While I recover from the dreaded Norovirus, gather my thoughts about dictatorships and health care, and contemplate the Wheel of Fortune and revolutions, here’s a little time travel.
"Long John Chicken was a serious hockey fan - whenever CBC Hockey Night in Canada theme song came on, his head would snap out of the box with anticipation. Wonderful."
I was born on a farm one concession west of Banda corners in 1938. My mother Maggie Murphy from the first farm north of Mansfield married Delmas Somerville in 1930. She was a teacher and he was I think not a good farmer, at least not good enough to deal with many obstacles that the depression hung on him….but he was the nicest man I have ever known.
Mulmur township and many memories have forged my very being.
I havent read many of your works but I admire you.
"In spring we’d suffer from a surfeit of eggs. We fueled teenagers with the eggs, turned them into pound cakes and ice cream, gave them away, and sometimes even sold them to indulgent friends in the city."
This took me back to my days of “living off the land” in the Slocan Valley. We tried raising turkeys and chickens. No one told the turkeys they weren’t supposed to be able to fly, so fly they did, right into the jaws of the waiting coyotes.
What a fun read! Thanks for the insight into the ruthlessness of farm life; chickens and chicken-herders alike. And for the dating life advice - I dodged a bullet there. Luckily the last guy I dated had a good sense of humour and I laugh easily anyway. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Marvelous Margaret! I can’t believe your subscription is free--thank you. I found your subscription shortly after starting my own subscription letter at the end of last year, just a month ago, and have been enjoying the Substack app too. Now, as a fellow pet peacock person, which I don’t consider him a pet, I can attest to much of the content in your 2nd fowl tragedy, BUT I’m aslo happy to report that not all peafowl are as ignorant or as aggressive. Charlie, the name we gave our local peacock, has had no peahen for years now and he also displays his summertime feathers for chickens each year with lots of mess too. He is very peaceful though and keeps to himself in this very treacherous central Florida forest that claims many kitties and small dogs via gator, bobcat, and coyote. Lastly, Charlie chills for hours on our back patio right outside our glass doors, quiet and undisturbed by his reflection; he is preening if not snoozing at times and maybe he’s getting a contact high from the cannabis, either way he’s a good bird. 🦚
Thank you Margaret. I have been a fan since university days studying “The Edible Woman” in the 80’s. I was moved by “Surfacing “...still my favorite, but always open to what you have to offer. Thank you for your work... My in-laws adore Graeme’s beautiful bird book, as we do. There are so many books to read. I could go on for ages but will not. Cheers!
One of "the kids" remembering Long John Chicken:
"Long John Chicken was a serious hockey fan - whenever CBC Hockey Night in Canada theme song came on, his head would snap out of the box with anticipation. Wonderful."
Hilarious! And spot-on farm life.
I was born on a farm one concession west of Banda corners in 1938. My mother Maggie Murphy from the first farm north of Mansfield married Delmas Somerville in 1930. She was a teacher and he was I think not a good farmer, at least not good enough to deal with many obstacles that the depression hung on him….but he was the nicest man I have ever known.
Mulmur township and many memories have forged my very being.
I havent read many of your works but I admire you.
Bob
A wonderful romp through farming life....However.
"In spring we’d suffer from a surfeit of eggs. We fueled teenagers with the eggs, turned them into pound cakes and ice cream, gave them away, and sometimes even sold them to indulgent friends in the city."
Those poor teenagers.
Naughty!
The description of the peacock looking tint he window whilst you are munching dinner had me in fits of laughter 😂
Wholly entertaining! Thank you Ms. Atwood
This was GLORIOUS. Sending get well wishes and thanks.
This took me back to my days of “living off the land” in the Slocan Valley. We tried raising turkeys and chickens. No one told the turkeys they weren’t supposed to be able to fly, so fly they did, right into the jaws of the waiting coyotes.
What a fun read! Thanks for the insight into the ruthlessness of farm life; chickens and chicken-herders alike. And for the dating life advice - I dodged a bullet there. Luckily the last guy I dated had a good sense of humour and I laugh easily anyway. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Marvelous Margaret! I can’t believe your subscription is free--thank you. I found your subscription shortly after starting my own subscription letter at the end of last year, just a month ago, and have been enjoying the Substack app too. Now, as a fellow pet peacock person, which I don’t consider him a pet, I can attest to much of the content in your 2nd fowl tragedy, BUT I’m aslo happy to report that not all peafowl are as ignorant or as aggressive. Charlie, the name we gave our local peacock, has had no peahen for years now and he also displays his summertime feathers for chickens each year with lots of mess too. He is very peaceful though and keeps to himself in this very treacherous central Florida forest that claims many kitties and small dogs via gator, bobcat, and coyote. Lastly, Charlie chills for hours on our back patio right outside our glass doors, quiet and undisturbed by his reflection; he is preening if not snoozing at times and maybe he’s getting a contact high from the cannabis, either way he’s a good bird. 🦚
Charming, witty, vintage Atwood.
Wonderful. Thank you for sharing. Get well.
Thank you for this wonderful story. Long John chicken is a great visual. Hope u r well soon.
Thank you Margaret. I have been a fan since university days studying “The Edible Woman” in the 80’s. I was moved by “Surfacing “...still my favorite, but always open to what you have to offer. Thank you for your work... My in-laws adore Graeme’s beautiful bird book, as we do. There are so many books to read. I could go on for ages but will not. Cheers!
What a treat! Thanks so much for sharing
So glad to get stories and other missives from you as I used to follow you on Twitter but I left when Musk bought it.