We had this problem recently when DH’s back trouble meant that he needed a stout walking stick. We have an assortment of sticks - big ones, small ones, ornamental ones, technical poles, but I knew there was one that was just right for the job. I turned the house and garage upside down and couldn’t find it. Then I remembered that my grandson had fetched it out of the garage to fish some bits of Lego from under the sofa in the conservatory. It eventually turned up in there, hidden behind a sun umbrella that was parked at the side of the bookcase (note to self: remember to put things away at the end of the summer!).