FLOWERS AND MAH JONGG…

There is a fierce (some are calling it “historic”) storm – a Nor’easter – raging in New York right now. I was supposed to be speaking at the 92nd Street Y today but that has been rescheduled to Thursday, February 12th. I think we need some humor and some beauty in today’s posting so here it is – enjoy!

I received a message last week from our friend Diane after I posted a photo of S1’s dining room table festively decorated with tulips and thoughts of spring. I thought I would share Diane’s wonderful musings with you, especially for those of you suffering through this chilly winter…nothing like a flower to bring some warming thoughts of spring…

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I enjoyed your blog today, especially the flowers. I think all mah jongg players love flowers; both tile flowers and garden flowers. With the sparkle and glow of Chanukah gelt and candles, I gave each of our Mah Jongg group an amaryllis bulb to plant. We had great fun comparing the progress of the growth of each, and had a great laugh over the one who planted hers upside down. That one was named “Corrigan” for “Wrong Way Corrigan” of past football fame. Others were named “Audrey III” (after the man-eating plant in Little Shop of Horrors”) Wimpy, Hope, Jack (for Jack in the Beanstalk), etc. The first to bloom received the  Golden Pot Award; a small flower pot painted gold and planted with a small succulent. She named it “Gilda”. 

Now in the gray month of January, we are enjoying bright blossoms to cheer us. Like your tulips, we too are reminded that Spring will come.

As for The Game, last week we had a thrilling day. With several of us close to winning, the hostess picked up the last tile for a Mahj! Unbelievable!! It  goes to show, the game’s not over til the last tile has been played.

I just thought you might enjoy this. 

I just heard again from Diane  who added this message, which made me laugh out loud:

The amaryllis name that I forgot to mention was Seymour. I was notified today that he is just beginning to bloom. I didn’t name that one. One of our group named it. Mine is Wimpy for being so slow to get started. It is also the shortest one. There is more to the story of Seymour. He was very slow to grow. Then the husband cut himself shaving, and dropped a few drops of blood into the plant. It grew 2″ overnight. Ha! Talk about laughs.
I am sure you have seen “Little Shop of Horrors” and can appreciate these crazy stories.
Thanks again for all  you do for the mahj world.
Diane

Thanks to Diane for sharing all of this – it is too good!

6 thoughts on “FLOWERS AND MAH JONGG…”

  1. Carolyn

    I love all kinds of flowers, too. Since my married name is Corrigan, I thought you should know the real Wrong Way Corrigan story. It has nothing to do with football but with a flight from NY to Dublin that wasn’t authorized. By the time he returned to the US, he had made history. Here’s the whole story if you’re interested. http://blogs.britannica.com/2008/07/2704/

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    2. Diane G

      Thank you for that history and origin of the story! Live and learn. I think that phrase has subsequently been applied to anyone who famously goes the wrong way; in a Minnestoa vs 49ers game, probably 40 or 50 yrs ago, a Viking ran the wrong way for a “safety”; points in favor of the 49ers; hence, my football reference. What a great blog this is.

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  2. Carolyn

    No relation to Wrong Way, but with Corrigan as a last name, people are always saying that. Of course, young people have no clue what you’re talking about…LOL.

    I agree with Diane G. that this is a great blog. I particularly love seeing the beautiful luncheons served. If your group was at the beach in DE, I’d love to be a part of it. I’ve only been playing 6 years but am addicted. I’m teaching 3 newbies on Thursday. Once they get over the headache period, they should be hooked, too.

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