Cryptoquote Spoiler – 12/22/21

“Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.”   —   Washington Irving

(I just got done writing a good number of checks to various charitable organizations.  A couple of children’s hospitals, Toys for Tots, The Bowery Mission, Coalition for the Homeless, Boys Town, a variety of veterans groups, a number of Native American organizations, The Red Cross . . . groups like that.  I’m far from being wealthy, but tis the season of giving!  And, there a lot of people in need out there.  Today’s condensed date makes for a great palindrome!  Keep those love lights burning, folks!  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Image courtesy of Google

Happy birthday to Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick!

Jumble Spoiler – 12/22/21

Visual Description:  Refuse . . . to retire.

AALDS  =  SALAD,  FWALU  =  AWFUL,  LMFAEE  =  FEMALE,  RUHYOL  =  HOURLY   —   Giving us:  ALAFUFEMHO

Clue/Question:  The trash collector retired after 40 years and was voted into the – – –

Answer:  “HAUL“ OF FAME

(Hopefully, he’ll be retiring to a bundle of a pension.  He loaded many many tons of garbage over the course of 40 years.  He probably has a lot of stories he could tell you.  My daughter-in-law’s step-brother is a garbage man, and he says you wouldn’t believe some of the things that he’s rescued from the garbage.  Perfectly good things just become part of the clutter in some homes, and they get tossed with actual trash.  I guess it’s due to our disposable economy.

All of today’s clue words have been used in the Jumble before.  However, all of today’s jumbles came up as new.  No stumpers on my end.  The answer letter layout was a tranquil ten letter jumble.  By itself, it was nicely cryptic.  But the clue/question, the cartoon’s dialog, and the quotation marks, were big clues to the final answer.

Fun cartoon of the retirement ceremony.  The photo of ol’ Gus – I had to name him – will soon join those of other fine retired garbage men.  And, he’ll be receiving a nice watch for his many years of service.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Images courtesy of Google

Happy birthday to Michael Bacon, of the Bacon Brothers!