When Benjamin Franklin proposed in a letter to his daughter that the turkey was a more majestic national bird than the eagle, he could not have foreseen just how intricately tied to our American holiday the silly fowl is! But the birds in his day were wild turkeys, much different than the large, round fellows stomping around farmyards and woods.
Have you heard of the term Turkey Trot? According to history, this describes an annual English event that took place in the 1700’s. Turkeys were lined up and driven to market. Some intrepid owners even put little booties on their feet to protect them from the long journey. Later, it was adopted as a ragtime song my great-grandmother likely danced to. Read all about how to kick up your turkey feet and ruffle your turkey feathers at: Turkey Trot
I have a funny story that illustrates the ‘majestic’ personality of this quirky bird. I used to work at a gift shop on a farm. One hot summer afternoon, I left for just a short time, and when I came back Tom, the huge male turkey, had come into the shop! He’d pushed in the door all by himself and was waddling around, pecking at the gifts. Startled upon seeing me, he squatted and left a mess on the floor! Then he approached me, thumping his feet and bristling those ubiquitous tail feathers. I was not impressed, however. I opened the door and luckily, he took the hint and walked out. Nothing like shooing a 30-pound aggressive male turkey out of your shop to start the day! Tom roamed free on the farm, but turkeys are not very intelligent. In fact, the young poults will sometimes drown themselves when it rains. They point their heads skywards, open their beaks, and don’t have the sense to quit drinking! Pigs are much smarter, let me tell you!
In honor of our American holiday, hang the Benjamin Franklin print high above the Thanksgiving table. Our Large Turkey looks more inquisitive than the real bird, so set him up near the bountiful feast. Folk artist Laura Megroz has created another timeless design for the Turkey Pillow. You can put this one in your home, safe in the knowledge that he won’t mess on your floor.
Gobble gobble!
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