Mickey again...

Oops! My bad!
I posted a photo of Mickey on my parrot chat-line to double check what species of parrot he is.
It turns out I was wrong. I know , I know  it is hard to believe.
Mickey is a Jardine's parrot.
The care-taker must have said "Jardine" and I heard "jenday".
This parrot is from Africa and not south America.
Mickey is a Red Fronted parrot or Jardine's parrot
Poicephalus gulielmi

Mickey

 jenday conure

Orange fronted conure

                                                                                      " Mickey"



I just got a new bird boarder to stay with us this week. A client was taking care of "Mickey" on a temporary basis while her friend who owned him was at the hospital.
Sadly, the owner suddenly passed away due to complications.
It is sad all around because Mickey is now in ownership limbo of where he will now live. Mickey's foster care-takers are on vacation so that is how Mickey is with me now.They have a little parrolette.
I was told Mickey was a jenday conure. When he arrived, I almost burst out laughing. As you can see with the above( first photo) of what a jenday looks like, and she doesn't look like that at all.
She looks more like an orange-fronted conure (second photo) . Not that it makes any difference what kind of conure she is but I found it odd. I must say I am glad she isn't a sun conure.
Sun conures are extremely loud. Their shrieks can break glass.
Mickey vocalizes but not any louder or obnoxious than  "Patches" does. He is a sweet calm bird. He also says,"it's ok". I just hope he doesn't pick up any of "Whooks" expressions like "You're a F*&^ing pain" "JEEESUS CHRIIST!" The other birds don't seem to mind him either.
I put in a kleenex box with nuts in it for him to play with. Birds love to wreck things so a kleenex box is a fun toy.He had veggies and rice for breakfast. Of course, my birds got jealous of this culinary concoction so I had to make them some of this too.
I just hope Mickey finds a nice" forever home" because he is a lovely parrot.

a dot in the universe

After reading foxindetox's "trainwreck' blog I couldn't help  but contemplate on how and why we all are placed on this universe.
There are the "haves" and the "have nots" and assorted ones in the middle, like myself.
The significant and not so significant.
The people who have unseemly backgrounds that lead disgusting lives and yet, they are somewhat rewarded with fame, fortune and admiration.(Charlie Sheen for example, gag)
There are people who lead clean quiet lives who pay their bills on time, volunteer for causes,care for sick relatives, feed a stray cat and yet, disappear into oblivion.
There are some people who have been abused and neglected and somewhat become successful despite the odds, or NOT (as I am guessing in Fox's observation of a messed up couple).
How and why.
The area I walk Mattie the Jack Russell is what some snobs would call "a trailer park". It is a nice little tight knit community of working class folks. The homes look like cute little ranches with for the most part, nicely groomed small plots of land. There are lots of trees and grass in which the residents take pride in upkeep.
 I've gotten to know many of the folks in the community just walking Mattie around. There are retirees, single folks who work at Walmart, others who work at the grocery store, an auto detailer, some of them  are employed by the power plant and a few on disability. They are just your typical regular folks getting by in a service oriented community.
The other day I noticed that one of the mobile homes was getting torn down. There was an elderly gentleman that lived there. He looked exactly like Jasper Beardly from the Simpson cartoon. The last time I had seen him was about a month ago.He could barely see over the dashboard of his car but I always waved to him whenever he puttered on by.
I asked one of the neighbors what was going on. She responded that one of the neighbors hadn't seen him in two weeks and went to check on him.
He had passed away.
I was bothered watching his little home with it's many bird feeders hanging off the roof line scrubbed off the face of the earth as if this poor old guy did not exist.
I actually felt sick.
Who was this guy?
Does it matter?
Yeah, I think so.
I do not know what else to say but it just seemed unfair.

