There are several other Jumble blogs, but the ones I checked all started off by listing the answers. In this blog, answers can be either hinted at or masked by burying them in comments. No overt spoilers!
All hints are in the comments!
All hints are in the comments!
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Dec. 8, 2018
|| || ozone, hilly, hurrah, mutton, holier than thou.
The opening poem contains all the words (or variations of them) from today's Jumble.
Comments are the lifeblood of a blog!
Read the comments, and reply to them if you are so moved!
The shepherds feared this was to be a rough night—for them and their flocks. They could smell the distinctive odor of impending rain, even as they managed to reach the last meadow of the village commons, the one remaining grassy field that had not been overgrazed by rival flocks. Amos, the cynic of their crew, muttered a sarcastic “Hurrah” as they entered the expanse. They were all exhausted after climbing the rock-strewn hilly acres to reach the place—so exhausted by the drive that even Ethan, usually the most cheerful of the team, remarked (after chasing one loose and very uncooperative ram), “You’ll be mutton before I’m done with you.” At that, the moon broke through the clouds, the threat of rain vanished, and … the Angel of the Lord appeared unto them. (You all know the rest of the story.) ~ OMK
When I can't get to sleep and insomnia bites, How boring to lie awake thru the nights. I try counting sheep, but that gives me nothin' Except for a craving for marshmallows and mutton.
I start to drift off, think "Hurrah! At long last!" The elation wakes me, before awareness has passed. I worry about climate, I worry about weather, I worry that the ozone is tanning all our leather.
I wonder if a constipated cross-eyed bear, Is as holy as a Pope, sitting on his golden chair. I wonder if I'll find on some far hill an oracle That will tell me,"Then thou wilt ... *znorakle*...
Wow, that's so good I'm almost ashamed to post my late effort! I like how you snuck in the word I most worried about by describing it instead of actually putting it in, tho that can be overdone if it becomes a habit. I didn't see #5, the overall solution, tho. You'll have to point it out to me after closing.
This one almost defeated me. The clue words weren't a problem, but I got stuck on thinking of a noun instead of an adjective in the solution. And the hints to the solution words were so cleverly disguised in your poem, Owen, that I got no help from there. Just had to keep staring at the letters until the "comparative" light dawned.
OMK, interesting story, with a Christmas twist. I can't find the solution words there either, though, unless somehow they're implied in "rest of the story". But that would be oh so subtle, which isn't your hinting style.
I do like your poem a lot, Owen, although your food combination is kind of yucky, isn't it? It scans, but doesn't seem appetizing at all!
I can't begin to compare my effort with your graceful work, Owen. I only aimed to relieve you of the demand on one night, in case your health was preventing your poetic gift. I did not try to include the solution, trusting that this was one of those rather obvious codas. If I'd had the time & imagination, I suppose it would be added within the realm of the final twist. Wouldn't it be a natural attitude of that heavenly messenger? ~ OMK
My goodness, Ol'Man Keith! Who knew you could write amazing stories! Now we have two superb artists on the Jumble blog--and Owen, your poems today were terrific too! What a gift for our Saturday! Thank you both.
So, I got all four Jumble words without any problem, and could not get the solution from either of your poems. I finally gave up and Googled it, and found it funny and delightful--just wish I had gotten it myself. So, have a great weekend, everybody!
Owen, the more I read your poem the more I like it. Fun, reads so smoothly, killer of an end rhyme. If this is what you do when you're not feeling so hot, then wow!
I agree, especially about how "smoothly" Owen's verse flows. In the last few days he seems to have an easier touch with the meter. There's a kind of bounce, almost a dactylic evenness propelling the lines. ~ OMK
Wilbur, you're right. I was in a hurry today because I had a tea party to attend at noon. But in future I'll wait and see if you guys maybe give me clues to the answer so that I don't have to cheat and look it up. I'll give it my best shot next week.
Revisiting the shepherds' tale, with a bit more time on my hands, I herewith amend the ending as follows: ... The Angel of the Lord appeared unto them, and delivered a wondrous message (that has since echoed down the ages). The humble shepherds dropped to their knees in awe--all, that is, but Amos. He alone remained erect, and with a sneer he challenged, "Hold on, Mister, just how *#@! holy are you?!"
| ozone, hilly, hurrah, mutton, holier than thou.
17 comments:
The shepherds feared this was to be a rough night—for them and their flocks. They could smell the distinctive odor of impending rain, even as they managed to reach the last meadow of the village commons, the one remaining grassy field that had not been overgrazed by rival flocks.
