Missus Goose
April 8, 2016 5:53 am
A man’s wife has more power over him than the state has. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, Journals (American essayist and poet)
“C’mon, dear. It’s time to go.”
No answer.
Mister glances around and pins a stern eye on his lady.
“Perhaps you didn’t hear me, my sweet. I said, Let’s go.”
Complete silence. Refusal to make eye contact. And positively no inclination to move from the sun-warmed parking lot.
(See for yourselves:)
Missus Goose
Mister is not used to having his authority questioned. He blinks a few times and gives a little shake of his majestic head.
“What? You’re not going?” he asks. “Is that what you said, darling?”
Missus turns her attention to her feathers, which she picks at. She settles deeper into the pavement and turns from Mister, who’s making a spectacle of himself.
As usual.
It’s a busy shopping mall, and the lunch hour traffic is heavy. People with only an hour off during their workday must hurry if there’s something they need to pick up.
The last thing they have time for is a bickering pair of Canada geese.
Mister sees that and frets.
“Look, my love, there are cars all over the place. I can’t stand the thought of you getting hit…or watching while they scrape you up off the pavement.”
Missus remains calm. People spy her on her concrete throne and steer a clear berth. Some even offer her a smile.
But Mister is becoming frantic. He bellows and honks, his loud voice extending like a siren. He flaps his immense wings and does a dance of sorts.
“This isn’t funny, honey. Get up NOW and let’s go.”
Missus continues to preen and ignore him.
Eventually Mister resorts to what most females consider the magic word.
“There’s a sale over at Dick’s,” he urges. “I wanted to be first in line, but you can see there’s already a crowd beating us to the doors.”
Mister Goose
When his mate still doesn’t move, Mister realizes her stubbornness is what piqued his interest in the first place. She’s not going to move until she‘s ready, so he gives up.
“All right, then. We’re in this thing for life, so I’ll stay here with you. But don’t you think we should move closer to some water?”
Note: Canada Geese are fascinating creatures and are found year round across the northern tier of the United States.
Posted by Debbie
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Canada Geese, disagreement between spouses, shopping mall
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There’s just no explaining the avian mind, is there? Of course, there’s no explaining plenty of creatures. This time of year, we’ll begin seeing alligators showing up on residential front porches, etc. A swimming pool I can understand — but a porch?
I once caught a glimpse of some police herding a mama duck and her babies across a Houston area freeway. What we do for these critters!
By shoreacres on April 8, 2016 at 7:22 am
I’d think a homeowner would have a heart attack, opening his front door and finding an alligator on the porch!! I’m especially careful with Dallas when we go south because I know gators can eat dogs. Not that we’ve ever seen one up close, but you never know.
What nice officers for herding the duck family across the freeway — bet there were more than a few cameras recording that spectacle!
By Debbie on April 8, 2016 at 12:27 pm
As long as he stuck with her he’s a keeper. Even if he IS making a spectacle of himself.
By dawnkinster on April 8, 2016 at 9:32 am
You know, Dawn, I had to wonder after writing this, whether SHE was the one making a spectacle of herself and wanting to go shopping, while HE was the one holding firm to his spot on the concrete?!?
By Debbie on April 8, 2016 at 12:31 pm
Thank God it wasn’t black Friday! Mister would have been more easily persuaded, one hopes…
By desertdweller29 on April 8, 2016 at 11:00 am
Well, you’d think he’d be the one interested in going to an outdoors/sporting store, wouldn’t you?? Meanwhile, she was lots closer to Macy’s, haha!
By Debbie on April 8, 2016 at 12:32 pm
hah! Hope she had her coupons!
By desertdweller29 on April 8, 2016 at 12:49 pm
Maybe that’s what she was looking for when I thought she was preening!
By Debbie on April 8, 2016 at 5:41 pm
The missus is probably pooped from taking care of business and needed a rest…or hoping he’d take off so she could go shopping without him pestering her!
By suzicate on April 8, 2016 at 11:59 am
Sometimes it’s easier to shop alone. When I go with a friend, we have to separate anyway so we can hunt for things we want; then, we spend an inordinate amount of time searching for each other. What did we ever do without cell phones?!!
By Debbie on April 8, 2016 at 12:35 pm
Haha! that was awesome. And it did make the parking lot look comfortable…
By Professor VJ Duke on April 8, 2016 at 1:27 pm
Don’t you think it was warrior-like of me to walk between the two quarrelers to snap some pictures?!!
