katana600

Happy happy bird-day to Bellino. Time to move out of the nursery and take the world by the tail. Life is good, you are in good hands and well loved. Who could ask for anything more?

In early December I saw an Amazon for the first time. There were three, but one was just amazing. I loved her eyes. She was hanging and swinging and playing and talking and was just a baby. She was also for sale with two of her siblings and I went home and thought about it, subjected it to my three week rule of emotional objectivity... and I still want to go back and find her.

Awww. Mikey is in good hands... literally. He is charming. I love that his eyes are turning silver/blue. When he comes to your home it will be the most exciting and rewarding time of your life. Thanks for posting his Merry Little Christmas.

Wow, thanks for hanging in there and posting all your kindness and guidance. I appreciate the time spent getting to know us all and contributing to make this forum the best thing for a worldwide flock of beautiful greys and their human families. Dee

Just after poking poor Bernie here, up popped a chat... "I read that Dee". Hahahaahahaa. You all just make my day. Judy, we miss you lots!

"The new fuel mixture is being used next time and we should see a vast improvement in speed and handling." Just what kind of fuel is Elaine giving you Bernie, you may be able to increase your speed, but handling is still being done by Bernie-one-thumb, or did you hire a real driver? Bah that is baby ice, I've been swimming with that little crust of ice on the water, you cream puff. Wade in there and blaze a trail, I want to see that video.

That looks like a fun amusement park ride Bernie. Bernie's mission is to make all of us laugh. I love getting on the chat. It guts him to have such a quick wit and such slow fingers. I have learned to type a little, go for a cup of coffee, come back and find Bernie's answer. Too bad for the time difference, I could go to the DMV and renew car tags while Bernie types.

While we feed our birds for their health over a fifty plus life span and it is the little things over the long haul that contribute to robust health, I understand your concern about no fresh veggies for three weeks. I think you are right not to leave them in the cage when you are not there to take them back out again within a couple of hours. Your dedication is admirable. The creative idea to use the birdie bread and the recipe provided sound perfect. Another thought would be to use some dried veggies. Our pets do not mark time the same way you and I would. Rest assured that the three weeks will feel a lot longer to you than to them. Be happy and upbeat and tell them you are leaving and they will have that happy emotion and smile to sustain them while you are gone.

Finally I get to answer a question. LOL. Fid is a term used by loving parrot owners, often called parronts for the feathered kids... or fids for short. There is no such thing as a dumb question. No one new can be expected to have all knowlege when it comes to our forum, or to the world of African Greys. To have the courage to come forth, ask questions and delight with us in our discovery is the way to becoming a fabulous new member to us and is a credit to your dedication to understanding your way around. Thanks for asking, I am a relative newbie and don't have a lot of experience with the bird knowledge so you let me be helpful. LOL.

I bought a set of Calphalon stainless steel tri-ply cookware from Kohl's department store. They have some excellent sales. The regular price was $500 for a complete set of pots and pans, the sale price was $300. They are heavy and I love them. I did a lot of cost compare and quality analysis and they are every bit as good as the All Clad which would cost more than double on sale elsewhere. I don't know if you have Kohl's in South Dakota, but here is how it works. They often have fabulous sales. If you get a credit card, you get advance notice of sales plus extra coupons, plus a discount for opening a card. I will use the card at the register and write a check at the same time so I don't ever pay interest. One thing though, they send coupons and say you will peel off a sticker and get 15, 20 or 30 percent discount at the store. Different customers get different coupons. At the register they will have scratch-off coupons and will give you one chance to increase your discount. When I bought the pans my coupon was 15%, but there was a stranger behind me in line with 30%. I asked her to borrow her coupon for my sale and handed it back to her for her to use it as well. That saved me a total of $90, so my pans were $210 for the set. I couldn't be more pleased with this cookware and I cook a lot.

Every gesture whether spoken publicly or felt deeply at a quiet time is a soothing tonic and caring stroke to mend a rough patch. I went to the candles, I did a screen capture of each of your messages. I saved them in the file I created for Juno's journal. His candles will never burn out and will be a lasting tribute to this forum and the friends I have been honored to share. Our family is smiling and better than we would have been without the full experience of Juno. You have all been a part of that experience. Thank you.