Amos, the cynic of their crew, muttered a sarcastic “Hurrah” as they entered the expanse. They were all exhausted after climbing the rock-strewn hilly acres to reach the place—so exhausted by the drive that even Ethan, usually the most cheerful of the team, remarked (after chasing one loose and very uncooperative ram), “You’ll be mutton before I’m done with you.”
At that, the moon broke through the clouds, the threat of rain vanished, and …
the Angel of the Lord appeared unto them.
(You all know the rest of the story.)
~ OMK
When I can't get to sleep and insomnia bites,
How boring to lie awake thru the nights.
I try counting sheep, but that gives me nothin'
Except for a craving for marshmallows and mutton.
I start to drift off, think "Hurrah! At long last!"
The elation wakes me, before awareness has passed.
I worry about climate, I worry about weather,
I worry that the ozone is tanning all our leather.
I wonder if a constipated cross-eyed bear,
Is as holy as a Pope, sitting on his golden chair.
I wonder if I'll find on some far hill an oracle
That will tell me,"Then thou wilt ... *znorakle*...
Wow, that's so good I'm almost ashamed to post my late effort! I like how you snuck in the word I most worried about by describing it instead of actually putting it in, tho that can be overdone if it becomes a habit. I didn't see #5, the overall solution, tho. You'll have to point it out to me after closing.
This one almost defeated me. The clue words weren't a problem, but I got stuck on thinking of a noun instead of an adjective in the solution. And the hints to the solution words were so cleverly disguised in your poem, Owen, that I got no help from there. Just had to keep staring at the letters until the "comparative" light dawned.
OMK, interesting story, with a Christmas twist. I can't find the solution words there either, though, unless somehow they're implied in "rest of the story". But that would be oh so subtle, which isn't your hinting style.
I do like your poem a lot, Owen, although your food combination is kind of yucky, isn't it? It scans, but doesn't seem appetizing at all!
I can't begin to compare my effort with your graceful work, Owen. I only aimed to relieve you of the demand on one night, in case your health was preventing your poetic gift.
I did not try to include the solution, trusting that this was one of those rather obvious codas. If I'd had the time & imagination, I suppose it would be added within the realm of the final twist. Wouldn't it be a natural attitude of that heavenly messenger?
~ OMK
Well, I gave up on the solution to the riddle and was going to accept the hints and answer in here.
Nope . Despite all the letters, OMK and Owen I'm no closer .
Two excellent CC poems today as Sandy pointed out .
WC
"znorakle" = brilliant!
A Dadaist foray that serves the climax of a fanciful series, the naturalist situation, AND the rhyme. Bravo!
My goodness, Ol'Man Keith! Who knew you could write amazing stories! Now we have two superb artists on the Jumble blog--and Owen, your poems today were terrific too! What a gift for our Saturday! Thank you both.
So, I got all four Jumble words without any problem, and could not get the solution from either of your poems. I finally gave up and Googled it, and found it funny and delightful--just wish I had gotten it myself. So, have a great weekend, everybody!
Just because we've hidden the solution from you, WC, that doesn't mean we're feeling smug - or more sanctimonious - than you...
~ OMK
I don't want to look at any posts after my "I can't SUSS the riddle post".
I just took another look and seconds later there it was . Duh . Big DUHHHH.
The obvious word had to be in there somewhere . Clever. Now let's see what hints were posted .
WC
Good one Keith . I knew there'd be a hint like that
I studied and studied but couldn't get it. Then... Bingo .
WC
Misty. You should have tabled it and came back later . Especially with the hint OMK dropped.
The brain keeps working unconsciously. That's the only thing I can think if
WC
Owen, the more I read your poem the more I like it. Fun, reads so smoothly, killer of an end rhyme. If this is what you do when you're not feeling so hot, then wow!
I agree, especially about how "smoothly" Owen's verse flows. In the last few days he seems to have an easier touch with the meter. There's a kind of bounce, almost a dactylic evenness propelling the lines.
~ OMK
I think there was a Jim Sparnacle who played colkcol basketball. Duke I think .
WC
Wilbur, you're right. I was in a hurry today because I had a tea party to attend at noon. But in future I'll wait and see if you guys maybe give me clues to the answer so that I don't have to cheat and look it up. I'll give it my best shot next week.
Revisiting the shepherds' tale, with a bit more time on my hands, I herewith amend the ending as follows:
... The Angel of the Lord appeared unto them, and delivered a wondrous message (that has since echoed down the ages). The humble shepherds dropped to their knees in awe--all, that is, but Amos. He alone remained erect, and with a sneer he challenged, "Hold on, Mister, just how *#@! holy are you?!"
Merry Christmas, everybody!
~ OMK
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