The White House released this latest video of the ICE killing in Minnesota, supporting its claims that the agent was acting in self-defense. Readers should be warned, the footage is fairly chilling.
Three notes from today’s Writer’s Almanac, in lieu of a poem.
From WWII historian and writer Stephen E. Ambrose, who was born on this date in 1936 and died in 2002. “The number one secret of being a successful writer is this: Marry an English major.”
Jewish Detroit poet Philip Levine, who was born on this date in 1928 and died in 2015. Levine fell in love with poetry as a student at Wayne State University. He worked in auto plants as a student and after graduating, and said it was so loud in there that he could recite poetry without anyone hearing.
Last, it’s the birthday of poet Dorianne Laux, Augusta, Maine, 1952, photo below. She is still with us. Whew. She said (and we agree): “Any good poem is asking you simply to slow down.”
We don’t ever sit our children down and tell them, but we should try to illustrate it by how we live our lives. We try to show them that a good career, a good profession, is not pursued for money, as much as we love money and our toys, but because it’s meaningful to us. It allows for creative expression and beneficial human contact. And we try to show them, if we can, if we are lucky, that you need to place your heart in the hands of someone who will cherish it and protect it. It’s more fragile than you can imagine. My parents and older siblings did their best: I have no complaints, zero, only gratitude. And we tried too. I don’t lose sleep over it.
The puzzle was brilliant today. So much crisp, lively material. Kameron Austin Collins. Mwah!
First, to get a song in, at 29A the clue was “Without revealing one’s true intentions, maybe,” and the answer was COYLY. It was enough to move Son Volt to share this song, Shiny, with us. It’s about a visitor to a gypsy fair who falls for one of their girls. She keeps swindling him, but he doesn’t care because he’s so taken by her beauty, especially her dark eyes.
A tawny gypsy girl, sleeping blanketed by stars
Beneath the tilt-a-whirl
Where we were coyly caught alone
All fumbling with your blouse
Tell me why you lied
And what it is you do to keep your eyes all shiny.
But let’s not stereotype. Here’s a pretty gypsy girl who is not a swindler. Phil asked her to marry him. She thought he was joking and hasn’t answered.
Our favorite clue/answer ran entirely down the center of the grid. It was an expression I don’t think I’ve heard before. The clue was “Gay man, per historical slang inspired by Judy Garland.” Answer: FRIEND OF DOROTHY.
And how’s this for a combination at 37A and 37D? BEER and BRISKET.
For us disgusting old men: NOSE HAIR, at 42A (“Trimmer target”), crossing VITAL SIGNS, at 25D (“Figures checked by nurses”).
But don’t worry too much about it, gentlemen: at 1A: YOU LOOK FAB! (“What a darling outfit!”)
I was flummoxed at 6D. For “That dis was goo-ood!!” the answer was OH SNAP! “Dis” here means insult. “Oh snap” is an exclamation of agreement or acknowledgment, often (but not exclusively) used in response to an insult.
Whatsername posted: “Best illustration I ever saw of OH SNAP was at my orthopedic sturgeon’s office where the staff wore T-shirts with those words spelled out under a picture of a fractured bone.”
I replied: LOL (x2).
At 41D, for the clue “Poles can be found next to them,” the answer was CZECHS. Commenter Jazzmanchgo said “the bass player George Mraz, who was born in then-Czechoslovakia, was nicknamed “Bounce” by pianist Jimmy Rowles. He asked Rowles why, and Jimmy replied, ” ‘Cause you’re a b-a-a-d Czech!”
A confession of sorts by Chris James of the Dull Men’s Club (UK): When the kitchen egg tray is found lacking symmetry I have to intervene…
(Additional photos omitted.)
Annabelle Sara Wells: I’m glad I’m not the only one. I also cannot have an odd number of eggs.
Nigel Kingsley: You need your head examined.
Chris: It is. It has an annual CT with contrast scan.
Ruth Hunt: And I bet it’s beautifully symmetrical too (just like my egg box).
Mark Redford: Careful, looks like you’re sending coded messages. Le Carré would’ve loved this.
Chris: Yes it’s the exact time and date the US will invade Greenland.
John Hodgson: So glad you’re including rotational symmetry. Too many people only consider reflection in these situations.
Mark Anderson: Two rows of four, surely?
Karen Wilkin: I do this for balance purposes – to reduce the likelihood of the tray tipping over. So, without looking at your other pics, pics 1 and 2 are risky.
Rohan Thorn: I went to the farm shop for eggs yesterday and made sure I had arranged the remaining eggs symmetrically in the tray after I took mine.
Robin Cooney: Spot on.
Gord Lynch: I hope you never get white eggs in the mix
Chris: Sadly, we do.
Avi Liveson: Egg racist!!
Andrew Jackson: So glad you don’t keep them in the fridge.
Chris: Why would I? These are UK eggs.
See you tomorrow! Thanks for dropping by.
The Wellington Files 