Bird talk announcement

Bird talk magazine is about the only magazine out there for pet bird owners informing readers on how to take care of their birds.
 I have been a subscriber since the year 2000. The avicultural  society has a magazine as a benefit of their membership that comes out about 6 times a years. It's interesting but it gears more towards scientific research rather than towards everyday practical use for ordinary hobbyists.
Over the years I noticed the Bird talk magazine had gotten thinner and thinner. Not only that, an shorten article would direct you to "go on to www.birdchannel.com to get more information".
Huh?
Talking about killing your magazine subscribers by directing them to a "free" website to get more in depth information. It really pissed me off because having to go on my computer is kind of a pain.
And that is what happened.
After 30 years of publication, Bowtie press publishing Bird talk shut down their magazine.
It sucks because I had just renewed my subscription for 2 more years!
I called the subscriber services and at first they told me they were "unaware that the magazine was ending". The next day, Bird Talk made their official announcement, that they were putting their energy towards the website and ending publication.
(* I called subscriber services again and they said they would refund me)
I guess I am one of the minority that actually reads paper bound books and magazines!
 I am not "plugged into" Ipods, Ipads, Iphones, notebooks, laptops or any other electronic device 24/7.
Yes, I am sitting here typing on my, what most people would consider an old fashion out-dated computer, but I can't stand to sit here all day reading and looking at stuff on it.
I am sad Bird Talk is gone.
Despite it's dwindling size I still enjoyed the magazine. I still liked the articles, the editorials, the photos and even the ads.
I am guessing that not many keep birds either now.

dive # 869 July 22 2012

Friday, I got a notice from the American Drug testing Corsortium for a random drug test.
 In other words, I had to go to Quest diagnostics to "pee in a cup" within 7 days of the notice. This is one of those federal regulation requirements to make sure that I am "drug free"  if  I am to continue to help crew a dive vessel.
 I don't have any problems with stuff like this to ensure public safety. I am from a law enforcement family so I play by the rules.
You hear of so many cases, such as the most recent incident at Exeter hospital with someone working there who was a drug addict. He stole some injectable pain killer drug and put the dirty needles back in the box therefore infecting unknowing patients with hepatitis C. My question is: wasn't this guy screened with a drug test?
Anyways, I did my "duty" for hopefully, another year of assisting on the dive boat.

Dive #869 July 22 2012
Folly Cove
Wind was blowing from SW which means it's going to get hot.
It was a perfect day all around. We had Fred, Chris, Pat, Pete, Lareint, Leni with his "new student" daughter and a lady from the Froggies. Water was a warm (for New England) at 62F. The viz was almost 30 feet.
I really like diving at  Folly because I don't get lost.(Well, at least for the most part)
 I kept to the rocks because first all that is where all the sea life is and there were heaps of boats coming in and out of the cove. There were plenty of cunners swimming around doing their business. A nosy flounder by the anchor investigating to see if I had any food. There was one lobster who came out from under the rocks holding a crab shell in his claw like a beggar beseeching me for "alms for the poor".
Chris was in the shallows with "Zaza" teaching her scuba stuff. She waved me over. Zaza's yellow force fin slipped off some how and had lost it. I was now on a mission for search and retrieval. I knew it couldn't be far from them but there was lots of yellow kelp undulating back and forth so it could easily be concealed.
After swimming back in forth in a grid for about 15 minutes or so, I found it wedged between two rocks.
I know what it would be like to lose a pair of favorite fins . I would've been heart broken! So I did my best to find it, and I did. Hooray!
So far, this summer has been great. I can tell already because I have a wet bathing suit bum rash. This means I've spent a lot of time in the water!
Happiness is a red bum. HA HA!

