A Christmas Goose

It was Fall in Oklahoma and a few of us from our neighboring church set out on a adventure to purchase live turkeys. A neighboring farmer had seen an article in the newspaper and we set out to this remote spot to experience the depths of what Thanksgiving was truly about. As average Americans, we take for grated the provision that is quickly purchased at the store. I had wanted our children to understand a part of the process that the early settlers had experienced and truly understand the gratefulness of the meaning of giving thanks.
We arrived at our remote destination to find some rather pathetic, under fed turkeys in a open fenced arena. A few geese were flapping aimlessly amongst them as the wranglers caught turkeys for their perspective customers. We each picked our bird and I decided to add a goose to my order.
We all traveled back to the farmers to begin the butchering process. As we opened the gullets we found that they had been fed ground up glass instead of grit. We had certainly run into some less than first class turkey farmers. I remember, one of the little boys that was observing went up to one of the Turkeys that was flapping after being butchered and was saying, "It's all right Mr. Turkey, it's all right. I then realized that I had to console him and told him that those were just the turkeys reflexes and that the turkey was instantaneously and humanly dead when the farmer cut his throat.
We were all busy plucking feathers, removing organs and cleaning the birds with fresh water. They were then wrapped and ready for our freezers. Amidst all the work, I noticed the farmer was going for my goose. After all the emotions of this day this city gal decided that this goose would remain a pet. The humorous state of affairs was that the goose was probably the only bird that had any fat on her. Needles to say, I took one look at her and Lucy the goose she became.
My husband has always allowed me to drag about any animal home. The truth of the matter is, he enjoys the animals about as much as I. It was no time at all that I would see him walking around with Lucy in his arms while feeding our chickens. This became a sort of ritual that Lucy would follow him around at feeding time waiting to be picked up and caressed.
Being a part of Cooperate America offers the advantages and disadvantages of moving across the United States. We had grown quite comfortable and considered the people in Oklahoma some of the friendliest people you will ever meet on the face of this earth. One evening, David came home from work to announce that a position had opened and that we would be moving to Pennsylvania. When ever these announcements took place, my heart would kick into gear as to every ones feelings but the larger task at hand was, how on earth would we get everything and everyone moved to another far away destination. For those of you who don't know us, we are much like the Clampits. When we move, we all move.
This is just a glimmer of the beginning of the future antics of Lucy the Goose. To be continued...
C.A. Bresin