San Geraldo printed out two copies of today's New York Times crossword puzzle, one for himself and one for Judyshannonstreetwhat. They worked on them simultaneously over morning coffee.He and Judy are similar in their approach to crossword-puzzle solving. If it's the correct number of letters, fill it in. If a DOWN word doesn't work with an already filled in ACROSS WORD, simply scribble out that first word and write another with the same number of letters.
One of today's clues was "Los Caprichos artist." That's the title of a set of works of art by Goya. Judy announced, "GENE!"
San Geraldo asked, "Why GENE?"
Judy said, "Because we already have the G. And it fits!" They both filled it in.
"What about the clue 'I'm stumped. What do we do?' " she asks.
"It could be 'ANY IDEAS?' " San Geraldo responds.
As they both begin to fill that one in, Judy moans, "Well, there goes 'SNIT'!!!" And they both start scratching out a bunch of letters.
"What do you have for 'One who's extremely green'?" she asks.
"ELPHABAN," says Jerry.
"What's that???" asks Judy.
"Elphaba is the green witch from the Broadway show "Wicked," explains Jerry.
"I've never seen it," she says.
"It's a good show," I offer, "But, that doesn't make any sense."
"But, it fits!!!" They're both ecstatic.
Their sloppy puzzles made me a little nuts and I finally had to look away.
Some of today's more peculiar solutions. From Wrong to Right:
ELPHABAN became ECOFREAK
SNIT became SPAT
IBEAM became PLEAT
LEADS became LENDS
SHABALA became SHALALA
TRENTON became TEANECK
Oh, and of course, I made them change GENE to GOYA.
You are a SAINT, Mitch! Now THAT is an inventive (couldn't think of another word) way to do the NYTimes crossword! But it does look good being all filled in!! Something I can NEVER do!! lol
ReplyDeleteJim:
DeleteThe truth is, although their process drove me nuts, we DID all have a great morning. We spent more than 2 hours there!
Does this mean that I am cheating because you have divulged all the clues? No matter, a little help seems to go a long way me thinks!
ReplyDeleteI think Jerry and Judy might have something going on with their technique!
Winks!
R
Ron:
DeleteThe one thing Jerry and Judy DID have going on was pure fun. We spent a lot of time laughing and yelling, "There goes SNIT!!!"
I like snit. And I think it often leads to a spat.
ReplyDeleteEarlier this week I got my booking for a colonoscopy in February - I remember you saying your preparation this last time was your best ever, care to share some tips for me? ;)
Snoskred:
DeleteJudy and Jerry missed how a snit leads to a spat, I think. The colonoscopy: Normally I had to drink that entire gigantic bottle of that unpleasant-tasting "stuff" which caused discomfort, bloating, and an entire evening on the pot. Here, I was given something that required me to drink only two, I think it was two, glasses of "stuff." No bloating. No awful taste that continued to get worse. I don't know if you'll be offered that option, but it was so much easier for me. Whatever you have to do, though, the prep is the most unpleasant part and then it's over. And the benefits are so worth that bit of unpleasantness.
You know I completely understand their way of thinking - perhaps, oh I don't know....
ReplyDeleteHeron:
DeleteWhen they would read me a clue, I would offer a suggestion and say, but that's just one possibility. It didn't matter, they had already filled it in. It was entertaining for a while, but I really hate messy puzzles (or messy anything).
Although I'm familiar with Goya's work, I don't do well with crossword puzzles. I admire those wgo do them in ink.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteI do mine in ink, but I write things very lightly until I know for sure.
You just don't appreciate the brilliance of Gene.
ReplyDeleteKenosha:
DeleteI do now. "Why Gene." "Because we already have the G. And it fits!"
Besides, I think that was Goya's first name.
My friend Marian stops by the bookstore where I work every afternoon for coffee and the a copy of the NYT, just for the crossword puzzle. She was in today but I didn't have time to take a break and help her with the puzzle!
ReplyDeleteJennifer:
DeleteYou might want to let her know that SNIT is out an GENE fits.
Now that is some funny stuff...dare I say sitcom worthy!!!! Thy are hilarious. I'd probably do the same thing.
ReplyDeletemistress maddie:
DeleteAfter an office holiday party one year, my father did the crossword puzzle on the subway coming home. He was feeling no pain... until the next morning. He completed the puzzle, but I don't think there was one correct answer (and very few real words). The closest he got was TAXIS for TEXAS.
Have you two ever done cryptic crosswords? They are my favorite.
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteIt's funny. I love traditional crosswords but have not developed a fondness for cryptic crosswords.
Haaaaaa haaaaaa! Ohhhh, this was a good one :)
ReplyDeleteJudy:
DeleteWhat would I do without Jerry? And Judy? And everyone else I use for my 'material.' I'm so glad they're all such good sports.
Personally, I like the on-line USA Today crossword because if I enter the wrong letter it turns red. No messy paperwork for me ;-) But probably not nearly as much fun as y'all had today!
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteI do those online puzzles, but I set them at MASTER level so they don't turn red! Anyway, we were laughing for 2 hours.
I think I'd be bald from pulling my hair out after watching them use a word because it "fits."
ReplyDeleteBob:
DeleteWe had a ball yesterday, but, yes they DID drive me nuts. And I AM bald. Maybe this is why!
Love it! I don't know how you keep from taking over, but it sounds like everyone is better for your restraint. And the point is to have fun, or why bother!
ReplyDeleteShawn:
DeleteWe laughed for two hours Saturday. I am the epitome of self-restraint... at moments.
That went further than only GENE. Those other words and Jerry trying to reason them is hilarious.
ReplyDeletePetie:
DeleteThe workings of a brilliantly creative (and mostly entertaining) mind.