Sadie wasn’t greatly into gardening but there was one gardening thing she couldn’t abide: gnomes.
Marilynn next door was into gnomes in a big way. She loved them, and of course Sadie to be polite would express delight upon the arrival of another new gnome in Marilynn’s garden.
Then came the moment; Marilynn gave Sadie a gnome.
“You like them so much,” said Marilyn, “that I knew you’d be delighted.”
Living next door meant there was no hiding the gnome. Sadie couldn’t install it behind the shed. The wretched monstrosity would have to sit, at least for a while, in full view.
It was a terrible, terrible shock a week later, but in some ways a relief, when Marilynn died in her sleep.
The new neighbour is into pink plastic flamingos.
Weave a Web 
…and the beat goes on…ah the vicious circle we live…Sadie better not openly admire the flamingos…but she will.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gnomes are meant to get stolen and ransoms demanded – all in fun, but the custom seems to have died.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I know I’ve mentioned him before, but for many years we had an elderly neighbor who absolutely loved all yard/garden decorations including both gnomes and flamingos. We used to joke about secretly adding to the collection just to see how long it would take him to notice. We never did, but when he moved to assisted living and the new neighbors moved in we mentioned it to them. They were quick to express their dislike for gnomes and other such decorations. They also tore out most of the kind of wild landscaping and replaced it with monochromatic rocks and evergreen trees. It’s nice enough I guess, but it’s not the same, which just makes me realize that someday I will probably become the crazy gnome lady next door.
LikeLiked by 5 people
A little ceramic frog on the edge of a lily pond can be quite nice.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Gnomes beat flamingos any day of the week. The flamingo is an emissary from hell, sent to challenge out preconceptions about reality. The gnome is a friend from heaven, mandated to provide us with good luck. I want to remain blissfully ignorant; therefore, no flamingos.
LikeLiked by 3 people
One gnome is enough and preferably hidden under the shady leaves of an agapanthus. The good thing about flamingos is that they’re often made of cheap plastic that goes brittle and crumbles after about 10 years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sensible folks never mess with gnomes. What’s more, gifting away gnomes is a taboo. Even more dangerous are the gnomes disguised as pink flamingoes.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You’re certainly in the gnome over such things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many ways to kill someone with a flamingo….
LikeLiked by 2 people
You can get it in the neck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do not like gnomes but adore plastic flamingos (not). We usually give one as a joke to any of our friends who have a new house.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to see you stick your neck out and give a flamingo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you gnow that guy in the pointy hat? Yeah, I gnome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gnowlege is a good thing
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always good to be specific – but what are the other colour-ways available in flamingo?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pink comes in many colours. A group of 24 little girls will have 24 shades of pink.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure whether that is profound or just plain weird…. 🤨
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha Ha! I’m not sure either!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: 2204. Garden gnomes — Weave a Web | Vermont Folk Troth