Recently, I read an article entitled When Ball Really Is Life by Amna Subhan.  The piece touched a special place in my heart; like Subhan, I too am the daughter of immigrant parents. Subhan’s piece begins in 1980’s America and takes the reader on a journey through time. She skillfully details how the simple sport of basketball brought comfort and normalcy to her Pakistani father as he started his new life in America.  

I strongly related to her story as my own father had also used basketball as a crutch; he had been fans of the same teams and players mentioned in Subhan’s piece. As I read, Subhan’s writing stirred the pot of nostalgia, bringing back fond memories of my childhood and how my father would religiously watch the games, just like her dad. It made me feel compassion for what both of my parents went through in their decision to move to America from their comfortable homes in India. It reminded me of their sacrifices for their children, and also reminded me of what it is possible to build in a country like America if you are a hard-working individual.

The goal of this piece was to create a hook and theme that is weaved throughout the entire piece. This is something that I feel Subhan accomplished. With her simple lines, “The year was _____,” she engages the reader with the passage of time, all the while making the reader wonder, “What will happen in the present?” The hook allows her to establish a good pace for the piece, and push time along with snapshots of her father’s life at different pivotal junctures. 

Although she spends much of the piece speaking about the year 1986, it is done with intention, to showcase the myriad of struggles faced by a new immigrant in this country. She shows these struggles due to differences, while also thoughtfully showing how there are hidden similarities between cultures that can provide equitable happiness (e.g. her father’s passion for sports translated from cricket to basketball.) If a person wants it badly enough, they can find comfort and acceptance anywhere.  

Subhan affectively uses her parents’ own words to develop the character of her father for this story. Through their dialogue, you learn about him as a person (i.e. he was a sportsman and doctor), what he valued (i.e. family and children), and his ethics (i.e. work discipline and loyalty). Although I felt I learned about her father’s essence, I did feel myself always asking another question.  

For example: How old was her father in 1986? What was it about “his connection of faith” that brought him to basketball? Why was it peaceful for him to watch this sport? Why did he identify with Kareem?and finally What made him continue to watch basketball even when life became, seemingly, easier?  I feel like these are natural questions that arise with a piece of this nature, and that it would shed further light on her father’s background and connection to this sport. 

This piece also had grammatical errors that, at times, made it difficult to read. Sometimes a run-on sentence or word choice made certain passages clumsy. However, these issues did not affect the overall tone of the piece.  They are easily fixed with simple edits and possible rearrangement of sentences. It is a credit to the author, that despite these errors, her piece is still highly effective at conveying the intended message. I found myself wanting to read more, and was not deterred, showing the skill in the author’s choice of subject matter and style.

The thing that surprised me the most about this piece was how Subhan took a topic that normally results in negative discussion and completely spun it into something positive. So many authors focus on the negativity of struggles faced when coming to a new country. The entire focus of this piece was on a sport, and how it became a lifeline to success and happiness. She did an exquisite job at keeping the struggle real, but not overpowering. It makes the reader have faith that her father will make it through, and that anyone facing struggles can make it through. This all culminates in the end of the piece (arguably the best part) where her father explains how he is proud to share the tradition of basketball with his children. 

“It’s important to pass it on to my kids because it was something that brought me happiness after coming here. I’m proud to see my kids enjoying it too.”

Whether feathered or furry, prickled or feline – I know who I can always trust to get me through the overwhelm, stress, and anxiety that life, so naturally, produces. How is it that these tiny creatures can have such a powerful impact on our souls, you ask? Join me as I reflect on my animal therapy journey to find out! 

Like the teetering wooden bricks of the beloved childhood game we were playing, I sat perched precariously on my kitchen stool when I began to totter to the left. This could not end well.

One moment, I was the upright, homesick, 30-year-old wondering what had possessed me to travel to Costa Rica, so far from the comforts of home. In the next moment, I toppled to the cool tiled floor out of nervousness, excitement, and sheer klutziness.

Three pairs of dark wide eyes gazed down at me, aghast. Furry little Tommi barked with confusion at the commotion of his three human companions who were frantically trying to determine if I was alright.

I stared up at my hosts, ashamed and helpless, and ever aware of the burgeoning blush on my otherwise tan cheeks. As usual, my clumsiness had taken center stage.  Luckily, I was fine, sparing a bruised ego. But how does one say that in Spanish?!

With a sheepish smile, I said, “I’m okay – Yo soy como Jenga!” pointing at the abandoned tower on the kitchen table.  They paused. I began to panic.  And then it happened.

My ears rang with their uproarious laughter. It was a sound that melted away my apprehensions and warmed my heart in an oddly familiar way… Loving arms enveloped me and propped me upright once more.  Suddenly, everything was different.

