Upon Hearing Karen Carpenter Harmonies In My Head
House Style, Poetry | Posted by Jannie on 27 December 2011 @ 1:58 PM 50 Comments
I think of Karen Carpenter sometimes
as I suppose we all do now and then as
we’re sailing under leaves of the day.
I think how she never sang an off note
yet battled with love and mirror troubles
while I – of sound body, love and mind
(well, much of my mind,)
am still learning to sing.
(But almost there now!)
I am grateful Karen sang.
And grateful for our newly rescued
parakeets I’m still getting to know and
they getting to know us Funster gang.
With Mieshka really wanting to
get to know them very very well.
“Parakeet Watcher,” I call that.
Kelly took it Christmas morning
with her new phone from Santa.
And now, I’ll sit with my good camera
from Mieshka’s sofa vantage point and
show you where our new buddies are…
Then…
get a lot closer…
I love them so much already!!!
Gonna get them a bigger cage.
And to thicken this poetic plot… many of you know Jim built this room with his own two hands, from framing to trim.
Here he was in 1995…
poem ended ~~~ several diversions back.
Yay, for dVerse Poetry Tuesday Open Link Land! Wheeeeeee-heeee.
(Top photo of leaves is a background Kelly got from some app or another.) Pretty!
Take care!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 27 December 2011 at 2:13 pm Fred said,
Jannie, really interesting how you segued from Karen Carpenter to your new Parakeets. I really enjoyed that. The birds look great, but they’d never make it at my house with my cats around. and I cracked up with the Cat pick, adorable by the way, and the line just above. Great job. Hope you had a great Christmas and great to see you back for D’verse.
On 27 December 2011 at 2:23 pm Aimee said,
Hope the Christmas festivities went well. I have a few Karen Carpenter songs on my holiday playlist. She did have a beautiful voice.
If I didn’t have an abnormal fear of birds, I might be a “Parakeet Watcher” too. Glad to hear the new additions are being welcomed warmly. If you have time, swing past my blog
On 27 December 2011 at 2:24 pm Heaven said,
Nice wide pictures… I like the singing of all the family members in your home.
If your hubby did all that, great job ~
Happy New Year ~
On 27 December 2011 at 2:25 pm Ruth said,
A lovely, diverse blog. I think of her too, now as I’m trying to get my old voice back – or perhaps a better one, one that could sing flawlessly through a totally flawed concept of self… Love the photos here, especially that of the cat, who obviously can’t get enough of your new adoptees.
On 27 December 2011 at 2:32 pm brian said,
ah you can sing…smiles…
hmmm bet the cat wants to know the song birds really well…haha…
and yes i think every once in a while on her…
On 27 December 2011 at 2:38 pm Daisy said,
Ha! Yes, I can imagine that your cat would really love to get to know those parakeets a little better. Nice pictures, Jannie!
On 27 December 2011 at 2:54 pm Steve Elsaesser said,
Thank God–and His peeps–for sound reproduction. I yearn sometimes to see Karen Carpenter ‘live’…and alive on TV or off! And your kitty is yearning for a closer look at ‘his’ next-year Thanksgiving Dinner!
All I can say about your writing is “I WISH I COULD WRITE LIKE THAT!” So ‘regular, uncontrived–no big fancy words (I have to look them up, of course!).
And you piece together a picture story interesting, pleasant-to-read–all little gems!
Thank you, Jannie, it is ALWAYS ‘fun’ to visit with you.
PEACE!
On 27 December 2011 at 3:02 pm Jannie said,
Ahhhhhh, thanks you little gems for your commments!!
I’ll be out blog-hopping later. And I do plan on speaking to each and every one of you on your lovely words on this post later.
THANKS to all.
xoxooxoxoxoxoox
On 27 December 2011 at 3:10 pm poemblaze said,
Thanks for sharing a bit of your life with us here.
On 27 December 2011 at 3:13 pm Natasha said,
I LOVE how you make me feel like I`ve known you and your`s forever! You have such an open heart, and a wonderful voice….sing it to the world! They are in desperate need of your gifts!