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 78

Pigeons are funny. They are also particular.
As I dumped out their morning seeds I noticed that they stayed away from the pile. I thought this was odd and realized I had put old bread in the mix as well thinking they would like it.
 I picked the bread out and tossed it in a different area. The pigeons then went for the bread-less pile of seeds.
My conclusion is that they were nervous about the seagulls since the seagulls go for the bread. The gulls are kind of nasty and will attack the pigeons. The gulls will especially go for their nesting babies as food. They are big and aggressive so it is no wonder the pigeons stay clear from them.
When I took my bike to beach in the afternoon I watched the pigeons. It's a different group and these ones aren't afraid of discarded bread. Matter of fact I watched a few take a discarded pizza crust and toss it in the air a few times before pecking at in between the throws.
I saw "Homer" with the afternoon pigeons too
.I'm not sure if "Homer" knows or understand the  pigeon's version of "changing of the guard". "Homer" is the homing pigeon with the longer beak and nares. You can identify him by his yellow leg band. I saw him yesterday munching on spilled rice crispie cereal in the sand.
I noticed one pigeon with his foot completely ensnared in what looked like clump of yarn and debris. And yet another one with bits of fishing line and seaweed debris tightly wound around his leg..
The odd thing about pigeons is that that are almost invisible to people.They walk in and around people like little ghosts. It is only the little kids that notice them, chase and try to catch them. Once in a while you'll see a youngster purposely drop their french fries as an offering to the pigeons.
Meanwhile, my pigeon, Craow Dum's condition seems to be the same. He still has to have his nose cleaned at least twice a day. His appetite is still good and he likes his "routines". He will walk into the bathroom when my husband is using it if the door is left ajar. He will look up at him, drop a "nugget" as if to say, "OK your turn!" and walk out of the room shaking his tail.
He has also learned to turn the TV on. He will jump on the couch and peck at the remote. He will wait and look for me to come in the TV room. He will then snuggle up to me giving me a little "hip check" to make sure I'm not hogging the couch.
Sometimes I find him the dirty laundry basket.
He is a funny little guy.

filling up that bucket list

I was hanging out with my cousin and her pal "Susan". Susan is very social able, funny and easy to talk to. We were talking about our 'bucket lists" of things to do.
As far of travel destinations I've pretty much done all the top ten things. I do not travel well anymore so long arduous trips are out for me.
There is the one thing I still haven't done and I still really would like to do.
I WANT TO DRIVE A CORVETTE!.
Seriously, a corvette is my ultimate dream car ever since I was a little kid.
My father even bought me a picture book of all corvettes (I still have that book)
My husband suggested to me to rent one at the NE dragway in Laconia but that is not what I want to do.
 I don't want to race around in a stupid track. Besides, I hate going fast. That just seems pointless.
I want to drive it through Hampton like those old scroggie ass-h*les you see.
 I want to pick my father up all dressed up and go to dairy queen.
Seriously.
A day cruise in a cool car.
That's all.
I've only found one "dream car" rental place all the way in Worcester, but that is too far. I don't want to go on the highway.
 I just want to cruise the coast line nice and slow, savoring it as if I am enjoying the last gourmet chocolate chip cookie in the bag.
I'm still researching my options....
hmmmmm

dive # 868 July 15 2012

Dive #868 July 15 2012
Triple "H' weather: hot, hazy and humid.
Fred invited his family on the boat today.
 They definitely picked the perfect day to go for a cruise and a dunk in the ocean.
The only divers on board were Fred, Chris, Pete, Lareint and myself.
We anchored off of Folly Cove.
I really like this dive site.
 There are lots of swim throughs with a healthy population of cunners.
The water temp was reasonable.
I got a reading of 58F at 20 feet. The closer you got to shore the warmer the water. With that being said, the further you got from the mouth of Folly the water temp dropped significantly, or at least it felt that way.
I saw some really large crabs, turnicates, assorted sponges and rock gunnels. It was an easy low stress dive. It reminded me of Bonaire with the weather being this hot and the easy familiar dive site.
I think Fred's family had a good time today because I sure did. :-)

