A Beautiful Day At The Temple. . . .

Joshua visited us in July. He rode out with Miranda, They came
a week before our family reunion so Josh could spend some time
with us before every one got here.

Hannah was already here. She had flown out two weeks earlier.
Miranda was going to be staying in Phoenix to start preparing for
the school yer. She hoped to get some things done before the rest
of the family arrived. She stayed here for three days with Hannah
and Josh before going to Phoenix.

It was fun spending time with them. We played Yahtzee, went to
In n' Out Burger, shopped, went to In n" Out Burger, swam, went
to In n' Out Burger. They spent time with Rhonda and Steve,
Brinton, Cote, Brexton, Nixin, Trey, Jenna, and Montana. While
with them, they shopped, went to In n' Out Burger, swam, went
to In n' Out Burger, went to movie, played with Rhonda and
Steve's animals, rode in their golf cart, went to an extreme sport
skateboard event, and more fun things. Oh, and did I mention that
they went to In n' Out Burger? Oh yeah, and how many trips did
they make to Jamba Juice?

For George and I, the highlight of Josh's stay with us was the trip
we made to the beautiful Mesa Temple. We went so Josh could
experience the joy of being baptized for some of his Wimsatt
ancestors. With Josh acting as proxy for 18 of his ancestors,
George baptized and confirmed them as members of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I was able to be up close to watch
these sacred ordinances being performed. It was a joyful time for
all of us.

We ate lunch in the cafeteria. While we were there, the temple
president came to our table to talk to Josh. He asked him where he
was from and then talked to him about Bentonville and his life there.
He then shook his hand and thanked him for visiting the temple and
participating in the sacred ordinances for his ancestors. Joshua
looked so handsome and we were very proud of him.

After lunch, we strolled the temple grounds and took some pictures.
It was a beautiful Arizona morning and a special time shared with
our grandson. Thank you, Joshua.

More Point Hilton Pictures. . . .

Ina and George - Yep, we started this!

Tracy and her son Cameron relaxing.

Tracy's daughter Chasity also taking a minute to chill.

Steve and Miranda taking time out for a chat.

Pointe Hilton Splash and Other Fun. . . .

Hurry, I'm ready to go.

Can I go? Can I go? Please!

Lots of action on the volley ball court from Cameron.

Great serve, Brinton!

Trey and Josh say "We're ready!

I got the ball, now what?

Craig taking pictures of family fun.

I see Cote giving Nixin a boost! I see Chris, Jeni, Ryan and Ethan.

Who's dunking Ethan? I think it's Uncle Justin.

Trey and Grandpa George getting ready to toss Hannah.

Okay, here we go!

Nixin says "Here I come!"

Aaah, so refreshing.
I see Brinton and Charlotte, Justin, Jeni, Nixin and Ethan.

Brexton says, "I'm outta here!"

Three little Princesses, Nixin, Ryann, and Montana.

Trey, Jenna and Montana, a happy family!

Have you ever seen a cuter little leg?

Ryann says, "I want the ball."

"It's mine!"

"Got it, Mommy!"

Swimming wears a girl out! A tired Montana.

Steve, Miranda and Ryann relaxing in the shade.

I caught Rhonda relaxing in the shade.

She say's, "This is the life!"

Oops! Paul got splashed when Ethan landed.

It's up, up, and away for Ethan! He's got his hat on!

Grandpa Paul, Great Grandpa George, and Ethan!

The UpWords tradition continues with Grandma Ina.
4th and 5th generation, Josh, Chasity, and Ethan.

With Grandma Joanne, sister Ryann, and Cameron watching,
Ethan became a bit bashful, but he knows how to play the game.
He set it up all by himself, "Don't help me, I will do it!"

George and Ina's 60th Wedding Anniuversary Celebration. . . .

You don't chose your family, they are God's gift to you, as
you are to them. - Desmond Tutu -

Several of the last stories I wrote were about George and my
wedding and reception. It was a joyous day filled with love
and laughter. We were excited and filled with enthusiasm as
we looked forward to our life together.

I have found that as we grow old, friends and family become
tolerant of the many eccentricities associated with the aging
process. Keep that in mind and travel with me as I leapfrog
ahead 60 years from that day to another wonderful day filled
with love and laughter.

George and I celebrated our 6oth Wedding Anniversary on
May 24, 2011. When Rhonda asked me what we wanted to do
for our anniversary, I told her the only thing we wanted was
for our family to be together and have family pictures taken.

