"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands........" 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Monday, September 1, 2008

I am "Pretty Bird"

My name is Cookie. Kathleen gave me this name when she first met me because I liked to bite cookies and taste milk out of a glass. I have spent 25 years with Kathleen and have watched her roles change from a daycare teacher, to a wife, to a mother, and to the country loving weirdo that she is now. If I could say more than " pretty bird" I could have a book on living the life with her and her family. My life with Kathleen began when I flew away from whoever had me and landed in the yard of the principal of the school that Kathleen taught at. Kathleen was more than glad to take me off of the Principal's hands. I soon met Kathleen's husband, sweetie. Also, I met Kathleen's feline friends who tried to taste me for dinner. I soon let them know with a quick bite and a hissing sound that that idea would not work. Needless to say, I ruled the roost. I was constantly perched on someone's shoulder. Over the years, Kathleen's family grew and there were soon 3 small children who poked their fingers at me and talked to me all of the time. They were somewhat entertaining. I loved to fly from door top to door top, watching and surveying from my high post. One day, as I was flying to the kitchen door top, one of the children came in through the door, I missed my landing and went straight outside. Was I scared! I landed upside down in a tree and found myself surrounded by 7 hungry cats. How happy I was to feel Kathleen's hands clasp around me and to carry me back inside! Kathleen whistles the same song to me over and over, I sing my own version back, which seems to make her happy anyway. I now have slowed down in my flying. I have to be careful because sometimes, I hit the door instead of landing on it. I spend my days playing with my bells and bright colored toys and sometimes I whistle to the birds I hear outside. The children that once were so small don't stop by to visit much anymore,they are tall and now not much interested in me, except maybe a whistle to me now and then. If the weather is pretty, I sit out on the front porch and enjoy the day. When the days are extremely cold, I sit by the fireplace pufffed up, sleepy and enjoy treats being fed to me. My feathers are a little worn, but I still look beautiful, ... Kathleen tells me so, as well as the bird on the other side of the glass I look into. I don't know much about the life outside of my cage bars, except for feeling scared and lost when I get away from them. Even though it seems like a cage, it is my corner of the world, where all is safe and even if only in Kathleen's eyes, I am still "Pretty Bird".

15 comments:

Pamela said...

I so enjoyed reading about Cookie--tell him I think he's a Pretty Bird, too.

You said you live in West Texas. I grew up in Denver City. Anywhere close?

Nancy M. said...

Cool post about Cookie. Your cockatiel seems really sweet. The one I have now is a little bit insane. She bites me all the time, even though I try to be nice to her. I miss Winston, he was a great bird.

Flower said...

Cookie is a pretty bird!! Thanks for sharing the story!

Tipper said...

Cookie sounds like a nice friend to have around!

Chris said...

Kathleen, I have really enjoyed meeting Max & Cookie.

Love 'em both!

Gingerbreadshouse7 said...

I really enjoyed your post about Cookie ...I think you really captured his thoughts :o)....Ginny

Jen's Farmily said...

We had a parakeet who could say 'pretty bird' too. Birds must be very vain. hee hee.

I like how you're introducing us to the animals around your neck of the woods!

Connie said...

Nice to meet you Cookie! :D

Wonderful post, Kathleen. I think Cookie is not only a pretty bird but a lucky bird as well to be owned by you. I enjoyed hearing about his life.

KathyB. said...

I have a cockatiel named Belle. Our grandchildren named her. She whistles 'Jingle bells', 'Thy Loving Kindness' and then she wolf whistles and mixes the songs up. She really whistles up a racket when we have church in our home...I like hearing about your bird and how she fits into your home and family.Cookie looks like my Belle . KathyB. p.s. It is kind of nice when Belle does her wolf whistle as I walk into the kitchen in the morning, in my robe with no make up on, hair a mess. She appreciates me how ever I look .

Vickie said...

Kathleen - my sister has a cockatiel like yours. His name is Jo-Jo. He's been with her for a LOOOOOONG time, too. He loves her and no one else. He whistles and mixes his songs together and will sing and whistle for only my sis. Cookie is a lucky bird! Fun to hear about her. Vickie

Julie said...

Oh! How sweet!
I've never had a bird before. Are they fun?
I used to teach pre-school at a daycare (for a short time!)too.
Blessings,
Julie

Linda said...

I'm delighted to find your blog. I lived in Texas 62 years before moving to Portland, OR in 2004. I'm thrilled when I find a Texas blogger. I love your animal stories, you sound like a wonderful mommy to these creatures.

Bless you for trying to make a farm in west Texas.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

So good to hear from all of you and from you new bloggers! Thanks for visiting! Blessings, Kathleen

Darlene said...

I LOVE Cookie....I used to have a cockatiel named Tico and the only thing she said was Pretty Bird and woof whistled. I loved reading her little story. I can tell y'all have had a long, wonderful life together.

Paula said...

Oh how sweet.... I love how you told this from his perspective...
He really is a pretty bird!!