Meet Hattie Jo – The Wildfeather Cousin We Didn’t See Coming

Well now, we thought we had a good handle on who was coming to visit this week. Tilly, Pippa and Pearlina got a postcard from Cousin Willow sayin’ she was on her way up from Greenwood, and we were all busy tidying up the desk area and picking out who was gonna wear what for her arrival.

But wouldn’t you know it — life had other plans.

Turns out, Willow had been chattin’ with Cousin Hattie Jo down in Biloxi. Now Hattie Jo’s the type who listens more to the wind than a calendar, and when she heard Willow was headin’ east to see the family, she said, “You know what? I haven’t been up that way in a while. I believe I’ll go surprise ‘em.”

She packed a little bag, caught a bus, and made it most of the way before the darn thing broke down just this side of nowhere. Stranded with no ride and no clue what to do, she did what any clever goose would do — she called up her Aunt Peggy.

Aunt Peggy didn’t ask a thing, just said, “Sit tight, darlin’. I’ll come fetch you.”
And fetch her she did — all the way to the Post Office, just in time to surprise me as I was headin’ home from work.

I was speechless. There was Hattie Jo, tail feathers slightly ruffled, buckled up in the car like she’d always belonged there.

She’s a bit rough around the edges — got a lean from standin’ firm in southern storms, and her head’s clearly been reattached somewhere along the line. But let me tell you, she’s proud of every chip and scar. Says they’re “proof a goose’s got grit.”

Hattie Jo came from the Wildfeather Line — daughter of Henrietta Wildfeather, who folks say used to dance barefoot in thunderstorms and declare, “The stars will tell ya, if you’re brave enough to look.”

Like her mama, Hattie Jo’s not afraid to speak her mind, and she’s already found herself a couple of outfits she says are “fittin’ for a proper visit.” She’s thrilled to be spending time with Tilly, Pippa, and Pearlina — and she can’t wait to meet folks around town. Says she’s lookin’ forward to “settin’ a spell” at the desk and maybe seeing what all the fuss is about this Goose Family we’ve got goin’ here.

Welcome to the flock, Hattie Jo. You weren’t planned, but you sure were meant to be here.

Tilly, Pippa, Pearlina, and Cousin Hattie Jo (holding things down in the back) took a moment to stretch their wings and catch up in the sunshine. Almost a full house — they’re just waiting on Cousin Willow to arrive later this week.