Yesterday, we decided that Buster and Ginnie had had enough of captivity, and it was time to find out whether, if we let them out to free range, they would take off into the woods forever, or hang around the place.
They stuck around. (Scroll way down for beefcake shots of Buster....)
At this point, I just wanted to clarify one thing: Not all turkeys are genetically engineered created equal. After fielding some questions from bloggers, not to mention friends and relatives, about the possibility that these two might perish in the rain (from looking up and drowning), I thought I should mention that there are Eastern wild turkeys--which manage to survive in the wild quite nicely and which are known for being intelligent, as far as birds go--and commercially farmed turkeys--which are bred strictly to grow quickly and produce lots of breast meat, to the point that most must be artificially inseminated because mating is physically impossible. Heritage breeds, such as these Narragansetts and also Bourbon Reds, Blue Slates, and Jersey Buffs (which are nearly extinct) retain many of the characteristics of the wild turkey. Less succulent meat, but better survival skills. I found an interesting article touching on the subject at Mother Jones here.
While the turkeys were exploring the grounds, I was flicking this washed fleece. Before:
After:
Much better.
Also, my niece (11) spent the day with us. She and my daughter get along great and we had a wonderful day. (Okay, they went to a friend's house for a few hours, which was nice, too.) I made a beef-barley soup and oatmeal bread and apple pie, and they dyed yarn. I had found some bulky llama wool in a natural light gray in my stash and had told my daughter that I would make her some quick fingerless mitts with them. She asked if she could dye some first.
They went out to the barn and got to work while I went in and baked. I only gave them basic instructions, like "don't use too much dye" and "if you use colors that don't go together, you'll get mud." My niece followed my advice and came up with this pretty stuff, which looks just like something I would dye:
My daughter ignored me entirely, and got this yarn, which my niece wishes she had made:
I'm thinking my daughter should let me have this yarn for my own mittens. (I have not approached her about this yet.)
Meanwhile, the turkeys continued to grow comfortable in the yard, Buster spending most of the day putting on a display for Ginnie. Here they are checking out the girls on the rope swing:
They followed the chickens around, except when chased away by little 3-month-old Elsie who confronted the tom on several occasions. And won. (Did I mention that we're starting to suspect that Elsie might actually be an Elmer? More on that another day.)
You know, I'm not saying that turkeys are exactly attractive birds (the way chickens undeniably are LOL). But I'm beginning to think they're pretty good looking in their own turkeyish way.
Red alert: as of 7:30 this morning, they have just wandered across the road and down a ways. Hopefully, they'll be back soon....
I love those pictures of the turkeys. My son (2) also was impressed by them.
At least I know now why it is important to skirt the fleece. I was wondering if it wasn't a waste of wool and I thought maybe it only cut down on the work. now I know it would be ridiculous to try and clean all of that out.
Thank for that.
Posted by: Beth | October 01, 2006 at 08:15 AM
Wow! Thanks for sharing the photos of those beautiful turkeys.
Posted by: chawne | October 01, 2006 at 08:30 AM
I know what you mean about wild turkey meat. It's definitely different from the store bought stuff but I genuinely like it.
Posted by: Carole | October 01, 2006 at 08:44 AM
Beautiful photos - again! The yarn the kids dyed came out really well, I'm impressed. But those turkeys - how cool are they? I hope they return safe and sound.
Posted by: Paul | October 01, 2006 at 08:54 AM
The turkeys are cute! I hope they hurry back home.
The yarn the girls dyed is beautiful! They both have an eye for color.
Posted by: Karen | October 01, 2006 at 09:08 AM
Both girls have such an eye for color. Love both skeins. On the beauty of turkeys. I think wild turkeys have a beauty. Like many things, in their own habitat they are gorgeous. Outside that habitat, weird. Last fall I was driving to work and saw a wild turkey on the side of the road. A woman driving toward me saw it, as well, and we narrowly avoided a head-on collision because we were both so taken by this wild creature. Hope they made it home.
Posted by: CindyCindy | October 01, 2006 at 09:20 AM
I think Buster and Ginny are beautiful! Looks like you have a natural dyer in your family! Do you really think she'll part with her hand dyed? Would you clarify one thing? I was a little nervous reading about "breast meat" & tenderness & such. Are Buster and Ginny family or future menu items? The city girl in me must really be coming out.
Posted by: Carol | October 01, 2006 at 10:20 AM
They did great!!
