right you are, Dotty. The 2-1/2" wide pieces do not need to be WOF. Mine were a mix of dark, medium and bright.
Take care, all you easterners, you are in my thoughts. I remember those January blizzards -- I was born and raised in upstate New York on Lake Ontario, right in the snow belt. It was normal to get 120 inches of snow a year.
Still not sure where all these 9" blocks are coming from, but you seem to be adapting well. Sew on, my friends.