| || waver, waltz, hobnob, native, throw in (the) towel.
Image from the Internet.
The opening poem contains all the words (or variations of them) from today's Jumble.
Comments are welcomed!
Do not explicitly reveal any of the actual answer words until after closing time, but embedding them surreptitiously in comment sentences is encouraged.
17 comments:
Jake had practiced & practiced to override his customary "tells" when the hands grew intense at the high stakes poker table.
He knew his toughest opponent, Slim Ricky, was waiting for Jake's sly grin to reveal a money hand. So now that he held three aces he was forcing his face into a glare, to give Slim the ol' stink-eye, to hide the smile that he desperately wanted to flash and show him the scowl instead.
Slim laid down a full house. Raking in the huge pot, he said, "Knew I had ya when I didn't see that silly smirk of yours."
How might Slim describe Jake's face now?
Unpracticed?
~ OMK
My goodness, Ol'Man Keith, that's quite a poker story with a neat gloss on our Jumble solution.
I'm not great at baseball (or poker, for that matter) so when I saw the cartoon my heart sank. But Woohoo! I got all four words without any work at all. And to my surprise, the solution popped right up, and made me laugh (no towel in the cartoon, not surprisingly).
So, great Jumble to start the week. And now to look forward to poems and more comments, always a pleasure.
Well, the clues were easy, But I totally blocked on the solution and didn't get it without help. Of course, when I got it, the V8 can hit me. D'oh!
Looking forward to some poetry, maybe?
I have reached the point where I began many weeks ago. Bilbo's in and about to confront Smaug. Here's that account, rather long, so it'll take a few posts
In a cavity in the mountain lay the dragon's hoard.
Bilbo lay in a clump of woods, near the river's ford
His quest to steal the arkenstone was mainly his idea
For the dwarves that had accompanied him were nowhere near
*****
after, uncut, affirm, sesame, statesman.
Bilbo was hardly daring , hardly brave
But after a pause he entered the cave
"Open sesame" he humbly affirmed was futile
The need for uncut jewels and the precious beryl
Was motive for dwarf , orc, elf and man.
But in his Hobbit state , his humble clan,
Helping his friends, aiding his blokes
Second breakfast and a good smoke
Was all he desired, all he craved
******
clunk, ratio, radius, speedy, discourse.
Bilbo had reached the door to Smaug's* lair
He knew the treasure was at the end of a winding stair
He needed a speedy getaway, a rapid way to go
He rapidly figured the distance and the ratio
Of the radius of cave, to the dragon's bunk
Yes, the worm was sleeping until he heard the clunk
The eye was open, and to make it worse
Smaug began a witty, wordy long discourse
Next, riddles, rings and ruin
********
saute, thick, pillar, hoopla;; their apps.
Smaug has sniffed out Bilbo, the dwarves and their mounts outside. He's curious about who and what this creature is and what's it's got in its pocket.
Smaug speaks
" Tell me rodent what brings you here? Have you come to take or give?
"Don't lie to me,rat, else those ponies munching apples won't have long to live.
"I know little sneak which pillar that you're hiding behind
"Speak quickly, worthless one, or I'll saute your thick behind"
Bilbo responds
"Oh mighty one it's only peace and praise to your majesty I bring"
Smaug snaps back, but then changes his tone
"Can the hoopla, maggot! But… Tell me friend, where's your precious* ring?"
*Gollum, the previous owner who lost it playing "The Riddle Game", referred to it as "My precious". The losing riddle? "What has it gots in its pockets?"
****
pinch, faith, repent, social, flash in the pan.
Bilbo was saying…
"Have faith mighty dragon and you'll not repent
Those dwarves you smell are a sociable pair*
Have faith and hear my story if you'll assent
And where I've been and why and where."
Smaug responds
"Go on and speak puny one but make it true and fair;
Pinch not pot nor pan nor precious locket.
Or the flash of my breath will singe your hair.
Out with it. What have you got in your pocket?"
*Smaug knows he's lying for he's sniffed out a dozen of his arch enemies
******
abate, latch, suntan, sketch, thanks "a-latte".