tattoo you part 2

It's been really hot so after I finish up with taking care of my animals and doing my chores I head for the beach. When I take my bike to the beach I go to the public beach rather than the state beach because it is a little closer.
The public beach is "different" than the state beach.
The state beach seems to be more 'family' oriented. It cost $9.00 to park there (or $35.00 for a yearly beach pass. I've already got my money's worth using my pass in May alone) They have a nice picnic area and clean bathrooms.You do have to get there early because the three parking lots fill up quickly in July and August..
The public beach has some metered parking and a municipal parking lot cost about $10.00 to park. Here is where you see a lot of teenagers and assorted "colorful characters", I think, you get a different crowd because of the arcades,activities, pizza shops and bars.
I like to go to both beaches for different reasons.
If you like to 'people watch' then the public beach is the place to go.
 I've heard people call this beach  "tattoo beach" or "tramp stamp beach" because it seems like everyone, young and old,  sports a tattoo.
I can't help myself staring sometimes because of some of the sights I see at the beach.
Seriously, it is like going to the zoo.
Yesterday for instance, I saw a very large girl perched on her beach chair eating a huge slice of pizza wearing a very tiny bikini top revealing two large stars poking out under her barely there triangle top covering her "extremely ample bosom".  Seriously, I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head from staring.
Another girl laying on her stomach had large angel wings carved on her back.
Some "tats" identify where the person is from. I see a lot of "B"s (Boston Red Sox) insignias. I see some Yankee baseball team symbols  as well . I also see maple leafs from Canadian visitors.Some have armed forces insignias or "911" memorials with USA flags.
As an observation, I see a lot of religious symbols on latinos as well as pictures of their kids or a loved one (perhap a brother who passed away) on their arms and back.
Older ladies will have small tattoos of either a flower or butterfly on their ankle or chest.Although, yesterday I saw one heavy set elderly woman with an anchor on her upper arm (like the kind you used to see sailors wear) She actually looked kind of scary.
"Wise guys" have the most amusing tattooes. I am guessing they either get them on a dare or when they were really really drunk. (see above* Aren't they just awful?)
I tease my husband saying he needs a tattoo to fit in with the crowd.
Perhaps he'll get a fierce budgie or a wide eyed Japanese anime pigeon.
HA!

beach bums

OK I did not take these photos above.
 I found them on a website of "funny beach photos".
 These were the GP-13 ones! However, with that being said I've seen sights like this on both at Salisbury beach and Hampton beach on a regular basis. Tourists are kind of funny.
Last week I had a week off of dog walking so instead of going somewhere I had a "staycation".
Seriously, you can have your Hawaii and Bahamas.
I live in the best place in the world!
Our tourist season only lasts for only two months so during this time you savor your beach time like you slowly eat that gourmet chocolate chip cookie.
Yes, it can be crowded and congested with tourists during this time but for most small business owners in this area we need all the business we can get. We live in a "service" oriented community .
So in order to avoid the mid-day traffic, I just hop on my bike and head for the beach.
It is F*&^ing wonderful.!!!!
I've been in water almost everyday.
Fourth of July my brother came up with his family.
We had a frickin' blast.
I'd spend the afternoon at the beach and in the evening, I get to spend time with my birds. I set up a basin so they could make a mess and splash around. They love being out and about.
The weekends are topped off with scuba diving with friends and dining at my favorite Indian restaurant.
Seriously, who doesn't love the beach?

