Lessons From Our First Fair

A couple of weeks ago, a lady from our church mentioned that we should enter our turkeys in the county fair. My Mister and I listened, thought about it, then promptly forgot as soon as we walked away.

Because all we can think about is Tilly and her delicate condition...

...and the fact that we're still waiting for the big event.

But boys never forget conversations that revolve around fairs, ribbons, and the potential to earn a little cash. So the night before the fair opened, Father and Son made a quick trip into town with Bourbon Red Fred & Ethel2, and our Chocolate's, Hershey & Nestlee.

Now, we raise free-range turkeys, and to load up 4 full-grown birds (into dog crates), and drive them into town is no easy task. Here's what we learned about trying to take country turkeys into the city.

1. Turkeys do NOT appreciate being stuffed into a crate that has the lingering scent of dog vomit from last year's vacation. Especially when there are 2 being stuffed into the same crate.

2. Flogging is an action word. And sometimes makes a 12 year old boy cry. In public.

3. There's a lot of turkey poop that comes out of a turkey who doesn't wish to be bouncing around in the back of a pickup truck. Which tends to be slippery.

4. The sound of a turkey gobbling is amplified when it enters the city limits.

5. City folk don't understand turkey talk. Or the poofed up, ruffled feathers of Fred and Hershey.

6. Some city folk can even mistake a turkey's vocal talent for that of a Fantail Pigeon...who just so happened to be on the other side of the wall.

7. There are people who have never seen a live turkey. With its head still attached.

8. City folk are never too old for a biology lesson.

9. A turkey hen who hasn't laid an egg for a while, will start showing off laying as soon as she's away from the coop. As in, an egg a day.

10. Boys who complain about having to be responsible for the care of the turkeys, have no problem taking responsibility for the Junior Champion of Show and Best of Class ribbons.

11. When the head of the poultry barn tells a boy that he has the potential to earn $15/bird with a minimum of 10 birds entered, math suddenly becomes that boy's favorite subject.

12. Mom's who get tired of talking turkey, decide that next year, we're going to enter pigs too.

Because somehow, this Mom can relate to that a little easier.

**I haven't heard from the winner of the Ball Blue Book of Food Preserving, so if I don't hear from Aimee by Monday evening, I will be drawing another winner!

This post is linked to the Homestead Barn Hop and The Morristribe's Homesteader Blog Carnival.