On the differences between male and female African greys, I am afraid I am to inexperienced to know the difference long term. What I do know for sure is that everything happens for a reason, we learn, we love and we pick ourselves up and start fresh. Visiting with individual birds, keeping your heart open and just going with the flow will bring your new bird home. You will know what is right when you see it and you will make the choice when you are ready to do so. We have friends who adopted a baby boy, held him for four days and the mother changed her mind. But, because of that experience, so many people reached out to them that in just a few months, an adoption attorney came to them and said her client had heard, was in a bad situation and wanted them to her her unborn child. They took the chance and have had two decades being parent to a wonderful daughter. It takes strength courage and faith to take the leap. In one moment your preparations and dreams for Ipo changed. In another moment the sun will be brighter and the day will be fresher and you will know the wait and the sadness were created to make you feel joy more deeply than you ever imagined. Stay with the forum, keep us close and share with us your new journey.

The weight gain is a testament to how comfortable and happy she was in trusted hands. You couldn't be doing a better job with Yoshi. Have the happiest of holidays with the reunion for Yoshi.

Jill, I am home alone quite a bit of the time, and while I can admit to you that I do make ungracious noises, I immediately say "Daviiiiidd" in a chiding tone. That way if a clever bird imitates unladylike sounds, any hapless guest who might hear the repeat is also going to believe Java learned all the bad habits from my husband. Always thinking ahead with a cunning plan, LOL. Of course, I am quickly going to phone your husband so he uses this tactic to teach Harvey to say "Jill you are soooo rude"

As it happens, I have some free time and am willing to sit in for the mother-in-law photo Bernie. We will have to set a cunning trap for these intruders and teach them a lesson they will never forget. In all seriousness though, Dave is right of course, it is best to be as cautious as you can, take good care and don't invite trouble with the riff raff.

What makes me laugh about that picture Lyn, is that I bought three crocks about that size to put around the house to use as crock-o-poo stopover stops, LOL. Imagine the culture difference between your house and mine. Alfie would dive in for a biscuit or cookie and have a BIG surprise. When the time comes and I visit your house Alfie would learn right quick to put a stout cover on her cookie jars. LOL. I don't mean I will personally potty in her jar... but Juno's brother might

I love that the camo hat is the same color as Yoshi! Why, she was hidden so well, I couldn't find her in those photos. She is brilliant to use that hat for her covert mission into the handbag. Go Yoshi.

I have to stay Bernie, it takes more than ten babes to keep you in line. Did I say we keep you in line? Lord knows if this is in line, how would you be off on your own with no restraint?

Peanut is a beauty. I love the little escape hatch on the top of her cage. She is a lucky little girl to have you pampering her already with Christmas gifts, it will be lovely to watch her tearing into her goodie boxes. Thanks for coming to join us to share your life with Peanut. We look forward to more pictures, great job finding your way to posting pictures already, thanks.

Welcome Snidely! There is nothing like the experience of a grey. There is a lot to read here and it is the best place to start as you populate the cage, your apartment and your heart with a magnificent gift to yourself. We look forward to walking with you as you learn to create a playland for Snidely. Your life will never be the same. It will be better than you can imagine.

Judy, don't let Bernie aggravate you with the cat pics, we'll send some telepathic messages to Tiggs to give Bernie the business! We miss you while you are working, but what must be done will be done. While I am ornery with Bernie for the kitten in the saucepan... what the heck is that blue flying graphic next to the words "life is easy why make it difficult"... that looks like a flying jock strap... what is it? sigh--ned slightly slighted biker babe

Caught in the act! Lyn, she wasn't stealing cookies, she was learning to forage. And what a thoughtful girl she is too... only looking after Lyn's girlish figure by leaving no leftovers behind.

Ollie is certainly a handsome fellow, but he is showing some questionable judgement hanging out with the likes of you Bernie.... Poor little guy probably just doesn't know any better. Someone save him before he learns anything more from Bernie besides fetch. LOL. Just kidding of course Bernie, I want to stay in the babe pack.

She is the star of the show and she knows it. Those diva shots with the wild hairdo were just the beginning Lyn. Can you believe how far she can stretch her neck? Reminds me of the go-go-gadget cartoons my kids used to watch. Nothing is out of reach is it?

Thanks Dan! It doesn't compare to the peril to the divers to rescue the whale, but when I was a teen, the neighbor's German shepherd had a chipmonk. It was tossing it into the air, playing with it. Without thinking, I chased the dog and snatched the little chippy from its mouth. I have a scar on my thumb to remind me of it sinking its teeth to the bone. I held on and put it in a cardboard box. I kept it in a cage for a couple of days to see it was unharmed. The day I took it to the edge of the woods and opened the cage was a moment in time that taught me every creature has a soul and heart. I went back into the house. The chipmonk had skittered into the safety of the forest. It turned and came back to the back door, sat on the patio slab, sat on its haunches and put its paws together looking into the door. I felt like it thanked me, then it turned back and scampered happily to find its home.