dive # 866 & 867 July 8 2012

Dive # 866 & 867 July 8 2012
What a super day to be out-especially scuba diving!
We ventured out to Thatcher's Island which has had  passing torpedo rays.Chris reported that the day before they had seen one.We were hoping to be that lucky.
We had Fred, Chris, and Pete as crew. Lareint was aboard, as helpful as always. We also had a boat load of ladies out for a  "wicked cool" day of diving, as we say in Boston. Every one of these ladies is an experienced long time diver . Jackie K, Diane K, Myanna and Linda G.
Linda G presented Fred with a framed copy from her log book dating back thirty years ago when she first joined Fred diving. When I got home my curiosity peaked to when I had first joined Fred and company.
*(It was dive #88 & 89 on Aug 14 1994 at Mitchell's rock. Eighteen years ago? Wow, time flies! There is where I got hooked onto "force fins". Ah, the rest is history.)
Lareint spotted a seal poking his head out of the water.The water viz was clear with a slight current.
At 20 feet it was a friggin' freezing 52F! I stayed close to the boat looking for the torpedo ray without any luck. There were schools of pollack and some big lobsters
On the second dive, Chris moved the boat across from Thatcher's to Loblolly cove.
I had about 800psi left so I figured I could still log a dive. I knew I would'nt stay down long since I was pretty chilled. The viz was really clear. It is a pretty sight with it's rock formations and gullys.
What another great day to live in New England!

visitors in the night

After a day of diving I am ready for "a bucket"-especially after I've eaten a decent meal.
The heat has really gotten to me since we are still without central air. (I know I sound spoiled but seriously, once you get used to central air it is hard to be without it. It's like getting used to central heat)
I had the small box AC unit in the window chugging away to at least suck some of the humidity out of the air in the bedroom. The whole house smells like a wet dog.
At around 3:00am I was awoken by the sound of our smoke detectors going off.
The first thing I did was shut the AC off and feel the walls. The walls felt cool and I couldn't smell anything smokey or burning. The first thing I thought of was that the box AC was overheating, but that wasn't the case. I went downstairs to check on the birds and if I could smell anything. Everything seemed OK. I checked in the attic and basement as well.
I went back to bed with just the fan blowing instead.
Again, the alarms went off.
What is going on?
We did another check and everything seemed OK. I even looked in the back yard just in case some kids decided to build a camp fire for fun.
Twenty minutes later, the alarms went off  AGAIN but this time they did not shut off.
I wasn't going to fool around so I called 911.
The fire engine came and the firemen gave the house a check with their detectors, and such.
As the fire men were checking the basement, attic and kitchen, Craow Dum the pigeon was getting restless with all this commotion and was "bustin' a move". The firemen looked at each other wonder what the heck was this "BRRRZZZ BRRRRZZZZ CCCOoooooo COOOOOooo" sound was coming from under a covered enclosure . They were cracking up.
The mystery of why the smoke alarm went off was still a mystery.
It is possible they are faulty (hard wired) smoke alarms or that they were simply clogged with dust and moisture.
 I vacuumed them out this morning so hopefully this will do the trick.
It's a scary sound to be awoken to in the middle of the night.
Yikes!

dive # 865 July 1 2012

DIVE # 865 July 1 2012
Today was one of those "perfect New England summer beach days" . It was really hot. You just had to be in the water. We, meaning  (Fred, Chris, Pete and Larient) were all set for a diving adventure but it wasn't the type of adventure that you would've expected on a perfect summer day.
The wind was blasting out of the west.
Chris had one heck of a time getting the boat out of the slip. The wind was pushing the boat sideways.
Everyone was on full alert to make sure the boat did not "kiss" any of the surrounding docked boats.
Lareint pointed out two cute little swallow bird youngsters perched on a neighboring boat's anchor.
We headed up north to try to find a safe place to anchor but no luck. We were all set to call it a day but Chris took the boat south out to the harbor to try to find somewhere that was safe to anchor. We anchored at the mouth of Magnolia harbor at about a 20 feet depth. It was pretty stable there out of the wind.. A couple of pissy weekend pretend fishermen nosing around in kayaks shouted over to us that they were not going to move. We never asked them to move.(!)
Whatever.
Chris, Pete and myself went in and just stayed under the boat for safety reasons.
Water temp 56F.
The viz at about 12 feet max.
We saw clusters of squid eggs, two tiny lobsters, a rock gunnel and a small sea raven that matched the lichen and algae.
My hands got really cold for some reason so my dive was cut short.
Hey, at least I could log a dive and had fun.