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Good afternoon, Rusty!
A nice puzzle today, I think?
I've done it in two halves.... a goodly amount this morning, whilst having my coffee and apple, and then I came back to it and finished it in the early afternoon.
I especially liked 1a: tantrum; 12a: imagist; and 14d; emollient'.
New words for me were "oxer" and "carfax."
Re the two homophones...
I don't have a problem with "phlox" sounding like "flocks!.....
But cannot bear "stalk " and "stork"!
To me, these later two do NOT sound alike!
Brewers has "priest" as "Son of Bacchus, A. A habitual or excessive drinker".
Bacchus of course is the Roman god of wine.
Uhm...I am not sure what interpretation one should put on this.......

Hello, Elle!
A good puzzle today.
Just finished it.
I thought there was only one "L" in emol(l)ient, but apparently not!
Never heard of "oxer" or "carfax", too. Or "polytheist".
"Stalk" and "stork" are not homothingys to me, too.
Just saw a wee red squirrel investigating the osprey nest.
I think the birds have gone, though.
But no announcement from the rangers, yet.

Hi, Rusty!
The house is strangely quiet, now that the boys have gone home.
But it is rather nice to be able to find time to do the crosswords.......and later on I shall watch "Eggheads".
I think dinner tonight might well be a hotch pot of "leftovers"!
We might as well clear the fridge of all the remaining "bits and pieces".
Is Miss L-B still away?
Or are you planning another trip to the Pine Cone before she starts Uni?
I'm awaiting a call from daughter to find out how her "first day" went!

Hello, Elle!
I'd say you miss the boys!
La Bamba is home.
We are going to Pine Cone one day. She shall choose when.
Maybe tomorrow.
You will be very glad to hear how your daughter's first day went!

Hi, Rusty!
My daughter phoned on her way home from work, as usual.
Her first day went very well!
Today she worked from 9 till 5, but from now on can take her choice, so she will be working 8 till 4, as this fits in best with her children's arrangements.
She can also work from home, whenever she might wish to do so.
Her colleagues seem very pleasant and friendly, and she went out to lunch with some of them.
So.... she seems happy and set fair!
I am pleased.
How are you getting on with your new book about "Lady"?

Good evening, Elle!
Very good news from your daughter!
I am glad she is doing well.
You and your husband must be very happy for her!
I am currently reading "Lady", "Golden Days in Donegal" and a biography of Al Capone.
All three are good!
And I have a jigsaw going, too.
My Chambers Dictionary of the Unexplained did not turn up, and I have ordered another one from World of Books, so hopefully this one will turn up!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, we are very glad for her.
All our 'children' are doing well in their own particular spheres, and we are happy for, and proud of, all three of them!
Family is great, and important, isn't it?
You are reading three books at the same time?
I don't think I could concentrate on the storyline, if I were to do that.......
I always finish the current book before I start reading another one!
I have a jigsaw not started yet - it looks very complicated......
The hardest jigsaw puzzle that I ever did was a circular one of various breeds of birds.
But never again....... I shall stick to corners and straight edges in future!

Good morning, Elle!
Pretty cloudy here.
Yes, I completely agree about family being important.
I usually have two books on the go at the same time.
But, I do not always finish them.
Has to be a very good book to hold my attention to the end.
My present jigsaw is a "bluebell wood" scene.
I got it in a charity shop when I was in for tea spoons.
They had quite a few to choose from.
Off to get my paper now.

Good morning, Rusty!
Fell dreich here! And warm!
A nubucks and cagoule morning!
Only once have I not finished reading a book....
And that was "The Thin Yellow Line"........remember that?
I just couldn't stomach it.
I binned it as you suggested...I didn't even consider giving it to the charity shop.
I have a few chores to do this morning...fortunately indoors!
I rather think this rain may be set in for the day!

Hello, Elle!
"Fell dreich"?!!
Who have you been listening to!
It's a grand morning, here.
I had my new rain jacket on earlier.
It is an "Aldi" cheapie!
It is fine; I can't fault it.
Though it only cost a fraction of the cost of my Sprayway jacket.
I thought "The Thin Yellow Line" was fine but it did cover a very grim practice.
I have finished "Al Capone".
It was a reasonable read, nothing more.