Wednesday, April 14, 2010

wild turkey and clover

The spring is beautiful here. Everywhere I look is evidence of what is written in the ancient song: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." *

Found here the other day, by the king, a four-leaf clover; AND a five-leaf clover. One friend wanted to know what was in the water here! We wondered ourselves when we looked out the window yesterday and saw this: That is one big bird! What is it?! I've never seen one in person, but I do believe it's a wild turkey. Of the female persuasion.

Luther alerted us this morning to the fact that she was back again today, this time strolling in the back woods. She was unconcerned with Luther's barking.

Did you know that Ben Franklin would have preferred a turkey over the bald eagle as our national bird? Franklin wrote his daughter in 1784 that the Bald Eagle was "a bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his living honestly." [Why do I want to smile when I imagine Franklin saying those words? . . . . bird of bad moral Character. . . . BAD bird. . . .]

Speaking for the Turkey, Franklin wrote: "the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America . . . He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."

I trust that our Turkey is a good Bird, who will not attack us, who already live here! Franklin speaks well of them, and as a portrait of Franklin hangs in the library, we hope to presume on the acquaintance. With or without red Coats on. . . .

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*Psalm 19

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