Gus and Trudy Watch the Ocean Turn Green

Gus and Trudy were so excited. Today was the day that the people at the beach in Allenhurst were going to dye the ocean green. Even though they did not like to see summer, Gus and Trudy were very excited to see this tradition. Gus climbed on Trudy's back and off they flew. As they were landing on the beach (in a little hideaway corner behind a dune) they saw Abby and Tommy! Boy were they having fun. Then it happened - green - the ocean turned green! All the kids (and some grown ups) laughed and played in the ocean. It was a beautiful sight. Gus and Trudy stayed on the beach until the sun set. It had been a glorious day. Trudy told Gus to climb on her back and she began the flight home. They talked about all the things that had happened this summer. Earthquakes, ambulances, hurricanes, and now, the ocean was turned green. When they landed at their house they went inside and had a cup of herbal tea. They nibbled on some scones. Trudy began to yawn and Gus said they should go to sleep. They went into their rooms and snuggled in for the night. Everything was calm and peaceful in the little house in the orderly garden on Bloomfoeld Avenue.

Gus and Trudy and Irene

Gus and Trudy were in a panic. They had seen Elaine going into the garden and pick up all the objects and take them to the garage. They just couldn't figure out what was going on. Then they heard the neighbors all talking about Irene. How Irene would come and blow everything away. How Irene would make floods all over the garden. How Irene might even take down some of the big oaks that Trudy loved to sit in. Gus and Trudy decided that they did not care for Irene. They decided that when they saw Irene they would kick her out of the orderly garden on Bloomfield Ave. The neighbors were still talking. Oh no! They were saying that maybe the beloved beaches could be ruined by Irene! Gus and Trudy, as honorary lifeguards, were mad about this. How dare she! What was the matter with Irene? And better yet - what did Irene look like? "She must be pretty big to do all that damage," Gus said. "She must be pretty fast to whip around and cause big, strong oak trees to fall," said Trudy. "Where do you think she gets the water to dump all over the place?," Gus wondered. "If she can knock things over that are so big - what about our little house?," Trudy hooted. Gus and Trudy had so many worries and so many questions. They were getting very scared. Then they overheard Abby and Tommy talking about leaving their house and going next door with Annalisa and Nick to stay the night. Now they were worried. What about Anthony and Gianna? They heard that their whole family was going to stay in one room so they would all be safe. "Does Irene steal kids too? What about gnomes and owls? Is anyone safe?,"they wondered. "And what about Carmela? Will she be OK down the road?," Gus and Trudy asked each other. They certainly had a lot to worry about. What to do? "We can't even get hold of the Great Flamingo to help us out,"Trudy said. Then they remembered Dorrie. She knew a lot about everthing because Abby talked to her all the time and explained things to her. So Gus jumped on Trudy's back and they flew up to Abby's window. Tap, tap, tap Trudy's beak tapped the window. Dorrie came to the window. Gus and Trudy asked her about Irene. What did she look like? How could they fight her? How could they help protect everyone on the street? Why was Irene so mad at them? Dorrie laughed. She knew a lot about Irene and others like her because she had lived in Florida for a very long time. She very patiently explained to Gus and Trudy that Irene was a hurricane. And as a hurricane, irene had to do what Mother Nature told her to do. She didn't have any choice. And when she was done blowing and rainingn she would just fade into nothing. "Sometimes I think that these hurricanes get a little carried away and blow and rain so much because they know that soon they will fade into nothing," Dorrie said wisely. Now Gus and Trudy understood. But they were worried about their house and the orderly garden. They deicded to talk to Elaine. Elaine told them that she was going to take their house and put it into the garage. When the storm was over she would restore order to the garden. She even invited Gus and Trudy o stay in the house with Josie and Jasmine, the cats. They did. Then Irene came. She blew and she rained for two days. The wind was actually very scary. Branches of trees were flying everywhere. But the mighty oaks fought hard. Not one fell. The garden was flooded and Elaine said they would have to wait for the water to go down. They waited. Elaine straightened up the garden and it was orderly again. She out Gus and Trudy's house back in it's spot. Gus and Trudy checked out the beaches and boardwalks. Elaine had shown them oictures from the internet. They were scared about what they might find. The beaches were somewhat washed out but people were in big machines trying to put more sand on them. Other people were nailing loose boardwalk boards back into place. Everything was going to be OK. Gus and Trudy went back home. They saw all the kids on the street. Everyone was safe. Gus and Trudy were tired from the worrying. They went back to their little house in the orderly garden on Bloomfield Ave. and promptly fell asleep.

Gus and Trudy Meet a Turtle

Gus and Trudy met a new neighbor today. Old Gnome had moved into the oak tree hollow in the front yard. What was the most exciting part was that Old Gnome had a Turtle move in with him.

"I'm so old now," Old Gnome grumbled" I don't want to move too fast or fly through the air or run fast on a rabbit. I just want to take my time, go slow, and smell the roses."

Gus and Trudy helped Old Gnome off of Turtle.

"Hello! My name is Gus and this is my dear friend Trudy. We live in the gnome home in the orderly garden."

Turtle blinked very slowly and said," My.......name....is....Old Turtle....Pleased...to ...meet..you....."

Gus and Trudy thought there could be more coming from Old Turtle so they hesitated.

Old Turtle drew a big breath and let out a sigh. "Old.....Gnome....it....is....time.....for....our...nap....."

