Ryan’s Remarks

By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers

Hello, Our Town Community. Can you believe we are in November? Wow, it seems not long ago that I was writing about the beginning of a new year in 2023. Time flies, and we must be grateful for each moment. November is a great time to reflect upon our journey, express gratitude for the blessings surrounding us, and draw inspiration from the unwavering spirit of our community.

In this season of change, I encourage us to take a moment to count our blessings, no matter how small they may seem. Gratitude is a powerful force that can transform our lives. When we focus on the positive aspects of our existence, we build resilience and find strength in the face of challenges.

Our community has shown remarkable resilience over the past few years, which we should all be proud of. We have faced unprecedented times with courage and determination, supporting one another through thick and thin. Let us carry this spirit forward into the coming months, standing together, shoulder to shoulder, as we continue to grow and thrive.

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop lower, remember that each day is an opportunity for growth and positive change. This is the time of year to set new goals and aspirations, whether big or small. It’s the perfect moment to take that step you’ve been putting off, to start that project you’ve been dreaming about, or to strengthen the bonds with your neighbors and friends.

If 2020 and 2021 taught us anything, we can adapt, innovate, and support one another in times of need. The Our Town community exemplifies the strength and determination that lies within each of us. Let’s carry this energy into the months ahead, embracing challenges with open hearts and minds.

The holiday season is just around the corner, and it’s a time when we can come together to spread love and joy throughout our community. Whether through small acts of kindness or larger charitable

Continued on page 8

Parrot Talk: Would You Think a Parrot Would Cuddle?

By Brenda Bean

Would you ever think a parrot would cuddle? Would you ever think a parrot would come across the room and down the hall to you only for affection? Could a bird hear your vehicle and know the difference between yours and any other vehicle? Do you think they only mimic and have no conception of the meaning of the words they speak? Well, let me tell you something.

Parrots love to cuddle. From the hatchling to the sixty-six year old, they love being held close and stroked like a child. They love the preening with fingers gently breaking the casings off the new feathers on their head. Some become so accustomed to human preening they will not preen themselves. In the wild, this behavior is performed by their mate and other birds in their flock. They will often push their heads into your hand for a good scratch. They will lean on another bird for a preening session, even in the wild.

Parrots will search for companionship. They are not lone creatures and they require a flock to maintain proper social skills. When they are lonely, they will come to find you. Unfortunately, along the way in their search, they may get distracted with the baseboard at the floor, the chair rail, the door frame, the arm of the couch, or the end table. When not adequately supervised, their beaks can do proper damage to whatever they decide may need adjustment. If your bird is out of the cage, always look to the floor by your feet before taking a step. And don’t have a heart attack when they decide your toes are playthings!

When my husband comes home, there is no cornucopia of greetings from my bird room. They hear Jack’s truck pull into the driveway, and there is a subdued reaction except for Joey, the umbrella cockatoo. Jack is his FAVORITE person in all the world. “I love you!” “Come here!” “Let me out!” “Wanna go outside?” “Huh?” “Huh!” “Joey, Joey, Joey?” “I love you, Joey!”

I get NOTHING from Joey when my van pulls into the driveway. BUT…all the other birds have a massive ruckus screaming and calling, “Mamma’s home!” “Give me KISS!” “Let me out!” “I ain’t no bird.” “WWWaaaatttteeeerrrrr.”

These parrots know I have to come close for a kiss. They make the smooching sound after the demand. They know water is water, and when it is dirty, they can call for water, and I will go and look. And, of course, “let me out” is my cue to open the door of their cage for a cuddle or a kiss. When they cuddle, they will mumble, “I love you” and “that feels so good.” They learn from us the proper responses because of our energy. When our energy changes, and it is not frightening, they remember. When you are gently preening a parrot, and they fluff up all their feathers like goosebumps, you cannot help but say, “Aaahh. Does that feel so good?” Or some other nonsensical dribble. And when you open the door of their cage to move them out (to clean or let them flap), you cannot help but ask, “Want to come out?”

These parrots have been domesticated much like the dogs and cats of today. Many pet parrots have been hand-reared from naked little babies. These babies may not make good bird parents because they were never taught by their own bird parents how to feed a baby that has hatched. It may take years for a pet to sit on a nest and hatch a baby successfully – no bird has taught them.

As humans, we must always be responsible for our endeavors. We cannot make pets of all the parrots. Breeders must make monetary sacrifices and allow some babies to be raised by the parents for future breeding purposes. Supply and demand is only one reason parrots have increased in price.

Brenda Bean is the owner of Parrot Productions and Fancy Feathers. More information at http://fancyfeathersstore.com/ or 770986-0661

Ryan’s Remarks

Continued from page 7 endeavors, let us remember the importance of giving and sharing. As we enjoy the warmth of our homes and the love of our families, we should also consider those who may be less fortunate and find ways to extend a helping hand.

In the spirit of giving, let’s also take the time to appreciate and support the local businesses that contribute to the uniqueness of our community. They have faced their share of hardships, and your continued support means more to them than you can imagine. This November, make an extra effort to shop locally, dine at our community’s restaurants, and celebrate the incredible small businesses around us.

As we embrace November, remember that we are an unstoppable force when working together. We must UNITE (come together), not UNTIE (drift apart). The letters of each word are the same, but by making one change in their order, they mean entirely different things.

I hope you have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. One that is filled with some downtime and enjoyment of all we have to be thankful for. Finally, and as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town!