Page 8 - Publishing Inspiration Christmas Card 2023

Turkey Sweaters
l
John was new to the wide-open country of the west. He had spent his
life in a large city and couldn’t wait for this new experience. He had dreamed
of getting away to the country and having his own small farm. During COVID,
his job assignment changed, making it possible for him to continue working
from home. He could now live anywhere he wanted. So, he found his little
dream homestead, purchased it, and made the move.
His city friends had laughed. “You’re going to find rural life dull and
uninteresting after living in the city,” one friend said. “Unless cows, chickens,
pigs, and turkeys fascinate you.”
But nothing his friends said could diminish his dream. He had heard a
lot about how wonderful life was: fresh air, open land, and no traffic jams. He
had woken up his first morning after moving to a late fall frost on the windows,
and he thought it was beautiful.
He had heard how friendly rural people were, and he couldn’t wait to
meet them. In fact, though he was new there, he decided he should get out and
visit his neighbors. He started by driving the quarter mile to the nearest house
to meet those who lived there.
John pulled into the driveway and saw a young man, probably in his late
teens, dressed in warm coveralls tied down around his waist. He was chopping
wood, and sweat was pouring down his face.
John stepped from his car and walked over to the young man. The
young man set his ax against his chopping block.
John stepped up and reached out his hand. “Hi. I’m John Thompson,
your new neighbor.”
The young man shook it vigorously. “I’m David. David Hansen,” the
young man said. “Glad to meet you.”
David pulled his coveralls over his shoulders and zipped them. “I don’t
need them when I’m chopping wood. But I don’t want to cool off too much, as
sweaty as I am.”
They visited, and momentarily a turkey walked by wearing a knitted
sweater. John tried not to stare, but David didn’t seem fazed by it at all. They

5