In the quiet suburbs, a small garden gnome sparked a neighborhood controversy. My sweet granddaughter’s gift had become the focal point of tension between me and my meddling neighbor, Carol.
Our community, where everyone knows each other’s names and Mabel’s Bakery is the hub of gossip, was disrupted by Carol’s complaint to the HOA. She deemed my gnome “unacceptable” and “ruining the neighborhood’s appearance.”
But Carol, a self-proclaimed queen of the cul-de-sac, had no idea what was coming.
I, Peggy, a 40-year resident, wasn’t one to back down. Armed with the HOA rulebook, I uncovered Carol’s own violations: an inch-too-high fence, incorrect mailbox color, and noise ordinance-breaking wind chimes.
With the help of friends from the senior center, Operation Gnome Invasion was born. Under the cover of darkness, we “gnome-ified” Carol’s yard.
The next morning, Carol’s shriek echoed through the streets. The HOA promptly arrived, and Carol received not one but two letters – one addressing her own violations.
As Carol removed the gnomes and faced the music, I savored the sweet taste of karma.
Our encounter left Carol wiser, and me, well, still enjoying my gnome’s mischievous grin.
Lessons learned:
Don’t mess with a feisty senior
Know the rules before throwing stones
A small gnome can bring big laughter
And my tiny gnome? Still proudly standing, smiling broader than ever!
