We have often used the term kinehora at appropriate points. Long ago we spent some time explaining it. It could loosely be described as the Jewish “knock wood.” But I was only today years old when I learned that in 2004, when Clint Eastwood was asked if he thought his film Mystic River could win an Oscar, he replied “Kinehora!” How great is that! Made my day.

---

What is this — the Spanish Inquisition? It seems like just yesterday, but it was on this date in 1633 that Galileo’s trial began on his ridiculous notion that the Earth revolves around the sun, instead of vicey-versey. He copped a plea and was sentenced to house arrest, which was not a bad deal because he could still watch TV, listen to his records, and surf the net, at least until he slowly went blind and died in 1641. D’oh! The Catholic Church stuck to its guns and only conceded the issue (on the Sun/Earth) in 1992. (Not a typo.)

---

Here’s a tiny love story from yesterday’s NYT. It’s by Canaan Reiersgaard and is called “Caramel Crush.”

As his barista, I wasn’t subtle: caramel hearts on his latte, my number on the cup. “We need to go out sometime,” I said. Multiple times. He thought I was being friendly. My advances rebuffed and confidence shaken, I had one final try in me. “I’m in a fashion show for the vintage shop around the corner — you should come.” Yeah, maybe . . . . ” That night, walking the “runway,” I scanned for him. No sign. Commiserating with friends outside, I said, “I guess it isn’t meant to be.” Then, a tap on my shoulder. “Am I too late?” “Not at all.”

---

At 54D in the puzzle yesterday, for the clue “Hip-hop artists with unintelligible lyrics,” the answer was, fittingly, MUMBLERAPPERS. Rex shared this example along with a couple of the funny You Tube comments, below:

“Twenty Month Ten!”

“Toning my tanner!” 

---

Francesca Dego’s performances with the NJ Symphony this weekend were her first in New Jersey, she told us, before her encore. Hope she comes back soon and often.

Got a minute thirty-five?

---

Jimmy Kimmel said he’ll never understand “what’s going on inside that orange head.” Trump recently posted that the Pope is “soft on crime” and “likes nuclear weapons.” He says Leo was only chosen for Popehood to curry favor with him (Trump), as an American. How’s that for trenchant theological analysis?

Speaking of which — the Gnats swept the Beerboys in Milwaukee this weekend: a miracle, for sure. They are 7-8 now, 1/2 game ahead of the Mets! The magical mystery tour continues in Pittsburgh tonight. Keep it up gentlemen!

Here’s our favorite Gnats announcer. Who Datt? It’s Alexa Datt. Datt’s who.

---

I liked today’s puzzle. The theme was THREE CHEERS and the theme answers started out with words combining to form — well, take a look:

HIPHOPMUSIC; HIPPOCKETS; HURRICANE SEASON; and RAYCHARLES.

At 60A, the clue was “Tehre are two in tihs clue,” and the answer was TYPOS. But kitshef carped: I’d argue that there are no typos in the clue for 60A, as both places where the letters are reversed are intentional, not accidental. Really that should read “Tehre are zero in tihs clue.” Or “Tehre appear to be two in tihs clue”.

Puh-leeze.

At 3D, for the clue “Fruit pastry that pairs well with vanilla ice cream,” the answer was APPLETART. But Commenter Gary observed: can anyone anywhere name one single pastry that doesn’t pair well with vanilla ice cream?

Good point.

---

This poem by Linda Gregg is called “Staying After.” It was the poem of the day yesterday for the Poetry Foundation.

I grew up with horses and poems
when that was the time for that.
Then Ginsberg and Orlovsky
in the Fillmore West when
everybody was dancing. I sat
in the balcony with my legs
pushed through the railing,
watching  Janis Joplin sing.
Women have houses now, and children.
I live alone in a kind of luxury.
I wake when I feel like it,
read what Rilke wrote to Tsvetaeva.
At night I watch the apartments
whose windows are still lit
after midnight. I fell in love.
I believed people. And even now
I love the yellow light shining
down on the dirty brick wall.

---

Taking Robin for a summer job interview today at Scoop Station: ice cream shop in Morris Plains. Would be good to have in there, amirite? If she gets it we may have to start calling her Sprinkles.

See you tomorrow!