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Lani V. Cox's avatar

"Around the time my mom’s town declared war on peacock penises..." not what I was expecting to read this morning. 😅

Also, in Hawaii, I recently visited my mom, they've been dealing with a chicken and rooster + chicks issue for quite some time. They're in shopping center parking lots, along highways, and when they roam into neighborhoods, they mysteriously are relocated 😉Just sayin' ... watch out peacocks!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

I've encountered the chickens and roosters (and chicks) of Hawaii. They definitely could give the Peacocks a run for their money!

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Patsy's avatar

A very witty and entertaining exploration of the feral peacocks situation...Really enjoyed it!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Thank you!

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Ed's avatar

Great stuff! I think the Pinecrest Peacocks will be the new minor league affiliate of the Miami Marlins.

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Haha! Good one, Ed! And thank you.

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Nikki Finlay's avatar

Around Morrow, GA, where I taught, it was geese. Geese will not let you pass!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Hi Nikki, I thought I'd responded to you weeks ago. I'm so sorry!

Geese are a whole other story. They definitely won't let you pass. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment!

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Nikki Finlay's avatar

Not a problem. I’ve missed a few too, no matter how hard I try!

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Sheila Moeschen's avatar

This was simply fascinating, funny, and SO enlightening! I was just in Orlando-no pea-COCKS, plenty of lizards and humans passing for Sith lords and Tinkerbells. Now I feel like I missed out! Thanks for this lovely read my friend :)

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Hi Sheila, I'm starting to think comments I "liked" and replied to on my phone didn't make it through. I'm so glad you enjoyed this! Now I'm picturing lizards dressed like Tinkerbells, an image I can't unsee.... :)

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Susan Suhr's avatar

I loved this essay. You brought beautiful birds, lovely time with Mom, and a humorous approach to a visit. I think NBC or their other streaming platform peacock would approve!

Susan Suhr

OC writer

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Hi Susan, I replied back to you weeks ago, but I don't see my reply here. Frustrating! I'm so glad you enjoyed this, and thank you for taking the time to let me know! I hope you're doing well and writing up a storm!

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Susan Suhr's avatar

Yes Amanda,

I had two poems published in the Sea Country New Letter where I am in a Writers Group. I joined Story Circle Newtwork and we missed you and your hubby on the upper newport back bay kayaking trip. Keep up the great work with your essay writing!!!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

I would’ve LOVED that kayaking trip!

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Iris Nagler's avatar

Delightfully funny as usual. Similarly, a woodpecker was found breaking car side view mirrors thinking his reflection was a competitor!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

And the keas in New Zealand will strip the chrome off a car just for fun!

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Ofifoto's avatar

Peacocks live at the University I attended. They nest and roam around one particular building which has an outdoor theatre as its courtyard and they regularly contribute to performances!

If the peacocks are at all clever, I wonder how much migration there is from Momtown to Brothersville. Love the puns!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

If they were smart, they'd get out of Momtown and take the first bus to Brothersville. I really wonder how many already have!

Glad you enjoyed the puns!

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

I love your clever humor.

I would prefer a peacock to the alligators of Florida which roam golf courses and gated communities. My mom accidentally ran over one once. She thought it was a speed bump. I told her to make a purse.

There are mean Turkeys in Brookline, MA too! They chase you down the road.

Fun read as always. 👏🏻

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

And, yes, those turkeys are tough birds!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Floridians are constantly dumping their exotic pets (like adorable baby gators) into ponds and canals when they get too big--at least that's what we were always told growing up. Probably why I never took up golf!

"I told her to make a purse." Love that!

Thanks, CK! I always appreciate you reading.

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Tim Burns's avatar

The Real Peacocks of Boca Raton...

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

...could probably teach the Feral Peacocks of Pinecrest a thing or two!

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Matthew G. Nagler's avatar

Mahvelous! No harm, no fowl! I know the main inspiration was the peacocks of Pinecrest, but were you perhaps partly inspired by the stained glass peacock hanging in the livingroom of our house (in which you were living)?

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Funny, I responded to this on my phone, Matt, but it doesn't show up here. Anyway...I honestly never noticed the stained glass piece, or at least didn't focus on it (I think there's simply too much of our stuff in your living room for me to see out the window). I've been drafting snippets and versions of this essay for years.... Sorry!

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Portia's avatar

The "Scarlet V" alone deserves a golden A+! Well done, Amanda.

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Oh Portia....thank you!

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Susan Pomerantz's avatar

I'm hearing that wild cry in my imagination right now! And seeing the stunning fan colors!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

It truly is a shriek-and-a-half....

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Julie Neches's avatar

After reading your essay I'm ready to visit the two neighborhoods and stake out the peacocks! As a sideline you could be a promoter of peacocks and of travel to visit with them!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Hmmm...could turn my mom's house into a B&B...with parking....

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Julie Neches's avatar

I'll be the first to book a room and a parking spot!

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Joshua's avatar

I like peacocks better than I like iguanas (and I don’t like either one). The column, on the other hand…love!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

The iguanas I could leave. They're more like reptilian rats. Thank you so much!

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Paige Okun's avatar

Birds! Puns! Family! The perfect Amanda essay.

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

There had to be birds, my writer friend!

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