Time to play the latest Sunday Puzzle from NPR!

Today's puzzle is for pros. Every answer is a familiar two-word phrase or name in which the first word starts with P and the second word starts RO-.

 

Ex. Slow-cooked beef dish often served for Sunday dinner --> POT ROAST

   

 

 

1. 1970s craze involving a stone you were supposed to water

2. Small place in a house where guests can freshen up

3. Course around the neighborhood for delivering the Times, the Herald, the Post, etc.

4. Longtime Cincinnati Red nicknamed "Charlie Hustle"

5. Auto route that's been upgraded from a dirt surface

6. Leader of the U.S. during the Great Depression

7. Minimalist music genre epitomized by the Ramones

8. Steeply slanted top of a house

9. Where the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts

 

Answer Keys

    1.  Pet Rock

    2.  Powder Room

    3.  Paper Road

    4.  Pete Rose

    5.  Paved Road

    6.  President Roosevelt

    7.  Punk Rock

    8.  Pitched Roof

    9.  Plymouth Rock

Dr. Jedidiah's Diary: WORKSHEET #23

WORKSHEET #23

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #23 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary!   

 

1.  When I saw his garage, I thought it was a _______nomer for the space. He turned the gargage into a fancy body shop filled with a lot of luxurious car parts and accessories for tuning his car. (*meaning “an error in naming a person or place in a legal document”)

 

 2.   Customers’ changing preferences contribute to the cadu____________ of products in the market, but in the field of fashion, we need to see its circular trends between the past, the present, and the future.  (*meaning “the quality of being temporary or fleeting, often associated with things that have a short lifespan or are subject to rapid change or deterioration/ frailty or transitory nature/ ephermeralness”)

3.  Years of neglect made her an emotional cri____________ who is unable to form lasting relationships. (*meaning “a person who is unable to express or perceive emotions normally, often due to psychological trauma”)

 

4.  Don’t let the daily __________d overshadow the long-term goals of your future path. (*meaning “the mundane tasks and responsibilities that people encounter in their everyday lives. By using this word in your sentences, you can capture the essence of routine activities and the constant effort required to navigate through them”)

 

5.   Mr. Harriet was viewed as a go___________ by the ER staff and doctors at the hospital. There was nothing much for them to do about his chronic and recurring illness, but he kept coming back. (*meaning “slang used by doctors and medical staff to refer to challenging and recurring emergency room patients. It stands for “Get Out of My Emergency Room” and is used to describe patients who frequently seek emergency care for chronic conditions that would be better treated through long-term care. These patients present a challenge for ER staff, who are unable to cure their illnesses and would prefer if they sought treatment elsewhere”)

Dr. Jedidiah's Diary: WORKSHEET #22

WORKSHEET #22

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #22 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary!   

 

1.   Most people who know Charles don’t like the way he talks or writes because of his pedantic attitude, but I’ve been attracted to his don___________ arguments. (*meaning “scholarly, academic, or pedantic, and you can use the adjective "donnish" in a sentence by describing a person, their style, or their environment as resembling or being characteristic of a university don”)

 

    2.   Phoebe wished her parents would stop gr_____________ her about where she hangs out with her friends after school. (*meaning “to question or interrogate someone intensely and relentlessly about something”)

 

    3.   I get tired of the HOA giving me the run______________ about my questions. They never even try to offer any solutions to the home owners’ problems or complaints. (*meaning “to give unclear, misleading, incomplete, or evasive information, especially in a response to a question or request”)

 

    4.   Annie is a wonderful teacher in the field of special education who has deep understanding of the genetic basis of Tri____________ 21 that is known as Down syndrome. (*meaning “a genetic condition where a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. This means that they have a total of 47 chromosomes instead of 46. This can affect how their brain and body develop. People diagnosed with Down syndrome have happy and healthy lives with supportive care”)

 

    5.   It is devastating to witness the freedom of speech being destroyed by the dictating leader of a country. However, it is impossible to take away people’s wish to keep their love for the bubbly, effer______________ host and his cutting remarks on social issues of the Late Night Show on ABC TV. (*meaning “vivacious/ high-spirited”)

 

    6.   To be comfortable in your own __________ means that you have done enough self-reflection to see and understand yourself in relation to the world around you. (*meaning “to have a relaxed confidence in and clear understanding of oneself and one’s abilities, especially when presenting oneself to or interacting with others”)

Dr. Jedidiah's Diary: WORKSHEET #21

WORKSHEET #21

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #21 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary!    

