Conure Corner - Niblet's Blog

Passwords and Vaccines

3/4/2021

Mommy has been having a hard time with passwords lately. It seems they need changing everywhere she goes, and the problem is keeping up with all of them. It can be frustrating. She threatened to submit to the old joke of changing them all to the word "incorrect" so when it pops up "Your password is incorrect" she'll say "oh yea, that's right!"

Don't do it, mommy. Hackers are everywhere. Except Mars. I don't think they've figured out how to hack the robots on Mars yet. Oh goodness, could you imagine the drama if that happened? Real life Autobots. That's scary. Maybe mommy and Bubbles could write a story about that. Or not!

It is ridiculous. I don't know how you humans keep up with it all. Another tough one: whose eligible for the COVID vaccine in this round? It took the parronts a couple of days to figure out the "front line worker with increased occupational risk" thing. Bottom line: daddy qualifies because he works in a school. Mommy doesn't, because she's a too-young lucky duck paper pusher who isn't exposed to the public much. Good for her. But that quacker will have to wait for her vaccine until April - and she'll just barely make that one based on age.

Daddy is glad to be eligible, but expressed some concern over a conspiracy theory that the vaccine changes your DNA and might turn you into a metahuman or alien or something. Really? The scifi thing again? We seem to be stuck on a theme in this home/nest these days. It's not true, but I'm adding it to my "list of theories that amuse me."

Actually, I pick on mommy but I'm proud of her. On top of releasing a new book on Monday, she also learned that she won 5 silver medal "Recommended Read" awards in the 2021 Author Shout Reader Ready Awards. Congratulations, mommy! Monday was a big day for her. Way to go!

That's all today. Take care, keep track of those passwords, and get vaccinated if you can. Have a Happy Friday tomorrow and a wonderful weekend.

Luv,

Zack

Celebrating a Book Release

2/24/2021

Mommy has a new book coming out on March 1! It’s actually the start of a new science-fiction series and it’s titled Domino, Book One of The Sentience Series. She did a blog on what it’s about that you can read here. It’s deep stuff riding shotgun with a writer, but I have to say that I’ve enjoyed it. The Earthside Box Set was well underway when I was adopted in 2016, so this is the first book series that I’ve worked with mommy with from the very beginning of the brainstorming and development to publication. It’s exciting!

Zack and I should have a release party for her this weekend. She likes “pajama parties,” so we can get in our PJ feathers, pop some popcorn, and have fun binge-watching TV. Or boogeying to music. Or having a yummy dinner that we all can share and love.

Wait, we do that every weekend. Oh well. We can call it a party this weekend. Yay!

Perhaps we’re dull, but that’s alright. If you read her entry, then you see that we’ve had enough drama for now. Add the COVID-19 madness, and boring is alright. We’ll have our PJ parties and enjoy them, whether we’re celebrating or not. Heck, we are celebrating. Life itself is worth celebration.

That’s all today. You take care, and have a great rest of the week.

Luv,

Bubbles

Lent

2/18/2021

The season of Lent is here, and people are talking about what they're giving up for this season of fasting and sacrifice.

That's something the parronts gave up long ago. Actually, I think they gave up giving stuff up for Lent seven years ago, when Ollie died the day before Lent. They said they gave up their beloved son bird forever, and just weren't up to any more sacrifice. I see the point in that! We all loved and still miss Ollie. He was a great little brother, and he sang beautifully. We have Bubbles now and she's a joy, but the parronts never got back into giving up stuff for Lent.

It's not a crisis of faith. I think it has to do with the parronts discovering that they weren't getting anything out of these Lenten fasts/sacrifices, so they decided not to waste their time. Combine that with how people tend to brag about what they gave up and talk about it all the time, and it seems to this parrot that giving up stuff for Lent is more drama and theater than actual spiritual development anyway.

Not to say it's useless. It's survived over 2,000 years because it must work for somebody - just not anybody we know.

