Good Queen Jane

Interesting that they would have accepted just Joan or Jeanne, although I guess surnames weren’t used in the 15th Century. Still I would have thought that “of Arc” or “d’Arc” would have been required. On a shallow note, I loved Ken’s silver tie today. Very elegant!

The only time that they seemed to be enjoying themselves was during the carnival. They both had the biggest grins on their face. Otherwise, they have been pretty dour throughout the race.

4/5, 2*. Thanks to The Royals thread discussion of the discovery and burial of Richard lll. In their honor, I’ll bring scones and clotted cream.

4/5, no *. There seems to be a lot of 4/5’s. We may have to divide into asterisk and no asterisk tables.

Hawayek and Baker seem to have had an unusual number of concussions. This is not meant as a criticism; some people are more prone to them. But dance seems like the discipline where concussions would be less likely since there are no jumps or throws. I worry about them.

I thought it was interesting that Joe and Ian beating Todd and Ashlie to the last mural station turned out to be good for Todd and Ashlie and bad for the boys. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade!

3/5. The week started out so well…

Don't set your expectations for NBC coverage by Skate America. NBC's contract with USFSA requires extensive broadcasts of Skate America and US Nationals. The rest of the Grand Prix and Worlds is under a contract with the ISU and requires much less coverage.

1/5 no * I knew I would come down to earth after two great weeks but I'm really disappointed in myself for missing Friday's FJ. I'm a regular in The Royals thread and I thought I knew all the European monarchs well. I blame my failure on my refusal to think of Monaco's current Prince Albert of the Baggy Pants.

Shepherd Clark encouraged her to compete. I read somewhere she is now living in Florida.

Debi Thomas came in second in the World Figures and Fancy Skating competition in Lake Placid. I hope she has come back to a good place in her life. I always enjoyed her skating.

4/5 with 1* I still have no idea where this burst of knowledge is coming from. I can only assume that everything I know was considered not good enough to be used by the show before the writers’ strike.

To my utter amazement, 5/5 with 1*! I will bring Impossible Burgers for the house.

2/5. I hope the writers' strike is over so we can get back to the regular games.

3/5. I feel better now that there are so many here who also answered “the Statue of Liberty Guy.” I came up with Ceres but had no idea that it was lurking in the dark recesses of my mind. I’ll bring Pixy Styxs in honor of another one I missed.

Gabriel was introduced as a "script writer. I couldn't help but wonder if TPTB deliberately sought him out to show there was nothing wrong in filming new shows during the strike. I also wondered what the Writer's Guild thought about his appearance. It is my understanding that there are different rules during the strike for appearances on game shows and daytime talk shows.

I’m in. I consider the people in this thread to be my tribe. And you all virtually cook/bake better than I do in real life.

@Clanstarling, thank you so much for your work. I would like to continue in the contest, however you and others would like to set it up. I only come for the food (and the delightful company) anyway.

2/5. I’m a little disappointed that the only ones I got were also the ones all three contestants got. I like to think I’m better at the game than at least one of the players and I consider an asterisk as a badge of honor. Come on, TPTB, and end this strike! I need my J! and, even more, my FJ Contest fellow travelers. You all bring such joy to my life and such virtual goodies to my stomach!

I think most of us think of this as the fun being the journey, not the destination. Please don't stress out, @Clanstarling. I really don't care about the results, but if you need a goal, just shoot for the date J! resumes. Considering the strikes, that should give you plenty of time.

3/5. In honor of ISS, I‘ll bring space ice cream. That always fascinated me when I was a kid.

It is my understanding that the author never used the unadorned verb "said". Characters always "said loudly" or "said excitedly" or "said politely." Or they "exclaimed" or "shouted" or "whispered." The puns came later as part of the play on words created for the Tom Swifties, she said gamely.

When I was in high school, Tom Swifties (not the Taylor Swift fans) were all the rage. These were things Tom supposedly said with a pun in the adverb describing how he said it. Examples: "I'm going to the Arctic, " Tom said icily. "Here's the mausoleum, " Tom said cryptically. I thought that this was what the category would be about, she said cluelessly.

Helen George and Jack Ashton have split up.

Not as disheartening as it STILL not having been passed in enough states an entire century later. Actually, it has passed in enough states, but the last several came after the deadline set by Congress.