Smaug continues , he's angry again
"So what's your game little one. Sketch out your tawdry tale
What brings you to trespass my treasure trove?
Do you hope to unlatch my secrets? Is it gold you love?
You'll not abate my fiery rage should you fail .
You'll never see the rising sun.
I'll tan your measly hide.
And then upon the sky I'll ride
And scorch those dwarves, everyone."
Bilbo responds
Calm down oh gracious ,oh noble mighty serpent
I've a story you'll want to hear,
Of adventures far from here.
Then you'll thank me lots and reward me, not repent."
*****
rhyme, robin, sickle, forget, before his time.
Bilbo responds to the dragon
"Riddle me this oh majestic being of olden times
Tell me of your mighty deeds in words, or better, rhyme"
Smaug responds in a riddle
"Men forget that there were days before time, 'fore hammer or the sickle
When maidens danced and robins sang. And too clever elves were fickle.
Who razed their city* with fire and flame and led the mighty horde?
Who ravaged the haughty elves and now guards the stolen hoard?"
*The City was Gondolin
*****
Truly an epic undertaking, Wilbur!
I marvel at the scale of your enterprise. Dwarves, elves, & hobbits may be small, but your poetic ministrations lift them to the size of Greek legendary--even mythic--encounters.
Thank you for being our LOTR bard!
~ OMK
Wilbur. Just WOW!
clove, exert, mishap, hectic, home stretch.
Bilbo riddles Smaug
From underhill and afar I've traveled.
Under the mountain things unravelled
A hectic fight ensued, orc heads were clove
After a mishap, I met him and his precious love
With some exertion we flew on eagle wings
Through woods and webs and spidery things
Elvish mischief, dungeons and barrel riding
To the home stretch and dragon tidings
***
DINKY,DITCH,WEDDED, MANNER. WINED AND DINED
Smaug has figured out who's been helping Bilbo
"Enough my dinky, diminutive dwarvish boor
Bilbo you say? I rename you "Say-No-More"
I've been wined and dined by princes and by kings
I'm not wedded to this ditch. I have wings
And I'll use them in short order,
And raze the meddling boat-men's burg
Right up to Thranduil's* border,
And in the manner to be meted out by the mighty Smaug.
* Thranduil is the King of the Woodland Elves
*******
infamy, misuse, fought, callus, fondly, swanky, any way you slice it.
Bilbo rejoins:
"So you are the infamous Smaug the callous
Who fought and slayed to possess this palace
Perhaps I misuse the term, it's not that swanky
And I know thoughts of thieves make you cranky."
Smaug responds
I'm not fond of dwarves any way you slice it
An infamous race though some deny it
But enough. Let's see what's in your pocket.
Is it it a golden ring or a fancy locket?
*****
Smaug continues(He's more than just cranky):
"Among the peoples of this world you're a mere pimple
Of the sludge of the earth, you're just one.
I'll crush you all. Let me make it simple.
I'm the destroyer, and when I'm done
You'll rue your shameless trespass."
At this Bilbo was speechless and aghast.
Ready to disappear and make a quick exit.
For if truth be known, his life'd be forfeit
****
Input, fondly,agenda,sailor
Humble was this Hobbit, tales of splendor
Tempted him not. He had no great agenda
For silver and gold nor lofty status and fame.
His motto: what you put in goes next to your name.
He'd had enough of beastly braggadocio
A hasty exit was all he'd need know.
It all depended on stealth and cunning
So he set sail and went a running
He needed a token, he grabbed a goblet
Put the ring on his finger and made his exit
(Next, you think you've seen anger, try a dragon in full fury when he discovers Bilbo's burglary)
******
bison, color, simmer, fondue, "moore" bond films.
As Bilbo escaped he espied a glimmer
Of light . Smaug's anger had begun to simmer.
Bilbo saw the passageway. For which he must get through
Else when Smaug spots the theft, he'll be Hobbit fondue.
A film of light flickered by the sun showed the exit
More color appeared, what an effect it
Had. He'd escaped, he was the Burglar
He'd bond with the dwarves, he'd be a star
********
agile, yield, sonata, shrimp, tirelessly.
