I wasn't looking forward to going to the Refuge on Friday and I really don't like feeling that way. However, the day was pretty good. The manager and I actually had time to talk without a lot of interruptions. When I got into the kitchen to stow my gear, there were so many people in there, I wondered what was going on. A young people's group of, I'd say, 16 to 19 year olds, had arrived at the Refuge first thing in the morning and wanted to help. So, the manager made the 17 of them volunteers for a day. And boy, did they work! The manager had three of them in charge of washing and drying dishes. Two were helping a staff member wash friuits and vegetables and chop them up for the birds. One young woman was dusting the ceiling while another washed walls. Two young men helped in the Thrift Shop. Others were spread out in various compounds washing walls and cleaning cages. And that's what gave the manager and I an opportunity to talk. She now understands my history and relationship with Babe and why I did what I did. She explained the difficulties they've had with volunteers removing birds from their compounds and not putting them back, in the past. Anyway, I think we're past that hurdle at least for the present.
So, with the dishes being taken care of, I went outside to sort recyclables. Sigh. Because the Refuge is on what is zoned farmland, the Director is not permitted to pave the driveway, parking lot or footpaths. As a result, all of it is a sea of mud. I was very thankful for my rubber boots. But sorting the recyclables was treacherous work and I slid on the uneven ground and had difficulty walking with any sense of security. By the time I was finished, I had a headache and my back and hips were killing me. I did manage to fill one bag and stow it in the van to drop off on my way home. Then I went to visit the birds.
Lucy now knows that when I'm there, I have treats. And she knows that I carry them in my little black pouch at my waist. As soon as I leave the kitchen she's on my shoulder; little Mango doesn't stand a chance. If I take too long to get Lucy a treat, I hear this bass "hey" in my ear. If that happens a couple of times, she just climbs down my arm and tries to get her beak into my pouch...and doesn't take kindly to being stopped. When I got to Bertie's enclosure, I went in and called her. Nothing. I looked high and low for her. Nothing. I looked again. Nothing. I said to myself, "Golly gee whiz, I really don't want to go through this again!" I was headed out of her enclosure to find someone, when a staff member walked by and said that if I was looking for Bertie, she was in the Medical Room. Thinking she might have been hurt or somesuch, I got over there quickly. Two staff members were working in there, leaving very little room for me. However, I wasn't about to be kept out. Bertie was fine. She had been put in there just for a change and so she could visit with the friends she had made when she'd been in there before. One staff member seemed quite tickled when she told me that Bertie had jumped to her shoulder that morning. Now, in the few months that I've been going to the Refuge, I think I've only seen that particular staff member holding a bird once. I was told that some time ago, one of the birds had bit her face resulting in something like 16 stitches. I certainly can understand why Cynthia doesn't make a habit of holding the birds. I remember when Murray bit my lip. I didn't require stitches, just a reasonable explanation for looking beat up. But it sure did make me jumpy for awhile. Of course Bertie has always loved people. I'd love it if she became that staff member's favourite.
While I was visiting with Bertie, I could hear "Hello. Hi Babe". I knew that Babe had been watching me with Bertie. And it's the first time I've actually heard her say something. The noise usually drowns her out. So, I put Bertie down and went over to Babe. As I started to reach my hand toward her, she looked away and stuck her foot out in my direction as if to say, "Well, what took you so long". I had to laugh. She's so funny. Her legs have been wrapped and she's still wearing the collar. But she seems comfortable and happy. When I left she was eating...walnut.
And that, Mom, was Friday. Now, just a quick update on Chris. Chris' weight is up to 595g. She's still not venturing out of her cage much. But she seems happy enough. And thankfully she's being fairly quiet. And now I really am finished.
Love,
Pat
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