My crazy bird. She's been singing opera songs. She had to hear it on the television because I sure don't sing opera!

Last night I was upstairs on the computer (she usually likes to practice new words when I'm not in the room) and it sounded like someone was committing a murder downstairs! She was screaming and yelling and my daughter and I both just started laughing. It has to be television again because no murders have taken place in my house...not yet anyway

I love hearing about your bird! What a hoot! I get this great visual each time. More! More!

JJ

I like hearing about your parrot too.. Sammie sounds like a riot!!

Oh, she is a hoot. Never a dull moment. She's now whistling the theme song from The Andy Griffith Show. I never answer my cell phone because I think it's Sammie imitating it. You cannot tell the difference. She also does the low battery sound from my cell phone. That's kind of irritating though.

She says so many things it's difficult to list all of them here.

Diane, we have some friends in the Keys who have a myna bird. It imitates all kinds of birds it hears outside. It sounds like the doorbell so much, you can't tell the difference. The best one is when we go to visit and bring Jack, our dog. The bird barks. It makes Jack bark, then the bird barks back.

The bird is blind but that doesn't stop him from living a full life. He enjoys where he lives and constantly says "I love you!"

Peace.

Dianne, I have told more people about sAmmie, this magnificient bird that I've never even seen. His antics make me smile and picture him in my mind. He deserves to be on our member photo page....just a thought.

When I bought a new computer I "dumped" all my old pictures so will have to take some more of Sammie.

Sammie is now barking like my dog and then, telling herself to shut up! And today she said, "Ouch...bad bird!" I do that when she decides to bite me. But, she's also making belching noises now. Geesh

She can imitate the dial tone on my speaker phone. Can't believe it. And she does an entire one sided phone conversation in my husband's voice complete with dialing and hanging up. But I think my favorite is when I'm going outside to feed the cat. She makes the sound of the door opening, the shades hitting the door, the alarm chime and then says, "Here Kitty-Kitty."

I had searched for a myna bird for years but I think they've outlawed them being brought into the country now. Someone told me that but don't know if it's true. They're amazing too.

Dianne, what a scream!! Does Sammie ever confuse the cat?

That would be kinda spooky to hear your husband's voice carry on a telephone conversation and know he's not in the house. It would be for me!

Don't cha just love hearing about Sammie? I think Sammie deserves to attend the Boomer Women's Convention...Say...could you teach Sammie to say "Queen Jaw Jaw is da bomb?"

what?

JJ

I'm not sure I'd want to travel with Sammie!!!!!

She's downstairs barking right now and saying, "What are you barking at?" And, "Diz, no!" (that's my dog's name).

She won't learn everything I try to teach her. I've been saying, yummy, yummy, when I feed her since she was a baby but she refuses to say it. When I give her food she says, ooooh. I've never taught her that.

She also knows people by their names. I had a cleaning lady in Ohio and Sammie would always say, "Hi Ros," when she came into the house but since we moved, she's never said it again.

My dog and cat both ignore her. The dog is jealous. (She's now stopped barking and is singing opera!)

She says, Go Titans, Bonjour and Bonsoir now. She blows me kisses (makes a kissing sound) and asks me if I want a kiss and tells me she loves me and tells me good morning when I take her out of her cage every morning.

As soon as I log off, I'm going to take some pictures of her and see if I can actually get them to download!

Hi Dianne,

What kind of parrot is she? I have a a crazy bird too! He is a Hahn's Macaw. His name is Lenny and he really keeps us amused! Talk about nuts....When he hears the phone ring he shouts "Eric, telephone!!" That is my youngest son and we went through a period of time when EVERY phone call was for him so Lenny thinks that every time the phone rings it's for Eric! I suppose his favorite phrase is "time to eat!" Figures huh?

I would be interested in hearing from you bird owners about the care of the bird. First of all, is it extremely expensive to buy one? And what care follows? What does your vet bill consist of? Etc..

JJ

Macaw's are beautiful. My neighbor has one named Henry but he's so loud! Sammie is an African Grey.

With a bird it isn't necessarily the vet bill but the time you must devote to them. If left alone too often or ignored, they self-destruct by pulling out their feathers. Plus, they will develop bad habits. It depends on where you buy them as to how much they cost. Gotta have a cage too. Private breeders aren't as expensive as pet stores and the birds are probably healthier. Check your newspaper. I hold Sammie for one hour every night. I also put her on a large perch during the day so she can be next to the family activity. She takes her naps and sleeps at night in her cage. They're a handful but so worth it.

Mrsmuzz, your bird sounds cool. Sammie has learned one phrase I hope she forgets. I'm sure she'll save it for religious company!

HI Dianne,

Just to cause confusion (ha ha!) Lenny is a Hahn's MaCaw which sort of means he is a miniature MaCaw, therefore, he is not as loudmouthed as the traditional larger MaCaw. Thank Goodness for that. Someone asked earlier in the forums about cost, etc. We got Lenny at a local birdshow put on by the local breeders. We did not go the show with the intention of purchasing a bird. We just thought it would be fun and interesting. Then we met Lenny. Or rather Lenny chose me. The breeder had them (wings-clipped of course) sitting all over perches on her table. Lenny reached out to my arm, pecked me (gently) with his beak and immediately said "Stop THAT!!" I was hooked! The initial investment was sizeable especially when you consider purchasing a good size cage, toys, food bowls, and food. However, the day-to-day cost is quite small. I agree with what you said about them needing attention. You really do have to make it a point to provide enrichment each day. Lenny usually comes out and drinks coffee with me each morning in addition to adding his remarks to the local news on TV. I'd like to squawk at them sometimes, too! He pretty much stays in his cage till hubby comes home. As soon as Pete walks in he says "Whatcha doin? You my buddy?" So they have their playtime while I finish supper. Many times Pete lets him sit on his shoulder while we eat dinner, occasionally offering him nibbles. One of his favorite things to say at that point is "Mama's got PIE!" Doesn't matter what we are having it's all pie to Lenny! When I cover his cage at night he says "Goodnight Lenny!" I always mutter under my breath "Goodnight Gracie!"

Lord I love this stories! Someone should put together a book on these birds and their antics!

JJ

Lenny sounds like as much fun as Sammie. I have an old white, tattered robe that I put on every night for our "nightly loving." Just in case she wants to poop on me or pull strings. It's also a way for her to stretch her feet after being on a perch. Sammie doesn't like to poop in her cage (we bought her an acrylic cage with special lighting and filtered venting)and will try to hold it until I take her out of the cage and put her on the perch. If I'm out of town, she'll go in her cage though.

I can't let Sammie sit on my shoulder. Greys start to believe that they're bigger than you if you do this and will take a chunk out of your ear! She sits on my chest and we kiss and work on vocabulary. If I am rushed and don't hold her very long and put her back in her cage, do I ever hear about it. She gets really angry with me. Has good boundaries!

How much does Lenny weigh? I'm not sure I've seen the smaller Macaw's.

Two teen age boys came to the door last night, selling tickets for their football team and Sammie started saying, Hi, how ya doing? They were freaked out!