She, Paul, and Craig, decided that the weekend of July 21st-24th
was when everyone could be together in Arizona. With Rhonda
as coordinator, they began to plan it. She researched different
sites and was impressed with the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak
Resort in Phoenix. It is a Spanish style resort set on a mountain
side with panoramic views. It seemed to have everything we
needed for both young and old alike to have a great time.

The family gathered together, coming from Arizona, Arkansas,
California, and Utah. Craig's very special lady, Tracy, her son
Cameron and daughter Chasity, came. Miranda's boyfriend,
Ryan also came. We were very happy to have them.

We booked six casitas in Casita Village and were fortunate to
have them close together. They are charming, designed with a
distinct "south of the border" flair. There is a central area with
a fountain. Three private swimming pools with jacuzzi, lounges
with umbrellas and shelves with towels are situated among the
casitas for the exclusive use of casita residents. Near the pools
are laundry facilities, vending machine and ice.

The casitas are spacious and comfortable, two stories with living
room, large screen TV, dining room, nice furniture, kitchenette
with bar, fridge, microwave, hot beverage brewer, and half bath
on the ground floor. A small entry room with a wet bar and sink,
opens into a car port with a private parking space.

The bedroom/bedrooms, are upstairs; great beds. large bath,
another large TV, and ammenities including an ironing board and
iron, hair dryer, and lots of towels which are huge and plush. A
balcony with table, chairs and umbrella, opens off the bedroom.

There are many things to enjoy, exercise room, children's play
area, spa, golf, miniature golf, and many more. The main reason
we thought the family would enjoy this resort was for The-Hole-
In-The-Wall River Ranch, a four acre water park with a huge
pool, waterfalls, water slide, and encircling it, the Lazy River
where you can lazily float in big tubes around the entire park.

The pool area was where we spent most of our time. Passes are
issued to each casita for admission to the park and towels are
furnished. There are plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas. Some
lounges are under overhangs for extra shade. Slim Picken's Grill
offers poolside grub and coolers with ice water and glasses are
always available. All of us loved the pool. The Lazy River tubing
was very popular with the entire family. One end of the pool was
set up for water volley ball. All ages of the family played and their
games were intense and competitive with lots of laughter. There
are two other on site restaurants available; The Hole-In-The-Wall
and Rico's American Grill.

There are several areas available for special events. For our picture
taking session Saturday morning, we chose two patio garden areas.
They are beautifully landscaped with trees, shrubs, and flowers,
arched entryways, benches, and a beautiful fountain. The family
had been concerned about the choice of brown, orange, and rust to
wear with our denim for the pictures. It turned out to be a lovely
choice. We had a beautiful mix of shades that blended perfectly
with the Spanish architecture which was painted in rich rusty
brown with rust brown tile. It was fun to see how each individual's
personality was reflected in their choice of apparel. Amanda, our
photographer, was very nice, professional, and helpful. She and
Rhonda came up with some special groupings for pictures which
everyone seemed to approve. We can't wait to see the pictures.

This reunion was all I wanted it to be, and more. It was balm for
my soul. In a world fraught with so much uncertainty and danger,
I find peace in the companionship, support, and love of my family.
Let's not take the value of family bonds for granted. We can build
a beautiful creation for today and the generations that follow.

Sights and sounds from this reunion that are irrevocably woven
into my memory and nestled lovingly in my heart and soul:

