Got Gnomes?
I'm hoping someone out there can clear up a little mystery for me.
On Saturday, while I was happily putting my half-price coupon for a mani/pedi at Mirror Mirror to use in downtown Burlington, someone stuck a little lime-green card under the windshield wiper on my car. (It looks yellow here, but whatever.) Spotting it upon my return, and thinking it might be yet another coupon to bolster someone's January-thin business, I snatched the card curiously.
But no. As you can see here, the paper depicted a little pointy-hatted, white-bearded (do they come any other way?) gnome leaning against what appears to be a cut tree trunk, with the imperative message "Don't Mess with Gnomes!"
Now, had I recently been messing with gnomes, I would have a considered this a sinister threat, and also wondered, Who knew I was messing with gnomes? But as I had long ago given up gnomes for ... um, sock monkeys, all I could think was: New local band? Great name!
Or, wait, was it an aptly tiny flyer for the upcoming movie Gnomeo and Juliet? I hoped not, cuz that film looks unbearable. (But in case you're interested, James McAvoy and Emily Blunt voice the star-crossed and inexplicably animated garden statuary. Sheesh.)
But I digress. The thought did also occur that "gnomes" are something sexual that I've never heard of, but I'm not going with that. Instead, I'd love it if someone could just help me out here. Hello?
I wish I could help you but I cannot. Perhaps it is just a general admonition. I do hope you find out what this is about and tell us all. It is exciting to think that there might be gnomes about or at least their advocates. I wonder what we did or might do by way of messing with them. We should find out and make sure we don't.
Posted by: Paul Engels | January 17, 2011 at 02:10 PM
Hi,
I don't "got" gnomes because I sell them whenever I get one! And I would never consider messing with them....they're tougher than you would think.
Looking forward to hearing the answer to this mystery.
Mary
Posted by: Mary Heinrich Aloi | January 17, 2011 at 02:20 PM
Perhaps it is part of the HGTV Win a Dream Gnome contest in Stowe?
Posted by: SteveM | January 17, 2011 at 02:54 PM
An admonition to mind your Gnome business perhaps?
Posted by: Christopher | January 17, 2011 at 03:00 PM
This is simply a parking ticket asking for donations to bail Kiss and Leopold out of the mess they created. Do not pay it . it amounts to bail money for these two.
Posted by: dale tillotson | January 17, 2011 at 03:06 PM
And, never play Gnip Gnop with a Gnome.
Posted by: Jessica oski | January 17, 2011 at 04:41 PM
I appreciate all the advice here, people. Clearly you've had more experience with gnomes than I have. And confirmed my suspicions about their evil ways.
Posted by: pamela polston | January 17, 2011 at 05:07 PM
The only thing similar I have seen is a "Chillin' with my Gnomies" accessory and t-shirt from David and Goliath tees.
Posted by: Josh | January 17, 2011 at 06:59 PM
I think your card is from the White River Disc Golf course in Randolph. It's a very wooded course, and the folks who maintain it have hidden a whole bunch of tiny gnome statues in cool places throughout the course (in tree trunks and branches, flowerpots, etc). They also have lots of "Don't Mess With Gnomes" cards—some of them look just like yours—posted around the course to keep folks from stealing the gnomes, moving or vandalizing them, etc. Take a field trip sometime next summer and visit them!
Of course, the disc golfers could just be taking inspiration from a pre-existing gnome protection movement... :)
Posted by: mountaingirl | January 18, 2011 at 08:41 AM
Hmm. Good to know, thanks.
Posted by: pamela polston | January 18, 2011 at 08:57 AM
The Gnome gnows? Good to get gnome gnowledge...
Posted by: Margo Howland | January 18, 2011 at 01:54 PM
Perhaps an odd viral marketing campaign for the upcoming movie: "Gnomeo and Juliet"?
Posted by: Mel | January 18, 2011 at 01:59 PM
I don't know about all of you but I have a Gnome guarding the front entrance of our house. So I guess your little card is correct. What did you do to deserve this my dear?
Posted by: Mary A | January 18, 2011 at 02:05 PM
I think it may be a guerilla marketing campaign for the new book: How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack: Defend Yourself When the Lawn Warriors Strike (And They Will)
Posted by: David | January 18, 2011 at 02:09 PM
My garden gnomes have all dug in for the winter--no messing with them till spring...
Posted by: Marna Ehrech | January 18, 2011 at 02:24 PM
At a Halloween party I attended there were two members of the Department of Gnomeland Security ... perhaps you're under surveillance.
Posted by: Kitty | January 19, 2011 at 04:10 PM
I know the gnome master himself and mountaingirl got it correct- your card is indeed related to the gnomes in the Randolph disc golf course. The perpetrator leaves these cards at random where ever he goes. so that tells me my friend was recently in town. there is no malicious intent, he is just an old prankster hippie ;) you might spot similar cards in various watering holes as well
Posted by: gnomeitall | January 21, 2011 at 07:41 AM
Thanks for the info. Will have to check that out next summer! Hoping my gnome card will get me in free.
Posted by: pamela polston | January 21, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Crazy Vermont Hippie, I've found said cards in our great state of Maine, and was a little concerned we were under attack by the little beasts!!
Posted by: Jordan B. | January 21, 2011 at 09:35 PM
I was at a disc golf course in Scarborough Maine and came across two different and gnome cards while playing a round!
One did say don't mess with gnomes and both were on bright card stock. ???
Posted by: Disc2 | January 21, 2011 at 10:42 PM
The gnome master also has played in Maine and has left them in almost any state he goes so that is why you found one in Maine
Posted by: gnome masters son | January 22, 2011 at 06:27 PM