I found the most wonderful vet. He spent 1 hour and 15 minutes with Sammie. He said you had to approach them on their level of intelligence. He explained everything he was going to do with her before doing it. My own doctor has never given me that much time!

Here is a website with a picture of Hahn's MaCaws. Just in case you'd like to see one. My Lenny looks just like these. Except more handsome! Lenny was sexed by DNA as they cannot tell from just looks or markings. We got him as a chick and he just celebrated his 7th birthday. One of the funniest things my hubby taught him is this. He holds Lenny on his forefinger, and puts his other hand up like he is going to put the bird in a chokehold. My husband says "I'm gonna choke you like a chicken!" As soon as the moves his hand towards Lenny, the bird cocks his head to the side and screams AWWWKKKKKKKK! Just like someone was choking him. It's a scream at parties! Jaw Jaw, I think a pet story book is a super idea. Just let me know when you need my input!! LOL!

http://www.avesint.com/mini.html

Birdy Love to All!

Mrs Muzz that was sooo much fun! How adorable!

I love that web site and they are right, you could loose yourself there and stay for hours. How interesting! Thanks to this boomer site for introducing me to the wonderful world of birds.

Maybe some day I'll own one, or better yet, it will own me. I bet those birds would be great company for someone that was a shutin too, eh?

Thanks so much for sharing. As far as the book is concerned, my guess is that you would make a great writer for it! You could call it..."Bird is the Word." yes?

JJ

How cute are they?????????????

I think your bird is smaller than mine. I'm still trying to get my new camera to transfer pictures to my computer. It isn't working so this means I'm going to have to break down and read the instructions

Sammie is my hero. I won't tell Reeta and Rosee or I'll get the cold shoulder. Now Reeta does talk but the words are illegible, she is saying something but never know what. I had a McCaw here for a couple week as a foster and he was a riot but not half as smart as Sammie....

African Greys are known as the genius of the bird family but they are also tempermental.

Sammie loves music so I put the television on a music channel (she loves country!) so she dances on her perch and bobs her head up and down and swings one foot around but this morning, she was doing her usual dance and said, "Get Down!" Too funny. I always say that to her but haven't really tried to teach her the words. Is there no end to this bird's antics?

Chatty, I hope you're still doing well and I have to tell you that you are sooo pretty. Love the picture of you. You can "feel" your spirit, which seems to be fantastic. Wish I could meet you in person

[ July 31, 2004, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: Dianne ]

Sammie is now calling my daughter's name. She says it's spooky because she comes into the room expecting to see me and it's that crazy bird.

When I come home from running errands, etc. she says, "Mommie's home." Makes me feel good.

But, she's also saying, "Damn it!" Hmmm. No comment on that one.

I just gotta get me a bird...I mean, a Queen needs a bird, does she not?

I want one, and I want to name it Elvis.

JJ

Dianne if I am ever in Nashville I would hope to meet you too and be given an audience with her Majesty Queen Sammie (sorry JJ) but this bird knocks me out. Tonight I was with some friends at dinner in Arizona Charlies Casino sitting around and someone asked about Sammie and what has she done lately? This bird is famous out here....I told them about your recent posts and had them in stitches. Oh, and (blushing) thanks for the compliment....

Yes, a queen needs a bird for sure. You know, my husband is Jewish so that should make me a JAP (Jewish American Princess) but I'm a Gentile so I'm a GAP (Gentile American Princess). Whatever works is what I'm gonna be!

Chatty, I'll have to tell Sammie how famous she's becoming. If you're in the area, please do stop by and visit (or stay with me, I have a great guest room!). I've learned that going into another room and being quiet is the best way to hear Sammie talk. This is when she practices her vocabulary (they are very proud birds and don't like to embarrass themselves so practice while alone.) She's saying, "Up-Up" which is what I tell her when I want her on my finger. But today, I heard her singing that old Yahoo commerical. Are they still running that? I don't know where she gets some of these words and phrases.

She's doing something strange. When I clean her cage, the two bottom drawers pull out for easy access, and she jumps off her perch and walks over, gets on the open drawer, and watches me clean. It's almost like she's making sure I'm doing a good job. Even the vacuum cleaner doesn't scare her, it actually makes her sing. I think she's showing me ownership or something.

She was trying to imitate the blowers that the lawn people use to blow off the patio. I need to put a stop to that! How annoying would that get?

Hey Dianne, just for fun, put on some Elvis music and see if she can imitate the KING...or even better, have her saying "Thank you, thank you very much!" hahahahah....Or maybe Willie Nelson, Ray Charles...oh Lord, there are sooo many. THE DUKE...I could go on and on...

JJ

JJ, what a great idea! I started teaching her, Thank you, thank you very much, in my Elvis voice. She was very interested! I'll give you progress reports.

She is so smart don't think for one minute that she doesn't know thats her home, her special place and of course shes going to make sure you do a good job cleaning it and not bother or remove any of her favorite things....If she learns Elvis I'll send her a tiny cape and sun glasses, just like the King wore....

I think that if I tried to put a cape and sunglasses on Sammie, I'd be pulling back a hand with nothing but nubs for fingers!

If I even put new toys in her cage, she moves as far away as she can get from them and stares at them for hours! I have to start with the new toys across the room and move them closer every day. They are not happy with new things! Weirdo bird.

She is very interested in the Elvis voice. I can tell by how her pupils dilate when I'm saying it to her. I don't think it will be long now before I hear Sammie thanking me, thanking me very much!

HILARIOUS.....LETS VOTE

I think Sammie should have a place in the picture album of mthe Boomers. If she hasn't earned it, I don't know who who has. We need a mascot and I vote for SAMMIE....

I agree...I think Sammie would make the perfect mascot! What a terrific idea! Now...being Sammie's manager, I'll have to check her availability, and let's see, there will be the cost of a manicure, shampoo...ahhh..what? what?

Oh good grief...alright. But if Sammie goes on Oprah, so does da Queen!

JJ

Can you play Louis Armstrong for Sammie? I would love to hear Lenny or Sammie sing "And I think to myself, it's a wonderful world (...or whatever he says)!

Maybe we need to make campaign posters, t-shirts and flyers and have some rallies or something! A $100 per plate fundraising dinner wouldn't hurt either!

I don't know, maybe my campaign ideas are just for the birds!
...ouch! Did I reaaalllllly say that?

Sounds good to me...but if we have 100.00/plate, there better be some food in it! Now, let's get organized here...SMILES! Ohhhh Smiles!!!!

What do we need to do first to get Sammie's career going, eh? What's the pecking order? (did I say that?) hahahah....

JJ

I can handle the $100.00 a plate BUT lets make sure it's not chicken, squab or cornish hen after all a bird on the plate well, I'm sure you can understand the implications, sorry Sammie!!!
What we need is a good publicity shot, oh, didn't mean to say shot, meant photo, thats right, yes photo of our wonderful mascot to be. This being politically correct is a hard job, ever notice? SAMMIE FOR BOOMER MASCOT
should look good on a poster. Lets see her slogan could be "a brisket in every pot." Help me here Smile!

Oh my gosh! You gals are too funny

For some reason, my new camera software won't let me transfer my pictures from the camera to the computer. I'll work on it today and try not to cuss while doing it!

