Are you there Crofter?

[Ont-ice]

Just saw your posting on Pauline's thread. I posted two last night but they never did show. I thought it had been closed down.

[seekeerz]

Hi Joanne, sorry to barge in on your post for crofter but Paulineward has just posted on her thread and it's still going

all the best - Steff

[paulineward]

Hi Joanna...and Steff.
I'm okay...ish. Thank you both so much for being distant but close friends.
Am afraid am having computer probs..so bear with me if I get cut off!
I can't stress enough how everyone's support and friendship has helped. I have posted on the original thread so I don't want to bore newcomers or prolong this for everyone.
It just seemed so appropriate that while I was still up getting a bit of time to myself..you two were on the same thread.
Your words of comfort and support have been cherished.

Very Very kind regards to you both...and I really do send you my kindest regards.

Love to you both
Pauline xx

[Ont-ice]

Thanks seekeerz. Unfortunately I had logged off and didn't get your message. But I have been logging on at my bedtime (Canadian time) to say goodnight to Pauline so did see this posting and her other one on the thread.
Sweet dreams.

[crofter]

Joanna and Steff ,

Sorry I missed your postings earlier. Nice to hear from you both from opposite ends of the globe - especially when a state of limbo has existed for so long.

And Pauline ... Welcome home! xxx

[crofter]

O-ice Do you have a decent anagram finder among your favourites? TRY OUT THE FOLLOWING:

http://wordsmith.org/anagram/advanced.html

It's just that you seemed to be missing a few anagrams of late! Best wishes to you both!

[Ont-ice]

Thank you Crofter. I didn't know such a site existed. I have looked at it and put it in my favourites, but I don't really understand how it helps.
For example in the cryptic crossword I just finished - Clue10A. was Dance with Benouin in the desert? Excellent start . My answer was SARABANDE (sand+arab+e(start of excellent).
I could visualize the word a soon as I wrote out the above. How would I enter such a question into the site you just gave me? I can see it working if just for a single word, but a whole sentence like that? My problem seems to be that I get the answer most times but then have to work back to see how I arrived at it. I'm very new at cryptics. In these here parts it's actually a very rare mag or newspaper that carries a cryptic crossword at all.
Sorry to appear quite dumb - actually the word is numb as I think everything has gone into hibernation now that winter has finally arrived.
O-ice

[crofter]

The anagram solver is not interested in the clue - only the letters SANDARABE (in any order).Enter these into the top box.

Then I set the maximum number of words (here 1 )

You can then set the language!

Now click on "Get Anagrams" and wait!

Try it!

[crofter]

you need to choose "English with obscure words"

[Ont-ice]

You're correct. I just tried it and it worked. But of course.
However it still leaves the problem of 'knowing' the answer and having to backtrack to find out the why. And, also, one would have to study the clue to be aware of which words should be used to make the anagram. I didn't know until recently that the part of the clue 'excellent start' would mean just the starting letter of the word 'excellent.' This probably sounds dumb to you, but with your help and the help of other Abers I hope to become proficient. O-ice number two refuses to even discuss cryptic. He's a GK guy.
Anyway, I knew immediately last night the answer to an anagram, but couldn't figure out the why so asked on AB and saw immediately how simple the why had been. But I'm learning.
Thanks a million for the link and also for your help. It's always great to hear from you.

[crofter]

I got your VENTRILOQUISTS via that website.
Normally, it's feed in the letters, choose the max number of words and "GO" to find your options!

Pleased to have been of service.... :o)