Tag Archives: cockatiel care

A couple of years ago I traveled to Washington, D.C. My mission? To join my colleagues for “Lobby Day”, an annual, ongoing effort by the Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC) to make our congresspersons and representatives and their aides aware of the need for legislation enforcing insurance treatment for eating disorders. I was a bit nervous,ContinueContinue reading “Wesley the Owl”

Today’s gratefuls are about things that make me happy. 🙂 Happiness is…. A warm bird (if that warm bird has typing and editing skills, even better). A summer rainstorm rolling in on the heels of a dark Houston sky. Coffee in a “to go” cup (even if it is “for here”). Helpful friends who knowContinueContinue reading “Things That Make Me Happy :-)”

There is such a thing as lifelong love at first sight. I have proof, too. On these occasions, I am just a third wheel, useful only for things like fetching beverages, proffering tasty delectables such as waffles, and (of course) documenting the love affair for posterity. When Dad (aka “the Tall Tree”) is not available,ContinueContinue reading “Mutual Admiration Society”

“Rio” is the movie I run – not walk – to whenever either Pearl or I is having a bad day. Or a good day, for that matter. Pearl and I can relate to Blu and Linda (Blu’s owner). Blu is a blue macaw. Linda owns a bookshop. Joined at the hip and stay-in typesContinueContinue reading “Rio”

Pearl has a very egalitarian view of the world. What’s his is his. And what’s mine is his. In fact, that rule also applies to family, friends, and strangers. If he wants it, it must be his. Take grilled cheese, for example. Let’s just say I have a plate upon which a tasty grilled cheeseContinueContinue reading “What’s Yours is Mine”

When Dr. Irene Pepperberg first started out to research avian intelligence, she never dreamed that along the way, she might for a time have to sacrifice everything – her marriage, her financial wellbeing, her standing as a scientist – in the interests of pursuing her passion. She simply wondered if birds were as intelligent asContinueContinue reading “Alex & Me”

One of the (many) lovely things about recovering from any serious health issue – such as an eating disorder, for instance – is that once your time is freed up from arm wrestling said health issue, you have lots of free time for HOBBIES. Which means – naturally – that these days, I read aContinueContinue reading “Introduction: Books & Flicks with Wings”

Or at least it is in a bird’s world. If you have a pet you probably already appreciate the peculiar charm and vulnerability of impatience. For instance, if we ran and stuck our whole face in our dinner bowl the moment the meal was served, our meal mates would probably at the very least politelyContinueContinue reading “(Im)patience is a Virtue”

When people first witness what I am about to show you, they are alternately amazed or concerned. Were it not for the appreciative soft chirps, they might be forgiven for assuming I’m trying to, er, manhandle my pet bird. I don’t know exactly how it got started, but at 10 years old this year, PearlContinueContinue reading “The World Famous Neck Scratch Technique”

I am always surprised at the appreciation my little gal has for new culinary adventures. The other day, my mom (who shares Pearl’s enthusiasm for the digestible new and different) says to me, “Give Pearl a peanut.” My response, “Oh, I doubt she’ll like peanuts. Plus, they’re too big for her to get her beakContinueContinue reading “What Peanuts?”