I'm afraid Sammie is going to get a very big head and soon! She is a diva though!

I vote yes too

Sherri

My sister said that people take their pets to the American Church of Paris and have their animals baptized. Good luck doing that to Sammie. You would pull nubs away that used to be fingers!

okay, tell me you are kidding...

Well, nonetheless, we couldn't get Sammie baptized anyway...we don't even know what 'legion she is...and forget asking Sammie...

She'd probably just repeat whatever she had heard on TV....i.e., <Sammie talkin'> Who me? Oh I belong to the Church of MONK. And you?

See what I mean....

I think Sammie is in love. My daughter is here with her parakeet, Blue, so we put his cage by Sammie's perch. They stand as close to each other as possible and Sammie is now making parakeet noises. Blue had his tail sticking out of his cage and I caught Sammie leaning off the side of her perch as far as she could and opening her big ole beak, trying to bite it. I'm not sure if she'd try to hurt Blue or not so I don't put them together. Blue wouldn't stand a chance, poor guy. He sure loves Sammie though. Still trying to download that camera.

Oh, birdie love, how sweet....My sisters parakeet name of Casinova fell madly in love with her pink feather duster, funniest thing I ever saw, him rubbing and cuddling up to it making those little bird noises. Poor Cassy though the duster would not return his advances no matter how hard he tried.

Brandi's parakeet had a "lover" made of thread. Shows they are meant to be in a flock and not alone.

Sammie is saying the Thank You part of the Elvis, thank you, thank you very much. She's still working on it.

I love the story of the pink feather duster. That's so cute. I think Sammie would rip something like that to shreds.

hold on a minute...a lover made of thread? a pink duster? I suppose now you'll be telling me we need to pay for some bird therapy...am I right?

I got a question...these birds ever been dropped on their tiny little heads? Just wondering....

Not sure Queen about the beinbg dopped on his head but alas poor little Casanova came to a bad end. One night apparently someone didn't close his cage and he got thirsty during the night, one of the kids (or dad) left a half glass of water on the kitchen counter and the bird was found feet up in the glass the next morning, must have fallen in trying to get a drink. The entire family was in mourning for a week, heck I cried like a baby too...So be careful of household traps for these little guys...

add swimming lessons to that.

Oh Chatty hon I can't help it...Don't be mad at me. You know I love those animals too. Having an animal in the house is very much like having children. I think we all need to be aware that we have to "child/dog/cat/bird-proof" our homes for our friends of these kingdoms...as it should be. Did you get another bird after that? I've always heard one should go right out and replace the animal that dies. I don't know that I agree with that or not. Any thoughts people?

Hugs, JJ

Actually, Sammie has fallen on her head a few times. She hangs upside down by one foot and has crashed more than once. She just gets up and starts again. She probably does need therapy. Maybe I should call The Pet Psychic instead?

The #1 cause of death in birds is drowning. I have Sammie's wings clipped so she can't fly. If she jumps off of her perch, she walks over to a bar stool and climbs on top of it, waiting for me to rescue her. She's downstairs singing opera as I write this, she intermingles it with her cell phone ring. Goofy.

Oh heck...don't call The Pet Psychic; all Sammie needs is a hunka hunka burnin' love...get her a boyfriend...

Better yet, Oreo's. There a lot less trouble...teehee..

JJ

JJ, the bird wasn't mine, she belonged to my cousin Patty and no they didn't get another bird but they did buy a tiny Chihuahua pup that they also named Cassanova. I would never clip a birds wings just in case they ever needed to fly away from harm but thats just me because alot of people I know do clip their birds wings. The saying goes if you lose a pet go right out and get another one. That works most of the time because th new one needs your attention and takes your mind off of mourning. When I had to put down my 15 year old Maltese's eight months apart, I got two Yorkshire Terrier pups that helped me with the grief I was suffering. It been nearly 8 years now and I still will cry at times when thinking of my sweet babys resting under the tree in the backyard. I think it takes years and years to ever stop thinking about a lost pet. OH, and swimming lessons wouldn't have done that bird much good as he fell into the half full glass and was trapped under water. Not a pleasant way to go...

I thought about getting Sammie a "sweetheart" but I've heard that they stop bonding with humans when you do that. Now THAT would break my heart and can you imagine the noise two African Greys would make? Gadzooks! I'd have to leave home.

what about a fake sweetheart? a stuffed one? HEY! What about one of those blow up birds? hahaha...I can't believe I'm even writing this! What a hoot.

Well, if you ever need a housesitter, I'm your man..eh...woman. I want to keep Sammie...by the time you came back, Sammie would have a whole new vocalulary! ahhahah...

JJ

Now one might aski what our Queen knows about "blow up lovers?" She is single you know and mighty feisty to say the least, hmmm, I wonder!

Yes, me too.

I have a vision of her and Sammie together as she house sits for me and they both have their own, private blow up dolls. That is an ugly picture! I could hide my video camera tho...on second thought

Okay you two...front and center...this minute missies!

Just because SMILES is absent from the boards for a tad doesn't mean you two can take up where she leaves off...hmp!

Now...I'll have you two know that I DO NOT own, nor have I in the past OWNED any sort of non-human type, ah...well, you know...the ahh...hmm...the,you know those ahh...

Oh the devil! Where's Sher when you need her!

Sherrrrr...oh Sherrrrr

JJ

Uh...gosh...I don't know what you mean. Could you please go into detail?

Alright you two. You've had it now. I wrote and told on ya...yep, sure did. I wrote SMILES and told her you all were talkin' bout the Queen. She wanted details too and I gave um...uh huh...sure nuff. Nowwwww you've had it.

She said when she comes back, she's gonna really kick butt...

wait a minute...she DIDN'T however, say if it would be yours....or mine. Hmmm....maybe I should drop her another line...hmm...

Let me get back to ya, k?

JJ

you gals are absolutely hilarious. Who'd ever think that on the pet forum you'd be talking about blow up anythings!!! Just goes to show where the mind wanders when it takes a leave of absence!

Love the Sammie stories, Dianne, keep them coming.

Are you sure Smiles doesn't want to kick the butt of your blow up doll? I think that would be called a "spanking."

Ladies! Ladies! Ladies!
My my my.......
Onwards and UPWARDS

La

not only that...who would have ever dreamed a post about Sammie da Burd would go to four+ pages? You gotta love it...

JJ

Speaking of Sammie, she was on her perch and not necessarily happy with the food I gave her and she has quite the attitude and was throwing her food across the room so my Italian Greyhound comes to the rescue and is sniffing around, looking for scraps and Sammie climbs down to the bottom or her perch and leans over to the dog and says, "No Diz, No!"

Howwwwwww funny! When I get famous from my book the first thing I'm gonna do once I mail my work badge back to the company is go buy me a burd...

uh huh...sure am.

JJ

Wow, 63 hits on Sammies post. Se shes not only famous here in Vegas, but shes the most popular Boomer Bird as well...You gotta love her. Yes, Diz, yes....ha ha!

