January 26, 2013 Dear Mom;

Yesterday, I was back at the  Refuge after missing last week. It felt as though I'd been away for a month. Although my enthusiasm has waned, I was anxious to see the girls. A nasty form of the flu is circulating around the Island right now and it was very apparent at the Refuge. One staff member has been ill with it but working through it for lack of someone to fill in for him. Another returned today after a couple of days off with it. A third looked like death warmed over and went home early. And a fourth had called in sick. Two other staff members who were an item have broken up. It wasn't the usual lighthearted crew for sure.

I had stopped in to see the Director on the way in. She was on her way out to the vet with her dog. So, I went on in to see what I could do. First I loaded  some recyclables into the van to drop off at the depot on my way home. Then a staff member brought me a box of toys that he'd rescued from the garbage. That too went into the van along with 30 pounds of potatoes to be cooked for the birds. When I finally got inside the kitchen I could hear Bertie campaigning for a visit. I did that first. She's  such a ham. Again, although I knew she was pleased to see me, she wouldn't come to me. She just nodded and shook her head and danced all over the top of the cage she was on. I had to laugh. I handed out treats to everyone and skritches to those who wanted nothing else. On my way  back to the kitchen, Lucy landed on my shoulder. She and I had a difference of opinion about my pouch of treats the last time I was there. This time she immediately climbed from my shoulder to my arm and snuggled in to my neck for skritches...before trying to get into my pouch. What a bird.

 


When I returned to the kitchen, I started cracking walnuts. The staff usually crack the walnuts they will need for their area of responsibility. And that is even more time consuming for them than having to wash their own dishes. So, that's what I did for a bit more than two hours. I'm getting better and faster at that, I'm pleased to say.

I left early in order to see the Director...and Babe and still hit the recycling depot before going home. The Director answered her door with Babe on her shoulder looking very comfortable indeed. While her legs are still wrapped, she seems very happy at the Director's place. She talked about Babe singing and about trying to find out from Guylaine just what songs she does sing.  She also showed me two photos she'd taken of Babe snuggled up to her husband who had slept in on Sunday. Apparently, the Director had left the bedroom door open just a few inches. Babe noticed and made her way down her  cage, across the floor to the bedroom door, through the bedroom door and up onto the bed where she tucked herself up under hubby's chin and went to sleep. Of course by the time the Director got her camera, Babe was awake but still there. The Director said she'd send the photos on to share with Lina.  I think that Babe is very happy there. I did notice that she'd done some chewing of the feathers on her shoulders. But there still are lots of new feathers on her breast and back.  I felt relieved and satisfied when I left the Refuge today.

More next week, Mom.

Love,
Pat