I took my kids and two of their friends to the Mall of America last week for Molly's birthday. The parking out there was NUTS. I assumed that since it wasn't a weekend, the crowds wouldn't be that bad. Well, it was President's Day. That meant no school. That meant that nearly every kid from middle school on up was at the mall. ACK. Well, I tried to make the most of it. I'd heard there was a big Wild Birds Unlimited there so I set out to find it. The MOA isn't just any mall, this place is three levels of hugeness. It took me fifteen minutes just to find one of those information kiosks. Five minutes of scanning the multiple maps and hundreds of store names and I couldn't find a thing. I gave up and picked up an information telephone to ask real person for assistance. "We're sorry ma'am, that store went out of business quite a while ago". Are there any other bird stores? Any stores relating to wildlife? Nature? "Um, no".
The kids finished their shopping and we headed to the Rain Forest Cafe for a late lunch. The service was terrific, the food was fair, and the check made my eyes pop and my jaw drop.
Finally, we were back in the car, headed home. Until we got on the freeway and came to a complete stop. Rush hour traffic at four o'clock. GRR. The kids were all jazzed up on chocolate volcano cake and pop and chattered happily and loudly as we crept along.
We finally got to the neighborhood where John's friend lives to drop him off. Looking ahead, there was a big brown lump in the road. The kids were all making guesses as to what the lump was. I grabbed the binoculars that I keep in the car just for times like this. The lump was a wild turkey parked right in the middle of the road! I quickly grabbed my camera but couldn't get the auto focus to hold on it. Molly started shrieking that the turkey was after us. The turkey was running fast toward the car. It stopped right outside the driver's side window and tucked one leg up into its feathers and just stood there.
"I know you had a less than perfect day at the MOA. I've come to tell you that I am your reward for slogging through the crowds and gritting your teeth in traffic. You may revel in my beauty and take my picture. Oh, and you should re-think that whole turkey vulture thing. Turkeys are much prettier."
Really.
I think it said that.
28 comments:
Okay- maybe I've gone a little off my nut...
I loved it...who knew turkeys cared enough to turn a rough day around. Too cute!
Lynne,
Too funny! Turkeys are weird, but I don't remember seeing one standing on one leg before!
Carolyn H.
Hey, I could hear him saying it.
I saw a big old tom trying to cross a busy street once, running around back and forth, all crazy--you could just hear him screaming, "omigod,omigod,cars,cars,whatdoIdo,whatdoIdo,thisway?thatway?omigod,omigod..." It would've been hilarious except for the traffic, but he made it. Crazy turkeys!
Ask and ye shall receive!
Cool turkey.
Now wait a cotton picking minute here! What's that danged bird doing hopping down the middle of the road? Do you suppose it's somebody's escaped pet?
That's quite a story :0)
Well Lynne, if that was me, I'd be pretty darn excited to see a wild turkey on my street too after spending the day at MOA.
FYI -- I enlarged your picture and that turkey is a first year male (jake). You can see his little beard sticking out of his chest just below his neck. He'd better stay in town from the middle of April until the end of May when turkey hunting season is over, or he might get shot and eaten!
Dear Linne,
We are kindred spirits. Everything happens for a reason!!!!
I am laughing out loud. Thanks because I really needed your silly "off your nut" stuff tonight :o)
Because of you, I have become fond of TVs.
May
This is such a great photo of a turkey and I could see the hecticness with the bird moving closer to the vehicle! LOL you made me smile with this post!
Your posts lately have been hilarious...full of **** and vinegar.
It must be that you are high on the smell of a million hormonal little people swarming in the mall.
Standing on one foot in the middle of the road...that turkey's got balls.
(Well, not literally....they don't have....oh, shut up Susan)
I just read YOUR comment over on my blog...
BUTTERBALLS. You make me almost wet my PJ's.
Ah yes - the Rainforest Cafe. I remember it well from both Disneyworld and Las Vegas. My last visit was two years ago. I'm almost through making the payments on the cheeseburger I ate.
Love that Turkey -- he knew you needed your daily dose of wildlife. Too cool!
And that's not just talking turkey-is it?-Or vmaybe it is.-Either way-fun story and great photo.
When I first saw the photo, I thought: "Ah, so that's where turkey drumsticks come from!"
I guess it's no surprise that the country's largest temple of pointless consumerism and gas-guzzling doesn't have any nature-related stores.
That turkey is so very funny. The comments about it hilarious!
Marsha- A caring turkey- funny!
Carolyn- I think it was begging!
Delia- I'm glad I'm not the only one to hear birds speak. :)
Trixie- It made my crummy day!
Cathy- It was right in the suburbs too! John's friend said they'd been hanging out under birdfeeders last summer.
Ruthie- I thought that was a beard/male. I was hoping you'd let me know.
May- We're both a little off our nuts!
Tom- It was hilarious when the turkey made a bee-line for the car!
Susan- I squealed when BUTTERBALL
popped into my head! I couldn't comment it quick enough.
Born Again- Ridiculously expensive especially for four teenagers!
Liza- The wildlife at the MOA wasn't what I needed.
LArry- Very punny!
Mojoman- Honestly, that monster mall hold ZERO appeal for me for so many reasons. "Temple of pointless consumerism" sums it up perfectly.
Linda- That turkey was such a gift and a stress-buster for me!
I am certain that you heard exactly what he said!! LOLOL!
Our favorite store at the mall was the Nature Company--then it packed up and went out of business.
I guess Mojoman's right--it shouldn't be surprising to not find much from the natural realm in a shopping mall--though, I think that says something very discouraging.
Nice one-legged welcome wagon volunteer.
What a great photo and great story.
Thank you for sharing your day with us.
Hugs,
Laurie
Lynne, you are one brave woman! I would have gone turkey brained long before you did. Yikes! Amen to Mojoman's comment. Next time try a National Park! That turkey obviously KNEW who you were since he came right to you. Perhaps he wanted to go home to Hasty Brook!
Great shot Lynne. I think he was looking for a handout!
Hi Lynne,
I tagged you for the six-word meme. If you're interested in participating, stop by my blog for more information.
Lynne--I'm sure you have lots to keep you busy right now, but if you're looking for a diversion?...
I've tagged you for a game, if you like?
Dear Lynne,
Turkey to the rescue!
Wonderful post!
Sherry
You've been tagged! Come to my blog to find out the rules on how to play the 6 word memoir blog meme!
Just checkn' in to say Hi and hoping your hanging in there, Lynne. Hasn't this been some winter?!
This wasn't on 494, was it? No animal could survive that mass of cars during rush hour traffic!
The picture says it all.
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