The Neighbor We Love to Hate
The two women watched the old man lounging in his front yard amid heaps of dirty snow.
“Why won’t he leave?” one said. “He’s hurting property values.”
“Right? Do you know he destroyed all my flowers last night?”
“You sure?”
“Who else would it be?”
“He should retire to Florida.”
“They hate him in Florida. Irreconcilable differences or something.”
“He’d better go somewhere. I’m sick of him.”
The next day, the man was gone.
Breaking News! the TV shouted. Old Man Winter retires, citing climate change and personal reasons. He plans to live quietly in the Arctic until his death.
The Green-Walled Treehouse 
Yikes! No more winter! That’s going to play havoc with the plant and animal life that depend on the annual cycles
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Yeah, definitely. The one good thing about winter is no mosquitos, if nothing else.
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When I reached the end I realized why he had irreconcilable differences with Florida.
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That was a fun story with a great twist. I do hate him at times.
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Yes, it’s easy to wear out your welcome when you hang around for more than 4 months, haha.
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🙂
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I wonder if he went voluntarily. Then again who would want neighbours that always gossip about you.
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Pretty sure he goes where he wants, but we try. 🙂
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Now that’s clever, nice one David!
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As much as I don’t enjoy winter, I don’t think this is a good idea! Nicely done.
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That was clever. I like that. I especially enjoyed this: “They hate him in Florida. Irreconcilable differences or something.”
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I remember being down in Florida and it was 15 degrees C (60 something) and they were all complaining about the cold. It was the first I’d felt comfortable the whole time I’d been there. 🙂
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Hah, that was well done, I totally fell for it. I don’t mind him being around at the proper time. But when he comes back in spring…
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Yes, there is a time for everything. I like living in 4 seasons, even if they are a bit unpredictable at times.
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Oh we know he’ll be back! It’s just a temporary retirement until November comes around… Right? Right?
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Yeah, he always comes back eventually. I, for one, would miss him if he left forever. 🙂
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In truth, so would I…
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Well that came around to reality, metaphorically speaking.. Well done.
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Very clever. I love where you went with this. Fun – but with a hint of menace in there too.
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Thanks, Margaret. I was going for some misdirection in this one.
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Dear David,
It does seem the old man wants to hang around longer than we’d like this year. 😉 I knew there would be some kind of whiplash-causing twist at the end. You didn’t disappoint. Well done!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle! It was snowing here a few days ago, so the old guy has at least a few relatives, like Uncle Jack Frost still hanging out. Still, the flowers are coming out, so there’s hope.
Have a good day,
David
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very clever indeed. Well done.
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Thanks, Sandra.
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