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Hello, Elle!
The "word mines" is a term I made up for going digging in dictionaries and the the like, hoping to unearth things that I am not yet aware of!
I think rolling your "r's" is what it means, yes.
I simply had never heard of a dog or canine letter before.
A bit odd, I think.
Another one was, under the letter "J", Anne Bradford had "pen".
Turns out that "pen" was the original name for what we know as a "nib", and a J-pen was a type of nib.
There is a lot to learn in a Bradford's!

Hi, Rusty!
And there was I...... searching Anne B's for a section called "Word mines"........
Ooops!
I had never heard of a J-pen , either!
Yes, you are right, we are always learning something new!
And on that encouraging note.......
I am away to my bed!

Good morning, Elle!
A bit frosty here.
Sorry for confusing you about the "word mines".
I just thought it was an apt turn of phrase!
Did you find "J-pen"?
Wonder what we shall discover today!
I am off for my paper soon.
Have to get a flu jab later!

Good morning, Rusty!
Wet and warm (ish) again!
Very muddy dog this morning!
Yes, I found J- pen!
You are late in the season having your flu jab?
My husband went for his jab at the end of September.
And I think my daughter mentioned BB getting one at school, earlier in the term.
I am behind times this morning......
I have not even printed out the crosswords yet......let alone made the coffee!
I need the caffeine to stimulate my brain..............especially after my feeble attempts at the puzzles yesterday!

Hello, Elle!
Well done on "J-pen"!
I agree about the flu jab.
I was a tad confused.
I received a letter from NHS weeks ago saying the flu jabbing was starting, but I was expecting an invite from my surgery.
Then last week I got a text message from said surgery asking if I wanted one or tell them if I don't want one.
So....today's the day for the jabbing!
I have finished my puzzle.
A good one today.
There was a God involved in one of the clues that I had never heard of, and an opera with the name of stars.
I knew the opera but not the stars.
So, learning all the time!

Hi, Rusty!
I am being "domesticated" this morning!
I have so far dealt with two machines loads of washing.......
I think the days of hanging out the washing on the Hill's Hoist are over now till Spring.
I have yet to dust and hoover.....that is next on my agenda.......
Coffee was good, though...and the crosswords are printed out ready........
What time is the appointment for your flu jab?

Hello, Elle!
The Hill's Hoist will be feeling neglected!
I agree, though.
When I was out earlier there was the odd slippy patch on the pavement.
It is Winter!
Fair play to ASDA, they have all their paths etc well gritted today.
I see the jabbing nurse at 12:15.

Hi, Rusty!
Well, if your appointment is running to time, you will have been jabbed by now!
I hope you don't suffer any side effects.
From what I can gather, quite a few people have had pseudo flu symptoms - or so they would have me believe!
( "Man -flu"? )
I am struggling with today's crossword...but as it tells me it is one of three compiled for the Championships, perhaps I should not be surprised?
I think I have done all I shall ever manage to do!
No answers for five clues.... plus no parsing for 7d (answer: convenience food)
I didn't know that "top banana" meant "boss" !!!
Or that "Norma", besides being an opera, is a constellation.
I liked 18d: "Adelaide " and 29a: "Poseidon"
I haven't quite given up on the others yet........I may scream for help later on.......

Hello, Elle!
Yes, that's the jabbing done and dusted!
I did not know "starry Norma" either.
My guess for 7d.
Look at the word "lootable" then your answer.
A convenience can be called a "loo".
And "table" can mean a supply of food.
What do you reckon?
Have a wee break from it, Elle, and when you return, often the answers jump out at you.
Yes, it was used in the Championships, so it is fairly hard.

Hi, Rusty!
Well, at least you are now hopefully protected against any flu variants.
Ah yes, I can see "convenience food" now that you have explained it to me!
I should have seen that, though, shouldn't I?
I am no forrader with any of the others...but will take your advice and leave it for a while...
Light may strike when I come back from my walk!
Still damp out ...ugh!
We are away to the park with the dog.....
Back in a bit!