Oh, I still remember the first time I caressed a turkey, or felt a chicken purr in my lap. It is divine! My children love to remind me that birds are the closest thing to living dinosaurs today, and I love marveling at their prehistoric nature, their history in this world that seems fossilized in earth’s memory. I so miss my volunteering days at shelters (not so many options for this where I live - a good thing perhaps) but your memory post gave me a small taste and remembering this morning. 🦃❤️
I am beginning to feel a deep affinity with Sunshine. No doubt, as I reach elder status, I too will insist on being outside in Winter. “Moments like these serve as little alcoves in space and time where, just for a minute, everything is fine”. Indeed, and thank you for the reminder. I have a wild turkey friend named Stanley, hiked the same trail I did most snowy days this past winter, he moved just ahead of me, in the same direction as I did, but leaves his fresh arrow shaped tracks pointing in the opposite direction. Occasionally he walked with me a few yards away, thinking his big bulk was stealth behind the trees. I greeted him with a song I made up about his travelings and hoped he would find a mate in the Spring. The first few words: ‘Hey Stanley where ya going’… I think he likes it. Next time I see him I’m going to add a few verses about a turkey named Sunshine. Blessed be the beings of all shapes and sizes that bring us joy. And blessings to the bird whisperer with the great heart and seed filled hands, that turns fear into pure adoration, and beauty.
Beautiful. As always. A neighbour was wondering yesterday why everyone singled out her dog as being so adorable. ALL dogs are adorable she said. And it's true but it takes time and patience and love to be aware of all the ways in which animals can be adorable. I have no experience with turkeys, but I suspect I'd be intimidated at a first meeting too. Thank you for teaching me that it's always worth assuming the best of everything and everyone we meet. Sending hugs dear Chloe. Enjoy your spring.
Hi Chloe, I love Sunshine. I live on the wide Main St in our small town, and the boys who lived opposite had a pet turkey, Turken, (named after turkey and Ken, one of the owners). Pre pandemic, we had an annual weekend festival and the road would be closed from our corner.
The boys would bring the turkey out, and he would parade up and down the road outside his property, puff his feathers and strut about ... everyone stopped to admire him.
They brought him over to our yard one day, and he sat there in Ken's lap, in between stretching his legs. He lived to an old age and was euthanised when needed. I had forgotten about him. Thanks for poking my memory Sunshine, and Chloe 😊💙
Excellent post. I read it three times through like Sunshine goes through grain. All sunflower seeds, this one.
I have an old white hen who defies the numbers. Almost too old to eat the other hen’s eggs and torment the Bantams like she does. She looks rough. She acts tuff and obviously delights in provocation. But we talk everyday about how things aren’t always what they appear to be. Until they are.
“Would that the well-earned senescence of every being be treated with such tenderness. Would that the road toward Death only ever be paved in kindness.”
So glad you got to meet Sunshine and find a friend in him or her.My family down south had a turkey that was just like a watch dog .His name was crip because one of his legs was deformed and he limped but he could out run anyone.
Seeing the title brought back memories of my granddad (my dad's dad) singing the song to me, and I heard the song in his voice in my head while reading this. I don't have any living grandparents anymore, and he was my first grandparent that died. I sing my own version of the song to my cats and they sometimes purr and sometimes look at me annoyed, lol
Loved meeting Sunshine! I don't know much about turkeys, but that's so awesome that they purr too!
Beautiful Sunshine; lovely to see in my mind's eye Sunshine and her gracious attendants around her, kindness flowing.
Chloe, have you read Eva Saulitis's book, Becoming Earth? She was a marine biologist working in Prince William Sound tracking Orcas, as well as a poet, writer and teacher. Becoming Earth (I've just read it for the third time) is a collection of her essays about living, and dying, with breast cancer. Her writing is joyous, and grief-deep, and totally alive.
I recently listened to your podcast interview with Maria Christodoulou. What a wonderful conversation. Thank you.
That last line did what the best endings do — it arrived somewhere the piece had been building toward without announcing it. She lives on a farm an hour south. Exactly right. Presence over proclamation, every time.
There are many wild turkeys here in Massachusetts. One spring, a few years back, i was on my knees weeding in my garden. On the other side of the fence a mother turkey and two babies arrived and pecked at seedheads right in front of me. They were suddenly frightened and Mama flew away and never came back. The young ones decided i would be her replacement and followed me everywhere. Unfortunately they only survived a few days without her.
Pockets of peace, and hope, and beauty to you. And all.
Thank you for introducing us to Sunshine and to your pocket of peace, Chloe.