On 27 December 2011 at 3:17 pm Claudia said,
i just love how the room looks..so very special…and oh i hope the birds stay in safe distance of the cat…uuhhh
On 27 December 2011 at 3:21 pm Kellie Elmore said,
I adore the personal touch and how intimate you allowed this to be with your pictures. Nice post! Thank you!
http://magicinthebackyard.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/singing-myself-to-wake/
On 27 December 2011 at 3:31 pm Laura Hegfield said,
Janie…first thank you for the music you sent. Second, I love the way your poem wanders. Third, would you like to add something to this year’s gratitude word quilt? Tomorrow is the final day to send your words of thanks so I have time to “stitch” it together to post on Dec 31.
On 27 December 2011 at 3:50 pm Daydreamertoo said,
Awww… God bless you for rescuing them. They do like the sun just don’t let them bake in it when it warms up (I’m sure you already know that if you’re an animal lover)Lovely room. Lovely post. Loved your singing voice! Happy New Year.
On 27 December 2011 at 5:17 pm Shawna said,
Awesome job, Jim!!! Beautiful room. Congrats on the new pets.
On 27 December 2011 at 5:56 pm Fireblossom said,
Birdies will steal your heart in a hurry. I used to have zebra finches, and I loved them like crazy.
On 27 December 2011 at 6:00 pm Pat Hatt said,
Wow you jumped from one Carpenter songs to the actual carpenter, who’s oh so hairy and what he’s drinking sure isn’t dairy..haha The kitty might shorten their life span, so better make sure they have a good solid cage because it sure looks like Mieshka is a fan..haha
On 27 December 2011 at 7:43 pm Lynn said,
I like that photo of Mieshka – he looks so soft and cute. I didn’t know you were getting birds – they are cute, too.
xo
On 27 December 2011 at 8:39 pm secret agent woman said,
Karen Carpenter had a lovely voice – I wish she could have been at peace with herself.
Hope you and yours had a lovely Christmas!
On 27 December 2011 at 9:24 pm SnaggleTooth said,
“…Sing, sing a song-, sing out loud, Sing out Strong- Don’t worry if it’s not good enough, for anyone else to hear- Just Sing, Sing a song….”
That’s my fave I hear her sing all the time in my mind. Then there’s “Love, look at ther two of us…” Which I’ve sung at weddings years ago. What a rich voice to hear- a great example of dynamics.
Mieskha may be thinking of birdie dinner n adding some new feathers to her hair…
Poor Mischief wouldn’t do well not catching those. I have little fake clip-on doves all over the place in here this year. (they were cheap). Love the chirping tho-
Great retro view of the past room view.
Hope you’re having a great school vaca week!
On 27 December 2011 at 9:37 pm Steve King said,
Karen Carpenter had a truly magical voice…slightly lower than most pop singers and with a definite dark edge. She’s one of my favorite singers from the day. I guess there was more darkness than she let on. It was quite a shock that she died so young. A great loss to those of us who still enjoy listening to her.
Great birds! I enjoyed the excursion. Happy New Year!!
On 27 December 2011 at 10:40 pm Seek the Sun said,
Great poem! I think your kitty friend is adorable!
On 28 December 2011 at 12:23 am cinderkeys said,
I’ve heard of rescue dogs and rescue cats, but never rescue parakeets.
Aw, man. I miss my birds.
On 28 December 2011 at 12:26 am Jannie said,
Hey, thanks.
I’m in the recording studio. Still!
Think we’re soon going to wrap it up for the nite.
Bass and drums on 5 songs now. Workin’ on 6.
Waaaay past my bedtime.
XxooXxxooooo
On 28 December 2011 at 2:03 am Shashi said,
Dear Jannie
Its so beautifully presented. Lovely.
Shashi
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/2011/12/whisper-no-one-is-there-in-living-haiku.html
At Twitter @VerseEveryDay
On 28 December 2011 at 3:48 am Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. great set of pics and ideas .. God-given talent comes in different sizes – wonderful old world though .. love the different timbres we’re all given .. for some reason we had a spattering of rain showing on the windows and these words came to mind – “pebble dashed rain spots” or similar .. our first house was pebble dashed at the back ..
Great that you’re fostering Parakeets now .. isn’t that fun .. and I love the cuttlefish feeder .. I remember those from our budgerigar days .. back in the pebble dashed house! Memories ..
