Just five short weeks ago, in a post entitled, "Snoverwhelmed," Flannista posted a letter to a blizzard that had crippled the Northeast. Little did Flann know that the blizzard, using the pen name, "The White," would write back:
Give you a few days of The White, and you fold like a cheap suit . . . . Go ahead. Howl. It's all no good until you just accept. Better yet, throw me a couple of sucker punches. Wear yourself out, then go take a nap. Please.
Shortly after that, The White received a response from Little Miss Sunshine:
"Enjoy it, oh, pallid, wan one, 'cause in a couple of days your pretty white is going to transform into a dull and dismal gray. In a week, you'll be half of the white you were. In a month, you'll be only an insipid, jejune afterthought . . . . See you in the storm sewers."
Pictured above is a photo of The White Flann took this week (the only white she could find, by the way). To welcome in spring, why don't we share our thoughts about this lovely season with The White? Hurry, though, 'cause TW is lookin' mighty pale.
Yo, White:
If you look very carefully at the photo in this post, you'll see a red straw off to the bottom right, close to what's left of you.
That's your last straw.
Enjoy!
Posted by: Flannista | March 20, 2010 at 05:46 AM
-- TW: knock knock!
-- Who's there?
-- Spring.
-- Spring, who?
-- I might spring over your storm sewer some time!
Posted by: Flannista | March 20, 2010 at 05:54 AM
TW . . .
Ran into your cousin:
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/ADVGN/570N~Wicked-Witch-Melting-Wizard-of-Oz-Posters.jpg
Posted by: Flannista | March 20, 2010 at 05:56 AM
I also ran into your boyfriend:
http://www.litchfield.com/winter09/4753_369b.jpg
Posted by: Flannista | March 20, 2010 at 06:07 AM
Random thoughts here -
The kids at school are so glad that The White has retreated to her more northerly climes. For the first few days that they were allowed off the blacktop as the snow had finally melted and washed away, they just ran aimlessly in circles, just for the joy of it.
I rode the bus the other afternoon with a little four year old who was terrorizing his bus driver, so that I could walk him to his door and his waiting mother. Not sure it made an impact, as this little fella is fearless and seemed rather bemused to be escorted home by the principal. Chuckle. I did have the chance to walk back to school and noticed these signs of spring along the way - tiny little green leaves on the bushes and willow trees, crocuses and daffodils everywhere, robins scurrying about in front and behind me looking for fat, succulent worms. Then I went for a kayak ride, saw my first osprey of the season, and listened to the deafening sound of thousands of peepers singing in the marshes along the shore of the river. Yes, spring is here.
And on a totally random note, there was a scene when Margaret Hamilton filmed The Wizard of Oz where she tells Dorothy, "Just try and stay out of my way. Just try! I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!" Then she swirls around as a burst of flame and smoke engulfs her and she disappears. When she filmed that scene, the trap door under her feet jammed for just a moment, and she got caught in the burst of flame. The copper in the green paint on her face and hands caught fire and she suffered second and third degree burns on her face. Just a little bit of movie trivia for the day.
Posted by: treesta | March 20, 2010 at 06:56 AM
Just goes to show ya that even the job of Wicked Witch has some occupational hazards.
Posted by: half-a-sista | March 20, 2010 at 07:23 AM
treesta: I love the picture of those kids running aimlessly in circles. Oh to be a kid again! The image ties in with the one I have of The White swirling away in the storm sewers. I like it.
Do you have your own kayak, by the way?
I DID know about the Wicked Witch mishap, but am delighted you reminded me of it in this post as her sufferings are a bit like The White's, may it melt in peace.
Posted by: Flannista | March 20, 2010 at 07:28 AM
Hey half-a: got a caption for the picture in today's post?
Posted by: Flannista | March 20, 2010 at 07:29 AM
I don't have my own kayak, but a dear friend has two. It's one of the joys of living by the bay. She goes out several times per week, even in the winter - has the winter booties, pants, and jacket to keep body heat insulated in the event she ends up in the water. I only go out with her in fairer weather. But I love it.
Another bit of movie trivia. Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the Tin Man. His make-up was made with aluminum dust, which got in his lungs and caused a severe and almost fatal reaction. When Jack Haley was recast, they changed the make-up composition to aluminum paste.
Posted by: treesta | March 20, 2010 at 07:37 AM
Caption for Today's Photo: Yesterday in Kansas City.
I don't know how to post photos to this blog, but Flann has some of the first day of Spring in my 'hood. I hope she will post them for your enjoyment. Eat your heart out, Sassistaland East.
Yesterday the high temperature was 65 degrees.
Posted by: half-a-sista | March 20, 2010 at 08:18 AM
Oh dear. I don't want to give The White ANY encouragement, but in the interest of full disclosure here are images of half-a's street and front yard this morning:
http://www.sassistas.com/sassistas_our_dish_on_the/2010/20/halfa_street.jpg
http://www.sassistas.com/sassistas_our_dish_on_the/2010/20/halfa_yard.jpg
half-a: in your off-'sphere email to me, you said this was a freak storm?
