Wild turkeys run the neighborhoods of Eugene, Oregon. We still don’t know why.
Like a roving gang, they fight for turf and we sometimes get caught in the cross-gobble.
I was reminded this holiday season of why Ben Franklin lobbied for the turkey to be our national bird: these birds embody “Yippee-Ki-Yay, mother#%^*er” in a way that would have ended Die Hard a half hour sooner. Just send this crew in and they will take care of it:
Yes, that is a turkey on the roof of our house. I made the mistake of trying to run that gang of turkeys off with a basic “now git ya hear!” — and the only place that particular turkey got to was the roof of our house for an impressive display of dominance. It strutted up there for 10 minutes until it made its point and took off.
We watched a A Charlie Brown Christmas with the kids that evening. We watch it every year, but I heard an exchange between Linus and Lucy I’d never noticed before:
Lucy Van Pelt:
You think you're so smart with that blanket. What are you going to do with it when you grow up?Linus Van Pelt:
Maybe I'll make it into a sport coat.
My first white collar role was as a pastoral intern at an upper-class church in the Baltimore suburbs. I had to wear one of those comforting sport coats as a part of the dress code, but quickly learned that people treat you differently when you wear a jacket or a suit. The barista who took an extra minute to make my Starbucks order instantly apologized, “I’m so sorry, sir, may we offer you a complimentary scone?” You can get free stuff from looking like you don’t need free stuff? I was in. Even these days, if I’m feeling down, or feel the need to feel secure or safe or educated and fancy, I’ll wear a jacket to make myself feel better. It is more of a crutch than a strength these days.
We ventured over to Costco on New Years Eve. It was packed with stuff and people. Free samples were plated up. The rotisserie chickens were still miraculously $5. And the employee walkie-talkies were squawking. Lots of people in the warehouse today! Squawk. Remember to set the tone! And like a well-coached collegiate football team, the employees with red vests rallied around the store; smiles on their faces, energy levels up, squawking radios alive, encouraging each other that today, no regular Sunday, they needed to set the tone.
The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
“‘The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
This new year, may the name of the Lord be upon each of us and may we all be blessed. May we be set free from our need to strut around, wearing our finest security blankets, in this new year. — After all, this is no ordinary year. It is an election year (groan) — And this year, remember, that it is up to you and me to set the tone.
Happy New Year, everyone.