Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #391
incorporating the word “vicinity” in exactly 50 words.
Also for FOWC – ‘traditional’, FOWC – ‘doubt’ and
Gerry C & Sue W’s Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge
– ‘nurturing’. In exactly 50 words, this is my flash.
When I was a baby, my family moved to The Bronx from Manhattan. The borough was very different back then; a nurturing, traditional environment prevailed. In the vicinity were farmlands where we bought a live turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Dad was filled with doubt; he just couldn’t kill that bird.
NAR©2024
50 Words
This is “Turkey Chase” by Bob Dylan
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy (The Sicilian Storyteller), The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
That’s too funny. Marc was born in the Bronx and has after many, MANY moves, found himself in Lancaster, PA. I think that I would much prefer to have the farmer kill and feather the turkey…
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There’s a whole new breed of turkeys in The Bronx these days! 😂
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Hahahaha! I hear ya!
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Even living here on a farm, I never ate anything of our own, I couldn’t do it, I‘ve always become too attached and had to buy in instead!
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When I was about 13 yrs old, my family spent some time in Rome visiting my mother’s cousin. My sister and I were enamored with a pet chicken she kept on her balcony overlooking the city. We’d spend hours playing with that chicken. One day my mother took me and my sister shopping for new clothes and we arrived back at our cousin’s house just in time for dinner. I’m sure you have figured out where my story is going, Sue. That’s right …. dinner was the chicken we had come to love! My sister and I were distraught, a concept our cousin could not comprehend, and we refused to eat dinner that night. We were upset for days after that and it took me a long time to eat chicken again!
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I understand perfectly. Our children would never have forgiven us either.
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Is this a true story? If so, hats off to your dad! I’ve never heard this Dylan song and I’m wondering if he was actually playing on it or just wrote it? I love Dylan, but I never thought he was a good enough instrumentalist to hang with a band that sounded that good.
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Oh yes! The story is definitely true! Dad was a real soft-hearted guy.
Sorry, I don’t know the answer to the question about Dylan. I just went with the song because I thought it had a cool sound and I could picture someone unsuccessfully chasing after a turkey!
Happy Thanksgiving, Fishman!
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Soft-hearted, maybe. Humane, absolutely.
Thank you and to you as well!
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He was a sweetheart!
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Endearing story, Nancy. My dad wouldn’t have been able to either. My mom would have had to step in. Sidenote… I heard a song this morning by Robert Plant that made me think of you. Can’t Let Go is the song. A great dance song and I don’t think I’ve heard it before. 💃🏻
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Oh, mom always stepped in when necessary!
Can’t Let Go is a fabulous duet by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss; those two are a terrific team and literally make beautiful music together. Can’t Let Go is one of their more up-tempo songs, perfect for dancing …. or at least toe-tapping! Thanks for sharing that info today. 😊
Hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving, Michele.
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Yes! 🙌🏻 Thank you for the reply and info, DJ Nancy! 🎶 Thank you so very much! I imagine yours will be over-the-top delicious! 😊
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Most welcome, Michele! I can only imagine along with you as I am not the cook this year. All I have to do is show up and eat! 😂
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😂 Same! 😅
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When my dad grew up in Canarsie, his mom used to cut the heads off of chickens for dinner.
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It was what people did back then; lots still do. As a child who actually got to “know” the animals, I’m really glad my Dad couldn’t go through with it.
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My dad told me that he had a hard time watching the chickens running around after their heads were chopped off.
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That’s got to be surreal. Thanks for sharing, Jim.
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I love the Dylan album – ‘Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid’ where Turkey Chase is from. The Main Title Theme is just so good. I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving.
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Thanks, Matt. I’m looking forward to a wonderful holiday. Thank you!
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Someone told me that Thanksgiving is the principal family occasion in North America. I always wondered why since it was so close to Christmas which is the main occasion for ‘family’ from my parts. Enjoy that turkey!
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Christmas, as you know, is a world-wide religious holiday when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. Over the years it has become more materialistic than religious, however.
Thanksgiving is the one day when Americans take the day to consciously give thanks for their many blessings while sharing a meal with family and loved ones. It’s about togetherness, love, sharing and blessings. Of course there’s football, too, but Thanksgiving has not transformed into a materialistic holiday.
The following day, AKA Black Friday, is when the shit hits the fan, brotherly love is tossed out the window and people trample each other in department stores while shopping for Christmas gifts. The peace and love from the day before is forgotten in the mayhem.
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I agree Christmas has become more materialistic than ever.
Oh, I understand the ‘full’ significance of Thanksgiving regarding family. It’s relieving to read it hasn’t become ritualistic or materialistic like Christmas.
I must read more about this day’s history to educate myself.
How interesting to read about Black Friday which I have always been as ignorant about, but you put it into glaring context.
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My mother would have done it for him. I watched her whack the heads off many a chicken growing up without so much much as a pause.
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If you need something done, ask a woman!
That was some picture you painted of your Mom! 🐔
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I can understand that 😊😍🐦⬛
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I’ve never killed a bird! … and I even avoid standing on little critters on our walking track …
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Good on you, dear Ivor. This does not surprise me! 🤎
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The backyard chooks were my friends …
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We ended up with more backyard pets than Mom would have liked because of Dad’s kindheartedness! 😁
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It is not easy to kill a bird and then eat it
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For some it is a necessary way of life. I would imagine those who much do so on a regular basis become inured after a while. It is not anything I could ever do …. nor my day. Thank you, Sadje.
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Yes, that’s true. But it’s not for me or you.
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Did he? 💜💜💜
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Never! Dad was a kind and soft-hearted man. 🤎🤎
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Bless I guess so 😁😁
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It is hard to eat what you’ve killed. It is specially hard if you remember its eyes. That’s why it is best to gather your food the old fashioned way by just going to the market.
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Thanks, Allen. My dad was infatuated with the idea of doing all sorts of macho activities but he could never bring himself to participate. He was a soft-hearted man.
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When
When I was a young boy, my grandmother asked if I would like fried chicken for dinner. I responded in the affirmative. She told me to go catch one, chop its head off, and bring it to her. Those old farm ladies were a tough lot. They had to be.
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We had similar experiences while visiting a cousin in Rome. It can be quite traumatic.
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