Maybe we could talk Dotsie into having an album for pictures of all of your animals? Of course, the Diva, Sammie, would be at the top of the page. And, she does get paid and her checks should be made out to me. And of course, I would put the money into her personal account. What? You don't trust me? I'm hurt.

My neighbors adopted an African Grey from an elderly man who is too ill to care for her (her name is Gabby). Before I tell you what she does, I should explain that Greys do everything in sequence. Like when Sammie sees me open the cat food, she starts calling the cat, the door, the chime, etc.

When I first get up in the morning, Sammie says, "How ya doing, babe?" in my husband's voice, just like he does when he's home.

Okay, so now that you understand that, my neighbor's Grey sees the male of the household get up in the morning and makes a farting sound. I guess this is what the elderly man did first thing every morning. Just too funny.

OMG! You have me rolling in the floor laughing! get out! Are you serious! YOU MUST FIND ME A BIRD!

JJ

TOO HILARIOUS FOR WORDS

I haven't laughed this much in well, heck can't remember when. I guess Queen hen you do get a bird you'll really have to be careful of whatever you say and do....No more funny water and certainly no more blow up dolls. Oh good Lord, I hope the McCaw I fostered for those weeks didn't pick up any of my potty mouth...She went to live at a Catholic priests office rectory....oh my!!

Hmmm...the priest' have probably learned an entire new vocabulary and in your voice!

I think Sammie has become a Southern woman. When I take her out of her cage in the morning, she used to say, "Hi Bird." (I don't know why she does this) but now, she says, "Hey Bird." It's a southern thing.

My stupid camera (or could it be the owner of the camera?) won't download so I found this site to show you what Sammie looks like. Of course, she's much more beautiful!

http://www.petparrot.com/PetGreys.htm

I want them all but Venu and Zeus and Ruby were the beauties and looked like real litle characters. Does our Sammie have the red tail? Thats so beautiful....

Yep, Sammie has the pretty red tail. They really are beautiful birds.

I visited the site this morning and spent wayyy too much time there. I was enthralled! Those birds are beautiful...I love the red tail going on. Sammie rules!

JJ

If you visit this site:

http://www.alexfoundation.org/

You'll find just how smart these birds really are. Alex is probably the most famous African Grey in the world (he's 27 years old) and can tell the difference in colors, his toys, etc. He's owned by a doctor who studies him and she believes that because they have the intellect of a five year old child, they can probably be taught how to read. Plus, they don't really just mimic, they can answer questions you ask of them. In a way, it's a little scary, isn't it? It's also a good argument for not killing animals or using them in labs. (I can't say that out loud or Sammie might get real nervous.)

[ August 30, 2004, 09:27 AM: Message edited by: Dianne ]

I can shout it from the roof tops, and do, and have and always will:

ANIMALS IN LABORATORIES

UNSEEN THEY SUFFER
UNHEARD THEY CRY
IN ANGONY THEY LINGER
IN LONELINESS THEY DIE

Join People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals
PETA-online.org

I may ship Sammie off to a lab if she doesn't stop talking in my husband's voice!

Oh boy, the more I hear about these wonderful birds the more I want one and am sorry I didn't keep the McCaw I fostered for a couple of weeks but the Priest from the Catholic Church had seen him and filled out the adoption papers. They have become vast friends to say the least and the bird says "Praise The Lord." I'm sure before Father Joseph is done that bird will be able to quote scripture....

My cousin has an African Grey named, Seth. I was at my cousin's house recently when my aunt passed away. Seth just stopped talking for days. They know. Isn't that strange? I think he was sad too.

And, my cousin's little dog ran under the bed and hid the moment my aunt passed. Amazing.

All these little creatures are far smarter and feel things much deeper than anyone can imagine. All too often their feelings are ignored. "Oh, there just animals," people say. I could tell you stories that would make you gasp with disbelief...I bet some of you already have some yourself. I know a few of you do.

How sick is this????? I spent $140.00 at Petsmart today. Are my animals spoiled or what? Good grief, Louise!

So tell us Lady Di...what other animals do you have? Elephants? Tigers? 140.00 bucks? I want to be adopted...I'll be good, I swear...

JJ

I'm with you, JJ. I am housetrained, I eat over my plate, I don't shed (too much), and I leave a clean tub/shower after I bathe! I don't bark or chase cars, and I don't sound like your husband when I talk. I don't have fleas or ticks and I don't need heartworm meds. You won't need to clip my wings (although you may want to take away my car keys occasionally and lock up my credit card periodically). But, you CAN spend $140.00 a pop on me anytime you get the itch!!!!

Nows your chance Lady Di...you could get a two-fer

JJ

You're crazy

I have Sammie, my dog and a cat, plus my daughter's little parakeet. A lot of the expense goes to Sammie's wooden, hanging toys. She needs to chew on wood for her primal mating habits although she doesn't have a boyfriend. Poor thing. What am I talking about. I should be feeling pity for myself

I buy by the month. I really didn't get that much for $140 come to think of it.

Why do I feel the urge to break out in "Old MacDonald had a farmmmm"

Now let me get this straight...you have a dog, a cat, and another bird...

and then there's Sammie who you taunt with wooden (not even real things for Pete's sake) to sharpen his mating skills of which he will NEVER get to use....

Zat bout sum it up?

Is it me or is there something missing here?

I STILL think JJ and I would be the BETTER pets!!! I mean we could do some major sucking up to Di. Flattery, flattery, flattery. And then some more flattery, flattery, flattery. Maybe dinner served when she gets home, a little housework here and there (you do have cable TV with HGTV, don't you?). Companions you can actually take into restaurants, malls, and movie theaters!! And last but not least, we would actually be able to tell you if those pants that you are trying on make your butt look big!! LOL

I'm laughing out loud! Nutty old broads!

Okay, there seems to be some confusion here. Sammie is my only bird and my daughter is visiting with her bird.

Sammie is a girl, not a nasty old boy bird. The wood chewing is a female birds way of attracting the male and it means, "Don't you think I'm sexy?" Hey, I didn't make it up. Read about it. And it's good for her beak...keeps it trimmed.

When we lived in Ohio and had 31 acres of land and a 13 stall barn, we had seven horses, two miniature donkeys, two geese, two cats and three dogs!!!! Green Acres is the place for me...and, my husband would come home from work and get on his tractor! Too funny. Sold the horses, gave the donkeys away plus the geese too and two of my dogs and one of my cats died. We moved to a normal home in TN.

My cousin called and her African Grey has started talking again. He's talking in my aunt's voice, which she said is comforting in a way. My aunt spent a lot of time talking to that crazy bird and he even has her little congested cough down pat. Sammie has a cigarette cough like my husband. No, she doesn't smoke and he doesn't smoke around her

LaLa...you had a good thing going there till you said we would "cook and clean her house" HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND? The Queen cook? and clean? I DON'T THINK SO....geeishh..

Lady Di (note the new name you have acquired)...I'm so happy to learn that Sammie is a she...we should have picked up on that since you spell it with an "ie" instead of a "y." Duh...on my part. The wood thing I'm not sold on. I mean chewing on a piece of wood doesn't send out sexy vibes to me...course then again, I can remember my Aunt Butterball dipping snuff and she always had dates...hmmm...you may have a point.