I guess the bottom line is that you have to be true to your heart and know what's right for you. If giving up the usual list of of things (caffeine, sugar, salt, sweets, red meat, social media, smoking, biting your nails, soft drinks, junk food, etc) isn't working, then don't waste your time. Try something else instead, and see if that works. For example, a couple of years ago somebody suggested to mommy that you take up some new, good habit instead of giving up a bad thing, like contributing to charity, exercising, saving money, getting organized - basically, taking back up or revamping those New Year's Resolutions. She loved that suggestion, and got a lot out of it. In fact, this year for Lent she has a goal of getting releasing her next novella (set up and due for release March 1), getting a beta read for the next novella in the series, and finishing a cross stitch pattern she's so close to getting done. I think meeting goals beats giving up stuff that's going to make you cranky anyway.

Why not try a new thing this year? It can't hurt and hey, Lent will come back next year. Like all holidays, it always comes back around, every year.

That's all today. Take care. Have a Happy Friday and a wonderful weekend.

Bye!

Conure Pep Talk

2/5/2021

Ok everybody, I'm a cheerful ray of sunshine, so I just have to ask this:

What the hell is wrong with you people?

Ever since the holidays ended, people have either been massively depressed, or angry. There is no middle ground. It seems everybody is either fighting with other people, or with themselves. The parronts have had too many dinner conversations over how to deal with people with problems. I know it's winter and not the greatest time of year, but folks, this is ridiculous. The state of the world can only change if the individuals in it take positive action to improve and do their part to plant the seeds for a better tomorrow.

I'm no therapist, but I have cuddled, comforted, and coached my parronts through many seasons in life, and can give you one invaluable piece of advice that will improve your life, your relationships, and your circumstances:

Be a decent human being.

That's it. The olden, golden rule of doing unto others and you'd have done unto yourself, and not growing weary in doing good because you'll eventually reap a harvest. It can't get better until you get better. So please, take some time to take stock. Meditate. Talk to somebody. Go to the doctor. Go to church. Get help if you need it. Get that kick in the butt or pull your head out of your rear end and take a look around. Whatever it takes, just do it. You can't control the world, but your perspective can change your world which, in turn, can have a domino effect for good - and that's something we all could use.

All of this anger, rage, and depression is making more chaos. Going with the flow has led to an ocean of crap, so maybe it's time to be a rebel. Crawl out, clean up yourself and your attitude, and start anew as the person your parrot thinks you are.

So do it. Be a decent person. And if anybody asks you how or why, tell them a little bird told you.

That's all today. Have a Happy Friday and a wonderful weekend.

Luv,

Zack

Insulted

1/19/2021

Well, mommy has insulted me! She's writing her February article for The Roost about managing hormonal behavior in pet parrots. We've been having some squabbles of late over territory, sleep times, and unauthorized cage cleanings and rotation of toys. And she says I'm hormonal? How rude! As if she's always Miss Congeniality!

Truth be told, she's keeping it general. I snuck a peek at her rough draft, and she didn't mention me or Zack specifically. At least she's being fair. She also admits in the article that there are some things about human homes that aggravate us, and encourages parronts to deal with these issues. So she didn't call me out. Still, you know how it is. It's like everybody being scheduled for training because of something you did - they don't call you out, but the instance is clearly mentioned as "this happened" and you know it's about you. It's chastising, and ruffles the feathers.

I forgive her, I suppose. She has had her head in the sand working on her writing lately, and just completed getting her latest novel ready to publish on March 1. You can read more on that journey here at her blog, if you're interested. I'm not. Ok,. maybe that's too harsh. I've been living through it, so I've seen it first hand and it's not surprise revelations to me. Hrmph.

I'm going to have a snack and preen now. I'll get over it, but I think I do need to keep her on her toes just a bit longer.

That's all today. Stay safe, take care, and have a great week.

Luv,

Bubbles

Back to Boring

1/5/2021

Happy New Year! The holidays are over, and it's back to our boring routine again. The lights, decorations, and cards are packed away, and the parronts are back to work. So it's a return to the normal routine of playing with the toys we got for Christmas and Zack's birthday, hanging out, meals and snacks, watching the parronts work and do stuff around the house, bing watching whatever the parronts find on TV, and - it's just winter.

