This is Mommy's favorite time of year in Arizona. Not, by all means, because we've reached triple digits. Mommy's tolerance for heat is about what mine is. 85 tops would be just fine. . . .

But this is the time of year when baby woodpeckers, quail, squirrels, rabbits, and other wild animals frequent our back yard. She's 'adopted' several quail families, ranging in size from just two babies left, all the way up to one with 8, rather well-grown babies - still alive and well! She actually got to see a family with probably a dozen new-borns - so small and fluffy that Mom almost didn't notice them in the yard. There were too many of them to count.


Mom gets so mushy when it comes to seeing new animals out there. I like to show her how silly she sounds, so whenever she walks up to that glass door by my cage, I turn on some mush: "Oh there's a bunny. And a squirrrrrel. And some birdies. Ahhhhhhhh. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh."


I don't mind her just looking. But the moment that Mommy's hand touches that knob, it's time for Lucy bird to speak (scream) her mind!


"Squaaaaaaaak! What are you doin?!!! What are you doin? The bunny....there's a bunny. Screeeeeeeeam!" Can you tell I have a bit of a jealousy thing goin on? I know those other birdies need good food just like me. But if I had it my way, Mommy would invite her other feathered friends in here with me, instead of going out there to them.


Ah . . .but summer is my saving grace. It's going to reach 109 today! And that's my guarantee that Mommy will quickly feed those other birdies, then come running right back inside to little ole me!