Old Gnome patted Old Turtle's back and chuckled. "Yes my old friend it is time for our after-breakfast-but-before-lunch-nap."

Old Gnome waved to Gus and Trudy and helped Old Turtle into the hollow of the oak tree in the front yard.

Gus and Trudy and the Dog Days of Summer

Trudy had spent the morning watching Elane in the garden. She heard Elaine mumbling and complaining about the groundhog who continued to snack on her vegetables. She heard Elaine making plans to make her garden :groundhog proof" for next summer. Then she saw Elaine sit down, take a big gulp from her water bottle, and say,"These really are the dog days of summer."

That got Trudy to thinking. Were dogs going to start coming over to the garden? Did these days belong only to the dogs? Would it rain dogs without the cats? What was it about these days that made it the dog days of summer?

She headed into the little house that she shared with Gus. She asked Gus about the dog days of summer. He shrugged and then started to get worried too. he certainly did not want dogs to spend all the days in his garden. he wanted these days to belong to everyone. This was going to be a problem.

Do YOU know what the dog days of summer are? Maybe you could leave a note for Gus and Trudy and let them know!

Gus and Trudy Watch a Beautiful Sunset

Gus and Trudy were so very lucky to watch this beautiful sunset!

Gus Eats His First Watermelon

The watermelons were coming out finally and Gus was very excited. Even though he was a garden gnome he had never tasted a watermelon before. It's not that he wasn't interested in watermelons it was just that he usually gave all the watermelons away. This year he was determined to at least taste a watermelon.

He crept into the garden and plucked a nice ripe watermelon off of the vine. He went back to his house and cut the watermelon up into chunks. He remembered Elaine saying that she ate her watermelon with salt. She always said that it made the watermelon taste a little sweeter.

Gus liked the watermelon so much that he ate the whole watermelon by the end of the day. He was so full that he didn't eat dinner. He just shuffled off to bed with a full belly and fell right to sleep in his tiny bed in his little house in the tidy garden on Bloomfield Avenue.

Gus and Trudy Meet the Gargoyle

Gus and Trudy were feeling slow and lazy because of the heat. They really did not want to leave the garden and travel about because it was so hot and humid.

Trudy thought it might be a nice idea just to take a walking tour of the yard surrounding the garden.

"I don't know", Gus said "Elaine waters the garden but the grass is all dead in the yard. How much fun would we have?"

"Gus, I think you would be surprised at what else is in the yard besides grass" Trudy said.

So they decided to start their walk earlier in the morning so when the heat of the day came they would not be out in the sun. They went out of the garden by the sunflowers and went in to the front yard.

"Look Gus", Trudy sighed, "there are pink roses in the front yard and hostas lots of hostas!"

Gus kind of mumbled and grumbled at the pink roses but he clearly enjoyed the hostas. He enjoyed the shade that their broad leaves provided. He was pleasantly surprised at the soft green moss that grew, protected from the harsh sun, under the hosta leaves.

Gus and Trudy spent some time stretched out under the hostas and on the soft green moss. They talked about this and that. Gus decided tha they should stay away from the sewer because he knew that without the rain to keep him happy, the sewer troll was in a horrible no good mood. And nobody would want to be around a sewer troll in a horrible no good mood , if they knew what was good for them!

Gus decided they should walk down the side of the house where the shed was. They turned the corner of the house and surprise! There was net row of hosta planted against the side of the house!

"So that is what Elaine was doing the other day," Gus said,"she was digging around with a shovel and had the wheelbarrow going like crazy. She was planting hosta here."

Trudy smiled at him and nodded. She knew that Gus enjoyed seeing new plants in the yard.

They turned and looked at the shed. Then they looked at each other. Each knew what the other was thinking. They would stay away from the shed and the opossum and groundhog war that was going on over who should own the cool den underneath it.

Gus and Trudy saw the bird bath filled with cool clean water. They knew Elaine changed the water every day. Trudy told Gus to climb on her back and they flew up to the bird bath. They took the opportunity to cool off. They splashed and laughed and spent a whole glorious hour sitting in the cool water.

When they had enough of the water, Trudy flew Gus up to the deck and they laid out in the sun until their clothes were dry and warm. Elaine happened to look out the door and saw Gus and Trudy. She popped her head out the door and asked them if they would like some blackberry ice tea and a scone. Gus, Trudy and Elaine sat on the deck enjoying the cold ice tea and the sweet scone. Elaine told them to walk down the steps instead of flying. She said they would find someone interesting on the step.

Gus and Trudy tiptoed own the stairs and who did they see? The Gargoyle! The Gargoyle had been missing for some time but now he was back! The Gargoyle laughed as Gus and Trudy danced around him. Gus and Trudy spent the rest of the afternoon chatting with the Gargoyle. It was the best part of their day - to see an old friend back at home.

Evening finally arrived and Gus and Trudy were very sleepy from their exciting day. They hugged Gargoyle good night and left for home. They had a glass of milk and a peanut butter sandwich. They sat up and watched the fireflies flitting around the garden. They played a game of checkers. Gus was yawning and Trudy's eyes were starting to close. Gus shook Trudy awake and helped her into her bed. Then he went into his room, said his prayers, and climbed into his bed. Very quickly he fell asleep in his tiny bed in his little house in the orderly garden on Bloomfield Avenue.