‘Dem Bones, dem bones …’ … my honorary god-daughter now 19 has just started at Medical School .. clever girl .. and someone posted the Dem Bones video .. long forgotten in the recesses of my mind .. I copied it across to her .. but it’d be good for the old folk and exercising – that’s my thought as I’m doing more up there now ..
Well that’s me .. Jim did a wonderful job for you .. the house must be lovely to live in now .. Happy rest of the week and the new year to come … big hugs from us three to you all and BB Managiments … Hilree xoxoxoxoxox
On 28 December 2011 at 7:14 am wolfsrosebud said,
such beauty and innocents covering so much pain… still her music focused on life… enjoy your new critters
On 28 December 2011 at 7:40 am Dr. J said,
Cats and dogs may lie together but cats and parakeets, not so much
On 28 December 2011 at 10:24 am Jannie said,
Good morning friends!
Finally up and at it here at 10:01 I write this. Didn’t get to bed until 3:00. Home from studio about 2:00.
The parakeets are singing so lovely. They play a lot, it seems.
I think BB is working on a New Year’s header. Or is out roller skating.
So, hi!
FRED! Well, it seems maybe after writing this poem I was thinking Karen felt caged in her body. You know… Mieshka can actually jump up to that shelf! So… I’m in this room with the ‘keets in the day. Can you call them ‘keets? I keep watch over them here. And at night, or if we go out in the day they are shut in Kelly’s room behind closed doors. My plan is to hang them from the back beam, far far from Mieshka’s reach. That should make a nice permanetnt home for them. Great to see YOU too!!
AIMEE! I think my favorite holiday one of hers is “Merry Christmas, Baby.” Really, a fear of birds? Did you get attacked by some? I never felt myself a bird person, did not like the idea of caging an animal, but these guys couldn’t move with their owner, so…. Dear Hubby came home with them. And I love them!! Can’t tell if they love me too, but they’re stuck with me!
HEAVEN! Yep, 970 pixels wide. With 150 left for the sidebar. Pixel perfection in my eyes!
Yes, hubby is quite the talented guy! He did have a little help fro mfriends with framing and drywall. I painted! And we both designed it as we went. I’m not singing at the moment. Since I want to sing two good vocals in a couple weeks, I must be aware of not stressing my voice through the day. And warming it up before I belt out the tunes!!
RUTH!! You’re a singer!! yay. I can relate to “trying to get your old voice back” but for me it was this summer. I did my voice exercises a lot then. And winter’s dry air adds a challenge. Yes, her flawed sense of self. I guess you’ve probably seen video of Karen too, singing so beautifully and looking like she was having fun. But so so so so so thin. Poor dear. Happy singing, Ruth — happy singing!!
BRIAN, you sweetie you! Well… thanks. I do have to keep remembering my singing has come a long long way. Actually having a singing lesson today on “Do You Dream.” Happy about the prospect of getting a nice vocal on that. Yes, I guess Karen Carpenter and her talented brother will be part of our life fabric forever.
DAISY!! Mieshka can jump up there, so I have to put the cage away when we go out, and at night. Mieshka at only 6 months old has brought several birds in through the pet door. Luckily I managed to save the last one. poor kitty, just doing what comes naturally.
STEVE!! Another Karen appreciator, understandably as she sang directly from her heart to ours with that gorgeous expressive alto of hers. Ahhhhh, well, my mind does tend to wander, Steve E. so you never know how many lans a single poem may whisk yo uaway too. And I have this love of photos….. And prefer them to appear here as either a single one, or grouped in 3, 5, or 7. And keep my words small but my heart big.
JANNIE!!
POEMBLAZE — love your name, of course — your poems on fire, as all good poems are. I love sharing, not the shy type am I with photos and such.
NATASHA! Well, I’m really a simple gal with a relatively simple life that’s an open book…
So like it or not, you’re gonna get to know me. Ahhhhh, thanks. I do feel it’s my responsibility to get my chops as good as I can and share what I feel will add to peoples’ lives.
