So, our friends gave us a gnome for New Year's. Not your garden-variety garden gnome, but an electric stick-the-light-bulb-up-his-bum genyoowine glow-in-the-dark 110V A/C gnome. His name is Norm. When we returned from our travels, we filled his hollow plastic base with pennies (to keep him from blowing over), sat him down on the front steps, and plugged him in. He's on a timer, so he happily lights up around dusk and turns himself off in the wee hours of the morning.
We realized that we'd never brought in today's mail, so Chris went outside to get it. A few moments later, he came back in and asked if I'd moved the gnome. I said that I hadn't, and asked him if it had gotten knocked over. He said, "No, it's more interesting than that." I put on my shoes and stepped outside to take a look.
Norm had reached the end of his tether (the extension cord) and was standing on the front lawn, gazing wistfully at the coach light. Maybe it's just those damn commercials, but I have to wonder if he's contemplating a better life elsewhere. Maybe he's tired of standing on the steps, and feels a deep need to have his boots touch the soil. There are those who advocate an end to oppressive gardening and those who claim that garden gnomes are happy where they are. While I want to encourage him to spread his wings, I do worry-- he could meet a terrible end. It's February in New England. Maybe Norm just needs a vacation.
Posted by rv at February 14, 2004 12:27 AM to gnome | hmmm