Sand Gnomes

Gus and Trudy had entered a sand building contest at the beach. They were so excited. They woke up very early and flew down to the beach just so they could get started.

Gus and Trudy worked for hours and hours. They were very pleased with what they had made. The judges were pleased also - they won First Place - the Blue Ribbon!

Gus and Trudy celebrated by going out for ice cream sodas. Then they took a long walk down the beach. Finally when the moon was up high in the sky, Gus climbed on Trudy's back and they flew home. They climbed into their beds, exhausted from the day. Gus and Trudy soon fell asleep in their little house in the orderly garden on Bloomfield Avenue.

Gus and Trudy Spend the Afternoon with Flamingos

Gus and Trudy were very excited! The Great Flamingo was sending a few flamingos to spend the afternoon with Gus and Trudy. Gus knew the Great Flamingo wanted an update on how Dorrie and Florrie were doing over at Abby's. And how was Tommy doing with his pal?

In the early afternoon the three flamingos landed in the orderly garden on Bloomfield Avenue and spent the afternoon with Gus and Trudy. They flew to the roof of Elaine's house and watched Abby and Tommy outside with their mom. Tommy was playing with his new bubble gun and Abby was looking through her American Doll catalog, circling everything she wanted with her blue crayon.

They looked very happy and they were listening to their mom. Tommy even went inside to let in the dog so that his mom didn't have to!

The flamingos and Gus and Trudy flew up to Abby's window and tap tap tapped on the window. Dorrie and Florrie answered. They gave the flamingos their report for the Great Flamingo. They gave Gus and Trudy a big hug and then they went to have some quiet time.

The evening was coming and the flamingos had to get ready to go home. Gus and Trudy hugged them all and waved good bye to them as they rose into the air and started to fly away.

Then Gus and Trudy went back to their little house in the orderly garden on Bloomfield Avenue to spend a quiet night.

More Pictures of the Sunflowers Gus and Trudy Love...

Gus and Trudy just wanted to share more pictures of the sunflowers they so dearly love.

Gus and Trudy Love Sunflowers

Gus and Trudy were so excited when they woke up this morning. They had a feeling that something special was going on with the sunflowers next to their house in the orderly garden on Bloomfield Avenue. They washed up and didn't even eat breakfast - st raced out the front door and over to the flowers.

They looked up, up, up at least eight feet up! The sunflowers had gotten soooo tall! And at the tippy top of one of the sunflower stems was a brand new opened flower! They were so happy. they stood looking at it for quite some time. Then Gus climbed on Trudy's back and they flew up to the flower. Gus could feel the petals ticking his face. He giggled out loud.

Trudy landed on the ground and she and Gus spent the morning sitting in the cool shade of the sunflowers. The were so happy.

Who Is This?

Gus and Trudy Harvest a Zuchinni

Gus and Trudy were taking care of the garden today when they found the first zucchini of the season! They were so excited that they picked it and carried to the house to give to Elaine.

Gus and Trudy Want to be Lifeguards

Gus and Trudy really enjoy going to the beach and they both enjoy helping people. They thought it would be a good idea to become lifeguards at the beach. That way they could combine the two things they loved - being at the beach and helping others.

They weren't really sure what they needed to do to become beach lifeguards. They decided to go to Ocean Grove and ask the lifeguards there about how to become one of them.

Gus climbed on Trudy's back and off they flew to the beach.

The lifeguards kind of looked at them funny.

"I don't think we have ever had a gnome or an owl lifeguard before," the head lifeguard stated.

"You know you have to be able to pull people out of the water," said the second lifeguard,"and we get some pretty big people here."

"I am sure that Trudy and I could handle it," Gus said with certainty.

The head lifeguard looked them up and down. "Why don't you sit with us today and see what it is all about."

Gus and Trudy found a seat on the chair and sat with the lifeguards. They watched to guards run their laps up and down the beach, put up the chair and set up the lifeguard station. They watched them get into the rowboat and row through the waves and then back and forth in the ocean. They watched the lifeguards swim their laps also.

As the beach began to fill Gus and Trudy watched the lifeguards puling people who couldn't swim very well out of the water. They watched the lifeguards blowing their whistles to get people off the jetty. And when the people pretended they couldn't hear the whistles, the lifeguards had to run down the beach to the jetty and tell them to get off. The lifeguards took care of cuts and scrapes, helped an old lady put up her umbrella and answered many , many questions.

And all the time they were doing this they had to keep their eyes on the water. They had to make sure that they watched all the people in the water and kept them safe. There were lots of people in the water. And it was hot, hot sitting in the glaring sun all day.

Gus and Trudy looked at each other. It was loud and it was hot and some of the people were very annoying.

The head lifeguard watched them. "Gus and Trudy, we have many lifeguards on the beach all during the day. Maybe you could come in the evening or earl early in the morning just to make sure the beach is alright. You would be protectors of the beach."

Gus and Trudy loved the idea. They really liked the cool quiet times of the evening and the early early morning. The fact that there wouldn't be many if any people around was a bonus also.

they agreed to become protectors of the beach. They shook hands with the lifeguards and left to go home and take a nap. It had been exhausting watching the guards do all that work!

Gus and Trudy Hunt for Raspberries

Gus and Trudy both love raspberries. They love to eat them just picked, in pies, cakes and cookies, in jams and jellies, made into ice cream or pudding, just about any way you could imagine. They just plain love raspberries.

