle for a hearty thumbs up!

None of the clue words are new.  But, three of the jumbles appear to be so.  I could only confirm “vanla” having definitely been used before.  The answer letter layout was a tidy ten letter jumble.  Very cryptic indeed.  The middle word could have been a lot of two letter words.  So, I ended up rewriting all the consonants and vowels in alpha order.  That did the trick!  When I got it I felt kind of silly.

Cute drawing of two little girls playing dress up, using their imaginations.  Big brother had a game to get to.  He better tread lightly, or she might dub him Sir Grabalot, with her flashlight/scepter.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Images courtesy of Google