Our dinner of delicious Mexican food Friday evening. Casitas
filled with love and laughter as family visits one to another. Me
and my kids, Paul, Rhonda, and Craig playing UpWords, a Scrabble
tradition, now third generation as I play with Joshua and Chasity,
and more amazing, a fourth generation as I play with Ethan. From
watching the adults play, he knew exactly how to set the board up
and how to count his tiles and moves. Joanne saying to him early
in the morning, "So this is why you insisted we come down here?"
(to play) Cameron playing his first UpWords game. Miranda
sorting the salt water taffy into piles by flavor and being so proud
and happy to introduce Ryan to her extended family. Hannah and
Charlotte laughing as they discover my chocolate stash (oh no!)
Justin teasing me as he eats all of the cashews from the mixed
nuts (another oh no!). Cote landing perfect ollies on his skate
board in the casita courtyard. Spur laying by Montana as she
sleeps and taking the squeaker out of Muggles' toy. Muggles
laying on her pillow in front of the window happily watching the
"world go by", and biting my toes when it is time to eat. Rhonda
bringing Nixin to our casita to "pick out her treat". Our three
sassy little princesses, Nixin, Ryann, and Montana, in their
"teensy weensy little bikinis". Ryann and Montana tuckered out
from all of the excitement, sleeping in their strollers under the
overhang with Jeni and Jenna running back and forth to check on
them. George and I lounging in the shade of the overhang with
the sleeping babies and laughing at our family as they play in the
pool. Fun! Joshua, Cote, and Brexton having a good time as they
lazily drift in tubes on The Lazy River. Rhonda and Steve tubing.
Craig and Tracy and Paul and Joanne's families in their tubes.
Shouts and laughter from the volley ball teams. Paul, Chris, and
Justin tossing Ethan into the air over and over again. Ethan
making sure his hat was on each time they tossed him and Chris
making sure he had it. Trey tossing Hannah for a high dive into
the pool and he and Jenna so proud as Montana was dunked for
the first time. Jeni in the pool with Ryann. Brinton, Steve, Rhonda
playing in the pool with Cote, Brexton and Nixon, and Rhonda
laughing as she cuddles and plays with her little Princess, Montana.
Tracy and Chasity playing together. Brinton walking across the bridge
with his kids for a ride down the slippery rock slide. Brexton
curling up on a lounge by me and saying, "I'm tired and bored
with swimming now, can we go to your casita?" Me, "What
would we do at the casita?" Him, "Well you've got snacks and we
can watch TV." George deciding to go into the pool the second day
and telling me, "That was very refreshing." Cameras snapping.
Thank you Rhonda for taking most of my pictures. Two leisurely
breakfasts at Rico's American Grill with Steve and Rhonda with
Hannah joining us for one. The best Eggs Benedict I have had for
a very long time. Watching the whirl of activity at the picture
taking session. Steve (Papa) gently coaxing a reluctant Nixin
through the session. Our grandkids laughing and teasing us as
they say I "looked shocked" when Amanda told George to give
me a kiss for one of the pictures. Ryann running everywhere as
fast as her chubby little legs could take her with Jeni and Joanne
in hot pursuit. Great exercise girls! Brinton and Trey's goofy kiss
for the photographer! Pei Wei with Craig and Tracy and their kids.
Celebrating Trey's birthday at The-Hole-In-The-Wall restaurant
Saturday evening and watching Jenna laugh as he and Ethan blow
out the candle and devour his ice cream brownie birthday sundae.
Hugs, kisses, and back slaps as we checked out of our casitsas.

Thank you Paul, Rhonda, and Craig for giving us this wonderful
gift. We will never forget it. And a huge thank you to each of
our wonderful family for being there to celebrate with us. If
even one of you had been missing, it would not have been so
perfect.

I have to mention our Scattagories games the last day Craig
and Tracy were here. Ten of us; George and I, Tracy and Craig,
Cameron, Chasity, Miranda, Ryan, Hannah, and Joshua, sitting
around our dining room table playing and laughing hilariously at
some of the answers given. It was a blast! I wish everyone could
have played.

Thank you to Miranda, Hannah, and Joshua for coming early
and spending time with us and the rest of your Mesa family.
It was fun to have you.

A Very Special Wedding Gift. . . .

George William Wadsworth on his mission in England

Sarah Mariah Terry Wadsworth

Josephine Rebecca Terry Wadsworth

Aunt Josie as I knew her

I will attempt to establish a foundation for this story with
some genealogy.

My great grandfather, George Allen Wadsworth and his wife
Elizabent Broadbent, had eleven children. My father's father,
Nephi John, was the second child. George William (Will) was
the fourth child, and the father in this story.

Thomas Sirls Terry, my great grandfather and his wife, Eliza
Jane Pulsipher, had twelve children. My grandmother, Eliza
Jane Terry, the wife of Nephi John, was one of these children.
Two of her sisters, Sarah Mariah and Josephine Rebecca, are
part of the foundation of this story.

George William fell in love at the age of 20 with the very
beautiful Sarah Mariah, who was 17. They married and had
a son. Soon they had a little girl, Sadie. Sarah died from
complications of the birth when she was just 20. Great
Grandmother Eliza Jane, came to Panaca to care for George
and his children until they could recover from this tragedy.
A very short time later, George was called to serve a
mission in England and Eliza Jane took the children to her
home in Hebron to care for them while he was gone. After
returning from his mission, he went to Hebron to see the
children. They didn't know him, nor did he know them.
Sarah's younger sister, Josephine, 19 at the time, had been
the primary care giver of the children. I am sure there
were many reasons, but I am romantic enough to think
and hope, that love was why George married Josephine
after a brief courtship. It is easy to see why she had fallen
in love with him; he was the father of the children she
loved as her own and he was very handsome and kind.
He took her and the children home to Panaca.