Posted by: Flannista | March 20, 2010 at 08:25 AM
We are not out of danger of frost until the end of April. Snowstorms like this one occur infrequently. Yesterday afternoon I visited a couple who were married here on April 15 many years ago, and it snowed on that day. This is much better than the dreaded ice storms that can occur in March. Besides, Monday it will be sunny and 50 degrees, making Spring that much sweeter.
Posted by: half-a-sista | March 20, 2010 at 08:43 AM
Winter is my least favorite of all the seasons.
Spring in general is a refreshing change, but especially this year. I've noticed the buds on the plants more, the birds and other animals.
Yesterday was a beautiful day; everyone was out doing yard work. Today another beautiful day is expected, in the mid-70's.
Flann and I will spend our day going from museum to museum in DC and then on to dinner. I can't think of a better way to spend the day.
Posted by: Matissta | March 20, 2010 at 08:47 AM
About two years ago we had beautiful, sunny weather the last couple of weeks of March and the first week of April so I decided to buy and plant about $300 worth of native plants. The next week (the second week of April) the temps dropped into the teens and 20's for a week and killed many of the leaves that had budded on the trees, not to mention many of my plants. That was the week the fleeing federal felon crashed into the stairs of the house on the corner and a two-hour man hunt began for the one guy (the FFF) who was hiding under the front porch of the house where he had crashed, but that's another story.
Posted by: half-a-sista | March 20, 2010 at 08:48 AM
The surest sign of spring in Wyoming is the return of The White, who stopped by again for a visit yesterday, leaving a few inches behind. Our heaviest snow month is April. It is the wild west's version of April showers. We only LOOK at garden catalogs and bedding plants until late May.
But, I sure do love hearing tales of spring from other parts. I like to visualize a green and blooming path moving my way. The first signs of spring here are the return of birds (YIPPEE) and clusters of yellow crocus blooming in the church garden.
Enjoy the beauty of your day and the first yard work of the season! I'm still shoveling ...
Posted by: PEACEsista | March 20, 2010 at 09:28 AM
Bet the FFF and The White are best friends, half-a.
I think most of us here are noticing Spring this year because the Winter was particularly brutal. Those little tree buds haven't escaped my notice, either.
Yep, Matiss and I are going to spend the afternoon on the National Mall to take in a couple art exhibits. You gotta love a sweetie whose first suggestion on a beautiful today like today is to walk the Mall and take in some art. I always learn something new about art every time Matiss takes me to an exhibit.
(I'll have my iPhone with me and be checking and responding to comments, Jersey.)
Posted by: Flannista | March 20, 2010 at 09:33 AM
PEACE -- your heaviest snow month is APRIL?!!
Good Lord, I can't imagine. We'll try and send some spring breezes your way. I'm going out into my backyard right now and blowing toward the West as hard as I can.
Posted by: Flannista | March 20, 2010 at 09:36 AM
What? I get a personal call-out to comment? What a slave driver you are, Flann.
I will say I am loving Spring more this year than most. Good riddance TW! I just planted some flowers yesterday (some that should survive a frost if one or two frosts still come). Can't wait to plant the summer flowers.
Posted by: Jerseysista | March 20, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Since Matiss is out and around with you, Flann, and does not have her own iPhone from which to respond, I will provide what surely must be her comment following yours of 9:36.
"Yes, Flann, we all know that you blow."
Posted by: Jerseysista | March 20, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Thank you, Jersey. I see you're a quick study.
Posted by: Matissta | March 20, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Yo, Jersey.
Bet you think we'd left already. I purposely delayed our trip to AFTER you commented, a perilous decision as you might not have gotten out of bed until 3 pm. Further, you may not have commented AT ALL. It was a risk I was willing to take to read your very loving perspectives on Spring.
I'll be certain to read your 11:11 a.m. comment to Matissta. Until then, know I'm going out to my backyard, then I'm going to stand looking toward your way, then I'm going to turn around, bend over and blow you some special Spring air. Ah, Springtime!
Posted by: Flannista | March 20, 2010 at 11:28 AM
Whoa -- just as I was heading to the back yard, I see Matissta's comment.
Yes, Matiss, Jersey is a quick study -- a slow riser, but a quick study.
Well, out to the backyard I go to blow my special Spring Air toward Jersey!
Sponge it in, baby doll!
Posted by: Flannista | March 20, 2010 at 11:32 AM
I'm surprised TW has joined in on the comment stream. Too weak, you think? Or too busy in WY?
Posted by: Jerseysista | March 20, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Flann, better blow your special Spring Air before you get to the Mall. You could be arrested by Homeland Security for the release of poisonous gas.
It's snowing again and blowing and adding inches to the snow that's already out there. I'm holding on for Monday and sunny skies.
Posted by: half-a-sista | March 20, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Sorry, Flann, I am off to NJ for the day. Sorry to say it seems I will be leaving before your odorous gift arrives, as it hasn't gotten hear yet. Could it be that Little Miss Sunshine is just to potent to be hampered by the likes of you and TW?
Posted by: Jerseysista | March 20, 2010 at 11:52 AM