CLAUDIA, MY CLAUDIA!! When we finally got this room carpeted back in 1995 it was white. And I adored it. But white carpet goes downhill fast. When Kelly was 6 I ripped it all up, and we basically had the underpadding as flooring for 2 years. And we got that “Oklie” (from Oklahoma, I guess) tile installed last year, whoooohoooo. We are so not carpet people. I guess some are, but not the Funster Clan.
And now, more coffee. And a bit of sustenance.
xoxoxooxxoxoxoxo
On 28 December 2011 at 10:30 am Talon said,
Hope your Christmas was a beautiful one.
The parakeets are lovely! More music to feed your soul, Jannie
xxx
On 28 December 2011 at 10:58 am Jannie said,
Ahhh, lovely KELLIE Elmore — hi! How are things in your real this fine what day is it? Oh yes, Thursday! Someday i’ll have to be real intimate and divulge how I need to tidy the shelves in that cupboard — a closet that once was a window seat. This is to be the master bedroom suite eventually when our New new living room we started 9 years ago is done.
All in due time tho, yes.
LAURA, Dearest, I have been pondering that gratitude quilt, I sure have. I guess me being grateful for our parakeets would be a great topic! I’ll see what I can come up with and hope to get it in on time if things unfold for me today to do so. Glad you got and enjoyed the MP3.
DAYDREAMERTOO! Do you have caged birds too? I got a little info on their care off Google. No direct sun, yes. And kept in a room with adequate stimulation — just not of the feline variety!!
Ahhh, thanks on all. I used to have a high reedy-thin singing voice, shrill almost. I have come a loooooong way, and it’s good for me to remember that.
SHAWNA!! Ain’t that man of mine something else!! A real artiste. He built this room in his apare time over 2 years. And a couuple years ago we remodeled it a bit. Well, HE did the remodeling. Put in 3 closets. I’ll have to take a picture looking back from the parakeet’s view! By George, I get good ideas once in a blue moon.
FIREBLOSSOM! I hade no idea how fast those little critters would wiggle into my heart. As I mentioned to someone above — I have not idea if they care for me or not, but I sure do like the! And now funny — the bigger one — the male, Kelly calls Ruffles and the female… ZEBRA! I’m so glad they have each other. A single orphaned bird would be so so sad, I think. Anyway, I still have more research to do on providing them with as comfortable an existence. I don’t even know how old they are, or how long they will live. I’m such a newbie!!
PAT!! As I wrote the above3 comment Mieshka jumped up and hung by her front paws twice. I am not kidding. So freaking brazen with me sitting right here on the side sofa. I told her to go outside and hunt her own birds. But yes, I have to be vigilant. Currently the Christmas tree is under the beam I’ll hang their cage from. Be glad when I move them to the permanent location, as I carry their cage to and fro Kelly’s room at night and when we go out. I know birds can die of fright. And LOL on the Carpenter / Budweiser carpenter. You are pretty darn interesting, you know!!
LYNN!! I din’t know either!! Kelly and I came home from that most recent sleep-over with kalyani and her daughter, and there they were. Some customer of Jim’s felt he was at the point he’d have to set them in the wild, no one to take them. So he stepped in. And here we all are!! Two more singers in the Funster band.
Yes, the intentness on Mieshka’s face lames me laugh.
SECRET AGENT WOMAN, yes, so young to die. So sad she must’ve been. Such a lovely woman and voice. But what can we do, eh? Try to be at peace wit hourselves, I guess and be courageous to offer out gifts to the world. Yes… a great Christmas indeed!! Santa brought only the one gift, plus some candy canes, but The Child was very very happy with his offerings!!
SNAGGLE!! Why do birds suddenly appear….?
And I sang “We’ve Only Just Begun” at my cousin’s wedding when I was 15. Yes, a rich rich voice, as I sais above from her heart directly to ours with her expressive tone. Yes, the chirping is so wonderful. On my song idea clips I tape into my phone’s vocal recorder I hear them! A nice little playback addition. 
Karen Carpenter in my head now at your comment. yes, having a nice week. She’s back to school on the 4th — the same day she moves over to team gymnastics!!
And now, I’m gonna call my mama. If you read this and you have a mama, call her!!
