Time to play the latest Sunday Puzzle from NPR! Find the answers and their common denominator!

I've brought a few games of Kennections, in the style of "Jeopardy!" host Ken Jennings' new book, "The Complete Kennections."

In each set, I'll ask you five questions, the answers to which have something in common. Try to answer the questions. Then tell me the common denominator.

 

PUZZLE #1

 

1.   What giant in British publishing, founded in 1935, was known for its inexpensive paperbacks and merged with Random House in 2013? (7)

2.   What fundamental concept in Chinese philosophy is represented by a symbol called a "taijitu"? (3,3,4)

3.   What African animal travels in a herd known as a "dazzle"? (5)

4.   What kind of cookie is an ingredient in a Dairy Queen Blizzard? (4)

5.   For solving what kind of puzzle did Ken Jennings win a prize in a 2006 national championship? (9)

 

Answer Keys  

    1.  Penguin

    2.  Yin and Yang

    3.  Zebra

    4.  Oreo

    5.  crossword

    **Common Denominator for the answers: “black & white”

     

    PUZZLE #2

 

    1.   What actor, with the initials M.M., starred in the 1983 war drama "Streamers"? (7,6)

    2.   Who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington? (4,3)

    3.   Who has received a record 35 Academy Award nominations for Best Costume Design? (5,4)

    4.   Who directed, co-wrote, and co-starred in the 1969 film "Easy Rider"? (6,6)

    5.   What Spanish explorer was the first person to lead an official European expedition to Puerto Rico and Florida? (5,2,4)

 

Answer Keys

    1.  Matthew Modine

    2.  Maya Lin

    3.  Edith Head

    4.  Dennis Hopper

    5.  Ponce de León

** common denominator for the answers: Chemical Elements

(by changing the 1^st letter of the 2^nd word in each answer:

Modine=> Iodine, Lin => Tin, Head => Lead, Hopper => Copper, Leon => Neon)

IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS

LET’S PLAY WITH IDIOMS!

Do you want to learn and practice some idiomatic expressions? Try to fill in the blanks below by using the context and the given definitions for each.

 

    1.   There is no g________saying (*meaning “to argue, oppose, question, disprove, negate …”) the importance of education.

 

    2.   (*In a negative context) The press was all _____________ the politician after the scandal, asking intrusive questions. (*meaning “to berate, upbraid, or verbally attack someone”)

 

    3.   Early this morning, the dense fog dis____________ the silhouette of all the passing cars on the road. (*meaning “to make something indistinct or unclear, often by obscuring it with a mist or fog”)

 

    4.   Nasty politicians are using money to bu_______________ their image and reputations. (*meaning to “polish ….)b

 

    5.   Are you seriously calling this shabby collection of br__________-a-brac your cherish box? (*meaning “little objects without any purpose except decoration”)

 

    6.   When her condescending parents found out about their daughter’s boyfriend who was financially challenged, they harr_____________. (*meaning “To clear one's throat in a deliberate, often self-important or disapproving way”)

 

    7.   Despotism, tyranny, and injustice have had to retreat, in order to make way for the unali____________________ rights of man. (*meaning “a right that cannot be taken away or surrendered”)

 

    8.   As the U.S. President Trump threatens the world by significantly increasing the tariff, many countries are bracing themselves and getting ready to adopt the tit for __________ kind of retaliation. (*meaning “the infliction of an injury or insult in return for one that one has suffered”)

 

    9.   As the fav_______________ breeze was whispering through the leaves of a huge tree in the backyard, Ted was falling asleep in his favorite hammock. (*meaning of “mild, gentle, or favorable, often used to describe a gentle breeze or pleasant weather”)

 

    10. Janette doesn’t like her new coworker and his cont__________ attitude. (*meaning “causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial)

 

 

Answer Keys  

    1.  gainsay

    2.  all over

    3.  dislimned

    4.  burnish

    5.  bric-a-brac

    6.  harrumphed

    7.  unalienable

    8.  tit for tat

    9.  favonian

    10. contentious

Time to play the latest word puzzle from NPR Sunday challenge!

Every answer is a word ending in the letters A-C, as in air-conditioning.