JJ

This topic on eth forum is riot. These birds sound great. I would love to have a bird, excpet I think it would pick up a lot of bad words and habits in my house.

Not to worry Candice...I've decided to open a bird training school...it will be called:

The Queen Jaw Jaw Charm and Finishing School for Birds

Now...I of course will need LaLa to help clean the bird cages, and if SMILES ever gets her new wood floors put down, she will be needed as well. Hey...come to think of it...we could use scraps of her new wood floors to give all the female birds during heat...or lust....or bird spooning or pecking or whatever the heck you call what they go thru....

any takers?

JJ

I don't think they spoon It would be interesting to see how Sammie responded to a male African Grey. If it was "her time" I guess she'd respond pretty darn nice! Hey, I could fix her up with Seth, her cousin. I don't think it's considered inbreeding when it's birds. The problem would be--I'd be stuck with the female, sitting on eggs, etc. and have to study how to take care of her while she's nesting and after the eggs are hatched and...forget it! I'm not going there!

Lady Di...has a nice ring to it. Does this mean I'm a princess? Do I have to "do it" with Prince Charles? (if so, forget it! I'd gag) But I could hang out with my sons, who are awfully cute. Hmmm. Creates a world of possibilities.

Well just great Lady Di...you get to be a princess but you would put Sammie with her cousin and risk her ending up on Jerry Springer?

Didn't think that one thru, did cha gal? Nix-a on the cousin-thing-a, k?

geeish...

JJ

JJ, You DID notice that I said "a little housework here and there" didn't you? Nothing promised, just a lure, bait, hook!! But, I don't mind cooking ONCE IN A WHILE. Let's face it, if Lady Di is going to spend money on us we should at least LOOK like we might possibly have done something!! LOL
You don't happen to have a pool, do ya L.D.(Lady Di)?
We could even add to Sammie's vocabulary. Of course if Mr.M. was also adopted he could teach her "Manglish". Merwyn started speaking Manglish when he met my Syrian grandfather years ago. Now he uses it on ANYONE who speaks with ANY sort of accent. He speaks broken English. He can't help himself and doesn't even realize he is doing it!! It is hilarious. Whether it is one of his hispanic friends, or we are abroad, no matter where the person hails from he speaks "Manglish". He just absolutely mangles the English language so badly.

Manglish? What the heck is that? Geesh.

Now listen girls. Sammie is desperate. It isn't like she has a lot of suitors, you know? She's looking at my daughter's parakeet with lust in her eyes. Well, maybe it isn't lust. She leaned off the side of her perch and was grabbing his cage with her beak and rocking his world. Poor guy was hanging on for dear life! When my daughter leaves I might be forced into buying a parakeet to keep Sammie company. Oh please God, no. They are sooooooooooo messy!

Manglish...when one MANGLES the ENGLISH language....in utter words...they don't talk right. You know...kinda like we do here in the South? Yo mamma and em....go over er....U done et? etc...

Anyhooo..now back to Sammie. We may need to call in the Bird Doc cause it sounds like to me Sammie just might have something in her eyes/beak other than lust...like....MURDER?

eeeekkkk! Run little Parakeet! Run!

Oh...okay, gotcha. Like, "I'm a fixin' ta git ready ta go to da store?" My kinfolk talked that way. From Kentucky, they were.

I wonder if Sammie would hurt Blue (the parakeet) but not ready to risk his life to find out. He seems to like her except when she shakes his cage.

hmmm...well, it COULD be on the up and up...I mean, I've tried to rattle a few cages myself back in my "spooning" days...

JJ

Sammie knows football season is starting. She's saying, "Go Titans!" I forgot she could say that but I heard her this morning.

Good Lord....Sammie's post have a longer run than CATS...

Anyhooo....can you puleaseee teach her to say, "Roll Tide" ???

<go BAMA! go BAMA! go BAMA! says the Queen as she does three triple backflips> uh huh...sure nuff....did too. you can't prove I didn't...hmp!

JJ

Excuse my ignorance but what is Roll Tide? I can't be teaching my bird obscenities, ya know?

Are you staying home to watch yourself on Montel? Imagine Sammie's confusion!!!! LOL
Looking at you...looking at the television...looking at you.....you get the idea!!
Poooor Sammie!!!

huh? What is Roll Ti--ARE YOU KIDDING ME? YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF ALABAMA'S INFAMOUS FOOTBALL TEAM? BEAR BRYANT? THE HOUNDSTOOTH HAT? BIG AL-- THE ELEPHANT? and of course they're chant "Rolllllll Tideeeee Rolllll."

Oh but surely you jest...I suppose next you will be telling me you've never attended any submarine races at the river bottom...eh?

Girl puleaseee...tell it to the Marines...they'll believe anything. teeheeeee...

JJ

Dianne - I'm loving your stories about Sammie. Have you read "The Parrot Who Owned Me"? Can't remember the author but saw it at the library as a book on tape and am in line to listen to it.

I saw that book at my cousin's house. As long as the bird doesn't die in it, I'll read it. I can't even watch the movie, Paulie, because they take the bird from the little girl, who looks just like my granddaughter!

JJ: I'm not a football fan and especially not college football. Barf. Bear Bryant I've heard of but as far as I know, he could be a member of synchronized swimming! I was a cheerleader in high school and we'd chant that cheer, First and ten, do it again...I didn't even know what it meant but I look really cute in my little, short skirt. I dated football players. Does that count?

Thistle, the picture of your babies in the photo album melts my heart. How darling are they? Oh my gosh.

I weave shawls on a tri-loom and have a home made video from a net-friend in LA state. In this video she's showing and telling how to weave (the warp & weft are both made at the same time so there's only a small amount of finishing work on the edging when the weaving is completed). Anyway, Margrett is saying, "you wrap the yarn around this peg and then take the yarn across the loom to this peg, wrap the yarn around this peg, up to this peg..." <you get the idea>. Well. In the background I can hear someone/thing SCREECH, "DIS HERE PEG!! DIS HERE PEG!!" It's her bird! SO FUNNY! Margrett never even realized her bird was screeching, she's so used to hearing his/her voice. We've had a few laughs about "DIS HERE PEG!"

My sheep - the lambs were a few weeks old and had a mama but on field trips children like to see bottle fed lambs. I enjoy feeding my lambs bottles and they, the little gluttons, enjoy the extra food and attention. It works for all of us.

Sheep story...unfortunately true. When we returned from Russia, we had 4 days before leaving for Alaska. I spent the time unpacking, sort of, doing laundry, re-packing and playing with the animals. I went to the pasture to visit the sheep & horses...the sheep looked more than a bit FAT. Hmmmmmm... I'm wondering *what* are they eating to get so fat when one of this year's ram lambs walks away from me. UH OH! I see where I forgot to castrate one back in May. Not good.

Fast forward to returning from Alaska...the ewes all look even FATTER and I'm now waiting for them to bag up. When they bag up, they'll be just a couple or three weeks away from lambing. I do NOT want lambs this time of year! Looks like I'm getting them though.

