DUSTY'S THEN AND NOW

            I had just come in from playing and Grammy told me I had to take some things to her sister’s, my Great Aunt. I didn’t mind it was a nice walk and I was going alone. Grammy would walk me up one block to the cross street and then I would go one block on flat land. (What a treat) then one block up hill and one block down hill. As we got to the corner, my Aunt was waiting for me two whole blocks away. I couldn’t wait to get started. “Alright, now you know, no walking close to the houses.”

            It seems there was an apartment bldg., with less than a good reputation. I said ok and started off, all alone. I walked slow and away from the houses and looked at everything I could. I was about 7 at this point in time and so curious. I turned and saw my Grammy still standing at the corner and she waved to me and I returned her wave. I came to the end of the first block. Stopped and crossed the street as taught. Now, in 1945, how many cars do you think come up and down the street? Right! I got to the other side of the street, turned and waved again to Grammy, she started for home and my Aunt took up the vigil.

            Now at this particular corner was a small grocery story and in their back yard they had the biggest fattest nastiest turkey in the whole world. But I was not going to let him scare me. Since the place was built on a mountain, the back yard was made level and a wall with a wrought iron fence was installed. Guess they had money! Mr. Turkey was level with me at the start but as I climbed, he didn’t! Oh yes he walked with me, and I was petrified. Had I know that turkeys could fly; I probably would never have gone to my Aunt’s alone again!

            As he walked with me, or should I say strutted, he fanned out his tail and showed his gorgeous colors. He also “gobbled” All the way to the end of his yard. I got by that backyard and was safe when I hit the next one. Now this turkey had tormented me all spring and summer. I made many trips to my Aunts with my grandparents ,cousins and alone. My Aunt came to meet me and take the bag and off we went. My Aunt was talking a mile a minute to me and I answered her. Something about lunch and nice cake and how Uncle had gotten some ice cream for me.

            My uncle was a large muscular man and a steel worker but he was so gentle and I always came home with things from his garden. What a garden it was. They had to build terraces to make a garden in their back yard. Of course in November most of the plants were gone. What was there were root vegetables yet to be brought in.. I chose a some red beets and potatoes and a few other things. (Like we didn’t have the same things at home) . We had our lunch of homemade soup, bread and of course the uncle gave me my dish of ice cream. I got a “special dish”. After lunch, my Aunt washed me up and handed me my garden things. My Uncle said, “ I’ll take her back home!” “No stopping for beer, there and back” Uncle only smiled and off we went.

            When we got to the end of the street and turned toward Grammy’s house, I said “Uncle, do you know there is a great big turkey bird in the stores back yard?” “Of course. They are making him fat for Thanksgiving, like your pop makes the chickens and ducks fat for your table” This I could understand, but this monster of a turkey, I could not understand. When we got to Grammy’s, uncle went into the cellar with pop. I knew he was going for a beer, and some talk.

            Right before Thanksgiving, I had to go to my Aunts again and no Mr. Turkey, but another strange bird was there. I asked my Aunt what happened to Mr. Turkey, and she said she didn’t know. I asked her what kind of bird was in the back yard now and would it be big. She told me it was a Mrs. Turkey. I was satisfied.

            The day before Thanksgiving Grammy was busy in the kitchen and pop was raking leaves outside. It was a good time. All the bread and the pastries smelled so good and I got samples that I shared with Pal and Fritz. Oh they liked food of any kind. I was so excited I could hardly wait for Thanksgiving.

            The day arrived and when I woke I smelled the Turkey baking. A most wonderful smell to wake up to. To this day the smell of roasting turkey brings back those mornings.

            Finally, finally it was time to eat. The Great Aunt and Uncle, Aunt Edie, Uncle Mike and Mom and my cousin Dorothy were all here and we were sitting down and I could not believe what I saw! It was the biggest turkey in the world. ! Uncle Mike put it smack in the front of Pop. Pop just looked at me and said, “So do you know who this is?” “I know it’s turkey” and everyone laughed. “Well it is not an ordinary turkey. It is Mr. Turkey”Huh, was my only reply. “Oh yes, your uncle told me how Mr. Turkey was when you walked by and I bought him from the butcher. Now he bothers no one and makes a nice big dinner.”

            Needles to say, I enjoyed my dinner and ate more turkey than anything. The next day I went to the store and the man told me that indeed pop had bought Mr. Turkey. I was so happy but sad at the same time. All winter and into the spring as I walked to my aunts I would take a few minutes to talk to Mrs. Turkey and I think we became friends.