George and Josephine had nine children, Albert Thomas,
one of the principal players in this story, being their first
born.

Now a little more history. Dad had three aunts living in
Panaca. His father's sister, Elizabeth (Aunt Lizzie Edwards),
Nora, the wife of his father's brother, Benjamin (Aunt Nora
Wadsworth), and Josephine (Aunt Josie Wadsworth), the
wife of George William. Aunt Josie is the other principal
player in this story.

Dad loved these aunts. My siblings and I loved them, too.
We knew them as the "older aunts", but to us they were
the same as our other aunts who lived in Panaca, Dad's
sister Dora, and Florence and Dolly, the wives of his
brothers, Frank and Lafe. To us, perhaps, we loved to
visit their homes even more because they were an older
part of our pioneer heritage and had such wonderful
stories to tell. They loved Dad, and so they also loved his
children.

Aunt Josie lived in very humble circumstances, George
having died at the age of 50 leaving her with all of those
little children, the youngest just an infant. She cleaned
houses and took in washing and ironing to support her
family. I loved to visit her and often found myself walking
to her humble little home, hoping for a hug and another
wonderful story. Her little home was always clean, neat,
and cozy. She always had a treat for me and my siblings
when we would visit her. I realize now how meager a
treat it was, but to a child who loved her, it was always
wonderful. She would have one of her homemade
gingersnap or molasses cookies, a scone with homemade
jam, or sometimes just a cold baking powder biscuit
with molasses or honey. It was all very delicious

When Dad was proprietor of the N. J. Wadsworth and
Sons General Mercantile, he helped Aunt Josie by
giving her supplies in a way that she was never stripped
of her dignity. Aunt Josie died in 1942, having been a
widow for 31 years. I was just 11 and I was so sad when
she died. I missed her so much.

James Albert never married. He had health problems
and was mentaly handicapped. I am not sure if he was
born with these challenges or if they occurred later. I
have heard that he was severely injured in a fall from a
horse and that he had suffered severe illness with very
high fevers. I learned from listening to Dad and reading
genealogy, that for a time he worked at farming and
drove freight wagons. As a child, I remember him riding
a beautiful big black horse and hearing stories of his skill
as a true "Old West" cowboy. My brother, Leo, said there
was no one he would rather ride the range with and that
he learned a lot about being a good cowboy from Albert.
Eventually, Albert was no longer able to do these things.

Dad loved this cousin and was protective of him. He was
known as "Ob" to most everyone. He was a sweet, gentle
man. Some of the kids in town called him "Old Ob" and
when he got older, cruelly referred to him as the "dummy".
Dad told my siblings and I that we should always call him
Albert and treat him with love and respect. Dad always
had a little job for him. He always complemented him
when he completed them and helped him to feel that
he was important and of worth.

Aunt Josie had loved Albert and gave him the care that he
needed. When she died, Albert was alone and frightened.
His condition worsened. He continued to live in the little
house he and Aunt Josie had lived in for so many years.
He had a sister, Georgia, who lived next door, but she had
many problems in her own family and couldn't do too
much for him. Dad made sure Albert always had something
to keep him busy that would give him a few groceries and a
little spending money. I think after Aunt Josie died, he
looked to Dad for love and stability. In that sense, Dad
became his primary caregiver.

On a beautiful summer day, May 24, 1951, George and I
were married by Bishop Horlacher, my brother-in-law
Pete's father, in Mrs. Free's beautiful flower filled yard.
During our reception that night at the church, George and
I were standing in the receiving line with our parents. As
guests arrived, several of the Relief Society Sisters would
take their gifts and place them on a table before they came
through the line to congratulate us.

Albert came through the door. He was neatly dressed in
his best clothes, his hair slicked back, and his shoes shined.
He had a newspaper wrapped bundle clutched tightly to
his chest. As he came in, the sisters attempted to take it
from him. He clutched it tighter and became agitated
when they again attempted to take it. Dad saw what was
happening. He motioned for the sisters to step away and
asked Albert to come over. He ignored the line and the
people coming through, walked straight to me and placed
the newspaper wrapped bundle into my arms.

Dad nodded for me to take it and as I held the newspaper
against my white satin gown, Albert said to me, "These
were my mother's, we used them every day. My mother
loved me and took care of me. I loved her. James loves
me and helps me. I love him. You are James' daughter
and so I love you. You loved my mother and I want
you to have them."

