22 Comments
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Wendy Varley's avatar

“The duck had a stippled look, a dumpy rear end, and cold eyes. It was an empty vessel. Yep, decided my husband, thinking of me. Job done.” It’s 2 in the morning over here, I only got up for a wee and now I’m giggling.

It looks a bother to wash. And fill up. I’m not sure it would have survived intact more than one Christmas in my household. Full marks all round for resilience.

Wonderful read, thank you.

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Leah McFall's avatar

Wendy! Go back to sleep this instant! 💛

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Lucy Corry's avatar

Magnificent (and I don't mean, or just mean, the duck). Is your husband available as a personal shopper?

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Leah McFall's avatar

Lucy, this can be arranged 😉

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Rachel Barnes's avatar

I love this! You perfectly captured the rising panic of the season!! Also, the duck is a legend! :)

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Gary Wayne McCormick's avatar

So...I think I have found a way to make TWO comments........ thanks for explaining what a Thrug is - a flat gardening basket. I thought (forgive me) that a useful basket required sides.

But now i can think of a whole lot of people I don't like ,who could so with baskets without sides for Christmas!

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Leah McFall's avatar

Job done!!!

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Gary Wayne McCormick's avatar

As always your Domestic Detail laft me both laughing and crying.You have brilliantly captured the quiet desperation that Christmas provokes.Imagine how much happier we would be without it !!!

I did understand the expression " caramel,historic wooden bannister," but what's a Thrug ???

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Leah McFall's avatar

Oh, it's one of those flat gardening baskets made of wood. They're so SMUG. (I want one.)

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Margaret Chartres's avatar

Useful for laying a wine bottle in to carry triumphantly to the table.

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MsP's avatar

Love this. Love the duck. Love your thought patterns.

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Miramartian's avatar

Love a duck, me!

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Linda Burgess's avatar

I covet that duck, shame on me.

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Kathy Fryer's avatar

Why is everyone calling it a thrug instead of trug..i had to check thinking I was wrong all my life, briscoes sells a trug.

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Leah McFall's avatar

I blame Gary McCormick. He’s always starting something 😆

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Margaret Chartres's avatar

It is an elegant cheerful duck though.

Did you exclaim “Lord Love-a-duck” a mild expression of surprise? In Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures Ducks are a symbol of devoted love because they mate for life.

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Gary Wayne McCormick's avatar

Not quite done yet....... and feel free to "cancel" me, for daring to ask questions....but do you bear any responsibility for endorsing "Thrugs" (sideless baskets) which are by definition,as useless as a bucket with a hole in it on sale at Briscoes ?

In the Sixties we would have marched and demanded their withdrawal. It is not quite enough to say "job done" Leah.

What about personal responsibility ????

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Lee-Anne Duncan's avatar

OMG. Now I'm anxious about christmas shopping!! Gah!

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Leah McFall's avatar

Resist! Do it impulsively with hours to spare!

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Jennifer Duval-Smith's avatar

I desperately need a duck.

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Catherine's avatar

May we please have a photo of the wreath? 😂

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Susan Elliot's avatar

I so remember Christmases like that - but not the thrugs - is that a hug shared by a thruple?

Isn't buying cherries as a last minute (over-priced) gift from the back of a caron the way to a Christmas Day BBQ - a NZ tradition! I'm pretty sure they are exempt and btw I doubt if those lovely students are paid a living wage. Be careful what you wish for.

I loved reading about the madness of your Christmas. How long do your decorations stay up?

And I do like the duck a lot - lucky you.

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