Monday, December 3, 2007

Branching Out

It has been called to our attention that tacky (aka - "FUN") yards are around beyond the holidays. Here is a neat story about lawn ornamentation. After the holidays, expect to see a whole new list of violations for non-holiday lawns.

(Click on image to see enlarged version)
Submitted by the Howell's, Indiana
The story behind the photo:
This dalmation "yard dog" sat in a neighborhood lawn for many years.
Every Winter my wife and I would comment to each other about how cold he looked.
We would always say to each other "He needs a hat. You know, one of those Elmer Fud hunting caps". One year we decided that we would do it, so we searched for a hat like we were imagining and finally found one. I think we paid something like $15.00 for it. We took the hat with us one snowy day and knocked on the owner's door. The woman who answered the door didn't even flinch an eyebrow when we offered her the gift for her "dog". Apparently her husband had always talked about putting a hat on the "dog" but could never bring himself to do it.
The hat reappeared each winter for a few years until the owners moved away. I'm sure that as people drove through this somewhat busy intersection each year, they would laugh and chuckle to themselves. I know we did. We will always remember the year that the neighborhood dalmation "yard dog" received a new hat for christmas.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow. um. That is dumb. I didn't even smile at that.

Anonymous said...

I thought it was cute. I wish I had a photo of a plastic flamingo that used to adorn my mother's yard. We had a friend who would sew, knit, or crochet outfits for the flamingo year round. That bird was better dressed than a Thanksgiving turkey! It had a tux, a santa suit, a bathing suit, scarf and matching hat, green suit for St. Patrick's Day, etc.

Anonymous said...

The story tells it all, I think it is kinda cute, silly and memorable.

Anonymous said...

Tasteless and annoying yet harmless, bit like passing wind in public.

Anonymous said...

haha that was so heartwarming.....not gonna lie i was hoping for a better story.

Anonymous said...

all the rude people should not comment if all they can do is cuss and be mean. just stop it already.

Anonymous said...

I thought that was adorable. I remember when I was growing up my grandmother had a lifesize goose figurine that sat out front of her house, and depending on the season it got put into different hats and outfits etc. it was the cheesiest thing ever but I loved it. Ahhh...midwest kitcsh...

Anonymous said...

I find you to be a despicable human who wants to take away everybodys fun. We all have freedom of expression and if you dont like it move to another country without freedom... Get a life... I have also decided to help with legal defenses under freedom of speech...

Anonymous said...

I love it, very cute!

Anonymous said...

This is just horrible that you just can't let the kids enjoy the lights. Have a Very Merry Christmas!!!

Lime & Tequila said...

Cute story, I liked the subtle interaction between the neighbors.

Anonymous said...

I think the key here, as in everywhere and with everything else, is tolerance and a sense of humor. I think the dog/hat story is cute.

Anonymous said...

Great site! The only thing I find offensive are some of the foul and mean comments. Seems to me you've uncovered a previously unknown mental illness. I'm submitting this comment anonymously for fear of retaliation by some of these loonies...

Anonymous said...

ummm ANNNNNND!?! WHATS THE PROBLEM!??????

Does it bother YOU! IS THE DOG hurting you?!?!? The dog is celebrating Christmas. ARENT YOU!??

AWWW poooor people.. poor heart spirits.

the picture is very cute.

Anonymous said...

LOL This is so funny b/c it's something I would have thought of! And I love the dressing the flamingo story. Hey, you just have to have a sense of humor in all the madness.
Merry Christmas to all!

Anonymous said...

Hilarious! My husband and I were just talking about getting some lawn geese that you dress up for the seasons...we want to see how long it takes us to get written up by our Home Owners Association!

Anonymous said...

You are an idiot and should find more charitable works to do with your time.

Anonymous said...

Too cute. That would be something I would do. I have lawn geese in my front yard that I dress up too. =)

Anonymous said...