Both Gus and Trudy have been pretty bored because Abby and Tommy have been in Disney. They have no one to play tricks on. They were going to head to the beach but the sky looked cloudy and Trudy could swear that she heard the rumbling of thunder in the distance.

Gus was all for taking a nap. he did not even want to take off his pajamas. he figured he could just be lazy all day long. Nap.

Trudy pestered and nagged him and finally he got dressed. They took a little flight around the garden and Gus spotted the raspberry bush - he could see the bright red berries ready for picking.

They flew to the bush and began to pick the berries. A few times Trudy tried to talk to Gus but when he answered her his voice sounded funny. Kind of like his mouth was full. Trudy suspected that Gus ate as many raspberries as he picked. But that was OK with her.

When they were finished picking raspberries they flew back to their house and made some raspberry ice cream. Trudy made a few scones also. They had a big glass of iced orange tea and a raspberry scone.

It had been a good day.

Happy 4th of July!

Relaxing on a Summer Day

Gus and Trudy have always loved summer time. Even though it is usually hot and humid and there are some thunder storms, they both still enjoy the summer. Gus especially enjoys sitting outside on his lawn chair.

Gus was very happy when he noticed that the mommies on the block liked to sit out in front on their lawn chairs also. The past two days, though, he had noticed that only two of the mommies had been sitting outside.

He jumped on Trudy's back and they flew up to Abby's window. Tap tap tap. Nothing. Tap tap tap. No noise from inside. Gus climbed off of Trudy's back and walked along the window sill and peered into Abby's room. It was dark and quiet. He walked over to Tommy's room and looked in. Dark and quiet also.

Gus and Trudy were worried. What happened to Tommy and Abby? Why were only two mommies sitting outside? They spent the day sitting on Abby's windowsill wondering aloud to each other.

Shortly, they noticed the two other mommies sitting outisde on their lawn chairs. Gus and Trudy flew a little closer to them to hear their conversation.

After a few minutes Gus and Trduy flew back home. They were very calm. They knew nothing had happened to Abby and Tommy. Abby and Tommy were in Disney World!

Gus went back to siiting in his lawn chair.

Gus and Trudy Enjoy a Lazy Day

Gus and Trudy love the summer as much as anyone else. Their real joy in the summer is to lay out in the sun and just rest. If it is too hot they will find a cool spot in the shade to rest. if it is too humid, they may find an empty burrow and rest in the coolness there. But, if it is a regular warm summer day they do love to just bask in the sun in the little garden on Bloomfield Avenue.

Emergency on Bloomfield Avenue!

Gus and Trudy heard lots of commotion going on in Elaine's house very very early Sunday morning. They saw flashing lights and heard people running into Elaine's house.

Trudy flew up to the window with Gus on her back and they looked in. SJ was not feeling well but the police and the paramedics were helping her. They were telling her that she needed to go to the hospital. SJ was scared but she knew her mm and dad would be with her and that the hospital would make her feel better.

Elaine was able to ride in the front seat of the ambulance while the paramedics took care of SJ in the back. Gus and Trudy flew n the ambulance window and Elaine let them ride in her pocket. They were worried about SJ and wanted to make sure she was OK.

When they all got to the hospital they rolled SJ in on a stretcher. Nurses came and took SJ' s temperature, bood pressure and then hooked her up to lots of machines. the machines looked and sounded scary to Gus and Trudy but they noticed that SJ was doing fine. SJ had to get a needle put in her arm. She did not like that but she knew it would only sting for a minute and then the nurses could take blood, give her medicine and give her fluids to make her feel better

Gus and Trudy snuggled into Elaine's pocket while they waited for some tests to be run on SJ. After manyhours the doctors came in and said that SJ had a virus but that she wuld be better in a little while.

Gus and Trudy were very happy. When SJ was going home they flew ahead and changed SJ's sheets and cleaned up her room. they left a note on her pillow telling her that they loved her and hoped she would get better quick.

Gus and Trudy knew it had been an exciting and scary night. But now the knew that if anything happened to them and they needed to call an ambulance they woudn't be scared. They also knew that it might hurt a ittle bit at the hospital but they wouldn't be scared there either.

They were very tired and so they went into their little house in the orderly garden on Bloomfield Avenue and promptly fell asleep.

Gus and Trudy Go Kayaking

Elaine woke up Gus and Trudy very early.

"Come on you two," she said," We are going kayaking today with everyone!"

Gus moaned. After his lily pad fiasco, he wasn't too keen about going into any time of boat. Trudy thought that this would be the best thing for Gus.

"You know Gus you have to just get back on the horse," hooted Trudy.

"It was a lily pad not a horse," Gus grumbled.

"You know what I mean", Trudy hooted.

Even with all of his grumbling Gus got himself ready. He and Trudy watched Elaine put the kayak in her car and then they headed for Toms River to meet all the family.

When they got to Toms River they drove to Cedar Creek. They unloaded the kayak and then they set off. Elaine insisted that Gus wear a life vest. Trudy didn't wear one because she was flying alongside of the kayak.

They spent the day drifting down the creek. It was very calm and Gus was very impressed with how beautiful it was. At the end of the day they landed on a sandy beach and had some supper. Then Elaine loaded the kayak back into the car. Gus climbed into the towel nest that Elaine had made for him. Trudy climbed into the nest too. She was very tired from flying all day.

