Category: Summer

Still Summer

9/7/2014

I'll have all of those who say that Labor Day is the "unofficial end of summer" know that "unofficial" is the verb in that sentence, because it's still summer in central South Carolina! In fact, late August through mid-September is the peak of summer for us. Why? The humidity soars. It's not uncommon for the humidity to soar to 80-90% this time of year. Add highs in the 90's and it's hot. Then it won't rain for 5-7 days, and once it does, it storms. It's been storming this afternoon, and we're actually grateful for that. Maybe we'll get some relief from the heat/humidity, at least for a little while.

Yes, summer still has about a month to go here. We don't start to cool off until October, and it comes at night first. The lows will drop before the highs do. Then one day in October or early November, it'll drop from the 80's to the 60's and people will be like "holy crap, it got COLD!" Yep, that's how it usually goes.

I know fall is already coming to some of you, and I say enjoy it. But if you aren't ready for summer to end yet, come down south. We still have 6-8 weeks to go.

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

Luv,

Chloe

Summer Schedule

6/12/2014

So daddy started on his summer schedule, and 3 out of 4 of us are having problems adjusting. Oh, mommy is doing fine. It’s no change for her. But now he comes home an hour later, and it’s a problem for the rest of us! He’s exhausted, and we’re about to go crazy waiting for them to come home from work. It’s good he has Friday’s off, but that’s tiring day for him and a long, lonely day for us. I’m glad I have Zack to keep me company!

Of course, sometimes I wonder if he’s really listening when I chatter at him. He goes right on doing what he wants: playing, eating, and sleeping sometimes, I suspect. But seriously, he is good company. He talks back, which is good, and I’ve learned a lot from him. All things considered, Zack really is a good guy, even if he takes a nap in the middle of an interesting conversation. We may be adopted brother and sister (and we certainly act like it), but as long as both of us stay in our own personal space, it’s all good. And since we have our own cages, it works out really good.

I’m sure we’ll get used to this new schedule. I’m also sure that it will be time for daddy to go back to his regular schedule by the time we do!

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

Luv,

Chloe

Mid-Summer Fun!

7/7/2013

It's mid-summer fun time! We just got back from the beach with our parents and grandparents to celebrate the 4th of July. It was a lot of fun to celebrate with the salt air in our feathers and our screams reverberating throughout the campground. We hope many people came to know the joy of parrots during our visit. We even survived the fireworks over the weekend. Still not sure why humans like to celebrate their independence by blowing stuff up. It doesn't make sense and might be a testament to their true intelligence - or lack thereof.

We came back yesterday so the parronts could settle in before heading back to work, and daddy extended the fun by grilling steaks and hamburgers. Nom nom! We love summer! The only thing is that it's terribly humid outside - it's rained and stormed a lot lately - and daddy still hasn't zapped that carpenter bee that's been pestering and sassing him so far. But no worries, because there's plenty of summer for him to defeat that villain!

The only gripe the parronts have is that all of the good summer movies seem to have come out earlier in the summer. We heard that The Lone Ranger flopped this weekend, and fear that our only salvation might be in the Netflix cue. With our regular TV shows in summer reruns and Breaking Bad not scheduled to resume until August 11th, it could be a long July.

Oh well. There's still plenty of summer left to enjoy and we certainly intend to. There are books and ebooks to read, cross stitching, movies on satellite and through Netflix, and longer days to enjoy. Summer fun for all - yay!

That being said, we are a bit tired from our adventures, but it's a good tired. And we'll get to catch up on our rest while the parronts go back to work this week.

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

Luv,

Zack

Busy Times

6/15/2013

June is usually a busy time for us. Daddy goes on his summer schedule of working longer days Monday - Thursday and having Friday's off. That's been a big adjustment for us this week, because now both of our parents get home around the same time four days a week. We're used to daddy getting home before mommy. But they're having to adjust too, as supper is usually later in June and July while he's on this schedule. But we manage. We always do.

And changes at work mean that mommy and daddy have to adjust their schedules. Daddy works longer days four days a week, and mommy said that for some reason, the meetings take off especially in June. She has 4 meetings this month and 2 on schedule for next month. It's ironic, because you'd think this would be vacation season and people wouldn't want to meet, but they squeeze it in, somehow.

