Grassy Grams

Monday, October 31, 2005

How visible is your address?



Most people don’t think twice about what the address looks like on the front of their house. Explaining how to get there to a friend is fairly simple, right? Well, what about late at night, driving around a sleeping neighborhood, trying to creep up silently without being noticed? Not so easy!

Now, before becoming a flocker, I will admit I hadn’t given much thought to this topic either. However, recently redoing our siding and trying to determine what the address looked like from the street was very important! Especially after many nights of wandering through neighborhoods, praying just to catch just a glimpse of an address - we did kick around the idea of neon lights plastered across the front of the house… but, as touchy as Dearborn Heights has been, we figured they wouldn't approve of that look!

Instead, we went with numerous address decals! Rather than placing the small mailbox back on the front of the house, we decided to put a new post mailbox in our shoe box yard (saving a few steps for our mailman in the process!).
The mailbox has been labeled on the front and both sides… the house itself has yet another! North, South, or East you WILL find our house!

Just having numerous addresses on the front of the house won’t necessarily do the trick. In order to see it from a distance, the number decal should be at least 3 inches tall.

And, this is your tip of the day courtesy of the night time bandits. Now, get on outside and see if you’re visible for the flockers to get you tonight!

Thursday, October 27, 2005

There was a man walking his dog as we were mid-flock for a milestone birthday, headed our way.
With a flamingo tucked under one arm, my partner in crime, walked slowly over to him and whispered, 'ssshhh, it’s a surprise!'
The response was a bellowing; “yeah I’m from Indiana we used to do that all the time!” as he kept on, walking his pooch as if it were 12 o’clock in the afternoon.

We will have to visit Indiana and snap some pictures of the local flocks in action! (please don't worry, no photo's will be posted without consent)

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

A night time delivery for a surprise flock of storks from brother to sister, the neighbor pulled up in front of his house immediately next door, parked at the curb and walked right toward me.
At first I thought maybe it was the new father returning from a store run until I noticed the curious look on his face - wondering what a strange person was doing, in the rain, hunched over in the neighbor’s yard with a big white card placed in the middle.
He walked toward me and I turned to show him the front of the sign, it read “It’s a boy!” … he says in his outdoor voice, ‘oh! You’re doing that with them in there and they don’t know it?’ I nod my head and he continues talking as he walks up the driveway and I give the ol’ ‘ssshhh’ sign as I realized he'd had a few cocktails this evening.
Surprisingly, Mom, Dad, or newborn baby woke to the sounds of the neighbor talking, setting his car alarm, slamming the screen door, and dragging the trash cans out.
Exhaustion must have set in for those new parents!

Friday, October 14, 2005

I was flocking alone, 70 flamingos to be exact! It was a very special occasion and keeping it a surprise was very important to the flocker!

Across the street and nearly a block down, I saw the hot end of a cigarette walking my way; I waved as he got closer hoping he didn’t speak! I gave the old ‘ssshhh’ gesture, without making a sound.

The early 20’s fella walked all the way into the yard, looked at the message board and whispered “that’s awesome!” Turned on his heels, and walked away. Whew, one that didn’t use their outside voice!

Saturday, October 08, 2005



Actually busted!


Flamingos busting.... just had to post this pic! See the comment posted under "The closest call yet...."
See the window in the background? Flamingo bounced down the stairs, right past that spot and caught a glimpse of a WHITE t-shirt! Egads!!
From then on out, we're very careful about our choice of clothing...