Puzzle #615

[Steve Arnold]

Many, many apologies for taking so long to get this up ... it's been a zoo around here and I think it's been at least a week since I was even logged in here. Things have settled down, now. At any rate, here is the new puzzle!


New players! Read the rules before you join, please, and be prepared to host the next if you win!

These are the rules:

* 1. You may only guess one letter at a time.

* 2. After you have guessed a letter, you must wait for another player to guess a letter before you can go again. (see also rule #9)

* 3. The host of the game responding to a guess does not count as a turn. Should you choose a letter, then receive a response from the member host, you must wait for the next member to guess a letter.

* 4. One point will be awarded for each correct letter, 2 points for vowels.

* 5. Only six misses are allowed in the game.

* 6. If you wish to guess the phrase, send it to me via Pet Talk Private message. (This is accessible via the 'PM' or 'Profile' buttons on any of my posts). DO NOT post it on the forum. If you wish to guess a letter, post it on the forum.

* 7. You must have submitted a correct letter to submit your solution. Unlike letters, if you submit a wrong solution, you are disqualified from continuing in that puzzle.

* 8. The player who correctly guesses the phrase wins the game. If no one has guessed it correctly after six misses, then the player with the most points wins the game.

* 9. Only 5 guesses allowed in total until the host updates the puzzle. Any guess after 5, before the next update, won't be counted as a guess. And as always, someone else has to guess a letter before you can guess another letter.

And here is what you win ... you get to create the next puzzle.

(Should you win the game and are unable to host the next puzzle, you may pass it to the member with the next highest points)

Here's the puzzle:

“- ---- --- ---- --- ----- -- --- ------ - ------- ---- ---.”
“---’- -- ----------,” --- ------- -------. “---?”
- --------. “------- --- --- ------ ----. -- -- --- ------- --- ---- --- - ---- ---- -- ----- ------- --- - --- -- --- -----. ----- --, ---- --- -- ----- ----. ---- -------- -- --- ------?”
“--, --- -----,” --- ------- --------. “-- --- ------ ----.”
“---- ----- -------? --- ------- ----? ---’- ------ ----- --- --- ---- -----. --- ------ ------ – --- ---- --- -- ---- ---.”
“---’-- ---- ---- -----,” ------- --. --------.

---- -- ---- ---- ----
-- ------ ------


Letters left to guess:
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

[Moesha]

"R" please

[Steve Arnold]

Good choice. Twenty-nine R's.


“- ---- --- ---- --- ----- -- --- ----r- - ---r--- ---- ---.”
“---’- -- r---------,” --- ------r -------. “---?”
- --r-----. “------- --- --- ------ ----. -- -- --- ---r-r- --- ---- --- - ---- ---- -- ---r- ------r --- - --- -- --- ----r. -r--- --, ---- --- -- ----- ----. ---- -------- -- --- -----r?”
“--, --- r----,” --- ------r --------. “-- --- -----r ----.”
“---- ----- ------r? --- -r----- ----? ---’- --r--- ---r- --- R-- --r- -r---. --- ------ ------ – --- ---- --- -- ---- ---.”
“---’-- ---- ---r -----,” -r----- -r. --------.

-r-- -- --r- ---- ----
-- --r--- --r---

Moesha: R (29) = 29


Letters left to guess:
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQSTUVWXYZ

[Catty1]

E please!

[Steve Arnold]

Hey, we're hitting pay dirt right from the start. Fifty-three E's! Well done.


“- --e- --- --e- --- ----- -- --e -e--re - ---r-e- ---e --e.”
“---’- -e r---------,” --e -e---er -----e-. “---?”
- --r---e-. “-e----e --e --- ------ --e-. -- -- --e ---r-r- --- ---- --- - ---- ---- -- ---r- -----er --- - --- -- --e ---er. -r--- -e, ---- --- -- ----- ----. ---- ----e-e- -- --- -e--er?”
“--, --- r----,” --e -e---er ------e-. “-- --- -e--er --e-.”
“---- ----- -----er? --- -r----e ---e? ---’- --r-e- --ere --e Re- -er- -r---. --e -----e ------ – --- ---- --e -- ---- --e.”
“---’-e ---e ---r -----,” -r---e- -r. ---e----.