Mommy says that going out at lunch is also more of a challenge. She sometimes runs errands on her lunch break, and places are more crowded because the kids are out of school, and parents and caregivers and trying to keep the kiddos entertained and stimulated during the long, hot days of summer.

It's also busy with celebrations. That actually starts in May and it typically runs through the 4th of July. It isn't just the "parenting holidays" (as mommy refers to them), but it's also anniversaries, birthdays, and the natural uptick of invites to "get out there and enjoy summer!" And shameless plug: my birthday is June 24th. I'll be 3!

Yes, summertime is a busy time, but we always manage to enjoy it. Thankfully, we have longer days. And boy do we need them! Well, there's still 24 hours in a day, but more hours of sunlight just make it seem like you have more time to get out there to do things and enjoy life.

So we're busy, but good. I hope you're all doing well. Have a great weekend and I hope all of you daddy's out there have a Happy Father's Day tomorrow.

Luv,

Ollie

Yay for Summer!

5/30/2013

The calendar may say it’s the spring days of May flowers, but the weather in South Carolina is already singing summer. The temperatures are already warming up to the eighties and low nineties, the pollen has slacked off, and most telling: the wind and rain have stopped. Mommy always says the air dries up and stops moving when it gets hot here, and darn if she isn’t right.

It’s alright with me. I like the sunshine, and I find the longer days pleasant. We have air conditioning, so the heat and humidity don’t burn or droop our feathers (although mommy is known to give us more frequent baths when the weather warms up – now why does she do that?” Mommy moves my cage to the big window every morning when we get up since the sun is coming up then, and I get over 3 hours of time when they get home from work. I love it! There are always birds at the feeder, and squirrels hanging around under it trying to catch some wayward seed. Chloe’s up on all the hot gossip with our outside buddies. The bluebirds are raising their young in the house out back, and there are even a couple of Carolina wrens that perch on the picnic table and back stair banister and sing to me several times a day. Ah yes, summertime, full of life, activity and fun!

I say hooray for spring and summer. It’s the best time of the year. There’s a lot going on and much to enjoy during this pleasant and festive season. And as a bonus, my birthday is on June 24th. I’ll be
three and if Chloe’s recent birthday is any indication then we will have gifts, celebrations, and partying again soon. Yay!

I hope you’re doing well. Have a happy Friday tomorrow and a great weekend.

Luv,

Ollie

Thanks to All Who Serve!

5/26/2013

I'd like to take a moment this Memorial Day weekend to bob my head in approval of all those who have or do serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, and to respectfully honor those who have died to protect our freedom. We can't thank you enough for the great sacrifices you have and continue to make to protect our freedom.

So while you're celebrating this long weekend as the "unofficial start of summer," please remember that you enjoy your time at the beach, on the lake, at the bar-b-que, or celebrating with family, friends and neighbors because of the men and women in uniform that protect your freedom to enjoy the liberties that are a part of everyday life. I'd give every one of you winghugs, and send up wingprayers for the protection of you and your family in honor of the protection you offer us.

Thanks to all who serve, and who have served! May God bless you and your family above and beyond all you can imagine and give you protection, grace, and favor this day and always.

Be safe, everybody, and enjoy your weekend.

Luv,

Chloe

Ready for a Long Weekend!

5/24/2013

Yea, birdy buddies, we sure are ready for the long weekend here! Of course, you know me. Any reason to celebrate is a good one. I'm a party bird. I think I enjoyed Chloe's birthday more than she did. I love to celebrate!

And why not? When you're a pet bird, life is good. We've got it made. And now mommy and daddy are going to be home with us for 3 whole days. Yippee! Let the free play fun time begin! Sleeping in, followed by preening, playing, hanging out on daddy's shoulder and listening to Ollie sing, showing Chloe how to properly destroy her toys - these are a few of MY favorite things!

I'm excited. Life is good and now it's a long weekend and summertime. Hooray!

I hope you've all had a happy Friday and that you have a good weekend planned. Be safe and have fun if you're traveling. If you aren't (like us), then enjoy the extra time to rest and do some things you want to do.

Have a great weekend.

Luv,

Zack