It was starting to get dark and Elaine covered them both. She put on soft music and started the drive home. By the time she pulled into Bloomfield Avenue Gus and trudy were fast asleep. Very carefully Elaine picked them up and placed them in their little house in the orderly garden.

Gus and Trudy Pick Sweet Peas

Gus and Trudy were so excited. Even though Rosie the Groundhog had made a pig of herself in Elaine's garden, they were sure they had seen a ripe pea pod ready to be picked. It was their plan to run into the garden in between thunderstorms and pick that pea pod. They were worried that Rosie might get to it first.

It stormed most of the day. Lots of thunder and teeming rain.

But Gus and Trudy kept an eye on the window and as soon as they saw a break in the line of storms, They ran outside and picked that pea pod!


They ran right up the stairs to the deck and Trudy tap tap tapped on the sliding door and Elaine let them in. The three of them had a feast - one pea each!

Elaine said that the pea was delicious but she had just baked a chocolate cake and would Gus and Trudy mind tasting it for her to let her know if it was good?

Of course, Gus and Trudy being the friendly sort said that they would certainly taste the cake. Elaine suggested a big glass of cold milk to help them wash it down and they gladly accepted.

When they were finished, Gus and Trudy gave Elaine a hug and went back to their little house in the orderly garden on Bloomfield Avenue.

Gus Spends a Rainy Day Alone

It was still raining on Bloomfiled Avenue.

Gus thought that it would be a good idea to go fishing. After all, everyone knows that fish come to the surface more when it is raining. He invited Trudy to go along but she thought that since it was raining it would too dangerous to go out on the lily pad fishing.

"Gus, why don't you either wait for a sunny day or wait until we can find a sturdier boat."

"Trudy you worry too much," Gus said.

"Gus, you don't worry enough," Trudy hooted.

Trudy could not talk Gus out of going and Gus couldn't talk Trudy into going.

Gus went out on the lily pad by himself. he was OK for the first hour and then it began to rain really hard, thunder was cracking, and lightening was flashing. Gus was beginning to regret going fishing.

Gus couldn't control the lily pad and it was rushing him towards the sewer.

No! Not the sewer at the end of Bloomfield Avenue! Gus knew darn well what was waiting for him in that sewer at the end of Bloomfield Avenue. The sewer troll- ugly , drooly, really mean and hungry sewer troll!

Just as Gus was saying his prayers, out of the sky came a dark shape and SWOOP! Gus was plucked off the lily pad just as it went into the sewer.

Gus looked up at his rescuer - Trudy! Trudy hooted, "Gus , you need to worry a little more."

Gus laughed with relief. Trudy and Gus went home and sat in front of the warm fire drinking tea. Gus soon dozed off. It had been a very exciting day.

Gus and trudy on a Rainy Day

BOOM! CRASH!!! RRRRUMBLLEE!!!

Then big flashes of light streaking across the sky.

A summer thunderstorm on Bloomfield Avenue.

It had been threatening to rain for the past two days. Gus and Trudy couldn't really plan to take any trips because they were very unsure about the weather. Trudy didn't want to take the chance of flying into a thunderstorm. Gus could understand that. He didn't like the lightening and the thunder made his house shake sometimes.

Gus and Trudy did enjoy a rainy day every now and then. If it was a light rain then they would run from mushroom to mushroom and splash in the puddles. If it was a big heavy downpour they would sit by the window and watch the rain water the garden. If it was a thunder and lightening storm they wold light a candle and tell stories until it had passed.

A day like today however was difficult. Sometimes it looked like the sun was trying to break out from behind the clouds. Sometimes the sky looked dark and angry and the wind started blowing like it would storm at any moment.

Gus and Trudy decided that today would be a "rest rest rest" day. The kind of day where they just lazed around the house. They could read or write. Bake cookies or sew. Whatever struck their fancy they could do. They had fun all day and at dinner time the thunder finally started. The rain began to fall.

"Perfect timing", said Gus," I love to hear the pitter patter of raindrops on he roof as I drift off to sleep."

Abby Rides her Bike

Gus and Trudy were very excited. It was late in the evening and they heard many voices from the front of the yard on Bloomfied Avenue.

Trudy put Gus on her back and flew up into the trees in the front yard. They could see Abby getting on her new bicycle, with her helmet on, getting ready to ride her new bike (no training wheels) for the first time. Everyone was out front to watch. Dina ran behind Abby and let go and.... Abby kept pedalling and she was riding by herself!

Gus smiled a big smile when he heard all the clapping and cheers. He turned to Trudy,"Do you think Dorrie knows about this?"

Trudy hooted a reply, "yes, look she is hiding behind the big tree in th front yard."

"I hope she doesn't leave any footprints there and she doesn't get caught outside", Gus whispered.

Gus and Trduy watched Abby ridde her bike a few more times and then play hide and seek with the kids. Then they watched Abby grab Elaine's hand and bring her over to the big tree where Dorrie had been hiding.

Gus and Trudy looked at each other. Abby had discovered the footprints. They heard Elaine saying that she thought they were gnome footprints. They looked up and saw Dorrie giggling in Abby's window.

"I knew Abby would notice something," Gus said,"she notices everything."

Trudy gave a little hoot and she flew back to their house. Gus and Trudy were tired from all the excitement and they just wanted to have a snack and go to bed. Outside they could still hear Abby and Tommy playing outside. They sounded so happy and that made Gus and Trudy happy. They drifted off to sleep listening to the giggles.