As we laughed and continued on with game night, it struck me what a beautiful thing had just occurred. Despite the apparent hindrances to connection – a language barrier, different cultures, and lack of time together – this family had accepted me as one of their own. In this moment, there was an instinctual communion of souls, inextricably bonding me to this family as though they had always been my own.

The wooden tower crashed to the floor as I indelicately attempted to release a stubborn brick from its center. My host family laughed, clapped, and took turns hugging me. I giggled at the glaringly obvious symbolism of the moment. Lifelong insecurities fell away and I was ready to rebuild my tower anew in this beautiful country with such loving people. Perhaps even more powerful was the distinct sensation that I had finally come home.

This piece was written in response to a writing prompt from Digital Journalism, a course with University of California, San Diego.

“PEEP!!!”

If you ever hear Papaya make this shrill, ear-piercing call, you can be certain there is running water nearby.  The girl goes absolutely bonkers for it!  She is my first South American parrot, and while I was prepared for her to love water – as most rain forest birds do – I was not prepared for the obsession.

If there is a faucet running, a shower dripping… heck! even if I am pouring some hot water into a mug from the kettle, the Monster is all over that business.  She just loves taking baths!  She doesn’t mind how fast or slow the water runs, so long as it is ice cold.  It is so funny to me how she will perch on the edge of my cupped hands under a running faucet and periodically check the water temperature on her tongue.  She will not jump in until that tiny internal temperature gauge hits “Sub-Antarctic.”  (Most of the time, I have to add a little hot water to the mix to keep my fingers from falling off and pray she does not notice!)

This being said, if she takes a shower with me, she loves a good steam.  [To all of those incredulous souls out there… yes. I shower with my bird.  Are you really shocked?]  She sits on her shower perch, or clings to the hair at the nape of my neck and pretends she is in a European sauna – the Monster loves a good mist!

Bathing is exceptionally important for parrots, so the fact that Papaya takes five to six baths a day is something for which I am grateful.  It keeps her feathers clean, and her skin healthy.  Additionally, it’s a stimulating activity and form of environmental enrichment! Given how much I hold her, I am ever aware of the oils from my human hands getting on her delicate feathers.  Luckily for us, these bathing rituals make my life easier!  I do not need to take the extra effort to clean her, as she takes care of herself.

Different types of parrots like bathing in different ways.  This can likely be tied to the regions from which they originated, in addition to individual personalities.  For example, Rio, our African lovebird, is perfectly fine with submerging in deep bowls of water – reminiscent of the rivers in Africa.  The Australian cockatiels however are my little chickens; they are terrified of pooled water, and at most will accept an air bath or mist from a spray bottle.  Their timid ways can be tied to the dry Australian landscape… where a bird will take sand baths or baths in shallow puddles as water is scarce.  Finally we have my South American diva, Miss Papaya.  This girl will take a bath in her water dish, a drinking class, any sink (including one filled with dirty dishes), the human shower, from a spray bottle, and I swear, she once tried to take a bath out of a tablespoon – haha!  (We can thank the blistering Sacramento Summer for that last one!)

I encourage everyone to promote good bathing rituals with their parrot.  If they are shy like my cockatiels, a good place to start is hanging wet lettuce leaves along the sides of your bird’s cage.  This is a very natural way for them to encounter water as they may have in the wild.  When approaching for a snack, they may rub themselves on the foliage to clean their feathers.  Slowly, over time, your parrot will learn to overcome their fear of bathing.  Build your way up to misting with a bottle and later to more substantial baths in bowls or in the sink.  Always be sure to pay close attention to your pet’s behaviors to determine if they are comfortable – let your parrot decide the pace at which you progress!

Until next time – splish, splash!

You would think that being cooped up inside during two weeks of endless rain would make life extremely dull. But alas, I am the owner of a rambunctious green cheek conure – life is never dull.

This morning I woke up, got dressed, grabbed my spinning shoes and the warmest hoodie I could find, and headed out the door for my morning workout. I was affronted by a cold, windy drizzle, entirely uncharacteristic of the California I have grown to know and love. But of course, we cannot complain! With this drought, we need all the precipitation we can get. Two weeks of rain is nothing in the grand scheme of things.

After I reached home, I decided to take a quick run around my apartment complex before heading up to my apartment and feeding Papaya. When I finally got upstairs, totally out of breath, I opened the door to complete silence. Something was not right.

All you parrot owners out there know that if there is silence, it either means your bird is in trouble… or more likely, is causing trouble.

“Baby?!” I called out as I rushed to remove my shoes. No response. Oh dear, what has she done? I thought as I rushed into her room.