 

1.   During the office end-of-the-year party, everyone had a chance to see the boss let her ______________ down. (*meaning “to behave in an uninhibited or relaxed/ honest manner”)

 

2.   I am fed up with the politicians and prosecutors who are so _______nal and self-serving if given the chance. (*meaning “corrupt; showing or motivated by susceptibility to bribery”)

 

3.   Mr. Chadwick, the VP of my company, was speaking ex ca_______________ when he made this announcement, so we need to change our approach immediately. (*meaning “With the authority that comes with one's position. This phrase is often used in reference to papal decrees deemed infallible. It is Latin for "from the chair," and can be used as both an adjective and an adverb”)

 

4.   The only gri________ that I have with this hair spray is that it leaves some white sticky residue. (*meaning “a nagging complaint”)

 

5.   When you see the flashing blue and red lights behind your car, you need to pull over without _________ur. (*meaning “without the act of making objection or hesitation”)

 

6.   The impeached former president of South Korea, Yoon, is such a pathetically orgu__________________ man who refuses to admit any fault, even when presented with clear evidence. (*meaning “haughty/ proud/ condescending”)

 

7.   Johh was the last stra_____________  to arrive at the party, imagining in his mind that his colleagues will see him someone fashionably late. (*meaning “someone or something that lags behind or is separated from a group”)

Dr. Jedidiah's Diary: WORKSHEET #20

WORKSHEET #20

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #20 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary!  

1.   The early morning jogger looked pretty steady and stable with his pace in every single stride he took. When I asked him to share his secret to happily logging of long distance on a daily basis, he said “I just enjoy sh____________ along the streets in my neighborhood.” (*meaning “to move along/ to jog away”)

 

2.   Ted is on the thre_______________ of a new phase in his career path. (*meaning “at the beginning of something or to be very close to something”)

 

3.   Ep______________mas can be used to emphasize or dramatize the end of a discussion or argument by restating what was said but in a shorter, more succinct way. Here’s an example of using it: After telling us about all of the old friends he ran into over vacation, John concluded his story with the epiphonema, “Oh, what a small world we live in!” (*meaning “an epigrammatic summary which gathers into a pithy sentence what has preceeded. A striking, summarizing reflection”)  

 

4.   The prolonged war has left people in both countries in the state of shock, and they are still r______________ from the brutality they had been going through for all those years. (*meaning “to feel very confused or shocked by something and unable to act/ recover”)

 

5.   Howard got sick and tired of his brother who has always been playing victim by saying their family could not have survived the poverty without his thankless m____________________. (*meaning “sacrifice that hasn’t been appreciated”)

Time to Play the latest Sunday Puzzle from NPR! Name of famous people by using the initials!

I'm going to give you clues for some famous people. The first two letters of each clue are the person's initials.

 

Ex. Media exec at Disney, once  -->  Michael Eisner

 

1. Scowling judge on "America's Got Talent"

 

2. Employs many people at Tesla and SpaceX

 

3. A CNN host

 

4. Chariot-riding actor in "Ben-Hur"

 

5. Eminent French leader

 

6. American playwright who wrote "Death of a Salesman"

 

7. Cleared the Atlantic in the Spirit of St. Louis

 

8. By his efforts the Mormon Church settled in Utah

 

 

Answer Keys

    1.   Simon Cowell

    2.   Elon Must

    3.   Anderson Cooper

    4.   Charlton Heston

    5.   Emanuel Macron

    6.   Arthur Miller

    7.   Charles Lindbergh

    8.   Brigham Young

Herb & Health Series #34. Romaine Lettuce

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.

 

#34. Romaine Lettuce

Romaine lettuce might be viewed as a boring, bland, or tasteless ingredient for your meal fix, but it packs a respectable nutrient punch, giving you   1.vitamin _____ (which plays a role in eye health and reduces a person's risk of cataracts), vitamin K, and even a bit of 2. fi_________ in each crunchy bite. Even though romaine’s 3. fi_________ content might be modest, it’s enough to make a difference when combined with other wholesome foods — like adding beans, nuts, or whole grains to your salad for an extra fiber boost. Besides, its mild flavor makes it incredibly versatile in your daily cuisine, whether you’re adding it to your favorite salad, using it as a wrap, or even tossing it on the grill for a fun (and delicious) change of pace.

Also, romaine lettuce has also been shown to promote 4. sl___________. In this respect, if you have trouble getting sufficient and sound nighttime shuteyes, eat a bowlful of salad filled with romaine lettuce for dinner.

 

So, the next time you browse the produce aisle in a grocery store, make sure to get romaine!

(*source from WebMD)

 

Answer Keys

   1.  vitamin A

   2.  fiber   

   3.  fiber

   4.  sleep  

 

Acrostic poem using Romaine Lettuce by Jean J. Lee

Ravishing cuisine starts with a nice bowl of salad

Open your mind to a leafy starter even if you’re not a vegetarian

Manage your crazy appetite with this calming leaves

Amazingly flexible ingredient!

Ideal choice for your daily meal plans

Nippy and nutricious!

