The weather that, I realize, I am far too accustomed to has returned. After a week of welcome rain, mist, and humidity, and continual thunderstorms, our clear blue skies are back. This morning's ride was chilly for June at 40 degrees, but by noon the weather was perfect: 70 degrees with a cool moist breeze; Kal and I sat on the patio and basked, her with a New Yorker and me with an Economist and Portrait of a Lady (at which I have chuckled a couple of times, not necessarily when James planned me to but still). I'm not sure about her but I'm not fond of a hot sun. This was perfect.
Yet no one listened when I requested that the new building have a retractable roof. True, I only asked for this when I learned that I would be on the third floor, and I have also asked for Bathrobe Day and petitioned for Pet Year. But still.
I biked to the gym and swam a kilometer plus a few lengths of fly alternating with side- or backstroke so I could breathe. I am also working on kicking from my abs, which are flobby.
Something more than two 3.8-mile city rides, and a 1K crawl.
And I biked home totally happy. When I am not exercising, I forget just how profound an effect exercise and activity have on my mood. I must not let myself forget.
Last night Blake was in the living room with RDC as I dismantled his cage: he wasn't in it, he didn't want to be in it, but he didn't like the fact I was messing with his turf. (He could hear my activity.) While his house was in the dishwasher, he could forget his territorialism, but when I began to assemble it again he recommenced whining. As soon as I got the basics assembled I put his box on the roof, and he hopped from my shoulder to thither and pranced into it and huffed at me while I arranged his perches and toys.
Today he's been sweet all day. I am sure that if everyone had a cockatiel to entertain, oral hygiene would be a major hobby. Flossing, brushing, and gargling are just so much more fun when there's a buddy on your shoulder bowing and bobbing.
Now I am downstairs with Blake on my shoulder. He has just had a yawning fit and is now on my sternum, just under my chin, where I can pet him with with little lip nibbles.
I understand he is a rarity among parrots to be so affectionate, but I really can't imagine life without a buddy.