-r-- -- --re -e-- ----
-- --r--- --r---

Moesha: R (29) = 29
Catty1: E (53) = 106


Letters left to guess:
ABCDFGHIJKLMNOPQSTUVWXYZ

[Karen]

T please!

[Steve Arnold]

Thirty-five T's, you're really knocking them off tonight!


“- --e- --- --e- --- ----- t- --e -e--re - -t-rte- ---e --e.”
“---’t -e r---------,” t-e te---er -----e-. “---?”
- --r---e-. “-e----e t-e --- ------ --e-. -- t- t-e ---r-r- --- ---- --t - ---- --t- -- ---r- -t---er --- - --- -- t-e ---er. Tr--t -e, t--t --- -- ----- ----. ---t ----e-e- t- --- -e--er?”
“--, --- r---t,” t-e te---er ----tte-. “-- --- -e--er --e-.”
“---t ----t -----er? --- -r--t-e ---e? ---’t --r-et --ere t-e Re- -er- -r---. T-e -----e ------ – t-- ---- --e -- t--t --e.”
“---’-e ---e ---r ----t,” -r---e- -r. ---e----.

-r-- -- --re -e-- ----
-- --r--- --r---

Moesha: R (29) = 29
Catty1: E (53) = 106
Karen: T (35) = 35


Letters left to guess:
ABCDFGHIJKLMNOPQSUVWXYZ

[Catty1]

I please. :)

[Moesha]

L for me.

[Steve Arnold]

Twenty-one I's.


“I --e- --- --e- --- --i-- t- -ie -e--re I -t-rte- ---e --e.”
“---’t -e ri-i------,” t-e te---er -----e-. “---?”
I --r---e-. “-e----e t-e --- ------ -ie-. -- t- t-e -i-r-r- --- -i-- --t - ---- -it- -- ---r- -ti--er --- - --- -- t-e ---er. Tr--t -e, t--t --- i- --i-- ----. ---t ----e-e- t- --- -e--er?”
“--, --- ri--t,” t-e te---er ---itte-. “-- --- -e--er -ie-.”
“---t ----t -----er? --- -ri-t-e ---e? ---’t --r-et --ere t-e Re- -er- -r---. T-e -----e ------ – t-- ---- -ie i- t--t --e.”
“---’-e ---e ---r --i-t,” -r---e- -r. ---e----.

-r-- -- --re -e-- ----
-- --r--- --r---

Moesha: R (29) = 29
Catty1: E (53); I (21) = 148
Karen: T (35) = 35


Letters left to guess:
ABCDFGHJKLMNOPQSUVWXYZ

[Steve Arnold]

And sixteen L's.


“I --e- -l- --e- --- --i-- t- -ie -e--re I -t-rte- ---e --e.”
“---’t -e ri-i--l---,” t-e te---er -----e-. “---?”
I --r---e-. “-e----e t-e --- -l---- -ie-. -- t- t-e li-r-r- --- -i-- --t - ---- -it- -- ---r- -ti--er --- - --- -- t-e ---er. Tr--t -e, t--t --- i- --i-- ----. ---t ----e-e- t- -l- -eller?”
“--, -ll ri--t,” t-e te---er ---itte-. “-- -l- -eller -ie-.”
“---t ----t -----er? --- -ri-tle ---e? ---’t --r-et --ere t-e Re- -er- -r---. T-e ----le ------ – t-- ---- -ie i- t--t --e.”
“---’-e ---e ---r --i-t,” -r--le- -r. ---el---.

-r-- -- --re -e-- ----
-- --r--- --r---

Moesha: R (29); L (16) = 45
Catty1: E (53); I (21) = 148
Karen: T (35) = 35


Letters left to guess:
ABCDFGHJKMNOPQSUVWXYZ

[Felicia's Mom]

N, please

[Steve Arnold]

Good one. Twenty-three N's.