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 28 December 2011 at 11:20 am Aimee said,
No I wasn’t attacked, thankfully. I just don’t like how they move — all fluttery and unpredictable. My aunt used to have budgies. She would let them fly around in her house, and for whatever reason, they always creeped me out. I can appreciate them still, from a healthy distance
On 28 December 2011 at 12:23 pm Yousei Hime said,
The first, and one of few, concerts I went to growing up was the Carpenters. I still love her voice. With a hairbrush microphone, I sang every song to a mirror audience.
Good luck protecting those parakeets. We lost a hamster to our cat’s persistence. Thanks for your visit and peek at the sonnet(bonnet). Happiest of New Years to you.
On 28 December 2011 at 4:12 pm Mama Zen said,
Around Christmas, one can hardly avoid thinking of Karen! She’s everywhere.
On 28 December 2011 at 9:35 pm Ravenblack said,
Lovely, Jannie. Beautiful room and beautiful pets.
Thanks for sharing.
Karen Carpenter — yes, when one thinks of her one hears her singing. An unforgettable voice.
On 28 December 2011 at 10:04 pm Jannie said,
Well… I’ve sure been having fun watching parakeet how-to videos on eHow for the past 12 hour as I ate popcorn and drank crisp chilled Pinot Grigio.
Parakeets like grains and greens! And I think mine, I means OURS love me so much.
Anyhoo, getting a nice parakeet education. And of course, above all, as I already guessed Love Will Be The Answer with parakeets — same as everything and everyone else.
Now… who is “UP” next for comment scintillation…..?
STEVE KING!! How have you been? Yes, Karen’s voice was as clear as a deep bell. Hey, maybe I could harmonize my Soprano voice to her alto. You know — how Nat King Cole and Natalie harmonized digitally? She was only 36 I think when she passed, but I’ll have to double-check on that. Yep, great birds. Never had one before. It’s an adventure for sure. See you on your blog in the next couple days!
SEEK THE SUN. A truly lovely blog name and concept. Yes, Mieshka at only 7 months or so is a real pistol. So sweet, down under the Christmas tree near me, sleeping.
CINDERKEYS!!!! Hi. Long time, my buddy. I must send you my “Mary” MP3 too. Not sure if it’s a song for drums tho. That’s what great about the studio — always something to lock into or learn. Maybe pull out the drums, keep the bass and sail an ocean of piano on? So many possibilities, as you know — for songs. Will you get some more birds?
JANNIE!!
SHASHI, ahhhhh Dearest… You have such a great way with words. Not surprising as you were born writing poetry I think. “Om Namah Shivaya” right back at you back at you, please. Oh, and cool fancy font there too. You seem very technical!!
HILREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! Yes, all shapes, sizes, makes and models on the talent. I think since Karen & Richard made music from childhood they developed a great sound and sonic rapport. Yes, lovely different timbres. Different shades and tints of paint for different brushes. Pebble dashed. I’ve been to Pebble Beach once. Not the golf course, but the beach. At least I think it was the beach in CA we saw so many seals on. Think we even have pictures of them somewhere!! Such a lovely coast. Never heard of a pebble dashed house that I know of. Did someone throw pebbles at the back of your house? Some would-be suitor in the night, perhaps??
Budgies — that’s it! I’ve got a lot to learn. But much love and time to give. I have yet to pet them, but that will come I hope. I’m learning I need perches high as well as low for them. Dem Bones indeed — in our backyard and under our beds?? Apparently my 5-year-old nephew likes my “Bones” song! Mom says he’s been listening to my CD and singing that song particularly. Oh… btw, THANKS for the Christmas card. And I found the envelope written out to the one I almost sent you in 2010, along with quite a few others. But all’s well now with me. Not so much on my plate now. Life’s good! Yes, the parts of the house which are finished are delights!! The trees have grown so tall tho, the day lighting for photos is not as plentiful as of yore. Thanks for your thoughts and memories my dear — lovely and refreshing to have you share!!
Now….. a cup of Yogi tea, I think.
The Christmas tree smells lovely. The lights heat it up and give off the aroma of home.
xooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
See the rest of you later!
On 29 December 2011 at 1:50 am Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. pebbledash is just that … a trowel or scoop slurry mix of lime/cement with sand/small gravel/pebbles/shells which is chucked onto the wall as a roughcast coating. Commonly used … now coming back into fashion as a decorative use on the outside of houses. Our house was a small dairy farm at one stage .. so simple materials would have been used at the back particularly.