Posted by: Scoutj | October 01, 2006 at 10:21 AM
One of the things I love about my commute is the wild turkeys that often graze (?) early in the morning along the highway. With the exception of one who flew across the highway just a wee bit too low for my taste, I've never seen any that weren't smart enough to figure out traffic. I firmly believe yours are this clever :)
And for the record, I'd buy what those kids dye.
Posted by: Cynthia | October 01, 2006 at 10:42 AM
Buster & Ginny are gorgeous, as is the yarn. Talent runs in the family :-)
Posted by: Dave | October 01, 2006 at 10:53 AM
The turkeys aren't so much beautiful as majestic. (Like ugly old men who've seen the world and know it all.) I came across a flock of wild ones north of the Grand Canyon once. My citified self didn't realize wild turkeys still existed.
Both girls did wondefully with their yarn!
Good luck getting the turkeys back where they belong!
Posted by: Carrie | October 01, 2006 at 10:59 AM
The yarns the girls made looks fantastic. I LOVE both colorings. Kudos to the both.
The turkeys are wonderful. I've only had "fresh" turkey once, and it was a surprising flavor.
Posted by: Dave Daniels | October 01, 2006 at 10:59 AM
your daughter has a talent with colour.
love the turkey's!
Posted by: Lindy | October 01, 2006 at 11:18 AM
I love your posts. I always read your updates just as soon as I see them.The turkeys are spectacular and I would love to see an updated picture of Elsie/Elmer. And that yarn! Both are superb. Your daughters skein puts me in mind of Noro.
Keep posting!
Posted by: emmy | October 01, 2006 at 12:03 PM
Sheesh! Have you considered having your daughter dye yarn for your shop? She's a natural!
Waiting with bated breath for a turkey update....
Posted by: stephanie | October 01, 2006 at 03:00 PM
Buster and Ginnie are so beautiful! There was a flock (is that what you call it?) of wild turkeys in our backyard this weekend, and they were butt ugly. Yours are gorgeous! I hope they came home.
Looks like you need to hire your daughter to help with the business. Maybe she could do her own funky, bright colorways in some bulky yarns. Ya know, to help pay for college. heh. ;)
Posted by: heather | October 01, 2006 at 08:41 PM
So glad your flickage worked! The fleece looks awesome :o)
Your daughter did a great job on the dyeing! Beautiful!
Posted by: JessaLu | October 02, 2006 at 09:05 AM
Your daughter's yarn is FABULOUS, as are the turkeys. Can't be a good sign that they have ranged THAT free, though. Damn.
Posted by: Norma | October 02, 2006 at 09:37 AM
See me? I am the jealous of the bird situation.
I want to come visit your turkeys. :)
Posted by: Libby | October 02, 2006 at 12:59 PM
Oh for sure. You bought the yarn, you bought the dye, your daughter just happened to be the artist that brought it all together into a wonderful colorway. I say you get mittens. And if there is any left over, she gets some matching mittens.
Posted by: kitkatknit | October 02, 2006 at 02:29 PM
They did a great job dyeing the yarn! I love the colors your daughter chose.
Posted by: Kelly | October 02, 2006 at 06:50 PM
Turkeys look great. Watch out, Turkey season is near. The girls did GREAT on their dying. I would totally buy skeins like that. I think you should hire them! They are taking after you.
Posted by: Michelle | October 02, 2006 at 07:52 PM
Hehehehehe. Turkeys. Overbred turkeys that can't even breed any longer! But looks like Buster has a clue and a small enough breast to go through with the deal....
Posted by: lynne s of Oz | October 03, 2006 at 12:31 AM
your daughters yarn makes me want to learn how to dye. its beautiful and crazy and awesome!!
Posted by: knottieknitter | October 03, 2006 at 03:41 AM
Well, I was all ready to be excited by the fact that the turkeys were sticking around until I read your Red Alert. Hope they're back soon. . .
And you daughter and niece made beautiful yarn! :)
Posted by: Amanda | October 03, 2006 at 01:19 PM
They look so much happier out running about!
Your daughter did a great job on her yarn. Maybe I'll let Emily dye some soon (she's only 3 though...I'm probably asking for a disaster!).
Posted by: Natalie | October 03, 2006 at 06:32 PM
Tell your dyers that their results are fantastic! I'm drooling over both of them.
And as always, your photos are true eye candy. I've never had turkeys before, so this is interesting.
And! I tried your idea about blending fibers on my woolcombs. Success! I put my experiment on my blog.
Posted by: Leigh | October 04, 2006 at 08:57 AM