Smaug was aware that the shrimp had slipped away
His little sonata had yielded nothing, he'd make him pay.
What's more the agile runt had filched a fob
He hadn't come to praise , he'd come to rob.
But he'd not escape, nor forgiveness be Revenge would be relentless and tirelessly
*****
Unify,cover,atrium,ferret; far cry from it
Bilbo was a far cry from his Hobbit hole
The little atrium in the hill he'd lived his whole
Life in cozy comfort. Smaug had ferreted out his scheme
He'd run for cover. He'd won the dwarves esteem
Balin and Dwalin dashed over all in a rush
Their leader stood apart, behind him the wily Thrush
Bilbo knew as a group they had to be unified
But Thorin was wont to be pride personified
****
Cheer,Theft,Tattoo,Online; To The Letter
Bilbo emerged from the cave to the cheers of his friends.
"What'd you filch, oh brilliant burglar? What gem?"
The value of what I carry surely depends
Perhaps you'll praise me, perhaps condemn.
"Remember when dealing with dragon's one's life is on the line
Bantering words and telling riddles is all very fine
But Smaug the cunning, Smaug the sly
Was ready to tattoo me and hang me to dry
Yes oh noble Thorin I did not obey you to the letter
But what I did return with may prove even better"
*****
Geese,Enter,Herbal, Outlet; Belong There
Especially delighted at Bilbo's escape were Herb and Al
Actually Fili and Kili, never the less his pals.
He wanted all to hear but was in no rush
He was waiting to enter the circle, the ancient thrush.
Thorin stood before him as proud as you please
"What Jewel have you hobbit, just this goblet?"
Suddenly the sound of wings, no flight of geese
"Run for the tunnel, fools! It's our only outlet!"
Bilbo had barely time to say a word
"Under his left breast!". And off flew the bird.
He'd had a premonition, the telltale tingle of fear
He didn't want back in the cave, he didn't belong there.
So Owen. I fear our limericks got lost in the OC Register shuffle!
Yes, as you guessed it, Smaug is on the loose looking to incinerate dwarves and their little friend. Bilbo had spotted the only chink in Smaug's armor and relayed that to the thrush.
*****
Power, Droll, Grumpy, Shrink; Ground Work
Smaug was no longer grumpy, he was raging abound
His powerful wings were shaking the very ground
Bilbo's droll raillery had stoked Smaug's ferocity
The beast knew all. His revenge would not be pretty.
Anything above ground was piecework for the serpent's ire
The ponies dashed off, could they outrun the beastly fire?
Inside the mountain's back door the party snuck and crept
Shrinking, cowering Bilbo thought of Laketown and wept.
****
Fruit,Usher,Overdo, Canary; Trans-furred
The fruits of his reckless riddling would usher in
Fire and brimstone on the Laketown men.
He'd just had to overdo it. He'd got away
So Smaug transferred his rage to they
Who'd helped the Hobbit. What would betoke
Bard and his kin and the kindly townfolk.
He thought of young Tommy and sister Mary
His teddy bear and her beloved pet canary.
Next: Bilbo and the dwarves go into the cave, Smaug has left, and....
If you're keeping track; in Novels77 "The Hobbit" we're starting chapter 11 "Inside Information"
WC
Oops chapter 12
Bilbo and the dwarves were in the darkened tunnel
The ferocity, rage and power of Smaug was funneled
Against the intruders. Thorin and the group knew not
That now it was the natives of Laketown's sorry lot
To face the dragon's ire. Again it was up Bilbo
To explore the cave. He didn't waver he did go
For the hobbit never chose to throw in the towel
He hardly waltzed in but soon found himself in the bowels
Of the mountain. His hobnobbing with the dragon
Was bad for Laketown but now the treasure was their own.
WC
"it was up TO Bilbo"
WOW! WOW! WOW! is all we can say, Wilbur--simply amazing. I just saw all this tonight, and I think it will take me a day or two to work through it all. But I'm amazed and impressed! Wow!
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