Glad you got the Christmas card .. I do that write an envelope, or start a card and it sits here for over a year often …?! Well I’ve put my cards away .. but thank you cards/letters are now out!!
I’d love to have that Christmas tree smell again .. fresh pine is just wonderful .. xoxoxxo cheers to you too .. Happy Thursday ….xoxoxox Hilree
On 29 December 2011 at 2:18 am Thomma Lyn said,
Amazing, I’ve thought of Karen Carpenter lately, too, and have had her songs dancing around in my head.
Parakeets! I love them. I had one when I was in junior high school, a green parakeet I named Gabby. Gabby never did learn to gab, but he sure was a cutiepie.
Mieshka is a beautiful kitty! All the resident Ballicai (otherwise known as cats) are doing well — Marilyn MonREOW is in my lap as I type, and she sends warm, rumbly purrs.
I wish you a Happy New Year, beautiful, talented Jannie! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 29 December 2011 at 8:40 am colleen said,
I like the dVerse (or is that diversion) from singing to parakeet. Your poems (and this one) has a quality of a girl skipping.
On 29 December 2011 at 10:38 am Jannie said,
WOLFSROSEBUD! I like the idea of music focusing on life. Love and laughter for the living!! Yes, I moved one of the perches up higher this morning and they’re loving it! They are playing a lot today, more than any day yet. Hoping to get a much bigger cage on CraigsList.
DR. J. TRUE, dat!! Our older cat looks up at them and figures it’s too high to even bother, but Mieshka the wonder frisker is constantly interested in “hanging out” with the budgies. And said budgies are playing and dancing up a storm this morning. I did see ohn a YouTube how a cat and a bird were friends, but I’m not counting on that with Mieshka.
LOVELY TALON!! Well, it was a lovely Christmas, yes. Yes, I loves my new I mean OUR new birdies. They are very happy today on their new higher perch. When I send you some singing clips, you’ll hear them!
AIMEE!! Wow, I wonder if your aunt’s flying budgies pooped every where as they flew? That would not be my idea of an ideal pet.
I see what you mean yes about the unpredictability of their flight. I feel that way about bats. We have lots of those here in the bat capitol of the world.
YOUSEI!! My first concert was Beatlemania. Then Styxx. Then Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show. Then John Denver. And not too many other concerts, actually. Joe Sample here at the Paramount. I figured out I can lift one of their doors and stick my camera in to hopefully get some good shots of them without the cage bars showing. Sorry ’bout your hamster. Off to write a bonnet sonnet after I post this comment.
MAMA Z. I was just sing away on one of my own songs. And hearing Karen’s harmonies. Weird, but true. I hear voices too!!
RAVENBLACK!! I wonder how ravens do in cages? Probably not too well. A very distinctive voice, yes, as I bet your singing is too.
HILARY!! Very good info on the pebble dashing. had never heard of it. Here stucco is a very popular siding too. It goes over wire mesh, as you may know. Very lovely. Spanish in fluence I think. Lots of it around Santa Fe on the adobes. Yes, I should plug in the tree lights again to get that smell going. We actually have a balsam fir! 7′ tall. And lovely. Loaded with many years of ornaments now.
THOMMA LYN!! Ahh, say hi to Miss MonREOW for me, okay? I take it you’re not allergic? I am but love both cats too much. So….. Funster haus is now replete with 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 parakeets and a bunch o fish. I think that oughta ’bout do it for pets!
Happy New Year for you too. BB says one of those 5 magnums of champagne are for YOU and your hubby! Just close your eyes and wish it there. 
COLLEEN! A girl skipping, yep that’s me!! Spent many years perfecting my skipping skills on playgrounds and in forests everywhere. Even took my skip rope to the ocean and jumped wiht ease underwater.
Thanks, my dear.
xooxoxoxoxox
And….. off I go.
On 29 December 2011 at 2:14 pm sandy said,
Love your website and that top green leafy photo. Also that room is
wonderful – love the birdy!
