YONAH•Mourning Dove•Journal

MARCH 2022

Tuesday 01 March:
6.47 this slightly snowy morn! With a bit of chat, though not full-on conversation. But immediate “Good morning” kisses! And OH! Was Yonah's room ever-so nice and warm! I suspect he had a most-comfy night last night, and slept rather quite well! He was already stretching the wings when I got in and ready to “hit the day”. But there's a lot of those little “woo-HOO!”s this morning. I wish I knew what those were saying. It's the little “twitches” he makes as he coo's. (I remember when he'd first done them, and the twitches. I was in a panic thinking he was having some sort of seizure! Then, I read that the twitches could be associated with “mating” and that too, concerned me because, well, there's nobody around for “that”.) He makes this coo'ing often-enough, as it were, and, eventually, they stop and he goes on about his daily business. Still, I DO wish I knew what he's saying.
THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT OF A MORNING IS: HE'S UP, ABOUT, APPEARS TO BE IN BEST HEALTH AND HE DID CALL FOR ME SO... We're off to another day... .and THIS morning... another MONTH... TOGETHER! And, we're only but about 3 weeks from... SPRING! (Although, looking out the window to the grey morning, with the light flurries, Spring apparently, isn't is any particular rush just yet.)
WELL! As the day progressed, the more my Little Guy came up with antics to absolutely ASTONISH! (That's not to say that he doesn't do that at ANY time. EVERY moment with Yonah is “astonishing”. He teaches something new with just about every passing moment. But today's little events?
To begin with, he was SO ACTIVE ALL THROUGH THE DAY! Flying here and there. WALKING here and there and all over the house, it seems.
I had to be out for a while this morning, and while out, I managed to get some quite nice vegetables, (all “Product of USA”, “organic” and “non-gmo” of course) for a healthy vegetable “chop”. I've been researching this little vegetable delight for birds and it appears that not only is it rather essential to their diet, they can come to actually enjoy it as much as their seeds! (It takes a bit of doing to get them to even try it, because they're not anxious to try anything “new”. But that's part of the “fun” of offering it: getting them curious enough to try it.) Well, the moment I walked back in the door, Yonah started a new “conversation”. I called “Hello!” from the front door and heard, in the distance, “woo-HOO!” (“WHERE have you BEEN?” or “It's about time!” So after I apologised for being away for just over an hour... I gave a contrite “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” and got the same in reply. Curiosity encouraged me to try another “coo” and we “chatted”, back and forth, as I un-packed groceries and set the kitchen up to make “chop”.
Carrots, broccoli (of course), a bit of spinach, a yellow pepper, and orange pepper, all THOROUGHLY WASHED AND CLEAN, went into the mixture. All were put through the little grinder because doves don't chew, and they don't hold large items (food or other-wise) so all the pieces had to be small enough to swallow as they are. The peppers had to be “drained” after a few “pulses” (and that “water” from them proved to be a delicious beverage... perfect at lunch-time... highly recommended), and I put the “pulp” onto several layers of kitchen roll to absorb a little more water before adding t hem to the rest of the mixture. (The kitchen roll will be going into the compost. There's goodness in the water from the peppers and the paper is degradable.) When it was done, it looked and smelled SO delicious, so fresh, so clean. And, of course, I'm of the firm belief: If I wouldn't eat it, it's NOT going into Yonah's house! (I'm the very same way with his water: If it isn't good enough to drink, it doesn't belong in his house. Says a lot about his pool water.) Yes, I DID have a hefty tablespoonful and YES, it IS DELICIOUS! (I'll be making more... for me, next! A perfect “salad”, and I can imagine by adding a bit of mayo, it'll make WONDERFUL sandwiches, come the warmer weather! So there!
I put several portions into zip storage bags and into the freezer, and a small container of what I'll use in the coming days, into the fridge. Oh, and the bits of veggies that I didn't use for Yonah's “chop”? I made MORE... for the “Yardies”... the Little Ones out-side. I was sure they'd appreciate some vegetable after a bitter Winter of none. (I was correct, by the way. To 500 grams of their usual seed mix, which contains ground peanuts and sun-flower seeds, I added a VERY generous tablespoon of their own “chop” and put it on the tray out back. And hour later... it was GONE! So I'm glad I have MORE for them as well!).
Getting Yonah to even try it is taking a bit more of an effort. I put some on a plate and, following suggestions and recommendations seen in my research, I let him see me eating it, and I hoped he'd be curious enough to try some too. Nope. As I held the plate, he came over, landed on my shoulder, toddled down my arm to the hand that held the plate and... toddled right into the vegetable “salad”. I tried picking some up and offering it to him... he pecked at it and... off to the floor. So we have a bit of work ahead of us. I remain hopeful. He does like broccoli, but he's been off that too, for a while now. One of these days... None of what was made today will go to waste, to be sure. And if it should be that he truly WON'T take it... as I say... it's a wonderful salad, fresh, clean, wholesome... (But I'll keep trying to get Yonah to enjoy it... or ... at least just HAVE some. More “challenges”... more learning... more time together with Yonah! WINS all the way!)
When I'd done with all the “cooking” (prep), it was time for washing-up and so, more time in the kitchen... WELL...!!! I made a stop in Yonah's room to let him know that I'd be in the kitchen and ... Out came Yonah! On my shoulder! So we took a little “stroll” around the house. I like to “help change the scenery” and our “strolls” are good for that. But when we got to the living-room, he saw the “decoys” (that failure of mine) in the tree limb I have there in case he ever decides to take a flight about and needs a place to catch-a-breath! OK! He was ON IT! More like on THEM! He took wing and headed directly for the limb and was hopping back and forth ON the motionless little replicas, standing on their backs, their heads, pecking at their faces! He was obviously some-what disturbed by their presence but, after a couple of boisterous “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”s, it seems he decided that, if they weren't going to be polite and respond to his “greetings”, he'd just make himself comfy... on the back of the “male” of the pair. And there he stayed... for several long moments. I went back to the kitchen to finish the tiding and get on with preparing some of the other groceries for my evening meal and, as I worked at the kitchen basin, from behind, I heard the flutter and whistle. Yonah headed back to his house! (When I looked in, he'd gotten hungry and went for a snack. The “novelty” of the “new doves in the house” had completely vanished. The day moved on.)
OK... so I got all of my work completed, the kitchen put back in place. I had to go into the loo to attend “ablutions” there and as I was occupied, I heard, loudly and distinctly, a rousing “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”! It was louder than usual, so I stepped out to see where Yonah was... No-where to be seen! But I knew he was OK, where-ever he was and as I headed back to the loo... he came out from under the kitchen table! A NEW PLACE TO HIDE-AWAY! He stepped out, looked at me and as if all were as should be expected, toddled right back into his room! SO! Yet again... I have to watch my steps... BUT... it didn't stop there... OH NO! ....
As I was finishing my own affairs, still in the loo, I happened to look behind me, at the door... AND THERE HE WAS AGAIN! THIS TIME, HE'D COME TODDLING TO THE DOOR, COMPLETELY AT THE BACK OF THE HOUSE, AND WAS STANDING THERE, STARING AT ME! It was as though he'd come looking for me! HOW he figured to come to THAT room is beyond me, but it was just MY PURE DELIGHT to see him standing there, at the back door, just as comfortable as if he'd been there many times before. When I turned to talk to him, THIS time he DIDN'T run off, as he'll do when “discovered” some-where in the house. Instead, he just went about, looking around the little foyer and came into the loo! That's a room he's been in only once in all the time we've been together, and that was quite a while ago! (I mean to say, I've never had a reason to bring him into that room and never gone in there for anything whilst he'd been “riding along” as I went about the rest of the house. So...) I kept talking and finishing my own tasks and as I spoke, Yonah simply toddled away, back to his room. Looked as though he'd found me, I was still close-enough by, all was well and his business there was complete.
The more of the house that he ventures into, the more I NEED to pay attention with and to every step I take from now on. I did expect him to take the house, as it were, and to roam about as freely as he wishes. But, I more expected him to be flying about and not walking! Flying would be obvious. I'd hear him and see him air-borne. But as he walks about, he makes no sound, and he's still not in the habit of responding when “called”... whether by name or by “coo”. Today, under the kitchen table! NEVER would I have EVER expected THERE! And at the back door to the house? No, again. And in the warmer weather, I have the inside door open, and ALWAYS keep the screen door on the latch... front and back doors. Yonah USED to take “reconnaissance” flights through the kitchen and in the earlier days, he'd had a couple of collisions with that back screen door. Thankfully, it was on the latch at the time, and MORE thankfully, no injuries. But now, with him wandering about, it's become an absolute necessity! In fact, when I come into the house now, I always look to see if he's by a door.
Now I ask: WHO would have EVER expected such a thing from... a mourning dove? They're quite incredibly BRILLIANT! (“Cognizant” AND “Sentient”!)
Well then, when I'd done with the house-hold, I retired to Yonah's room and settled at the work table to attend to the tasks that were to be done there, in his company AND... this after-noon, he spent MOST of his time, under the table, at my feet! He seems to like being there. I'm thinking it's so that he can keep tabs on me. As long as I'm sitting at the table, I'm in the room, and if I get up to leave, well, he's the very first (only, actually, but...) to know about it.
And every time I stepped away, he called. He was truly in the mood for “company”... *** COMPANIONSHIP *** !!! And I? I was both honoured and humbled... and MORE than MOST willing to provide it. After all... Yonah is as much my “Companion” as I am his. As far as I'm concerned, I need no more.
So this evening, we both took the “evening meal” break. He had his and I mine. And as I was finishing mine, he called, so I went in and he hopped onto my shoulder and we came to the kitchen table. I was watching the evening news as I do with my meal, and as I sat at table, finishing, Yonah sat on my shoulder... watching the news. When I got up, took the dishes to the basin, he decided that that wasn't interesting so he headed back to his house to wait for me... he knows that, when I'm done with meal, I'll be in...
We got the waters changed... closed the blinds and curtains. It's not going to be “bitter” cold tonight but it's still quite “Winter” yet, so, the sun had set and the night chill was about to arrive. Windows prepared against it. And again, this evening, as I did the windows, Yonah was on his futon so I took the opportunity to put the back board up. (I'm trying to get him to where he won't always associate that with “seepie-nigh-night” so, I put it up earlier, with the FullSpec light on for a little while.) When he saw that board going up, he was right back in his house to check it! He's SO curious about ALL matters that happen in HIS house! He looked, went over to his little “loft-mirror reflection” and gave a couple of pecks as if saying “You see that? Already? Are we ready for seepie-nigh-night yet?” But then, he headed for his door perch... and I re-settled at the work table.
I'm not sure what to do about the “human Day-light Savings” changes in two weeks' time. The “actual” 19.00 will be 20.00 on the clocks and 19.30 will be 20.30! If I stick to the “clock”, the entire evening will be shove ahead by an hour... Yonah doesn't “do clocks” (and this “DST” is truly nothing but pure folly anyway and if I could get away with it, I wouldn't bother about it at all), so starting all this “evening settling” and hour earlier is... well... it's unkind... to him AND to me because I get an hour less each day to spend with him until the actual “natural change” takes place, and the sun sets later and such. I can't recall how it went last year... but, I'll be checking this Journal to see if I'd made any notations on the matter. (This Journal is a god-send in SO many ways.)
Ah but and well, after all things and matters were settled, I sat at the work table to begin today's Journal entry, Yonah had taken his place at his door, beside me. As I started typing, Yonah gave a “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”... I've come to recognise that as his “Excuse me... but... I really am tired.” I wasn't quite ready to simply get to typing anyway, so I brought the chair over to him and started to have an “evening chat”... We had a cuddle, a few kisses and when I was back on the chair and started talking... Yonah YAWNED! (It's actually one of his most endearing actions... he raises his head high, stretches his neck and opens his beak so WIDE! SO CUTE!) I'm not surprised. He had an early start to quite a busy day today! All that travelling, on his own and riding about on my shoulder. We had play too! So, I got up and put the roof board on and with-in seconds, Yonah was back up to his “loft buddy” in the mirror... with a couple of pecks and a “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” he was back over, on his perch, at his night roost, so I went ahead with getting things settled for him... Musics off, it was “lights out” time... and by 19.14.... “tuck-in” was complete. No reluctance tonight. Yonah was ready to wrap the day.
It was a delightful day, another day of more learning for me. It was the first day of a “new month” and now, we get to stroll along into March and “Spring”. It was a grey day, and it snowed a bit here and there, now and again. Thursday night threatens a quick return to those “bitter” nights, but hopefully March will prevail. The nights will still be cold, the days, still grey for at least another two months, but the fact remains... Yonah will have none of it. His room will be kept warm, his house, protected. No foraging for something to eat or drink... and as for a “flock”? Well, I admit I'm not “THE” choice for a flock, but... I'll be here (or there, as it seems will be the case now that Yonah's on the move). And Yonah will be protected, LOVED, and SO, SO CHERISHED.
First day of March... we made it!

Wednesday 02 March:
6.32... and the softest “woo-Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” came drifting through the air in an other-wise silent house. Another early start to the day, and another early “jolt of Joy” to the heart. Looks like “early nights” lead to “early days” following. And it looks like I'll be keeping the alarm clock set to “Standard Time” when “Daylight Savings” comes along, at least until I an “adjust” to Yonah's hours. (At least HIS are “natural”... and there's no beating THAT!)
And he truly was up and about when I went in for “Good morning” pecks and kisses.
I'd taken his food dish out last night, before he went to sleep so that I could bring in fresh food with a bit of the “vegetable chop” made yesterday. I was hoping he'd be hungry enough to just “go for it” but... Not a chance!
It's said that doves don't choose their food by smell or taste, so I'd like to know what they DO use and if it's merely “sight”, what it is that Yonah sees. But he's really not fond of “vegetables” nor, for that matter, fruits of any kind. (Though, because the fruits at local markets aren't fresh, by any means, and I'm not fond of “imported”, not knowing where they came from and how they're handled, fruits in his diet are restricted according to local growing season.) I've tried “chop” in a separate dish... he ignores it. I've tried “chopped” and whole fruits too... grapes, strawberries, and others. He won't even bother to push them out of the way, preferring his seed mix. (Thankfully, part of that is “pellets” and bits of dried fruits and vegetables, but certainly not much and they're dehydrated... not “fresh”.) Anyway, he didn't eat a thing until “lunch”, and then a little “snack” between lunch and dinner. But he didn't eat as much as he usually does during the day. I'm hoping he got SOME of the vegetables that were in the mix. I expect he did, and so, I'll be “monitoring poop” for the next couple of days, checking to see if there's any sort of “changes”... in colour, consistency, and such. I do that every day anyway, but when I give him anything “new”, I check with extra scrutiny. “Poop is the best indicator of his health.” And it's so neat, clean and easy to check... since it's removed every morning. Ever so tidy... and much easier than “kitty litter” and “scooping”, to be sure.
But since he hadn't eaten as much as usual during the day, this evening, before “dinner”, I removed the “chop and seed” mixture, put fresh seed mix into a fresh dish and... OH! Did he EAT well! So, we'll skip a day and try again, some-how, on Friday. I won't have him not eating.
The sun made a showing for most of the day today! Not enough, really, to warrant another “dip in the pool” nor a leisurely “basking”. But it was just enough to keep moods high.
I had a LOT of photos (of Yonah, of course) to “edit” and some to add to his “Portfolio” today. (If nothing else, they're all “photo documentation” of the care and LOVE he gets... in case anybody should EVER have ANY doubts about his well-being and welfare... considering some of the responses I've received over the months when I've contact particular “agencies” and “businesses” in search of advice, support and general information. Some of them have been quite, down-right rude, if not just apathetic. So...)
That “Portfolio” was originally intended to be my personal “Photo Album” so that, should I ever be away from home for any reason, as long as I could get access to the Internet, I could log into it and have a constant viewing of all the photos, “our moments” together. But, now that the site is up, running and “known”, I'm hoping that others will see it, pass it along... and come to understand that our little Gifts, across the entire “animal spectrum” are extremely MORE complex than simply being “out there, looking cute”, and that ending their lives simply for “sport” is nothing other than out-right “murder”. Yonah proves, incessantly, undoubtedly, that he, as well as “his”, is a THINKING, COGNIZANT, SENTIENT BEING, no less (but certainly MORE) than ANY “human”. And the “bond” that has become between us is stronger, beyond compare, than ANY such made between two “people”, especially and particularly because he has NEVER been under any “obligation” to accept me and yet, he has CHOSEN to trust me, that I will NEVER harm him, in ANY way. Yes, there are MANY photos in his Portfolio, but we COULD record videos, from the moment he wakes until he's tucked-in at night and those still would never portray the actual AMAZEMENT, the STUNNING AWE that is him... and his “Life”. So I try my best to keep it moving, keep it “current”... if not for others... well then... for me. (And all the while I plan on NEVER being away or parted from him for a length of time where I'd need to reference that Portfolio. As I've said, say and will say: I am because Yonah is.)
And ALL day today, we were together as I edited and added photos and tended to the book-keeping. I, at the work table, and Yonah ALL over the room! And again, the few times I left, when I returned, from where-ever he'd been, he came toddling over as I came through the door. He's actually SO ADORABLE when he comes, at a running pace. It appears as if I'd been gone a long way, and for a long time, even though it was just to the next room and all of maybe, five minutes. To me, it's the greatest comfort because it's his way of showing me that my LOVE for him actually is “reciprocal”. He “misses” me as I “miss” him... even if parted for mere moments. And we listened to his bird-songs and a little of the radio as “back-ground noise”, as it were. (The radio is secondary sound, to add to the sounds of the birds. I wonder, sometimes, if, because radio tends to play the same songs repeatedly, Yonah isn't becoming “familiar” with them. I wouldn't doubt that he is, and that they become just part of the “normal” sounds of his every-day life. After all, it's obvious he's become accustomed to my other-wise feeble attempts at “coo'ing”. He DOES recognise my “voice”, and that's obvious in the mornings when he calls and I answer, and when he answers when I call if I've been out of the house. I say again... he's *BRILLIANT*!
And yes, OH HOW WE PLAYED today too! I made SURE to take time and make time to spend with him, playing some almost rowdy games of “Catch Me”! From the futon to his roof-top AND even across the floor! And it's amusing, entertaining and deeply touching when he runs toward my hand, waits for my to run my hand over his head and back, then runs away... stops, turns, gives a wing-snap and... comes running back for more! (I want to figure a way to set a camera to record one of our games one of these days.)
And one of the most heart-warming things that he's come to enjoy is the little “preening kisses”. He'll stand on his door perch, give a wing-snap and I get to “cup” him between my hands and give little “kisses” on his head and the back of his neck, making little “kiss” sounds and if preening. All the while, he “nestles” his head up against my chin and if I take a “break”, he looks up, waiting for more. OK. So it does appear that not only are “we a flock”... we're “mates”... in what-ever aspect it is. Me? HUMBLED FAR beyond description! Humbled, grateful, blessed, honoured...
So this evening, right after meals, his and mine, we did the water changes and the house-tidying and by about 18.45, the sun had disappeared... so it was time to close blinds and curtains. Again, this evening, I put the back board up at the same time but left the FullSpec light on. Yonah had been up on his roof, as he does of an evening, “lounging” in the light and as I worked around his house on windows and the board, he followed me from up there, watching my every move. He's SO SO attentive to EVERY little thing that changes ANY aspect of his surroundings... even when they're common changes. That's HIS room, HIS house and he MUST know what's going on there at all times. (Again... “cognizance”, “thought”!)
At 19.00 the lights got dimmed, the musics, silenced and this evening, I pulled the chair up again, to his door. He was on his door perch and we had a bit of a chat about the day today and little plans for tomorrow. At one point, as I spoke, he raised his head and tilted it to one side, and stared at me. It seemed he was trying to figure out what it was that I was saying. (I always wonder what it is that he hears when I speak. I know he “knows” my voice, but I wonder just what he actually hears. Again, we “intelligent” humans only hear “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” from mourning doves, and “coo-WOO” from pigeons. We hear “barks” from dogs, “meows” from cats but nothing truly distinctive. THEY, on the other hand, come to recognise some of our words. Understandably, it's more the “sound” of the words, but none-the-less, THEY are obviously MUCH more “intelligent” that we could ever hope to be where they're concerned.
Anyway, we (I) chatted for about 20 minutes until Yonah took wing and headed up to his perch... then to the little mirror at the loft, a toddle to the front mirror... the little “birdies in the mirrors” received their “It's time for seepie-nigh-night” pecks and I was being informed that my Little Guy was tired. Understandably... after all, he WAS up and awake before 7.00 this morning. It had been 12 hours-plus by then. (It never seems fair, never enough, the mere 12 hours we get to be together in a day. But as I say... it could be a 48-hour day and for me, even that wouldn't be near enough time t spend with Yonah.) So, I put the roof board on, Yonah took his “night place”... we had our “kisses”... and, moments later... lights went out.
Thankfully, tonight won't be as cold as some of the nights we've managed through, and the house was kept quite warm through the day so tonight, Yonah will be ever-so comfy! No wind. No snow. No disturbances... since there's no snow... no ploughs passing in the darkness. (Hopefully our “neighbour” will make a successful attempt at being “civil” as well.) But my little Heart-and-Soul was tucked-in by 19.30 for a night's rest... until tomorrow, when he's ready and a new day will begin... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”.

Thursday 03 March:
The days are getting longer, the day is breaking sooner and Yonah is rising earlier! 6.25 this morning, to my DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE! And CHATTY again, this Wint'ry-chilled morning! We “coo'ed”m back and forth from his first “call” right through morning routine! WELL! SOMEBODY (“someBIRDIE”?) got a good night's rest! And when I got into his room and opened the door of his house, he was already stretching wings, preparing to take flight! But not until I'd done with opening curtains and blinds. He “supervised” every movement, and at one point, it seemed he went to his little loft mirror to “comment” on the activities. He'd been watching me, carefully, as I went about my “tasks” and scuttled over to the mirror and gave a lengthy “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”. “Morning report”? Or “critique”? Which-ever it was, it surely brought a smile to me, to be sure. When Yonah is “chatty”, it's better than the sweetest piece of music or the soft rush of a Summer breeze through a forest of pines.
This morning, I had errands to run... and I'd swear that Yonah “knows”, even with-out seeing me, when I'm getting ready to leave the house. I wouldn't doubt that he can “sense” what I'm doing. As I was getting ready to head out into the lightest flurries of the morning, he called, repeatedly. For a moment, I was wondering if it wasn't a call “Hey! Don't leave!” or a fore-warning of some kind. One can't help but wonder such things, because, well, the Little Ones are known to be able to “know”, to “sense” so much. And, I dare say, one thing that Yonah DOES “sense” is my LOVE for him. He proves that in so many ways, particularly how he nestles and snuggles against me when I hold him and give him those little “kisses”. He's SO calm then, and when I stop, even for a moment, he looks up as if asking “That's all? How about a couple more?”
Anyway, I did head out, got the errands done with-in the hour AND... when I came back into the house, I immediately (as I do) headed to Yonah's room AND, as I got to his door-way, he came toddling, at full-speed, across his floor, to greet me. (I have to wonder too, if he has a particular concept of “time” because when he comes to greet, it always seems as though, to him, I'd been gone for the longest while!) AND... I got quite the “lecture” too! Serious “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”s... Several of them, as a matter of fact! “You left me!” “You've been gone for so long!” “Where have you been?” Or, “It's about time you got here.” (Yes, it's all my own thinking, but it can't be helped, especially when he stands, as he does, looking directly at me, with a stance that seems to be “firm”, “solid”, feet apart, legs almost straight, head raised. Yonah has, what's called “character” or, “personality”... clearly, obviously. And I'm so taken by it all because, well, it isn't something that we “people” see in mourning doves in the “wild”. “Out there”, they're so quick to simply take flight when we appear... and they can't be blamed... particularly considering that they're murdered in such vast numbers. But, here, Yonah and I, under the same roof, in the same area, and that he doesn't take flight to avoid me, there are SO MANY aspects of him that can't be missed... from tone of coo to the stance, even, I'd dare to say, “facial expression”. Yes, there are certain “blinks” of the eyes, a position of his head, even his whole body can show differences that seem to reflect his mood at the moment, from slightly-fluffed feathers to his usual slim-trim line. If I could only just record even one entire day... And then... if only I could broadcast it to the world. If only...)
As soon as I'd done settling-down and got established at the work table to attend to the tasks after errands, he headed up to his food... and he ate so very well this morning! (No “vegetables” mixed-in with his favourite seeds. He “knows” what he likes and won't have his menu tampered-with... More “cognizance” that all-too-many are quick to dismiss.) A quick stop at “the pool” for a drink of water and he was off again... to his futon, where our “chats” continued for a while.
During the day, as I came and went to and from his room, he followed me, as he's doing of late. And as I sat, trying to get tasks done at the table, he wanted to PLAY! So, of course, all other activities came to a halt.. the WORLD comes to a halt when Yonah wants to play. And we played “Catch Me”! AND, of course, we took time for “snuggles”, “cuddles”... KISSES! And OH, but how he seems to so enjoy that! It's the “contact”. It makes me wish that I could be certain he wouldn't harm another dove. I'd really like it if he had a “companion dove”. But he seems to resent... the decoys, even the cut-away of him so...
Deborah stopped by this after-noon and as we stood, talking, in the living-room, Yonah called from his room! He heard me talking and, as he does when I talk, he “converses”. But it seems that when I'm not in the room with him, it's almost as if he's calling to remind me that he's here and can hear me. What surprises me is that he doesn't (yet) come out to see who or what I'm talking with/to! If I'm in another room and quiet, he'll come looking for me, but... well, I suppose he's comfortable when he hears my voice. He knows I'm “here” and that seems to be the important point. I don't doubt that, when the weather gets warmer, the windows and doors are open, he'll be “taking” more of the house (and I'll HAVE to keep the most careful mind of my every step). I'm actually looking forward to that! OH... but NO day is a “common” or “typical” day with my Little Heart-and-Soul! NOT a day!
I happened upon another web-site today (included, of course, in Yonah's “Bibliography” listing) that went into the care of doves (in general) and was SO PLEASED to see that including a “bath” in their house (OK, “they” called it “cage” and if that's what some people will do... “cage” a Little One, well...). “Doves”, it says, bathe weekly. Well, I was looking at, let's call them “domestic” doves, and perhaps they do bathe “weekly”. Yonah? Well, Yonah isn't “domestic”, nor do I think of him as “domesticated”. He still retains most of his own “wild” character and characteristics, and, as his “Portfolio” shows, bathing isn't a “weekly” affair for him. It could be twice weekly, it could be bi-weekly. But, I AM comforted to see somebody else urging the inclusion of a place to bathe. (Though there wasn't any mention about keeping the water clean and fresh since doves will drink from that bath. Then again, it might just be my personal opinion but I say: If you wouldn't drink it, it doesn't belong in a dove's house.
Well, as for the rest of the day... Yonah and I were together through it all. And we did get some sun-shine, toward the later part, just enough for Yonah to have about an hour's basking. (No bathing followed today though. It just wasn't enough warm sun-shine.) And we played, we had a 20-minute snooze together from which he woke me out of my half-sleep, again, as usual, moments before the alarm was set to sound. (I'd STILL like, very much, to now HOW he does that timing! I probably will never know.) AND WE HAD CHATS DURING THE DAY TOO! THAT was REALLY quite WONDERFUL! Just out of no-where, Yonah would give a “woo-Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” and when I'd reply, the conversation rolled! AND he's now “calling” me from the floor... right beside the chair! THAT took me by some surprise when I heard him, looked up and around and couldn't see him and there, on the floor, beside me, looking up... my Little Guy! He's got things to say and he says them now! It's MAGNIFICENT!
But our day, no matter how long it might be, and now we're working on 13-hour days, in contrast to the 10-hour days of mid-Winter when Yonah woke at about 8.00 or 8.30 and was “tucked-in” by 19.00 or 19.30. They're still entirely too short, and, it appears, even for Yonah! 19.00 came along and by then, the evening routine was done, and the back board had already been put in place for about a half hour already. Yonah was up on his perch, I was working on today's Journal entry and I noticed his head tucked between his shoulders. He was tired. So we started our “Good night”... cuddles, snuggles, kisses and again, the moment I asked: “Do you want to go seepie-nigh-night?” he was ready. BUT, as I leaned in for a couple of extra kisses, he hopped onto my arm and toddled up to my shoulder to give me a peck on the ear! And he stayed with me as I put the roof board up too! Still, it didn't take much effort to get him back in his house where he went over to give “Good night” pecks to the little dove in the loft mirror and the next thing... he was in his “night spot” on his perch. Our day... had come to a close.
I feel quite good knowing he gets his needed rest, but it still leaves quite an emptiness in my heart when his lights are out and I step out of his room. He's only just in the next room, but the whole house just feels some-what empty with-out him near. I so truly enjoy our time together, even when he's busy about his room, doing what-ever it is that crosses his mind and I'm doing what-ever it is I happen to be doing at the work table. To me, we are, in fact, “one unit”. He's not just “a part of” my Life... he IS my Life. He IS exactly as I call him: my Heart-and-Soul. But he does need his rest, and he has a good place in which to get it: quiet, warm, protected from the elements, protected from predators, with food and water near. And with that good place to get proper rest, he's got a place where, come the morning, all he need do is “call”... and he's got an entire house to wander about... should he so desire.
So, on that note, we closed the day. And tonight, with a forecast of -21° again, his radiator is close by to keep him warm until the day-break, tomorrow, when together, we'll just take-on another few hours, together. That's my Little Guy... That's my Heart-and-Soul.

Friday 04 March:
Oh, but it WAS quite “brisk” this morning when, at 6.28, to my surprise AND PURE, ABSOLUTE DELIGHT, as I was in the bed-room, changing out of pyjamas, I heard the faintest “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. In fact, it was so faint that I quickly threw my clothes on and stepped into the kitchen to listen for another. Sure enough... from behind his door, Yonah called, louder this time... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”! I answered “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo... hoo-hoo” and the reply came right away: “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo...hoo-hoo”.
As I went to open the door to Yonah's room, I called: “You're awake? Already? Are you sure?”
The answer was immediate: “woo-HOO!”
OK THEN! A definitive “YES!” And when I opened the door, it was such a stark contrast in temperature to the rest of the house. I was comfortable, the house was warm, but when I went into Yonah's room, I checked... 30°! Yes, indeed, he had a most-comfy night, last night. Just as it SHOULD (and MUST, as far as I'm concerned) be... ALWAYS! (Of course, it cooled a bit when I opened the door, but his room is always warmer than the rest of the house, even when the door to his room is open. He has a separate radiator. His room is, as they call it, it's own “zone”... always warmer in Winter... and as much as possible, cooler in the hotter weather. If we're still in this old house this year, it'll be interesting... Yonah has his own window fan, double, so that it circulates... bringing out-side air in and in-side air out. He didn't have that last year. But, the truth is, our actual “HOT season” doesn't last but a matter of a couple of weeks. Still... the circulated air is a plus! And, as I see, when Yonah stands in front of the heat register in his room, with the warm air blowing at him, he seems to enjoy the moving air... I'm trying to figure a way to place his window fan already, in the room, to circulate the air, even now. Another little “challenge” that I look forward to solving.
| This morning was the follow-up to an obviously “good” night's sleep. CHAT time! AND KISSES! I opened the door to Yonah's house and leaned in just to say “Good morning” and IMMEDIATELY got a warm “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” AND several “Good morning” pecks! No matter what my night might have been, no matter what the morning, be it grey, cold, damp, or sunny, bright, warm... a “Good morning greeting” and “kisses” makes it all just PERFECT! There isn't ANYTHING in Creation that I could even THINK of wanting... other than that! AND, to see Yonah stretch his wings... It's been over a year now, and I STILL get almost giddy when I see him stretch those wings. I STILL remember his earliest days when his left wing just drooped most of the time, and he'd give the right one a bit of a flutter, but the left one “was just there”. He moved it, ever-so slightly, not often, mostly when he'd “preen”. I didn't know (then), how to properly bandage it, but it didn't appear to be “broken” so I left it alone, rather than do anything to cause further damage. My heart was SO heavy during those days. Honestly, every day was just a massive shroud of misery for me, wondering if he'd heal, would he survive, would be improve... would he survive... in general. Every day seemed “dark and cold” no matter the weather or the situation in the house. And then, one day... BOTH wings opened BEAUTIFULLY! I stood, watching, intently focused on their movement and shape. And when Yonah flapped them again, and then went about his preening... EVERYTHING ON EARTH started to change... it appeared that he WAS healing well... and with that, my HOPE went into full LIGHT! I remember all that, even on mornings like this. I don't believe I'll ever forget those early days... especially when I'm reminded every morning, when I see my Little Guy stretch his wings... preparing for “take-off” out of his house to attack the new day!
As I went about my “tasks” of “morning routine”, I opened his door, moved is house round (so that I could get to the windows) and our conversation continued as he watched my every move. And as soon as I'd finished and moved his house back into position and prepared to get on with the “water run” Yonah was up and out! OUR day was officially “ON”!
This morning, I had a large bag of “Wild Song-bird” mix that I'd gotten for the “Yardies” that needed to be “sorted”. I run it through a strainer to separate the smaller seeds (milo, millet, &c.) for the Little Ones who don't take the halved peanuts, sun-flower seeds and the likes. That way, I can be sure that there's enough for the doves, in particular. So, I went to the kitchen and got to work on that once Yonah was settled, his “song-birds” collection playing, and the morning sun just starting to make its way in through the windows.
WELL! I'd been working, in the kitchen, at the counter, my back to Yonah's room for about 45 minutes. We'd been “chatting” on-and-off all through but it got quiet and I thought Yonah might be basking, or busying himself other-wise, as he does when, from the corner of my eye, I saw something rather “large” and dark on the floor beside my foot. IT WAS YONAH! HE'D COME TO THE KITCHEN AND WAS STANDING RIGHT BESIDE ME! And when I looked to him and said “WELL! Is there something I can get for you? Or have you come to supervise?” he toddled out of the kitchen and across the living-room floor to the front door of the house! He stood there for a moment and THEN... either he remembered or it just happened to catch his eye, but with a sudden BURST of wings... he was up and flying to the branch in the corner where the “decoys” are!
OH! But THAT was rather an interesting sight when he got there. He went to the “female” first, and standing on a limb, facing “her”, he let out with a resounding “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!” Head bobbing up and down, he let out with another! And when “she” didn't respond, he gave her a few hearty pecks and was off to the “male” of the pair! THAT one got a loud-and-hearty “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!”, more head-bobbing, followed by some rather forceful pecks and obvious attempts a “biting”! Wing-flapping, hopping about the limbs until he, Yonah, landed directly on the back of the decoy and THERE, the pecking at the head followed. Obviously, there's only room for ONE male dove in THIS house and Yonah knows who this place belongs to... and it “ain't that one”. I watched, in curiosity and amazement and when the fracas had calmed, I called, from the kitchen door-way, “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”. Yonah looked up at me and answered “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” and followed with a curt “woo-HOO!” and then got rather “settled” on the back of that “inanimate dove”. He'd taken HIS position and that was all there was to that situation. And if the “interloper” wasn't going to move, so be it. Neither would Yonah move!
I returned to my little task and after a few moments of absolute silence from the living-room... the flutter and whistle of wings. Yonah had had enough of “those two”, had, apparently, established HIS dominance over THIS house and was off, across the living-room, through the kitchen and back to HIS house... where he had a bit of breakfast and then went to his loft in the sun-shine.
Once again, the conflict in my own mind as to whether or not bringing another dove into the house, as a companion to Yonah, struck. And again, my fear is that he'll resent another dove and, should I bring one into the house, well, I'm not sure how “housing” would be worked-out. If they “shared” Yonah's room, and he resented the presence, I don't know how I'd have to handle that. And if he fought with the other dove, one, at least, would have to be denied as much access to the rest of the house as Yonah has, and I don't, some-how, feel that would be at all fair. And the fighting is what terrifies me. I see how forceful Yonah can be when he “attacks”. He'd certainly inflict some quite serious injuries on another dove, and my heart couldn't handle that, especially since I'd be the one responsible. So? I rely on the information that I've read from various and numerous resources that claim: when there is only one dove, mourning or other-wise, s/he will “bond”, “mate” with his/her “person”, and that “bond” is a marriage in both the “mating” and the emotional sense. And with the affections between Yonah and I, I'm not sure exactly how he perceives me, but I do have to say: we ARE a “pair”... “mated”. And if that's enough to keep him happy, then all is well. We'll just roll along with the time and see what, if anything, evolves. Thus far... it seems all is quite well as it is.
But what a PURE AND ABSOLUTE DELIGHT to see Yonah, now bold enough, to simply come right out of his room and over to me... to see what I'm doing. Doves are known to do such things, but most of what I've read refers to “domestic” doves in the house-hold. I NEVER would have even remotely imagined Yonah taking that much interest in me, the house or having the degree of comfort in this place to simply toddle around and about. (Now I wonder, all the more, whether he's done the very thing when I'm away for any length of time. But the house is such that there's nothing that presents any “threats” to his well-being. Even the windows have “sheers” over them to let in the light and the breezes in warmer weather but enough so that they don't appear “invisible” to Yonah. I'll have NO MORE collisions, as we used to have. Still, I do wonder: is he all over the place when he has it all to himself? If so... I'm just as delighted as I could be. I NEVER wanted nor do I now want him to feel “confined”... to his room or to his house. This is, as far as I'm concerned, HIS domain.)
After all the work with the “Yardie mix” was completed, Yonah and I had our mid-day “lunch break” and after that, a few moments of play-time... He called me to the futon where we began a game of “Catch Me” which moved to the floor. And when he'd had enough of that, I had a bit of an errand to run so I was off and out of the house for about and hour.
When I came back into the house, I called, from the front door: “Where's my little Heart-and-Soul?” and from the distance came “woo-HOO!” That “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?”, or so it seems. So I replied: “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”... Yonah responded in kind and I went directly to his room to let him know that I'd missed him (and I did... because I DO when I'm away from the house for ANY length of time). He came hopping to his door perch, gave a wing-snap and we had our cuddles and kisses... All was well with the world.
The rest of the day, at that point, was in the “plummet” that it gets to any time after mid-day and the hours become seconds and the second pass by so all-too-quickly. I'd been at the work table, accounting for the day's little shopping when, all too soon, I saw Yonah head to his food... it was HIS “meal time” which meant it was approaching mine as well.
From then on, the moments rushed by... he had his meal, I had mine and after all was re-settled, it was time for “evening routine”... water changes, fresh food, and closing blinds and curtains. Tonight will be rather cold, but certainly not bitter-cold, but I take no chances: before the chill arrives, the windows are insulated. Yonah “supervised” from his position on the pillows on his futon and when I put up the back board, he flew into his house, went directly to the loft mirror and gave a couple of coo's as if saying “You see that? Already!” Yeah, me too... “already”. Our day was coming to a close.
I sat at the work table, began today's journalling for Yonah, and he took his place on his perch, almost as if preparing to get to sleep! (It must be that back board... He associates it with “seeipie-nigh-night”.) At 19.00, light's dimmed, the musics and fountain went off... and by 19.30 tonight, there was no doubting that Yonah was ready to officially “close the day”. I got up, leaned in to him... he gave me a few pecks on the cheek, went over to his loft, bade a “woo-Hoo-hoo-hoo” to his little “reflection-friend” there and returned to his night spot.
Well then? OK. As much as I would truly LUV to just spend the night together with him, and I could well do, having the journalling and other matters to attend before I retire for the night, I checked his house... all was tidy. waters all fresh and clean, plenty of food available. The furnace had just stopped, so his room was quite cozy and warm... I put the roof board on, we exchanged a few more kisses... Lights out... “seepie-nigh-night” time had arrived.
What a day it was though... with Yonah roaming about the house! Oh, but I'll “MUST” keep careful watch now, no matter where I am in the house! But my little Heart-and-Soul is taking full-run of HIS “domain”, and I couldn't be happier about that.
Tomorrow? We have peanuts to shell and grind for the Yardies... I'll be at the work table... Yonah will be... where-ever he wants to be... but we'll be together... Another absolutely PERFECT day!

