Graehstone

... is the translation from the picture. <br><br>Post edited by: Graehstone, at: 2008/05/27 17:43

Yep, great advice so far. One never chooses a Grey, one is chosen by a Grey, that's how that works, lol. Congrats and we too are excited for you! :woohoo:

That's in my "collection" too and I love it! ... but my "tail" hasn't been red since I was a kid, lol.

B) B)<br><br>Post edited by: Graehstone, at: 2008/05/27 00:52

Only special people can handle Conures, or any of the smaller pitchy birds. That's a very pretty little bird!

(... is also a re-post from elsewhere but still wanted to share with you here as well.) ...the other day from the VA clinic along Del Dios highway that snakes its way around Lake Hodges was very colorful to say the least. Lucky for me I happened to have my camera with me otherwise I would have missed this as I don't tend to be in that neighborhood all too often. The Lake Hodges, Escondido area got hit pretty hard by the last bout of fires that we had here, not that there was any place that that didn't get hit in the last fire, my neighborhood included, but even after something as terribly devastating as the total annihilation of all plant material … life returns with a vengeance. <br><br>Post edited by: Graehstone, at: 2008/05/26 19:59

judygram wrote: Yes they were, every now and then we have the most spectacular sunsets that are just mesmerizing. Glad you liked them.

How's that for adorable! Congrats there you new Mommy you, lol.

In these days of toil and trouble the World over and with the daily headlines scarier than the last, it is at times difficult to find true moments of inner peace, to be able to go to that place inside yourself where the World is whole in your heart, mind and soul and come away replenished and able to face the demons once more. You needn’t post “deep” or long things here, a simple sign will do, just a token that you too long for days of Peace, a daily reminder that there are great things to strive towards, things that will make our grandchildren and great-grandchildren proud when we are long gone. A legacy left them if you will, a legacy of Peace: I share with you – The Peace Thread Post edited by: Graehstone, at: 2008/05/26 19:42<br><br>Post edited by: Graehstone, at: 2008/05/26 19:43

Here's another one on my left forearm. (Can't believe I didn't find this pic sooner ... geesh) Kind of a crudy picture due to the flash. It's a Kingfisher on Bamboo which kind of wraps all around my arm and includes a snake and a Tiger on the other side.(and if I ever find those pictures, I'll post them here too)

Here are some sunset pictures that I took from here in the San Diego area that I thought some of you might like to see. <br><br>Post edited by: Graehstone, at: 2008/05/26 19:14

This is a "re-post" from another group and happened a while ago. My sweety still has them every now and then (that I catch.) ************************** Gracie had another seizure the other morning. I heard her fall off of her playground and found her on the floor dragging her right foot and a blank look in her eyes. I was able to pick her up and even go so far as to massage the entire leg for some time, I think I might have even been able to prick her with a needle and she would not have felt it but didn’t want to go quite that far. All I can do in times like that, other than fall to pieces (which I did after, alone in the bedroom) is hold her and make her as comfortable as possible, which I did. I held her real close up against my chin all the while scratching her head and whispering to her how much she meant to me and how much I loved her and that everything would be just fine and was able to see the shine return to her eyes as she slowly came round again. I knew that she would be ok (as far as “ok” goes in this instance) when I asked her for a kiss and she leaned in and gave me a great big and loud smackaroo right on the kisser. She’s fine now as if nothing happened and I suspect that she doesn’t even know that anything did. I love my little girl very much. I was able to take a picture of her foot as she was having (or rather coming out of) one of her seizures, you can see how stretched out it is and her toes cramping. For those that don't know, Gracie has a form of epilepsy, and as far as that in birds goes there is no "cure" per say and all I can do is keep her healthy in all other aspects and not really treat her any different than the others because she isn't, she just ... stutters every now and then. What causes them is unknown, and I am sure that my poor sweety has had them when I didn't happen to catch it happening. She could just as easily have had several mini seizures during times that I wasn't watching her. As a mater of fact I am pretty sure that there have been such instances. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, all depending I guess. I too think that she is better served to come back to the living if she knows (somewhere in the back recesses of her poor little confused mind) that someone who loves her is there to watch over her. Now all that could just be me anthropomorphizing things and I am sure that to a certain extent that is true, but I still think that it helps and that there is a "person" in there that really needs my help and relies on it. All things considered ... I wouldn't trade my Gracie in for all the riches in the world, she gives nothing but unconditional love and asks for nothing in return, I would be greatly remiss as not only a spiritual, but also as a proper human being should I not try everything in my power to make her life as comfortable and safe as possible. Birds like my sweet Gracie would never have survived in the wild with her condition, she would have been culled and ... simply put, Lunch for something else. Do we do the species a service by retaining such genetic material in the gene pool? Or are we truly saving (those little people in feather suits) from ... ? ... and is our intervention warranted? I guess it boils down to (for me at least, and I had no intention of having this post go down this road but my fingers just kind of took over) should we even have Parrots as pets? I don't think I would be the "who" I am today were they not an important part of my life, but still ... ***** Just thought to post this here in case there might be others that have similar problems with any of their birds. So far I know of only Gracie and my Vet is kind of stumped too and he is the author of this: http://www.avianpublications.com/items/care/item132.htm ****