As I quickly surveyed the cage, still panting, I realized there was no Papaya in sight! My heart skipped a beat as I quickly began to assess where my monster could possibly be…and then I saw her.

Proud and majestic, the rainbow ball of feathers was entirely puffed up as she slowly strutted across the top of her cage towards me. She cocked her head and pointedly looked at me as though to say, “Who’s the smart one now?” Then she deliberately turned her back on me and marched away, swishing her smug tail from side to side as she went.

Meanwhile, I was left standing there, breathless and incredulous. How could she have possibly escaped from the cage?! 

The two front doors have special latches that Papaya cannot reach from the inside of the cage. Both of these locks were still in place, untouched. The cage does have two small breeder doors, however, on the sides. One of these doors is extremely tight, and is located behind the curtain where she sleeps. She has never gone near or shown any attempt or interest in opening this door. The reasoning is two-fold; first, she doesn’t have the muscle strength, and second, it is in an awkward location for her to actually push through it because of the curtain. I discovered the other breeder door was loose a couple of months ago, so I had zip-tied it shut. Upon first inspection, both the breeder doors also seemed to be closed…

Conundrum: How did she get out?! 

So I looked closer…

The breeder door behind her sleeping curtain was ever so slightly ajar. Papaya’s weeks of building muscle through flight training has rendered her strong enough to push through even that most tightly-latched, inconveniently located side door. But what is still shocking to me is that she actually figured this out and did it. I truly adore all the birds I have ever raised… but this smarty pants is officially my first Houdini!

I’ve uploaded a video of my morning discovery for your enjoyment. Please pardon my being entirely out of breath as I tried to narrate what was going on in my state of post-workout astonishment!

But now, I shall bid thee all adieu as I must go hunting for a Zip Tie… After the Prehistoric Monster’s morning episode, I need to barricade that breeder door against future breach!

Wish me luck! 😉

Hello to all you wonderful people, parrots, and other pets out there! We have missed you, but we are finally back! I would like to dive right into things, but first I must say thank you to all of you who have stayed in touch via e-mail and have been following Papaya and I on Instagram (@wingingit143) these last few months. We have loved sharing with you, and are so thankful for all your well wishes!

Around this past Halloween, I was out shopping one day when the stores switched from their normal top 40 radio mix to the 24/7 Christmas carol extravaganza. It got me thinking about the holidays and about the New Year, and in particular New Year’s resolutions…

Every single year I make resolution, I never ever end up keeping it. What is up with that? I love to write, n’est pas? Well there was this one year during my childhood where I made a New Year’s resolution “to write every day in my journal.” Can you possibly guess how many days I wrote in that journal before quitting? I wrote in that journal all of one day. That’s right. ONE. I actually ended up starting the same journal again the following year. As I had not made any writing resolution that year, it was possible for my ten year old self to make consistent entries of hilariously awkward prose that can only be managed by a ten year old. To this day, it is still one of my favorite journals to revisit.

Well, this year I made the grave mistake of making a resolution that I would restart this blog on January 1st. Last I checked, today is January 12th. Oops! So I believe this means enough time has passed  for me to say I didn’t keep my resolution, while still having plenty of this marvelous new year to share ridiculously silly stories with you about the Prehistoric Monster who has invaded my apartment.  

They call her Papaya. Poposhpul for you Konkanis out there… But the Monster believes her name is something else. 

“Baby?… Baby?!….. Baaabbbbyyyyy!!!!”

Without fail, this is what I hear every morning I wake up or when I enter my apartment these days. It starts soft, politely questioning… and will inevitably turn into a shriek of desperation unless I respond…

“Hi, Baby!” 

“Koink!” she will respond, and then our little dance begins. 

I walk into her room, and she will puff up her head feathers. She looks at me inquisitively to make sure that it is actually me, and not an impostor. I look straight back, and tilt my head to the side. I’ll say, “How are you?!” And she will stand straight, confirming that it is me by vocal recognition: “Peeep!”

I take my cue to lean in closer to the cage. She then will bob her head repeatedly, dancing like a madwoman, until I ask, “Do you want to come out?!” She pauses, and nods her head, only once, and very slowly. This is after all very serious business we are discussing.

“Okay then, go potty!” I say. And on this verbal command, she bolts like lightening, down through the middle of the rope boing, horizontally across the lowest perch, to the pink vet-tape wrapped portion on the very end which is softer on her feet. This all happens in half a second, by the way. And then my beautiful little intelligent feathered monster “goes potty”, and scampers up to the cage door. Triumphant.

She has emerged…and she is ready for a day of silliness! (Meanwhile, I remain ever thankful that I have a potty-trained parrot!)