Saturday 05 March:
Indeed, indeed, the day breaks earlier on the clock and as the light of the sun brightens over the mountains and across the sky... 6.23 comes the GLORIOUS “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”.
I was at the kitchen table this morning, having first coffee of the day when “the call” came. So I answered, in kind, and no sooner had I utter the final “hoo” when the reply came back, through the door of Yonah's room. He was awake and quite ready to take-on what-ever this new day had is store! So off I toddled. And by the time I got in and to his house to open the door, he was already stretching his wings in preparation for “take-off”! BUT NOT before MANY “Good morning” pecks and kisses! Yonah was awake, up, ready and feeling quite “affectionate” already, this morning! Now, there's just so much a heart can hold, but my JOY just expanded and expounded and there was NOTHING and NO ONE else in the WORLD, in Creation, except that little feathered bundle of LOVE... and that little face that stared at me as if saying:
“Open the door, open those curtains! Let's get on with it! The hours are already passing!”
We chatted all the while I opened his room to the dim, reddish morning light. The remnants of last night's chill clung to the window panes and did their best to make their way into the room. But this morning, once again, the temperature in the room was 30°... Yonah had had a good night's sleep in the warmth, protected from the elements “out there”. (And obviously, he DID have a good night's sleep... he was hopping about his house, perch-to-perch, mirror-to-mirror and telling his tales.)
We got the “morning routine” done, got his house settled and tidied and this morning, I had bags of roasted peanuts to shell and grind. (Still adding them to the food for the “Yardies”... extra fat and protein. The nights are still getting cold, there's still snow and freezing rains in the forecast... it's only March so... ALL the Little Ones have to be given what-ever they need to keep healthy, and I can provide at least this much... with joy and pleasure.) So, I got the peanuts and the bowls and such together and parked me at the work table. Bird-songs played, the radio too, low, as “back-ground music”. And Yonah? Well, at first, he settled at his door perch, as he does, to watch what I was doing. Several times he came over to my shoulder, stared for a while, as I took the peanuts from the pile, opened the shells, and put the nuts into a separate bow. And as I worked along, now-and-again I'd get a peck on the ear or Yonah made his way across the back of my neck and went for the opposite ear... and he kept doing-so until I spoke and leaned my head toward him. And when it seemed that he was either satisfied with what he'd been watching (or bored), off he went, to the futon, his pillows or the floor.
BUT... TODAY... YONAH GOT TRULY ADVENTUROUS !!!
Instead of just settling for toddling about his room, as he does, under furnishings, into little corners here and there, as I watched, he headed out the door and into the kitchen. OK. He's done that before already, so that came as no surprise this morning. BUT, HE DIDN'T STOP AT THE KITCHEN THIS MORNING... HE HEADED RIGHT OUT TO THE LIVING-ROOM !!! JUST A-TODDLING ALONG. AND HE APPEARED TO KNOW WHERE HE WAS GOING AND WAS GOING WITH PURPOSE! I just continued with my little task-at-hand, having only shelled but about a quarter all the peanuts. He was safe, where-ever he decided to go to. This house is arranged and furnished with his safety in mind and I thought he'd be coming right back anyway.
I was SO WRONG !!!
In a moment, from “the distance”, came that so-familiar “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. So I got up and quietly went out to see where he'd gotten to. There he was, strolling about the living-room, on the floor as though it was completely familiar territory. I stood in the door-way between the kitchen and living-room, just watching to see what he'd do, where he'd go and when e turned and saw me there, he gave a hearty wing-snap and came RUNNING toward me! It seemed as if he'd happened to run into an old friend in a strange place and was SO EXCITED! I walked toward him and he came right over and looked up at me and gave ANOTHER wing-snap!
I said: “Are you expecting and Uber or something? Heading for the train?” and he answered with a “woo-HOO!”
A little “conversation”... short, but it was a reply to my questions!
I got down on the floor and he came over... for a little game of “Catch Me”. We played for a moment and he headed across the floor to the far end of the room... and I got up to head back to his room. As I did, he took off and flew right up to the little decoys in the “tree” in the far corner, landed on the “male” of the pair and stood there, so elegant, proud, and gave another “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”! WELL! I suppose I was being shown: yes, this IS HIS house, HIS living-room, that is HIS tree there and he's not going to let anybody forget that fact.
OK. I went back to his room and continued with shelling the rest of the peanuts and... ABOUT AN HOUR LATER... HE CAME FLYING BACK INTO THE ROOM AND INTO HIS HOUSE where he had his “late breakfast”! After which, he stopped by the “pool”, had a drink of water, hopped up onto his door perch and then, off to the orange tree where he made himself quite comfortable as I finished-up my little chore.
The one thing that “concerns” me lately though is how, when the furnace comes on, he likes to be on the floor, “roosting”, as it were, facing the warm air blowing across him. As I say, the temperature in his room as been about 23-24° on average of late, warmer than during the colder, darker days of Winter. It's not “cold”. So I wonder whether it's the warmth or the moving air that he's enjoying. (Or both.) It must be a bit “odd” for him, in the house, all Winter... the air is relatively still, since the windows are closed and no fans are running. I know how much I enjoy a warm breeze, especially when the windows are open, after a Winter of being in a “still box”, as is the house for these months. So, next on the agenda: I'm going to figure out how to get his fan set-up some-where in the room and get the air circulating. I'll keep it in his room so that it's the warm air in there that's moving. And I'll see if he likes that. (Again... the “trial and error” approach. But, all things considered, that's been most, of not all of my “experience” with Yonah and, thus far, it appears my “instincts” are quite in line with his. More to report as this develops. If he enjoys the air moving... there'll be another item for his “Care” page!) I just hope he's not “chilled”... or feeling “off” in anyway. He doesn't appear to be ill. Adventurous, talkative, playful... poops look normal. I just “worry”... constantly... admittedly.)
We also managed to take a 45-minute “snooze”... TOGETHER this after-noon. I laid down, Yonah was under the orange tree, but, no sooner had my head touched the pillow on the futon... he was on the pillow beside me. I drifted-off a bit and when the alarm sounded, I turned it off and looked... There was Yonah, on my hip, just as snug as could be. He'd been with me all the while. (It keeps me wondering about “over-night”... but I'd have to remove things from his room... in case he decided to try a “mid-night flight”. It would be INDESCRIBABLY GLORIOUS to wake in the morning and see him there. But, I suppose as it is with all in life... there are necessary limitations and I'll just have to accept this one. Still... WHAT a way to wake from a snooze!)
Well, we made it through another day. (I made it through the day because of my little Heart-and-Soul.) And it wasn't all too bad. “Busy”, for both of us, obviously, grey too. But thankfully, not the bitter cold of some of our days. Yonah's room was, for a brief few moments this morning, quite bright with the sun-shine, but sadly, that was not to stay with us for long. Still, he didn't seem to mind, especially with his “running around”. THAT just makes me SO happy... to see him “expanding his horizons” and getting exercise!
And this evening, which came, it seemed, mere moments after we'd only just begun the day, again, he was ready for “tuck-in” by shortly after 19.00! Well, he DID have quite the day. I'd no sooner changed his water, replaced some of his kitchen-roll on his “floor” (oh, but he can still manage to get his seeds scattered when he eats), and he was heading from his pillows on the futon to his perch. I'd settled at the work table to get his journal entry started when I looked up and there he was, all “snuggled”. So, by 19.15, the roof board went up (since the back board was already in place) and as I did so, he went over to his little loft mirror... a few “Good night” pecks at the mirror and back he toddled, over his perches, to his “night spot”. We had our snuggles and kisses and... “seepie-nigh-night” time had arrived. At this rate, he's down to about 11 hours of “rest” for the night. But he's very good at letting it be known when he's tired. (BRILLIANT Little Guy that he is.) And I'm still wondering what it will be like when “Daylight Savings” comes slamming in on us. But we'll adjust accordingly, to be sure. We did it last year... we'll do it again.
But for now, all is calm and his room is nice and warm and cozy. It won't be a “cold” night tonight, but there's rain in the forecast... Yonah needn't even consider it. As I said in a recent message to Deborah, the neighbour who loves him just about as much as I: As long as he has good food, fresh water, proper housing, is in best of health and has the companionship he needs... nothing else in Creation matters to me. We are because he is.

Sunday 06 March:
“Good morning!”... at 6.33 this morning! Through the silence of our first real quite comfortable morning in what seems many months, the softest “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” filled the entire house. And it was “soft” this morning... “soft” but longer than the usual “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. Apparently, this morning was a bit more serious. Last night was rather windy, and I heard it playing with the window-screens in the bed-room. But either it some-how wasn't as strong in Yonah's room or he simply didn't mind it at all and managed to get a good night's restful sleep and was ready to attack this new day. Which-ever it was, his call was PURE DELIGHT (as it always is, to be honest).
So I replied, as I got up from the kitchen table: “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. Oh no, what-ever it meant, it obviously wasn't correct or sufficient because, just about as soon as I'd done with my “human coo'ing”, the response was another “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” and, after the briefest moment... “woo-HOO!” OK... I was “on it”!
Even as I opened the door to Yonah's room, I could see his silhouette, just behind the front mirror, where he spends the night... he was already stretching his wings! As I say, this was the first rather “warmish” morning since Winter set in some months ago and even though his room maintains it's own warmth, no matter the weather out-side, it seems Yonah “knows” what Nature has brought about and he was anxious to get on with the day!
And there were SO MANY “Good morning” kisses this morning! And we held another whole conversation as I attended the morning tasks at the windows and even through my little “relay” of bringing fresh water! Coo'ing from kitchen to his room and back and forth all the while. It was an almost indescribably GLORIOUS start to the day! Just heart-lifting! And as soon as “morning routine” was completed, I settled-in at the work table “where I belonged” and Yonah went on about his usual routines... much of which included hopping onto my shoulders and travelling along as I went from his room to the kitchen and where-ever I happened to go. We were an almost-inseparable pair today!
Because of the warmth and the breezes, we had the front and back doors open today too! FRESH AIR AT LAST! And just as I was becoming concerned about that, and the humidity in the house (almost none, with all the heat going on). Such a GRAND relief!
The sun actually made quite the showing after the morning rains today, the winds picked-up but they carried a wonderful and most-welcome warmth. Today, we were actually able to open the doors and let the fresh, “Spring-like” air flow through the house! It was absolutely WONDERFUL to feel the air moving, fresh, clear, clean! And the sun's light poured in through Yonah's windows all through the afternoon... SO MUCH SO THAT, as I was working on a little project at the work table, in the quiet calm of his room, bird-songs chirping and coo'ing, and the radio as back-up at a “whisper's volume”, behind me I heard a sudden “SPLASH” and turning, saw Yonah enjoying a dip in the pool! After that, he took full advantage of the light and warmth of the day, after hopping up his door perch and giving him-self some truly “energetic” shakes! (And they were necessary today because he'd actually gotten him-self wetter than I can recall ever having seen before! He REALLY got in a good bathing!) It was up and over to the loft for some basking and then, down to his “beach” area where the sand was warm and he just spread his feathers out to catch every degree of it. It was another one of those moments when seeing him enjoying something so simple as a bit of clean sand I felt quite proud and grateful that the idea had come to mind. He looked SO comfortable there, and even closed his eyes for a while... a quick “snooze” in the after-noon sun. There couldn't be a more perfect “celebration” of the on-set of “Spring”!
As I watched Yonah “bathing” today, I wondered if it wouldn't be possible to get him the same sort of “pool” that he has now, but at least a bit larger. He does fit well-enough in the one he has, but I wondered if I couldn't get him one where he'd have a bit more space in which to “lounge”. A quick “look-up” through the “on-line shopping” and... sure enough! The very same “casserole” dish but larger (not deeper though, thankfully). Presently, the “pool” is 34,92 x 20,95 x 5,7cm (13.75 x 8.25 x 2.25 in) BUT THE NEW ONE, ordered today, is 43,18 x 27,94 x 6,35cm (17 x 11 x 2.5 x in) ! It might not appear to be all that much, but, it WILL take-up just about a quarter of the “floor-space” in his house, and surely, the extra space will make bathing and soaking more comfortable, especially when it comes to “splashing about” when he gets his wings into the action. And it should arrive just in time for this month's “complete house-keeping” when EVERYTHING is taken out and washed, sands replaced and such. And we'll see about making some kind of new “arrangement” for the fountain as well. Between the new pool and, hopefully, the addition of more trees, Yonah's house here will be even closer to the wood-lands he was born into, and that is my never-ending goal: to give him a place that is as close to “natural” as is humanly possible. As I say: NOTHING is too good nor good enough for my little Heart-and-Soul!
There are two other ideas I'd like to try to incorporate as well. (Insanity or Love? I let the reader decide.) Either or both: a little “lawn”, a grassy area, so that there's more greenery (though, I'm hoping for a thaw soon so we can get more fresh moss) or, at least a little “planter” of some sort with sprouted seeds from his food (so that he can nibble on them), and, perhaps, more flat stones to help keep his toe-nails trimmed. (I still have to figure out what to get for him to help keep his beak trimmed. That's already getting quite long and I'm hoping he'll “trim” that again, as he did the last time. It would be better if I knew I could trust a local veterinarian but... If worse comes to worst... it looks like I'll have to try and hope... it'll inhibit his ability to eat if it gets much longer.) Anyway... we'll see how it all looks and how much space we have when the “new pool” is installed.
As I've said, the front and back door were open all day too... fresh air circulating through the house. (Sadly, the temperatures will be plummeting again in a few days so I don't yet dare to open the windows in Yonah's room... they need a lot of work to be properly sealed against drafts so... it'll be a little while longer before we get to that point. But the doors do allow for good circulation, none-the-less.) As I sat at the work table, I could see out the back door to the gallery and the tray of food for the Yardies and wondered if Yonah wouldn't enjoy being able to “roost” at the door there. Maybe get in some conversation with other doves or even with the juncos and blue-jays. Oh! Can be tell THEM some stories about his “house” here! I'd had a “quick assembly” of a perch on the back screen door for a while last year. Yonah didn't really use it, but then, last year, he didn't really roam about the house all that often either. So today, I put up something a bit more stable and it fits so that the inside door closes perfectly well too. Oddly... when I walked to the door with Yonah on my shoulder, he was fine, BUT, the very moment I squatted down so that he could hop onto the new perch, he took off and went right back to his room! I have to say that I DO believe that he remembers that back yard... and the attack... and seeing that area... well... He obviously feels “safe” as long as I'm “THERE”, when he's on my shoulder, and my face is close. But he just does NOT want to be there alone! I'm keeping the perch there for him... We won't have another day of “open doors” for a while again, but... I'll keep it there... in case... for him... for the next time. How I WISH I could KNOW, for certain, just how much and what he remembers of that 13th day October... 2020. How I WISH I could KNOW, for certain, SO MUCH of what he thinks... each and every day. (Humans... so smart... so intelligent... so inferior in SO many ways.)
Anyway, we did get another opportunity to take a “stroll” round the house and we went to the front door where the sun, by then, was shining into the living-room and the breeze out-side was warm. Yonah doesn't seem to mind the front door but, as we stood there... the decoys in the “tree” caught his eye and... HE WA S OFF! Hopping from limb-to-limb, one “bird” to the other, and again, standing a-top the “male”, giving it some serious pecks, dear Yonah made himself quite comfy there and there he stayed for quite the while! I'm glad though, that he's out and about in the house... different scenery, and it gives him more “flight exercise” as well. And the house is safe for him, so I don't worry (any more than I usually do... ).
So he had quite a lovely day today and tonight... by 18.30, the “evening routine” was completed, I sat to get to today's journalling and for a while, Yonah took his place on his door perch. At 19.00 when I dimmed the lights and silenced the musics, it was already obvious that he was tired... So... the night boards when up... we had our snuggles, cuddles and kisses and he headed up to the loft mirror... a few “Good night” pecks and he was back at his “night spot”... He WAS TIRED!
By 19.25... lights were out... I don't suppose I can complain, really. It's a 13-hour day for him! But, at least I can tell, by his mood and energy in the morning, he'd gotten a good sleep last night. And tomorrow, well, it seems he's heading for the “6.30” vicinity for wake-up... and I've no doubt it'll get earlier too, as the days go by. So? So... “Tuck-in” complete, after a few more cuddles and kisses.
The winds that, last night, brought us today's warmth, have returned tonight... to take it back again. And they're coming from the south again, so I could hear them at Yonah's window before I left the room. I'll be listening for them tonight... but they don't seem to phase Yonah and for that, I'm grateful. But he's protected against them... warm or cold. His room is quite comfortably warm tonight, not “hot” at all... and there's the fresh air from today. Tomorrow, I'll take a quick stroll to the woods to see if there's any chance of getting any more moss for him... I'm not counting on it but... But for tonight, my little Heart-and-Soul is safe and sound for another good night of restful sleep. And tomorrow... we'll handle that when we confront it.

Monday 07 March:
MY POOR LITTLE GUY! WHAT A NIGHT HE HAD LAST NIGHT!
The WIND HAMMERED against the house, almost constantly. The weather reports claimed “gusts” of 88kmh/55mph but this morning's evidence shows that they were much stronger, as there was so much of the oddest debris all about and it even took-down a quite-sturdy, large flag-pole! Thankfully, all trees remained standing.
We could hear it though, beating against the windows, at “tuck-in”, yet, Yonah had no trouble settling-in until...
I'd stayed up a while later than planned, just to be ready in case the power failed and to make sure that Yonah's room was warm enough for him through the night. But the forecast claimed that the winds would stop by 1.00 this morning, so I finally went to bed, with an alarm set for then...
I'd only just started to doze off when there was quite a “BOOM” that vibrated across the floor of the house! It woke me back up and as I was getting out of bed to check on Yonah I heard him call: “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!” loudly and clearly! At that point, I was in a panic!
Yes, the power HAD gone out, the house was in complete darkness. I grabbed the little phone at bed-side that I use now for an alarm, and used it as a light for navigation as I rushed into his room.
It WAS ever-so warm and comfy in there as I opened the door and he called again: “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!” and just then, again, “BOOM” against his wall! It was the neighbour in the back, in the darkness, banging against the wall! (I didn't understand then, and still, as I recount the event, can't imagine what she was doing against a wall that I happen to know, has furnishings in front and on it.) The sound and vibrations had all but terrified poor Yonah, especially in the darkness! And he was almost inconsolable!
I opened his door and stuck my head in, to nestle against him, as I whispered: “It's OK my Little One. It's OK. I'm here. It's OK.” How he pecked at my nose, my cheek, my ear! It wasn't in “fear”. He made no effort to run away. He was obviously grateful that somebody familiar was there with him.
As he started to calm down... ANOTHER “BOOM”... and Yonah began coo'ing again! He was being terrorised at this point! So, I put my hand in and caressed him, and held him close to my face and repeated: “It's OK my Little Guy. It's OK. Nothing here is going to hurt you. I'm here. We're here. It's OK... Please don't be afraid. Nobody is going to hurt you in any way. I'm right here. We're OK.”
It took the better part of 20 minutes for him to finally relax to where I could go and get proper lighting for his room... and I brought in two tea-lights in holders which gave enough light for him to see, but nothing too bright that it would disturb the night. He seemed comfortable with that, so I went round the house to check windows and doors, to check for leaks and such, and when I'd done, I decided I'd spend the night on his futon... so he'd KNOW he wasn't alone and that the “familiar person” was there with him. “Companionship”. He wasn't alone in the darkness, and I could respond to any further noises, if need be.
Well! It was rather interesting because I'd left the little tea-lights lit when I settled onto the futon, and for a moment, Yonah seemed to be quite calm again. But then he started coo'ing again. This time, the more usual “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. I tried assuring him that I was still in the room, but it didn't console him and then it occurred to me: the light from the candles! So, I extinguished them and, sure-enough, that was it. He was calling to tell me “PUT OUT THE LIGHTS!” I tell you... That's my little Heart-and-Soul! He knows what he wants and he has a way of getting his message across. So I laid back down with a grand smile on my face and, because all had settled... peace of mind. Yonah settled too...
(The power returned at about 2.00 this morning and there were no further “incidents”, BUT, poor Yonah... his sleep had been disturbed for about 90 minutes... and by the worst-possible scenario: banging in the darkness! And, as was learned after the fact, un-necessary banging wrought of simple inconsideration... how “people-like”.)
Well, this morning, I was SO exhausted that I didn't get up until 7.00 and I'd no sooner put the kettle on for morning coffee when... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”. I wasn't going to go in and disturb him until he called anyway. And other than the sound of running water to fill the kettle, I did my best to make NO sound but... I wonder how long he'd been awake... I only HOPE it wasn't long. I imagine what he must have thought, waking, calling and no reply, no response, nobody coming in to open the windows and give him morning kisses. That's something that I think of almost constantly... it's one thought that tears my soul to shreds: It's bad enough he has no “flock”, no “companion” other than me; he gets tucked-in at night, cuddled, snuggled and kissed... and in the morning, he calls and there's somebody familiar there, with more cuddles, snuggles, kisses, opening curtains, talking with him... Even the notion of me not being here for even ONE day... I can't even think about it as I might put it into words... and proper, appropriate and sufficient words fail the horror, terror, sadness.
BUT this morning I was here, he was here, and even though later than “usual”, he was as happy to see me as I was to be with him. And we KISSED, and CUDDLED, and CHATTED as I went about the regular “morning routine”.
WE MADE IT THROUGH THE STORM! The day was to be grey and wet, but... WE MADE IT THROUGH THE STORM!
It was a “slow” sort of day, over-all. BUT, Yonah DID manage another one of his “toddles” out to the living-room where he passed about an hour on the little “tree” there, with the decoys... sitting, at times, beside the “female” and at others, “attacking” the “male” and almost “scolding” it. (I still don't know how he'd react to another actual dove in the house though. But he DOES remember that they're out there in that tree. There's NO doubt about that!)
I spent the grey, cool-but-not-cold, wet day with him, in his room. I managed to get a “snooze” in for about an hour today and, when I woke, sure-enough, there was Yonah, on my hip, all snug and comfy. He'd been with me again, all through (to the best I can figure).
Other-wise, I managed to get some house-hold tasks completed and Yonah came to “visit”, briefly, in the kitchen as I worked. He's now SO MUCH A PART of the day, the entire house, that, no matter where I am or what I'm doing, I look for him... ever-where! I'm absolutely DELIGHTED that he's become comfortable with the rest of the house (although it puts me on constant “alert”, to be sure, especially since the carpeting is tones and shades of brown and he blends-in so very well and he doesn't make a sound as he moves about... and doesn't always respond when called). But it truly does make Life worth living to see him there, beside, behind, in front... some-were... “there”.
This evening, after we'd had our meals and the “evening routine” was completed, I sat to type his journal entry for the day and I'd put on a collection of music, an eclectic combination of tunes and, to my amazement, enjoyment and entertainment... when “Vaughn Monroe”... “There, I've Said It Again” began playing... YONAH COO'ED RIGHT IN WITH IT! THERE'S ANOTHER TUNE HE ENJOYS. (Or, I'll have to play again to make sure. I KNOW, for a fact, that he enjoys “Dvorak” “Song To The Moon”. From the very first time he heard it, even to recently, he coo's so sweetly along as it plays. I keep a little list of tunes he responds favourably to so that they can be incorporated into a “play-list” for him. I don't know what, in particular, attracts him to some music and not other, but, it's not important that I know “Why”... it IS important to know THAT he does enjoy some and I want him to be able to enjoy those pieces as often as he likes. It's just more of my responsibility to, toward and for him.
Ah well then... the day came... the day went and “the hour” arrived... “seepie-nigh-night”... At 19.00, musics and fountain went quiet, the night boards were installed. I kept typing today's events (all the while hoping that there would be NO repeats of last night's “boom-fest” at any point in time). Yonah established him-self on his door perch in the warmth of his radiator and all the world was at peace.
19.30 came round and... he MUST have been tired because he was already in the “sleep position”, head tucked, as he roosted on his door perch. When I asked if he was ready for “seepie-nigh-night”, he immediately took flight to his perch, scuttled over to the little loft mirror, gave a few pecks and was back at his “night spot”. It was a “weary” day for him too, in spite of his flying and toddling about the house. POOR LITTLE SOUL! So, we had cuddles and kisses and the light went out.
We made it through last night's storm. Tonight, a gentle rain falls out-side, the house is comfortably warm and he's protected against the elements. Now... we can only hope for a night of stillness and silence. Tomorrow promises sun-shine... not too warm, but, as long as the sun shines in through his windows, there will be warmth as well, and we'll take the day as it presents... together, as usual, as always. That's my little Heart-and-Soul right there... my World... my Life... literally.

Tuesday 08 March:
Indeed, indeed, or so it would seem, the 6 o'clock hour is approaching. This morning's “call” came at 6.34 with a resounding “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo...hoo-hoo” and a full-on conversation! From the very first and all through the morning routine, Yonah had something to say! And even as I simply spoke, he responded, replied, reacted. I HAVE to smile when this happens because it proves, beyond any and ALL doubt that, not only is my Little Guy perfectly aware of ALL that goes on, he actually responds to actions, sounds and even words! And he's become SO accustomed to my “relays” with the water, that, when he goes to eat, as he did this morning (which thrilled me all the more.. appetite and eating) my presence, my activities don't phase him at all. I could be in the room or not, he knows that I'm not a “threatening presence”. Precious little, no, nothing, really, could be, to me, a higher compliment, HONOUR, PRIVILEGE!
This after-noon, whilst the sun shone in through the windows, for the first time in about 10 years, I decided to try and put brush to paper... a water-colour... of my MOST FAVOURITE “subject” in ALL of Creation... Oh yes, a “portrait” of one “Mr. Yonah Taube... Esquire” (to be sure). The breezes blew chilly on the other side of the glass, but in his room, the sun gave not only a brilliant light but a truly comfortable 25°. Yonah was basking, his bird-songs were playing and I established my person at the work table, with all the necessary accoutrements, ready to “give it a try” (and see if I could manage something even “passable” for some sort of “work”... never mind “art” work).
Well, the “sketch went well, taken from a photo from a little while ago. The basic out-line with-out all the back-ground particulars. And from there, a bit of a “transfer” to the water-colour paper that (ashamedly) hasn't truly seen the light of any day in all-too-many years. OK. Steps one and two were a fair success, now it was a matter of applying the colour and trying to remember the techniques that were once almost “second nature”. The only way to know whether or not I “could” was to just begin... and so I did.
For reference, I pulled-up the photo on the lap-top, situated all the materials on the table and... began. It went slowly as I tried to recall old education born of practise, but it seemed to be working “well-enough” when...

FLUTTER-FLUTTER-FLUTTER... WHISTLE... AND THERE... my little “inspiration and muse” had seen his photo and had come in for a closer look. Yonah does that, I've come to learn: ANY photo of him attracts him almost immediately! Videos and photos of other mourning doves spark his curiosity, but ANY image of HIM is, well, it's almost clinical “narcissism”, or so it would seem. He HAS to get “up-close” and he takes-in just about every possible angle, looking close, taking steps back, over to the left, the right, back in and a few pecks here and there. Whether on the lap-top or a print, it's the same response/reaction and THIS time was NO exception. I've learnt, from experience, that, if he's to be on the key-board, which is his best location... for him... the key-board MUST be covered! It's a matter of, well, “poop” AND his “typing” and stepping on “function” keys. Pages and images appear, disappear. Little “messages” pop up and away as he makes his way up and down, back and forth across the keys. So... I put a bit of card-board over the key-board and continued on with my little endeavour. All the while, listening to the “tap, tap, tap” as Yonah “investigated” this “dove in the window” of the screen. He wasn't a distraction at all and it really DID help me quite a bit because, there's no better “reference” than the actual “subject” and... there he was.
He stayed on the key-board all the while I worked. But the GREATEST fun was when I'd decided that the “sketch” was, at least for the while, complete and I was curious to see how well (or not) I'd done. I held it up at arm's length from me and as I inspected...
WOOSH! FLUTTER-FLUTTER-FLUTTER! YONAH HAD SEEN THE PAINTING AND WAS IN FOR THE “CLOSE-UP INSPECTION AND CRITIQUE”!
Seems to me that it's rather a “reasonable facsimile” because it received the same response as a photo! He toddled up and down my arm, and, coming in close, gave the painting a couple of “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo's”. He didn't appear to be “insulted” even when I laughed (which I HAD to do) and said “That's YOU... silly. What do think of it?” He looked at me, then back at the painting and gave another “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. “Approval”? I can only hope so.
But what a JOY, to see his reaction! And, quite the inspiration to continue... working with this sketch AND as I'd very much like, more paintings of him. There are some photos that I'd like to take as a “challenge” and, well, maybe do enough to make a “wall” of water-colours... of Yonah. (Yes, in case no-one's noticed... it's an actual “obsession”... and one of which I am quite and most proud! That's my Little Guy... my Heart-and-Soul... my “Love”... and as I've said often... my “Life”!)
When, later, I “re-visited” the work that had been done, I was sitting on the futon and held the pad up to get a good look at it, Yonah was having a bit of a nosh, his back to me but, some-how, he must have “sensed” and over he came, onto my arm, got right up to the painting, gave a loud “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo!” and then took a bit of a flight, landing right at the top edge of the pad! Honestly, it IS amazing... If nothing else, he sees and recognises a mourning dove... even a painting! (And to think there are people who deny mourning doves are “cognizant”. Oh well, there's just no... nope... none.)
Other-wise, we had another wonderful day, together, in the brilliant sun-shine and the warmth. It couldn't have been any better. After I'd done with all the house-hold chores and the painting, I went to the futon, intending on nothing but the briefest of a “lie-down”. Yonah came over, immediately, and as I laid down, legs up, knees bent, he came over, landed on my hip, toddled down to the bend in my knees, settled, head tucked, and the next thing I knew... his eyes closed... HE WAS NAPPING IN THE CROOK OF MY KNEES! NAPPING! He was as comfortable there as, well, a bird in a nest. He was “at home”! He knows he's safe, and, just as I am when I'm with him, so at peace, apparently, he's the very same when we're together. (Needless to say, my “lie-down” last a bit longer because I was NOT about to disturb my Little Guy whilst he was resting. So, WE had a little 20-minute snooze until, for what-ever reason, Yonah decided it was enough, woke up and took off to his roof-top.
Yes, another “wonderful” day... and another one that just passed by entirely TOO quickly!
But Yonah was in the living-room again today... with the decoys and wandering, just wandering around on the floor. It appears he's getting quite comfortable being out there. But when I went to the door-way between there and the kitchen... HE CAME RUNNING TOWARD ME! I HAVE to get a video of that and get it posted to his site! Let any potential “horrors” see how well he's doing and how TRULY COUPLED we are! It would put a bit of my mind at peace. (Although, I DO KNOW... for certain, that there are “those” who... well... there ARE “THOSE”... I can't think about it... I physically can't. But, should “they” even try, they might see it as taking Yonah... but they'll be taking a human life as well... I am because he is...)
This evening he even joined me, on my shoulder, in the hood of my Sherpa, at the kitchen basin for after-meal washing-up! He was right beside my face, watching, as if actually “interested” in what was going on in the basin. When he watches so intently, it can't be helped to think that he's trying to “learn how” to do something! And there truly IS a change in his “facial expression”... there's something in his eyes that's very different from what most would simply see as “his face”. I've come to see it, from “interest”, to “happiness”, to “fatigue”... I'm only just beginning to actually hear the slightest differences in his “voice” when he coo's. I CAN hear the difference between general “bird-song” and “calling with purpose”... the difference between the “morning call” and the evening he was frightened by the inconsiderate wall-banging from next door. One noticed, the difference can't be forgotten. It's claimed that the “whistle” in a mourning dove's flight is different as well; one sound for general flight, another as a “warning” of danger. I THINK I might have come to notice that, but because it seems the mourning doves have found better eating else-where and haven't been around much of late (and that I haven't been out and with them often during Winter), I can't say for certain. One thing I CAN say with certainty... that whistle isn't just for “warning” because Yonah “whistles” when-ever he takes flight and I DO believe that he DOES KNOW that he has NOTHING to fear here... in HIS domain. Anyway, it was PURE JOY to have his company in the kitchen this evening. (I have to set-up a little “tree” or “perch” for him there... maybe he'll join me more often... He's the BEST company... and SUCH FUN to chat with whilst working along.)
BUT... this evening, when 19.00 came round and I closed blinds and curtains and put up the back board, we played a bit... Yonah on his roof-top, me playing “Chase” with my hand... him turning it into “Catch Me”. It wasn't long into it when he decided he'd had enough and... well... he went to his perch! As I'm typing this (19.25), he's on his door perch, “preening” for the evening though. But it does appear he's tired. Well, why not? “Busy” day! Especially with the flying in the living-room and running about the floors... and critiquing art! Next, I expect a bit of a yawn and... well...
OK... the clock marked 19.30 and as soon as I turned and asked “Are you ready for seepie-nigh-night?” there was NO hassle! Cuddles, kisses and off to the little “guy in the mirror” for a few “Good night” pecks and... on to the night spot on the perch to roost for the night.
We “humans” can learn SO very much from these Little Ones. They show no signs of pain. They don't “whine” over the smallest inconveniences in their lives. They go on, either through or around what-ever obstacles come their way. I know, I can say that, in our time together, Yonah has taught me MORE, in such a short span than I managed to learn, or pay attention to, in my own entire life-time. And when I think: He's all but about 19 months of age (as we believe he was born at the end of August, 2020)... HE has taught ME MORE, than my own 67 years have taught me about SO much of “Life”. He's THE MOST AMAZING... AWE-INSPIRING... AWE-SOME... AWE-FULL little LIFE! And I have been SO HONOURED, BLESSED, PRIVILEGED, HUMBLED to have had the DIVINE GIFT that is HIM!
Well? Tonight, my “Blessing” is tucked-in, safe and warm. Fresh food and water, a good place in which to sleep with-out ANY chance of ANY predatory harm. -10° tonight, but as lights went out, Yonah's room was at 24°... indeed... he's safe and warm. And tomorrow? Well... I'll be working on his “portrait” with him, and the forecast is for some “flurries” but 2° so... warm and toasty... with my little Heart-and-Soul... Never a more perfect day.