“I -ne- -l- --e- --- --in- t- -ie -e--re I -t-rte- ---e -ne.”
“--n’t -e ri-i--l---,” t-e te---er -n---e-. “---?”
I --r---e-. “-e----e t-e --- -l---- -ie-. -- t- t-e li-r-r- -n- -i-- --t - ---- -it- -n ---r- -ti--er -n- - --- -n t-e ---er. Tr--t -e, t--t --- i- --in- ---n. ---t ----ene- t- -l- -eller?”
“--, -ll ri--t,” t-e te---er ---itte-. “-- -l- -eller -ie-.”
“---t ----t ---n-er? -n- -ri-tle ---e? --n’t --r-et --ere t-e Re- -ern -r---. T-e ----le ------ – t-- ---- -ie in t--t -ne.”
“---’-e ---e ---r --int,” -r--le- -r. ---el--n.

-r-- N- --re -e-- ----
-- --r--n --r--n

Moesha: R (29); L (16) = 45
Catty1: E (53); I (21) = 148
Karen: T (35) = 35
Felicia's Mom: N (23) = 23


Letters left to guess:
ABCDFGHJKMOPQSUVWXYZ

[Catty1]

O please.

[Steve Arnold]

Very good choice. Forty-six O's. Some things are really starting to fill in nicely.


“I -ne- Ol- --e- --- -oin- to -ie -e-ore I -t-rte- ---e one.”
“-on’t -e ri-i--lo--,” t-e te---er -n---e-. “-o-?”
I --r---e-. “-e----e t-e -o- -l---- -ie-. -o to t-e li-r-r- -n- -i-- o-t - -oo- -it- -n ---r- -ti--er -n- - -o- on t-e -o-er. Tr--t -e, t--t -o- i- -oin- -o-n. ---t ----ene- to Ol- -eller?”
“O-, -ll ri--t,” t-e te---er ---itte-. “-o Ol- -eller -ie-.”
“---t --o-t -o-n-er? -n- -ri-tle ---e? -on’t -or-et --ere t-e Re- -ern -ro--. T-e -o--le ------ – t-o -o-- -ie in t--t one.”
“-o-’-e ---e -o-r -oint,” -ro-le- -r. -o-el--n.

-ro- No -ore -e-- -o--
-- -or-on -or--n

Moesha: R (29); L (16) = 45
Catty1: E (53); I (21); o (46) = 240
Karen: T (35) = 35
Felicia's Mom: N (23) = 23


Letters left to guess:
ABCDFGHJKMPQSUVWXYZ

[Asiel]

H please

[Steve Arnold]

Twenty-two H's. Several complete words are showing their faces now ...


“I -ne- Ol- -he- --- -oin- to -ie -e-ore I -t-rte- ---e one.”
“-on’t -e ri-i--lo--,” the te--her -n---e-. “Ho-?”
I -hr---e-. “-e----e the -o- -l---- -ie-. -o to the li-r-r- -n- -i-- o-t - -oo- -ith -n ---r- -ti--er -n- - -o- on the -o-er. Tr--t -e, th-t -o- i- -oin- -o-n. -h-t h---ene- to Ol- -eller?”
“Oh, -ll ri-ht,” the te--her ---itte-. “-o Ol- -eller -ie-.”
“-h-t --o-t -o-n-er? -n- -ri-tle ---e? -on’t -or-et -here the Re- -ern -ro--. The -o--le -h---- – t-o -o-- -ie in th-t one.”
“-o-’-e ---e -o-r -oint,” -ro-le- -r. -o-el--n.

-ro- No -ore -e-- -o--
-- -or-on -or--n

Moesha: R (29); L (16) = 45
Catty1: E (53); I (21); O (46) = 240
Karen: T (35) = 35
Felicia's Mom: N (23) = 23
Asiel: H (22) = 22


Letters left to guess:
ABCDFGJKMPQSUVWXYZ

[Catty1]

A please!

[Steve Arnold]

Thirty-two A's ...


