Dear Reader,

Well, here we are at February 19th and still no Ice Harvest! The weather has not been cooperative, but we are still hoping to get ice off the pond, maybe next week or the week after. We'll keep everyone informed about what's going on. Watch the membership page as this is a member benefit activity.

There is not much excitement this time of year on the farm, at least until the baby animals start being born, though I had one overly exciting incident. Before the big snowfall a few weeks back, I went down to the farm (as opposed to being in the nice warm office in our modern-day Education Building) to take a picture of our corn crib for an educational program we offer. As a semi-professional photographer I am many times asked to take photographs for our business. It seemed a simple enough assignment, one that would require a limited amount of time and effort and certainly one involving no stress! That shows how much I know.

I stood by the large black walnut tree by the barn and found an angle that gave me the light I wanted for the picture. The nice red corn crib with a fence on the left, blue sky above it and green hill behind it looked perfect. I took a few shots and as I was looking at the view screen to see if I had a good picture I caught a glimpse of red out of the corner of my eye. There was that mean old Tom Turkey sneaking up on me!! He was silent as a ghost and before I could even turn he was jumping at me. I can't say how dismayed I was to find myself alone and at his mercy! He is rather large with talons that, at least at that moment, seemed as large as a pterodactyl's! He repeatedly jumped at me and my only weapon was my expensive camera. What should I do? Do I clobber him with the camera?! Do I turn and run knowing he will jump on my back and if I went down I knew it would be hard to get up?! Unfortunately I was alone on the farm and no one was near to save me. The only good thing about that is that I didn't have to be humiliated by a witness to my predicament!

I thought that the bright light of the camera's flash might distract him. No such luck. My best bet was a strategic retreat to the nearest shelter which was the little red corn crib. I flashed the camera and backed up a few feet, kicked out with my foot and backed up a few feet and kept it up. Slowing I made my way to the end of the corn crib to where I could unlatch the door.

I can't tell you the sense of relief I felt as I shut the door of the corn crib leaving Tom Turkey on the outside! I had made such a ruckus that Farmer Milton heard me all the way up at the Education Building and came down to the farm in the truck to see who was being massacred! I peeked out of the corn crib and he accessed the situation with just one look. He marched over and picked Tom up, put him under his arm and took him to the barn. Tom Turkey acted so mild and meek, I could have thrown something at him. I am sure all the way to the barn Tom told Farmer Milton he didn't do anything wrong and that I was the one started it and what was I making such a fuss for anyway!

All I can say is Farmer Milton is my hero and to you Mr. Tom Turkey I say, I ate your brother for Christmas and I could have you for Easter dinner instead of ham! Watch out!

Of course my fellow co-workers here at the farm found the whole situation vastly amusing, but I felt like I had been in some badly scripted horror movie! My new motto is to "walk softly and carry a big stick"!
Here is a picture taken during the attack!!!

WANTED

DEAD or ALIVE

Hopefully I will have some news soon of Ice Harvest, Maple Sugaring and baby animal births!! Stay tuned!

Thanks for checking in with old Aunt Eunice.