* FULL SCREEN *

Wednesday 09 March:
At about 6.00 this morning, as the morning was just arriving, I stepped out onto the back gallery, as every morning, to put food out for the Yardies there, and, as I stepped back into the house, off in the distance there was a “call”... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo”... From the leafless trees, the beautiful sound of one of Yonah's flock barely echoed in the still silence as it floated on the morning chill. I stopped for a moment, and it repeated. How beautiful! I've become so attuned to that sound, hearing it daily for the past many months, but in its “natural” environment, it still holds the ability to touch, deeply, into the soul. But instead of the common-place interpretation of “mourning” and sadness, now I hear it as a song equal to any other, or, at that hour, a call to say “I've seen that breakfast is served! Come quickly!” My Little Guy has taught me well, and I've come to learn, openly and willingly. And as I stood still, it repeated... but then, that was all. No more.
For the past several days, there have been no mourning doves at the food, not even, as they used to, just before day-light. I wonder why that is. But I take some comfort in the “reports” that their number at the neighbour's, about 3km down the road, has increased. They're “out there”, and they're eating, and I know they're eating well because the neighbour serves nutritious and wholesome food for them. She's the only person I know who shares in the “love” of the “Little Ones”... and she knows Yonah, and shares that LOVE for him as well.
Still, I wonder why they've chosen not to come here. I wonder...
Well? 6.00 and the doves of the woods were obviously up and about... in the cold of this grey, damp morning... I wondered when my little Heart-and-Soul would be “calling”. It gave me some comfort knowing that, no matter the weather “out there”, he was nice and warm, protected, and his breakfast was close, and fresh water would be brought in... when he woke.
6.32... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” came the next “call” of the morning! Yonah was awake... and it was time for him too, to confront a new day! And MY day had officially come to “be”. I called back with the same “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” and... the same came in reply! I couldn't help but think of the difference between the dove in the tree, “out there” and Yonah's call. Oh, but to understand even a bit of those calls. But for the moment, there was a “morning routine” to attend and my Little Guy appeared to be anxious to got on with it! So... AS our conversation continued, and it DID too... almost non-stop, a complete dialogue, I went in to find him already stretching his wings, ready to take a flight! I opened the door with a “Good morning to you!”, leaned in and got so many “Good morning” kisses! It does a soul such wonder to be “warmly greeted” first thing of a morning by this little Life. And an indescribable comfort seeing that he'd obviously slept well the night before. Yonah was awake, “up”, obviously feeling well enough to call, to stretch his wings... and to CHAT! And “CHAT” we did... ALL through the “set-up” of his house, opening curtains and blinds, the changing of water, the tidying. (I'm so anxious to receive his new “pool” now, due in a week's time. And I'm anxious for a good, solid thaw on the river so get more, better rocks to make a better “fountain” for him too. AND some more trees! And just tin time for... SPRING!)
The day moved along, grey, chilled, damp. The threatened snows never did arrive, but the skies were so heavily-laden with clouds that, even with the “FullSpec” light on, Yonah's room just seemed “dark”. Didn't phase him though... he was all about the place. And I was in the room for almost every click of the clock, with him... him with me. Better Companions there couldn't be, to be honest. And we DID manage to get in quite a few “Play Breaks”. In fact, I managed to get precious little “accomplished” all day today because, well, when Yonah wants “together time”... it isn't even a matter of “resisting”, I'm all too willing! Being with him, “horsing around” with him is such a DELIGHT! And he seem to enjoy it so much. He doesn't run or fly away until something else caches his attention. And I NEVER do anything that would make his “escape” even slightly “inconvenient” for him. So yes, I can say, with certainty... HE ENJOYS THE PLAYING AROUND! And I SO enjoy the closeness... Quite honestly, I am, in reality, still absolutely in AWE over our “Companionship” and that he has SO MUCH TRUST in me! I don't believe that that will EVER dull, diminish, change. It does appear that my LOVE for and of him actually IS “mutual” and, well, to my mind, there's NOTHING, in ALL of Creation, that can be MORE AWE-inspiring, AWE-evoking.
I tried, this after-noon, to get back and do, at the very least, more work, applying some details, to the water-colour of him that I started yesterday but today, he was having NONE of THAT! It was a veritable circus of... well, it was just about “chaotic”, to say the least. I pulled-up the photo-reference on the lap-top and even before I had the change to enlarge it so that I could better see the details I wanted, FROM ACROSS THE ROOM, Yonah noticed it and came RUSHING over to the work table and RIGHT ON THE KEY-BOARD! Before I had the chance to put the little card-board over the keys (ICOP... In Case of Poop), he was pacing and pecking... Pacing across the keys, and the image on the screen expanded, contracted, rotated... it was all over the place! So I put the card-board down and picked-up the pad with the painting on it and the moment I opened THAT... Yonah took wing and was ALL OVER THAT as well! On the binding, trying to get at the “bird” on the paper! I caught a moment's video of him on the key-board, coo'ing at the image. But what I'd really like to get on video is how forcefully he pecks at ANY image of him! He doesn't appear to be “playing” or even wanting to “play” with “the other”... HE WANTS IT/THEM OUT! I have one little print of him on water-colour paper, a “card-size” image, and hoping to distract him from the lap-top and work table, I placed it on the shelf beside the table. WELL! He saw that and headed directly for it... by hopping up onto my arm, and toddling, full-speed down my arm and to the card where he IMMEDIATELY went at it, even to the point where he “grabbed” it and threw it to the floor! He does the same thing with the cut-away. Well, if nothing else, I've cancelled ALL notions of bringing another dove into the house. Obviously, he has no “need” nor “desire” for another dove.
But, in some respect, it is almost slightly “comical” how he perceives even an image... of HIM... as an “intruder” AND seeing him in a bit of a “rage”, well... I can't help recalling Deborah, who loves him almost as much as I do, saying how she SO LOVES mourning doves because they're so “gentle, peaceful, benign”... OH! But if she could only see Yonah “in a mood”! It IS rather amazing though... Mourning doves DO appear to be docile... though I do recall seeing a video, on-line, of two males having at each-other... they CAN be rather brutal. (I'm SO GRATEFUL that Yonah doesn't see me as being deserving of THAT side of HIM! Even in “play”, he can get a bit on the “forceful” side. He HAS gone for my hand, and my face when I was stupid enough to give the opportunity, with quite a “punch”. That's usually when we call an end to “play break”... But then, he IS, essentially, still very much “wild”... he's just decided that I'm “OK” to be mates with and, let's face it, even the BEST of mates can have their moments. Still, I do my best to avoid those.)
But that's how the entire day went: me trying to get things accomplished and heeding to the calls of my BESTIE! Still, time spent with Yonah is NEVER time “wasted”. I know, in my heart, that we don't have “decades”... neither of us. So EVERY moment together is a BLESSING, HONOUR, PRIVILEGE, GIFT to me, and I'll NEVER deny him ANY of it, for ANY reason!
Ah... then came the “winding-down”... TOO SOON! No matter how early our day begins, it always turns to night too soon. But again, tonight, at about 19.25, Yonah was “roosting” on his door perch and I turned to him, from the work table, and said:
“It shatters my heart, my Little One, but, it's time for seepie-nigh-night.”
And no sooner had I gotten the words out, he was up to his loft, “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” and “Good night” pecks to the “Little One” in the mirror and a toddle to his night spot! WELL! Indeed, I suppose WE had QUITE the day of it! (All that flying about, and fighting with the “interlopers” on paper... I might imagine.) So, we got OUR snuggles, OUR cuddles and OUR kisses in for the night and by 19.30, his lights were out. And it does, in a way, “shatter my heart”, because, OH! if I could only figure a way... I WOULD just move right into his room, spend EVERY night on his futon, and have him free to be about the entire room. But the ONLY way that would be possible would be to keep a light on through the night so that he could navigate at will... but, oddly enough, I learnt, from the other night when I had the little tea-lights lit in his room, light and night is out of the question. He DID make “comment” until I put those out. And I won't risk him flying about in the darkness, NOR him being on the floor! So, we're stuck in the situation we have... unless I could come up with some sort of “housing” in which I could fit... or, a room, empty... but even then... “walls and windows”. My heart just has to handle this. And I'm willing to wager, it bothers him too... that we part at night. (Which is why I'd thought of him having a little “companion dove”... never mind.)
Good news for tonight... a low of only -4° (FAR cry from -24° and such) and tomorrow... high of 6° with SUN! Yonah gets to bask and maybe even have another dip in the “old” pool. (I'm so anxious, waiting for the new one to arrive! Due, I'm told, between Monday and Wednesday-week.) But no matter... my little Heart-and-Soul is all safely tucked-in for the night and he's warm no matter what... as he should be. And as for tomorrow... we'll both take that on as it presents... TOGETHER!

Thursday 10 March:
Quite the interesting day today with commencement at 6.24. (I'm keeping record of the hour so that I have it to refer to... especially when “Day-light Savings” sets-in. But mostly, because this Journal has become my “reference” for future. Knowing when Yonah wakes is something that I believe I really need to keep record of so that I can “adjust my schedule accordingly.)
Ah... the “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” this morning was, unbeknownst to me at the time, the “indicator” of how the rest of the day would carry on. Yonah woke in a “chatty” mood, and conversation was the rule of the day! And that he replied to ALL of my replies, well, there was no “loss for words”... especially during “morning routine”! Oh, but there was so MUCH to tell, or, at least, to comment on, as I went about my “assigned duties” at the window and even as I ran the relay with the water for the pool. What I wouldn't give to have, at the very least, the slightest understanding of what he was telling me. But what-ever it was, it was the GREATEST JOY to heart and soul, hearing him. He obviously was well-rested, and feeling quite well this morning. And, for me, THAT is ALL that need be of and on ANY day at all! My little Heart-and-Soul in a good mood, feeling well, up and about... nothing other is of any importance.
It was a pleasant sort of day, weather-wise. Not bitter cold, just rather a typical cool-damp March day. We had a bit of sun-shine, though certainly “not enough”. Just enough for me to take, ever-so quickly, to the road and get the week-end errands done because of the threat of another “Winter storm” making its way toward us... for Saturday. And I wasn't gone from the house but an hour, and when I returned? A “call” from the front door... “Is anybody at home?” was quickly answered “woo-HOO!” (And I swear it sounds like “WELL! ABOUT TIME!”) When I got to Yonah's room, he was on his door perch, looking right at the door to his room. He was there... waiting for me to appear. And when he saw me, FLUTTER FLUTTER FLUTTER... and over to the pillows on his futon... where he could keep an eye on me, as I went to the kitchen to put groceries away. Now... TRY to tell me he isn't aware of his best “vantage points” in the house!
AND... as I was putting items into the cup-board... from behind I heard more FLUTTER FLUTTER FLUTTER AND THERE HE WAS... ON MY SHOULDER! HE'D COME OUT OF HIS ROOM, INTO THE KITCHEN AND FLEW DIRECTLY TO MY SHOULDER! THIS IS A FIRST! (And I HAVE to mention that, at times, I'd thought how “cute” it might be if he'd ever become comfortable enough to do this... NEVER even entertaining the notion that he ever WOULD! IMAGINE !!! HOW WRONG I WAS! And I can't say how OVER-JOYED I AM!)
THAT was only ONE incident of the sort of the day... All day, he was as affectionate as could possibly be, taking every opportunity to be on my head, my shoulders, my arm.
I tried to get a few tasks done at the work table... “tried”, because he NEEDED to know what it was that I was doing. Every movement I made, he was either on or beside me. Again, I read that doves take an “active interest” in their environment... but WOW! Yonah wasn't taking “active interest”... he was almost PARTICIPATING! (And I was LOVING EVERY moment of it!)
He DID manage to grab-and-soak-in the few moments of sun-shine that we were “gifted”, late morning. THAT was such a tonic to the heart, seeing him on his little “loft” in the corner, basking in the brilliant, though transient sun-shine. It truly is a beautiful sight, seeing him with his wings and tail spread, knowing that he's getting all that “natural” warmth, the colours of his feathers so brilliant. And he's so very much “at a peace” that seems to fill every bit of space, not only in his room and the house but in the world... even out-side. I can't help but feel that even “Creation” doesn't dare to disturb the rest of doves... at least, this one. It's an almost indescribable marvel.
AND THEN... today, again, in the chill and damp of the out-doors, when “basking-time” was done, and the sun had shifted in the sky... as I was sitting at the work table, balancing books after morning errands... that all-too familiar “SPLASH”! IT WAS “POOL TIME”! That too, gives me such pleasure and joy. And now I'm even MORE anxious for his new “pool” to arrive! He “settled” in the water, and, from time-to-time, his little eyes closed for a moment. That's HIS private bathing spot... and it's apparent that he knows that he's safe there, no need to keep a wary eye on the skies or the woods. He knows he can rest there, for as long as he desires, and he wont' be disturbed, threatened, harmed. (And since I'm in the room, that's part of that MAJOR COMPLIMENT to me, as I see it: in a “regular world”, in his “natural environment” I would be a predator, something to be watchful for and wary of. But, I sit at the work table, going about my own occupations and Yonah simply lounges and luxuriates in the water.)
When he was done, he hopped out, hopped up onto his door perch where he gave a few good shakes and then went up to his “extended perch” over my shoulder and preened. All fresh and... onto my shoulder again, to give my ear a peck.
That was our day: together, for almost every moment, and enjoying each-other's presence... when we weren't actually engaged in cuddles, playing “Catch Me!” or just sitting on the futon together, having “chats”.
This evening, after we'd had our “evening meals”, we did the “evening routine”... changing water, tidying the house... and again, this evening, when I closed the blinds and curtains, I put up the back board so that I wouldn't have to disturb Yonah later. It was, after all, 18.30.
But at about 19.00 when I looked up from my pre-occupations at the table, Yonah was “roosted”... there, on his door perch, as he does of an evening, his little eyes closed. It was “time”... so I put my “stuff” to the kitchen and came back in, pulled the chair over to him to have a little “evening chat”. Well, we talked about the day for a bit and I mentioned, in passing, “seepie-nigh-night”... and Yonah was UP... and to the little “dove in the loft mirror”. Our day had come to a “close”. Sometimes, if I happen to “delay” seepie-nigh-night just too long, he'll “remind” me, but, for the most part, he'll just wait... on his door perch, in the warmth that rises from his radiator. I feel terrible when he does that but... tonight, we caught it... By 19.25... my little Heart-and-Soul was all tucked-in,safe, warm, protected, LOVED, CHERISHED. We had our little “kisses in the dark” and SO reluctantly, I left him to his night's rest. (It's the worst part of an average day: leaving him. But I do suppose he's gotten so used to it that, well... other than me being on the futon, it's HIS house, HIS home... and HIS place to rest for the night.) And thankfully, though it's still only March, tonight, “out there” will be quite cool but not cold... not that it matters to Yonah... No matter the World... he's protected... my Little Guy... my Heart-and-Soul .

Friday 11 March:
Since I decided to get an extra few moments in bed, I was only but just getting settled into the morning when... at 6.21... another morning of “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”... the “long call”. And again, this morning, when I responded with the same “Greeting”, the reply was immediate... and the same! OK! For the most part, I thought it safe to assume: this was going to be another “chatty” morning. Little did I know...
Oh yes, my little Heart-and-Soul was up, awake, ready to take-on this chilly, damp, grey morning and he did have quite a bit to say about the matter too. And he's not one to be shy about it. From the moment I opened the door to his house, all through my “morning tasks”, we held an on-going conversation. And the “pattern” of the coo's changed as we went along! Some were long, others were shorter, there was a “woo-HOO!” in there as well. Yonah would “say something”, I'd repeat, he'd change, I'd follow the change. Then, I'd change, he'd change, as I say, it wasn't just repetition all through.
It's these moments that truly drive, deeply, my sense and feelings of such “inferiority”, when compared to the “animal kingdom”. When even the briefest moment is taken, and given to absolute honesty, it becomes so obvious, more-so than the sun is to the sighted, that we “humans” are utterly either at the “bottom” of the “evolutionary” ladder or exceptionally close to it.
For example: humans speak many different languages and of those languages, there are many different dialects. Same and similar words can have similar but not same or completely different meanings, and when placed in a particular grammatical structure, a combination of words can express an entirely different meaning, using only the very same words in different order; and, I dare say, for the most part, the vast majority of humans know only the language and dialect they were born into, raised with, and nothing more. So often I've heard that particular “French” sounds like “Portuguese” to a non-French-speaker. “Polish” sounds like “Russian”. “Italian” sounds like “Spanish”. There are those who can't differentiate “Austrian German” from “Swiss German” from “German German” and there are those who find the German language to be harsh, cold, demanding, whilst others (my-self included) find German a comforting language of kindness, love, compassion, warmth. (My grand-mother used to say night prayers and sing lullabies to us, when we were children.) And all so often, humans simply refuse to even try learning another language.
Bring this to the animals... Humans hear “barking” from dogs, “howling” from wolves, “clucks” from chickens, “quacks” from ducks, “meow” from cats, “chirps” or “coo's” from birds... BUT... a dog will learn his/her name, as will a cat... in ANY human language. They also learn “No”, “stay”, “come”... I've known dogs who know the word “swimming”... even when said, in jest, in “baby language”. I've known cats who understand French and/or German and/or Hebrew. Chickens are known to come when called... often by a name. Even deer, in the woods, will come to understand and/or recognise a particular word or call.
I have no choice, in honesty, to admit that, when Yonah “calls” or “speaks”, I hear “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo” or some variation, and I have little-to-no (more on the “no” end) notion of what it is that he is trying to convey to me. I don't actually “know” that he's even addressing me.
Humans associate the “chirps” of some most birds as “singing”... joyful sounds of happiness, all the time. The coo's of doves, they find to be “mournful”, sad. Little, if any thought is given to the possibility that a bird might be chirping in anger, or fear, and for birds that only “chirp”, perhaps “mourning”. And as for doves? Well, one thing that I have come to learn is that “mourning doves” coo when they've something to say AND, when they're quite content or even “happy”... as Yonah will do when I come into his room. Yonah will “call” if he's in his room and I haven't been in for a while. And when I reply or respond, he may call once again or may not. I've come to understand this as his way of confirming my presence in the area. Not “mourning”. And when I come into his room and he coo's “woo-HOO!” it's often as he's facing me, and accompanied by a little “wing-snap”... “HEY! GOOD TO SEE YOU!”
Yonah also shows that he “recognises” his name. When I call him, his he lifts his head and will look directly at me. I've already mentioned that he “understands” the expression “seepie-nigh-night”.
And yet, all the while, I can only speculate about what it is he's “telling” me at any given time. And so it is with humans and... dogs, cats, ducks, chickens... He have no valid “translations”, no “phrase books”, no “dictionaries”... no idea, notion... no clue... The “most highly-evolved”, the only species capable of “sentience”... utterly inferior, incompetent, essentially useless. And little else makes this more obvious than the sweet coo'ing of a mourning dove, as the day-light begins to fill a morning sky, and he has so much to tell... and no-one, really, to tell it to.
Well... that's how my day with Yonah began. But he's all-forgiving of my nonsensical existence and, when I'd done with my “duties to and for him”, we got on with “our” day, together. I was grateful that I had no reason or cause to leave the house all day today (and again tomorrow... especially in light of the next “Winter storm” being threatened in the forecast). Most of the morning was passed with Yonah. We played quite a bit. And when I took time to sit at the work table and tried to get to a few tasks (I've all but surrendered to the notion of painting that portrait of him at the work table... it's going to have to be done in the kitchen... with the hope that he doesn't take one of his “reconnaissance flights” through... as he did this evening as I was having evening meal in the kitchen... and notices the painting there!) OH, but he was having NONE of that today! Today was “our together day” on his agenda.
It was a day of me sitting, getting involved with something, only to have Yonah on my head, my shoulder, my neck, pecking at my ears or “roosting” on the back of the chair. And when he does that, “something tells me” that he's there, even though I might not have heard him fly over (and he's now doing just that: flying with-out making any sound!). And if he's been there for what he deems “long enough” and I've made no notice of his presence, I feel a little “poking” at my back. The entire day went along those lines of action. It was, well, ENDEARING! DELIGHTFUL! A PURE JOY! Even when I went to the kitchen for any reason, a drink, something to eat... Yonah was along... on my shoulder, my arm... in the hood of my Sherpa. It was an “almost inseparable” sort of day! PURE DIVINE JOY! And, of course, there was a LOT of “play”... several games of “Catch Me!”
Sadly, the sun never made an appearance, but that didn't seem to bother Yonah at all... and later in the after-noon, I did put on his FullSpec light... hoping that it would give some semblance of a “clearer” day. (I honestly don't see that it makes much difference to Yonah though. I've read that “Full Spectrum” lighting is “necessary”, I've read that it's completely UN-necessary. And I've read, from “aviary folk”, “scientific folk” and the likes that “Full Spectrum” light bulbs are NOTHING even remotely similar to the light of the sun. Well, of course not... The “sun” is “natural”, as Creation was intended... “Full Spectrum” light bulbs are invented and manufactured by the very same humans who murder mourning doves for some sort of “sport”... “fun”... and who can't decipher “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo” from “meow”. I say no more on...) But it was for that reason, the absence of sun-shine, that I made an extra-special effort to be “here”, “there”, where-ever, for Yonah during the day. (But I have to say: it was quite something when I was trying to type some correspondence and as I typed, he literally “roosted” on my head! Yes... photos taken. How could I not?)
So that's how our day went along today... Yonah either flying about his room or “roosting” on some part of me. No matter what though, it's as I tell him (repeatedly): He can do NO “wrong”, cause NO harm to anything. This house and all the space in it is HIS, first, foremost, primarily. So where-ever he wants to be, to go, even if that be on my head... it's perfectly fine, acceptable, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
That said, this evening was a bit on the “difficult” side... because of the impending “time change” coming tomorrow night. I kept with the hour on the clock as it was (“Standard Time”... ah... humans... if we can contort, skew, twist, cause anxiety...), but had, already changed some, so as to “acclimate me” to the “new” times to come. I'm still not sure how this will work come Sunday evening. But I do understand that, Yonah waking at the “6.30” frame will, as of Sunday morning, registre on the clocks as “7.30” but, 19.30... his usual “seepie-nigh-night” will be 20.30... Come the warmer weather and much longer days, I'm sure all of this will “settle itself”. But for the short-term... I'll be the one to “adjust”... according to Yonah's “schedule/agenda/clock”...
Meanwhile, I'd had the iPod playing today, instead of the radio, a vast, eclectic collection of music, from the 20s and 30s, through to contemporary, Baroque, classical, foreign, domestic, rock, disco, all sorts, but early this evening... Song To The Moon played... Dvorak, that was the very firs piece of music that Yonah had ever responded to when first he'd heard it. He coo'ed along for so much of the duration as it played, and each time I played it there-after, he seemed to be so calm, and he'd coo. Today, again, as it played, he “roosted”, so calmly. There's something he hears in that piece that is soothing to him, so, I put it on “repeat” when I got back into the room after our evening meals, and through the “evening routine”, and all the while, Yonah was, what we would think of as “at peace”. I played it whilst I got to work on today's Journal for him, and he roosted on his door perch, beside me until...
Came 19.00, the lights were dim, Song To The Moon was playing and Yonah was as “settled-in” as could be. Next... 19.30... and when I got up to move the lap-top and “my clutter” to the kitchen, Yonah “called” when I was out of the room. When I returned, he was on his door perch, as if waiting for me. “It was time” and he was “ready”... “seepie-nigh-night”. Tonight it was brief. He was, indeed, quite ready to draw the day in to a close. So, he went about the “Good nights” to the little “birds in the mirrors”, and we got our “cuddles, snuggles, caresses and kisses” in and he made it quite clear that he was tired... He was on his perch, I leaned in for a few more kisses... he scuttled slightly away and then returned to his “night spot”. He DOES have his way of getting his point across. So, we made short of it.
Snows are due to begin some time during the night tonight, and there's been a “threat” of more winds (ah... “March”). I'll set an alarm for a bit some time during the night, just to make certain that all's well in the house. But, over-all, my Little Guy, my Heart-and-Soul will be safe and sound. There'll be no harsh winds blowing him about, no cold for him to ward-off. His house will be calm and warm, plenty of food to eat, fresh water to drink. And tomorrow? Well... there's nothing to tear me away... and plenty I can do... together... with my Divine Blessing.
And Sunday... marks another of our “Anniversary”: 17 months! And for Yonah... at the last week of this month, if our “speculations” and human calculations are correct... he will be 19 months of age. Thus far... he's broken the “average”... and I'm here to see to it that EVERY moment of EVERY day here-after is as close to PERFECT as is humanly (for all it's worth) possible.
I am... because he “is”.

Saturday 12 March:
6.39 “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” Let the day commence! My Little Guy was up and, in spite of the dark, grey, rainy morning out-side his window, he was ready for it all!
I replied, in kind... he responded with the longer “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo... hoo-hoo”. And the volley of coo's went along until I got a “woo-HOO!” (My interpretation, for all it's worth: “OK then! Enough of this idle chit-chat, open the door, open the curtains, let's get rolling here!”) And when I got in, he was already in the “stretch” and we got our “Good morning kisses and cuddles” in. Hey! As long as wee start the day with those, the rest of the day will be WONDERFUL.... no matter what... with-in reason.
Out-side, as I say, 'twas dark and dreary, a light rain, the precursor to the “snows” of the forecast. In-side, the house had taken a bit of a damp-chill. But Yonah's room was delightful warm, dry, comfy, and we got right to the “morning routine”. Waters in pool and drinking dish (seldom used) changed, and “poop check” showed that he'd had a peaceful night (all poops in one place) and all looking quite “healthy”.
We had a bit of a chat as I worked along, and the best part of all: It's Saturday and I'd no cause to leave the house today. What we'd DO with this little “gift” was ahead of us, to be seen. But no matter what, as I say, my Heart-and-Soul was up and about. We'd face it all together!
And what a day it became...
It was supposed to be a “quiet day” together. I was going to “try” to get more work done on the painting, but when I opened the door to Yonah's room this morning, one of the boxes that had been stored behind it had fallen and partially blocked my entrance. So I decided that, before anything else, that had to be tended-to. So I got right on it. After all... I NEVER want to have to come into the room in an emergency and be unable to get to Yonah immediately! Ah... well... moving things about and re-arranging to make his room “proper”... I discovered a spot on the floor, by the futon, that I KNOW, for a fact, I'd only just recently “deep cleaned” with the Hoover BUT TODAY... there were SEEDS in the carpeting! Yes, “bird food”! Again! MICE! After ALL the trap-and-releasing, the nights awake on the futon, waiting for the little things to be trapped, so that I could send them off on their way... OUT-SIDE, and closing ALL VISIBLE entries into the house, sealing them all up... THIS ! I was in the midst of “tidying” the room anyway, so out came the Hoover and EVERYTHING got another thorough cleaning!
And Yonah? Well... He's such a CHAMPION when it comes to this sort of thing... When he wasn't watching the insanity of his “human”, he was accompanying... on my shoulder, my head... and he was “supervising”, from the wall shelving, the end of the futon. WHAT a character! It's interesting how, for cats and dogs, the sound of the Hoover will send them RUNNING (or, in my past experience with dogs... “attacking” the extensions and such). But Yonah... he looks, he watches, and then he goes on about what-ever other business crosses his mind. He has no “fear” of the Hoover and “limited interest” in it. WHAT a DIFFERENCE!
The “clean-up” took most of this morning, sadly. But I suppose it was OK because we were together, in his room, and he could be with (on?) me and I was with him all the while. It was “together” time, though, for me, not “quality” time. It wasn't how I'd planned to spend the day with him. But “Life”... if there's one thing I've learnt from Yonah (and there's been SO MUCH that I have done), it's that, no matter who we are, dove or human, there are truly those moments, events, affairs in “Life” that we truly just have to “roll with” and that there's no good, no sense, no use in be-moaning when events don't flow as we'd planned or hoped. The best response is to simply roll along with what-ever comes along. (And I truly am getting quite good at this. Me! A man of no patience for the slightest things when they go “wrong”. Yes, at first, I, like others, am aggravated, but, as I do when I have a pain... I look at Yonah... He's been through SUCH A GOD-MISERABLE TERROR AND PAIN: ATTACKED AND ATTEMPT MADE TO LITERALLY SHRED HIM ALIVE! Then, I come along and take him away from his flock, his trees, his “Nature”. And I'm sure there are moments where he'd rather not be with me, would prefer the company of his own, but, coo's and kisses... He truly is my own bit of PURE DIVINITY!)
Of it all is the fact that I am SO grateful that there haven't been ANY indications that the mouse/mice have been IN his house! No “droppings” in or around his food. None on his floor. (And he tends to scatter his food, so there's almost always SOME seeds on the floor there.) At least I don't have to worry about them bringing parasites into his house or leaving “soil” that could threaten his health. And yes... “traps” have been re-set. I understand the furry little things are just looking for food and a warm place to shelter against the cold... but... NOT in Yonah's room... I'll have NONE of that! He might enjoy the “company”, but I won't risk the parasites (mites, fleas and ticks in particular). Alas... “Life”... the “world”... “Creation”...
BUT... the VERY BEST of the day? OH, but was Yonah ever ACTIVE! Flying about the place, especially as I was working away, cleaning, moving, tidying, arranging. And, as I say, on my shoulders, head... WE WERE TOGETHER TODAY! AND... when I'd stepped out to the kitchen for a while, to check on some e-mail, as I do, regularly, especially on HIS account, he made one of his “surveillance” flights into and out of the kitchen but THEN FOLLOWED-UP with a STROLL OUT... and there he stood, beside me, at the kitchen table, looking up as if wondering “What could be more important out here than being in the room, together?”
When I got up to bring him up to my shoulder or to the table or where-ever... he RAN back to his room and up onto his futon. And when I got there to be with him, he headed to his house, to his door perch. He wanted the “cuddles and kisses” but he wanted them where he's most comfortable. And his door perch is his place of preference. (It's good and fine because I don't have to bend, kneel, lay down... I can simply “cup” him in my hands and “shower him with affections”, as it were. And he DOES LUV IT! He nestles right down, and if I lift my head, he looks up at me and pecks at my hand... “More!” My “Little Guy”... My “Heart-and-Soul”... My “LIFE”!
All the while, out-side, the snow continued to fall, it was another “Winter” day “out there”. In his room? a steady 23,5°, the FullSpec light and the little desk lamp gave light. Fresh water. Fresh food. Company. Chatting. Play! We DID manage to get that much into the day.
This evening was quite the most pleasant surprise to me. After spending most of the day in his room, I had to leave Yonah to go to the kitchen for evening meal. As I sat eating, he made one, quick, “surveillance flight”, into and out of the kitchen and THEN, moments later, he came toddling out of his room, stood beside the table, looked up at me, turned and went back into this room! “Just checking”? AND, after I'd done eating, I went in to “check” on him and he came flying out to my shoulder! I had the washing-up to do and headed to the kitchen basin... and HE STAYED ON MY SHOULDER ALL THE WHILE I WASHED DISHES! I chatted with him, and he made him-self ever-so comfy, pecking at my ear from time-to-time until, I suppose, the washing-up became boring and he took off and headed back to his room, to the futon pillows from where I heard a “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. (I guess he was commenting on the mundane silliness of humans washing dishes?)
It's his “boldness” of late that touches me to my core. He's become so comfortable in the rest of the house, at last. He's not wary of leaving the comfort of the familiar surroundings of his room. THIS is my “”dream come true”. I've long wanted him to feel free to travel around the entire house. It isn't the openness of the mountains. It isn't the endless world into which he was born. But it does, at the very least, give him space in which to exercise, travel a bit, change his scenery. If I could, if I had the proper space, I'd build him his own aviary in the yard for the warmer weather (short though that season is). Then again, I'm not so sure it would be of much comfort to him, since the likes of hawks and such could “attack”, trying to get at him, and from his reactions to simply being on my shoulder at the back door of the house, looking out into the yard where that horror befell him on 13 October 2020, tells me that he REMEMBERS... at least some-thing, of that day and just looking out, from behind the protection of the screen door, well, I doubt being “out there” in the yard, would be of much comfort to him. He's become accustomed to HIS room, HIS space, and he's coming to know more of that space, and that he's safe in it. I won't cause him ANY trauma, of ANY sort. Yes, I'd like to see him flying about, conversing with other doves and such. But... we'll have to come up with some way, if any, at all. And maybe, one of these days, we'll both be fortunate in being able to leave this place and be in a place where he CAN get out, where there are no “memories”, a new place, new surroundings, better all round. I'm still looking... and hoping.

There was another little “incident” too, this evening, when it came time for “evening routine”... and the changing of water in his pool... I keep the containers I use to carry the fresh water, on a little “tray” on the shelf just below his house, at the ready, convenient. When I went in to get ready, I didn't see him in his house, nor on the shelves or futon. And (I DO check carefully now...) I didn't see him on the floor. As I put my hands in to fetch the tray, I felt a little “pecking” at my fingers. He was ON the tray, “hiding” in between the containers! So I merely took the tray and brought it out and placed it on the work table, as I do. He didn't move! Didn't fly away! In fact, he stayed there and looked-up at me as if “What are you doing now?” So I told him it was time to get fresh water, and I took the containers, as he pecked, again, at my fingers. When I returned with the first round of fresh water, he was still there, on the empty tray and when I poured the first of the water into his pool, he came FLYING up to his perch to watch what I was doing. I marvel at this because, even my taking the tray, removing the containers... it didn't phase him at all. There's SO MUCH TRUST in this house between us. He KNOWS he's safe, and that there's NOTHING that I would EVER do to cause him ANY harm... nor would I allow ANY harm to come to him. I'm SO HUMBLED! So truly, deeply, sincerely HUMBLED.
Because of the “Day-light Savings” change of the clocks, this evening was a bit of a “trial” for me. Of course, it was all the same to Yonah, since “clocks” mean nothing to him. But I'd changed the clock in his room already, last night and, instead of the “19.00” dimming of the lights, the clock was reading “20.00”. Instead of “tuck-in” at “19.30”, from now on it will be at “20.30”. Of course, as the day-light hours lengthen, it'll become less “odd” but for now... well... I'll be the one adjusting. How ridiculous it is anyway, changing the clocks. It's original purpose has passed, it's been proven that it does nothing in the way of conserving energy use. It's just not “natural”. (Though, “clocks” aren't really “natural” either. Better were the times when we'd go to bed when night came, wake with the morning light.) So, we're off to a “new adventure”... I'm the one who will be making “adjustments”... Yonah will continue as usual... getting to “tuck-in” when the sun is set, waking when morning light beckons him... and he, in turn, beckons me. Maybe I'll be able to follow HIS routine... surely it's healthier, to be sure.
Well, 19.00 and the lights did get dimmed, the musics were silenced. That much remains the same. It's “dark” by then anyway, and today's cloudy weather helped. The snows had stopped, but the night temperatures were coming in so the blinds and curtains were closed against that and his back board went up so that I wouldn't have to disturb him later, by “rolling” his house round (as I do) to hang it. And he went for his usual “before bed snack” as I settled down to record the day's events on his Journal. Another day... gone by all too quickly!
By 19.35... “tuck-in” was done. Tonight was a little on the “reluctant” side. Yonah didn't seem to really want to get to sleep just yet, but after some snuggles, cuddles and kisses, and a soft whisper of assurance that all is well, it was time for seepie-nigh-night, he hopped up to his perch, toddled to his little loft mirror dove for a couple of “Good night” pecks, scuttled over to his night spot for some more smooches... all was well. The lights went off, a couple more kisses...
There's a wind picking-up tonight as the temperatures drop again. -11° with a “chill” of -20° for tonight! But, my little Heart-and-Soul has no need for concern about wind or cold... his windows provide insulation and protection, and his little radiator keeps HIS room at about 23° through the night. My Little Guy is safe, warm, protected... LOVED and SO CHERISHED! And tomorrow? Tomorrow is another of our anniversaries... 17 MONTHS! On Monday, should all go well, his NEW POOL should arrive in the morning AND the new “planter”, for more TREES should arrive that evening! “WOO-HOO!” (And a hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo...hoo-hoo! too!) And as soon as THIS snow-fall thaws and disappears... fresh mosses for him to lounge in (and transfer over to his orange tree). It's as I say: Nothing is “too good” or “too much” and nothing is “good enough” or “too good” for my little Heart-and-Soul.

Sunday 13 March: ***** “OUR Anniversary” 17 MONTHS *****
And it started out with a PANIC at about 6.10 this morning !!! I'd been awake for a while, from since my “usual” 5.30, primarily because of the fact that I generally need to be up and awake and about, ready when Yonah wakes, and this morning, even with the change of the clocks, I wanted to be sure to be “at the ready”, no matter what time he called. I'd prepared my morning coffee as I do, checked the weather, because I could hear the wind blowing out-side, in the dark. -10°, so they claimed, though it felt, when I'd put breakfast out for the Yardies, a touch colder. I was just about to go to the bed-room to get dressed for the day when, from behind Yonah's door I heard the FLUTTER OF WINGS !!! SOMETHING HAD FRIGHTENED HIM !!! The house was still, other than the sound of the furnace running, and all I could think of was that, perhaps one of the traps set for mice had snapped and startled him. But no matter what it was, I was IN HIS ROOM in an instant!
I opened the door to his room and went directly to his house. He was still flying about in it!. Thankfully, his door was closed, and this is why I keep it closed through the night. Better he should be in there than flying about in the room, crashing into walls, windows, furniture. And as I made my way across his room, I called to him, in a soft voice:
“What is it my Little Love? What is it? It's OK. I'm right here. It's OK. It's OK.”
When I got to him, he was on the floor of his house, not on his perch, over in a far corner, as if trying to “escape” from something. I put on the small “computer light”, a little “LED” that gave just enough illumination for him to see me and yet, not be a sudden “burst” of brightness, and just enough so that I could see him as well.
I'd brought a flash-light with, when I went in, and with it, checked him, checked about his house... My first thought was to check for bleeding, to see if anything had gotten to him and tried to attack him. Mouse, or, GODS FORBID, a RAT! There were no signs of bleeding, a good start. I checked the two traps at the opposite side of his room. Neither had been snapped. I went back to him, opened the door to his house and, still talking, still repeating “It's OK...” softly, I leaned my head in, reached over to him...
He came forward, to the front of his house, toward me, and came to lean against my face! (I AM a source of “consolation” to him. He DOES recognise my voice and trusts me to keep him safe! No-where in Creation is there a higher honour, and nothing is a better source of “consolation” to me than to know that my little Heart-and-Soul finds comfort and security in me.)
I reached in and gently stroked him, all the while repeating, softly, “It's OK. It's OK. I'm here. Nothing is here to hurt you. It's OK.” and he seemed to calm a bit, and hopped up onto my arm.
I raised my arm , brought him to my face and he leaned against, calmly, for a few moments and then, with a hop, was back on his perch. I leaned in, he stretched his head forward to meet my face, and he gave me a couple of pecks on the cheek!
With the flash-light, I did a check of his house... there were a couple of feathers about, 3 in total... NO BLOOD! Yonah was OK as far as that was concerned. I was relieved. And he was much calmer now, on his perch where he usually passes the night. He gave two soft, “hoo”s and “settled back” on his perch... What-ever it was that had frightened him had passed and apparently, he knew he was safe.
I repeated, again, softly “It's OK. You're safe. Nothing here will hurt you. It's OK...” and I turned-off the little light, leaving the light from the kitchen to illuminate his room, ever-so softly... just enough so that he could see his surroundings but not be disturbed by the light. Because it was still, in effect, only about 5.30, and he normally doesn't “wake” until 6.30, I decided to leave his door open, put his door perch on and step out of his room, to let him get back to resting... and as I left, I only partially closed the door to his room so that the light from the kitchen would give some illumination... so that he could see enough to be sure that his surroundings are safe.
There were no signs or any indications that anything had been at his food, either in his dish on the little shelf nor on the floor of his house. (Another good point to having white kitchen-roll there so that the seeds can be seen, and too, any “droppings”, as mice will leave behind... so I learned, from experience, when we'd had a bit of an infestation earlier in the season.) I've no actual idea what could have disturbed him this morning, but I'm relieved to have been up and awake at the moment. I wonder if it could have been something in the wind. Perhaps something blew against the house, his window? Perhaps the old house creaked. The wind is quite strong this morning. Well, what-ever it was, it isn't any longer... and now, at “7.08” (or, 6.08 in “natural” time), Yonah has been calm... and too, the house... save for the sound of the wind... and an other-wise useless plough passing (the road-way is clear, but...) and... the furnace running.
Today at about 11.00, it's 17 months ago that he came into my life... that he brought me a reason and cause to be alive at all. Our “Anniversary”. 17 months. And 17 months ago, all I'd hoped for was his recover from his injuries and his safe return to his flock. I was so lost, so alone with him, so un-sure of my-self other than my hopes and wishes for him. And he's taught me so SO very much in these 17 months, AND... he's kept me alive because:
I am because he is... He is, there-fore, I am.
Following-up... at 7.19: “woo-Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” followed by ANOTHER “woo-Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”! My Little Guy was BACK... as if NOTHING had ever happened to disturb him this morning! AND, at 7.36, he was having breakfast! We got to the “morning routine” as the bird-songs went on, curtains and blinds got opened to the day-light. (It was 7.19 on the clocks... same time yesterday would have been 6.19... WE WERE ON SCHEDULE... AGAIN... AS IF EARLIER THIS MORNING NOTHING UNUSUAL HAD HAPPENED!) It was SUCH A SWEET RELIEF! And all a part of the lessons that having Yonah in my life have taught me: Truly, “Live for the moment and don't hold onto what's passed”. As long as “now” is pleasant, let go of “before”, don't worry over “later”. We can hope for “later”, but, in Life, there are things that happen, more moments, some are pleasant, some won't be. What we CAN control, we can try. What we CAN'T control, well... “This too, shall pass”. And so, this morning's panic, for BOTH of us, passed.
When I'd done with ALL of my commotion of waters and tidying his house, he had breakfast. Now THAT told me ALL I NEEDED to know: he had a GOOD appetite AND he was eating! THE WORLD WAS JUST PERFECT! No injuries, no “after-effects”. We were into another day!
The morning went along EVER-SO delightfully. And as I ran my “water relay”, Yonah roosted on his door perch so that I could take a moment here-and-there, to give a little “kiss”. And when all was done, he stayed on his perch for “cuddles” and more kisses. I know that, some-how, in his own way, he DOES KNOW, and he DOES understand all that I feel for and about him, and that I'm here... to protect him, to make certain that no harm comes to him. As I hold him, “cupped” in my hands, gently, and give him little, light “kisses”, he's so calm, and will move his head to get closer, or to get “kisses” at certain spots. But, over-all, he's so “at peace”, and when I take a little “break”, he raises his head and looks at me as if to say “That's it? That's all? How about some more?” Yes, he DOES KNOW. And I can't, in all my life-time, recall any time when I've felt so absolutely HONOURED... and HUMBLED.
This after-noon, I had an errand to run and, though I surely didn't want to be away from him, I really had little choice, and so, I grabbed the keys, got me together and headed out the door. I was gone for about 30 minutes AND, when I got back into the house, from the front door, I called, “HELLO? Is any-body at home? Any 'woo-hoos' here?”
When I looked into the kitchen, THERE HE WAS! Yonah had come from his room, walking, into the kitchen and was on his way to the living-room! He was almost TO the living-room when he looked at me, turned round and headed back to his room. When I got to the kitchen, and started to put things together, AGAIN, he came out, walked through the kitchen, toddled to the living-room and let out a resounding “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo!”, took a toddle (because that's just how he walks about... more of a “toddle”) round the living-room and then... toddled back to his room. So I finished the “necessities” in the kitchen and moved into this room where, as I carried the lap-top with, Yonah saw it and went FLYING to the work table... leaving space for me to lay the lap-top down. It was as if he knew where the lap-top was to go and was waiting for me to get to “where I belonged” for the day.
I was a bit fatigued because of this morning, so I took a bit of a “lie-down” and as I did, he came over, landed on my shoulder and “scuttled” down my arm as I laid down. My head on the pillow, he headed up to the pillow and stood there, beside my face and gave me quite the look. I didn't sleep, but, instead, we “played” as he made his way from the pillow to my chest and back to the pillow again... several times. Apparently, it was fine that I was there, it was “OK” that I was having a lie-down, BUT... I wasn't about to get away with an out-right “snooze”. Yonah wanted “together time”... and I, of course, couldn't have been happier to oblige!
For the rest of the day, he was SO ACTIVE, particularly with tossing the mosses from his house, out and onto the floor! I have no idea why he's tossing some things and keeping others, but the evidence of his toils is really quite obvious. I certainly don't mind. I'm more “fascinated” by it all. Of course, all the bits can't stay on the floor where they are. Not only because of getting ground into the carpeting (though that's not “expensive” and certainly nothing even resembling “high-end” but moss and such ground in... well) but I worry about any sort of “health hazards”, to Yonah, of course. And then too, he has his radiator and I don't want anything dry and flammable (like twigs) getting onto or too near that. But “clean-up” is as easy as could be. He might be called “a bit untidy” but, even where “poop” is concerned, keeping his room clean and healthy is easier than it is for a dog or cat. In fact, he's exceptionally easy to clean-up after, quick and easy. So yes, I'll have to come up with some sort of “plan” to make his house more a “home” for him. Ah... another “challenge”. LOVIN' IT!
All the while, all the day, he was as active as he's ever been, and his “tours” of the rest of the house not only brought JOY to my heart but some entertainment as he strolled and toddled from room-to-room... “free as a bird”, as the expression goes. Exactly as intended. After all, in sincerity, I don't think of this as “my” or even “our” house... it's HIS house, and I hope he sees, or will come to see it as his “home” as well. And no matter where, on this old Earth, we might relocate to, my primary concern is his comfort (which is why I continue to “house-hunt”... hoping to find a nice, clean, quiet, safe little place where he'll be able to wander and fly about comfortably and safely).

This evening, I stepped away from the work table to put my evening meal on. Wasn't away but a few moments. When I'd left the room, Yonah was bouncing about in his house... When I RETURNED... HE WAS ON HIS LITTLE CORNER LOFT... STANDING THERE, JUST AS COMFY AS COULD BE THANK YOU VERY MUCH, HOLDING A TWIG IN HIS BEAK! Unremarkable? Well, it COULD have been but for one tiny detail: I have NO idea WHERE he found that twig! And he's bringing leaves from the orange tree to the loft. It appears, HE'S BUILDING! NESTING! I have those eggs, but if I put them in, as I've come to learn from experience, Yonah stops eating as regularly as “usual”. And at night, he tends to “wait for the next shift” to come attend, so he gets to sleep later and more hesitantly. He also doesn't get out as much, and so, doesn't get as much exercise. But I'd truly love to give him the opportunity to build a nest and have something to “tend”, as I'm sure, is his “instinct”. Well, I'll have to see what comes of “house-keeping” on Tuesday and what we can “arrange” and “situate” for him. Perhaps a “nesting bowl” of some kind, or, I'm thinking of putting something around the “wall edges” of his loft. Since he appears to want to “build” there, I'll have to put up something so that his “materials” don't fall out. Oh... MORE AWE! So much I've learnt. So much more I'm learning... And SO VERY MUCH MORE I know I HAVE to learn! THIS is the definition of the term “LIFE”! And it's ALL YONAH!
“Meal time” was a bit “odd” for me because I always have my meal at 17.00... this evening, 17.00 came at what was, yesterday, 16.00, so, I don't know if Yonah happened to notice, but I'd put food on the hob at what is, technically, 15.00 (though the clock read 16.00) and at 17.00 (which was actually 16.00) I went to the kitchen to eat. Both of us are “re-adjusting” to this “new time frame”... if he notices. And the rest of the evening was, well, I'm trying to keep the “routine” as close as possible to the past months.
“Evening routine” came at the “regular” hour... “yesterday's”, and at 19.16 he surprised me: he had his usual “evening snack”! This might be easier than I'd thought, but we'll see, as “time” passes.
It was an indescribably fascinating day, all told. From the “disaster” of this morning through all the rest, I'm just amazed. Yonah moved right past the 4AM incident and was just an absolute DELIGHT! Not, mind, that he isn't always. And he continued his “construction project” on his “loft”. I have a container of pine needles that I'd gathered some while back for him, when I “experimented” with the “faux eggs”, thinking that he might get some enjoyment out of making a bit of a “nest” from them. He didn't show much interest in them, but, I'd boiled them clean and dried them thoroughly so I know they're clean and in them, I found a few twigs which I “offered” to him... AND HE ACCEPTED SEVERAL, bringing them up to his “project”! I can only imagine the “pride and joy” of a mourning dove who brings an “offering” of a twig and has it accepted. But for me, it was just an “AWE-FULL HONOUR”, such a PRIVILEGE. I didn't expect him to even accept one, let alone several! So plans for this next “House-Keeping” include some sort of set-up where-by he can create some kind of a “nest area”. It might be quite nice, once the extra tree is brought in... in the new planter. (I don't know who will be more “impressed” when this is done... Yonah or I, but mean-while, I'm enjoying this SO very much!)
This evening, the clock read 19.30... and although it was still 18.30, I began closing blinds and curtains... as I say, I'm “trying” to keep the “old schedule” and still keeping it so that we're not still up and about at 21.30. As the clock read 20.00 I dimmed the lights, silenced the musics and watched to see what Yonah would do. He went for his “before seepie-nigh-nigh” snack as he usually does and then, as I settled at the work table to get to his Journal, he took his place at his door perch. But at 18.15 on the clock, I thought I'd give it a try, and get him ready for “tuck-in”. Well, to be honest, he was up at about 4.00 this morning, 3.00, had we not changed the clocks, and although he did get some time after that to “rest” again, I don't know that he did, actually, so I've justified “early tuck-in” by thinking of the extra time he could use tonight. As it turned-out, he seemed to be quite ready because there was no “reluctance”. We got out “cuddles, snuggles and kisses” in and with-in the briefest of moments, he was up on his perch, readying for the night! Poor Little Guy! He had had SUCH and ACTIVE and BUSY day all day, and no “basking” or “swimming” or even “lounging”. I don't know HOW he managed! But tonight, I'll keep the house warm and the door to his room open more-so than usual... so that I'll hear ANY sound that comes from there. Last night/this morning was probably a “one-off” but no matter what, I do NOT want a repeat! And if there is one, I want to know WHAT causes it so that I can “address” it as necessary. It might not be clearly understood by many, but I've NO tolerance for ANY disturbance of Yonah's life, at all, for ANY reason and causing any does, in my opinion, warrant quick, stern remedy... no matter how or what. He is owed and entitled to a life of only the best, the VERY BEST, at ALL times, and a life of peace, serenity, HAPPINESS, JOY... nothing other. So... we shall see how things are from here.
Mean-while, tonight he's tucked-in, safe and sound, very protected. We've made it through our 17th month together and, how many more we have ahead of us is, at least to me, a mystery that will un-fold as “time” moves along. Tomorrow, his new pool should arrive, as well as the new planter. I'll be anxiously awaiting a solid thaw so to get him another tree. Tuesday, we'll “clean house” thoroughly, and all will be fresh for him. And from there... we'll hit Life as it presents. After all...
I am because he is...
my Heart-and-Soul.

Monday 14 March:
Well then, OK! On the clock, 7.55, and from behind the closed door came the MOST WONDERFUL “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”! (6.55 “Standard Time” which actually IS Yonah's some-what “standard time”.) And the volley of “woo-Hoo's” commenced. Seemed Mr. Taube had gotten him-self a good night's restful sleep last night and was ready to “Rock'n'HOO”! As I got me to his door, we'd already had quite the dialogue. AND, it continued as I opened the door to his house as well.
I do have to note though, he wasn't as “animated” as he often is when I got there. Not even a “stretch of the wings”. And, although there were “Good morning kisses” exchanged, this morning, they didn't seem, some-how, as “energetic” as they usually are. Needless to say, I DO notice these things, the slightest “changes”, from the clarity and volume of his coo's, to the “glisten” of his feathers and his general demeanour (AND, the location, quantity and over-all “quality” of his poop, because THAT is one of THE MOST telling bits of all). This morning, other than the “kisses”, he DID appear to be OK. I made a bit of a rush of opening the curtains and blinds for a better look. In the dim light of early morning, he appeared to be OK, fine. There were no feathers about the place, and all the poop was in one spot, right below where he'd spent the night. Obviously, he hadn't been disturbed last night, no sudden “shocks in the night”. And, as I went about opening things and preparing for “morning routine”, we DID have quite the “chat”. The “woo-HOOs” were “long”, almost unusually long. Where the general dialogue consists of “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”, 3 “hoos” following the higher “HOO”, this morning there were 5-6 “hoos”. (And again, I SO WISH I could definitively KNOW even part of what he's telling. But... “humans”...) And as he coo'ed to me and I replied, he responded. It was rather perplexing, but, generally, he was in good humour and looked to be in good health. I didn't “panic”. After all, people have “those mornings” where things start a bit “slow”. (I was having just one of those this morning, my-self.) So the “plan of action” was to “wait and see”. The sun was supposed to shine, it appeared, through the light snow that was falling, to be making best effort. We'd know better when I shed its own light... on the subject.
Happy to report, it didn't take long... I'd no sooner finished with the “morning routine” and had headed to the kitchen for tidying when... FLUTTER FLUTTER WHISTLE! Yonah was up, out, in flight and off to the wall shelves with a “woo-HOO!” and then another. And after that, MORE FLUTTERS. He was “up and about”, indeed! I checked-in to find him back in his house, standing there, at the door, and when I asked “Are you OK?”... WING-SNAP! He wanted MORE cuddles and kisses! Yep... a “slow start” to a new day. He was entitled... MORE than entitled!
Meanwhile, I can now “adjust” my morning schedule slightly. Seems he's sticking with the “6.00 hour”... in “Standard Time”, which means I can give my-self the extra hour as well. I woke, this morning, at 6.00 (Day-light Savings) which is an hour ahead of “Standard”, Yonah woke at almost 8.00, which is 7.00 “Standard”, and, accounting for his day yesterday and the night before, and the fact that he didn't get much rest over-all, well... I'll “adjust” slightly. But this is all good to know. (I insist on being up and ready when he calls in the morning... no “lounging about until”. When HE says the day commences... the day commences.)
As the morning progressed... GREAT THINGS HAPPENED!
Ever-so early came the knock on the front door... THE NEW PLANTER for NEW TREES arrived! “Anniversary present Nr.1” was HERE! So I rushed into Yonah's room to open the box and show him! (And, it fits the space intended quite perfectly! Good shopping! Now all we need is a proper thaw so I can get out there in the woods and get the new trees! YAY!)
Next, a quick trip to the post office where... THE NEW POOL WAS WAITING! “Anniversary present Nr.2”! So it was another RUSH to Yonah's room to show him (and check for a “fit” in his house). Again... a GREAT fit! And though it isn't a “LOT” larger, it WILL give him more room to move about (and splash too, as he wishes). I was quite pleased and Yonah? Well, BOTH items received a careful “look” from him AND BOTH received hearty “wing-snaps”! I'll assume that's a sing of “approval”. Now, tomorrow... HOUSE-KEEPING and “pool installation”! (Today, the pool/dish got a THOROUGH SCRUBBING, WASHING, RINSING. I won't put ANYTHING in Yonah's house with-out making certain that there's nothing “harmful” involved.)
I don't know how HE feels about all of this, but I'm quite THRILLED!
The day went along EVER-SO WELL today! Yonah truly WAS in a “contact” mood! MOST of the time was spent on my head! He seems to have some attraction to that, and he's comfortable-enough up there to go along “for the ride”, as I roam about the rest of the house! But, we spent more time “attached”, him on my head or arm, than we spent “apart” today. I don't understand it, I wonder why. But it's an indescribable JOY!
And I “made” more food for him and for today's meals, I mixed-in some oats!, special, on the side. He's been eating VERY well all day and I'm SO glad he has the little “extra” nutrition in the extra oats. And the new food mix in the storage jar is equal parts of all of his different mixes... 10 scoops of each. It actually smells quite delicious! He doesn't taste or smell it but it's more a matter of necessary vitamins and minerals and such. Made enough for today and tomorrow, since I prefer keeping the oats in the fridge, since they're ground.
REAL NEWS FOR TODAY: ONCE AGAIN, HE SOME-HOW “TRIMMED” HIS BEAK BACK! I'd gone for a bit of a lie-down, at about noon-ish, and, of course, he came rushing to the pillow. It was then that I noticed that his beak is back to the length it ought to be! I was just looking through the photos from 2021, remembering that, last year at this time, his beak was growing quite long and I was worried because no matter what I read then (and even more recently), there are SO many “warnings against” beak trimming by anybody but experienced avian veterinarians! A few days ago, I was looking into the matter again and somebody had posted, some-where, that veterinarians use a “Dremel” to do the trimming and that some birds have been known to LICK IT AS IT'S RUNNING! Needless to say, they lose their tongue! SO... there we have point one, TOTALLY AGAINST. another “post” clearly stated a fact: in the wild birds do “go for a beak trim” and so, there are times when their beaks will grow rather long and THEY attend to the matter... naturally. I've still been “concerned” and watching to make sure that Yonah has been able to eat and drink enough these days. And last year (thanks to the Journal and, particularly the “Portfolio”, I was able to see that it was in July, 2021, when the over-growth “snapped” off. And bu then, it was MUCH longer than it was this time. (Somebody mentioned that there are too many photos on those “Portfolio” pages. Well? THIS is why there are so many... It was originally intended for me, personally, any-way, as reference and, should I be away from him, an “album” of sorts, of photos of him that I can see no matter where, in the world, I happen to, so long as I have a connection to the Internet. Truth is, I wasn't going to make ANY of that public... but I'm quite happier that I have done, and that I keep a complete copy of all that's on the site, on the lap-top. Today, it paid-off well!) So, his beak is “trimmed” again... and I'll hope it stays that way for a good, long while. (I have to get him some sort of “toy” or something he can peck at/chew on to keep that under control. The trouble is: I do NOT want ANYTHING even remotely associated with China and that's making it a bit difficult. I'm thinking I'll be looking for branches of trees that are safe, and I'll make some sort(s) of toy he can peck at and chew on... It might be a while, with all the snow and ice remaining, but it WILL happen.) For now... all is well... he's eating and drinking so he's OK!
Fun News too: This after-noon I had to be out of the house for a while, and it was 2 hours until I was able to get back in. As I walked in the front door, I called: “Where's my Little Guy? Woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo...hoo-hoo!” and immediately, from across the house I heard “Woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo...hoo.” followed by a curt “woo-HOO!” We're talking with each-other! Officially! And when I got to his room... which I did in a RUSH, he was at the orange tree and came RUSHING out from behind the branches to greet me! WE HAD SO MANY KISSES! It was... AWE-FULL!
And this evening... He rode on my arm and wrist as I made the “water relay”! He even stayed on my wrist when I reached into the basin to grasp the containers of water! He's become SO TRUSTING and COMFORTABLE that he truly IS more of an “extension” of me... now, not just “spiritually” but physically as well! I would have NEVER even given this a passing thought, but WOW! Leaves me speechless!
Oh... but the day ended (as always) entirely too soon! Even with the sun setting a bit later, the clock takes that time away. Isn't that the way of the world though? “Get here, lose there, pay one way or another.” The one major noticeable difference is the “clock”. At 19.30, the blinds and curtains get closed now and the back board gets put up, the lights get dimmed and the musics, silenced. But Yonah was on his roof, “woo-Hoo'ing”. I settled at the work table for the duration of the time we had, waiting for him to “give the sign” that he was ready for tuck-in...
20.06 (on the clock) but I can tell that for Yonah it's still “Standard Time”... he really isn't ready for seepie-nigh-night, but, his room is dark and his house is settled. Hopefully, he'll get settled soon too. But he wanted to stay with this little “friend” in the loft mirror so... I got a couple of kisses in and, well, he's tucked-in for the night.
He's got a “busy” day tomorrow... I'll have his house apart, washing parts and such, replacing sands AND INSTALLING THE NEW POOL! So, he's going to need to be well-rested because monthly house-keeping can take several hours... The pump and tubing will be flushed (vinegar and water) for at least an hour, and the washing of trays, replacing all the kitchen roll. I know, it was done, piece-meal, but a couple of weeks ago but this time is “ALL time”!
So I'm HOPING he gets a full night of restful sleep, NO “incidents”. There's a bit of a chill to the rest of the house tonight. Not “cold”, thankfully, but his room is SO “cozy warm”, as it should be. No predators to be mindful of. No winds or rains or snows to fend against. And I'll be right in the next room, in the kitchen or in the bed-room... and I'll be listening for ANY sort of “untoward sounds”. That's my Little Guy... that's my Heart-and-Soul... that there, is my LIFE... my ONLY reason to take a next breath, to take-on the next second. That's Yonah.

Tuesday 15 March: *** NEW POOL DAY ***
A dull, dreary, cool, damp March morning, turned ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANTLY, PERFECTLY BEAUTIFUL at 7.26 on the clock, as the GLORIOUS sound of “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” came floating on the air, filling the old house! 7.26... “on the clock”... 6.26 with-out the “Day-light Savings”... right “on time”... That's my Little Guy, my PRECIOUS little Heart-and-Soul! And when I called back with a “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” the reply came “woo-HOO!” Yonah was awake and it was time to “get busy” with this new day.
THIS morning, there were kisses, cuddles and wing-stretches, before I got to the windows to open curtains and blinds. And as I got to that task, there were “comments”, coo's and replies, replies and responses. Nothing could be better... NOTHING!
BUT... TODAY WAS A “SPECIAL” SORT OF DAY... IT WAS “HOUSE-KEEPING” AND * NEW POOL INSTALLATION * !!! NEW POOL !!!
I waited until Yonah had gone to have his “breakfast”, gave him time to eat, to have a drink of water. I hadn't put fresh in yet, but, the evening water changes are mostly to make sure there's no “food” in there. When he eats, he does as doves do: scatters seeds all over the place, even though they're all in a little container (the food dish from his “old house”, with a little cover). So as he tosses what he doesn't particularly care for, sorting through for “favourites”, several, if not MANY seeds make their way into the pool. (Some have managed to make their way into the safety of the crevices under the rocks at the fountain and I've actually seen them sprout, in the water.) Most of those are “flushed” with the water changes, but, since he doesn't tend to eat much in the evenings, if there is anything in there over-night, it's not likely that they've “gone bad”, so the “morning water” is still clean. (After all, I LIVE by “If I wouldn't eat/drink it, it doesn't belong in his house.” and yes, that includes the “pool water”.) So I waited for him to finish his “morning meal”... and... well... by about 8.00 he was UP AND OUT! Off to the orange tree, so I took full advantage... and...
House-keeping commenced!
We took out the old pool, all of the sand from all of the trays, the trees, we even made some “repairs” to the little “loft” because it was “rocking” when Yonah would “land” on it and every bit of kitchen-roll went out. (Now, the double layer under all the trays is, for the most part, just as clean now as it was when it was put down, but, there's no such thing as “too careful” and little things like “mites” and the likes can get under there and, well, we're NOT having that, nor are we taking any chances. There's a supply of kitchen-roll in the house... specifically for Yonah's use... it's a better quality than what's in the kitchen. So... out it goes with the change!) The main bottom tray came out. EVERY-THING got thoroughly washed with dish detergent, hottest water possible, thoroughly rinsed and dried.
As all of this was going on, the pump and tubing for the fountain was being flushed with a solution of 75% white vinegar and 25% clear tap water. (That's a normal monthly procedure, and the vinegar flush runs for at least an hour, followed by a flush of constantly-running fresh, clear, cold tap water. When the tubing is discoloured, it gets completely changed, and the fresh tubing gets the flush, just to make sure there's NOTHING in there that could cause ANY sort of illness.)
Also, ALL of the rocks, and especially those in the pool, were boiled for about 10 minutes. I say “especially those in the pool” because those can harbour any sort of algae and/or bacteria (even though the water in the pool is changed twice, daily). They all got a good scrubbing under hot tap water after the boiling, to make sure they were properly rinsed and cleaned. I put them in the dish-rack to dry as I go on with the rest of the cleaning.
Now... as all of this was going on, Yonah was in his house and on his house. When-ever I reached in to remove something, he HAD to come check, and peck at my hands. He doesn't like it when any-thing is moved about and certainly makes it clear that he doesn't like having things removed from HIS house. He was up on my arm, on my shoulder, pecking at my ears too. This wasn't simple “supervision”... this was “participation” and actively making me aware that HE was aware of what was going on! It used to “disturb” me, when he'd peck at my hands as I cleaned his house. I was afraid he resented it, and might come to think that I was some sort of 'intruder”, taking HIS house, HIS belongings away. But... it's been 17 months of this and, when all the work is done, he doesn't seem to mind at all. (Of course, for the most part, every item is put back where it was, so there's no “change” to HIS environment. He has “stability” in that respect.)
For me, it was such a delight to be able to put the new, larger pool in today! It's not “noticeably” larger at first sight. The extra 5cm/2in in length and width aren't all that drastic, and the new pool fits perfectly in the corner where the previous pool was, but I did notice, when he hopped into it, the very moment I placed it, as a matter of fact, that it does give him noticeable extra space when he's in there. I'm anxious to see him in there, lounging and splashing about. (But today wasn't conducive to “bathing”... no sun, though his room was delightfully 23°.) The previous pool held 2 litres (2,113qt) of water, this one holds 4,5 litres(4,8 qt) though the same depth. The measurements, just for reference for those who are reading this and would like to put a pool in for their own Little One:
The previous pool measured: 35cm long x 21cm wide x 6,4cm deep (13.75 x 8.25 x 2.25 inches)
The NEW pool measures: 43cm long x 28cm wide x 6,4cm deep (17 x 2.5 x 11 inches)
I filled the new pool to the same depth of water as the old... about 1,5cm (0.60 inch) from the top, primarily so that the water doesn't over-flow when Yonah gets in and to keep it from splashing over the top when the fountain is on. That depth gives him (as can be seen in the photos and videos on his “Portfolio” pages) plenty of depth to be comfortable and safe is. It's just, now, he has more space around him. How much? Well, as I say, that's to be seen when he gets in. (Photos will be posted... to be sure.) But no matter... YONAH HAS A FRESH, NEW, LARGER POOL!
Oh yes, and the little bit of moss that was still left after all the “construction work” Yonah's been doing of late, got soaked and “cleaned” as well. Soaked in a basin of hottest tap water for about 30 minutes, then soaked again in a basin of cold water, and then set on kitchen-roll to “dry”. (I did put it back though, still quite wet. It's on a bed of fresh river sand so it won't drain into the rest of Yonah's house and it'll give just a bit of good humidity for a while as well. But it's “clean”... no parasites, nothing harmful... as it should be.)
Next “addition” will be more little white pines... but, with the last snow-fall, those will wait until an actual “thaw”. Can't dig them up from the ice. (Now I'm REALLY anxious to get to those! With the new growth on the pines already in Yonah's house and the addition of 2 more, his house truly WILL be... “in the trees”. White pines around, the perches are natural limbs from the trees in his “wood-lands”. The sand is from the river close by. The rocks too, are from the river bank. His house is a miniature of the environment he was born into... and that's my intention: to give him as much of his “naturally-intended” environment as I possibly can. And as for space to fly and walk about? Well, he taking to doing that through the rest of this old house... at long last, so he's not at a loss for exercise.
As always: NOTHING is “too good” nor “good enough” for my little Heart-and-Soul.
OK! By the time everything had been cleaned, placed and re-placed and Yonah's house was settled back to the way it was before my “invasion”... it was... believe it or not, 12.30! This monthly house-keeping does take, on average, about 5 hours. (In my research, I did happen-upon one site that actually made mention of the monetary investments necessary and I believe, they mentioned time as well. It would be listed in the “Bibliography” on the rest of Yonah's site. But, taking into consideration, the size of his house and all the “added features and attractions”... well, it's all so VERY MUCH AND WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT OF TIME! And it IS absolutely necessary, no “choosing” here, no “questions” or “doubts”... ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to keep it as clean as possible at all times. There'll be no mites, parasites, toxins or other threats to my Little Guy's health and happiness!
But Yonah was OBVIOUSLY quite happy when all the commotion was done! He went back in, had his “brunch” and took to flying about the room as I attended the “clean-up” in the kitchen. And for the rest of the after-noon, he made him-self “cozy” in his clean house.
This evening, he had his meal when I had mine. Even with the change of the clocks... 16.00 seems to be 16.00 and “meal time”. I put mine on the hob, he heads for his. Maybe this “change” will go easier than I'd thought... but then, I often “think too much” and besides... Yonah IS a BRILLIANT Little One... adjusting to ANY sort of situation... after all... he adjusted to me! And THAT'S SAYING QUITE MORE THAN JUST A LOT!
After our meals were complete and I'd done the washing-up, I brought me and the lap-top into his room. I hadn't been in there most of the after-noon, catching-up with house-hold tasks after this morning's “house-keeping”. We didn't have a lot of time together and it was almost time to get to “evening routine”. I set-up things on the work table and got to the “evening changing of the waters”. Yes, I'd only just done that at about noon but, there's nothing wrong with a good “flush” with fresh water... and the “pool” had been washed and rinsed and dried but another flush would be good to make sure that there's no residual detergent or anything else in the pool and the flush of the fountain tubing and pump is also a plus. Yonah started to come along with, on my arm, then on my neck but, when I got to the kitchen, decided he'd rather “watch” and so he went to his roof. I went about my business and, since I was busy with the waters... I got to the windows and closed them up for the night as well.
It's not expected to be “bitter cold” tonight, just particularly cool... and damp... more wet snows are due, so, closing blinds and curtains before the coolness of night gets to the windows... well. And I put the back board up as well. I still have reason to believe that Yonah associates that board with “seepie-nigh-night” because he almost attacked my hand as I hung it! Almost as if saying “Not now! It's still early!” But, we played quite a bit after and all was fine... This evening was as if this morning had never happened.
Tonight, “tuck-in”, after this hectic day, came as the clock read “8.00”. The curtains and blinds had been closed for about an hour already, and Yonah had been roosted on his door perch for about 45 minutes already. Musics had been silenced, lights, dimmed. And tonight, there was no “reluctance” to “seepie-nigh-night”. Poor Little Guy. He had had quite the day of disturbances. BUT, he DID insist upon “cuddles, snuggles and kisses” before heading up to his little “friend in the mirror”. And I was more than all-too-happy to oblige. As I “cupped” him in my hands and gave him the little “kisses”, he nestled, all snugly, pressing his head against my chin. Obviously, he finds it relaxing... and I have to say, it does wonders for me as well. I can't even imagine anything more beautiful than the realisation that this little LIFE, born of the wilderness, prone, by Nature, to see me as a “predator” allowing me this closeness, and appreciating that closeness. There is NO “higher honour” possible, in ALL of Creation. And what makes it all the more precious is that HE CHOSE, of his own, to allow this to be. Talk about a “Full Heart”... He is, as I will always say, literally my “Heart-and-Soul”!
So, “Good nights” attended and Yonah at his “loft”, I put the light out, but left his room door open so that he has enough light to navigate to his “night spot”. Out-side, there's a light, wet snow/rain mix falling. It isn't “cold” but it is “damp”. But Yonah has his radiator... and he'll sleep where its warmth rises to him. My Little Guy is sheltered against this March night's cool and damp... with plenty of food right there, fresh water... me in the next room, ever at the listening... and we've made it through another day... together. The forecast for tomorrow is sun and warmth. (I'm wondering about him using the pool! He probably won't notice the little bit of extra space but... ) My most PRECIOUS COMPANION can rest peacefully again, tonight, and that's ALL that I care about... to be most certain.

Wednesday 16 March:
The peace that is the early morning, settled like a comfortable blanket over a late-Winter/early Spring covered the stillness of the old house. Then, out of the silence came, like the first break of the brilliant sun, the one melody that makes waking to a new day, all worth the act: 7.11 and from behind the door to my left... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”. I answered, in kind and immediately the reply permeated every corner of every other room... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”. My Heart-and-Soul was up and anxious to confront the time we had coming. And me? Well, NOW, I too, was ready for what-ever the World had in store for the hours waiting ahead.
Yonah was awake, indeed, and in the mood for a little conversation. His coo's were clear, strong, he was obviously well-rested and feeling quite well this rather “odd” sort of morning. I say “odd” because, the remnants of last night's snow still clung to the trees, covered the ground, the sun was rising in a clear sky, there was a slight “chill” to the air, and a “fog” rose from the valley, delineating the path of the local brook. Cold air, clear skies, snow and fog, all, simultaneously.
But when I opened the door to Yonah's room, I was surrounded by delightfully, comfortable warmth. No matter what “Nature” was playing with out-side, in Yonah's room, there was warmth. He had no cause to be concerned, in any manner, with the circumstances, situations or conditions beyond his windows.
As I made my way across his room, I could see the little silhouette, on the perch where he'd spent the night, resting, in comfort and peace. And, as I opened the door to his house, he stretched his wings, left first, then the right, and moved his head forward... for “morning kisses”. Well, THAT settled every-thing for me; “morning kisses” were expected and welcome... I was welcome. “We” were “us”. Perfection beyond perfection.
We had a bit of a chat, back and forth, as I removed the night boards and made my way round to the windows. And as I opened curtains and blinds, open fully this morning, instead of leaving one set of blinds open but drawn-down, as is done on colder mornings, “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” became “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” and dialogue continued... almost entirely through “morning routine”, from tidying house to changing waters.
When I'd completed my morning tasks and headed to the kitchen for last-minute organising, Yonah took a bit of breakfast. More JOY to me! Chat, appetite, eating! He was all-in this morning. We were looking ahead to a great day! And today's forecast was for considerably warmer than most days of late, AND... SUN-SHINE! Natural light, brilliant, as it poured through the double windows. A day to look forward to with great anticipation. And I had, ahead of me, a LOT of tasks to get to, and ALL of them... at the work table. Yonah and I would have a “day together”. And I had NO “errands”, nothing to take me from the house, his room, his company, his COMPANSIONSHIP! “Woo-HOO!” and hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
I went to the kitchen, settled all there, grabbed the lap-top and as I came back into Yonah's room, he headed for the back of the chair there, at the table. He “knows” my “routine” and recognises that, when I bring in the lap-top, I'm about to settle at the work table, and there he was, waiting. I placed the lap-top on the table and carefully pulled the chair out... Yonah stayed right where he was. I sat down on the chair and drew it to the table and, once I'd situated where I was comfortable... Yonah hopped up onto my shoulder and gave a few pecks on the ear. The day was officially under-way... WE were where WE liked-most to be... and the sun rose higher, topping the trees, and POURED in through his windows. The bird-songs played. It was as if being in the open wood-lands, with the most perfect companion. Pure delight.
The morning went on very much the same as it began: Yonah and I in his room, together. I worked along on my tasks, and he flew about the room, here, there, back into his house. Of course, we took the “mandatory play breaks”. And when too much time had passed between them, Yonah came to remind me: on the back of the chair, then up on my shoulder where he stared at me until I acknowledged his presence and tilted my head toward him so he could give his pecks at the ear and cheek. We're such a “team”... a “unit” comprised of two individuals.
I'd had some washing in the kitchen basin, on the soak and when I needed to get to that, I got up from the work table... Yonah came flying over and rested in the hood of my Sherpa. All well and fine, but I was going to need both hands and arms to finish the washing so I went into the bed-room to stand in front of the mirror there to see him as I removed the sweat-shirt... first one arm and then, holding the shirt, the other arm... and all the while, Yonah just took it all as though he'd done this all a million times before. “Trust”... he KNOWS that as long as I'm here, he's got his “protector” who means him absolutely no harm. When I got the sweat-shirt completely off, I held it, with Yonah on, up, in front of me and... Yonah flew off, made a round of the room and returned, landing on my upper back! I put the sweat-shirt down on the bed and headed to the kitchen... expecting him to leave and head back to his room BUT... SURPRISINGLY, HE CAME RIGHT ALONG WITH ME TO THE BASIN AND AS I WASHED THE FEW ITEMS THERE, HE STAYED... BETWEEN THE CENTRE OF MY BACK BY MY NECK AND ON MY LEFT SHOULDER WHERE HE WATCHED, INTENTLY, EVERY MOVEMENT I MADE AS I WASHED AND RINSED! I spoke as I worked, and occasionally, I got a peck on the ear. But when, apparently, watching the washing became too mundane to bear, Yonah took off and headed back to his house and I finished my own chore... and returned to the work table. Yonah was on the pillows on his futon and watched me re-settle.
So there, at the table, I remained for the better part of the morning-into-after-noon. Yonah flew about the room, was occupied with pecking through the mosses in his house. I suppose it's nicer now that they've had a good soaking. They're “refreshed” and more attractive. And, of course, some of them will be brought to the little on-going “project” at the base of the orange tree.
My next “surprise” of the day came at shortly after 13.00... Yonah had had a bite to eat when I had my little mid-day “snack” and we were back to doing what-ever it was we'd been doing prior to break. We'd had a bit of play and, as I sat quietly at the work table, the room got quite silent. I turned round, first to the futon... no Yonah there. Not on the shelves on the wall... nor was he in the orange tree. I looked into his house, at my left and... AND... THERE HE WAS... IN THE NEW POOL! it was a brief “visit” because he saw me looking at him and when he noticed me noticing him, he came hopping out. BUT, I got to notice that, although this pool isn't really all that much larger, he actually has enough room to “walk” a bit! It's just large enough not to take too much space from the rest of his house, but to give me a more comfortable place to “lounge” and move about! A GOOD IDEA! A GREAT ADDITION! Now... I can hardly wait to see him “in action”... wings flapping and spreading and him enjoying a nice “lounge and soak”, as he does. But for now... it was WONDERFUL seeing him in there!
Well then, after the “quick dip”... more PLAY-time! That seemed to be the “protocol” for the day today. We had a LOT of play-time AND a LOT of “cuddles, snuggles, kisses” too! It was an “affectionate” sort of day. It REALLY draws attention to the absolute NECESSITY OF COMPANIONSHIP! I NEVER would have guessed that this Little Guy would be so “close”, so often! I believe we tend to see the Little Ones out there, in meadows, wood-lands, yards, going about their own business and it appears that they're just as content as could possibly be. BUT, THIS Little Guy actually makes it obvious that he DOES want the contact, the connection, the company, the COMPANIONSHIP! (I wonder how many others are simply put into cages and left alone... I wonder how many others actually die of LONELINESS. What a horrid way to die, alone, neglected, abandoned... as if “death from a broken heart”. I wonder... It's painful to think about. But Yonah has no worry about that. I'll go on errands, infrequently, and not for much more than a couple of hours. The truth is though: I HATE being away from him! So, we're both in this all... together, equally.)
We had a little “excursion” to the kitchen, TOGETHER, this after-noon when I went to the fridge... and Yonah accompanied me on my shoulder! Now, of late, that might not seem so remarkable, but the “expression” when I opened the door was quite something! I opened the door, the light, of course, came on, and he thrust his head forward and gave it a tilt. The light? The colours of the containers? I don't know, but he appeared to be quite “amazed” by it and I was amazed by his reaction! I pointed-out the juices and other items there and as i pointed, Yonah appeared to be “noting” each one. He's got a sense of “intrigue”, “interest”, and perhaps, even “fascination” in SO MUCH! And the more he explores of the house, the more he appears interested in! It's as if he has some sort of “craving for learning”! “Cognizant” and “Sentient”... in such a little bit of LIFE! MORE people should be aware of this! (But then, I doubt it would mean much to the majority, even if they did. People... I can't figure and have stopped trying.)
As days go, this one went... TOO QUICKLY! BUT... Yonah and I were together ALL through it! And the sun POURED in through his windows.
BUT... THIS EVENING, HE CAME OUT TO THE KITCHEN TO BE WITH ME, FOR A WHILE, AS I HAD MY EVENING MEAL! YES! HE DID! He'd had his at his usual time (16.00 on the clock... which surprises me because with the clocks set at “Day-light Savings” it actually is only 15.00. How I wonder how he “knows”... How I DO wonder. I “know” he doesn't look at the clock. Although, I DO believe that he “sets his time” by my actions and, at 16.00 is when I put my meal on the hob. He must see that, and perhaps, notices the aroma of cooking in the air, some-how and responds to that? I wonder... and will probably never actually “know” for certain.) Anyway, I “excused” my-self and moved the lap-top to the kitchen as I always do (so that I can “watch the evening news via internet, which is something I will not do in his room... use the WiFi) and no sooner had I set the lap-top on the kitchen table, placed my plate and sat down when... FLUTTER FLUTTER WHISTLE... THERE he was, ON MY SHOULDER! Mostly out of curiosity, I “welcomed” him to the kitchen, told him how happy I was to see him and proceeded to eat. He made him-self quite comfortable and just stayed there... watching the news with me! He made a little “trip” to my back for a moment and then came back to my shoulder and gave my ear a little peck. I continued eating and talking to him and as I did, he hopped down onto the table beside me, looked at my plate and it appeared he was rather “interested” in it! Didn't get close, just looked from a distance. About 10 minutes later, I guess the news was just not what he needed to see (and I should know better than to watch the news whilst eating anyway), off he went, back to his house and it appeared, as I looked-in on him, that he was over telling of his “experience” (or reporting) to the little “dove in the mirror” on his loft. (He has two mirrors, both identical, in his house. There's the one at his “loft” and the other, on the “front”... the “room-side” as opposed to the window side). The one on the front is where he sleeps at night... beside that reflection. But the one on the loft seems to be his “favourite”. That one gets the “Good morning” and “Good night” pecks and coo's. And when some-thing out of the ordinary happens, that's the one that gets “told about it”. So, this evening, after his “adventure at dinner”, he HAD to get back to “tell it all”. (This is why I've thought of getting him a “mate” of some sort but... he accepts and tolerates the reflections... anything 3-dimensional or, in the case of photos and paintings, even “that” 2-dimensional receive rather violent reactions so... no “mate”. He appears to be satisfied with the mirror-reflections and he can't harm them. We'll leave things as they are.)
OK, so our meals were done and it was still rather light out, so I went back into his room to get started on his Journal and to gather some photos that I'd take earlier this morning of the mountains. We listened to his bird-songs and a collection on the iPod of a varied play-list. He “busied” him-self about his house and the room, came to “visit” and give me a couple of wing-snaps and pecks. And by about 19.00 on the clock, we closed blinds and curtains and dimmed the lights. By 19.30, we silenced the musics and, well, by 19.40 he was on his perch... ready to close the day. So, I packed me up an removed my stuff to the kitchen and when I did, he came to his door perch and “called” for me! It was as if he thought I'd forgotten him! Imagine THAT! So, very quickly, I went back to him and we had our cuddle, snuggle and kisses until he'd had “enough” and he headed back up to this perch.
I asked “Are you going to say 'seepie-nigh-night' to the Little One on your loft?” and I'll be... he went right over, gave a couple of pecks to the “Little One on the loft” (mirror), came back to me and looked directly at me. I gave him some more kisses and... sure enough, he got to settling at his “night spot” on the perch! I put the roof board on, closed the door to his house and as I went to put the light out, he was already settled. He was tired.
Another day... gone by too quickly. They all do, no matter their actual length of time. But, the house is comfortable tonight, the bitter cold isn't due back for at least a week (if forecasts hold true). Yonah's room is a comfortable 23° until the house heat comes up and it gets warmer for the while. The water in his pool is fresh and clean. He has fresh food for the night. All is well with and for my little Heart-and-Soul. All is well with and for me too. And tonight we hope for peaceful, restful sleep... tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and quite warm and I'm already looking forward to hearing that morning “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” or some call of the sort... AND wondering at what time it will come because THEN is when Life becomes worth living.

Thursday 17 March:
This morning's “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!” filled the morning air at 7.37! And “morning conversation” came rolling along. Oh yes, call, reply, response, reply... the volley was constant. And when I got into Yonah's room and looked into his house, he was, already, at his loft, bidding “Good morning” to the little “dove in the mirror”. As I approached, there was a BEAUTIFUL stretch of the wings as he “arranged” feathers and “got him-self presentable” to face the new day. AND... when I opened his door, he came scurrying toward me and we exchanged morning “kisses” and a some “snuggles”. He was up and ready to roll, and we were BOTH equally THRILLED to see one-another this morning!
AND... out chatting continued, again, this morning, ALL through the “morning routine”! Chat chat, chat, there was SO much to be said. It's ALWAYS a thrill and a JOY to me when Yonah and I have conversation. (But how I WISH I could actually KNOW even SOME of what he's telling me! But, in my limits, my inferiorities, it's still a comfort to the heart and soul to see that my presence is enjoyed... as much as I enjoy Yonah's presence... in what is now my “Life”... because of him.
All morning, we were all but inseparable! Where-ever I went, Yonah was either with me or came out of almost no-where, to be on my shoulder or, as seems to be his favourite spot of late, my head! It was, as it always is, to me, absolutely AMAZING! I really can't become adjusted to all of this “attachment” from him. I don't understand it, how it happened. I'm familiar with the “bonding” aspect and that doves, it's said, will accept their people as “mates”. And, quite honestly, I've never made any particular, conscious efforts toward such a “bond” between Yonah and I. I've never really wanted him to “divest himself” of his “natural instincts” where humans are concerned. I've given him all the LOVE that my old heart has ever had, provided for him to the best of my limited capabilities. He's never been neglected nor abandoned. I give “contact” (“snuggles”, “cuddles”) only when he makes it known that he's “in the mood”, I do talk to him, often, mostly so that he'd become comfortable hearing the sound of my voice, since we are in the same house all the time. But NEVER did I EVER expect such a “unification” between us. I suppose I expected him to simply come to “tolerate” me, my presence, over time. It was, I expect, inevitable that he would. Me, the one who provides clean water, fresh food, clean accommodations. Very much, little-to-nothing more or less... tolerated because of that. But THIS is a uniting that touches so deeply that I can't even find the words to describe it sufficiently. He actually wants my company, presence, companionship. He actually wants, not only to be “with” but “on” me, contact. And to me, from the very core of my “being”, it is, as I say, an HONOUR above and beyond ALL HONOURS, a HUMBLING PRIVILEGE FAR beyond all others, and, in terms of “divinity”... a true and BRILLIANT BLESSING! “AWE”... purely... “AWE”.
And later this morning, I tried to get back to the water-colour that I'd started quite some days ago, to try to put some “finishing touches” on it. I copied the photo-reference to one of the mobile phones, instead of pulling it up on the lap-top, thinking that I could “hide” it better than way, on a smaller screen. That way, I thought, Yonah wouldn't see it so clearly and want to be “at it”, as he is with ANY photo of him-self that he sees.
Well, it did work, well-enough, until I put the painting on the word table and THEN... WOOSH... down from his roof-top, Yonah came soaring! Thankfully, he was happy to be on my shoulder and not on the painting. But OH... the pecks on the ear! And on the cheek! It was as if he wanted to remind me “I'm here... I don't know who or what THAT is, but I am right here... HELLO?” So I assured him that HE was THE ONLY ONE and that I was just trying to paint a little portrait of him. Apparently not enough. The pecks kept coming until I reached up and stroked him. THAT seemed to meet with his approval, and he was off to his futon and the rest of the room... for a few moments, anyway. As I worked, he returned... I suppose as a “reminder”? A couple of times, he landed on my hand as I was trying to paint, but he just landed there and stared at the image on the paper. A “critic”? He was almost like an art teacher, watching the brush-strokes, the application of paint, the colour... Nothing like pressure... from THE ULTIMATE EXPERT on the “subject matter”.
Well? When I was done, I held the painting up to get a better look at it and... AND... FLUTTER FLUTTER! Yonah was on the hand that held the work, giving it quite the look, inspection! One thing I have to say is that I'm rather complimented: it obviously looks good enough to “pass” for another dove! It even got a “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”! And so, I left it just as it is. (There's another to follow... This one was a “sketch”, an “trial”, because it's been so long since I last tried painting. How THAT one will go over is to be seen. I was considering painting several different portraits of Yonah, from different photos taken over the months... a “collection”, so how those work-out will be interesting... indeed!)
All the while today, the SUN SHONE INTO THE ROOM SO BRILLIANTLY! The day was “seasonably” warm, and the doors to the house were open... Fresh air! As I said to Yonah: bringing the out-side air to the in-side. Oddly though, he chose to stay on the little shelf, “in” the white pine there, where his food is, not basking in the sun-shine. But, when I talked to him, he came over to his door perch for “cuddles”, hopped up on my arm and up to my shoulder. Apparently, he's comfortable and THAT is my major concern.

This after-noon... though it tore me apart to do so, I had to leave the house... to Yonah... “home alone”, as it were, BUT I went with a particular purpose: NEW TREES! AND... now... HE HAS TWO NEW TREES! IN THE NEW PLANTER! I took off, down the road had a quick visit with Deborah who showed me quite the impressive little stand of new white pines. They were, for the most part, still in the snow, and the ground was, again, for the most part, still frozen. But I managed to get TWO quite nice little ones and, as soon as I got in the door at the house again, we planted! The planter fits perfectly

(though I'm not too pleased with the white colour, but, for the time-being, it serves the purpose perfectly other-wise) along the side of Yonah's house where he sleeps. The tree that was there was moved to the window-side of his house, and fits perfectly between his two perches. I believe it still gives him more than enough space to bask on his little “beach”, but we'll see as time goes by and, if needed, adjust accordingly. But for how, he has FOUR white pines in his house, a larger pool, and a little fountain. (I'll be out to get more moss as soon as possible since I used what he had already to cover the new pines. I KNOW that it's clean, so I used that.) AND, when he's on his perches, it really does give the effect of being “in the tree tops”. All of the trees are the height and growth-thickness of the very tops of white pines! He's “at home”... in the tree-tops!
One thing I have to mention here is that, after having gotten the trees, Deborah and I stood a while, chatting and as we did, from one of her larger shrubs came an all-too familiar “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. OH! But my heart just seemed to swell! And then, from a short distance away, a faint reply of “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. It was SO touching! (I wanted to cry a bit, because I missed Yonah so much... and he was only 2km up the road away. Yes, I AM THAT attached to him. So I gave it a try: I called “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” and... I became part of the conversation! Deborah commented “You got it.” Apparently, I suppose I DO. I said “It took me a while, but I've had a LOT of practise.” But I suddenly got the feeling that I was being told “Hey! You've been gone long enough. You have the trees. Now get back home!” and so, with trees in possession, I thanked Deborah, so sincerely, and drove away... up the road and to the house.
When I got back from the “tree hunt” and came walking in the door, I called “Where's my 'woo-HOO-hoo'?” as I do when I've been out of the house. And from the distance I heard that BEAUTIFUL reply: “woo-HOO!”, as if to say “I'm right here!” As quickly as possible, I made my way into Yonah's room, with trees in hand and, as I walked into the room, he came to his door perch, stood there and gave the old “wing-snap”! OH! I showed him the trees, put them to the side and we “snuggled” with “kisses”. I don' t know if doves have a sense of “time length”. I always wonder if Yonah “knows” how long I've been away. It's said that dogs and cats don't “sense time” as humans do (but then again, they don't look at clocks either... brilliant little Lives that they are), but I'll have to see if anybody has speculated on whether or not doves actually “know” how long their “mate” has been gone. In any event, the re-union with Yonah was as if we'd been parted for YEARS, old mates finally re-united after an entirely too long separation. (Honestly, I felt that way, anyway.)
But I wanted to get the new trees into the planter and “settled” as quickly as possible, especially before they “thawed”. That way, once they warmed and the “sap started flowing” again, they'd be “waking up” already in their new place... no “shock”. So off to the kitchen I went. Yonah didn't come with, to my surprise. But when I got to the kitchen, he “called”. It was as if he was checking, to make sure I hadn't left him again. I called back, he called to me... we established that the house was “back to normal”.
When I'd done with the “planting”, I brought the trees into his room and arranged them, which meant moving the other tree and placing these new ones. AH... but I got pecks on the hand, and Yonah seemed to be surveying the “new arrangement” from different angles because he went over, looked at the new planter, then up to the little trees, backed to the other side of his house, headed up to his perches, first the one, then the other, then back to his floor and over to his door. He notices EVERY little change in his house! So I asked if he “approved” and... he hopped up onto his door perch and then WOOSH... onto my shoulder where he pecked quite bit, at my ear. OK. I suppose that means it was a good choice.
By then, it was already time for me to put my evening meal on the hob... AND YONAH CAME ALONG, ON MY SHOULDER, as I prepared everything. And when he'd had enough of the “domestic activities” he headed back to his house... for HIS evening meal! As I've said: it's 16.00 on the clock these days, but an hour earlier than previous day, yet, at the same time that I prepare my meal, Yonah has his. It MUST be that he's noticed my “routine”! BRILLIANT Little Guy, that he is!
After meals were done, I went in to get to the water changes for the night, thinking I'd do that at the time and then wouldn't have to disturb Yonah later. This evening, HE RODE ALONG AS I RAN THE “WATER RELAY”! Again, on my arm, my shoulder, my back... it didn't phase him at all! Seem riding along has become part of his “normal” now. When I think back to the very first time he actually hopped onto my arm... I was literally ELATED! In a bit of a “shock” but SO HONOURED that he'd come to trust me THAT much! But as soon as I made any sort of move, he was off and away! And for so long, more recently, he's had no trouble being on me, until I move, for any reason. The slightest motion and he'd leave, head back to his house. NOW? Shoulder, back, arm... and we can go any-where in the house... TOGETHER! My Little Guy has so much trust. But, it's well-placed. (What I'd truly like to know is how he's come to trust me so much. Not just some “scientific opinion”; I'd like to know WHAT he's thinking! But then again... me... the “human”. We're not privy to, nor are we even “entitled” to know such things. And maybe it's better that way. The Little Ones keep their secrets... and their secrets have kept them safe... from us.)
Meanwhile, I'm just (again) in AWE! And SO ECSTATIC!
Oh.. but this day passed so quickly! (They ALL do... now that Yonah is each one.) And I'm still trying to adjust me and some sort of “natural cycle” for Yonah, and his “tuck-in”. Looking at the clock and knowing that, in the “natural order” of things, the actual “time of day” is an hour earlier just makes for such nonsense. “Human constructs”... the human fight against “Nature”. Well, coming from a species that simply murders, and then has the audacity to refer to it as “sport”, photo-ops beside the lifeless bodies, a species that takes some sort of morbid “pride” in taking the lives of... mourning doves... for “fun”... A look at the clock and suddenly, it read “19.30”! On the clock, that was Yonah's usual “tuck-in”... Now, it's an hour earlier than. But the lights had already been dimmed to just the desk lamp. There'd been no need of any artificial “Spectrum” light bulb all day, with the brilliant sun-shine we'd had. Still, I've read that mourning doves take 10-14 hours of “rest” and I make sure that Yonah has that opportunity to get every moment of rest that he needs so... it was “time” for me to step aside.
Musics off, lights dimmed, the blinds and curtains already closed... back board up, it was just a matter of placing the roof board. No “disturbing” Yonah who, at the time, was already roosted on his door perch and looking “settled”. I took my “work table stuff” out of the room and then, took my time getting Yonah's house settled for the night. But, by 20.00, he truly was ready for “seepie-nigh-night”. No fuss... AND, AS A MATTER OF FACT, THIS EVENING, THE LITTLE “GUY IN THE MIRROR” GOT “GOOD NIGHT” PECKS AND AS I LEANED INTO YONAH'S HOUSE, HE (YONAH) HOPPED ONTO MY ARM, SCUTTLED UP TO MY SHOULDER AND...
I GOT “GOOD NIGHT” PECKS ON THE EAR !!! Of course, Yonah got ALL sorts of snuggles... I was in HEAVEN! Me! I got “Good night” pecks! And as soon as he'd done... he scuttled down my arm and hopped over to his perch... to his “night spot” there. Oh yes, he was “ready” to be tucked-in for the night. Our day came to the “official close”...
With the warmth today, it brought back the thoughts of being able to get him out-side, into the sun-shine, come the even-warmer days ahead. The best place would be on the front porch, but the worst part of that is that it's on the main thorough-fare. And though we don't have what, in other places, would be thought of as “traffic”, what we do get is “considerable and concerning”. Not to mention the road dust kicked-up as vehicles pass! And the back yard might be nice but, close to the house (where I'd prefer) doesn't get the sun-shine, and father out well, there are hawks, as we know. Sure, Yonah would be “protected” in his “old house” (as I've considered), but... imagine, if you, the reader here, were in a cage and a predator, determined to tear you to shreds... alive, came at you... repeatedly! No, I won't do that. So? Something to ponder... We still have time... the days ahead will be returned to the “chills” of late-Winter/early-Spring. We'll think of something.

Before closing: received word from Deborah... “TICKS”! Yes, in spite of the bitter colds we've had this Winter and the snows that remain, the warmth of the sun has brought these little monsters to life! She wanted me to be aware and suggested I check the trees I'd gotten today! So... even after his “tuck-in”, I had to get back to Yonah... and remove the trees! I'll NOT have some parasite gnawing at him! So in I went. He was all “settled” and it pained me to disturb him but waiting for tomorrow was NOT an option. I spoke softly as I opened the door to his house and reached in, got the little planter and slipped it out, I leaned forward to give a couple of “kisses” to Yonah, just to let him know that all was OK... AND I GOT MORE KISSES BACK! THAT'S MY LITTLE GUY... THAT'S MY HEART-AND-SOUL! No harm done by the disturbance... We're still... “MATES”... (and I dare say... in every sense of the word). There is NO more DIVINE BLESSING...

Friday 18 March:
“7.11” and the lucky call of the morning came floating on the air, from behind the door. “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”... indeed! And to think that, at “Standard Time”... it really is/was/is “6.11”, oh MY, but we're waking earlier! And, we're waking quite “chatty” too! It took me a moment or two to get into Yonah's room, but I replied to his coo's and he replied to mine, and our conversation continued... right up to when I got into the room and opened his door!
He was up, ready to go, stretching wings, preening feathers, AND he wanted snuggles and kisses this morning too! Now THAT'S absolutely THE best way to begin a day, no matter the weather, no matter what else might be happening in Creation. LOVE at day-break. AND from the MOST-PERFECT companion imaginable!
Out-side, the sky was slight over-cast, but the sun was making quite the appearance as it broke over the Eastern mountain-top. It was a “chilly-damp” morning... out there. But Yonah's room was delightfully warm, comfortable, and, apparently, he too, was “warm and comfortable” AND had had a good night's rest and sleep.
I opened his door and was IMMEDIATELY greeted with “Good morning kisses” in addition to our “Good morning chat”! Hey! Hey! Hey! Yonah was in a good mood and I was in his good graces and Creation was perfect! The night boards were removed, the curtains and blinds were opened, and today, the blinds were drawn-up all the way on both windows... the threat of bitter chills permeating through the glass wasn't an issue this morning so... LET THE SUN SHINE IN! (If we were to be graced by such a thing today.) What made it all the better, delightful, pleasant... WE CONTINUED OUR CONVERSATION ALL THROUGH MY DISTURBING EVERYTHING BY MOVING YONAH'S HOUSE ABOUT, as I need to do in order to get to the windows. (But that's why his house is on the shelving unit, on wheels... Oh, but I still remember the “early days” when it was a matter of “sliding” him about across the old work table... Ah... but he tolerated that... My little Heart-and-Soul. We've made it through some rough'n'tough times... but THIS morning... We've come a LONG, LONG way baby!)
One of the more “remarkable” little “events” of this morning... After everything had been settled, waters changed, house tidied and such, and I'd come in to set me at the work table for a bit, I happened to notice Yonah noticing the absence of the tree in the front corner of his house! He stood, staring, focused, at the now-empty corner, head tilting side-to-side. He went over and stood where the potted pine used to be and looked, up, down, left, right. I've noticed that he actually IS aware of EVERY “change” in his surroundings, no matter how slight. And he DOES react when I start moving things around in his house. It makes me wonder: since, in the wild, doves have such a vast area that they can cover, what do they take notice of, as they move about? And, until they actually “nest” in one place, they surely don't stay put for any particular length of time. Then too, I think of the food that I put out for them... and that they USED to come, some-what regularly (until the arrival of the hawk). When they're denied access to a regular source of food at a certain location, how do they respond when that spot is denied them? SO many questions... BUT, THE one fact is that they ARE COGNIZANT OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT! AND, if they're so cognizant of environment and surroundings, just how much MORE are they cognizant of? how much MORE do they “register” and “remember”?
I SEE how Yonah isn't comfortable when we're at the back door of the house, looking out to the back walk, the yard, where he was attacked... 17 months ago now. I can SEE that there's “something disquieting” about that place. I wonder how much of that event does he remember... and “how” does he remember it? And is that a part of why he's chosen to come to trust me and “bond”? And all the while, I can't help but think of how, to other “people”, it's perfectly acceptable for them to simply shoot-to-kill... out-right “murder” these Little Ones. THAT just sickens me... to my core. That comment that was made, about a year ago now, that won't leave my conscious on how it's so easy to “take a lot of 'em with one shot” because “they're ground-feeders and they feed in flocks”. How pathetic... utterly ill.
ANYWAY... Yes, Yonah DOES notice that there's a tree “missing” (though it's in another place in his house). But the new trees are in their new planter and out of his house until I can be certain that there's nothing in them that could even remotely cause him any harm. I'll be keeping them in the living-room, away from his room and house, for at least a week, and checking daily, for ANY sort of ANY movement or “appearances” of “other beings”. At least they're here... no need to go out and get them. And, soon-enough, they'll be back in his house... and part of his “home”.
And the morning rolled on... as mornings do.
Ah... BUT... TODAY was another one of those “TOGETHER” sorts of days! I mean... REALLY “TOGETHER”. No matter what I did, where I went, Yonah was with me. On my shoulder, arm... or he was in the kitchen with me. He even came out whilst I was having evening meal! It's all just so amazing that it truly IS “indescribable”! My heart is SO FULL! NEVER did I EVER expect the two of us to grow SO CLOSE!
I had an errand to run today and was gone just under an hour. I made no particular indication that I was about to leave, in fact, I “slipped” the little case with my “necessary cards” into the pocket of my sweat-shirt WELL BEFORE going to the living-room to put my shoes and such on so that he wouldn't even see that. BUT... SOME-HOW, he “sensed” that I was about to leave and got even CLOSER! I'd been sitting at the work table for all of this morning, working on some “catch-up” work, when I wasn't in the kitchen or stepped out to check today's post. All was calm, well, delightful. Yonah was on his futon, on his roof-top, in his house, generally “busy” as he is during a day. BUT, I'd decided that I'd leave at 13.00 and it seems that, the moment I decided that, at about noon, Yonah decided he would make him-self comfy... on my shoulders and back and was NOT going too let me be by my-self AT ALL! It was only when he went to his food for a snack that I managed to get to the living-room and out the door.
When I got BACK... I came in, called “Hello? Is anybody at home here? woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo.” and what I got back was a “woo-HOO!” that actually had a “tone” of “annoyance” to it. I went directly into Yonah's room to find him on the floor, behind and to the side of the shelving for his house. When he saw me at the room-door, he came out and came toward me but stopped, mid-room, and turned to go back to where he was! Maybe it was me, maybe it was my own “guilt” (as it were), but I sensed that he WAS, in fact, “annoyed”. He'd noticed that I wasn't in the house! And I wondered if he was on the floor because he'd come out looking for me. OH! It breaks my heart to leave him alone... especially for an hour or more. But there are errands I MUST run, thing I MUST do and times I MUST leave him to the house. Oh... OK... He's an “obsession”. But I'm sure I could do much worse. Anyway, I got on the floor and called and motioned with my hands... he DID come out, came over to me and we snuggled, I apologised for being away so long and soon... as Yonah does... and he's teaching me to do, he forgave... we moved on from there.
Now, I notice that he's FINALLY gained some weight! For the longest while I was concerned because I was comparing him to the mourning doves in the yard and they always appeared “plumper”. I understand that they were “fluffed” because it was Winter and it's been horrifically COLD this year, but Yonah just appeared to be MUCH thinner than the rest of them. NOT any more. In fact, tomorrow, we're going to start “cut-back”... Instead of leaving a day's-worth of food out all the time for him, (and, I admit, extra as well), I'm going to start “serving breakfast” and when he's had that, removing the food from his house. I'll put it back for “lunch”, remove when he's eaten, and then put it back in the evening (at about 16.00 which is his usual “evening meal” hour... though today, he had that at about 15.00... which was closer to his usual “after-noon snack”... ). It's the “snacks” that we have to cut out for a while. And then, at night, I'll take the dish out for the night... just in case. Yes, I want him “healthy”... but I'm afraid that he's getting to the point where he's approaching “too heavy to fly”! And I won't have that! (Bad enough I need to shed about 10lbs my-self... But I eat once daily, and a little something before bed. Well? We'll BOTH be dieting for the next few weeks... I, of course, more drastically, mostly because I have more to shed and... because I don't want him to EVER be truly “hungry”! There's NO need for THAT sort of thing!) He does look SO “cute” though, with the extra weight. But “cute” and “healthy”... We'll opt for “healthy”.
So that was our day. I did get his recent photos onto his site, and the “back-ups” onto the “peripheral drives”. (If anybody thinks that there are a lot of photos on the site... there's just over double that number on the drives! Yes, I am “editing” now, but... well... I just feel horrible tapping a “delete”... THEY'RE OF YONAH!) And we were together through it all. The day turned rather “dark” anyway... cloudy, and not even NEARLY as warm as yesterday so... we... “hunkered”. And the next few days are expected to be nothing but rain... “Spring” is coming”... or, as it's called, locally... “Mud”. So we'll be together through those as well. I'm pretty sure Yonah will be thrilled! (I know I will be!)
Well, tonight, 20.00 on the clock... the lights went out, but only after a bit of “chase”. Yonah was already on his door perch as I was typing today's journal and I looked up at the clock to see “19.45”... The waters were changed, the blinds and curtains closed. In fact, Yonah was on my shoulder when I put the back board up! He REALLY IS getting comfy there. And the lights had been dimmed, the musics, silenced. But the moment he saw me looking at the clock... AWAY! And up to his roof he went! So I got the roof board and, it was quite cute: I laid the board in place and Yonah gave it QUITE THE LOOK! He's never seen that board from the top before and it seems it fascinated him! BUT, he was NOT quite ready for seepie-nigh-night! He wouldn't come to my shoulder or arm to go back into the house, so I had to pick him up and “move” him back “home”. When he realised he was in the house, I suppose he “got the message” and hopped over to his perch, scuttled back to the little loft mirror... “Good night” pecks and back to the front. No, he wasn't REALLY ready for “tuck-in” but, we had cuddles and kisses and all seemed to calm down. Moments later... lights out and he settled-down on his “night spot”. HE'S SUCH A CHARACTER!
And so, another day comes to a close, and my little Heart-and-Soul is safely tucked-in. There's a bit of a “chill” to the house tonight... the rains are “in the air” and the house still holds the Winter chill. But his room is comfy-warm. And I moved his little tree back to where it was, in the corner so that that much is “normal” again. Tonight, he “sleeps in the tree-tops” again. Since I'm keeping the new trees away for at least a week, I'll leave the rest as it was.
Oh, and I removed the food, just in case he should wake before me and start eating right away. Tonight we both start our “diets”. I'm going to have to get a little “scale” for him so that we can monitor (and a scale for me too, at this rate). Neither of us is “fat”, and neither of us is about to GET “fat”. BUT... he NOTICED that I took the food dish! And he obviously wasn't pleased. Oh well... tomorrow morning it'll be back. All fresh for breakfast. My Little Guy will NEVER know “hunger” as long as I take breath! No hunger, thirst, cold, wind, rain, snow, ice... nor a desire to splash in fresh water! That's my responsibility... and one that I take to my heart... because... well... this Little Guy IS, literally... my heart.

Saturday 19 March:
A “dark” sort of “late-Winter” morning, this. Rain through the night and it was still tapping on the roof as the light of day tried, admirably, to break through the cloud-covering. And the clock ticked-away the seconds, the second into minutes. As it got later, the house had still been so silent, and when, at 7.20, I still hadn't received “the call”, I went into Yonah's room... to check.
In the dim light coming through the blinds and curtains, I went to the end of the futon and sat, looking into his house. I could see a clear silhouette there, on his perch. There he was, where he spends the night. That was good. He was there, he was on the perch. I leaned a bit forward and as I did... he moved his head. He was awake! But he hadn't “called”. I wondered why... and got up to open his door, in case he was just being quiet this morning and might still want to come out. He looked directly at me and moved his head forward. “Good morning kisses”? I leaned in and brought my cheek closer to him and... “GOOD MORNING KISSES”! HE WAS AWAKE! And I was still a “welcome visitor”, worthy of “kisses”!
It WAS still quite dark, as I say, with the rain and heavy clouds out-side, so, thinking he might just want to “sleep-in” a while longer, I left the blinds and curtains closed, the door open, and decided I'd take a lie-down on the futon, and wait there, quietly, until he was ready to “attack the day”.
I'd no sooner gotten “situated” on the futon when...
“woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo...hoo-hoo”.
From the futon, I replied, in kind, and immediately after, Yonah replied to me. OK. He was UP... and it was time for me to get to MY responsibilities, tasks and chores! I checked the clock: 7.33. A bit later than the more recent days but still quite in line with his “normal” wake-up.
It was time for “morning routine”... but this morning, considering the relative darkness and the “quiet” of the rainy morning, I took each “step” slowly, leaving some moments between. Roof board removed, I watched to see Yonah's reaction. Nope. He was quite comfy right there on the perch. Fine by me. I moved his house round to get to the back board... removed it... and Yonah just roosted, quietly. Next, curtains to open and blinds. As I opened the curtain on the first window, I glanced back. OH... the morning wing-stretching followed by a little “arranging”, “preening”. Seemed my Little Guy was getting prepared now, AND... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo...hoo-hoo”! A “Good morning” or “It's about time”? and... off to the opposite perch. Which-ever it was, we were up and about and ready to get on with things.
Well, maybe not-so-much. When I got the windows opened to the morning drear, Yonah went back to his “night spot”. No “Good morning” pecks at the little loft mirror, nor the front. We were “awake” but it wasn't quite time to get “serious” about the day... yet. So... I'd noticed that even the birds out-side hadn't come round as yet either. If THEY were staying-in for a while, I saw no excuse for me to make “changes” to the “natural order”... I left lights and sounds off... bird-songs and radio, and I went back to the futon to wait...
Most telling: I arranged the futon as I do for a “snooze” and Yonah made no movement. Usually, when he sees me laying on the futon, he comes right over. Not this morning. So I got me comfy, head on pillow and decided to “lay in waiting” to let Yonah dictate where the morning would go from there.
I must have dozed-off because it was about 30 minutes later when I heard the sound of “landing” at my head, then a “take-off” and the NEXT thing... “tapping” on my foot! Imagine? I was being told “Hello? It's time to get up!” And so... I most certainly did!
I got things set-up for “water changes” and as I did, Yonah came over and got him-self in the best “supervisory” position: on my shoulder. I didn't expect it, but this morning? HE STAYED RIGHT WITH ME ALL THROUGH THE 7 RELAYS FOR CHANGING THE WATER IN HIS POOL! As I trotted back and forth, he just stayed, “roosted”, on my shoulder. I asked “Are you seriously quite comfy there?” and he gave me a peck on the cheek. Yep... he was “seriously quite comfy there”. So I continued with the tasks-at-hand. It wasn't until I needed to turn the fountain on when Yonah decided that all work had been completed... satisfactorily, and he took off to head for his breakfast which had been “served”, fresh, just before the water relay.
Now... THAT all said... the rest of the morning... OH, THE REST OF THE MORNING! NON-STOP, with-out exaggeration, for HOURS, he was engaged... flying from the orange tree to his corner loft, then to the bits of moss on the floor of his house to the loft, back and forth, up and down... and each time, CARRYING TWIGS AND BITS OF MOSS! HE'S BUILDING A NEST! AND TO ME, IT'S ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING !!! He's almost tireless! SO DETERMINED! AND SO SPECIFIC IN WHAT HE CHOOSES! A bit of moss from the tree, after tossing-aside so much that “didn't quite meet standards”. Then a twig from the tree, or from his house. (I put some in when he started this “building”... and I now have to get more...) All with little breaks so short they're not worth the mention! The room, HIS room, FULL of the sound of fluttering wings and whistles! AND, as I sat at the work table, typing notes for the day's events... he'd made brief stops on my shoulder, give me a look and get back to “business”! No lack of exercise today!
It didn't stop at all too soon, this “construction project” of his. My Little Guy is DETERMINED, so it appears, to build an EMPIRE! Mosses from the orange tree, bits from in his house, any little twig and sprig he cold find, each one, picked up, scrutinized to the utmost. Those that were rejected got THROWN to the side! And when Yonah THROWS, things GO! BUT, those that passed, accepted, they were flown up to his “loft” platform and, well, honestly, simply dropped. (Mourning doves aren't known for their “intricate” nests. Twigs, pine needles... “stuff”. Not “trash”, just plant “stuff”. And it isn't “woven” into any “delicate shape”. Mourning dove nests have been described as “chance”: there's a “chance” they'll hold together, there's a “chance” they'll simply disintegrate, fall apart and return to the original state of their components... twigs, &c. laying on the ground. Yonah? No exception. BUT OH! HOW HE WORKS AT IT!
I couldn't stand it any longer, seeing him moving the same terribly limited materials back and forth. It seemed that, as he found something he liked more than what had already been “placed”, he'd take it out, drop it on his floor or “toss it” out of the house completely... onto the floor beside the house. What-ever managed to remain IN the house might well be picked up later and returned. And all he was doing was going back and forth, replacing the same things... I HAD to get him MORE to choose from, sort through. So... I threw on a jacket, hat and my boots and... I headed of... into the woods and up the mountain. MORE MOSSES! MORE TWIGS! MORE MATERIAL TO USE! MY LITTLE GUY NEEDED MORE AND I WAS GOING TO SEE TO IT THAT HE HAD “MORE”!
Well, most of the wood-lands on the mountain are still covered, quite nicely, under a rather heavy “blanket” of snow. The small brooks are only just beginning to thaw again and run. And there was a beautiful-yet-almost-eerie mist rising from the snows, up through the trees... and it was still quite over-cast. No rain... just clouds and fog. It was, to be honest, quite beautiful. But as I approached the tree-line I feared I'd find NO mosses! And THAT was the most important item on my “list”. Twigs? Easy. Trees in abundance, all sorts of trees. But I, like my little Companion, was DETERMINED! I'd find what I came for if I had to climb to the summit!
Ah... “Fortune” was on my shoulders today, “Nature” was being kind. The snows were gone in “just the right places” as I trod deeper into the woods. A brook was mostly frozen but in a stretch, running freely, and beside it... old felled trees... COVERED IN MOSS! BEAUTIFUL, LUSH, GREEN MOSS! It took a bit of manoeuvring through the snow and over the ice to get to said trees, but... with a bit of care and some “daring”... PAY-OFF! I managed quite a nice amount a that spot! It was on to find a non-toxic sort of tree for some twigs, so, up a bit higher I climbed. AND... as I climbed... MORE MOSS! (We can never have “too much” moss anyway, and since Yonah is now using it... more IS better.) So, almost a full shopping bag of moss, AND some birch trees for twigs, and in the mosses there were twigs and white pine needles. It was a trip ever-so worth the taking! I was THRILLED... and so, down the mountain and out of the woods I plodded... rather excited, I have to say.
Now, all of this moss HAD to be “cleaned”... sloshed, agitated, pressed and squeezed in quite warm tap water... minimum of 5 times in a full basin of clear, almost hot water and then again, 3 or 4 4times in cool water. Ticks, mites, little flies... even though the mosses and the ground and trees they came from were frozen... there's just no being “too careful”, and I'll NOT have parasites in Yonah's house! It's one thing if he were out in the wilderness. Flying about, having all sorts of methods to rid himself of them out there is one thing, but in here... well... the “treatments” are limited and I'd rather NOT resort to “medications” of any sort. Yonah is NOT a “domestic” and there's no telling how he'd react to such “chemicals”. SO... soil and debris had to be removed AND, the mosses will be left on a tray for a week, at minimum, to dry out a bit and to be sure that there's noting other than “moss” there.
Now then... I came back into the house to find my Little LOVE at his door perch, waiting for my return! When I walked over to him, he gave a wing-snap! “LOVE ME! I'VE BEEN ALL ALONE FOR SO LONG!” (So it seemed to be said.) So we got snuggles and kisses and I told him about my “expedition” and what I'd brought back for him. Yonah? Well, whether he understood or not isn't of any matter, what IS is that he took off, out of his house, up to his roof, and appeared to be as excited as I was. (Well... maybe he sensed my happiness and because I was happy, HE was happy too?) And so, my “return” established, I headed to the kitchen to get busy “cleaning” the mosses AND the twigs... to make sure there was NOTHING even potentially harmful on ANY of it.
AS I was concentrating on watching the water as I soaked and rinsed each little portion of moss, looking for ANYTHING that even slightly resembled ANYTHING that might be alive... other than moss, I happened to notice, out of the corner of my eye, a “dark spot” on the kitchen floor. YONAH HAD TODDLED OUT TO THE KITCHEN TO SEE WHAT I WAS DOING! I “invited” him to come set on my shoulder a while so that he could see what I was doing, but he had no real interest... AND HE CAME TODDLING OVER TO ME, WENT RIGHT BY AND OUT INTO THE LIVING-ROOM! Out there, he made a quick “visit” to the decoys in the limb in the corner and the next think I knew... he was toddling back to his room! Not “flying”, but, at this juncture, I'd rather he did a bit of “toddling” as well as flying. Exercise! (As we BOTH are in need of these days.) What struck me is how comfortable he's becoming, travelling, at will, around the entire house! And I couldn't be more pleased! GOOD! If he sees this place as “his territory” I'm all the happier for it. And I'm hoping that he'll take even MORE advantage of the rest of the house... soon!
Then came “the moment”... The mosses were all cleaned and put onto the tray and into the living-room where they'll be for a while longer (though I'd really like to give them all to Yonah right away, of course), and I took the cleaned twigs, broken into “portable sizes”, in to Yonah... and there, in his house, to find...
He started “building” on the little shelf where his food dish is as well as on his loft! The SAD part: because the space there, behind his food dish is so small, ALL of his work had fallen off... twigs, moss... but... INTO HIS POOL! (Not good for Yonah, and certainly not good if any of it got into the little pump for his fountain.) I was probably more “hurt” by seeing ALL of his hard work laying there than he was, but OH, how my heart broke for him! But as I pulled the twigs and bits of moss from the water, I thought: this is how it happens with mourning doves: they build, it falls apart, the re-build. Thankfully, there were no eggs in this bit. (It's not at all uncommon for eggs to be laid, a good gust of wind comes along and the nest and eggs plummet to the ground. No chance of that happening here. And even if there were any “eggs” in this nest, they'd be the “faux eggs” I have... which I'm considering putting into any “nest” that Yonah is successful at making... We'll see how that works when the new mosses are added to his house. And with all the weight he's managed to gain of late, if he doesn't “toddle” it off, well then, I know he'll be eating less if there are eggs there, we've been through that already. This time, I won't worry... as much.) Still, it was, to me, hurtful to see all those bits of all his efforts, just there, in the pool.
I removed the “debris” from the pool and checked... all was well with his fountain... the entire affair never happened... I suppose, for either of us. BUT, there are MORE twigs now, for him to choose, pick through, move about. So, there's that “improvement”. (Tomorrow might be quite the day when he gets back to “construction”... I'm looking forward to seeing that.)
And so... by the time all this was done, and the mosses were set aside, the day had rolled to “meal time”... I was “reminded” when Yonah went up to have his “evening meal” and so, I “retired” back to the kitchen to prepare mine... As I ate, Yonah “relaxed” a bit and when meals were done... it was time to change the waters again... already. This day passed SO quickly (as do they all since Yonah has become my Life). And this evening, Yonah ALMOST came along for the “relay” again, but, I imagine he was just a bit too weary, after all his work today, to “cling” and so... he was off, as I left the room to get the first round of water, and back to his house... to take a bit of a rest. When I'd finally finished with my tasks, he was up on his roof platform... “basking”, as he does, in the light of his FullSpec. This day was officially coming to a close...
By 19.00 on the clock, his blinds and curtains were closed against the intrusive street light. It's not so cold now... that won't be back until Monday, and even then, those nights of -20s and such should be ALL behind us now... we hope. So now it's a matter of keeping that piercing, blinding LED light out of the room for the night. Windows attended, I put the back board up as well and Yonah? Well... he came down to roost on his door perch as I got busy attending to his Journal for today...
To my own heart-ache... the clock swept our time away... just as briskly and apathetically as “Time” ever is... at 20.00 came “seepie-nigh-night”. Yonah was on his door perch as I removed me from his room and then went back to put his roof board on and exchange “Good night” kisses, with cuddles. I SO dislike this time of day, but I also worry about him getting proper rest. And after a day like today, rest is VERY important! Not to mention, I'm sure the other mourning doves, “out there” were already VERY tucked-in a while ago, on this dreary, wet night. And Yonah was “hesitant” again, tonight, about settling-down. He took a few good looks around his house. I'd put his new trees in today and I'm sure “things” look a little different to him, but, in moments, he was giving the little reflection in the front mirror his “Good night” pecks and, by the time I was putting the last night out... all was as well as they could be. My Little Guy was settled for the night.
The house is warm enough tonight, and his room is very warm and comfy. Warmer than the rest, to be sure. He's sheltered against the soft rains that are falling, and the chilly, damp breezes that are blowing out-side. Clean water, and a clean house. And tomorrow, he has more materials to “work” with. I can't wait to see how that all turns out. But for tonight, my Heart-and-Soul is “tucked-in” for the night. We had quite the day.. and with any “Love” in Creation, tomorrow, we'll have another. I've no errands to run and more than enough to do in his company, so that's a “perfect” day... together.

Sunday 20 March: SPRING !!! EQUINOX !!!
A bit grey to the start of this not-so-cold-not-so-warm morning. Just warm enough to be “damp”. Just cool enough to be “chilly”. “Spring”... in the North Country”, as 'tis called. But the house was calm, quiet and that was appreciated, and as I sat at the kitchen table with morning coffee, wondering when the Blessing of the “morning call” would wash through the rooms, the clock read “7.20” and...
“woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo...hoo-hoo” came floating on the air, like pure silk on a warm breeze. My Heart-and-Soul was up, awake, and the “6-hoo” call told that he was impatiently awaiting the arrival of his “people”! And “his people” called back, as to say “On my way!” The reply was immediate: “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”. (Well then, let's get on with it!” I broke into a sincere smile, as my heart broke into a veritable song-and-dance! When Yonah replies it's a comfort. When Yonah replies IMMEDIATELY, it's a “dialogue”! And “dialogue” is what we had, even as I quietly opened the door to his room and walked over to his house. Obviously, there were things to be said this morning and I was to hear them all. I LOVE IT!
First things first, I opened the door to his house before anything else and he scuttled over toward me. I leaned in and got “Good morning kisses”! Then a little “snuggle”, a peck on the cheek and he headed over to his little loft mirror to “greet” the reflection-dove there. Roof board off, back board off, and as if to say “You see what he's doing?” Yonah addressed the reflection again.
It went on that way even as I opened curtains and blinds. And, of course, I joined their conversation... but nobody else seemed to notice. “Snubbed”. Imagine that. BUT, as I moved back to the front of his house to get on with the rest of the morning routine, Yonah followed me, on his perches, and met me at his door. I cupped him in my hands, leaned over and gave him some “preening-pecks” of my own. He nestled his head against my chin. We were “OK”... we were “us” this morning.
As I went about the relays of water-changing, Yonah hopped up to have a bit of breakfast. I was doing what I was supposed to be doing, what I was expected to do and all else was just fine. I spoke as I ran in and out of the room... Yonah continued eating. And when I'd done with all that I had to do, I came in and sat on his futon for a bit of a “morning chat”. He came to his door perch, looked at me a little while and then headed out, over to his pillows at the opposite end of the futon. OK. I was perfectly in accord with that. Seeing him in flight is a comfort to me. It shows me that he's well, his wings are fine, and that, generally, all is well. (I still remember how he couldn't or wouldn't even move his wings for the first few days when he came in, so, his flights are important to me.)
From there, I settled the kitchen and moved in to his work table. I had tasks that weren't complete yesterday and needed to get to them this morning. Yonah? Well, HIS first line of action, once I'd settled, was to see what it was that I “had” to do... from his best vantage point in the room... on my head! And yes, as I typed, he actually made him-self QUITE comfortable up there. Didn't make a move for the longest while, until I spoke up and asked “Will you be there all morning? Not that I particularly mind, but I'm going to have to get up and get another coffee. Will you be accompanying me to the kitchen?” I don't know what phrase or word struck him, but as soon as I'd finished asking, he took off... and went to the orange tree where he started “sorting” through the remaining bits of moss, left from his “construction project” of yesterday. (There isn't much left, to be honest. Most of what was in there ended-up on the floor. But there's more in the living-room... most of it will be going into Yonah's house... what-ever is “left-over”, the smaller bits, will go back “into the pot”, as it were, probably for a later “project” or, as he'd done previously, to become a little “nest” at the base of the tree, hidden behind some low branches. It's one of his more-favoured places to “hang-out” during the day.) So, I got up, went to the kitchen to get my coffee and as I poured I heard, from Yonah's room... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. Sounded like he was making sure I'd only gone to the kitchen and didn't leave the house... leaving him alone! I called back “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo... I'm just pouring now.” and Yonah replied “woo-HOO!” Ah hah... I WAS just in the kitchen so everything was fine.
I returned to the work table, with coffee, sat down and began my “tasks”... We were both “established” in our respective places for the morning. All was well with the World.
For a briefest while, we did get some sun-shine, but it was short-lived and the drizzles of yesterday returned. I put the FullSpec light on and continued with my work.
Today, for some reason, Yonah was NOT in a “construction” mood. “Sunday”? “Day of rest?” “First day of Spring?” What-ever it was, he preferred, today, to either be “under the orange tree” or, on the shelf unit, the shelf directly under his house. I don't understand it but sometimes he prefers being there. It's darker than the rest of the house and he stays there, mostly giving what I've come to learn is referred to as the “perch coo”... He repeats the “woo-HOO!” It's said that it's a call that “un-mated” males give to let “un-mated” females know where they are. It tears at my heart to hear Yonah “calling”, but, I still can't forget his responses to the decoys, to the little “pillow” in the shape of a “dove” that I made with his pillow-case and the filling from his favourite pillow. Then too, the photos of him, the painting of him... and, when there's a mourning dove on the screen of the lap-top, he pecks at the screen as if trying to hurt the dove there. So, no, he might “want a mate” at the moment, but, I can't and won't be responsible for another dove coming in, being injured or ignored, neglected, resented. Besides, when I go to him, even when he's in his “calling”, he comes hopping over to me, usually I get a wing-snap and we get to cuddle, snuggle and he appears to be quite happy and content with that. (It's as Deborah put it: “You're it. You're all he really needs.” I'm honoured, but, I DO wish I could arrange for Yonah to have another dove to communicate with. For now... how-ever, we are as we are... For me? He's the WORLD... ALL of CREATION... leaving no wants or needs. For him? I don't suppose I'll ever REALLY “know”. But we're a good pair... apparently... so far.)
I HAVE to mention: In my earlier researching, I happened to see a video on-line, of a parrot who, as his/her “people” was happy to report and record, would bathe every time the Hoover was run. When it was “bathing time”, the woman would bring the Hoover into the room and turn it on and the moment the engine started, the parrot headed for the water! Today, I had (HAD) to Hoover Yonah's room (with all the moss-bits being all over the place) and it's rather “strange” but, as soon as I start the engine, HE goes and has a bite to eat! It's said that birds, in general, prefer sound, not LOUD sound but sound, and various sounds. Complete silence, to them, indicates the presence of “danger”... all the birds around will stop chirping, chatting, &.c indicating a predator or some other threat. So, as the engine of the Hoover drones, regularly, apparently, it makes birds (parrots AND doves) feel secure enough to bathe... and stop for a bite to eat! OH! What a complete contrast to dogs and cats! And how fascinating to me. Anyway... we did get his room cleaned and tidied... AND... since the rains had stopped this after-noon, I wanted to check the local brook for more rocks for Yonah's new pool. I'd LIKE to get a nice “stack” and turn his “fountain” into something that closer resembles a small “water-fall”, giving just the lightest “splashes”. He seems attracted to the splashing, and since we got the larger pool and I re-installed everything, his fountain has been quiet. So...
After the Hoovering and house-keeping was done, I had a few other tasks to get to around the house, but as I cleared the work table, Yonah came over to my shoulder. I'm still amazed... he does that so often of late! So I went about what it was that I needed to do and Yonah just got comfy on my shoulder and came along. But I have to note here: It was only just warm enough this after-noon to have the doors open, allow for fresh air to circulate through the house, and, after being so closed for so many months, I like to let in as much fresh air as possible now. Sot the front and back doors were open and, because I'd put a special “perch” on the back door for Yonah, on the in-side, of course, I went over to look out and to let him see out into the yard. I was hoping there would be other Little Ones out there, but, the weather must have told them to “just stay in today”. It was “empty” in the dull greyness. And it was only just slightly chilly, but compared to the warmth of Yonah's room, yes, there was quite a difference in temperature at the screen door. As we stood, looking out, and me softly asking “So what do you think of that? No birdies. No chipmunks. Goodness! Maybe WE should be just resting today too. What do you think?” I happened to notice that Yonah was “crouched”, ever-so comfortably, but he was “fluffed”. He's really not accustomed to the chills... even slight... of late Winter! Well, truth is, he's really never had to deal with them. (And, as I say, as long as I take breath, he never will!) But over all, he just doesn't appear “comfortable” there, looking into the yard, across the walk where, 17 months ago... I REALLY HAVE to wonder:
Apparently, he DOES have some sort of recollection of that place and the attack he suffered from. he prefers to NOT look out the door, though, at the front door, he seems so curious and looks in all different directions to the out-side. He faces back into the kitchen instead of out to the yard. And he's quite still on my shoulder, nestled, as it were, close to my face. Again, at the front door, he's obviously more relaxed and able to look about. He MUST recall that attack! And he DOES recognise the yard! And even though we're together and behind the screen door, he's not at all comfortable there. It's terribly heart-breaking! Now, I can't help but think of those mourning doves who are shot by “sporting fun-seekers” who aren't murdered out-right, wounded, injured, left out there to either heal or die... slowly. My heart and head pound with anxieties and sadness. The absolute cruelty... “Sport”... and here, this Little Guy looks out at the yard, 17 months later... quite, still and obviously uncomfortable. “Pathetic”... this “Creation”. Well, at least he's safe from all that now and will be... so long as we both shall...
This after-noon, I headed to the brook, in the hope that the snow-melt and rain hadn't swelled that too high to scavenge for rocks. Ah but... oh yes, it most certainly HAD done! The brook RUSHED! Crisp, cold, clear-turquoise water and the whites of the rapids flowed by, and almost completely covered the rock bank. BUT, I DID manage to find one “slice” of a fairly interesting colouration of mountain rock and so, the trip wasn't completely with-out rewards. I put the find in my back-pack and headed back to rinse it and scrub under running tap water and then, into a bowl where it soaked in boiling water until it all cooled.
What fascinated me though was that, when I returned, I came directly into Yonah's room to show him the soon-to-be new addition to his house, and I discovered him, on the shelf, under his house, on the tray, between the containers I use to bring the water for his pool. It appeared, he was actually dozing there! I've often wondered how he manages to stay so active all through a day, attributed it to a good night's sleep, but still... not a single moment of rest all day! Ah, now I've come to learn even MORE about him and, instead of putting artificial lights on when the skies are dark, as I've been doing with the “Full” and “Natural Spectrum” lights, we'll just leave Nature to her own course from now forward. After all, “out there”, in the “natural” environment, the Little Ones take their rest, and I strive to keep things in Yonah's room as close to HIS habitat as I possibly can.
Seemed I'd “disturbed” his rest, he noticed me coming into the room, BUT... as he does, he came toddling out to greet me. Ah... although I was saddened to disrupt a good nap, as always, it was a JOY to see him “welcome” me back. I showed him the rock, told him of the brook and the cold, snow and ice and went to the kitchen to clean the “new addition” for him.
It was a relatively calm day for us both. But then again, ALL time with Yonah is nothing but pure DELIGHT! And today, he had no “construction” activities. As I say... a “day of rest”. Then too, even with the additional twigs, and there are many of those to choose from, there isn't much in the way of “materials”... yet. The new mosses are still being “monitored”, but I'm looking forward to seeing what he'll make of those when they're in his house... in a few days.
Later this evening, when the new rock had thoroughly dried, we took a look at how it might fit into his new pool and, well, it appears to be just a little too large. The purpose of the new pool is to give Yonah more space in which to bathe, lounge, splash about, and this new rock, though a perfect shape and thickness, takes a bit more space away so... it's now part of the one section of his floor that's usually just kitchen-roll. If nothing else, it will give him a good surface to walk on and keep his toe-nails trimmed. (And maybe he'll use it to keep his beak trimmed as well... I can hope.)
Time rolled along. We both had our evening meals... I, in the kitchen, Yonah in his house, and after, we changed the water in the pool, tidied the rest of his house. The Hoovering was done so his room was in order, and we had the last hours of the day to un-wind, prepare to wrap it all up neatly for the night ahead. It seems, as it does, all too quickly, I'd no sooner settled beside him at the work table and began the evening “recap and recount” for his Journal when... 19.00 hit. So it was time to close-up the windows and put up the back board. All the while, Yonah “supervised” from the little platform on his roof-top. “Something else was being manipulated” and he had to take careful note, as he does. It's such a JOY to see him so “involved” with ANY activity that takes place in his room and house! The “cognizance” is un-expected, though, I'm not at a point where if he didn't exhibit any, I'd be horrified. He's bright, brilliant, and obviously actually “thinks” about what goes on around him. And when he “follows” me around, he, on his roof-top and me, making my way to the windows and back, is a delight... especially when I happen to be “with-in reach” and he leans over to give me a peck on the top of my head! “Poke, poke. I see you there!”
At 19.30, lights dimmed, musics silenced. It still “disturbs” me that, in the “natural order”, it's the “18.30” hour for Yonah. I'm trying to “adjust” my own “clock and routine” to keep with his, but, for right now... if “tuck-in” comes at 20.00 on the clock... it's “19.00” for Yonah and, as he's getting up a bit earlier in the day now, and he's supposed to get 10-12, if not 14 hours “rest”, his rest-time is more important than a “clock” so...
We were just getting all “settled”, me, at the work table to recap the day in the Journal, Yonah on his door perch beside me as he is of a day's close when... the clock read “19.50” and the room went DARK! The HOUSE went dark, the house went silent! Only a bit of a drizzle out-side, no harsh winds, but the electric had gone out! Well, OK. It was “seepie-nigh-night” time anyway but the roof board had to be placed, and, it was almost obvious that Yonah was hardly prepared for such an adventure... in total darkness! PRECIOUS LITTLE GUY! The “sudden darkness” must have taken him by some surprise because he became obviously “nervous”. So, in the darkness, I could see him on his door perch, I reached over slowly, talking to him all the while, and managed to pick him up ever-so gently and brought him to my chest. He just snuggled against me, making no moves. I brought him up to my shoulder and he “roosted” there, pecking at my ear! “TRUST”! We SURELY ARE A “PAIR”!
I navigated out to the kitchen to get my mobile to use it for some light, and then went out to the living-room for some tea-lights... a bit of light to navigate the rest of the house. All the while, Yonah was quite comfortably on my shoulder, pecking at my ear and cheek. Well? We made our way about the room, gathered the necessary accoutrements for the tea-lights and headed into the kitchen where the little lights were lit... AND YONAH WAS FASCINATED BY THIS! As the room brightened, he watched, as if “learning how” to do the very thing, should he ever need.
One tea-light placed in a “hurricane lamp” originally intended for oil, but “converted” to use tea-lights, and this one went into Yonah's room on the work table. HIS room being THE “important room” in the house, of course. And when we got into the room, with the glow from the little candle, he saw his house and headed directly for it... and to his perch! Things were “good” again and the light was just enough to see, but not bright enough to make it look like “party time”! All was well, and I went back to the kitchen to light a few more tea-lights, in case of need to wander about.
Well then, that settled, and tea-lights securely placed, I figured I may as well have a “lie-down”... on Yonah's futon. At least I could keep him company, and he seemed to be find and settled, comfortably on his perch. And he DOES seem happier when he knows I'm in the room. Just to be on the “safe” side, especially with the tea-lights, I closed his door, whispered “Everything is OK now... I'm going for a lie-down... right here.” I got a “Good night” peck and got comfortable on the futon. WE were at some degree of “normal” and all was peaceful.
It was about an hour later, I was still awake and so I saw the lights come back on. Yonah was settled on his perch, the house was fine, he was fine, all was well... I got up, went through the house turning out the lights that we'd left on, un-wittingly, went to Yonah's door and whispered:
“We made it my Little Love. All done. You sleep well and restful now.”
The furnace came on, bringing warmth, his radiator was on again so, between the two, Yonah would be nice and warm... The day was closed, the night was young, and we both were off... to... “seepie-nigh-night”. That's my Little Guy... my Heart-and-Soul... what a pair. And to think: he was just as consoled as could be... riding along with me, through a completely dark house... pecking on my ear. Yes... my “Heart-and-Soul”.