Now the first thing that Papaya does every day is follow me to the kitchen. Depending on her mood, she may take a leisurely stroll on foot, or otherwise she’ll wing it. But one thing’s for sure, she will be hungry! And this bird eats better than I do folks (and I am not at all ashamed of it). 

Papaya’s diet has been a balancing act. I wanted to provide the best, most nutritious food for her, and yet what I was providing also needed to be easy for me to prepare. I love her, but I didn’t want to be worrying about feeding her the right thing at the right time for every last minute of the rest of my life.

Well! After a lot of research, I finally found what works for the both of us. 

In her cage, she always has Harrison’s organic pellets. Sometime in the afternoon or evening each day, she gets Nutriberries (little compact balls made of seeds, pellets, nuts, and other vitamins and minerals). But the majority of her diet, and the most important part by far, is a sprout blend that I make for her. Every morning, she gets sprouted mung beans, wheat berries, wheat, brown rice, and lentils…and whatever other fun thing I have found to sprout at Whole Foods.  I believe it is the best food for her because it is the only living food you can give to a parrot, and a true representation of what they would find to eat in the wild. This along with a few slices of fresh fruits and veggies is the perfect diet for my growing “baby.” 

Over the past few months, I have noticed a considerable difference in the sheen of her feathers. She is growing quite strong, with clear eyes, and lots of energy. She loves trying new things, and so we always experiment with exotic fruits and vegetables. And the best part – when Papaya eats healthy foods, so do I. It’s hard not to follow suit when you see how scrumptious she makes it all look! 

Although the sprouting process itself is easy, on occasion it has been difficult to get the sprouts to grow quickly enough during the winter months. In the summer, they grow almost overnight. But in the winter, sometimes it can take 5-7 days or more because of the cold. Which is okay, and I don’t mind… but sometimes we do hit a day where poor Papaya does not have any sprouts. And for those unfortunate days, I decided to make her “parrot chop.”

Parrot chop is a medley of fruits and vegetables that are finely processed and then frozen into daily portions. Most people use this with their parrots to get them to eat fruits and vegetables. Period. Believe it or not, it is quite often extremely difficult to get parrots to eat fruits and vegetables! It’s the all-seed diets provided by some breeders/sellers… the birds may find it tasty, but it is no bueno! Seeds are full of fat and can lead to horrible health issues for your pet when fed alone.

Because the ingredients in parrot chop (or mash) are so finely processed, parrots are basically tricked into eating foods they might otherwise deem unappetizing in appearance. This is because the physical appearance of chop mimics seeds. The silly birds can no longer differentiate this is an apple…that is broccoli. Many people give their parrots half chop, half pellets as their daily diet. It’s a wonderful way of doing meal prep actually, because it encourages people who might not want to take the time to prepare fresh food each and every day, to give their parrots more than just seeds.

Now, as I usually do have the time to prepare everything fresh for Papaya, and because I do give her the sprouts, I have not done much with chop… I have not had a need for it. Until now. I decided that for the days that the sprouts choose not to grow, or if I happen to be extremely busy, or if a pet sitter is watching Papaya… it may be best to have a couple bags of chop in the freezer that can easily be thawed and given to her. Even if I mix this chop with her sprouts, or some fresh berries, it would be a good thing to have on hand. This way, I can ensure she is getting a proper combination of fruits and vegetables that are nutritionally balanced even on the “off days,” and I will not have to rely on giving her only pellets and Nutriberries.

So back to my initial musings on resolutions…More than one-fifth of Americans make the New Year’s resolution to lose weight or eat healthier every year. It’s so important to us that we renew this same resolution every year! But if weight, health, and general fitness is so important to us, shouldn’t we care about the weight, health, and fitness of our animals as well? These exceptional critters give us so much love, fun, comfort, and support, and they are entirely reliant on us for their well-being.

So, this January 12th, I besiege you to make and keep a non-resolution () on behalf of your feathered friend! If you are feeding your parrot a seed-only diet, please, try something new! Slide a leaf of spinach into the dish, proffer a piece of that apple…. or better yet, if you’re really getting into the non-resoluting spirit, mix up a batch of parrot chop! Believe me, you and the little chickadees will be happy you did.

Any small effort you can make to get your parrot off a seed-only diet is worth it. To help out, I’ve included a video (linked below) that demonstrates how I made the chop for Papaya. I got 26 days worth of chop for the amount of ingredients I show – and better yet, it only took about 30 minutes to make! (Plus I had that monkey crawling all over the place while I was chopping away!) If anyone wants to try it out, or has any questions, please feel free to shoot me an e-mail and I would be happy to help. 

That’s all for today – Cheers! And a very Happy New Year from That’s for the Birds!