“I -ne- Ol- -he- -a- -oin- to -ie -e-ore I -tarte- -a-e one.”
“-on’t -e ri-i--lo--,” the tea-her -na--e-. “Ho-?”
I -hr---e-. “-e-a--e the -o- al-a-- -ie-. -o to the li-rar- an- -i-- o-t a -oo- -ith an a-ar- -ti--er an- a -o- on the -o-er. Tr--t -e, that -o- i- -oin- -o-n. -hat ha--ene- to Ol- -eller?”
“Oh, all ri-ht,” the tea-her a--itte-. “-o Ol- -eller -ie-.”
“-hat a-o-t -o-n-er? An- -ri-tle -a-e? -on’t -or-et -here the Re- -ern -ro--. The -o--le -ha--- – t-o -o-- -ie in that one.”
“-o-’-e -a-e -o-r -oint,” -ro-le- -r. -o-el-an.

-ro- No -ore -ea- -o--
-- -or-on -or-an

Moesha: R (29); L (16) = 45
Catty1: E (53); I (21); O (46); A (32) = 304
Karen: T (35) = 35
Felicia's Mom: N (23) = 23
Asiel: H (22) = 22


Letters left to guess:
BCDFGJKMPQSUVWXYZ

[Catty1]

Ok I'm champing at the bit with a consonant or two or three...

[Steve Arnold]

Yes, there are definitely two or three consonants you'll need to be sure of a couple of the words! But otherwise it's filled in nicely and quite quickly!

[Moesha]

I'll select the "G" please.

[Catty1]

S please.

[Steve Arnold]

Well, that worked out neatly. 19 G's and 19 S's. (Sorry about the delay, I spent most of the day with my parents and just got back.)


“I -ne- Ol- She- -as -going to -ie -e-ore I starte- -age one.”
“-on’t -e ri-i--lo-s,” the tea-her sna--e-. “Ho-?”
I shr-gge-. “-e-a-se the -og al-a-s -ies. Go to the li-rar- an- -i-- o-t a -oo- -ith an a-ar- sti--er an- a -og on the -o-er. Tr-st -e, that -og is going -o-n. -hat ha--ene- to Ol- -eller?”
“Oh, all right,” the tea-her a--itte-. “So Ol- -eller -ies.”
“-hat a-o-t So-n-er? An- -ristle -a-e? -on’t -orget -here the Re- -ern Gro-s. The -o--le -ha--- – t-o -ogs -ie in that one.”
“-o-’-e -a-e -o-r -oint,” gro-le- -r. -ogel-an.

-ro- No -ore -ea- -ogs
-- Gor-on -or-an

Moesha: R (29); L (16); G (19) = 64
Catty1: E (53); I (21); O (46); A (32); S (19) = 323
Karen: T (35) = 35
Felicia's Mom: N (23) = 23
Asiel: H (22) = 22


Letters left to guess:
BCDFJKMPQUVWXYZ

[Steve Arnold]

BUMP!

Come on, you were all doing so well, I thought you'd get the whole thing in three days this time around instead of three weeks ...

[cassiesmom]

B, please (for "I'm holding my breath as I watch the NCAA men's basketball game tonight between Louisville and Michigan!")

[Steve Arnold]

Nine B's is all we have, but it does fill in some blanks ...


“I -ne- Ol- She- -as -going to -ie be-ore I starte- -age one.”
“-on’t be ri-i--lo-s,” the tea-her sna--e-. “Ho-?”
I shr-gge-. “Be-a-se the -og al-a-s -ies. Go to the librar- an- -i-- o-t a boo- -ith an a-ar- sti--er an- a -og on the -o-er. Tr-st -e, that -og is going -o-n. -hat ha--ene- to Ol- -eller?”
“Oh, all right,” the tea-her a--itte-. “So Ol- -eller -ies.”
“-hat abo-t So-n-er? An- Bristle -a-e? -on’t -orget -here the Re- -ern Gro-s. The -o-ble -ha--- – t-o -ogs -ie in that one.”
“-o-’-e -a-e -o-r -oint,” gro-le- -r. -ogel-an.

