HAPPY THANKSGIVING. TURKEY

In a few days, most Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a robust turkey dinner. My mother, like millions of other mothers, always roasted a hearty turkey for the occasion.

One year in my childhood, however, that routine almost changed. My grandfather had raised a goose. This was no ordinary goose. In addition to a constant companion for scraps at the dinner table, the goose was an attack security guard which challenged all who approached. It also was obese, tipping the scales at 30 pounds when any respectable grocery store goose was lucky to weigh about 10 pounds. My grandfather surely knew how to fatten fowl. As Thanksgiving approached that year, Gramps decided to gift the Monster Goose for our celebratory meal. My mother discreetly emptied the freezer, laid the goose to rest, and dashed to a store for a customary turkey.

Speaking of well fed turkeys, I found an interesting court decision on feeding the birds.* For several years, General Mills had sold a turkey farmer feed for his turkeys, on credit. The farmer gave the seller a promissory note for the amount owed. When General Mills sued the farmer for non-payment of the note when due, the farmer counterclaimed for alleged damages alleging that the feed was inadequate, causing damage to his flock. The primary issue at trial was whether the feed contained vitamins required by turkeys. As the court put it, "Vitamins are essential to growth and life in men and turkeys."

Both sides presented extensive testimony by scientists and turkey farmers on the feed. The judge, however, was impressed by a 13 year old girl named Barbara. "She raised a little flock of turkeys on plaintiff's feed and on the witness stand related her experience....Truth, innocence and brightness adorned her even as a mantle. Her turkeys,'cabined,cribbed,confined,'grew and thrived and topped the market on plaintiff's feed."

The court held that the feed sold the farmer was in accordance with the seller's representations, and the alleged losses sustained by the farmer were due to infectious diseases, not the feed. Judgement on the note was awarded to plaintiff.

For many years, U.S. Presidents have been presented with a live turkey for their annual Thanksgiving dinner. In accordance with established tradition, presidents then issue an Executive Order granting the turkey amnesty. Thereupon, the saved turkey is sent away probably eventually to be consumed by someone else. No doubt, the White House then munches on a different roasted turkey for Thanksgiving. So, in the end, what does the Executive Order accomplish? It kills two birds with one stone?

What does all this turkey talk have to do with water? Well, turkey leftovers can make for delicious soup.

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* General Mills v. Clark, 52 F.Supp. 244
(W.D.Mo.1943)