Posted on 12/31/2019 6:24:57 AM PST by nikos1121
From todays Arkansas Gazette. Anything under 4 minutes is good, under 2 is excellent, and 1 minute or less is extraordinary.
DEZW E HWLCNIFOCA FC LFEJ LEBW FYOL AWQ JWEHL WTW; XCAF XHOAZ EAX XHOTW. JCIH SIVVNW BHOWAX
You can find this little fun word game, to combat early dementia and senility in us baby boomers, in several daily publications.
The way it works is a letter stands for another letter. For example: AXYDLBAAXR is LONGFELLOW (does not apply to today's cryptogram).
Beware, the game is very addictive. If this is your first time, don't be intimidated.
PLEASE DO NOT post the answer in general comments, but DO post your time and any tips you might give the group on how you solve these puzzles as puzzle solvers love to hear how you made out.
You can certainly send your solution to my private reply, or if you need a hint for todays Cryptogram.
If you need a little help you can copy the cryptogram and paste it to Hals Helper below:
You can then work on the puzzle without using pen and paper.
A nice and easy one - good way to end the decade - thanks Nikos.
Solution to our last puzzle:
IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING THAN TO GET THEIR QUICKLY. -SOURCE UNCLEAR
Survey
If you havent as yet, please answer these few quesions.
1. How often do you play the CG puzzle?
2. How long have you been playing?
3. Have you noticed any improvement in your memory, mentation or ability to communicate i.e. finding the right word to say when addressing an audience or a few people?
AWQ JWEHL WTW gives it away.
Good advice.
1. I played daily at the beginning, but have not in a while.
2. I joined soon after you started posting.
3. No discernible change.
Should old cryptograms be forgotten, and Auld Lang Syne.
2. About a year.
3. She doesn't claim any noticeable memory difference.
My wife is well beyond menopause, there is no more mentation. 😁

Happy New Year All!!!
1. Almost daily
2. About 1 year
3. Hard to say. I am just trying to maintain!
Good advice
1. Daily
2. Since the first few postings.
3. Have not noticed any improvements; however, I look forward to your posts each day. Its fun and challenging!
Bakatcha! Thanks for all you do
Happy New Year, folks.
Here everyday that I am pinged since your first post. Has it improved my memory? Not sure, but I sure do love to do these. Keep up the good work . . . thank you Nikos, you’re a treasure. Happy New Year Everybody!
Today’s took forever. I focused on “WTW” first and just couldn’t come up with a word for it. Then I had a “shoulda had a V-8” moment and smacked my head like in the old commercials.
The roads will be sleety tonight so I may be drinking about 4 oz of wine.
Now on to your survey:
1~I do the CGs daily unless I’m out of town and then I catch up. I do enjoy that inner joy when solving them.
2~ Started when I first became aware of your thread. One of the top great finds on FR.
3~ I don’t know if there is any mental improvement IRL but I try to figure out the words first in my head before tackling HAL.
Been tinkering with that middle name on and off for a few hours, no go so far.
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