2449. The sinkhole

45 Replies

Moira’s mother-in-law had been staying for the entire week. The un-ironable drip-dry shirts had all been ironed: a lawyer should never be seen dead in an un-ironed shirt. The kitchen pantry had been rearranged: spices should be in alphabetical order. The online grocery shopping was cancelled: how could you pay for an organically-grown banana if you haven’t laid eyes upon it?

Moira was driven up the wall. Husband Jack had only the once come to Moira’s defence. It made the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha-apai volcano look like a little campfire.

But tomorrow! Tomorrow Winifereti was set to go home! Winifereti had outstayed her welcome. Imagine Moira’s dismay the next morning upon opening the drapes. A giant sinkhole had appeared in the driveway. It was deep and growing. Moira, Jack, and Winifereti went out to investigate.

“I shan’t be able to get the car out the gate,” declared Winifereti. “I shall have to stay another week.”

“With a bit of a push coming to shove,” said Moira, “I think we could make that stay permanent.”

45 thoughts on “2449. The sinkhole”

      1. observationblogger

        That’s why they have smaller feet to reach the kitchen sink. That’s a bad joke.
        My initial comment apart from being in jest is something I have thought about from a scientific standpoint. How with all the urbanisation and concrete built by humankind over the last two centuries, why aren’t sink holes a more regular occurrence and not just for mother in laws?

        Liked by 2 people

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        1. Bruce Goodman Post author

          That’s a good question. There’s a sinkhole on the farm here that keeps getting filled by the farmer and which we walk over every day for our daily constitutional. The farmer says it’s a complete mystery as to why and how it is happening.

          Liked by 1 person

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              1. observationblogger

                What happened to your recent post Bruce? I feel bad. Sometimes I post / say things without giving it a second thought and can be misinterpreted. My apologies if my comments were in any way received at your end as unsavoury.

                Liked by 1 person

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                1. Bruce Goodman Post author

                  No – I nearly didn’t post it and then a few of the comments convinced me to remove it. So I did. It’s not the end of the world. Occasionally days get missed. To be honest Matthew, I’m feeling very tired and can’t wait to get to story number 2500 and then disappear. I need to find new and different interests as things become burdensome. So we’ll see…

                  Liked by 1 person

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                  1. observationblogger

                    I understand. 2500 is quite the milestone. I just past 700 and I feel dishevelled, but it’s a passion. I didn’t read the other comments in your post. My point was: that the most intimate posts I have ever written nearly always received the least feedback and views and remains that way to this day. It was wrong for me to imply/infer the same would occur with your post.
                    Btw, I was out tonight walking in the pouring rain, but I had music for company (earphones) and I was listening to Elton John’s ‘Two Low for Zero’ and I thought as I was singing at the the top of my lungs in the street – ‘I must let Bruce know’. Those lyrics sum it up.

                    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Badfinger (Max)

    My mother-in law-came for a month visit last year…where was that damn sink hole when I needed it? What a nightmare for all of us!

    Liked by 2 people

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      1. Badfinger (Max)

        I loved it for the record! I once encountered an outhouse with rumors of rattlesnakes and copperheads down there…. I was a kid and it was a frightening experience.

        Liked by 1 person

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              1. Badfinger (Max)

                You in New Zealand I’ve read don’t have to worry about the poisonous variety… There are 3 different different types around me…not like Australia though…I’m thankful for that.

                Liked by 1 person

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                1. Bruce Goodman Post author

                  We don’t have to worry about snakes poisonous or non-poisonous. I patted a snake at Boston Zoo and I ran over a copperhead (apparently ) with the lawnmower in North Carolina. Also in NC my left leg swelled up huge and purple in the middle of the night and two days later I noticed two fang holes in my leg!

                  Liked by 1 person

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                  1. Badfinger (Max)

                    I’ve NEVER touched a snake. I’ve killed a few but never will I touch one lol.
                    Oh geez…Bruce…that is horrible…did you go to the doctor?

                    Liked by 1 person

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                    1. Bruce Goodman Post author

                      No – I didn’t go to the doctor – it would’ve cost me a packet because I was illegal (shhh) but I thought for a few days I was getting the flu! The fang marks seem to have now disappeared but I had them for 10 or so years.

                      Liked by 1 person

                    2. Badfinger (Max)

                      You are lucky! It was either a snake or a spider…neither are pleasant. I would think if it was a snake you would have known about it.

                      Liked by 1 person

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