Busy, busy, busy

It's been a very busy couple of months here. The birds are doing well, as are the dogs and the humans that share the house with them.

The holidays are chugging along much too quickly for my taste but that how it always seems to go once October rolls around. I have been crafting a lot this past month getting presents ready for the holidays which doesn't leave a whole lot of time for blogging unfortunately. :(

I have been spending quite a bit of time talking to my sister as she was getting ready for her art show this past week. It was in Tampa and as much as I hate crowds and such I was determined to be there and show my support for her and her work. So of course I took lots and lots of pictures to show everyone how incredibly awesome my sister is. XD

Metasoma by Rachel Johnson

My sister is a sculptor among other things. She has found a love for welding and making metal creatures like the amazing scorpion depicted above and below.

The title, Metasoma, is the scientific name for scorpion tail. I find it appropriate don't you?

Odonata by Rachel Johnson

If I had had more room, *the place was packed behind me* I would have gotten a shot from the side and shown you all more details. As it was though I couldn't really move around this piece well enough to get any really good side shots.The title, Odonata, comes from the Latin word for dragonfly.

Coelacanth, October 18th 1974 by Rachel Johnson

 I got a lot of angles on this piece, so brace yourselves. ;-)

Close up of the smaller "losing" fish.

 Close up of "attackers" head.

Another angle for details sake.

This piece is amazing. Every time I see it I find something new to marvel over. The Coelacanth was a fish that was believed to be extinct since the age of dinosaurs until one was caught off the coast of japan in 1974.

Nefandus by Rachel Johnson

Hmmm, he looks familiar doesn't he...

 Yes, he does, it's LOU! *Come on, you guys -knew- I would bring this back around to the birds some how.* Yes my genius sister made a sculpture of Lou with SILVERWARE! Let me tell you pictures don't do it justice. *They're also a pain in the butt to take because flashes and silverware don't play nice.*

Look at this detail people! I want this in my front yard so bad. Maybe I can talk her into doing a Sculpture of Trouble, my cockatoo for me. *hint hint* I can see her crest made out of butter knives already! XD

Oh and you guys have figured out what Nefandus means right? You don't really need me to tell you, do you? Come on, it's Lou, it shouldn't be that hard to guess. ;-)

Ok fine I'll tell you. Nefandus is Latin for devil. XD

Oh and I almost forgot....

"Don't take my Picture" by Suzanne Wargo subject Rachel Johnson XD

My sister, loving and hating the spotlight at the same time. ;-) Love ya Sis! XOXO    *Don't kill me...*

Bird Songs

Bird songs are a little different when you live with a parrot, or in my case, a bunch of parrots. Its not those pretty wild bird songs, though I guess if I could get a tape of them I could probobly hear them echoing off the walls at all hours. ;)

Not long ago, to combat Echo's screaming anytime I left the room, I started singing as I made lunch, washed the dishes...went to the bathroom. It's been working wonderfully. He gets so happy when I sing that he has figured out the first note and likes to try and prompt me into song when he is in the mood to hear it.

It's silly but I sing "My Bonnie lies over the ocean", it's one of the few kid songs that I know all the words to and can sing it with out music and Echo has been singing it back to me lately. Well, kinda. He has a few lines down like the first one, all the "bring back's" and "to me to me's" He will sing those for hours and pay very close attention to me when I sing to him. You can see the gears turning in his head as he tries to figure it all out. This is amusing me much more then it should I think.

I am thinking about "Soft Kitty" next once we are done with this song. it's simple and he should pick it up rather quickly. Anyone have any other suggestions?

Lying Lou

You guys remember Lou right?

"Hello!"

Our beautiful Green-wing Macaw that wants to eat me in his spare time? I was not the only woman Lou had no use for. In fact, He tolerated me being around, which is far better then he was with most women he met.

Until.... My sister showed up.

Let me explain... No, there is too much. Let me sum up.

We took Lou to my sister's house, for lots of reasons, none of which matter anymore. He was intrigued by her. Watching her every move, very calm when she was close by, agitated when she would walk away. It was interesting to watch, these were things he had never done before, for anyone.

My sister was taken with him, and with the thoughts of maybe getting Lou to tame down some and be more social we decided to let him stay with her for a little while, to see how it worked out.

Well... I don't think we are getting our bird back.

In 24 hours after leaving him there, this is what we were treated to on Facebook...

Can you feel the hate and loathing? 

*Not Lou's, but mine.*

 Oh wait! Is he gonna eat her!! 

*this looks promising* 

 No, it's the got yer beak game!

*cries*

Hugging...really?!? 

*now your just rubbing it in.*

All kidding aside, Lou is happy, and that makes me happy, even if I have yet another thing to envy my sister about. ;-)