An E Ticket Day

For my birthday this year I decided to take Disney up on their promotion of "come free on your birthday". Since my birthday fell on a Monday I figured I'd go solo and just enjoy the day. Fortunately for me, LoRen had a big desire to go to Disneyland, and was able to juggle her class on that day (she actually had the professor give her the final on a different day!). So, in the dark early hours we got in the car and started on our way.
It was so much fun to be going to The Happiest Place On Earth" since I hadn't been in about 20 years. Everything was different! So different that after we got our tickets we turned the wrong way and accidentally entered California Adventures by mistake. We got it straightened out and were shuttled over to the correct park, and the fun began. Because it was a Monday the crowds were not overbearing at all. And because we didn't have any little ones we got to indulge in total selfish behavior. We hit all the fun rides - and there was almost no wait time. I had never been on Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, but it is now my favorite ride. Anyway, the day was a blast, and thanks to LoRen we had multi-vitamins plus so we never got worn out. I'm really thankful to Lowie for making the day better than it ever could have been if I'd gone by myself. We were having so much fun that we didn't think to take a bunch of pictures, but here is proof that we did, in fact, go.

Empty Nest Syndrome

Or, "He's Flown the Coop"

It went faster than I thought it would, but as soon as Peck mastered flying he just didn't want to stay in. I decided to release him on Thursday morning, figuring that if he was having trouble I could help him out that afternoon. And he did stay till I got home from work. I whistled to him and he flew to the gate - chirped at me 3 or 4 times - then he flew off high over my head and over the neighbors house.



I filled him up on as many worms as I could first.

I'm glad he's doing well and I hope he thrives!

A Case Of Mistaken Identity

Can you believe how big Peck is? As he grows quickly to maturity it's plain to see that he's not a Robin. I really wanted him to be, for obvious name reasons, but I'm not sad. I'm ecstatic that he's so healthy. Mona thinks he may be a blackbird. I'll keep you updated.


I know this picture is blurry, but I had to show everyone that his leg is healed, and he's actually perching on my thumb with both feet (the foot? talon? grasping my thumbnail was the injured leg). This was the first time he did that, and I really breathed a sigh of relief at this milestone.


I have really enjoyed raising this baby - it's made me feel all Earth Mothery.

They Grow So Fast

It is amazing to me what 5 short days means in the life of a bird. In my internet studies I've learned that by 3 weeks old a baby robin is ready to face life it's own. Also, that in the wild robins can live to be 12 years old. It would be cool if Peck decides to hang around this area for that long.






As you can see, he's really getting big! He eats alot (I finally broke down and bought some night crawlers and meal worms), but fortunately they sleep - or are at least quiet - from dust till dawn, so I haven't had to miss any real sleep.



I got Andrew, Desi's boyfriend, to hold Peck so you could get a perspective of how he's grown. Desi is kind of scared of Peck now that he's stronger, and I couldn't get her to hold him for the pic (well, she is the baby of the family)

Growing Pains

I'm pretty sure that the birdie has a broken leg. It's up high enough that I can't wrap it, so I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that the bones knit together and mend so that he'll be able to use that leg. I asked one of the students at school if he had any suggestions for a name and he said "Why don't you call him Peck?" I think it fits perfectly. So, he is now officially "Peck".

Baby Pictures

This is how we found our baby

When Alex first picked up the bird it was so exhausted it fell asleep and didn't move! If we hadn't seen the rapid rise and fall of its breathing I would have thought it had died.

The first attempt at feeding was a little messy...




So far so good... The baby makes Gigi nervous, but baby birds grow quickly so she'll just have to wait it out.

THE FIRST ROBIN OF SPRING

While walking down Cortland Alex came upon a baby bird that had fallen out of its nest. It still has baby fuzz and is just starting to get some pin feathers. No mama bird was around trying to protect it, and one of its legs was hurt. So, Alex called me and I met her with a box full of nesting material. The first hour the bird didn't want to open it's eyes and I was scared that it was going to die any minute. But after resting from the trauma of the day it has eaten and pooped several times,and seems generally content. From the look of the beak I think it's a baby Robin. I went on line and read that veterinary offices feed baby robins moistened dog food. As they get older you can add fruit to the diet, and if I really want to get into it I could dig up some worms and feed it that. Alex took a picture, but left before downloading it for me to post. I'll put that up (plus more if the bird thrives and actually lives to be released) next post.
When I was much younger I actually raised a baby pigeon from about the same age till it flew off to be with the wild birds. The coolest thing after he was released was that a few times I would go outside to the front yard and look at the pigeons in the street (there were at least a hundred that lived in the tree across the street) and from the middle of the flock my pigeon would fly toward me and land on my outstretched hand. His name was Dodo - cause he was so ugly - but I won't name this one till I'm confident it's going to survive. So keep your fingers crossed and wish the both of us luck.

Time Flies

The weekends are never long enough - So much work I want to do...

I didn't get the back yard mowed, but I did give the dogs a bath
(it was exhausting work), and I used the dremel for the first time to shorten their nails (yay for me!) Baron loved the attention, and since she's deaf the sound didn't bother her. GiGi was pretty skittish, but I think she'll get used to it as long as I keep it up on a regular basis. Now to get ready for another week of work.

Sick or Old (or just sick of being old)

Nick and Desi had been sick with a bad cold when they arrived two weeks ago, and as they were recovering I started feeling congested and achy. Now the congestion's gone but I still don't feel up to par. It has me wondering when was the last time I did feel up to par. I hate being sick, but I think this is more of an age issue. Don't get me wrong, I really don't care how old I am (I'm approaching 50 fast enough), but somewhere along the way I've totally gotten out of shape. OK, this is a serious issue I need to deal with. Being out of shape is making me out of sorts with everyone. Please be patient and supportive with me as I try to climb the ladder to better health. I don't care if I live a long life and long as I feel good in the life I have.