He stood there and waited for me to unwrap his gift, and
with people waiting in line, Dad told me to do so. Albert
smiled his sweet smile, looking proud, as I did. Inside
were a few of Aunt Josie's dishes, much used, one chipped,
but all scrubbed clean. In those days, these dishes were
given as premiums in each box of oatmeal. They were china
and ovenware in several different patterns. This little
bundle contained an assortment of pieces . There was a
bread and butter plate, saucer, cereal bowl, and a fruit
dish in the Harvest pattern. There was a cereal bowl in the
Tea Rose pattern, a cereal bowl and a fruit bowl in the
Pastoral pattern, a cup and saucer in Jadeite and another
small green bread or salad plate.

Even as a 20 year old new bride, this touched me deeply. I
could picture him going to the cupboard and assembling
this wonderful gift for me. It was, and still is, a testament
of my father's love and respect for his family and fellow men
and a testament of his infinite kindness to those who some
people do not treat as equals, nor see them through the eyes
of our Father in Heaven.

When unpacking after a move, I always remove these dishes
before any of my other china. They have always remained
with me. I have never used them, but I look at them often
and they have been used as visual aids in lessons I have
taught in Relief Society and Young Women. They are dear
to me. They are a part of my childhood and young woman-
hood and represent a link to those people I loved so much.
I am sure on one of my many visits to Aunt Josie's humble
little home she served my treat on one of these bread and
butter plates and I happily ate from it as she told me
another wonderful story of my family and the "olden days".

As I wrote this story and took them out to photograph them,
I cried for a minute, not tears of sadness, but tears of joy
and thanksgiving for my wonderful father, his precious
Aunt Josie, and his special cousin Albert.

About Our Wedding Gift From Albert Wadsworth. . . .

Pastoral by Taylor Smith and Taylor - Green under glaze print
cereal bowl and fruit dish.
Tea Rose by Homer Laughlin - scalloped edge cereal bowl with
red, yellow and blue flowers.
Oven Fire King Glass Jadeite saucer by Hocking Glass Co.

Harvest by Homer Laughlin - Red fruit compote underglaze print
cereal bowl, fruit dish, saucer, bread and butter or salad plate.

In 1915 Quaker Oats first came out with the familiar
round box featuring a picture of the Quaker Man. With
the debut, they offered their first promotional premium.
If you cut out the picture of the Quaker Man and sent it
with one dollar to the Quaker Oats Company, you would
receive a double boiler to cook your oatmeal in.

After that first successful promotion, they began to offer
premiums regularly, including puzzles, trading cards and
pins. With the advent of the trading cards, Babe Ruth's
was the most popular.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Homer Laughlin, Taylor Smith
and Taylor, and Royal China jointly made breakfast sets
in several different patterns of china for Quaker Oats,
with individual pieces given away in each box of oats.

Another popular premium found in Quaker Oatmeal was
a Jadeite cup and saucer. Jadeite was first produced by
Jeanette Glass Co. and McKee in the 1920s and 1930s.
In the early 1940s, Anchor Hocking Glass Co. began
producing it's Oven Fire King Glass with Jadeite being
a favorite color. Jadeite was named for it's translucent
green color. Promotional advertising said you would
receive a piece of Jadeite "free" in each box of oats. It
wasn't exactly free, however, as you paid 24 cents for
the box of oats.

These dishes are highly sought after by collectors. You
can still find them at Flea Markets, Antique Stores, and
garage sales.

Knock Offs of the Jadeite Oven Fire King Glass are
being produced in China and Japan and so care must
be taken if you want to buy vintage pieces.

These pictures show the dishes Albert Wadsworth gave
George and I at our Wedding Reception. They are an
important part of my previous story. There is a cup to
match the Jadeite saucer but I did not want to empty
the hutch to find it. I don't know why they were not
together.

I think it is very possible that when I was a little girl
visiting Aunt Josie in her humble little home, I ate
my scone and jam or my baking powder biscuit and
molasses from one of these dishes that Albert chose,
lovingly wrapped in newspaper, and pressed into my
arms at our wedding reception on that beautiful
night so long ago.

Conana's new "Digs" . . . .

In December 1991, two weeks before Christmas, George was installing carpet on a patio in Gilbert. It was very cold and windy, and raining. Out of the rain walked a little Indian Ring Neck Parrot. She was cold, wet and hungry. She walked up to George and waited for him to pick her up. If she had been enjoying her freedom, doing whatever birds do when they are flying free, she was no longer having fun. She was scared and miserable. He called to the woman he was working for and asked her if she had lost a parrot. She told him no and when he asked her if she wanted one, she again answered, "no".