-ro- No -ore -ea- -ogs
B- Gor-on -or-an

Moesha: R (29); L (16); G (19) = 64
Catty1: E (53); I (21); O (46); A (32); S (19) = 323
Karen: T (35) = 35
Felicia's Mom: N (23) = 23
Asiel: H (22) = 22
cassiesmom: B (9) = 9


Letters left to guess:
CDFJKMPQUVWXYZ

[Catty1]

PM sent.

[Steve Arnold]

We're still going - one word missed. Here we are again ...


“I -ne- Ol- She- -as going to -ie be-ore I starte- -age one.”
“-on’t be ri-i--lo-s,” the tea-her sna--e-. “Ho-?”
I shr-gge-. “Be-a-se the -og al-a-s -ies. Go to the librar- an- -i-- o-t a boo- -ith an a-ar- sti--er an- a -og on the -o-er. Tr-st -e, that -og is going -o-n. -hat ha--ene- to Ol- -eller?”
“Oh, all right,” the tea-her a--itte-. “So Ol- -eller -ies.”
“-hat abo-t So-n-er? An- Bristle -a-e? -on’t -orget -here the Re- -ern Gro-s. The -o-ble -ha--- – t-o -ogs -ie in that one.”
“-o-’-e -a-e -o-r -oint,” gro-le- -r. -ogel-an.

-ro- No -ore -ea- -ogs
B- Gor-on -or-an

Moesha: R (29); L (16); G (19) = 64
Catty1: E (53); I (21); O (46); A (32); S (19) = 323
Karen: T (35) = 35
Felicia's Mom: N (23) = 23
Asiel: H (22) = 22
cassiesmom: B (9) = 9

Letters left to guess:
CDFJKMPQUVWXYZ

[Catty1]

P please. :)

[Steve Arnold]

There are eight P's - that fills in a few more things ...


“I -ne- Ol- Shep -as going to -ie be-ore I starte- page one.”
“-on’t be ri-i--lo-s,” the tea-her snappe-. “Ho-?”
I shr-gge-. “Be-a-se the -og al-a-s -ies. Go to the librar- an- pi-- o-t a boo- -ith an a-ar- sti--er an- a -og on the -o-er. Tr-st -e, that -og is going -o-n. -hat happene- to Ol- -eller?”
“Oh, all right,” the tea-her a--itte-. “So Ol- -eller -ies.”
“-hat abo-t So-n-er? An- Bristle -a-e? -on’t -orget -here the Re- -ern Gro-s. The -o-ble -ha--- – t-o -ogs -ie in that one.”
“-o-’-e -a-e -o-r point,” gro-le- -r. -ogel-an.

-ro- No -ore -ea- -ogs
B- Gor-on -or-an

Moesha: R (29); L (16); G (19) = 64
Catty1: E (53); I (21); O (46); A (32); S (19); P (8) = 331
Karen: T (35) = 35
Felicia's Mom: N (23) = 23
Asiel: H (22) = 22
cassiesmom: B (9) = 9

Letters left to guess:
CDFJKMQUVWXYZ

[Moesha]

There are still a few words I can't make out.

I'll guess a "D", please.

[Asiel]

F please

[Catty1]

K please. :)

[Steve Arnold]

This fills in quite a few things. D was the one I was waiting for the whole puzzle - 35 of those, plus six F's and five K's.

“I kne- Old Shep -as going to die before I started page one.”
“Don’t be ridi--lo-s,” the tea-her snapped. “Ho-?”
I shr-gged. “Be-a-se the dog al-a-s dies. Go to the librar- and pi-k o-t a book -ith an a-ard sti-ker and a dog on the -o-er. Tr-st -e, that dog is going do-n. -hat happened to Old -eller?”
“Oh, all right,” the tea-her ad-itted. “So Old -eller died.”
“-hat abo-t So-nder? And Bristle Fa-e? Don’t forget -here the Red Fern Gro-s. The do-ble -ha--- – t-o dogs die in that one.”
“-o-’-e -ade -o-r point,” gro-led -r. Fogel-an.