Would Sammie like a new challenge? Errr...I mean pet of her own? <g>

Thistle, are you speaking of a pet lamb? I don't think I can do that in my neighborhood! I'd be sleeping with it anyway and my dog would be really upset over that!

My young stud colt got loose in the barn once or I should say, my miniature donkey opened the stall guard with his teeth and let him out. So, I had to call the vet and have my mares checked out for possible pregnancies. I was afraid I'd be running a horse abortion clinic. Luckily, nothing happened but I had his you know whats whacked shortly after.

[ September 20, 2004, 02:11 PM: Message edited by: Dianne ]

Good grief...I bet your hubby sleeps with one eye open...

what?

JJ

He should...

girl stop! You have me laughing out loud here....

You ARE kidding, right? eeek!

JJ

I posted this before but it got lost in the black hole somewhere.

My husband said he was going to file a class action law suit on behalf of all the males on our farm because I had all of them, well, you know...whacked! He knew he was possibly next. I told him it would be a problem because he wouldn't have anything to scratch in the morning. You have to picture him standing at the kitchen window with a cup of coffee, staring across his "spread" every morning, scratching. It's a man thing I guess (I hope!). I don't know, some nights I remove my bra and it feels really good to scratch.

Sammie is so famous she needs her own site and can you just imagine the hits she'd get. All her adventures should be put in a book and then added to as time goes by with newer books. Does Sammie want a biographer? Yes, I would apply for the job.

I agree...why don't we have Sammie as a guest writer on my site. I'll see if Trixie would invite her to be on there....????? Whatcha think Dianne? You think Sammie could be a guest writer for Trixie? Or if Sammie doesn't write, she could always be a guest of Trixie's and just be there asking for advice...Trixie has a large following that constantly seeks her sage wisdom...

uh huh...sure does.

JJ

Chatty: So, you wanna be The Kitty Kelley of the animal world, do ya? My sister keeps telling me I need to write a book about Sammie. I could add that project to the other five I have going.

JJ: Now, explain to me exactly what you want Sammie to do again? I'm a little lost but then, it's Monday morning and I'm in the throes of menopause. Ugly combination.

okay...here's the scene.

Trixie has her own page which I host for her seeing as how she doesn't have any income and I can't seem to get her on any kind of gov't program...go figure. Anyhoo...lots of critters write to her asking for advice about one thing or another. You can read all about it on my homepage.

From time to time, Trixie writes her own articles and when I'm away from home, she sneaks on the computer and post them. She thinks I don't know but I have to ask ya...how dumb does she think I am? I mean there's nobody else there all day cept her. I...think....I...Hey, I'll get back to ya...I need to check on something.

JJ

Oh, I've read the dog's, I mean...Trixie's column. So, you want Sammie to write a letter asking for advice? I think I could talk her into that. Let me ask her and she what she says.

Sammie said she'd be happy to write Trixie for advice. Please advise how you would like me to go about this.

Sammie was on her perch and chirping at me (chirping means she wants something, talking means she doesn't) and I went to pet her and she took her beak and pulled my finger to her chest so she could climb on. She's never done that!

I was gone to NM for a few days so instead of calling my name when she wanted something, she starting yelling, "Brandi?" That's my daughter. They know who you are. Amazing little creature. This morning I woke to her calling my name and the dog's. She was ready to get up!

oh just any old advice Sammie might need...usually it's in the form of a letter to Trixie, aka da Trixster...

Maybe Sammie needs help with her love life? The fact that you LEAVE HER TOTALLY ALONE while you run off to NM? hmmm? Maybe she just wants advice on what to buy you for Christmas? There are soooo many areas of advice that birds need, ya know? Sometimes you just have to take one in the hand and say...(get it? bird in the hand? huh?) hahahah....lololol...teehee...ahem..ahem...

Okay, whatever...JJ

Now this is one for the birds!!! Last night I went out to dnner with a new friend from church and she and I were chatting when someone tapped me on the shoulder, it was my ex. He had come over to say hello and ask me a question...we usually don't speak thats why I was a little surprised. His question was if I had heard any more on the site about Sammie, what had she done now. I nearly fainted. Did he ask about Reeta and Rosee our dogs, NO he asked about Sammie. I guess I talked about her even more than I thought I did. We use to laugh about her antics. I didn't have anything new to share but told him next time she did something adorable I'd send him an email at work. Is that hilarious or what??? Sammie the other woman, hahaha, my friend nearly split a gut when I told her Sammie was a parrot....

Oh Chatty, that is just too funny. How strange! If Sammie knew how famous she was, there would be no living with her!

Sammie is currently practicing some kind of conversation. She mumbles things to herself until she feels she knows it well enough to speak out. She sounds like ET on Helium gas.

This morning she said: "Where's David? Oh. There you are, Hi, how ya doing?" David is my husband. She must have picked this up the last time he was home. She's downstairs as I write this, running through her entire vocabulary. Cracks me up. She's imitating the dog's squeaky (sp) toy. What next?

That Sammie is a riot and it must be fun never knowing what she'll do next! I've got cats and I always know what they'll do next. Don't get me wrong, I love em to death but they haven't been much fun since the kitten phase was over.

TVC15 it has been my experience that our pets own us and cats are really the true example of that. They were treated in ancient time as royalty and I think thats been passed down in their bloodlines ever since...Gotta love em!

Chatty, One of my cat's names is PUSH , so after the last election we started calling him President Push. I guess we weren't too far off of that royalty thing!
I agree with you that they own us. Mine have me very well trained. I've always had at least one cat in my life. I prefer them to dogs because of their independence. Some people hate that about them. I like the idea that they are capable of taking care of themselves but choose to stay with us.

My poor little Sammie I heard her fall off her perch last night. She had night fright. It's like us waking up in a strange hotel room after falling out of bed, scared and crawling on our knees, trying to figure out where we are. She was so scared. I picked her up and she was still in a panic so I have bloody scratches on my nose! I took her to bed with me for a couple of hours and cuddled with her. She would reach up and kiss me on the mouth every once in a while. Poor thing. She has a "boo-boo" on her nose too.

SMILES....you wanna take this one? I mean...there's soooo much material here, eh?

JJ

Oh my lord JJ,
The "material" here is waaay too deep for me.
I was wondering if Sammie had been drinking. Sounds like what happened to me once after a few too many margaritas.
But that's a whole other story.

Reminds me though, I once dated a guy with a parrot. It hated me. I don't know if he ever kissed it or not, but I sure wasn't gonna' kiss no bird kisser for sure. So as soon as I met the parrot, I was Outta' there. It had a huge cage that was almost as big as the living room and it yelled at me the moment I came in. I think it was jealous. It cussed real bad too. I may not be a real bird person. Oh well.
smile

SMILES...It was a parrot...for further explanation get this, seems that Sammie went to Trixie for advice and it involves what else? A PARROT. Uh huh...I ain't lying either. You'll have to visit my web page to read all about it.

Seems Trixie is taking advantage of my visiting my new grandbaby...the sneak. Trixie, not the grandbaby....