Monday 21 March:
Apparently, the electric went out once again, during the night, last night, but not for very long. Thankfully, the alarm clock doesn't depend on it and I was up at my usual hour, WELL before Yonah, so that I could be ready the moment I heard “the call”. The house was calm in the early morning, and comfortably warm. I'd closed the door to Yonah's room, as I do of a morning, so that the lights and my movements don't disturb him, and had been sitting at the kitchen table with coffee...
7.03... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo...hoo-hoo”! came like a song on a gentle breeze. My Heart-and-Soul was up and ready get get about! I called back with a “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” and he replied with his first call and then a “woo-HOO!” (I DO have to say that there are subtle-but-distinct differences in the over-all “tone” of that “woo-HOO”... Most of the time, there's a “gentleness” to it, as when he's in his house, in a particular little corner some-where, or, as he does at times, some-where on a shelf, which he's quite fond of. Then there are the “coo's” that actually sound like a bit of some kind of a “startle response”, more pronounced, louder, clearer. But the morning “woo-HOO”, or even when we're having a “chat” between rooms has a “ring” to it that resembles a “WELL THEN!” or “OK! ENOUGH CHATTING! LET'S GO!” This morning's “final call” was another of the “LET'S GET ROLLING HERE!” And it ALWAYS puts a smile on my face!) I was on the move!
In spite of the little “commotion” of last night's power-outage, it looked like Yonah had managed to settle-in and settle-down for the night and was well rested this morning. I was “greeted” with a scuttle along his perch and several “Good morning” pecks. (It makes me wonder if he actually has a recollection of last night and his “ride” through the rooms, and any sense of “security” he might have had, being with me in that darkness. Obviously he “remembers” that I'm a “safe companion”, other-wise, we'd still be on the “natural order” where he'd fear me. And then, with the “event” at the back door of the house, as mentioned yesterday... well... I'm sure there's some “kind” of “recollection”, and I wouldn't be surprised if there was some “kind” of recollection of last night too. BUT, he's teaching me that “Then” was “then” and “Now” is “now” and though it's good to learn from “Then” because it can save us if need be “Now”, it's best to just let “Then” stay were it was... and don't drag it into “Now”.)
Anyway, it was another GLORIOUS beginning to an new day! AND... THE SUN SHONE BEAUTIFULLY IN A CLEAR, MAGNIFICENTLY BLUE SKY and this morning, as it touched into Yonah's house, it was a wonderful sight to behold!
We got the morning routine done as Yonah had a bit of breakfast and then took flight across the room to watch, as he does, from his favourite vantage point... pillows on the futon. And when that was done, I got settled, right away, at the work table, having a LOT to attack this morning, and Yonah got to his regular routine of checking things around the room. He does that, frequently, in the morning hours. It's as if he's checking “his territory”, looking at things on the shelves, checking (of course) the orange tree, and it's almost as if he “takes inventory” on the shelves under his house where his food and other supplies are kept. Next, a toddle round and about the floor (which makes me a bit nervous because he can find places where he can't be seen... under the table is the worst because I don't dare move my feet... though he's quite quick at dodging, as he's had to do in the past). Honestly, he DOES have his own “routine and schedule”. But then, mourning doves in the wood-lands do too so... And I'm glad he does because it keeps him active (aside from our play-time breaks).
So, for most of this morning, Yonah passed the time, flying and walking about the room with the occasional “check-ins” on my head and shoulder... And, when I didn't pay “quite enough attention”, there were visits to the little extended perch over my left shoulder from which I couldn't help but hear the wing-snaps... “HEY! YOU there! I'm here!” And, of course, those just meant “PLAY BREAK”! (Into which I fall, MADLY, because, well, no matter what else “should” be attended in life... NOTHING is of ANY importance compared to my Little Heart-and-Soul!)
I DID take a bit of a break though, and took a stroll down to the river to check for more rocks for Yonah's fountain. I've wanted to give it a more “water-fall” effect and so, off I “toddled”, to the river where the waters are flowing quickly, and as clean, clear and cold as they could be. But fortune was with me today. The “rock bank” was accessible and I DID manage to find quite a number of just the ones I'd gone for! SO... an hour later, when I returned, I called from the door, as I do “Helloooooo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” and, from across the house came the familiar “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?” in the format of “woo-HOO!” (Another particular “variation” on the “theme”.) I RUSHED in to see my Little Guy who was, at the moment, at the base of the orange tree, but as I walked into the room, he hopped out, forward, perched on the edge of the pot to greet me. I offered apologies for having been gone for so long and showed him the rocks and explained... “We're going to change your fountain again when I get these properly cleaned! How about that? A little 'change of scenery' and you don't even have to travel far.” He hopped off of the pot, onto the work table to get a better look at the rocks and then flew over to his pillows on the futon where he stayed until I went into the kitchen (to “properly clean” the rocks) at which time, he went to his roof for a bit of a “relaxation”.
And so I DID, in fact, scrub the rocks under hot tap water, then gave them 3 boilings and another solid rinse with tap water and set them aside to dry... It was “meal time”... as I was reminded when my Little Guy headed for his food. Well, this evening, instead of me going to the kitchen... I brought my little meal in to the work table... WE DINED TOGETHER this evening AND, it seemed Yonah enjoyed it!
He DID come down to “see” what I was having but made NO attempt to get at any of it. (It was strictly vegetables but I'm rather sure he wouldn't have appreciated the spices and seasonings.) AND, we'd had “lunch” together today too... I'd brought mine into the room to work and eat and, well, as I ate, Yonah ate as well. TWO meals... TOGETHER! ABSOLUTE HEAVEN!
After we'd had out evening meals, I got to arranging the new rocks, trying several different configurations. I want the water to visibly move but not make too much of an annoying “splashing” sound. It can become monotonous at times and rather irritating, and I can't help but think of Yonah listening to the exact same sound ALL through a day! In nature, at least a brook will vary, but because this is a little pump and there's really nothing to interfere with the water flow, after a while... it's the exact same sound and doves are particularly sensitive to sound. Anyway, we (I?) finally came to a bit of a configuration that will suffice, at least for now. And the rocks still hold the little white pine over the fountain so, as I say, for now, until I find “better' rocks for a “better water-fall”, this is just fine. And just the slightest “splash”... just enough to make it obvious that the water is moving. Moving water seems to be very important to Yonah... for bathing AND for drinking so... it's about the motion!
After all of this... the sun was about to set! The day had just slipped right by and almost away! (My least favourite time of any day.) The water in the pool (and drinking dish) was changed... twice this evening because of all of my fussing in the pool and the new rocks... and it was time to close the blinds and curtains. WOW! But time is brutal in its passing! Yonah was on his roof-top and again, this evening, following me as I made my way round his house to the windows and back. And when I put the back board on... I got a wing-snap and a peck. (Somebody just wasn't ready for THAT part of the day yet.) So? PLAY-TIME! across the roof-top followed by “LOVE ME”! until he got “enough” of all of that and I sat to the work table to get to today's Journal...
TOO FAST! TOO SOON! TOO QUICKLY!... The clock read 20.00...
But “tuck-in” tonight wasn't so bad. One mention of “Oh no... it's 8 o'clock already. 'Seepie-nigh-night' time.” and WOOSH... Yonah was up from his door perch and onto his “night perch”. PRECIOUS LITTLE GUY! He was ready for a night's snooze! So... cuddles, snuggles, pecks, kisses all round. The roof board went on as he gave his little “mirror doves” (both) their “Good nigh” pecks and with-in moments... the light went out... “Tuck-in”.
Now, in closing the day, I have to make mention that there are those who “chuckle” when I mention Yonah and how truly and literally my heart is attached to him. And those who chuckle have never bothered to see him, to take any particular active interest in him, and have, assuredly, not bothered to even check his site or, to be sure, this Journal. And I will be the first to openly admit that I have never (before) thought of my-self as a stereo-typical “bird person”. Quite honestly, though, to a point, I admired people who had an “affinity” for/toward birds, I just never could see how they could become so “attached”, as one might, say, to a dog or cat. BUT, with Yonah? Well, I suppose THE point that keeps me in constant AWE is that he had NO reason or cause to allow any sort of attachment to me. He was born into the wild, as it were, and I was his pre-determined enemy. I was a “predator”. I was THE WORST predator in ALL species! MY sort are those who brutally, mindlessly, unreasonably and out-right simply MURDER his peers! And, again, I have to stress that the original intention, when I brought him into the house was to see to it that he'd heal and leave, return to the flock(s) in the “great out-doors”. When it became obvious that “putting him out” would, in all likelihood, result in his quick demise, my thought was:
He survived the attack... and then the trauma of being taken into a house... in the constant company of a god-horrible predator... and yet, he's come to understand my intentions and Love. I didn't want or even wish for any sort of “bond” between us. To the contrary, I'd preferred that he keep his natural aversion to humans, tempered with an “acceptance” or “tolerance” of me. HE CHOSE to allow our relationship to develop. HE CHOSE to come to trust that I would never harm him in any way. HE CHOSE to come to me that fist time, to take the risk. HE CHOSE to come to TRUST me. I am HUMBLED to a point that I can neither explain nor describe. I'm equally HONOURED. And the elation of LIVING in a mutual, reciprocated “Love” such as Yonah and I obviously have is, as I've said so often already, nothing short of DIVINE!
It's sad, really, that others refuse to even try to come to some degree of understanding, that they find it “humourous”, “giggleable”, as it were. I've no doubt that these are the very same who would think nothing of striking a little Life the likes and kind of Yonah, with a vehicle and just drive away. They're more than likely the calibre who think nothing of rolling the tyres over the lifeless remains of ANY Little One on a road-way. No recognition of the LIFE and certainly ALL denouncement of the “SOUL”. Pathetic.
But here, in the pages of this Journal, is the account of the actuality of the “Life”, the “Spirit”, the “SOUL” of only ONE little mourning dove... and the best I can do is hope that these words reach at least, SOME with the capacity to actually LEARN:
Those Little Ones, no matter the species, “out there”, in your yard, trees, meadows, wood-lands, and, to some point or extent, I imagine, rivers, brooks, lakes too ALL have their own capacity of “cognizance” and “sentience”, and THEY teach US just HOW ALL of this mess some call “Creation” is supposed to run. If humans have ANY tendency toward being a “higher evolved” species, it's time humans exercised that “superior brain” that so much claim is made to and LEARN... from those who actually DO KNOW BETTER... KNOW BEST.

Tuesday 22 March:
Imagine my surprise (and, of course, JOY!) when, this morning, at 6.52, really un-expectedly, I heard the gentle sound of “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” come calling in the stillness of the house! Apparently, SOMEBODY (or, as I sometimes think of it: “someBIRDIE”) got a good night's rest last night! And when I called back the same, the reply, and the beginning of this morning's chat came back.... immediately, with-out a skip. How-ever, when I replied to the response? That old, familiar “woo-HOO!” OK! I needed to “get my move on”, as they say! Not only was my Little Guy up and awake, he was anxious to get the day rolling! And I was ABSOLUTELY THRILLED (as I always am) to hear it!
This morning was quite another “chatty” session as curtains and blinds were opened. And even through the “water relay”! I suspected we'd have another “construction day” ahead and I even put in a bit more of the moss that I've been “watching” (after picking and poking through it to make sure there was nothing harmful in there).
But, shortly after we'd settled, Yonah in his house and I, on his futon where I had some chores and tasks to get to, it changed... HE changed.
For most of this morning, Yonah spent most of his time on the little shelf where his food is, and at other times, on the shelf directly below his house. He didn't appear to be in any distress, but he obviously chose to be “out of the way”, some-what “secluded”. And he would, for long moments, simply repeat his low, soft “woo-HOO”, which I've read is called a “perch coo”, used to let “un-mated” females know where he is. He's done the same thing before, but not for periods as long as today. I was truly worried! He hadn't had his breakfast right away, as he usually does in the morning, and I hadn't seen him have his mid-day snack either!
A bit of “comfort” to me came when I went for a 30-minute lie-down, on his futon, of course, and as soon as he saw me move the pillows, he came RUSHING over! I laid down, on my back, and he came up to my chest and then to my chin... gave me some pecks and a wing-snap. He wanted to “PLAY”! So, of course, we did... though more gently than usual. (Sometimes he can get quite feisty and aggressive during “play” but I wasn't sure how he was feeling and though, since he wanted to “joust”, as he does, I wanted to indulge him, I didn't want to cause him any sort of stress.) When we'd played enough for him, he backed away, more toward by belly, and then down to my leg where he made him-self comfy. As he did, I simply kept that position and half-dozed, resting, but aware of him there.
When I woke, about 20 minutes later, he must have sensed that I was “awake”. He does that. Even if I don't open my eyes, he some-how KNOWS that I'm awake and will often come to give a peck or, that's when he takes off and heads to his house or some other part of the room. Well, he took off and headed back to his house... and back to the shelf where his food dish is... and went right behind it again and re-settled there... with the “perch coo”. No “construction”. No flying about the room.
I got up, checked-in on him. He simply looked at me. Strange, but he didn't come over as he usually does. My heart grew SO HEAVY! And again, as I do in these situations with him, I was feeling quite lost, and terribly alone because there was no one to contact to ask for advice. (Not having a “vet in the family” and not really trusting the ones I've heard of, and certainly not the one we originally went to who simply refused to even see him... in the beginning, Yonah's life and well-being have been my sole responsibility now. It's difficult, terribly difficult, and I keep learning, researching, on-line, for every bit of information I can find to be able to help him in any way I possibly can. Short of x-rays and blood works... well... all I can do is all I can do! And it's never enough to give me any sort of comfort or consolation. As I say: Nothing is too good or even good enough for my little Heart-and-Soul. But, I know what sort of “home” he has here, I doubt he'd have even similar... else-where. So, we do what-ever we can. “Nature” healed his wounds after the attack. “Nature” would have done that and more, had he survived “out there”. So between Yonah and I, we both tend to rely more on “Nature”... and I HOPE for nothing but the “Perfect Best”. I just “HOPE”.)
The sun POURED in through his windows all day today. It made the room bright and warm and I stayed there with Yonah all through, but today, I'd postponed an errand that needed to be done for almost a week already, and the forecast for the next few days is for cooler temperatures and more rain, so I needed to get out to attend to that.
Determined to make my absence as brief as possible, I quickly gather my necessities and headed out... with the most painful, dark void in my soul! I wouldn't have taken Yonah with me even if I'd known how and even if I'd had ever done so before. But, as I walked out the door, I could actually feel an integral part of me staying behind with him.
Well! I wasn't gone even an hour and... AND... the very moment I opened the door to the house on my return, the VERY moment I stepped in...
“woo-HOO!” LOUD AND CLEAR! As if he'd been perfectly fine all day, rough and ready to take on the WORLD!
I BOLTED INTO HIS ROOM AND THERE HE WAS, ON THE DOOR PERCH... LOOKING DIRECTLY AT ME AND WHEN I WENT OVER TO HIM... WING-SNAP! It was as if he was saying: “Took you long enough!”
Well! I put the shopping away and, since it wasn't all too cold by now, I left the doors to the house open a while, to let some fresh air circulate. YONAH PICKED RIGHT UP, BECAME MORE ACTIVE THAN HE'D BEEN ALL MORNING.... AND HE ATE !!! Every time he eats, I remember a vet telling me (about a stray cat that had come to the barn where I was working previously and who'd been attacked by something too):
“As long as he's eating, he'll be OK.”
The Little Ones (of all sort and species) will, when they “know” that all efforts are futile, stop eating. As long as they eat, they “know” there's a chance of survival. YONAH WAS EATING! HE WAS OK... I WAS OK !!!
OK! I re-settled at the work table for the rest of the day and sure enough! As I “tried” to get things together there, Yonah was out, about, back on my head, roosting on my shoulders. (I had to close the doors though... it got a bit chilly in his room and I noticed him “fluffing” against the coolness. He's not accustomed to that!) At one point, he came to the back of the chair where I was sitting and “poked” my back until I stopped what I was doing and turned to ask “May I help you?” He gave me a straight look and a wing-snap! What-ever it was that had “gotten to him” this morning was obviously passed... MY LITTLE GUY WAS BACK... and... so was I! WE were “BACK”!
The rest of the after-noon went along as “normal”... with Yonah flying about from house to futon and such... and to my head too! Not quite as much as “usual”, but certainly MUCH more than this morning! AND HE ATE! AND HE ATE WELL!
And this evening, again, as yesterday evening, I brought my evening meal into the room and ate at the work table... and Yonah had HIS evening meal as I had mine! WELL... wooHOO! and a few more “hoo's to boot”! And after we'd done with our evening meals, we had a little time for cuddles, snuggles, kisses, pecks and a bit of “Catch Me”!
Although I'm relieved that he's apparently quite alright, I'll NEVER be completely at ease... because, well, that's what “LOVE” is all about: NEVER taking ANY moment for granted. I'll be keeping a truly watchful eye on him (of course... I always do, but for a while longer, it'll be more “focused”.)
And so... the rest of the evening went along as the rest of our evenings do... and again, after meal and washing-up, we did the “water changes” right away so that that would be done with for the night, and I settled at the work table to begin recapping Yonah's day here.
But 19.00 came entirely too soon, and even more-so tonight because of the morning... but, considering this morning, I wanted to make sure that Yonah got his needed rest so... the desk lamp went on. At 19.30, we closed blinds and curtains and I put the back board on... and Yonah actually went from his door perch up to his loft where... indeed... “Good night” pecks for the little reflection in the mirror! He was ready for “seepie-nigh-night” already! What-ever it was this morning may have passed... but he was tired and I got to getting him “tucked-in” for the night.
By 20.00... he'd “made his rounds” of the little reflection doves... front and back of his house, and had established him-self at his “night spot” on his perch. We had our usual “Good night” snuggles, cuddles and kisses... and... with a “seepie-nigh-night” the light went off... All was still and peaceful. My little Heart-and-Soul was safe and sound for another night... hopefully, of perfectly restful sleep.
It was a “difficult” sort of day for me, not knowing exactly how Yonah was feeling, and again, me, feeling so “alone”, but... we've made it through. He obviously still knows that I LOVE him... completely, and he obviously appreciates (if not “loves) me too. All we can do now is hope that tomorrow is better... I have nothing that needs to be done away from the house and plenty to do right here so... it'll be another day... US... TOGETHER! YAY! Me and my Heart-and-Soul...

Wednesday 23 March:
Well, my, my... Yes, indeed, somebody WAS tired last night AND managed to get a good night's rest because at 6.58 this morning, out of the stillness of early morn came an illuminating (to the hear and soul) call of
“woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”.
Soft and clear, and more beautiful and glorious than words, in any language, can describe. And that was just the beginning. ALL of my responses and replies were answered, almost immediately, as I called back, on my way into Yonah's room this morning.
When I got to his house, he was already quite “up”, on his perch, at his “night spot”, and stretching his wings! (Sometimes I have to wonder how long he's been awake before he calls.) I opened his door, leaned in and got several wonderful “Good morning” pecks on the nose and then a bit of a “fluffing” of the feathers. To make the morning all the more glorious, (if that's even possible), as I removed his roof board, our chatting and his wing-stretching just continued as if we were simply discussing the night before. The activity of a morning doesn't phase Yonah at all. It's all a matter of “routine”, all things are expected. But the conversation... almost non-stop, and all sorts of variations on the general “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”, if I had recorded it, it certainly would have, beyond all doubt, struck any listener as we both understood what the other was saying and that it was, in fact, a full dialogue.
What's more, it all continued right through my moving his house so I could get to the windows, and as I opened curtains and blinds on this sun-lit morning!
THESE are the mornings when “AWE” is almost over-whelming. I can't help but smile, and tears well because of the elation of the heart. It just reaches in, deep, and touches the very core of a person's being, of “Life” itself. To be engaged in some kind of vocal exchange with this little feathered Life, another Soul normally, naturally so on the opposite ends of Creation. To think, to know, that Yonah was born to see me and know me as a “predator”, a being determined to either ignore or destroy him and here we are, together, these months, under the same roof, and now, actually “chatting” as mates, friends, companions. To not be touched is to lack a soul, to be sure.
(The “tempering” thought that crossed my mind as I “ran the relay”, changing the water in his pool was the fact that I can't be sure that, if, for any reason, I would have to be away, even for an over-night, there truly is NOT a single person who would understand the true LIFE that Yonah is, and would bother to provide him with the interaction and attention that he's come to be familiar with... and that he deserves SO MUCH MORE than, well, even I can put into words, to sufficiently explain and describe. The thought of him being deprived of even one second of our time, especially in the mornings and nights literally strikes me with such an impact that it causes me pain. BUT... I see NO reason or cause for Yonah to ever... EVER need to experience such a horror... so long as I take breath. And I will continue to be here, be his “dedicated mate”... no matter what.)
So the morning was quite “busy”, quite the delight, quite the amazement... and we got windows open to the morning, fresh waters, food, and his house made tidy and with-in moments after all the morning commotion was complete... Yonah was UP, OUT, into the room, to his futon and then... for a relatively brief moment, he did return... to that little shelf where his food is, and again, “settling”, gave his “woo-HOO”... the “perch coo”. It made me wonder why, after such an active, interactive morning, he would go back to what is more like a “self-seclusion” but, as I say, he wasn't there for long...
No... he headed out and we got to PLAY! “Catch Me!” and snuggles and all sorts of foolery! It was AMAZING! It was almost as if we were making up for “lost time” of yesterday! He actually “dared” me to chase him from his house, on the roof, to the futon, back to his house, and all over the room. Where-ever he flew to, he stood, looking at me and giving me the “Come on! Try something!” wing-snap! Ah, but when he'd had “enough”? Off to the orange tree where he nestled-in.
Deborah came by today and she came in to see Yonah and we stood a while, in his room, talking... Usually, when there's some-one else in the room, Yonah has taken off and headed up to the highest place possible on his wall shelves, but today, I was surprised when he simply stayed where he was, under the little lowest branches of the orange tree. He wouldn't come out, but he wasn't at all afraid! Perhaps he felt “concealed” or “protected” there, behind the leaves. But what-ever the case, Deborah and I had a wonderful chat and Yonah? Well, Deborah called to him, and even gave a “woo-Hoo-hoo”. Yonah didn't move.
How-ever, when Deborah left and I returned to his room, he saw me come in and wouldn't move a bit until I got right over to the work table and he saw that I was alone and THEN he came round and to the edge of the pot where we got in some kisses and he went to his house... where it seemed he was looking to make sure that all was where it should be. It DID look as if he was checking to see if anything was missing! “Strangers in his room... Take inventory!” What a character!
This morning, I had to make repairs to one of his window screens. We're not due for actually warm, “window-opening” weather for some weeks to come, but, waiting for that moment isn't an option and the winds of this Winter took a bit of a toll on the placement of the screens, leaving some “gaps” where, when “insect weather” arrives, it could become uncomfortable, if not “hazardous” with wasps and hornets getting in, so while the sun shone... it was time to attack that task!
I had to move Yonah's house away from the window, turn it round so that the “side” was facing the window and the “front” was facing the wall (with more than enough room for him to leave and return, of course) so that I could get to the window and... what a sight to behold! It was obvious that Yonah knew where HE was in his house, on his perch, but he also KNEW “something” wasn't as it should be. He hopped down to his door perch and stood, staring at the wall for a while before daring to venture out! The “scenery and land-scape” had changed, and he didn't actually 'go” any-where! Sure, in the morning, his house gets rolled about so that I can get to the windows, but after that happening so often, it's just become “normal”. I mean, I can roll the shelving (and his house) about as often as I need and Yonah just goes on about his morning preening, eating and will stand on his door perch... enjoying the ride. But THIS TIME... everything seemed very different AND it was STAYING that way! He NOTICED!
It took a while before he did venture out, and as I worked at the window, he supervised from the futon... and then, from his house, and took a break under the orange tree. I say, nothing really phases him any more. This “people life” in a house is just first nature to him now. I had to climb up on the window in-side his room and he watched with great curiosity. And when I had to go out-side to adjust the screen, I could hear him “woo-HOO!” He must have seen me on the OUT-side of the window and called! When I came back in though, he went on about sitting on the futon, as if all were just another day. Things were “fine”... I was right there... “where I should be”. But all the while I worked, Yonah was just “Yonah”... none of the curtain-moving and the chair being dragged about and his house being rolled here-and-there made any difference to him at all. You'd've thought it happen all the time! He's REMARKABLE!
Work done, complete, I put tools and such away and I had cooking to get done today, so, after I'd done with the window, I headed to the kitchen to attend to that. I wasn't there but a few moments when... WOOSH! FLUTTER FLUTTER WHISTLE! Yonah came SOAIRNG through and off to the living-room! He's taken some liking to the “tree”, a leafless branch I have there, in a flower pot, by one of the windows. I'd put it there with the intention of giving him a place other than his room, hoping that he'd come to use the rest of the house, get the exercise, change his “scenery”. And it now serves as a “display” of sorts, for the mourning dove decoys that I don't dare put in Yonah's room... because they're perceived as “competition for his territory”. BUT... in the living-room, they appear to be “nice doves to visit” and that's where he went to, directly! (Nice to “visit” but NOT as “live-ins”. He's AMAZING!)
He actually stayed there for about an hour on the tree with the decoys, “roosting” on one of the most narrow of the limbs! I'm absolutely astonished at how he can wrap his toes round such a tiny “twig” AND balance him-self, seemingly so comfortably! The perches in his house are of different diameters specifically to give a variation for his grasp. The one he prefers at night is the widest. And I've seen him grasp and balance on the “wire edge” of the door to his house and marvelled at that. But the twig he chose on that “tree” was MUCH thinner! It truly is quite amazing to actually see... especially close-up! What a wonder!
He was happy to see me, gave me a wing-snap and we had some wonderful little exchanges of pecks and kisses but he made no moves to leave his spot so, I returned to the kitchen for a bit of “cleaning up”. A moment later, as I was busy at the basin... FLUTTER FLUTTER WHISTLE! Yonah came FLYING into the kitchen, literally close enough to my head so that I felt the “wind” from his wings, and headed right back to his house. (I was rather relived because he hadn't yet had his “mid-day meal and when I looked-in, that's exactly where he was. HEY! Not only does he know how to navigate the house, he knows where his food is! There's NOTHING my Little Guy can't learn! He's BRILLIANT!)
So I finished my work in the kitchen and when I went back into Yonah's room, he was back in the orange tree... BUT... when he saw me walking in ... he HURRIEDLY GOT UP, CAME ROUND TO THE FRONT AND HOPPED UP ONTO THE EDGE OF THE POT TO GREET ME! We snuggled again and got our cuddles in. Honestly, it was another one of the most “contact” sort of days today, and my heart was just SO FULL! As a rule, I don't make any sort of efforts that might seem “imposing” when it comes to making contact with Yonah. I leave that up to him, whether or not he wants to be “together”. So when HE makes it known that HE wants us to be “close”, to me, there's NO greater happiness in Creation. Yes, I do make sure that I always make it known, some-how, that he's SO CHERISHED and that I DO SO want to be with him. I offer my hand, I'll sit beside him on the futon when he's there, or get on the floor to be with him there. But, as I say, my personal “rule” for me is to allow HIM to take control, over all, of our “close moments”. Well? It seems to be good with him, so, it's perfect for me.
This evening, we had our “evening meals” together again, Yonah in his house and I, at the work table. He seems to enjoy it too! I “watch the news” on the lap-top for a short while as I eat and when done, usually moments later, we have “together time” to chat... about the news, the weather, the day, what-ever comes to mind. As I talk, most often, Yonah will roost either on a perch in his house where he can see me or, he'll come to the door perch, which seems to be his favourite place for our chats. And when he's done “listening” to me ramble on, he takes off for some other spot, either in his house or in the room and I go on to the washing-up.
As is usual, after washing-up is done, we get to the evening “water relay” and the water in his pool gets changed, his house gets tidied and this evening, he wanted more “together” time, so he stood on his door perch as I went about fetching the water and he waited until I was finished. And he KNOWS when I'm done and when I'd put the water containers back on the shelf, he came flying to my shoulder to give me some pecks on the ear... it's almost as if he's giving his “approval” of a job well done. COMPLIMENT!
And so, the sun, what there was of it today, began to dim as it set behind the mountains again and at 19.00 the lights were dimmed, the radio off, but bird-songs played on for a while longer. I settled at the work table to begin today's Journal entry for him, and after he'd had a little something to nosh, Yonah settled on his door perch, as he does of an evening, to preen... in preparation for “seepie-nigh-night” I suppose.
At 19.30, I put things aside, moved the lap-top out of his room, moved the chair beside his house and I sat at his door for a while and he was on his door perch...

TONIGHT HE DID THE MOST ASTONISHING THING... HE HOPPED OFF HIS PERCH, WENT OVER TO THE LITTLE MASS OF NEW MOSSES THAT I'D PUT IN FOR HIS “CONSTRUCTION PROJECT” AND HE PICKED A SPRIG, HOPPED BACK UP ON HIS DOOR PERCH AND DROPPED THE SPRIG ON MY ARM! IT WAS AS THOUGH HE WAS “OFFERING” ME A BIT OF NESTING, JUST AS MOURNING DOVES WILL DO FOR A MATE WHEN NEST-BUILDING! I. OF COURSE, HELD IT UP TO MY FACE, AS IF ACCEPTING IT WITH ALL GRATITUDE AND THEN LEANED FORWARD TO GIVE HIM SOME KISSES AND HE STOOD, SO STILL AS I DID, AND WHEN I BACKED AWAY, HE GAVE THE HEARTIEST WING-SNAP! IT DOES APPEAR THAT WE ARE “MATES”! YONAH HAS ACCEPTED ME, QUITE AS A “PEER” OF SORTS! WE ARE A FLOCK NOW !!! AND I'M JUST AT A LOSS FOR ANY WORDS TO EVEN TRY TO DESCRIBE MY ABSOLUTE “UTOPIA”, DIVINE UTOPIA! BETWEEN ALL OF OUR CLOSE-TIME TOGETHER TODAY, TO CLOSE THE DAY THIS WAY... THERE ISN'T A COMPARABLE JOY ANY-WHERE IN ALL OF CREATION !!! LOOKS LIKE HE ACTUALLY DOES “KNOW” HOW MUCH HE IS TO ME... AND HE'S SHOWING ME HOW MUCH I MEAN TO HIM. WHAT A MOMENT TO HAVE LIVED FOR... ALL MY LIFE-TIME! A LITTLE LIFE FROM THE WILD... AND I'M “ACCEPTED” !!! HUMBLED BEYOND DESCRIPTION !!! AND YES... IN ABSOLUTE, COMPLETE * AWE * !!!
At about 19.45, he headed up to his “night perch” and started giving his little “mirror doves” the now-familiar “Good night” pecks... I was being shown that he was tired. Well? He did have a bit of an early start to quite a busy day. So, I knew... I'd already closed the windows against the night, and the back board was up so... I brought the roof board over and when I asked if he was ready for seepie-nigh-night... he got him-self situated and settled in his “night spot”. Yes, he was ready... it was time. So we got our snuggles, cuddles and kisses in and I closed his door for the night and... with a “Good seepie-nigh-night”, the light went off... Our day, GLORIOUS AND PERFECT AS ANY DAY WITH YONAH IS, had come to a close. His room, nice and warm, his radiator close by, and he's protected against the “freezing rains” that are in tonight's forecast. No wind, no rain, no snow, no cold...just a nice warm, dry place where he can sleep... no predators to worry about... just rest.

Thursday 24 March:
7.06 with many kisses, and stretching of wings. The sun trying to make some kind of appearance through the clouds, and a cold rain falling. But in Yonah's room this morning, it was so warm, so cozy, just as it should be. and apparently, he had gotten a good and restful sleep last night because, we chatted through the “morning routine and he was still coo'ing at 7.33! Up on his roof, the wall shelf, back to the roof. The sound of fluttering and the whistle of the wings, it's all the most beautiful, magnificent start to a day! He's got energy this morning, and he's well enough to be flying about, with so much to be said. No matter the rest of this old world, nothing matters now... my Little Heart-and-Soul is well... all that has any importance is well.
Well, the day moved along, over-cast and dark, and truly quite damp. BUT... Yonah and I had ALL of it together (save a 45-minute break when I RAN through an errand) !!! And what a day it turned into.
We had SO much time truly TOGETHER! It was one of our “I want to play, to be together, close.” days. I did manage to get quite a bit accomplished, but to be honest, there was MUCH more time playing “Catch Me” and “Cuddle Me!” And full-length “chats” and “conversations”. If I could figure how, I'd just be with my Little Guy ALL the time! He's such a GRAND JOY!
One my most favourite of Yonah's little “pranks” is that he “hides” in the strangest places around his room when I step away and he gives his “perch coo” so that I can heart it. When I come back into the room, I can't see him but, when I call his name, from where-ever he is, he pops his head up, in silence. I'm not sure if he's looking to see if I can see him or if it's a way of telling me “I'm right here! See?”. But it's one of those things where it takes an effort not to laugh. And the expression on his face! As if he's thinking “What's wrong with you? I'm right here. I've been right here all along.” There was quite a bit of that today. And his most recent “find” for hiding places is along-side the little shelf where his radio and desk lamp are. There's just enough space between the shelf and the curtains for him to get cozy in... and hide. I REALLY have to look for him when he's there. (His other “out of the way place” is on the floor, beside the shelving that his house is on. He hides down there at the base of the floor fixture that has his FullSpec light on it. It's another one of those “out of the way, out of sight” corners. Honestly, I almost have to believe he hides with the intention of making me come looking for him. And when, at last, I DO discover him, the expression is always that same “I've been right here all the while. You just didn't look in the right place.”)

THEN, this after-noon... grey as the day was, we were playing around in his house and I noticed a little twig floating in his pool... I reached in to pick it out (before it got into the tubing and pump for the fountain) and when I splashed my fingers in the water... YONAH JUMPED RIGHT IN! I thought he'd go in and come right back out BUT HE STAYED, AND LOUNGED, HAD A NICE SOAK AND QUITE A NICE SPLASH, WINGS UP AND ALL! AND THE EXTRA SPACE IN THE LARGER POOL IS REALLY QUITE NOTICEABLE! HE'S GOT ROOM NOT ONLY TO “LOUNGE AND SOAK” BUT HE CAN MOVE ABOUT QUITE FREELY NOW! So it's not just a matter of a “better look”, and a little extra on the new configuration of the fountain but YONAH HAS MORE ROOM TO ENJOY! It'll be a pure delight for him, come the warmer weather when a refreshing dip in the water will be SO much more appreciated, I'm sure! What an absolute delight, JOY, really, to see him enjoying him-self in there! And he seemed to like being by the fountain too. There must be something about the moving water... He has a little dish of fresh water in his house that's put there specifically for him to drink from, but he prefers the pool, and today, seeing him in the pool, beside the moving water, well, I DO suppose it IS closer to the “natural” waters he'd look for in the wood-lands. (Though, how often do I, and others, see the Little Ones splashing in and drinking from the smallest and stillest of puddles and pools of water?) I can't help but recall being told that, in the woods, the best water for drinking is “running”, moving, especially water over rocks. Well? Looks like Yonah knows that too. In any event, it was comforting to see him enjoying the “new pool”! And, as I say, it'll be so much more comfortable for him... come the warm weather of Summer.
As an “aside”, there's a web-site called “Internet Archives” where a great many web-sites are being recorded, in case they should “go missing” for some reason. The entire sites aren't archived, it's mostly the “first/Home” pages. But I subscribe to it and have used it from time-to-time and today I noticed that sites can be submitted for “archiving”. Well... Yonah's site is now recorded, a part of the “Internet Archive”! (I hope we'll never have to use such a thing, at least not in the terribly-near future. I'm doing my best to keep his site up and running and available, and, of course, I keep “back-up” copies of the entire site... but it's nice to know that all of his information is “out there”, some-where, recorded, as well.
Yes, it was, over all, quite the day for both of us, and a day spent together, quite often, literally... Yonah on my arm, shoulder... having our “lie-down” together. And he was quite active, flying about in his room. (I was there, in the room, and, it appeared, he had no desire to leave as long as I was close by.) We did manage one little stroll out to the living-room and, to my delight (as it were), no sooner had we gotten there, he headed RIGHT for the “tree” in the corner, to go to the “decoys”. I SO wish I could KNOW, for certain, whether or not he'd welcome a little mate (of some sort... ring-neck dove, I should think, since another mourning dove is rather out of the realm of reality, short of another “injury”... AND I DO NOT WISH FOR THAT AT ALL... EVER!). Yes, he DOES go to “visit” the decoys, but, even if I bring one into his room, the reaction isn't as “kind” as it is when he goes to “their room”. So...
Aside from that, when he's “in the mood”, Yonah comes to his door perch and catches my attention (“wing-snap”) and I can “cup” him in my hands as he stands on the perch, and I can “stroke” him with my chin, give little “pecks” and kisses and he's just as calm and content as can be all the while. And when I stop, even for the briefest, he pokes his head up for more... If I take my hands away, he'll wing-snap and “crouch”, ready for more “Lovin'”. So, I'll suppose that I'm an “OK mate”... for all I'm worth. (And I just feel, for the most part, so “worthless” so often, hoping I'm doing at least “OK” by my Little Guy... but always wishing I could know if there's more I should be doing and what that “more” is. Still, Yonah doesn't seem to mind me... and that's most important.)
Oh... and we had “evening meals” together again, this evening! No sooner had I brought my plate in and sat at the work table, Yonah headed to his food as well! Indeed... we “dined together this evening”! I'm going to be doing that more often from now on, since he seems to enjoy the company. I didn't before because I noticed that, if he started to eat and I came into the room, I was a distraction, he wanted to play or simply get attention. But now? Well... I'm part of the routine... the “furnishings”... and I'm just as pleased as I can be that I'm not longer a distraction. I'm there... Yonah eats, or other-wise goes about his own affairs as he wishes.
Tonight, at about 19.00, we changed the waters in his house. It was a bit later, but then, although still quite grey, it was still rather light out-side. The days are getting longer and Yonah will be “tucking-in” later, I'm sure... as do the Little Ones “out there”. And right away, I closed the blinds and curtains, put the back board up. Musics went off... lights (I'd had the FullSpec on for a while today) dimmed. I sat at the work table to journal... Yonah had a little nosh... and took his place at the door perch... And we got to un-wind for the night.
By 20.00 tonight, Yonah was actually ready for cuddles, snuggles, kisses and seepie-nigh-night! We did have quite the day, and he was up quite early this morning. So... as I put the roof board on, he watched from the door perch and when I'd done, I reached down for another “cuddle” in my hands and he hopped up into them. I lifted him up to his perch and he scuttled over to the little loft mirror for “Good night” pecks there. I put the light out and waited for him to navigate his way back to his night spot, kisses through his house and...
My little Heart-and-Soul is tucked-in for another night of rest.
A GLORIOUS day together. Grey and damp, yes, but together, we were warm and comfy... and together. Tonight, his room is warm, and thought the forecast for the next several days and nights is for more grey, rain and cool, as I promised tonight, and promise for as long as I take breath: my Little Guy will always be warm and protected from the elements he would have other-wise had to fend against. He's my Life! And I will do ALL humanly possible, to make sure he's comfortable... and as happy and content as possible.

