He was a mighty good bird

 

From the moment our Tom turkey arrived on our farm, I was a goner. This was way back in 2016. Suddenly, I was a child again with my first pet. I declared that he was mine, and I named him Big Tom.

Yes, yes, yes. I was warned about the dangers inherent in naming the poultry. I was told in no uncertain terms that no matter what I thought, he was not my pet--no matter that he followed me around as if he were a Golden Retriever or gobbled hello to me every time I appeared. No, he is not your friend! He’s a turkey, for god’s sake!

All this sage advice fell on deaf ears.

In my defense, I was certainly not the only one to be love struck after meeting Big Tom. All you had to do was drive by the farm and he would gobble a heart-felt hello to you. If you were coming by on a bike-- same thing. And if you if you visited him and sang one of those tragic Irish songs full love and lament--he would go to town with the gobbles.

Big Tom was the consummate gentle bird. When offered raspberries from our garden, he would wait until the ladies had their fill and then he would accept a berry or two or three. He was polite like that. He practiced the art of courtship. If you visited La Belle Farm during the planting season in the spring when young turkeys turn to thoughts of love, he would honor you with his most sincere mating dance along with a whole lot of flapping of wings and enthusiastic gobble-gobble-gobbles.

You can imagine how much joy and entertainment he brought to La Belle Farm.

During the last few years, my beloved gentle bird--began to grow frail, walking with a slight limp. I am sad to report that this past week, he died inside the barn with Mrs. Tom by his side.

Big Tom lived a full life. A long life. The life expectancy for a Narragansett Tom is about seven years and Big Tom was ten years old.

Creative Friends--you will love and you will lose. But, know that your art-making—will bring beauty and joy to everyone around you, human and animals alike.

Please honor the memory of Big Tom today and offer up the gift of song and dance. Here’s a title: He was a Mighty Good Bird!

Love,

Jamie