Gus and Trudy Relocate

"Well it's summer," Gus grumbled, "Elaine has put the air conditioner on and it is driving me crazy!"

Poor Gus had spent another sleepless nap time. the air conditioner was on and Gus and Trudy lived right next to it.

"Talk to Elaine and ask her to move us just around he corner by the sunflowers," Trudy said, "I love the light over there anyway and we won't hear the air conditioner or be by the gutter." Trudy hated being by the gutter as much as Gus hated being by the air conditoner.

Gus and Trudy flew up to Elaine's window and tap tap tapped until Elaine came to see what was going on.

They explained their problems to her.

"Gus and Trudy, this is not a big problem. Let me put on my shoes and we will go right down into the garden and take care of this." Elaine said.

Elaine put on her flip flops and out the door she went. Down the deck stairs and through the garden gate. She checked on every plant on her way to Gus and Trudy's house. OK, maybe not EVERY plant, but Gus felt she was taking too long. It was almost time for his mid morning nap!

Gus and Trudy explained to Elaine exactly where they wanted their house placed. They told her where to place the large and small mushrooms. Trudy was very particular about where she wanted the flamingo placed. of course Gus wanted his "Better Gnomes and Gardens" Award placed in a prominent spot so that everyone who came to the house could see his major award. Finally it was time to place the jewels. Elaine left Gus and Trudy alone to place the jewels because she knew they would argue over the placement of each and every jewel.

Elaine spent about an hour in the garden checking on all the plants and lamenting over the ones that Rosie ate. She was very angry at Rosie. Then she went to check on Gus and Trudy. She knew they were pleased with the placement of their house because she could hear Gus' snoring and Trudy's hooting as they took their mid morning nap.

Who really lives in the burrow under the shed?

Gus and Trudy are very confused. They were told by Mrs. O herself, that she and the little opossums were currently taking up residence in the burrow under the shed. Gus had been there and had seen them in the burrow - with his own eyes!

But today Trudy had gone to the burrow to introduce herself to Mrs. O and the opossum babies and who did she run into? Rosie the groundhog! Rosie coming out from the burrow under the shed. Trudy had followed Rosie into Elaine's garden. That Rosie was out of control eating all of Elaine's sweet peas, green beans and kidney beans! She had even taken to digging up the onions and eating them!

Trudy tried screeching and flying around Rosie's head to chase her away - but she just kept on nibbling everything.

When she was done she ran right back to the shed and the burrow underneath it.

Trudy flew over to Gus to report what she had seen. Gus couldn't believe it.

"You know I was just in the burrow visiting Mrs.O - how can Rosie be in there now?"

Trudy hooted, still clearly upset from her encounter with Rosie in the garden, "I don't know what is going on here Gus - but Rosie is behaving very badly. She knows better than to go into Elaine's garden and eat the vegetables. And she knows that the Opossum family is living under the shed. What is she up to?"

What is Rosie up to, indeed?

WARNING: To Free Ranging Gnomes

THIS IS A WARNING TO ALL FREE RANGING GNOMES FROM THE GREAT FLAMINGO!
ATTENTION!!!!

To all free ranging gnomes and their friends: It has come to our attention that there has been several instances of gnomes being captures in your area. The humans are using very clever traps. please be careful where you walk. Make sure you do not wander alone. Always have a buddy.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS GRAPHIC PLEASE BE WARNED!!!
We have it on good authority that the gnomes are being used as slave gardeners and *gasp* in terrariums.

DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!

Opposums at Gus and Trudy's

Remember how Gus and Trudy had spent the sweltering day under the shed in the nice cool burrow? They couldn't figure out if anyone was living there. Well it stuck in Gus' mind that a perfectly good burrow should not go to waste. He started thinking about using it for a storage burrow or maybe even a workshop burrow. he had tossed the idea back and forth with Trudy.

"I don't know", said Trudy,"I think we lucked out that really hot day. That burrow is too nice not to be some one's home. Remember the straw that was there? It was fresh. I think someone lives there Gus."

Gus didn't believe Trudy (or rather he didn't want to believe Trudy). If he could have that burrow under the shed he wouldn't have to spend part of the summer scoping out a good burrow place and then digging it out, smoothing it out and finding fresh hay for it. Why should he go through all of that if a perfectly good burrow was sitting under the shed empty?

"I'm pretty sure it is empty," Gus mumbled.

"Pretty sure and positive are two different things Gus. You can't take what isn't yours. You should ask a round and check it out." Trudy gave a loud hoot and nestled her head under her wing. She was tired and she wasn't going to spend her nap time arguing about burrows with Gus.

Gus knew, deep down inside that Trudy was right. He was going to have to ask around and see if the burrow under the shed was really empty.

Gus walked around Bloomfield Avenue and asked everyone he met if they knew about the burrow. Many said that they thought the Opossum Family had moved in. Gus just took himself over to the burrow and knocked on the door.

Sure enough, Mrs. Opossum answered the door with a slew of baby opossums on her back. Gus explained how he and Trudy had used the burrow on the sweltering hot day and he apologized, but said he didn't realize anyone had been living there.

"It's OK ", said Mrs. Opossum,"We are living here for right now but if we ever move you will be the first to know". She invited Gus in for tea but Gus kept eyeing all those opossum babies, they were loud, drooly and constantly moving. he had a headache just looking at them. He thanked Mrs. Opossum but said he had promised Trudy that he was going to help her re feather her summer nest. He and Mrs. Opossum exchanged some pleasantries and then he went home.