George put her in a box he had in his van and gave her several Ritz
Crackers. The woman's teenage daughter and two friends canvassed
the neighborhood asking people if they had lost their bird. When no
one had claimed her, George brought her home. I put an ad in the
newspaper and still on one claimed her.

We bought a cage and I took her to a vet. I wanted to make sure she
was not sick from her adventure in the wet winter weather. Due to
the color of the ring around her neck, I was quite sure she was a
female, but I wanted to know for sure. Also, I was wondering how old
she was. The vet said she was healthy, but underweight. He said she
was a female and that she was mature. He estimated her age to be 3
or 4. We had learned a few things about parrots and the trouble they
can get in, and so we named her Conana, after Conan the Destroyer.

This little parrot adored George from the first time she saw him. She
had found him and he had rescued her. She always wanted him to
hold her, pet her, and scratch her back. She cooed at him, talked to
him, and performed for him. The way she kissed up to him was
hilarious. She barely tolerated me. She was jealous of me and would
try to bite me whenever she had the chance. She screamed at me
and rolled her eyes until they were yellow. But since I fed her,
cleaned her cage, gave her treats and a tub to bathe in, she put up
with me. She knew the minute George's van pulled into the driveway
and the garage door opened, and she was so happy. Her favorite time
of the day was in the evening when George laid on the floor to watch
TV. She ran around the room, climbed all over him, and would
stretch way up with wings spread, to mimic an eagle. Whenever
George says, "be an eagle", she does it.

Conana has lived with us for almost 20 years. She has been a fun
addition to our family. She likes most men and doesn't care
much for women. She loves to eat. She loves "people" food.
She knows when we are eating and will run around her cage,
stopping to ring her bell on each circle, until I take her some of
whatever we are eating. Her favorite food is corn on the cob, She
loves potatoes, fixed any way, bread and pizza. She loves chicken
(a bit of a cannibal, perhaps.) She loves most fresh fruit and
vegetables. She loves sunflower seeds. Her favorite nut is peanuts,
but she will not shell them. I do it for her, and still the ungrateful
little character will bite "the hand that feeds her". I learned that it
is actually healthy to feed a parrot people food along with the
commercial mix as long as you watch the salt and the sugar.

Her life of freedom came to an end on Wednesday, April 13, 2005
when George flew to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to get Muggles, our
beautiful little red Norfolk Terrier. Being a terrier and bred as a
vermin hunter, we can not trust Muggles to not hurt her. Now, I
know a bird is not vermin, but I was not sure Muggles knows it.

For the last six years, I have worried about Conana and her loss
of freedom. Was she happy still, I wasn't sure. When I became so
ill this year, one of the things I was diagnosed with was environ-
mental emphysema. In an effort to protect my lungs, we needed to
move Conana to the patio as bird droppings, particularly parrot
and pigeon, can aggravate lung problems. George had recently
decided to move his leather work to the patio. Not wanting to
cut out light or the view, he used clear panels to enclose it. It is
light, airy, and very attractive. He purchased a portable air
conditionig unit that is very effective.

This was the perfect time to get Conana a larger cage with a play
area on top. We knew that birds love to be up high so they can
view their terrain. Did we go overboard with the size of her cage?
Most likely we did, but she loves it. She is a happy little bird. So
happy, she will sometimes let me scratch her back and pet her
without biting me.

How did Muggles handle this? It has been hilarious. She has driven
us to distraction at times. For the first two months, she spent every
waking moment sitting at the sliding glass doors staring at
Conana. The first thing she does in the morning, is run to check her
out. She eats and runs right back. She would lay there all night if
we didn't take her in our bedroom and shut the door. We say the
word bird, or Conana, and she takes up her stance. I am sure she
is living with a stiff neck from looking up all of these weeks.

Conana is not afraid of her, and I am no longer sure Muggles would
delibertely try to hurt her, but we can't take the chance, so if
Conana is playing on top, Muggles can not go out. Conana will run
around the bottom of her cage and she and Muggles will go nose to
nose through the bars. So far, Conana has not bitten her nose, maybe
she doesn't want to.

Every day when I see Conana enjoying her new "digs" and being so happy, I am grateful that we have given this sassy little parrot with the enchanting personality, a new and refreshing look at the beauty of the outdoors and a new environment to enjoy the rest of her life. We love her. Thank you Conana for 20 years of fun.