the good, the bad, and the kitty

Know how I know I’m a bird nerd? I just almost peed myself over seeing an indigo bunting out at my bird feeder.

A couple of my co-workers have mentioned seeing indigo buntings this spring, so I looked it up in one of my bird books and wow…what a beautiful little bird. So, for about two months now I’ve been thinking to myself, “Gee, I’d really like to see an indigo bunting.” Why, just yesterday I was talking about it with my grandmother and told her that I’d really like to see one.

I was idly looking out the window just a few minutes ago when I spotted a brilliant blue bird at the feeder. It’s starting to get dark so I couldn’t tell if my eyes were playing tricks on me, so I got Ryan’s binoculars to get a better look. And lo! It was indeed a lovely little indigo bunting. I watched it for a while through the binoculars and then realized I should have my camera out. Of course, no sooner did I get my camera out and get the zoom lens attached, it had flown away. Boo!

No worries. I’m sure he’ll be back now that he knows I keep my bird feeder well-stocked. And I will of course be waiting with my binoculars, camera, and bird book.

Wow, I’m a nerd.

I haven’t had a month like this for a looooooong time. And by “like this,” I mean completely awesome and exciting. On May 1, I began my wildlife rehabilitation training at the raptor center – something I’d been working toward for a year and a half. It is 100% rewarding and fulfilling and scary and important and wonderful. Each week, I look forward to Thursday so I can go train again, as well as see all the other birds who live there; especially my little sweetie Petra.

On May 10, I got my third tattoo: an owl that my friend Chrissy designed for me a year or so ago. I realized that the tattoo coincided with the beginning of my rehab training, which was not something I planned but appreciate the good timing I had in subconsciously choosing this month to get the tattoo. I posted several photos on my Flickr page  that Ryan took while I was getting inked, but here are a few teasers:

Pretending like it doesn’t hurt.

Pretending like it hurts more than it does.

Messy, inky beginning stages.

Ta da! The finished product.

I had a lot of fun getting the tat done yesterday, and had a good time chatting with my pal Reverend Matthew T. Cooper, the owner of Nemesis Tattoo, who dug up some Scooby Doo on his computer for me to watch while he worked. If you live in Iowa City and want some body art done, go see him. He’s top notch!

To add to the awesomeness of May, I will be receiving my Reiki Level 1 and 2 certification next week, on the 20th/21st.  Reiki is a Japanese healing techinique that uses universal energy – rei means “divine” and ki means “force or energy.”  The woman offering certification is the same woman who hosted the wildlife rehabilitation workshop I took a few weeks ago, and uses Reiki to supplement her rehabbing.  She thought it would be beneficial for me to learn since I’m working with raptors, and I have been interested in Reiki in general for a few years anyway.  It is beneficial to both humans and animals and the price was right so I figured, “What the hay?” 

Side note of unawesomeness: Yesterday (Sunday) morning started off much less cool than Saturday. Ryan awoke at 7am in a puddle of cat urine, so we had to strip the bed and finish sleeping on the living room floor. We’re not sure who the culprit was, but we’re kind of leaning toward Clementine. She may look sweet, but can be a brat when she wants to. Luckily (?), I’ve had my bed peed on before so I knew some tricks on how to remove the mess from the mattress. It worked, and last night’s sleep was pee-free!

I am beginning to think she is harboring some behavioral issues that might be leading to her inappropriate elimination, as she also displays “oral indiscretion” behavior (chewing on fabric) and can be quite anxious and clingy.  I’m going to get some books from the library and try to play cat psychologist.  If only I had my Reiki certification already…I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt in this situation, because the main objective of offering Reiki is to get the subject to relax.  Here’s to hoping!

Ryan and I went out to Lake Macbride today to bury Margot. I decided I didn’t want her to spend eternity buried at the dead end of Maggard Street next to the train tracks, so we were going to bury her in the trees behind where our boat is parked. There ended up being too many people milling around out there so we drove out near the raptor center – which was where I really wanted her to begin with. We found a secluded spot in the woods where we wouldn’t be seen digging (as I’m sure what we did was illegal), and laid her to rest. A young deer wandered up during our little funeral and attended the final rites, which I thought was nice. I feel good about Margot being buried someplace special. I’m happy that she’s somewhere so beautiful.

Yesterday I went outside and took some photos of the tree in our yard, which is a-bloom with pretty white blossoms. I’m not sure what kind of tree it is, but it sure is pretty.

Of course there are more shots at my Flickr page.

And finally, for a little comic relief, here is a photo of the carrot creature Ryan and I discovered while cooking dinner one night. It already had “eyes” so we added a mouth. I guess I’ll have to think twice before I say that I don’t eat food with a face (though we didn’t eat that particular carrot since it was mutated).

In other news, I am taking a Reiki certification class in a few weeks. If you are unfamiliar with Reiki, here’s the Wiki. Cynthia Claybough, who hosted the wildlife rehabilitation workshop I took a few weeks back, is a Reiki Master and is offering certification classes. I’ve been interested by and intrigued about Reiki since I worked in the furniture store, where one of my customers was a Reiki healer. I remember that just standing next to her made my entire body buzz with positive energy, and I didn’t want to leave her side. I’ve been reading about Reiki healing with animals, and feel like it would be beneficial in the future for rehabbing. I checked Google, and it looks like there are no animal Reiki practitioners in Iowa City, so I might be able to corner the market on that. Who knows…maybe it will open a door to a whole new career!

I’m also getting a new tattoo next Saturday! My friend Chrissy designed an owl tat for me a while back and I’ve been dying to get it. I decided last week that I wanted to get it, so I made the appointment. I realized a few days later that my owl tat coincide with the beginning of my journey as a wildlife rehabilitator, and liked the symbolism. Of course there will be pictures!