3 April 2024
One of the things I’ve been remiss in this winter and spring is sitting out on the patio for my second cup of coffee and half of grapefruit while working The Washington Post crossword. Too soon it will be too hot to do that but now is the perfect weather for it.
I had a problem with today’s puzzle. Usually on Wednesday, I can either complete the puzzle or leave only one or two clues blank but I gave up with half the blanks unfilled. I come by crosswords naturally because I used to watch
Dad work them when I was a kid and picked up the habit – and it is a habit. I download and print The Washington Post and The New York Times‘ puzzles daily.
What strikes me most about crosswords is how incredibly idiomatic English is as a language. I’m amazed anyone can learn it who is not born here in the states Just think of the heteronyms and homonyms there are in English. The word “live” is a heteronym (same spelling, different pronunciation) as in “I live in Fort Lauderdale and the concert was live.”
Homonyms are just as difficult (same pronunciation, different meaning). The word “fair” can refer to weather, someone’s appearance or something you go to.
Then they really throw you a curve with the clue “Rainforest Cafe, e.g. I figured out “restaurant” but missed on the front part with “theme.”
I love crosswords so much I decided to create a final exam in biology using a crossword. I was disappointed that most students today don’t know how to even approach a crossword. ESL students were even more confused. I ended up having to add points to everyone’s scores and I quit doing it.
After my second cup of coffee and a shower, I headed to Bliss Nails to get my nails trimmed. I opted for a mani/pedi this time. I think I remember them warning me when undergoing taxol chemo not to get mani/pedi’s. I do know I did get one during the treatments and my cuticles ached for days. Today was fun. So far, I’ve done this four times and everyone approaches it differently at the salon.
BBC Reports that actress Tippi Hedren visited a Vietnamese refugee center almost 50 years ago and the women at the center were dazzled by her long, polished nails. She flew in her manicurist to train the women and ever since, the industry supposedly is dominated by Vietnamese.
After the manicure, I stopped in at the adjacent Publix to pick up some more grapefruit (I was down to one) and some Turbinado sugar for my coffee. Of course, as I walked the aisles, more stuff found its way into the cart and by the time I checked out, I was $83 poorer. I got to looking at checkout and asked the cashier if she could tell I had a sweet tooth. We then began to discuss the pros and cons of iced versus non-iced cinnamon rolls with the bagger. I voted for iced as did the cashier. The bagger was a purist and wanted it plain.
When I got home, I found I didn’t need the Turbinado sugar after all. What I did notice is the container is smaller than the one I bought before but was the same price. Hmmmm!
It’s a windy day. Winds are at 19 mph and gusts to 32 mph. We are under a wind advisory. It brought down one of the fronds of the Royal palm.
I estimate it close to 12 feet long and probably 25 lbs. You can see why you don’t want to be under it when it falls. I cut it into four pieces in order to get it into the yard waste bin. It’s also that time I have to do a daily cleaning of the pool and basket to remove the leaves before they clog the pool pump and burn it out.
Tomorrow, I have an 8:15 am “zoom” appointment with my primary to talk about the anti-depressant to see if it is helping. I think it is.
Stay tuned!