I came here from Dancing with Daisy.
sandy
On 29 December 2011 at 7:50 pm G-Man said,
Jannie…
Happy New Year…:-)
On 29 December 2011 at 11:56 pm Margaret said,
What an awesome room! Nice light and fireplace… and that ceiling is beautiful. Parakeet Watcher — ha ha. I love cats. (not so sold on birds though…) Happy New Year!
On 30 December 2011 at 11:27 am Alice Audrey said,
We lost several parakeets to heart attack when the cats took too much interest. Something about a cat dangling from the cage by his or her claws even thought the cage was hooked to the ceiling got the better of them.
On 31 December 2011 at 1:57 am cinderkeys said,
I would like to get another bird someday, but present circumstances don’t come close to allowing it. Ah well. Enjoy yours. Make sure they eat their vegetables! A seed-only diet is like humans only eating Big Macs.
They sure do sing pretty, don’t they?
On 31 December 2011 at 12:23 pm Jannie said,
PEOPLE!!! You have commented. Thanks.
SANDY!! Very very nice you popped over here from my dear sweet friend, Daisy’s! Thank you for the honor of your visit here. Birdies munching their new seed stick at the moment. I’m think I’ll hand a chunk of cucumber in that corner too. Still just learning about avian husbandry. Yep! I think this room came together so beautifully!
G-MAN!!! And the same to YOU! Drink lots of good coffee and eat plenty of leafy greens and choice steak in 2012, um-kay???? !!
MARGARET!! I take it you’ve had birds? I was not sold on the hamsters. Or the bunnies. But there avian buddies got right into my heart! Got them a little wooden ladder yesterday but they’ve not seemed too interested in it yet. Maybe in a bigger cage it will come in useful in some spot. Be nice to get them a little hanging “house” to sleep in at night, hang it way at the top of the cage where they like to sleep at night. I love how at sundown they are ready for bed. And sleep All NIGHT with the cover over.
ALICE AUDREY. I’ve heard of them dying of fright. And guess what?? last night I had a Major Brain Wave… hand the cage from the MIDDLE beam, over the fireplace, where Mieshka cannot catapult herself from any chair or sofa. We’ll just have to move the cage if we want to have a fire. I think they’ll make a great room “ornament” in that spot.
CINDERKEYS, yes, with birds so totally dependant to have attention and stimulation by our company, plus regular food and water changing, cage cleaning, night covering put on and off, I really have to be here and “on.” daily. Yes, that’s a great suggestion on their diet. now that tehy are supplementing their feeding area to the seed stick hanging in the corner, I aim to hang other treats there. Gonna get a cuke today. Currently there are 2 blackberries in their foodbowl with some added oat grains. I might be better off hanging those somehow too. They did not touch any of the alfalfa sprouts or baby spinkach the other day. Broccoli! I read lat night they LOVE that! yes, they do sing so prettily indeed! They’ll be real quiet for a while, then burst into a flurry of chirping and party-like chatter.
xooxoxoxoxo
On 5 January 2012 at 12:34 am cinderkeys said,
It’s hard to get keets to eat their vegetables. They’re kinda like humans that way, except that sometimes they won’t even know the veggies are supposed to be food. “Oh no, it’s a large green object in our space! What if it wants to eat us?”
Broccoli is good because it’s easy for the birds to bite off pieces without too much fuss. Try sprinkling water droplets on the food. Even if they don’t grok the veggies, they may go for the water and find out by mistake that the veggies are edible. And if one bird figures it out, the other bird will instantly get it too.
Good luck!
On 11 January 2012 at 12:53 pm Jannie said,
Cinder! I hung broccoli in an upper corner,and they love it. I’ve been feeding the veggies in the morning. Thinking I might hand the raspberries and carrot too, since they have not touched it. At least they’ve eaten a bit of dry oatmeal.
I LOVE them soooooo much!!! They are so sweet and have their own little personalities. The cocq is a real performer bytimes.
xoxo
On 11 January 2012 at 3:07 pm cinderkeys said,
Yay!
I had better luck with carrots when I shaved ‘em. Never tried dried oatmeal.
On 11 January 2012 at 6:15 pm Alice Audrey said,
Our cats were jumping straight from the floor to the ceiling. Low ceilings, but still.
whooooooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo