Just a quick note to my watchers-- I will be absent for a time. In the past week, I have had to say goodbye to two friends, both of which have left painful gaps in my life. Both Desi, a 13-year-old human imprint American Kestrel and one of my favourite program birds at work, and my beloved girl Blue (featured in this deviation in the manner in which I will always remember her) died suddenly, three days apart, and I am not sure what to do with myself in the aftermath. I was still grieving for Desi when Blue died in my hands.

When I can process this properly, hopefully I will be able to be creative again. Right now, it's enough of a challenge to go most of the day without crying. I know I will never again have a companion like Blue, and it's hard to accept that I will never see or hear or cuddle the bird I thought would be with me until I was well into my forties.

I'll be back eventually, I hope. In the meantime, thank you for your patience and understanding.