Anyhoo...Trixie's at it again. I dread Valentine's Day though. That when Trixie really gets on a roll...oh brotherrr...I mean who died and made that dog the DEAR ABBY? Oh...she did? huh..well whatdaya know...

JJ

I have been cackling like an old hen...shut up! You gals are sooooo funny. Went to the site and read Trixie's answer to Sammie. My daughter, Blue's owner, was reading over my shoulder and we had tears from laughing so hard. Made my day. I needed a good laugh.

Sammie and I are not sexual...okay? Yet.

Smil...the guy and his parrot could be a chapter in a book. I can't stop laughing at you two women.

[ October 08, 2004, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: Dianne ]

Yep, the guy with a parrot could be a chapter in a book. I could write an ecyclopedia.
I have a novel about one of the much funnier guys. I guess I just wind up with hilarious ones.

BTW, maybe Sammie would like to meet Phatt Cat. He's a retired rock singer type cat. A little decrepit. Once had a drug problem and almost got excommunicated, but is in recovery now.
He rules the roost around here. Sings too when I run the vaccum cleaner.
smile

ahh...you have a cat that sings when the vacuum is running? uh huh...sure you do hon...sure.

Having us a little nippey poo tonight are we?

JJ

Hey JJ at least she hasn't had enough yet to try to vacuum the rug with the cat!!! oh my!

Do you gals realize "Sammie's Thread" is almost full?

She refused to come out of her cage all day yesterday. I was worried about her, thinking she might have injured her breastbone when she fell off the perch. But, after I forced her to let me hold her and we had our "nightly love" session, she's back to normal. I would just crawl into a hole and die if something happened to that bird! And, let's not have any remarks from the nasty old broads on this site about our nightly love thing. It's just petting, kissing and teaching her words. I'm sure her next phrase will be, "You poor baby." Shut up JJ and Chatty!

HEY, I'm on your side its JJ and Smile, the Magpie sisters poking fun about poor little Sammies misfortune. I kiss my animals too SO THERE!!! I know alot about animals but have never heard of night fright or birds falling off their perches. I'm going to look that up. Poor baby her antics have give us ALL so much laughter (ya, JJ and Smile) no one should make fun of her. I would pay good money to watch Smile performing her Marguarita floor dance however, hahahahaha!!!! Honestly JJ, wouldn't you??

Hey give me a few margaritas and I can dance like crazy. It's later when I fall off my perch and wake up in strange hotels crawling around the floor trying to figure out where I am.
smile

I think this is why I stopped drinking!

Yep. Sammie has been an inspiration to us all. I'm practically a teetotaler. And I almost never fall off my perch anymore.
smile

Goofy, goofy bird. She always lets me know when my dog, Diz, is up in the morning (the princess sleeps in until her breakfast is ready )because she starts talking to the dog (good morning, Diz) but now Sammie says, "Wanna go pee-pee?" to the dog. She makes the start of each day funny. She's also saying, "You poor baby." I think that's because I've been saying it to her with her boo-boo on her nose since she fell off her perch.

Uh oh, I think I'm in trouble. Sammie has learned to say the "F" word. No, I don't use it! It's in a man's voice and I think it must be from one of my HBO shows I watch. I'm ignoring her so she might forget how to say it.

DIANNE!!!!!!!!!!! YOU'RE BACK! YAHOOO!

I was wonderi9ng what has happened to sweet Sammie, is she alright since her fall and subsequent trama? Been asked about her by the old folks at the nursing home and my neighbors I take food to. I myself miss hearing of her antics. Please update her condition etc. if you don't mind... Thanks Dianne.

Little Miss Sammie is doing just fine. She's saying, "You poor baby" now. She still has a trace of her nose "boo-boo" but is back to her antics and talking. Every time the phone rings, she goes into her own dialogue and it's hard to talk over her.

I just bought a swing for her perch. Had to slowly move it closer to her each day and just hung it today. She's not thrilled with it. Soon she'll be swinging on it though.

She jumped off her perch yesterday and I found her walking down the hall, looking for me saying, "Give me a kiss." Melted my heart. I think she got bored--even with Blue The Parakeet in the cage next to her. She obviously needs some action.

Have any of you gone to JawJaw's site and read the letter, asking for advice, that Sammie wrote to Trixie? You should do so. Too funny.

I believe Sammie has allergies. Well, not real allergies but she's imitating my daughter's sneezes. Too cute. We fell asleep together on the sofa last night. I opened my eyes and she's standing on my chest, sleeping away. She'd sleep with me all night if I'd let her, something I'm not about to do. I wouldn't get any sleep and my dog would be seriously upset with me.

I don't know about this nutty bird. When I give her slices of apple, she fluffs up like a big bowling ball (this is to scare her prey into believing she's larger than she is) and attacks the apple like she's killing it. She "drowns" it in her water bowl and stands on top of it in the water and then, takes it out and bites it, while slinging the remainder across the room!

Sammie doesn't do this with any other food, just apple. Go figure. I asked her vet about it and he said he didn't have a clue...all African Greys are different, like people.

I'm teaching her to sing, Jose Quervo. My girlfriend wrote that song so I want to surprise her the next time she comes over and have Sammie singing it. Should be good for a laugh.

She's probably really wants the apple, but remembers what kind of trouble it brought Eve...ya know?

OMG! Your friend wrote Jose Cuervo? I LOVE that song! Good Lord...you must know some famous people! What am I saying...you know me...

what?

teehee...JJ

Yes JJ, you are one of my many famous friends...NOT! Living in Nashville, I have one famous neighbor and two famous songwriter neighbors but they don't act like Hollywood people. Very down to earth and nice.

Yep, my good buddy, Cindy Jordan, wrote Jose Cuervo. She still gets "mailbox money" from it and it's still on jukeboxes. She's a gas. A very positive, spiritual, smart, kind, loving woman. I'm a better person for having met her.

Just how cool is that? Come on now...give...who are the other famous people? inquiring minds wanna know...and I am TOO famous. If you don't believe me, go read the bathroom wall at my high school....what?

JJ

I heard that about you, JJ. Not really.

Okay, let's see. Neil Thrasher is one of my neighbors and he wrote Kenny Chesney's latest hit and also some other songs for Garth Brooks, etc. Then, I think his first name is Tim? Anyway, his last name is Nichols and he wrote Tim McGraw's big hit, Live Like YOu Were Dying. He's written a bunch of other songs but honestly, I'm not that into it so can't tell you. Then, Montgomery Gentry (I'm so ignorant I thought it was one person) One of them lives down the street but I can't tell you which one. I wouldn't know the guy if he came to my front door. I do see these huge tour buses in the neighborhood when they're getting ready to go on tour. Truly though, the one's I've met are as nice as can be.

Oh JJ, I was gonna tell you. Alan Jackson lives about six miles from us. Oh My Word! You should see his house! Unbelievable. The last time I had to drive down that road, he comes barrelling toward me in this huge truck. He Waved!!!!! Amy Grant and Vince Gill are his neighbors but the house is too far off the road to really see. So, that is my C&W info for the day!

I'm thinking a lemonaide stand in the area...

what?