Fro- No -ore Dead Dogs
B- Gordon Kor-an

Moesha: R (29); L (16); G (19); D (35) = 99
Catty1: E (53); I (21); O (46); A (32); S (19); P (8); K (5) = 336
Karen: T (35) = 35
Felicia's Mom: N (23) = 23
Asiel: H (22); F (6) = 28
cassiesmom: B (9) = 9

Letters left to guess:
CDJMQUVWXYZ

[cassiesmom]

W, please

[Steve Arnold]

Fourteen W's. That fills in quite of few of the things that are left! (I scored five of the W's as vowels, giving you 19 points.)


“I knew Old Shep was going to die before I started page one.”
“Don’t be ridi--lo-s,” the tea-her snapped. “How?”
I shr-gged. “Be-a-se the dog alwa-s dies. Go to the librar- and pi-k o-t a book with an award sti-ker and a dog on the -o-er. Tr-st -e, that dog is going down. What happened to Old -eller?”
“Oh, all right,” the tea-her ad-itted. “So Old -eller died.”
“What abo-t So-nder? And Bristle Fa-e? Don’t forget Where the Red Fern Grows. The do-ble wha--- – two dogs die in that one.”
“-o-’-e -ade -o-r point,” growled -r. Fogel-an.

Fro- No -ore Dead Dogs
B- Gordon Kor-an

Moesha: R (29); L (16); G (19); D (35) = 99
Catty1: E (53); I (21); O (46); A (32); S (19); P (8); K (5) = 336
Karen: T (35) = 35
Felicia's Mom: N (23) = 23
Asiel: H (22); F (6) = 28
cassiesmom: B (9); W (19) = 28

Letters left to guess:
CDJMQUVXYZ

[Steve Arnold]

Bumping this up again.

[Catty1]

C please.

[Steve Arnold]

Eight C's. It's definitely filling in now!


“I knew Old Shep was going to die before I started page one.”
“Don’t be ridic-lo-s,” the teacher snapped. “How?”
I shr-gged. “Beca-se the dog alwa-s dies. Go to the librar- and pick o-t a book with an award sticker and a dog on the co-er. Tr-st -e, that dog is going down. What happened to Old -eller?”
“Oh, all right,” the teacher ad-itted. “So Old -eller died.”
“What abo-t So-nder? And Bristle Face? Don’t forget Where the Red Fern Grows. The do-ble wha--- – two dogs die in that one.”
“-o-’-e -ade -o-r point,” growled -r. Fogel-an.

Fro- No -ore Dead Dogs
B- Gordon Kor-an

Moesha: R (29); L (16); G (19); D (35) = 99
Catty1: E (53); I (21); O (46); A (32); S (19); P (8); K (5); C (8) = 344
Karen: T (35) = 35
Felicia's Mom: N (23) = 23
Asiel: H (22); F (6) = 28
cassiesmom: B (9); W (19) = 28

Letters left to guess:
JMQUVXYZ

[Moesha]

Guess sent.

[Steve Arnold]

We have a winner! Moesha has correctly solved the puzzle. Here is the solution:


“I knew Old Shep was going to die before I started page one.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” the teacher snapped. “How?”
I shrugged. “Because the dog always dies. Go to the library and pick out a book with an award sticker and a dog on the cover. Trust me, that dog is going down. What happened to Old Yeller?”
“Oh, all right,” the teacher admitted. “So Old Yeller died.”
“What about Sounder? And Bristle Face? Don’t forget Where the Red Fern Grows. The double whammy – two dogs die in that one.”
“You’ve made your point,” growled Mr. Fogelman.

From No More Dead Dogs
By Gordon Korman

No More Dead Dogs is a delightful middle grade novel about an eighth grade boy, Wallace Wallace, who rebels against his teacher's favorite book, Old Shep, My Pal by writing a scathing book report about it and lands in detention for it. The passage I used for the puzzle pretty much sums of the boy's view of what he dislikes.

Gordon Korman is a prolific Canadian author of kids' books who had his first novel published in 1978 when he was just fourteen years old, and had five books in print by the time he graduated from high school. No More Dead Dogs was published in 2000.