Gus and Trudy Introduce Annalisa to the Zebra

it was late in the afternoon and Gus and Trudy overheard Annalisa lamenting over the fact that she had not met an animal friend. She was a little sad because many flamingos had come to be with Abby and Georgie the Monkey had come to live with Tommy. (Tommy had named the Monkey and now they were the best of friends).

Trudy felt bad for Annalisa. Gus said that Annalisa was not a little kid any more and didn't need to have a special animal look after her. Trudy argued with him. "Maybe Annalisa is not a little kid anymore and she doesn't need an animal to watch over her but it would be nice if she had an animal that was her friend."

Gus thought it over.

Trudy kept on talking,"You know Annalisa is going to be a teenager. Teenagers need friends more than anything else in the world."

Gus thought that over too.

Trudy still kept talking,"Annalisa needs a special friend that she can tell all her secrets to , someone who will never repeat anything, someone who will not gossip."

Gus thought and thought. out of the corner of his eye he saw Trudy open her beak to speak again and he quickly said,"Yes, yes you are right Trudy. Annalisa needs a special friend. I think Annalisa needs a magical friend."

Gus and Trudy thought and thought. Who or what would be a good magical friend for Annalisa?

Finally they agreed. They would ask Zebra (Annalisa would name him) to come and live with Annalisa. During the day Zebra would look like any other stuffed animal. But on certain nights Zebra would sprout wings and he and Annalisa would go flying out in the night together.

Gus and Trudy put a call out to - you guessed it - the Great Flamingo - and were told that very soon Annalisa would have her own friend coming to live with her.

Gus and trudy were very pleased with themselves. As reward to themselves they sat up and roasted marshmallows and made s'mores. After a while they went to bed satisfied in their minds, hearts and stomachs.

Gus and Trudy Meet the Monkey

When Gus and Trudy woke up this morning they smelled a peculiar smell. It seemed familiar to Trudy but she couldn't quite place it.

Finally Gus snapped his fingers, "I know it - bananas!"

"Bananas? Why does it smell like bananas?" Trudy was sure Gus was wrong.

They both heard some one or some thing at the same time. Gus and Trudy ran into the kitchen, where the noise came from , and they were amazed!

Standing in front of them was an honest to goodness real live monkey!

"Hi", the monkey said,"Where's Tommy?"

Gus explained that Tommy lived across the street. then he introduced himself and Trudy to the monkey.

"I would love to tell you what my name is," said the monkey," but until Tommy gives me a name you can just call me Monkey."

Monkey went on to explain that the Great Flamingo had sent Florrie and Dorrie to watch over Abby but felt that Tommy needed some looking after also. The Great Flamingo didn't want to send a delicate flamingo to watch over a little boy. the Great Flamingo decided that some one rough and tumble , some one who could be tough and cuddly at the same time needed to go and watch over Tommy.

"So that's how I wound up here. But I must have gotten a little lost in the dark. I hope I didn't scare you," Monkey said as he peeled another banana to eat.

Gus and Trudy told Monkey not to worry. They were just happy that Monkey had come to live on the street. But they didn't understand why Monkey didn't have and why Tommy had to name him.

"Well", said Monkey," The Great Flamingo feels that it is very important for a boy and his Monkey to have a special friendship. The Great Flamingo thinks that if the boy names his Monkey then he will take care not to loose him or get him very dirty."

Gus and Trudy understood . When Abby, Tommy and Dina went shopping, Gus and Trudy walked Monkey over to Tommy's house. They couldn't wait to see what would happen when Tommy came home.

"Be careful Gus", Trudy said, "The last time we were here you left footprints by the flowers and Abby noticed."

Gus and Trudy very carefully left Monkey at Tommy's and went back to their little house in the orderly garden on Bloomfield Avenue.

Meet Dorrie

Gus and Trudy spent the day inside Elaine's house because it was so warm. They were going to go back into the burrow and sleep but Elaine told them that a visitor had come to see them.

Gus and Trudy were shocked to see Dorrie, Florrie the Flamingo's sister, sitting on the kitchen counter.

Dorrie explained that the Great Flamingo had sent her to help keep an eye on Abby. The Great Flamingo figured that Florrie would watch Abby when she was outside and Dorrie would watch her when she was inside. Also, if Abby had to go somewhere, and it was OK with Dina, Dorrie could go also. (You have to remember flamingos are not welcome everywhere).

Dorrie went over to Abby's and rested on the shelf next to the door. Not very comfortable.

She looked around the living room and found the perfect spot to wait for Abby to come home - Abby's chair! So that is what Dorrie is doing right now - waiting for Abby to come home.

A Sweltering Hot Day

Gus and Trudy were hoping to spend most of the day in their nice cool house. Unfortunately it was so hot that they couldn't even fall asleep.

Gus thought that if they could find an underground burrow they could rest there and be cooler. Trudy remembered that the shed in the backyard under the oak trees had a burrow underneath it.

Gus and Trudy made their way across the lawn and stood in front of the shed. They walked around to the side of the shed and peered into the burrow.

Gus cupped his hand around his mouth and called,"Hello down there! Anybody home?"

No one answered. Gus looked at Trudy. Trudy looked at Gus.

