I wish this meant, I’ve been canoodling from 2 till 4, but alas, it’s just the title of my favorite Audrey Hepburn film, and where I took my blog name, athingirl, from.
Gary Cooper, who plays the naughty millionaire, Frank Flannagan, in the very beginning, as she’s leaving his suite at The Ritz in Paris, when she says, I heard you were totally no good, after he tries to woo her into coming back, answers…how bout I’ll try to be good, and you try to make it, thin girl. 
I paraphrased a bit, but you get the gist.
He keeps calling her that, since she won’t tell him her name, the coquette she always played so well…
You know who I am Mr. Flannagan, I’m the girl in the afternoon.
I love this little exchange too
Frank Flannagan: Everything about you is perfect.
Thin Girl: I’m too thin! And my ears stick out, and my teeth are crooked and my neck’s much too long.
Frank Flannagan: Maybe so, but I love the way it all hangs together. [they kiss] 
The other thing I’ve stolen, is whenever she appears a bit teary eyed says, soot, it’s only soot. 
I’ve been weeping a lot lately for a number of reasons, personal and otherwise. I cry for our government in such sad shambles leaving me and my fellow citizens, more than monumentally confused.
The homeless taking to the streets setting up house on corners and in doorways, some with kids, many with dogs who loyally stand by, friends till the end.
I cry for me and my many losses, wishing I could knock on Mimi’s door to enjoy her warm company, or call Liz in Arizona to remember old times. Both have gone to their rest they more than deserved being two of the kindest, noblest souls I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.
I weep for my old neighborhood that now looks like an abandoned movie set they’re about to tear down. Stores I frequented for years are now empty, their windows covered with clapboard and beware of rat poison signs.
You’d think watching an old movie made in 1957, would sadden me further, yet it doesn’t, uplifting my spirits instead. The innocence of Audrey who was all but 28, and Coop who told his agent, he was much too old to play opposite her, yet did, and somehow it worked, especially in the final frame when she’s weeping and says, don’t worry Mr. Flannagan, I’ll be alright, it’s only soot, as he gently swoops her off the platform as the train leaves the station. 
So whenever someone says, Susannah, you look sad. Have you been crying?
I say, oh don’t be silly. It’s soot, it’s only soot.
SB
Susannah, I had totally forgotten about this film. Thanks for the reminder, it’s a classic. And as Paul Harvey used to say, now we know the rest of the story; the inspiration for your blog name.
I hope this holiday season gives you more reason to smile than for tears. Maybe even a donut on the house.
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What would life be without Donuts Skinny? I just don’t know. I hope you and Pookie-pie and all those you love, have a very happy Christmas. Thanks always for your many kindnesses.❤️
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Hmm, soot you say. I can’t believe I haven’t been asked to clean a chimney.
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Maybe you should rent the movie, for tips. 🙂
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I’m glad you can find comfort in the classics. Interesting to learn the history behind your blog. I haven’t seen this one. I’ll have to check it out! Some Visine-A ought to help with that soot problem. 😉
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It’s a sweet film. She’s so beautiful in it, and he is too old, but ya just don’t care since their banter charms in its silliness. I’m all for silly. I’m tired of soft porn ugly it’s all the rage. I need to be wooed by open-ended innocence. A huge requirement these days. Thanks.
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I too get all smaltzy and sad at this time of year. Not sure what it is but the state of the country does not help. Maybe it’s a yearning for safer times (if there ever were safer times). Or innocence. Sometimes not knowing is indeed better. Enjoy your holiday although I’m sure I’ll see you around blogville until then.
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I’m choosing mirth to veil some of this angst. This morning a Golden Retriever took one of my gloves and wouldn’t give it back. Made me laugh so while the owner was mortified. Finally, he dropped it. Goldens are so happy by nature…he was reminding me, we have choice. Animals, the four-legged kind, should be running the country.
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Yes, Gracie refuses to let me just sit. She is always coming around with her feather toy. This morning at 5 a.m. she decided to hop on the bed and make biscuits in the fleecy blanket. The cats make me smile.
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I’ll bet. They are all natural comics who could headline in the Catskills.
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Well, if I were there, I would wipe that nasty soot from you eyes.
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Now, now…behave.
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I would behave, mostly.
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SB,
So that explains it! That there is one cool way to fetch a blog name. And yes, who was more classic beauty than Audrey Hepburn. Talk about fetching! There is something about the old films that is so much more enriching. It was a time before acting was broken down into a science, and maybe that’s just it. Sure it was mucho style, but the substance of a swoon and a glance and a sweep her off her feet moment? Priceless.
What a divine Sunday morning read.
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Stream the film. If nothing else to see what she’s wearing. You could currently pop her anywhere and she’d fit right in.
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Alex Trebek would dig our ability to stay on point. “What is timeless, Alex?”
Ding! Ding! Ding!
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His hair. It’s very Trumpesque. Both so timeless.
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Please tell me Trumpesque didn’t make the list for inclusion into Merriam Webster? Because if so, Imma head to Bora Bora.
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Funny. BTW…I’ve googled Bono and that tune to death. Must have dreamt it. Thin girl is also a nut girl. A pecan of a gal.
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I didn’t find it either, but I thought maybe you had a special channel. 😉
You gotta be nuts to make it through these strange days. I like to think I’m a pistachio. Sweet and salty.
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Salty’s good. Has an edge. Sweet? Eh…it leaves ya wide open.
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I’m with you on that one, SB. I dig being sweet because it’s kitschy. But my natural habitat is saltwater.
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I’m on my third Augusten Burroughs book. Talk about salty. He’s like a flounder with a laptop.
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Buahahaha!
Works for me.
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But that’s not a nut now, is it.
Okay hell . . a walnut then. Tough to crack . .
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🙂
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Don’t cry Susannah. You are making the world a better place. No-one can ask for more than that.
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Tears hydrate I’ve heard it said. Like your tear ducts have a built-in sprinkler to spray and clean. Windshield wipers. 🙂
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I wish I could knock on your door and smile at you.
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Merry Christmas Anne. 🙂
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