This photo if of my two Plumhead parakeets named Cupcake and Jelly. Cupcake is the male in the front with spectacular head colors and dark neck ring. Jelly is his sister and has typical female colors (which are not too shabby either).

Last week Jelly came with me to a girl scout troop meeting along with my birds Zoey and Daffy. Jelly is very gentle and I never worry about her biting a stranger. Most of the little girls (first and fourth graders) held either Jelly or Daffy. It was a chaotic good time. I didn't let anyone except me hold Zoey because she is new to me and I don't know her response yet to strangers (particularly children).
I am grateful nobody was bitten and I am glad the girls got to see something a little bit special.

Yesterday I had a really nice meal with a friend at SoupPlantation. I think they call it "Sweet Tomatoes" in the Midwest. I really love to eat salads but dislike preparing them myself. It was a guiltless banquet since the main ingredient on my plate was fresh spinach. Of course I did try the Lemon Lava cake...but didn't much like it (which turns out to be better for me in the long run).

The morning was a total bust for me but the afternoon and evening were not so bad considering I took another load of laundry to my car (just stuck it in the car). That is one step closer to doing actual wash at the laundramat.
Also I made some progress on the fringe portion of a cranberry color amulet bag which I am making. I didn't break any of the beads so far on this project. That is great considering they are very tiny glass beads and easy to break.

Zoey the Caique is settling in to her home here with me. She flies to me when she wants me to pet her head. She is also very endearing when she lays her head on my shoulder while I cuddle her and scratch her ears and chin. Daffy and Zoey are to the point where they can share a neutral perch without ruffled feathers. And I do mean that in the literal sense.

It would be easy to gripe about my achy bod and the wasted hours...but it is far easier to be glad for my Joyful friend, progress on a project, the comfort of my own apartment (however dirty), and an easy microwave dinner. I was glad for the snuggles of my birds and the hope I feel that this will be a much better year than last year. I do, afterall, have a great big God who is capable of more than even I can imagine or dream. My life is not totally dependent on me because God has got my back.

GratefulJoy