 

Ex. Person who stays awake all night --> INSOMNIAC

 

1. 12 astrological signs

2. High-quality brandy from France

3. Person with an inflated sense of himself

4. Person who's lost his memory

5. Substance said to increase sexual desire or pleasure

6. Related to the heart

7. Surface for roads and airport runways

8. Light purple ... or a flower with this shade

9. Wood finish

10. Temporary camp, as for soldiers

11. Street with no outlet (hyph.)

12. Miscellaneous ornaments of little value in a display case (hyph.)

13. Shrub or small tree with small reddish fruits used as a spice

14. Reference book filled with miscellaneous facts

15. Emergency removal of patients to or from a hospital

16. Superintelligent person

 

ANSWER KEYS

1.  Zodiac

2.  Cognac

3.  egomaniac

4.  amnesiac

5.  aphrodisiac

6.  cardiac

7.  tarmac

8.  lilac

9.  shellac

10.      bivouac

11.      cul-de-sac

12.      bric-a-brac

13.      sumac

14.      almanac

15.      medevac

16.      brainiac

Various COLORS in English Idioms!!!

A lot of idiomatic expressions in English have colors in them. Try to fill in the following blanks with the right colors!

 

1.  After the long vacation, she seemed a little ____________ around the edges. (*meaning “slightly tired or feeling sad”)

 

    2.  Whether the film is a masterpiece or a piece of shXX is still a ____________ area. (*meaning “uncertain; not clearly defined)

 

    3.  She ______________ out for a couple of seconds after hitting her head. (*meaning “to faint/ pass out”)

 

    4.  He has hit a __________________ patch in his career. (*meaning “a period of exceptional success”)

 

    5.  He’s always _____________-nosing his boss not to get laid-off. (*meaning “to try too hard to please someone”)

 

    6.  The movie “Formula 1” got me on the edge of my seat all along through the back-to-back scenes of ______________-knuckle driving of racers. (*meaning “extremely tense or scary”

 

    7.  She’s finally out of the ______________ and back at work. (*meaning “recovering from illness or struggle”)

 

    8.  Mr. Bobson, our arts & crafts teacher, kept saying “Always be mindful to do some ____________-sky thinking!” (*meaning of “creative and open-minded thinking”)

 

    9.  She saw ___________ when she found out about her boybfriend’s lies. (*meaning “become extremely mad”)

 

   10.   Guess I’ve become a _______________-bellied wimp who can’t go outside during freezing winter. I was stronger enough to run around the block in snow back in Peoria! (*meaning “afraid or cowardly; timid”)

 

 

Answer Keys

1.  blue

2.  gray

3.  blacked

4.  purple

5.  brown

6.  white

7.  pink

8.  blue

9.  red

10.              yellow

Health Series# 32. CHAMOMILE

 It is natural to become physically weaker as one ages. However, it is possible to stay younger and healthier than your physical age by what you eat at your table every day. More and more medical research and studies have shown the medicinal properties and benefits of herbs and healthy diet.

As of year of 2024, I have shared a variety of herbs and foods by looking into their nutrition so that we are able to lead a life with more confidence and constantly get ourselves back on track with aplomb even if we happen to deviate from the optimal state of health from time to time.

 

#32. CHAMOMILE

Sizzling summer seems like a two-faced time of the year. It could be described as a season for a relaxing retreat in an exotic island; otherwise, it could be the riskiest period in a year not only for the physically vulnerable but for any outdoorsy people because of its unbearably scorching heat.

British TV host and celebrity doctor Michael Mosley went missing while vacationing on the Greek island of Symi in June, 2024. His body was found four days later near the rocky trail area. He set off on a walk in the sun and at some point it was too challenging for a 67-year-old man to keep going in the state of dehydration. According to the coroner, heat has been implicated as a factor that may have contributed to Mosley’s death. Greek police said Mosley is believed to have died of heat exhaustion after losing consciousness while walking in 40°C temperatures.

 

Today, let us examine one of our favorite teas, Chamomile.  Chamomile is renowned not only for its 1. c______________ effects but also for its exceptional hydrating qualities. This 2. ca_____________-free option is a soothing beverage that replenishes lost fluids, making it an excellent choice for maintaining hydration levels. Its gentle, apple-like aroma offers a mild flavor that's subtly more satisfying than plain water, ensuring hydration with every sip. Chamomile tea reduces stress and improves your 3. ___________ at night.

Drinking chamomile tea could also aid in lowering 4. b____________  s_____________levels.

Its anti-inflammatory properties may prevent damage to the cells of your

5. pan________. This organ is extremely important because it produces insulin, the hormone responsible for moving sugar from your blood into cells.

It has been reported that drinking chamomile tea twice per day for 4 weeks was linked to improved 6. b__________  s____________ control, lipid profiles, and kidney function. While chamomile tea isn’t a replacement for medication if you have diabetes, it may be a useful addition to your management plan.

 

Chamomile tea contains flavones, a class of antioxidants. According to research, flavonoids may improve 7. car________________ health by reducing LDL, also known as “bad” cholesterol.

 

Improves immune system function: Chamomile tea is often promoted as a strategy for preventing and treating the common cold, but evidence for this is lacking. It’s also often used to soothe sore throats.

 

 

Answer Keys

   1.  calming

   2.  caffeine

   3.  sleep

   4.  blood sugar

   5.  pancreas

   6.  blood sugar

   7.  cardiovascular

 

(*source from https://tipsontea.com/blogs/news/herbs-that-help-you-to-stay-hydrated-in-the-summer  &  healthline)

 

Acrostic poem using CHAMOMILE by Jean J. Lee

Caught between night and day

Hoping for comfy shuteye

Anxiety should no longer be in your life

Migraine would go away

On your bedside table

Mindfulness in a cup of tea waits for you

Irreproachable aroma

Leads you into a long, peaceful dream

Effervescent morning is promised

 

 

If you’re interested in consulting your health with professional pharmacists, check this out!

SANTA ANA TUSTIN COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

FIND THE KITCHEN ITEMS FROM THE GIVEN ANAGRAMS!! (FROM YESTERDAY'S NPR SUNDAY ON-AIR CHALLENGE)

Every answer today is something you might see in a kitchen. Identify them from their anagrams.

 

Ex. BLOW -- Bowl

 

1. VOTES

2. PETAL

3. SNOOP

4. REMIT

5. OWLET

6. NO-PAR

7. RELICS

8. ROTATES

9. GIRDLED

10. MACRO VIEW

 

Answer Keys  

   1.  STOVE 

   2.  PLATE

   3.  SPOON

   4.  TIMER  

   5.  TOWEL       

   6.  APRON

   7.  SLICER

   8.  TOASTER  

   9.  GRIDDLE

   10.  MICROWAVE

Summer Puzzle from NPR!

This is a summertime puzzle. I'm going to give you three words starting with the letters H, O, and T. For each set you give me a word that can precede each of mine to complete a compound word or a familiar two-word phrase.

 

Example: Heat, Oven, Tank   --> GAS (gas heat, gas oven, gas tank)

 

1. Hampshire, Orleans, Testament

 

2. Horse, Otter, Turtle

 

3. Hydrant, Opal, Truck

 

4. Hopes, Octane, Tide

 

5. Hard, Out, Torch

 

6. House, Onion, Thumb

 

7. Heavyweight, Opera, Touch

 

8. Hand, Order, Term

 

9. Hole, Olive, Tie

 

10. Hawk, Owl, Time

 

11. Havana, Ones, Toe

 

 

 

Answer Keys

    1.  NEW (New Hampshire, New Orleans, New Testament)

    2.  SEA (Sea Horse, Sea Otter, Sea Turtle)

    3.  FIRE (Fire Hydrant, Fire Opal, Fire Truck)

    4.  HIGH (High Hopes, High Octane, High Tide)

    5.  BLOW (Blow Hard, Blow Out, Blow Torch)

    6.  GREEN (Green House, Green Onion, Green Thumb)

    7.  LIGHT (Light Heavyweight, Light Opera, Light Touch)

    8.  SHORT (Short Hand, Short Order, Short Time)

    9.  BLACK (Black Hole, Black Olive, Blanck Tie)

   10.  Night (Night Hawk, Night Owl, Night Time)

   11.  Little (Little Havana, Little Ones, Little Toe)