A word from the lilac growers association

Every season I have a new favorite flower. It goes from poppies to peonies to iris to hellebore and on and on. Brandon never knows what to get me, but he can bet I'll like it.

Perhaps the strongest contender is lilacs. There are a million varieties available, but I really like plain, fragrant lavender lilacs. Call me old fashioned. They only bloom for a short time, but as silly as it sounds my mind keeps wandering to their beauty.

There is just something special about these charming flowers. When I was a florist I remember a neighborhood lady calling us screaming because someone stole lilacs from her yard and she was absolutely sure it was us. When I brought some to work today, my co-worker had a similar story about an old lady that staked out her lilac bush and came out yelling if someone as much as smelled one.

I remember my first florist boss describing lilacs to me (before I knew them by name). He said "You'll know when they're in because they will make the whole shop smell like a bit of heaven". I don't know if it is my subconscious or the smell of the vase of lilacs in my room, but I had a dream last night that I was in heaven- and of course it smelled of lilacs.

Folks in the Northwest

I love showing off my beautiful city when people come to town.  This weekend with my parents was no exception.  Coming from the desert, they insist on going to Multnomah Falls every time they come.  I can't deny it's beauty. 

This is one of Brandon's famous photos of people taking photos.  It's especially funny since the subjects are my tourist parents!

Our house is so lonely now.  Even Tucker is sad.  He probably realizes that it means no more peanuts from that nice lady that looks and sounds like his mom.

Swanki Hats GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Swanki Hats GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!
Go here! Cute hats.

Crappy Season

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I am upset with Tucker. I thought I would take this opportunity to explain. Birds are not like mammals who can be spayed or neutered because the anesthesia is too much for their systems. As a result, certain types of birds have mating seasons marked with heightened aggression and territorial behavior. Amazons are indeed seasonal maters and males are generally effected more than females. Nice research on our part!

In a previous post I mentioned that Tucker made a nest marking the beginning of his noticeable changes. Beyond that, he just seemed extra vocal (mating calls) and extra needy (remember, I am his mate). We didn't notice any of the craziness we had read about. That all changed about a week ago. He full on attacked me after he was begging to come get him out. I have three bite marks as battle wounds. If you can imagine, his bites feel like someone taking a sharp pair of pliers and squeezing as hard as they could. The end result for Tucker was being thrown on the floor. Thankfully he was not hurt, but I felt terrible.

Since the attack one week ago every time I come near his cage he puffs up, hisses and strikes through the bars at me. He has only been out of the cage once and he flew at me, bit me, landed on the floor and then chased me (try to contain your laughter, this is serious). The only way I know how to control him right now is to leave him in his cage. This makes me feel extremely guilty because I know how important out-of-cage time is for an animal that is programmed to have the entire sky as a playground. I'm at Witt's end and I feel like giving up.

Thinking of giving up on Tucker is another huge source of stress for me. I just don't know what his future would be should I give him up. I can't imagine anyone loving him as much as I do or being as patient as I have been, but I'm not sure I can handle the guilt and anxiety of keeping him cooped up every spring. Beyond the additional stress he would endure from changing "flocks" again, I am certain that his future would inevitably be someone losing patience as I have considered.

I have not read one piece of professional advice that has consoled me. All bird resources have the same thing to say: let nature run it's course, it will pass etc. What about the meantime? I miss my bird, can't handle the constant screaming and feel guilty about keeping him locked up. This is going to be a long six weeks.

Dr. Dog

Brandon and I just got home from a Dr. Dog show.  If you have never heard of this band, do yourself a favor and check these guys out.  Do you like the Beatles?  Needless question, but if you do, I can guarantee you would like Dr. Dog.  Not to say they are a rip off band-these guys are completely original but just as genius (as the Beatles).  

I have been fighting a cold, starting a new position (at work), upset at Tucker, dealing with some family issues and basically under a ton of pressure.  In addition, I had foot cramps during the whole set.  Listening to the sentimental music just brought it all out.  The tears just started rolling down and could not be stopped.  To top it off the only way to stop the foot cramp was to squat-leaving those around me to wonder why that girl wouldn't stop crying and just go to the bathroom already.

Relief

It reached 72 degrees today and I can't even describe how elated I was.  Everybody in the Northwest is on the same page.  The neighborhood dogs and cats seem to be smiling.  I spend the day in the yard shoveling compost, getting covered with mud and sweat, and I couldn't have been happier.  

Nesting

Spring is mating season for birds and they a notorious for being really moody for up to 6 weeks. We were terrified for the worst because Tucker is moody ANYWAY. So far, the only different behavior I've noticed is that he is especially needy. Maybe it's because he thinks I am his mate, but every time I leave the room he starts screaming and Brandon confirmed that he continues to scream all day until I come home from work. I read about this time of the year and how to discourage birds from any dark corners because birds will be encourages to make a nest (which I guess encourages the whole mating thing). I realized his cardboard house would be a perfect spot. Well, low and behold, in the corner of the cardboard box was a makeshift nest of chewed up cardboard, wood and plastic toys. I never dreamed he was so domestic! Now Brandon and I can't stop making fun of his ticking biological clock and his imaginary babies.

We also have a nest above our bedroom window from what I tell Tucker are the "homeless birdies that benefit from his wasted food". For the last week Brandon and I have woken up to a pair of house finches coming and going with branches and moss in their little beaks. They have sweet songs too. I can't wait for them to have babies!

The only ones not nesting in our house are me and Brandon. What we have been doing since the emergence of the beautiful new floors is called re-arranging.