Waiting for clues.

Hmmmm...leaping out of the car?

Nancy.

You are earlier than usual Bobbie!

Ha-started to answer this half an hour ago, but had to jump up when the dogs began to bark. Our new neighbors were out in their yard and, of course, our idiots were barking. Anyway, they are delightful-two kids who are also delightful and a yellow lab who wasn't with them. They aren't actually moving in until the end of the school year. I am so glad they are nice. We chatted for almost an hour. The best thing is that they are not gardeners and want to take out almost all the plantings in the back. Naturally, I volunteered to take anything they don't want!

John Schorne was well-loved by people in his area. They say he captured the devil in his boot and kept him there. There are paintings of him carrying the boot with the devil's head peeking out.

Cynthia

Good hint, I think. Did John have a common 4 letter nickname?

TM

Just popped in (out?) to see if anyone had any ideas. You are all too smart or I am too easy!

Cynthia

OK, I was thinking I knew this - these scared me as a child!!

Nancy.

Sorry, the clues aren't helping me unless the answer is jacks.

Nancy, do you know there is a term for fear of clowns? Coulrophobia!

This toy also shares its name with the 16th century term for a swindler who would cheat other tradesmen by delivering empty boxes rather than the expected ones filled with goods.

Bobbie, although you aren't there yet, you have made a connection, but not the right one.

Cynthia

Do any of you watch Stephen Colbert? Apparently he was the keynote speaker at the Al Smith dinner. I saw a clip where he me ntioned all our Catholic presidents: John Kennedy, and JFK, and of course, Jack Kennedy. In the context, it was funny.

Cynthia

Think I have got it now, thanks to all the clues. As I was going to bed for a quick nap the image of a (an doesn't sound right) ouija board came to mind. We had one in the early 1960s but found it boring and put it back in the box and don't know what happened to it afterwards. As a wee lass I found the other quite amusing and even enjoyed winding it for the little kids when I was a teenager.

I wonder, do they all play Pop Goes The Weasel?

TM

Four stars for TM, Nancy, and Bobbie.

Yes, the jack in the box toy is believed by some to have been inspired by the story of John Schorne. The link has a picture of him with the devil's head popping out of his boot. TM, I wondered the same about the song! I have never heard one play anything else. Nancy, I think lots of wee one find them scary at first. I think they can be a tad creepy myself. Bobbie, I rather wish I had rescued and kept our Ouija board when we cleaned out my parents' house. We loved it when we were in our pre-teen and early teen years!

Thanks for playing. Have a fun Sunday you three. It is pretty chilly here, but I have things to plant, so I guess I will have to bundle up and head outside later. Maybe it will warm up around noon.

Cynthia

Here is a link that might be useful: John Schorne

Great question, Cynthia. The boot with the devil's head peeking out was the tip-off for me. Thank you once again for the Saturday fun.

TM

Thank you all for the clues which helped me earn the stars. Fun question that had me thinking all day.