Tag Archives: pet cockatiel

Pearl and I each have defined roles in our household. While Mommy is clearly an introvert, Pearl is the consummate extrovert. She is always seeking out new playmates (especially when the Chief Playmate – aka me – is too busy working to have time for important activities like chewing, shredding, and feather scratching). In theContinueContinue reading “Just Three Sea Creatures”

Most kiddos like to play a good, rousing game of hide n’ seek from time to time. Feathered kids are no exception, it would seem. Only feathered kiddos never seem to grow out of their enthusiasm for the game. At 10 years old, Pearl still enjoys this game as much as she did when sheContinueContinue reading “Now You See Me….”

Before I happened to notice a tiny reference to a book called “The Parrot Who Owns Me” in one of those scarily on-target “sponsored links” riding the margins of my amazon.com customer page, I had never heard of Dr. Joanna Burger. I certainly didn’t know she was one of the foremost ornithologists in the world.ContinueContinue reading “The Parrot Who Owns Me”

Because my mom’s kitchen so frequently produces delicacies that my avian eagerly anticipates, every so often a spontaneous quality control inspection is scheduled to be sure the facility is up to par. Usually, these inspections are themed. This past Sunday, the inspection centered around the quality of the cooking implements being used to prepare preferredContinueContinue reading “The Quality Control Expert”

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”