Its so boring.

Then again, I suppose we shouldn't complain after the dumpster fire that was 2020. Some countries are going back into lockdown and while the U.S. hasn't, we're still encouraged to limit our excursions. Mommy and daddy are pretty good about that. Heck, everybody we know is good about it. The humans are tired from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. I think they want to hibernate now. It's not a bad idea. Winter does suck.

I suppose we should take the advice mommy had in her blog today and enjoy the return to our mundane routine. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas especially were crazy-busy for everybody. I can't believe it was still insanity with no holiday parties to attend. Must just be the rhythm of the season, much like the beginning of January is a rhythm of dull routine. That's ok. Perhaps we do need it. It's been a while since there were days of normal things. I'm going to enjoy it - and these snazzy new toys, too.

I hope all of you are off to a great start to 2021. You stay safe, take care, and have a great week.

Luv,

Bubbles

Happy Birthday Zack!

12/31/2020

Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday dear Zacchaeus!
Happy birthday to you!
And many more!
We want you to have many more!

Happy birthday Zack! It's your 21st hatchday, and you have blessed us so much over the years. This year especially you and your sister had your work cut out for you, and you were champs. Honestly, I don't know what daddy and I would have done without you two. You are our golden joy-boy, and we love you.

Have a great hatchday/birthday, Zack! May the Lord bless you and keep you full of joy!

Love,

Daddy, Mommy, and Bubbles

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

12/17/2020

Happy Holidays anipals! We wanted to take a moment before the parronts got whisked away by the holiday season to thank all of you for being great friends. We especially appreciated your friendship and support this year, as we went through major transitions due to COVID and the loss of our human granddaddy last summer. You guys have been outstanding. Thank you so much.

We hope you have a safe and Happy Holiday season. We wish you a Merry Christmas but whatever you celebrate, we hope it's wonderful. We pray that you find joy and contentment in the close of the year, and that 2021 will bring us all new potential, opportunities, and blessings.

Stay safe, and have a Happy Holiday season! We wish you all the best now and always!

God Bless,

Zack and Bubbles

Enjoying the Season

12/8/2020

I have to admit that Zack has a point: Christmas is a fun season. I'm enjoying the lights, the trees, and all of the decorations. The TV shows and movies and the presents under the tree are quite interesting too. They certainly make everybody in this flock happy, and that's something we definitely need!

It's exciting to help the parronts with things too. I like mommy talking about gifts and "supervising" the wrapping. I also like watching daddy look at colorful things on his tablet to order for Christmas. Everybody seems excited and busy with so much going on. I have to admit, it's a nice change this gloomy year. And the lights and decorations do brighten up what would be a very dark and depressing season otherwise. It's clever, really, to have your biggest holiday during the shortest days of the season.

And of course, Zack can barely contain himself. That Christmas conure is full of joy, and it's contagious. That's alright! We could use more of that.

Yes, I am enjoying the season. Just don't ask me if I'm having a "blue Christmas." Mommy thinks that's funny for some reason, but I am not amused. That gets her the stink eye every time. Even if it makes Zack cackle.

That's all today. Take care, and have a great week.

Luv,

Bubbles

Its Christmas Time!

11/29/2020

Oh by gosh, by golly. It's time for Christmas trees and stockings! And Santa!

It's Christmas time! Yay!

Mommy calls me her "Christmas conure," because I get so excited every year when she and daddy decorate for Christmas. That was yesterday for us. The house is all decked out and festive now - just the way I like it. All of the presents and lights are so festive and fun. This is my favorite time of year. I love it! I think Bubbles is even excited about it.

We did have a great Thanksgiving. It was full of food and fun, which is always agreeable to us parrots. But Christmas is the ultimate. The very best season and time of year - well, except for the cold weather which sucks - but everything else is awesome! Nativities and Santas and special shows and music. It's so festive and fun.

We hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are off to a great start to the Christmas season. Yes, things have been scaled back due to COVID, but we're finding a way, as we have been since March. And so, we shall continue to. It might be different, but it can still be fun.

That's all today. Take care, and have a great week.

Luv,

Zack