JJ

Hey JJ, I ran into Garth Brooks at the 7-11 the other night. He built a huge house just down the road from me. I was going in to get ice and he held the door for me. I said, "Is that you Garth?"
He said, "Yup."
I said, "Well, welcome to Edmond."
He said, "Thanks."
I paid for my ice and he got his beer. The cashier said he comes in there all the time. I don't know how I missed him before.
I dated one of Toby Keith's first band leaders for a while and we hung out with Toby a lot. Cool guy. Later we hung around with a whole bunch of C&W and Branson folks. The musician was a jerk, but he had great friends.
Nashville is where the C&W folks all live now, but Oklahoma is where they come from. Vince and Reba and Toby and Merle and Brooks and Dunn and I forget who all started here.
smile
P.S. Course they left the moment they got the chance. But, like me, they keep coming back. You can get the Okie out of Oklahoma, but you can't get the Okie out of anybody.

[ November 11, 2004, 05:00 PM: Message edited by: smilinize ]

You live in OK? Is that right? Cool. Only been through there but never visited.

Well, it looks like I have to one up "y'all" here. I used to date Troy Donahue...so there! That and some loose change will get you a phone call.

Oh puleaseeee....you two are pathetic....listen up.

I once knew a guy who had a first cousin that ran around with the woman who's third ex-husband sometimes sold car insurance to the bank manager where Elvis's lead bass players Mother's sister banked. And I ain't lying either. I can prove it. So nanan boo boo. You ain't got nutin on da Queen here...

JJ

Okay Queenie, now I know why they call Elvis the King. He knew the guy who sold insurance to the guy who sold cars to the guy who knew the QUEEN JJ--Or something like that.

Yessirree!!! You're the royalty here and don't let anyone forget it.
smile

Well here I go again. I use to be a professional singer in the 60's. They called me the new Patsy Cline and I sang for 6 weeks at The Grand Old Opry, made 45's with Buck Owens band as back up. And sang on stage with Fats Domino and George Jones. Then I got pregnant and had a nine pound bouncing baby boy and just sang in my husbands Chicago cocktail lounge. Never really wanted to sing on stage I use to get too nervous and sick before hand but making records was a blast. Met Elvis once and he said "howdy mame." Good looking kid then...Memories, oh well. I did sing for Dotsie once....

It's official. Chatty wins the "I'm more famous that you" contest. Wow Chatty. How exciting. I absolutely love George Jones. Not his lifestyle but his songs. You know, I used to sing in Reno. Did I tell you that? That's what I wanted to do my whole life but when I got into it, wasn't that much fun. Hard work, long hours and those musicians. EEEWWW. Drove me nuts!

Do you still sing? I did some commercials a few years ago but honestly, they don't pay enough to make it worth my time and effort.

Speaking of "most famous" I guess we should get back to the most famous parrot, Sammie. She is now saying, Watch out, here comes the boogey man! I don't have a clue where she learned this. It's cute tho.

There are plenty of people here that will be and are more famous than me. I was just a lounge singer that got a lucky break but was too stupid to pursue it. I too hated the long hours and that lifestyle. I never wanted to be anyone but a lounge singer for fun in my husbands cocktail lounge, but one night I was heard by Fats Dominos manager and things happened from there, too fast for me to comprehend. I did love the Opry and the people like George Jones and many others. I had just gotten a new recording contract from Columbia Records when I began to throw up 24/7 pregnant with my second son. Hard to sing when your up chucking every time you open your mouth. No, you never told us about singing in Reno. Me, I always wanted to write. I love words and writing, being alone, quiet and creating something great that might live on long after I'm gone. I only sing in church now and did do a solo a couple weeks ago but don't have the rang I once did. The whole experience was fun and I have lots of memories but would NEVER do it again. I am a writer and an animal activist, nothing more, oh, and a Boomer if Dotsie doesn't kick me out for being a big pain in the derierre to some people.

Wow. You have to have an awesome voice to be signed to a big house like that! I would love to hear you. Hey, if you want to reach the same notes you did in your younger days...wear tight underwear! Works for me.

You ARE NOT a pain. I think you're a wonderful person. If you get kicked off, I'm getting kicked off with you! So there, young lady.

Tight underwear, humm, never thought there could be a good reason for them, I just figured my big butt was growing too fast, and to think I've been throwing them out to buy bigger ones. At my age and the way I've let my voice go untrained for so long it will never happen and like I said it was never my dream to begin with, it was my husbands fantasy/desire to make me a star. Me, I was thrilled to be a mom again, I loved my sons, my house on the lake, my cooking club and my animals. I was the original happy housewife and found the constant travel a real pain. To me show business really isn't all its cracked up to be and you really have to want it to think it is. I would rather just stay home and write and did just that....nedver have looked back, not once. Well maybe once when the money was tight, (smiling) now that is the best part, the good money, but when I write that best selling Novel I'll have a ton of money....Just like the Queen, right JJ????

Values over fame. No comparison. It is a rough lifestyle and sure doesn't make it easy to be a mom. I would sing until 3 AM and get up early in the morning so I could see my kids off. I really wasn't happy although the money was good.

Now, my friend, Cindy, comes over and she is a monster on the piano and we do our own "gig." Sing and play for hours. She wants me to cut a demo of some of her new songs. We have so much fun. Hey, I'll find her website for all of you so you can see this foxy babe and also there is a site where you can download some of her piano music. She's just awesome! So are you, Chatty.

http://www.cynthiamusic.com/

I promised I'd post Cindy's site (jose cuervo) and if you click under the Christmas bell, you can download some of her beautiful songs. Enjoy.

Somehow we wandered off the real subject of this section, Sammie the wonder bird. You said you might visit but she can't come, well I for one would be so sad if she didn't. Rosee wants to meet her and hear her talk, but then theres Reeta who says, yea bring her on, I love poultry. As you can see Reeta cannot be trusted around any other kinds of animals, birds, or fish...She thinks everything is for tasting....I bet Sammie learned some choice words last week, ha ha ha!!!LOL

Chatty Too funny and yes, you're probably right!

I've never traveled in a plane with that bird. They have little acrylic carriers with perches but I think she'd have a heart attack. I don't think she want's to be the appetizer for your critter either.

She's been singing opera today. Must be happy. I put the music channel on tv when I'm not in the room because she loves it so much.

Oh ladies...I forgot to tell you. My uncle that died five months ago had a warehouse full of antique cars so I bought his 1940 Ford Pickup. Aqua blue with a Corvette engine. They delivered it today and it's a smokin' machine. Can't wait to go crusing.

My crazy, crazy bird. Had an early Christmas dinner for my daughter last night with a few of her girlfriends so got to bed very late. Got up this morning and cleaned the kitchen and had just fallen back into bed for some more much needed sleep when I heard someone knocking on the front door. I get up and there is nobody there. It was Sammy! She has it down perfect. I couldn't tell the difference. So, I'm trying to fall asleep and she's running through every word and phrase she knows for over an hour. I couldn't sleep because I was laughing so hard.

Back to the adventures of Sammie.

She has her own name for my daughter. Calls her Brandi Girl. I've never called her that or anyone else for that matter so the only thing we can figure is it's a name she wants to call her.