Oh, I still remember the first time I caressed a turkey, or felt a chicken purr in my lap. It is divine! My children love to remind me that birds are the closest thing to living dinosaurs today, and I love marveling at their prehistoric nature, their history in this world that seems fossilized in earth’s memory. I so miss my volunteering days at shelters (not so many options for this where I live - a good thing perhaps) but your memory post gave me a small taste and remembering this morning. 🦃❤️
I am beginning to feel a deep affinity with Sunshine. No doubt, as I reach elder status, I too will insist on being outside in Winter. “Moments like these serve as little alcoves in space and time where, just for a minute, everything is fine”. Indeed, and thank you for the reminder. I have a wild turkey friend named Stanley, hiked the same trail I did most snowy days this past winter, he moved just ahead of me, in the same direction as I did, but leaves his fresh arrow shaped tracks pointing in the opposite direction. Occasionally he walked with me a few yards away, thinking his big bulk was stealth behind the trees. I greeted him with a song I made up about his travelings and hoped he would find a mate in the Spring. The first few words: ‘Hey Stanley where ya going’… I think he likes it. Next time I see him I’m going to add a few verses about a turkey named Sunshine. Blessed be the beings of all shapes and sizes that bring us joy. And blessings to the bird whisperer with the great heart and seed filled hands, that turns fear into pure adoration, and beauty.
Beautiful. As always. A neighbour was wondering yesterday why everyone singled out her dog as being so adorable. ALL dogs are adorable she said. And it's true but it takes time and patience and love to be aware of all the ways in which animals can be adorable. I have no experience with turkeys, but I suspect I'd be intimidated at a first meeting too. Thank you for teaching me that it's always worth assuming the best of everything and everyone we meet. Sending hugs dear Chloe. Enjoy your spring.
Beautifully written and very wise as always. Thank you!
Hi Chloe, I love Sunshine. I live on the wide Main St in our small town, and the boys who lived opposite had a pet turkey, Turken, (named after turkey and Ken, one of the owners). Pre pandemic, we had an annual weekend festival and the road would be closed from our corner.
The boys would bring the turkey out, and he would parade up and down the road outside his property, puff his feathers and strut about ... everyone stopped to admire him.
They brought him over to our yard one day, and he sat there in Ken's lap, in between stretching his legs. He lived to an old age and was euthanised when needed. I had forgotten about him. Thanks for poking my memory Sunshine, and Chloe 😊💙
Excellent post. I read it three times through like Sunshine goes through grain. All sunflower seeds, this one.
I have an old white hen who defies the numbers. Almost too old to eat the other hen’s eggs and torment the Bantams like she does. She looks rough. She acts tuff and obviously delights in provocation. But we talk everyday about how things aren’t always what they appear to be. Until they are.
Thanks for the post. Made my day.
“Would that the well-earned senescence of every being be treated with such tenderness. Would that the road toward Death only ever be paved in kindness.”
Amen, dear Chloe, Amen.
So glad you got to meet Sunshine and find a friend in him or her.My family down south had a turkey that was just like a watch dog .His name was crip because one of his legs was deformed and he limped but he could out run anyone.
Seeing the title brought back memories of my granddad (my dad's dad) singing the song to me, and I heard the song in his voice in my head while reading this. I don't have any living grandparents anymore, and he was my first grandparent that died. I sing my own version of the song to my cats and they sometimes purr and sometimes look at me annoyed, lol
Loved meeting Sunshine! I don't know much about turkeys, but that's so awesome that they purr too!
Thank you for another Sunday morning church time, Chloe, and all praise to Sunshine!
Beautiful Sunshine; lovely to see in my mind's eye Sunshine and her gracious attendants around her, kindness flowing.
Chloe, have you read Eva Saulitis's book, Becoming Earth? She was a marine biologist working in Prince William Sound tracking Orcas, as well as a poet, writer and teacher. Becoming Earth (I've just read it for the third time) is a collection of her essays about living, and dying, with breast cancer. Her writing is joyous, and grief-deep, and totally alive.
I recently listened to your podcast interview with Maria Christodoulou. What a wonderful conversation. Thank you.
That last line did what the best endings do — it arrived somewhere the piece had been building toward without announcing it. She lives on a farm an hour south. Exactly right. Presence over proclamation, every time.
Goddess Sunshine ode...
she knows pain, and cold, and love.
Turkey-shaped Pocket!
Beautiful. I have never met a turkey but hope to one day.
Very, very beautiful
There are many wild turkeys here in Massachusetts. One spring, a few years back, i was on my knees weeding in my garden. On the other side of the fence a mother turkey and two babies arrived and pecked at seedheads right in front of me. They were suddenly frightened and Mama flew away and never came back. The young ones decided i would be her replacement and followed me everywhere. Unfortunately they only survived a few days without her.
Pockets of peace, and hope, and beauty to you. And all.