This week's story is brought to you by our resident prankster, aka Landscape Designer, Doug Barnes:
I am not going to talk about plants today. I do enough of that everyday. No, today I will share about the day the otter came to For Garden's Sake....
The day started off like any other. Birds were chirping, the sun was shining, and it was another day living the landscape design life. I was running to appointments when I came across something unusual. Just off Stagecoach Road close to the water impoundment, there was a deceased otter on the side of the road... Yes, an otter! And a huge otter, at that. I have been in North Carolina for 32 years and have never seen one in the wild. Poor guy must have been struck by a car crossing during the night.
So I did what any good friend would do and texted my friend who just happens to love collecting animal pelts (chill out, animal loving friends... he uses them for educational purposes). I told him about the otter, and he responded that he had to have it. I turned around and collected the furry fellow. He later texted me that he was so excited about the otter that he couldn't concentrate at work. The otter excitement had also come over me, because I knew that before the end of the day that otter was going to end up under Marsha's car.
The end of the day rolled around and I had managed to delicately place the otter just under Marsha's driver side door with its head poking out ever so slightly. I retreated to the office to enjoy the show and roll video.
Marsha was packing up for the day and I had a great view of her car. It soon became apparent that I was going to have to wait a bit longer for the pay off, because apparently Marsha packs up for an hour before she actually leaves.
No, really, it takes her that long to say goodbyes to approximately 29 people, 16 individually named plants, a small nest of baby birds, and Scott (which I have always thought was strange because they live together...).
Finally, the time came. She slowly rounded the front of her car completely oblivious. Once she reached her door, she looked down at her car keys and got a glimpse of our furry friend. She jumped about four feet in the air and let out a blood curdling scream. If the otter hadn't already been deceased, he would have likely died of being scared to death by Marsha's scream.
By this time, I had amassed a small group of people to enjoy the event. It was hilarious. I am sure the payback is coming...but it was otterly worth it. Call me if you need some design work. I'd be otterly pleased to work with you!