Easy, peasy, and versatile veggie to cook

 

Let your culinary imaginations go wild

Everybody will reach out for these green leaves

Tender enough without seasonings

Tasteful enough without dressings

Unbeatable when it comes to the calming effects

Classic Caesar salad will never be out of the menu

Even an effortless tossed salad doesn’t sound right without Romaine!

 

 

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

Santa Ana Tustin Compounding Pharmacy in California

Dr. Jedidiah's Diary: WORKSHEET #19

WORKSHEET #19

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #19 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary!  

    

1. Brian’s boss keeps taking him under his wing against all the criticism from the other employees because he views Brian as the most f________nd and promising guy at work. (*meaning “fruitful; prolific; very productive and creative; full of ideas”)

 

    2.   Where have you been and how have you been supposed to be gh_____________ me for several months? (*meaning “to cut off all contact with someone”)

 

    3.   You’d better not talk politics on social media today. It is the easiest way to lose your friends being engaged in any arguments that would f_________nt animosity toward one another. (*meaning “to instigate or to stir up an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action”)

 

    4.   I can hardly imagine they put their own family member in mental institution for years because of her manic de________________. (*meaning “a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings between highs (mania) and lows (depression), according to the Mayo Clinic. Also known as bipolar disorder”)

 

    5.   Jeff was offended by his cousin’s flocci___________________ of his p  rized collection of stamps. (*meaning “the estimation of something as valueless”. This is an example of one the longest words in the English language.)

 

    6.   I get tired of hearing my friend’s frequent jac_________________ about his one and only achievement in life. He won the first prize in “Hot Dog Eating Contest” 15 years ago. (*meaning “boastful declaration or display/ bragging”)

 

    7.   Slab City is the well-known community of nomads and artists who go off-___________ in the California desert, which is called "The Last Free Place in America”. (*meaning “cutting off all contact via internet and phone with friends and family for an allotted amount of time”)

 

    8.   Mr. Kim became a fierce right-wing politician after years as a loyal democrat. He is known as a pros_______________. (*meaning “a new convert as to a faith or a political stance”)

 

    9.   The government looks imp______________ to alleviate or overcome today’s polarization in the country.  (*meaning “lacking power, strength, or the ability to act effectively”)

Dr. Jedidiah's Diary: WORKSHEET #18

WORKSHEET #18

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #18 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary!  

1.   Ken gets nervous whenever his teacher sin___________ him out to answer a question in class. (*meaning “to choose/ select/ pick/ distinguish someone from others”)

 

    2.   I don’t have time to exp________________ on every single detail of what happened in the meeting yesterday. (*meaning “to speak or write about something in great detail”)

 

    3.   What he left undone was a mere _____________ to what he did. (*meaning “something insignificant/ not quite important”)

 

    4.   With one brutal wall_______, Jarome knocked him out. (*meaning “hit/blot/attack” noun = verb)

 

    5.   What is your favorite sea____________ scene in a movie where a medium connects people with the dead? (*meaning “a meeting at which people attempt to make contact with the dead, especially through the agency of a medium”)

 

    6.   The nasty fraternity, which was all about booze and substances, soon became the _____________ of the town. (*meaning “A person or topic that many people are currently talking about in a certain area, typically due to recent eventfulness”)

 

    7.   When Angela heard the sad news, she was in the state of shock and out _____________ for a few minutes. (*meaning “to faint or pass out”)

 

    8.   I fell in love with this old town where I could mos__________ around and through a lot of charming corner stores and cafes. (*meaning “to move in a leisurely, relaxed way; saunter; amble; move along”)

 

    9.   Harry knew that there’s someone on his ____________. / Harry knew that someone had been t___________ him. (*meaning “to secretly follow and watch somebody”)

NPR SUNDAY PUZZLE from this last weekend!

Every answer is a famous person whose first or last name is geographical -- city, state, country, or otherwise.

Ex. Novelist Jack  -->  Jack LONDON ("The Call of the Wild")

 

 

1.   Actor Joaquin

 

2. Actor Gooding Jr.

 

3. Artist O'Keeffe

 

4. Media personality Hilton

 

5. Composer Irving

 

6. Actress Fanning

 

7. Actress Ferrera

 

8. Adventurer in film Jones

 

9. Spy in film Powers

 

10. Video game traveler Carmen

 

11. Artist Pollock

 

12. [Phonetic:] Jazz pianist Chick

 

Answer Keys  

    1.  Joaquin PHOENIX

    2.  CUBA Gooding Jr.

    3.  GEORGIA O’keefe

    4.  PARIS Hilton

    5.  Irving BERLIN

    6.  DAKOTA Fanning

    7.  AMERICA Ferrera

    8.  INDIANA Jones

    9.  AUSTIN Powers

    10.   Carmen SANDIEGO

    11.   JACKSON Pollock

    12.   Chick COREA (the sound of the country KOREA in this answer)