Sorry for the late response there, still getting used to finding the latest posts and am missing some in the process. Actually I am not afraid of spiders (honest), it was just that I didn't see him anymore and didn't want to squish the little bugger. that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

The Veteran He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast And he sat around the Legion telling stories of the past, Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, everyone. And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke, All his buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Bob has passed away And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today. No he won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife, For he lived an ordinary very quiet sort of life, He held a job and raised a family, quietly going on his way; And the world won't note his passing; 'tho a soldier died today. When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great, Papers tell of their life stories from the time that they were young, But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed, and unsung. Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land Some jerk who breaks his promise and cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow who in times of war and strife Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life? The politician's stipend and the style in which he lives Are sometimes disproportionate to the services he gives, While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal, and perhaps a pension small. It's so easy to forget them, for it was so long ago That our Bob's and Jim's and Johnny's went to battle, but we know It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys, Who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger with your enemies at hand, Would you really want some cop-out with his ever waffling stand? Or would you want a soldier who has sworn to defend His home, his kin, and country, and would fight until the end? He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin But his presence should remind us, we may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline in the paper that might say: OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY. by A. Lawrence Vaincourt Graehstone: US Air Force 1979 - 1985

Due to illness I am a stay at home dad to all my critters and so have just a tad more time on my hands now. Here are some of the things that I have done over the years from doodles to needlepoint. ... and this next one is just a section of a very large one that would not pass the censor here,

Action Translation 1) Standing on two feet I'm alright 2) Standing on one foot I'm relaxing 3) Standing on one foot, feathers fluffed I'm really relaxing 4) Standing on one foot, grinding beak I'm getting tired 5) Standing on one foot, half fluffed, eyes glazed I'm trying to get some sleep 6) Head facing back, tucked under wing I'm sleeping 7) Tail shake OK, I'm ready for something new 8) Rubbing beak back and forth against perch I'm cleaning my face 9) Standing on one foot with head tucked under Just cleaning some feathers 10) Spread wings a little and rub face on back Getting ready for some serious preening 11) Lift wing and picking at different feathers Preening 12) Reach back, run red feathers through beak Preening, have to keep my tail lookin' good 13) Standing straight, staring right at you I'm ready to be picked up 14) Pacing back and forth on perch I said I was ready to be picked up! 15) Standing on one foot and waving the other Pick me up, NOW! 16) Head down wings half up, feathers fluffed, leaning forward I see something I want and if you don't pick me NOW I'm going to have a nervous breakdown 17) Flapping to the ground I wanted you to pick me up but couldn't wait any longer 18) Standing on your foot OK, I'm sorry for flapping to the ground, Pick me up, PLEASE 19) One foot shaking with claw beating quickly I have an itch against the side of my head 20) Beak on the ground, neck feathers fluffed up I want a scratch 21) Head down, left wing fully extended Big Stretch! 22) Head down, right wing fully extended Continuation of Big stretch 23) Head down, both wings partially extended up Big stretch, final episode 24) Mouth wide open, head extending as far up as it will go Stretch/yawn combination 25) Head bobbing and then regurgitating I LOVE YOU! 26) Grab side of cage with beak, bottom of cage with foot and scrape bottom with other foot Let me out of here!!! 27) Standing straight, staring right at you I'm waiting for you to look away so I can do something bad 28) Beak on the ground, neck feathers fluffed up I want you to try and give me a scratch so I can bite you! 29) Holding on to top of cage with both feet and beak I am going someplace 30) Hanging from top of cage with both feet I am playing 31) Hanging from top of cage with one foot No problem, still playing 32) Hanging from top of cage by beak only No problem, still playing but trying to make you think I'm going to fall. 33) Hanging from top of cage and falling to bottom Ooops, I guess that beak thing didn't work too well 34) Head lowered and turned 90 degrees I see something on the floor that I want 35) Extending top of beak and lapping with tongue Whatever it is that you are drinking, I WANT it!! 36) Standing on forearm, biting shirt at the shoulder and clawing upper arm I want UP! 37) Hanging from shirt collar by beak and waving both feet in the air I want down 38) Two steps back, rear-end rubbing table I need to go potty! 39) Lying on back with feet in the air Yeah, right!!! I don't think so! author unknown.

See now this is the type of mature decision that a proper Grey owner would make, one that is best for the bird. In your case it's a bird that you have not met yet, but will, and things will be all the better because of your decision now. And it really is akin to you raising a five year old human child for the rest of your natural life. I wish you much luck and all the best in your studies.

Hope that everyone has a most splendid weekend.

Acappella wrote: Yep HUGE migraine trigger for me too and I know for a fact that both of mine can tell when I am about to have one. I really think that they can feel those changes (in the weather and all) even to the minutest change in temp ... after all, sometimes in the wild their very lives would depend on that.