The little apricot tree suffered in the spring. Buffeted by unseasonal rains, high winds, and life in general, it could only muster the energy for half a dozen fruits. Three of these were on a single branch, which I covered with swaths of white garden fabric.

On Sunday, the fabric was tossed aside (it was not a windy night), the three apricots gone and the branch broken. When I blamed large varmints, a family member recalled that we suspected gnomes in the past for various misdeeds.

It stands to reason that a hungry gnome might go for the apricots, leaving us an equal amount, although the ones left have brown spots on them, obviously passed over.

Now I’m wondering if my green but rapidly growing tomatoes might be the next casualties. Just because someone likes apricots doesn’t mean they will also pick tomatoes before their time.