"We may as well go in and see what's what," Trudy said.

They both carefully climbed into the burrow under the shed. It smelled like clean dirt. And best of all - it was very cool.

Gus and Trudy fell asleep.

Island Beach State Park

The temperature was very very high today. Gus and Trudy heard Elaine say that her thermometer had hit 109 degrees. Elaine and Sara Jane had taken a drive down to Island Beach State Park and Gus and trudy heard them talking about how beautiful it was.

Gus and trudy waited until the sun was seting and then Gus climbed up on Trudy's back and off they flew. They followed the coast line and landed in Island Beach State Park.

Gus and Trudy walked to the edge of the water. They watched the waves rolling in and ran away from the water. They did this for a while. They tried very had not to get their feet wet. Finally they took off their shoes and let the waves wash up on their feet. The cool water felt really nice on their skin.

They walked along the shore line and collected some shells and sea glass to bring home with them. Gus didn't want to take too much because he knew that Trudy was going to have to carry the shells, the glass and him home.

Finally Gus and Trudy lay on their backs in the sand and gazed up at the stars in the sky. They looked so beautiful. trudy pointed out the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper to Gus. Gus pointed out the planet Venus to Trudy. As they both gazed up in to the sky they saw a falling star. Quickly they both made a wish.

The moon was setting low in the sky and Gus and trudy knew that it was time to head back home. They wanted to be back in their little house before the sun came up. They knew it was going to be another hot day .They hoped to sleep through the worst of it.

Florrie Roaming Around

Florrie is still watching over Abby. But she has also been seen roaming around the orderly garden on Bloomfield Avenue.

Sewer Troll at the End of Bloomfield Avenue

There are all kinds of wonderful creatures that live on Bloomfield Avenue. Gnomes, owls, good trolls, fairies and magic flamingos. Unfortunately at the end of Bloomfield Avenue, in the sewer next to the big white fence there also lives a horrible sewer troll.

Elaine new about the sewer troll when she moved into the house on Bloomfield Avenue. Sara Jane was a little girl when she learned of the troll. She knew to stay far away from the sewer and to not be whiny or mean. Sewer trolls love whiny, misbehaving children and often try to lure them into their sewers.

Gus and Trudy try to warn all the children on the street about the sewer troll.

Florrie Comes to Town

Gus and Trudy waited until everyone on Bloomfield Avenue fell asleep. They needed it to be quiet and dark for what they planned to do. Gus looked outside and was relieved that it was a little cloudy. He didn't want the moon lighting up the sky and showing off Trudy flying above.

Gus checked his watch. It was just about midnight. He craned his neck out of the window of his home. Trudy should just be here any minute, he thought.

And wouldn't you know it? Just above he could hear the flapping of Trudy's wings. He could hear the flapping of a different kind of wings also.

Right on time, he thought.

Trudy landed on the compost bin and her flying companion landed next to her.

Gus couldn't believe what he was seeing. An honest to goodness pink flamingo. Florrie the Flamingo had come all the way from Florida to spend the summer in NJ with Gus and Trudy. At the border of Maryland and New Jersey Trudy met up with Florrie and escorted her the rest of the way to Gus' house.

Florrie was going to spend the summer visiting with Gus and Trudy but she was also on a special mission from the Great Flamingo. Once in a great while the Great Flamingo would send out a very special flamingo to meet a very special child and that flamingo would be the child's Guardian Flamingo. Florrie was a very special flamingo. Across the street from Gus' garden was a very special little girl. Her name was Abby and she could see the gnomes and fairies. Because of this very special gift, the Great Flamingo thought she needed to be watched over for the summer.

Florrie, Gus and Trudy snuck across the street to Abby's house. Everyone was asleep. Florrie thanked Gus and Trudy and went to go stand by the side of the house. In the morning everyone on the street would find Florrie standing there. Everyone would think she was just another plastic flamingo that the gnomes had brought across the street.

But Abby would see through the plastic and know that Florrie was real and they would become very good friends.

Gus and Trudy Spend a Relaxing Time at Home

Gus and Trudy spent this glorious sunny day resting at home in the orderly garden on Bloomfield Avenue.

Gus and Trudy Go to Rutger's University

This morning Elaine went with her firend Linda to Rutger's University in New Brunswick to help move Linda's son from his frat house to a different house. While Linda and Elaine were doing that, Gus and Trudy decided to go on the campus and take a look around. They were going to visit Professor Gnome, a distant cousin of Gus'.

Elaine and Linda dropped Gus and Trudy off in front of a vine covered cottage. Professor Gnome lived in the Oak Tree behind the cottage. Gus knocked on the door and Professor Gnome's housekeeper, Gretchen, escorted them in.

Gretchen asked them to sit down and she brought cakes and tea for them. Professor Gnome walked in and they had a delightful tea. Professor Gnome told them all kinds of fantastic stoires about his travels around the world. His specialty was "Gnomeology" - the study of gnomes throughout history and throughout the world.

He told them about the wild gnomes of Borneo and the very sedate gnomes of Frankfurt. he had high hopes of one day going to New Zealand to see if it was true about a race of gnomes living there--in the wilderness. Gus and Trudy said that they would love to accompany him on his next trip and it was agreed that they would be his assistants.

Gus noticed that the weather was starting to turn. So he thanked Professor Gnome for his kindness and he and Trudy flew home to their home in the orderly home on Bloomfield Avenue.