By Debbie on April 8, 2016 at 5:43 pm
Haha! Lovely! Mister Goose had probably done something silly and she was just teaching him a much-needed lesson… 😉
By FictionFan on April 8, 2016 at 1:33 pm
He sure looked silly doing that dance all by himself! That, and honking his poor head off — no wonder she had to pretend he didn’t exist.
By Debbie on April 8, 2016 at 5:44 pm
We used to have Canadian Geese in California. Our workplace employed a full-time Goose poop cleaner upper. (Several people slipped and fell before the guy was hired)
By John W. Howell on April 8, 2016 at 3:01 pm
They do make quite a mess, don’t they? I’m guessing this pair, unless someone ran them off soon afterward, left a mess of their own — and wouldn’t it be fun stepping in that on your way into the mall?!!
By Debbie on April 8, 2016 at 5:46 pm
Need a camera for the old slip and fall.
By John W. Howell on April 8, 2016 at 5:53 pm
*thunderous applause*’
Debbie, this is HILARIOUS! How clever you are – the pictures, the dialogue, the quote – all BRILLIANT!
Having lived in Orlando, Florida (where geese are everywhere) you nailed their personalities to a tee! They can be very stubborn and also aggressive. I used to live by a lake in Orlando, and there were times when the geese on the lake would actually run into the streets and try to attack moving cars – I kid you not – I saw it with my own eyes!
Again, GREAT post, my friend! Have a super weekend!
X to you and Dallas
By Ron on April 9, 2016 at 10:06 am
Ron, thanks for verifying my little story. Part of me wondered if I was accurately capturing this pair’s personalities — glad her stubbornness and his frustration came across!
Geese usually hang out near water, but these two were pretty far away from the wet stuff. Maybe flying by straight line would put them closer. And you’re so right — I’ve seen cars stop in the middle of the street just to let a line of geese pass through!
Happy week to you, my dear! xx
By Debbie on April 11, 2016 at 12:43 pm
Canadian Geese are fascinating. Loved the story and observations. So happy the ending was happily ever after!
By Katybeth Jensen Ruscitti on April 9, 2016 at 1:38 pm
I’m a sucker for happy endings, Kb! I didn’t see a nest, so I imagine Missus flew off when she got good and ready — and he tagged along with her (probably somewhat miffed he didn’t get to shop at Dick’s!!)
By Debbie on April 11, 2016 at 12:46 pm
My comment didn’t post, so I’m trying again. I very much enjoyed your photos, Debbie. Always a surprise waiting in the parking lot, it seems. Get in and out when it comes to shopping, in my opinion.
By Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister on April 9, 2016 at 7:58 pm
Thanks so much, Audrey! This is the first time I’ve run into geese in the mall’s parking lot — they were just too tempting for me to snap a photo. She looked pretty calm, all things considered…he, on the other hand, was ready to blow a gasket, ha!
By Debbie on April 11, 2016 at 12:48 pm
Wow, love how you turned these delightful pictures into a story. Did you stick around long enough to see them leave? Or are they still there? 😉
Most clever!
By monicastangledweb on April 9, 2016 at 11:17 pm
Monica, I was one of those having too little time to pick up some things I needed, so I confess I hurried inside to shop. When I got back outside, Mister and Missus were gone, so I guess they worked out their issues. Thanks for the compliment, and I’m glad you enjoyed my story!
By Debbie on April 11, 2016 at 12:50 pm
Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness. Those sweet, precarious things.
By Barbara J Albright on April 13, 2016 at 4:57 pm
Aren’t they cute? They were just begging to be photographed and written about!
By Debbie on April 13, 2016 at 6:30 pm
This is hilarious and oh so true when it comes to human couples too.
By Pat on April 16, 2016 at 7:50 am
Thanks, Pat — endowing these geese with human characteristics seemed the way to go. Glad you approve!
By Debbie on April 16, 2016 at 9:42 am
Incredible!
I started blogging this month, and it is a pleasure that I came across your blog.
It has inspired me to start my next article.
Thank you:)
By Philosophical Epiphanies on April 16, 2016 at 11:09 am
Aw, gee, thanks for saying such nice things! And you’re welcome around here any time — thanks for the follow, and now I’m off to check out some of your work.
By Debbie on April 17, 2016 at 1:35 pm