I was recently asked to choose 2 words that describe me for my summer job. This was obviously an agonizing process that included polling, introspection and numerous trips to the thesaurus.
This whole process got me thinking…if we were to ask Anne Shirley this same question, how would she answer? How would Anne define herself in 2 words? What do you think?
-lil sis
So it would seem that an apology is in order, both for my lack of posts this last week and the week or so that I’m fairly sure it will be until I post anything of substance again. It’s finals time in NYC and while my workload isn’t astoundingly huge, the list of things to do before school is over and my summer job begins casts a shadow longer than…well…something that casts a long shadow. My brain is too tired for fully realized metaphors.
Finding a storage unit, packing up an unbelievable accumulation of junk, a farewell tour of all my favorite restaurants, catching up on the Broadway shows I’ve abandoned for a while..oh and 3 or 4 pesky papers in addition to the 3 exams I’ll have to sit…all of this in 13 days. I don’t mean to whine-I don’t mean to do that at all!! Any 13 day period that includes American Idiot, Next to Normal, Hill Country Barbeque, IKEA and a truly magical Belgian waffle is nothing to scoff at…at which to scoff? There’s just a possibility that these may overshadow my blogging responsibilities for a bit.
So I apologize in advance. But I can guarantee you that my first post back will be…earth shattering. I’m calling it right now. Prepare yourselves.
-lil sis
There’s such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I’m such a troublesome person. If I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn’t be half so interesting. – Green Gables, Ch. 20
Sometimes it’s like she’s reading my mind.
-big sis
Dear Sister,
Can I just say how much I enjoyed your last post? You a) reminded me of our magical voyage to the land of Anne b) put into words how well we’ve mastered this whole sisterhood thing (even without the aid of traveling pants) and c) used the word yingy in a sentence. Woooooooould we call that brilliant? Yes, Prime Minister Grant, we would.
I think I enjoyed your letter so much because it puts into words something that we’ve known for a while-we aren’t like a lot of other sisters out there. We aren’t, as you so eloquently pointed out, normal. And I think we’re okay with that. Maybe that’s why we love Anne so much…because she’s not quite what everyone expects her to be, but she’s comfortable with that. She doesn’t stop naming trees or imagining wood nymphs just because Rachel Lynde gives her the stink eye.
I like to think we’ve taken a little inspiration from Anne. Between kitchen dance parties, road trip musical numbers, figure 8s in the front yard and 2-man productions of The Sound of Music, I think we’ve stayed pretty true to who we are…even if we got a few stink eyes (chuckles from mom?) along the way…
My pen tip is just right today so I will…baha I kid, I kid…a little Windy Poplars humor for those who’ve been reading ahead…
love,
hermanita
Dear Sister,
Do you remember that time that we went to Prince Edward Island on our dreamy dream vacation? Remember how we were trying to decide who was going to be Anne and who was going to be her bosom friend Diana? Remember how we both graciously offered to be Anne? Remember how we decided that there really can’t be two Annes and I even more graciously offered you the role of Moody Spurgeon McPherson? Remember how you growled and I grinned my evil grin?
The point is, I think we’re an interesting combination. I think you get a double dose of Anne when you’re with us (which is, perhaps, why we’re called The Anne Girls). We’re highly unbalanced (wait… did I just say that?) We’re delightful – of course – but not normal. Most dynamic duos have more of a ying and a yang. We’re just really yingy. Now I’m not saying that we don’t have our differences – we do! But we’re both redheads at the core.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Hmmm… now that I’ve figured that out, I’m hungry for pancakes.
-big sis
Based on the results of our poll, Diana is even more controversial than I thought! I’ve made my case, but I would love to hear yours.. Sound off in the comments section about why you do/do not love Diana. What makes her a great friend? Am I blasphemous for suggesting otherwise? Or do you agree with me that she may be a bit lacking in the…awesome department?
So lay it on my, fellow Anne girls (and boys…)! I can handle it…
-lil sis
It’s been a while since I wrote my last post-spring break got the best of me-and I’m almost at a loss for what to write. I’m about halfway through Green Gables (so much for that whole finishing GG goal…) and Anne has had a lot of firsts. First night in the east gable, first prayer, first meeting with Mrs. Lynde, first trip to Sunday school…but I think the first that stands out in my mind is her first bosom friend, Diana Barry.
In my book, Diana Barry is quite the controversial figure. Is she really the best friend a gal could ask for or is the friend pool in Avonlea a bit shallow? I mean, if your other choices are Josie, Jane and Ruby then yes, Diana is the Laverne to your Shirley…the Rory to your Lorelai…the big sis to your little sis…but let’s think about her objectively. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to reenact Tennyson on the Lake of Shining Waters? And who drinks 3 tumblerfuls of anything before tea has even started (obvious exception would be DC…or Coca Light for those of us south of the Equator)? And who…WHO WHO WHO…thinks Birch Path is a creative name?!?
Now, let it be known that any friend of Anne’s is a friend of mine. I’d be happy to spend an afternoon in Mr. Harrison’s kitchen or conversing with the echoes at Miss Lavender’s. I’m willing to give Diana a second (ish) chance this year. Maybe she’s not a Baked Lay afterall…maybe she’s a Sun Chip or even a cheez-um Pringle (the king of all chips, duh..)
But you know…as much as I want to trust Anne’s judgement…maybe Diana really is that lame. Maybe she was just the first gal to hit the ice cream and lemonade table at the Sunday school picnic. And then again maybe I’m wrong…(hint: so not wrong).
-lil sis
I’ve presented my case-what do you think, Anne nation? What kind of gal pal is Diana Barry? Feel free to comment and tell me why I’m horribly mistaken or unsurpassingly brill…
I like to read on the subway – it’s where I get a lot of my good Anne-time in. My apartment just happens to be equidistant* from two subway stops, each one offering a very distinct vibe.
My first option is at a very busy intersection surrounded by loud honking buses, a busy shopping center, supermarkets, etc. Because this is the first of the two stops to which my train arrives, it’s where I most often get off. It’s just habit to get off there, and it’s convenient to stop by the supermarket on my way home as I often need to grab something or another.
Sometimes, though… sometimes I’m in the mood to wait and get off at the second stop. I’m especially in the mood for this one when I’m at a good part in my book. The second stop is smaller and when I pop up out of the ground I’m in a quieter spot on the edge of a residential area. I can actually get off the train, ride the escalator up, and walk all the way home while still reading. The walk is down a lovely tree-lined sidewalk with houses on either side. Several of the houses have that purple flowery stuff growing over their front gates (how’s that for horticultural vocabulary?) and on a nice day, it’s the most pleasant walk you can imagine. I suppose it’s my version of Lover’s Lane, or perhaps my White (or Purple?) Way of Delight.
Why don’t I take the pretty way home more often? I just finished reading the part in Green Gables that describes Anne and Diana’s out-of-the-way route to school that hits all of their favorite, most beautiful places. I’m going out later today and I commit to all you fine folks that I will get off at the second stop… err, that is if I don’t need to pick anything up at the supermarket.
*My deepest apologies for the usage of such advanced mathematical terminology. We try to keep things warm and fuzzy here at The Anne Girls. Please don’t break a slate over my head for this slip-up.
-big sis
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