I commend you on finding something fun to do with a unique statue. Anyone who is saying negative about the dog needs to lighten up. As far as some of the tacky Christmas decorations - I kinda agree they some are out of control. Simplicity is bliss -- but I know children love all the lights. So do we adults when they are displayed tactfully. Have a wonderful Christmas -- even those that have that foul mouth leading their lives. I think you'll grow up someday and regret your remarks.

Anonymous said...

Give me a break!

Live and Let live. So some people go a little crazy and put up a lot of lights. Big deal. With all the problems in the world it is nice to see this kind of harmless self expression.

Relax people!

Anonymous said...

You must have had an unhappy childhood. To think that celebrating Christmas which is centered around peace, love, giving, being with family and friends has you so upset is sad. I would suggest counseling for your unresolved childhood issues.

Anonymous said...

I woulda stuck the hat on the dog without asking. Anonymous charity.

Anonymous said...

Wow. It seems like there is a lot of useless bantering going on, like maybe everyone has forgotten the whole meaning to Christmas...It can be celebrated with a dog, or with a flamingo or with nothing at all as long as you can stop to think about the true point, the day the our Savior was born.....Just because one person think it is stupid does not make it stupid and it doesn't make that person stupid....I think that opinions could be given with less callousness but it his God given right to think and even voice how he feels and he should be afforded that with being attacked. So you don't agree with him, that is ok, just like it is ok for him to think it lame. It is so not about any of that anyway. Merry Christmas, you want a real story, read the book of Luke this Christmas season and that will tell you the whole story, the one that matters.

Anonymous said...

I think this site is funny and harmless. As an ADULT I can honestly say I've had those, "Oh no they didn't", knee-jerk reactions to Christmas decor.

As a MOTHER I try to keep my opinions to myself as I drive my children around to look at lights, after all-it's for them.

As a CHRISTIAN I'm certain I know that forgiveness is what will be prayed for most in church tomorrow. The CHRISTIANS I know would never think the comments made here appropriate, much less condoned by God. It seems to me Ms. Shumar has less to be ashamed of than some of those posting replies.

Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

An old neighbor of mine had one of those *jockey* statues when I was a kid...the neighborhood kids (and some adults egging us on!) took perverse joy out of dressing him for various holidays...one memorable News Years he shed his Santa suit and was bedecked in a tux, holding a champagne glass and wearing a party hat, lol! Over the years saw him dressed as an Easter Bunny, in, mortarboard and gown as a graduate, football player, Dracula (Halloween!), etc. It became a neighborhood tradition....and we loved it!

Anonymous said...

Freedom of expression applies to all.
You have the freedom to ignore any posts you don't like and yet you chose to question a persons mental health, or suggest that they leave the country as you don't like the views they express. Thats not just rude, it may not be obscene, but think of those really living with mental illness, or living in a country without those freedoms.
And minus the cussing I have to agree, it was a pretty stupid picture and story, lets be honest!!
The point everyone seems to be missing is that from the other side of the world it just looks to us as though this obsessive need within your culture to outdo each other and draw any and all attention to yourselves is killing our Earth. And its not sweet or charming, but I'm sure we'll remember the seemingly insignificant waste when our kids star asking why we couldn't be a little more selfless and think of their world rather than the spotlight this Xmas.
A very E! Xmas to all and to all an E! Night! That's your xmas greeting right?? Love From An Aussie!

Anonymous said...

you guys need to shut up and grow up.

Anonymous said...

Some people need to believe that Christmas includes whatever they feel necessary to make themselves and their children have a holiday spirit. Decorations are a part of expression. It is sad when someone is offended by the neighbors lights. With so many horrible things going on in this country, decorations should lighten a spirit not take it to the level of lawsuits and calling police. Shame on all of you who find any Christmas decoration of any type in bad taste. All that does is reflect on the character of that person speaking. Merry Christmas to everyone and keep those lights on!!!

Anonymous said...

Well said, Anonymous @ December 22, 2007 4:08 PM . . .

Sincerely,

Anonymous @ December 22, 2007 6:5something PM

(and Jesus was born at Target, not on a rooftop or the North Pole, right? And Mickey Mouse perfected commercialism, but that's covered in American Religion 101 at all the good universities)