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Hi, Rusty!
Have you done your crossword?
I am making heavy weather of mine today....is it especially difficult, or is it only I who am finding it so?
I have completed as much as I can, but still have seven clues remaining to be solved.
And have no ideas about any of these!
And I would take issue with the setter over 20d.....
The answer is obviously "borrow"....but "appropriate" does not mean "borrow".......
In that context, it means "steal".....
I am pleased to say that Anne B agrees with me!
Collins gives it as "take for one's own illegally" and Chambers as "take to oneself as one's own; to steal".
On the plus side, however, I did really like 15d: "collateral"!
It was my favourite clue!

Good afternoon, Elle!
No, I do not think the puzzle is especially difficult today.
Have a break from it. That often helps.
"Borrow" is fine for me.
Collins Online Thesaurus has "appropriate" under "borrow".
"Collateral" is good, I agree.
No new words for me today!
Have a coffee and a break away from your puzzle and it may all fall into place on your return?

Hi, Rusty!
Ah well, the puzzle is difficult for me!
Now I have done a lot of research into "appropriate".....
And very strangely.... none of my three (paper) Thesauri - Collins', Chambers' and Roget's - gives "borrow" under "appropriate"....but they all offer "steal".
Yet if I reverse that, and look up "borrow"......two of the three will offer "appropriate"!
I wonder why only "one way round"?
I do think "wavelengths" come into these puzzles....
Yesterday, I was obviously "on the same wavelength" as that particular setter...
Challenging though the crossword was, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Today, I am not appreciating this at all......
I shall draw a line under it......
"Tomorrow is another day"!
Very hot here!

Hello, Elle!
The puzzle being "difficult for me" is the best kind of puzzle, Elle!
One that challenges you.
I do not have "not on the same wavelengths" with setters.
Surely that's a cop-out?
It's as if you are saying there is a fault with the setter.
When I first came across Araucaria, I thought I'd never get to grips with his puzzles, but I kept at it, and eventually looked forward to his puzzles, however unconventional they were.
But, if you don't like a puzzle, leave it.
No point in doing something that you are not comfortable with.
It is fine weather here, with a very nice breeze!

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, no!
That is not what I meant at all.....if there is a fault or deficiency, then it presumably lies with me, not the setter!
I am obviously not expressing myself adequately.....
I shall try again.....
For example, yesterday's puzzle was not easy and was challenging in its solving......and I much enjoyed that.
I like a bit of a struggle!
But I am happier with "classical references" in the crosswords, for instance ......like yesterday.....than I am with today's clues.
This is what I mean by being "on a particular wavelength"?
Am I making sense...is this any clearer?
I think the dog is getting bored with her "soft" food.....only chicken or fish...... but tomorrow she is allowed back on her normal diet!
And she goes to the vet in the morning for a post-op dental check up!
Whether or not she will allow the vet to look into her mouth is another matter!
I looked this morning, and the cavities seem to be doing well...they look "clean."

Hello, Elle!
I like a good mixture in the puzzle.
I thought today's was fine.
My favourites were 3d, "deejay", and 17d, "bewilder".
Positive news about your dog.
Hope her and the vet get on fine, tomorrow!
My son was here and has just left.
He and his wife are going to Amsterdam next weekend.
Miss La Bamba will be in charge of me!

Good evening, Rusty!
That was good that you and your son got your weekly catch up, after all.
They will enjoy a weekend in Amsterdam.
I am sure that Miss L-B will look after you very well!
Yes "Be wilder" was good! I didn't manage to do 3d......
I don't yet have my new TV guide - aren't there Time trials, or some such, this weekend, for the selection of athletes for the World Championships in Doha?
Or have I got this wrong?
Phew, it has been a very warm afternoon here.....and I believe we are in for a hot weekend, too?

Hello, Elle!
Yes, it was grand seeing my son!
I did not know he was coming.
La Bamba and me get on great!
I think, if I remember correctly, we are going to Pine Cone tomorrow.
Will text her to find out.
BBC1 and 2 are showing athletics on Sunday afternoon.
Highlights of Paris Diamond League and the British Championships from Birmingham.
I don't know of your time trials?
It has been a fine day here and our forecast is good over the weekend.

Hi, Rusty!
I've obviously got it wrong about the selections for the World Championships...I had it in my head that this was happening this weekend.
However, I shall look forward to watching the other Athletics events on Sunday afternoon!
I need to find a schedule of the forthcoming Athletics programmes, over the rest of the Summer, so that I can plan my time.
I've already made a bit of a boob in organising our week away for the 5th to the 12th October....
This means, I think, that I shall miss the last two days of the World Championships!
Bad organisation on my part!
Yes, check with your granddaughter about your proposed outing tomorrow!
I hope you both enjoy yourselves...... might Miss O go with you, too?

Hello, Elle!
This may be of some help, if you explore it?

https://www.athleticsweekly.com/

Yes, La Bamba and me are going to Pine Cone.
Miss O may come with us, I have not heard from her, though.
Hope she does!