Friday 25 March:
OK. It was, after all, a rather “typical” March morning... grey, rather dark, a light drizzle before the clouds moved along and the mists began to rise in the valleys and gaps on the Western mountains, billowing up along the route of the brooks and streams, but the clock was moving along the minutes. I'd been up and about for quite the while already, always prepared to drop all else when the “morning call” came through the house. But this morning, it just kept getting later, and the house was still silent. I was, to be honest, becoming truly concerned, wondering and “preparing”. Yes, I tend to do that, when the hours pass... in silence.
I'd stepped out the door, as is done of a morning, to check the “conditions” of the world out-side, and I'd left the inside door open, waiting to hear... if there was to be something heard. Silence, other than the Little Ones in the trees, going about their own “morning calls” to one-another. It was a refreshing delight to hear the familiar chirps of robins, those harbingers of “Spring” who had come back to The North Country some-what earlier this year. There's still sub-freezing temperatures in the forecast, little piles of remnant snow a-top the now-frozen packed snow, turned solid ice, but there they are, the robins, by the 10s and 20s, hopping about the now-wet, partially-thawed ground, hunting for breakfast, chatting with one-another as the morning light made every effort to dispel the night's darkness... but from inside the house... only silence.
I'd only JUST stepped back in-side, wondering whether or not I ought to peek in on Yonah, not wanting to disturb him if he was having a well-deserved and, considering the day, appropriate “sleep-in” when...
“woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”.... !!!
Soft, quiet, through the closed door to his room, and across from the back to the front of the house... “THE MORNING CALL” !!! HE WAS AWAKE !!! AND MORE IMPORTANT, HE WAS WELL !!!
The clock read 7.39, but I didn't care at this point. It could have read ANY time at all. The ONLY point of the matter that was of ANY importance at all... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” ! My Little Guy was awake, and it was time to open his curtains and blinds, get fresh water on the move, and begin our day... TOGETHER!
As I got to his door, I called: “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” and the reply was immediate: “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”! And as I opened his door, carefully but quickly, I called again and the reply came across the dark room. By the time I reached his house and opened his door, he was stretching his wings, preparing for the day! I reached in, (trying to contain my JOY) and... he reached his head forward and as I stroked his breast, he “preened” my fingers and hand. CUDDLES and KISSES followed, indeed! My Heart-and-Soul was up and well... and as I leaned my face in, for “morning kisses”, he lightly pecked about my nose and cheeks. He was up, well and I was “welcome”. Friday commenced... and we were together... ALL was as perfect as perfect could be... never mind the weather, the drear out-side the window panes. Time to get things moving along. And he had things to say. I had things to say. WE had things to say... about the night gone by and the day ahead.
Another morning... another day... YAY!
As it went along, the day stayed grey and dreary, but, other than the obvious reasons... Who needs sun-shine when there's “Divinity” in the house... and on your head, on your shoulders, soaring around from room to room?
From the moment the “morning routine” was done, all through the day, Yonah was all over the place. And today, he made not only one but SEVERAL excursions to the living-room to “visit on the tree branch” there! And when he wasn't travelling by wing, he was toddling across the floors! I heard “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” in the living-room, his room, and the “woo-HOO!” (“perch coo”, as I see it's called) through the day.
I tried to get my tasks around the house accomplished... the week-end lurking just around the clock, and as I worked, Yonah “supervised” or followed.
And when I took my mid-day “lie-down”, he came to join me, roosting on my leg, waiting for that “2 minutes before the alarm” to come toddling up to my head to give me the “fore-warning peck” on the head.
We had “play breaks”. We had “Catch Me!” We had cuddles, snuggles, kisses and wing-snaps. We had “Find Me!” too... he's finding more places to “tuck into” and when I can't find him, he pops his head up with that “expression” that says “What are you looking for?” He was in quite the “mood for Love” today. And me? Well, for me, there's absolutely nothing in Creation that I feel “MUST” be attended in ANY manner, NOTHING more important than my Heart-and-Soul. So? So... I got to, that which I got to... and, for the most part, I did alright with the day, Yonah ALWAYS taking precedence over all else. Hey! I don't call him my “Heart-and-Soul” lightly. He is!
As I said to him today: “My heart beats as long as your heart beats.”
And a truer “Truth” there has never been.
And this evening? We had “evening meals” together again... in his room. Him, at his ledge in his house, me at the work table. (The kitchen is rapidly becoming a place to “pass through”, to prepare the meals... and the meals are consumed not at the kitchen table, but in the BEST company EVER, ANY-WHERE... with my Little Guy! It truly IS just a pure delight to “dine with him”... especially when he comes to my shoulder and looks, so intently, at what-ever it is I'm eating! (I'm going to have to try having his vegetable “chop” handy now to see if he'll “partake” of that. Maybe I'll get him to “eat his veggies” eventually. Another “learning experience”... for BOTH of us!)
After meals and washing-up were done, I went to check e-mails for the day... his first, as always, and this evening... YONAH GOT AN E-MAIL! THAT'S ALWAYS SUCH A JOY! It's comforting to know that others ARE seeing his message to the world. It's heart-warming to know that others care for and about the Little Ones. And it certainly gives more encouragement to keep the site up and running. Yonah's doing GOOD... for ALL of his flocks, across the country... maybe even across the globe! One little dove... doing so much good!
But... always the but... as the sun sets... though, today, it didn't “set” so much as “take its light”. The skies stayed over-cast all through, but, as the hours passed, the light of day dimmed... and so too, the light in Yonah's room. After meals, we put the desk lamp on and lowered the musics... bird-songs and radio and for about and hour, we sat on the futon, together. Well, I was on the futon, Yonah was on his pillows. And we got to chat, snuggle a bit and just enjoy each-other's company and companionship until it was time to close blinds and curtains against tonight's chill... Yes, the chill has returned. But then, it's only March and there are more weeks of this ahead until we get to open the windows all through the night. (Hopefully we'll be able to do that. The nice man at the power company said he'd send somebody to “adjust” that horrific, intrusive, injurious street light out-side the window... If they don't bother, it's looking like we're going to have quite a rather dismal, miserable Summer coming... unless Yonah and I can move out of and away from this place. I don't look forward to that, especially now that Yonah's become so familiar with these surroundings. But, the alternative is closed windows, even in the worst of the heat to come, and I'm not having him suffer in a room of 35-37° all night simply because of MORE human negligence and apathy... and selfishness. For now... we'll keep a bit of “hope”.) The back board went on and Yonah watched from his pillows and when it was installed, I went over to give him a couple more “cuddles”... he hopped up onto my arm and we went over to his house where he immediately went in and had his “before seepie-nigh-night snack”. The clock, by now, read 19.30... our day was coming to a close.
Whilst Yonah snacked and then made him-self comfy on his door perch, I sat at the work table to get his Journal recorded for the day. This is my “sad” time of the day. I'd SO like to be able to just stay with Yonah... even all through the night. But he needs more rest than I and, well, neither of us can stay awake ALL of the time EVERY day and night. It's just that I don't know how much time we have... for either of us, honestly, and no matter how much or how little... it will never be enough. But, as I say, the nights will be getting quite cold again, -1, -10, -11°, so I take comfort in knowing that, no matter how chilly, no matter the snows or rains... my Little Guy here, will be protected from that, nice and warm. He has his pool with fresh water (to drink and to splash about in). He has plenty of fresh, wholesome food always available. He has his trees and mosses and sandy “beach”. He has complete run of the entire house, room-to-room, corner-to-corner. He has “music”... and, for all it's worth... he has me, here, to make sure that his comforts are maintained, and that he has company... “companionship”.
20.00 came rushing at us... It was dark out-side and so quite in his room. Yonah was fluffing and preening for the night and, well, he may have “slept-in” this morning, I want to make sure he gets the restful hours he needs to be healthy so... it was “cupping-cuddle”... as I hold him cupped in my hands to give him “Good night” kisses. The furnace kicked on... his room was so warm... no need to “fluff” against a night cold tonight! Immediately, he went up to his perch, scuttled over to his loft for “Good night” kisses and a “woo-Hoo-hoo-hoo” to the little reflection there and then came over to his night spot. As always, I said “Good seepie-nigh-night my little Heart-and-Soul. You sleep restful tonight and call me when you wake up in the morning. I'll be right here.” and with that, the light went out.
Knowing he's warm and safe for the night is all that I need, really. And tonight, as with all nights, I'll go to bed, looking forward to hearing the “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” from my Heart-beat, my Little Guy, my literal Heart-and-Soul as a new day comes to us both.

Saturday 26 March:
Soft, sweet, low... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” from the other side of the door. The clock read 7.05. I answered, “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”, almost as softly as came the original call. The response was and immediate “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. I wondered, since Yonah's reply wasn't a mimicry of my coo, what it was that I'd “said” that warranted a “correction”. I always wonder what it is that he's saying and what he interprets my replies as being. I wonder if I'm to repeat the call or, am I allowed to “change the topic”, as it were. This morning, apparently, a “repetition” was in order so... I replied with the “corrected” coo and our morning dialogue was officially called. The conversation was almost uninterrupted, as I went in to open his door and literally ALL through ALL of the morning routine.
Yonah was certainly awake when I got into the room. And he was ready for morning kisses, stretching his wings, preparing for “take off”! So we got “Good morning” pecks and kisses in, and a cuddle or two and as I took the little tray with the water containers from the shelf below his house, Yonah hopped down to the door perch where he stayed all the while I made the “relay” with fresh water for his pool. He watched, he looked, he “supervised” all through my repeated coming-and-going, pouring fresh water into the pool as the “old” water (from last night) siphoned out and into the catch-bucket in the floor below. He watched as my arm passed over his head, reaching into his house, to the far corner where the water was poured. And at one point, he hopped over to the pool and, since the water there was fresh and cool and clean, took a bit of a drink and then hopped right back to his door perch.
By 7.36 I was back in the kitchen, tidying and settling things for the morning and Yonah? He was, already, up on his wall shelf, calling, coo'ing and “surveying” his room.
This morning was another cool, grey, damp morning, but Yonah's room was warm and cozy, his curtains and blinds open fully to let in as much natural morning light as “Nature” would give us. And Yonah's “commentaries” changed from the “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” to the out-right “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”. And those just kept coming. There was a LOT to be said this morning and I was enjoying being told. Some Little Ones chirp, others “caw”, while yet others will “warble”... this Little Guy “woo-HOOs”... and it's just the most beautiful, calming of sounds. To the majority it might sound like “mourning”, but, over the time, I've come to hear the subtle fluctuations... and, for the most part, Yonah's “woo-HOO” is obviously MUCH MORE than just the “melancholy calls” into the wilderness. There truly IS a “tone”, “timbre” of out-right SONG, calming, soul-touching glory.
So I continued with my own trite morning tasks, getting the place together because today I wasn't about to waste the day... I had MUCH to occupy the time... IN THE COMPANY OF MY BESTEST COMPANION EVER IN TIME AND CREATION... BUT... as I was gathering things together...
FLUTTER FLUTTER FLUTTER WHISTLE FLUTTER FLUTTER... Yonah came SOARING through and across the kitchen and straight out to the living-room! (I must have been taking too long to get into his room and to the work table so he came flying by... not stopping... just “passing through” and “passing by”.) Well then! Still, it does my heart SO MUCH GOOD to see him in flight, getting that exercise and re-assuring me that his wings are “in working order” AND that he's comfortable... travelling out of his room. For the longest while, it “concerned” me that he wouldn't venture beyond his door... OK. That “concern” is now “shelved” and out of the way.
After he'd returned (the “doves” on the tree in the living-room... the decoys, aren't much in the way of “conversation”, I had to go back through the kitchen my-self AND HE FOLLOWED ME! I turned and looked and THERE he was. And when he saw me looking at him, he went on, into the living-room, toddling, as he does, and then toddled back to his room. It's as if he's “checking” to see where I go, making sure I'm still in the house!
So, I got back to the work table, get settled and into my little “tasks” and... RIGHT OUT OF THE ROOM AGAIN! Not flying... just strolling about, out the door, back to the living-room. He completely ignores me, toddles right by, just off on his adventure. He's REALLY “taking the house” now! And I couldn't be HAPPIER!
SO MUCH OF THE DAY TODAY WAS WITH HIM ON MY SHOULDER! He'd go on about his own business for a while, then, next thing, there he was, on my shoulder. And if I didn't acknowledge him “soon enough”, I'd get pecks on the ear! And when I turned to look at him, he'd give me one of those “head up and back” stares. Honestly! There's just SO MUCH going on in his mind, and it's more than obvious! It sincerely makes me stop to take notice of the mourning doves in the yard, the woods... where-ever they are. And I think of how so many simply take them for granted. Not to mention the many stories I've heard about the “intelligence” of crows and parrots. Obviously, enough people haven't spent enough “quality” time in the company of mourning doves. THEY'RE BRILLIANT! AMAZING! ASTOUNDING! And I am SO HONOURED AND BLESSED having Yonah in my life... BEING my LIFE! as he certainly is.
And... our day TOGETHER rolled along and in between “Kiss'n'Cuddles”, I got my tasks completed (almost). Yonah was the PERFECT companion for an other-wise dreary Saturday. We snoozed together. We chatted. Most of the chats happened with him on my shoulder, pecking at my ear and then giving me that “look” where he raises his head and draws it back as in some sort of “disbelief”. For somebody who can't “smirk”, he does have his ways of getting his message across. And when he wasn't on my shoulder, he was toddling up and down my arm. (Just goes to prove that COMPANIONSHIP is SO EXTREMELY IMPORTANT !!! And I imagine that, if it's this important to Yonah, it's equally as important to and with other doves as well! He does LOVE his “people”... or, at least, the company there-of. And to be fair, his “people” (yours truly here) ADORES HIS COMPANIONSHIP! So it all works out for the best!
This evening, we “dined together” again and quite seriously, when Yonah saw me sitting at the work table, eating my meal, he headed directly for his food too. I would have thought it might be coincidence, but since I'm eating on “Day-light Savings” time, and hour earlier than we used to eat, and Yonah is now eating at the same “time”, I have to say that he sees, he understands and he knows that that's what I'm doing... and he's “adjusted” HIS schedule accordingly. (If I could get away with it, I'd stick to the “normal” hours of a day but... sadly, I'm stuck with peoples' nonsense. Still, Yonah doesn't seem to mind so, as long as he's in accord with it all, I'm OK with that.)
And on the matter of “time” and hours... well... “19.00” came SO TOO quickly again, this evening! We'd already done the “water relay”... and I attended under “supervision” from the futon as Yonah noted my errand. We didn't have the FullSpec light on today because there was enough light coming through the clouds so that “natural” light was just fine for both of us. (Obviously, it was fine for Yonah... running room-to-room and flying about the place. Who needs an fancy “aviary”? Eh? He has this entire house, and the orange tree, the white pines, the pool, the fountain... I WOULD like him to have something out-side, but right now it would do little good since there's still quite a chill in the air... not to mention the “-11°” coming on Monday night. And then, too, there's the matter of the space in the yard... there isn't any, but we're hopeful about changing that... soon.) I closed the blinds and curtains and put up the back board since I was there, and that way, I don't have to disturb Yonah too close to “tuck-in” The desk lamp went on... nice, soft, the “incandescent beige”, conducive to “rest”, similar to sun-set. I began a bit of journalling and at 19.30, the musics were silenced... and Yonah took to his door perch, as he does of an evening.
When we approached 20.00, I gathered my things to remove them to the kitchen and Yonah must have taken note because... he headed for his roof platform! Sometimes he truly IS just like a youngster who, when it's time to tuck-in for the night, suddenly decides he's not ready just yet and RUNS for it! But, I took his little platform and brought it down to where I could give him a couple of kisses and when I brought my head back, Yonah noticed that he wasn't on the roof... he was AT his house! It was obvious that he noticed because he extended his head forward as if to get a better look... in disbelief, and then looked back at me as if asking “HOW did THAT get here?” When I brought the platform into his house, level with his perch, he hopped off, scuttled to the little loft mirror and proceeded to give the little reflection some “Good night” pecks. From there, “tuck-in” went along smoothly... I closed the door to his house, gave kisses and put the light out... “Tuck-in” complete and no further objections.
It was another ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL, “AWE-FULL” DAY with my Little Guy! Seeing him going room-to-room, walking about so freely, and knowing there are no “threats” to him as he goes. And the time together, him next to me on my shoulder... the closeness. A heart can be no fuller.
Tonight, he's warm, fresh water and food, a safe place in which to rest. And tomorrow? Well! Of course, I look forward to seeing what NEW adventures he'll decided to take. But for now, my Heart-and-Soul is all nice and cozy. Another day comes to a close...

Sunday 27 March:
This morning was another “soft” ... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” at 7.12 and when I replied, in kind, the reply was again, “soft”. I wondered... I worried... I went into the room, looking intently, for the little silhouette on the perch and there, I could clearly see the stretching of wings! And when I got to the door of Yonah's house, he stretched his wings again, thrust his head forward and let out a good, clear, “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”! OK! I suppose he was just “whispering” this morning or, maybe it was just “morning voice”. What-ever the case was, I was relieved AND absolutely THRILLED when our “conversation” continued... ALL through the “morning routine”! If Yonah is well in the morning, the morning is worth waking to. And THIS morning, grey and chilled as it was, was CERTAINLY a JOY, no matter what else may be happening any-where else in Creation!
Little did I know then, that it was to become quite another one of those days where something “new” was to come along... again.
This morning, I had to run to market and, because there were “threats” of more snow and such in the forecast, I wanted to get out and back before any of it happened so, shortly after morning routine, when I knew that Yonah was all “settled into the day”, I started to get things together for the errand.
No matter what any-one else might have to say on the matter, I will forever swear that Yonah has a “sense” that “people” might lay claim to but, in comparison to Yonah, they've nothing. He some-how “knows” when I'm putting me together to leave the house and this morning, as usual, he “followed” my every move. I went to the kitchen to get shopping list and other items together and he headed right for the pillows on his futon where he could watch my every move. And when I got the little “bag” I keep banque cards and the likes in, he headed through the kitchen and out to the living-room... to the door I've been leaving through since the Winter snows have made leaving through the back door, in the kitchen, a bit perilous. He's even noticed the change in the door I use! But this morning, he was going to be right there! As if “daring” me to leave (or, asking me NOT to leave). So I slowed my activities down, trying to make it appear that I was just “organising” and when, at last, Yonah went back to his room, I headed out.
I wasn't gone an hour, and when I returned, instead of coming into the house via the back door, as I used to do, regularly, I came in through the front door.
When I opened the door, I looked, immediately, for Yonah, because he often heads for the living-room of late, and I looked to the “limb” in the corner, in case he was there with the decoys. No, I didn't see him until... UNTIL I LOOKED DOWN, TO THE FLOOR... AND THERE... RIGHT IN THE CENTRE OF THE ROOM STOOD MY LITTLE GUY, FEET APART, STARING DIRECTLY AT ME. Honestly, with that stance and his face, and his head held erect, the words were almost surely audible:
“WELL! FIRST YOU SNEAK OUT. THEN YOU STAY OUT. AND NOW YOU COME SNEAKING BACK IN! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE PULLING HERE? AND WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?”
It was SO touching! Even with-out my interjection of speculation and such, to see him standing there! It's becoming difficult to think of him as a mourning dove... a little bird from the back yard... He's behaving more and more like a “toddler” or, what would be expected from a puppy! He's AMAZING! And if I weren't LIVING this experience, I probably wouldn't believe it if some-body else were to tell me these episodes! But they're TRUE! No exaggeration, even in the slightest. Yonah shows MORE “thought” than I've yet to see documented in my research.
He's curious. He “calculates”... my movements, his movements. He has an ability to “know” my intentions and, to an extent, can fore-see them. It's no longer just so much that HE chose to create this “COMPANIONSHIP”... this “bond”, as it's called. There's some sort of “uniting of spirits, of souls”. He doesn't just “imprint” or what-ever one might call it, he obviously “KNOWS” my feelings for, toward and about him. (And he's so patient with me, as I try to communicate with him... I can only say that I know that HE KNOWS that I can't understand him, but... that doesn't keep him from “chatting”, communicating with me, with his coo's and his actions.)
He let's me know when he wakes in the morning. He let's me know when he wants affection, attention, contact, and when he doesn't. He uses a combination of audible and visual. Me? I'm still fumbling through the awkward “coo's” and just hoping that my actions are perceived as “loving”, playful and never threatening.
The day? Well, it was, after all the errands and house-hold tasks were completed, a “Sunday”... an “early-Spring”, grey, chilly and damp Sunday. We had a slight bit of snow for a while, and so, Yonah and I both “occupied” our time as we deemed necessary at the moment, as the moments passed. We even had a bit of a “nap”... for about 40 minutes. (I'd set an alarm for 45 minutes, knowing that I wouldn't be getting to doze for the first part of that time... and of course, my head hit the pillow and Yonah was on my shoulder... pecking at my ear, for a little while.) And yes, just about 2 minutes before the alarm was set to sound... “Peck, peck” and toddling up and down my arm. It's “uncanny”, as they say, but he's yet to miss an alarm.
Later this after-noon, I was on the telephone, sitting on Yonah's futon, and, as I spoke to the other party, Yonah came over to sit beside me on the futon... and during my conversation, he did as he does, often, when I'm speaking with some-one other than him... he had a few “things to say”. I'm still not sure if it's a matter of him realising that I'm not speaking to him and he's objecting or, he believes that I AM speaking to him and he's responding. But what-ever it is... I happen to enjoy it and when I reached over to “peck” at him and stroke him, he appeared to be quite pleased. (I've wondered, at times, if the people at the other end hear him and what, if anything, they must think of the “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” in the back-ground. Ah, what-ever... it's my Little Guy and it's no disturbance... other than reminding me that I'd much prefer spending that time with him.)
This evening, we had our “evening meals” together again. I'd almost swear that Yonah's waiting for me now because I was a bit later than usual but the moment he saw me sit at the work table and begin eating, he went directly for his own food and WOW, did he ever eat WELL! I'm going to have to keep note of that. (And again, there's another reason why I, or somebody Yonah will trust, has to be here... I keep remembering all the information documented about parrots and how THEY actually NEED the companionship or they tend to become quite ill, mentally and physically. I see the same traits in Yonah, and yet, I've yet to see them documented. Then again... he's a “mourning dove” and surely, such “studies” that would obviate his behaviour can't be done in the “wild”. But I imagine other doves MUST have the same or similar characteristics and yet, I see nothing of this sort of fact documented. Looks like I have some pages to re-write/amend/adjust on Yonah's site now... or... a “paper” of some sort to write.. as if anybody will have any real interest. Still... hopefully SOME-body will see this journal, take the time to read it and LEARN!) For the mean-time, I'm not planning on any “extended absences”... Quite frankly, my own heart and soul couldn't bear the loneliness of separation. There would be BOTH of us, Yonah and I, suffering. But, no need to even ponder... such a thing just isn't happening.
As Yonah breathes, I breathe.
And today's “wrap-up event”? “Evening routine” and the “water relay”! I have NO idea WHAT ever prompted Yonah this evening, but, instead of watching (supervising) as he's always done, from the pillows on his futon, HE FOLLOWED ME! Toddling, at FULL-SPEED! I don't usually walk any quicker than I have to, in order to keep-up with the water draining from the pool, but I have a bit of a “pace” for the timing. But TONIGHT? I was watching my every step AND watching Yonah, RUNNING along-side! He followed me across his room and stopped at the door-way, and then waited for me to return with the next “round” of water containers and then RAN, following me back to his house! I have to admit, I was rather nervous about it. After all, dear Reader, imagine the size of a mourning dove... now imagine trying to keep an eye on this Little One, at your feet, and watching where you're going. BUT... he managed to keep a proper distance. Still, it brought to mind a bit of a cartoon skit and I could almost hear Yonah repeating “Where'ya goin'? Where'ya goin'?” He kept it up for about 4 of the 7 trips I make and then, finally, I suppose the novelty wore off and he headed up to his roof-top where he could watch the “events” from a safe place. It was MORE of Yonah's never-ending “entertainment” and... again, my AMAZEMENT!
Well! When all the “excitement” was done and the evening routine moved on to closing the blinds and curtains, that part apparently has become, to Yonah, just “mundane”. He settled on his little roof-top platform and I settled at the work table to get to his Journal for the day. Curtains closed, back board up, the comfortable “sun-set” lighting of his desk lamp, we turned the musics off for the night to un-wind.
At about 19.40, as I was wrapping my things up to remove to the kitchen, again, Yonah “sensed” the hour and, again, just like the little “toddler” who, no matter how tired he might be, just wasn't quite ready for “seepie-nigh-night”, Yonah decided it was time to fly to the futon pillows for a last-minute “play session”. No, we didn't “play”. It was more like “gentle kisses” and some cuddles... calm, and he was quite in accord with that, snuggling into my hands for the “kisses” until... He'd had enough and, so it seemed, he was ready to relax... NOT... he headed back up to his roof-top! So I calmly moved his platform down to my eye level and he looked at me, seemingly surprised. How did he get to be eye-level with me and he hadn't flown any-where? So I gave him a couple more kisses which were well-received and moved his platform into his house, beside his perch. He hopped off and headed over to his loft mirror... “Good night” pecks and a scuttle to his “night spot”. He knows the routine and he was ready to settle-in for the night.
It didn't take but briefest moments and he was, indeed, settled. And I got over to the light switch and with a “chirped” “seepie-nigh-night”, put the light out. Yonah was “tucked-in” all comfy.
There's a light snow falling again, tonight and we're to expect another “-10°” over-night. But, Yonah's radiator is still set, and right by his house where the warmth will rise to his spot on his perch. The furnace is, as I type, running too, so tonight, no matter the weather out-side, my Little Guy will be comfortably warm.
Nothing to take me away on tomorrow's agenda so, we'll see how much of a house-keeping routine Yonah will want to participate in then. But for now, my little Heart-and-Soul need ponder anything other than getting a good, peaceful, restful night's sleep. As he's taught me: tomorrow will attend to tomorrow... when we face it, together, as it becomes... “today”.

* FULL SCREEN *

Monday 28 March:
Now, imagine this: the clock had only just reached “7.00” and, from the next room, soft and sweet, the gentle call of “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. On the hour!
Out-side, the light of the new morning was just beginning to make a dull appearance from behind a sky blanketed with grew clouds, there was a light dusting of the snows that rode on the breezes over-night. -11° with a “chill” of -17°, so reported the weather. Thankfully, in-side, the furnace was running to keep that chill out where it belonged. My Little Guy was warm, comfortable, cozy in his own house, and was waking from a night's rest.
I answered: “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” and the reply was an immediate “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”. I followed: “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”, but apparently, I was leaving something un-said because another “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” was the response. OK. My repetition of the “5-hoo” was followed by a reply of same and we were off into a morning of “conversation and dialogue”. Yonah was up, awake and had things to discuss and I was more than DELIGHTED to hear ALL about what-ever there was to hear.
When, in the relative darkness of his room, I strolled, he was already very obviously up and awake, wings stretching. And when, after opening the door to his house, I leaned in... kisses and pecks and more stretching of wings were the “early morning agenda”. There's precious little, if ANYTHING, that's more comforting to heart and mind than being “welcomed”, first thing in the morning, by this Most-Cherished little Life. To know that I'm still “part of the flock”, accepted and Loved in return makes ALL of what-ever came before and is yet to come, pure DELIGHT! AND, to have a full-on “dialogue”? Well! “Love is in the air”! It's a re-assurance that, no matter what I think of my inferiorities, compared to the perfection of a feathered soul, HE accepts me and appreciates my efforts. I'm doing “OK”...
Morning “water relay” was full of chatting again, this morning. From the moment the blinds and curtains opened, through my running back and forth, Yonah called and coo'ed from his little corner loft... and I called back from the kitchen, and as I counted, aloud, the trips with fresh water.
“Poop check”? All was “normal and regular”... the “count”, the average “4”, and all were healthy. Water changed. Food, fresh. Curtains and blinds opened to the day out beyond the glass... Bird-songs on, chirping and coo'ing. Monday morning... and all was well and fine. Yonah and I were prepped to face what-ever was to come along, and a new week, the last days of March, commenced.
As for the rest of this really rather quite cold and grey Monday? Well, as the “snow fog” held to the Western mountains, Yonah and I “hunkered” for the day, and I “established” me at the work table, when I wasn't on the futon either “snoozing” (with company, of course) or Yonah and I weren't having our “sit-and-chats”... or, of course, playing! And he was certainly in a mood for “together time” today, WITH CHATS! We had so many chats during the day today! There's was a LOT to be said and Yonah wasn't missing a moment! Maybe it's the season? We listened to the radio. We listened to his bird-songs. We listened to each-other. There was hardly a moment where conversation lapsed. And as I sat at the work table, Yonah sat on my shoulder or back. We had a GRAND AND GLORIOUS day of it! And all the while, out-side his windows, the breezes blew, flakes of snow “danced” by.
With all the truest honesty of a heart, I really can't think of a more perfect Companion to pass a day with. He's entertaining (especially when he toddles out of the room, which he did several times today). He's intriguing, especially because of the variations in his coo's. I'm still completely clueless as to what the majority of them mean, but, the variations are obvious. From now on, I'll have to jot some “notes” on what's happening, what happened before and after and see if I can't come up with some sort of “interpretation”. Meanwhile, it's just a JOY to repeat his “pattern” until he changes it. And then there's the “face”! The “look”. Sometimes it seems he's looking “curious”, or paying attention to what I'm “coo'ing”. And sometimes it actually seems that he's looking at me and thinking “How could he say that?” or “What's that supposed to mean?” (All I can do it hope I don't offend.)
But we were nice and warm and cozy... and we had a mid-day snack together, and this evening, we “dined” together too. That still impresses me: I sit at the work table with my dinner and Yonah obviously notices it and KNOWS that I'm eating... and he too, eats. Amazing Little Guy!
This evening... at about 19.00, it was still rather “light” out-side and the night “chill” was rolling in. The furnace and Yonah's radiator kept his room quite comfortably warm, and as I sat at the work table to jot today's Journal entry, he took to his door perch where the warmth of his radiator rose to warm him. Musics got turned down a touch, and we got to spend time just relaxing.
And tonight, oh, the evening, when it's time for “seepie-nigh-night”... How the hours of the day seem to pass in mere moments. And how my heart sinks, when I know it's time for “Good night” cuddles, snuggles and kisses. But my Little Guy needs his rest, and after a day like today, and the days he's been having, with his “explorations” from room-to-room, and following me about the place, well... Indeed... rest time is important and if I were to let him stay up until, there's really no telling just how late he would. And tonight, he was almost hesitant about settling-down, even at 19.50! It took a while, and, well, by 20.00 he was in his house, with a bit of “objection”, it was obvious. “Character”. I don't know what else to call it. “Personality”, to me, just sounds insulting. He's not a “person”. “Person” connotes “people”, “people” is “human” and Yonah is FAR, FAR SUPERIOR to both “people” and “human”! Anyway, after a while of him flitting about, he finally settled on his perch and I got his door closed. He made his “visit” to the loft mirror and came to his “night spot”. I got a couple of “last minute” kisses in and... the light went out.

* FULL SCREEN *

Windows, blinds, curtains closed against tonight's chill, and the radiator giving wonderful warmth to his room, my little Heart-and-Soul is “tucked-in” snuggly for the night. There's a bit of wind blowing out there in the night, but in his house, all is calm... warm... and he can sleep peacefully, and as safe as I can humanly make his world.
It was a GRAND DAY together today... and tomorrow? Well... if we're so blessed, we'll have yet another... and one with, I don't doubt, even MORE “new experiences” because although the days might be “similar” at times, none is identical to any other before it. That's my Little Guy... my “Little Dude”... my heart-beat, my Heart-and-Soul.

* FULL SCREEN *

Tuesday 29 March:
“woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”... 6.52 in the morning! Some-body (“some-birdie”) got a good night's restful sleep last night! And, as is always the case, I had to make quite the effort to reply... through my smile. But I managed a reply, in kind and as if it was expected, the response came through the door, on the silence of the early morning, just as I finished my last “hoo”!
Out-side, the sun was trying to make its way through the remaining clouds of last night, a breeze blew quite crisp (for the end of March), but as I made my way into Yonah's room, it was delightfully warm and the day-light was filtering thought the blinds and curtains. In his house, Yonah was stretching his wings, making ready for that first “hop” of the day, from perch-to-perch.
I went over, opened the door to his house and leaned in... “Good morning” pecks on nose and cheek. There's no more perfect start to any day than that! And as I rolled his house over so that I could get to the windows to open them to the new day, Yonah “made the leap” to his door perch as he does. And as curtains and blinds were open, our conversation continued. We were in for another “chatty” sort of day, so it appeared. And indeed, it continued all through the “morning routine”... even as the “water relay” was run... supervised... from the futon pillows where Yonah made his way to as I scurried in and out of the room, to the kitchen and back.
There was some washing in the kitchen basin to be done this morning, so after “morning routine” I went out to finish it and as I was working there, I looked over and beside me, there was my Little Companion! When I'm not in the room with him and he knows I'm else-where in the house, he comes to find me and to keep me company! And he comes out silently... No flying in and landing on my shoulder (or head) now. He toddles out! And when he sees that I'm “in the house”, he goes on about his own business, walking about through the rest of the rooms. He's REALLY taken to the whole house of late, and I'm really, as I've said, THRILLED! I'm glad to see him so comfortable with his whole surroundings (although I now walk about slower, paying strictest attention to the floor because there's just no telling where he could be at any moment). Still, it's such a BRILLIANT spot in Life to see him, to know that he THINKS of me.
The sun DID rise beautifully today, and POURED in through his windows as we sat together... me at the work table, Yonah where-ever he wanted to be. The temperatures out-side were still rather chilly but the sun warmed his room beautifully, and with the light, it really was just a bit of a “holiday retreat”. And of course, with Yonah there, it made it all the more beautiful.
We even got a bit of a “snooze” in... together, and when I woke, he was quite comfortably settled on my leg, just as calm as he could be. He'd snoozed too!
The little “surprise” of the day came though, when I got up to go to the kitchen for a bit of a mid-day snack and when I returned to his room, I glanced round, as I do, looking for him and he was no-where to be seen... in any of his “usual” places. BUT... looking a bit longer... HE WAS IN HIS POOL! Lounging and luxuriating, wings up and spread, a few splashes here and there and then back to settling-in for a nice “soak”! And it's such a wonderful relief to see him in the new pool, with all the extra room. He fits perfectly in it now... no “tail feathers over the edge”. And he can open his wings and turn about. The sun shone in on him, the room temperature was about 25°... In the world on the other side of the windows, it was a crisp, early-Spring day... on Yonah's side, it was a delightful Summer. One of these days, we'll be able to open the windows and he'll have refreshing Summer breezes blowing in too... through his pine trees. I'm looking forward to that!
After his little “bath”, he hopped onto his door perch and gave a good “shake” to dry, spent a bit of time preening, getting his feathers together (always looking his very best, of course) and shortly after, as I was working, he flew down to the floor, as he does. He REALLY enjoys toddling about on the floor and, well, it's really a recent thing, only the past month or two. As I looked, he toddled out of the room and off he went. I was in the midst of a project and so, didn't make anything of it until, some moments later I heard, from the living-room, a hearty “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. I figured he was back in the limb with the decoys and I got up to have a peek. Well! No! He was on the floor, by the front door! BUT... when he saw me, he came RUNNING over to me, as if “HEY! Where've you been?” So I got on the floor to “play”. But when I got up again and started heading back to the kitchen, he followed me, keeping up with my every step! (I'd been checking messages on the phone so I had it with me at the time and so... yes... got a video. OK. I admit it, I'm worse than a new parent with a first-born, but... Yonah IS the first... and he DOES life my heart and spirits and I'm SO in AWE!) He followed me about the living-room for a while as I “recorded” and when I started for the kitchen, he decided he'd stay a while longer in the living-room so I made my way back to his work table.
In short order... WOOSH and FLUTTER FLUTTER WHISTLE... Yonah was back in his house, on the little “extended perch” over my shoulder, staring down at me. I'd made one tiny mis-judgment though: I was looking at the little video of him that I'd just gotten, on the lap-top and he saw him-self on the screen and came RUSHING down to get a closer look! Got to the key-board, managed to step on the “full screen” key and THERE HE WAS, LIFE-SIZE! “Woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”!!! These are the times when I SO WISH I could KNOW, clearly, what he's thinking, what he perceives. It took a bit of “doing” to get him to move so that I could “close” the video, and when I did, he simply turned and flew back up to his house. I guess he figured “that other dove” just left.
I find it so interesting that he recognises “other” doves, even if they're him. The shape, the colour... he has specific reactions to “doves” (and most of them are rather aggressive, I have to say). No doubt about it... say what will be said, he's BRILLIANT!
Well, that's how our day together went... and together we were all through it. And this evening, we dined together again... same routine: I came in with my plate, Yonah went up to his food. We literally ate together, and it was, as it always is in his company, a pure DELIGHT!
After meal, we had a bit of a “lie-down” together and again, Yonah joined me... “roosting” on my leg, comfy and settled, until I got up to get to the evening “water relay”. Yonah watched from the futon pillows until I was finished and then he headed back up to his door perch, I went back to the work table to begin today's Journal entry.

Because it's “lighter later” although the musics were off and the desk lamp was on, we didn't get to closing the blinds and curtains until about 19.40 this evening. BUT... as soon as I started, Yonah was up on his perch and getting to “Good night” pecks to his “crew” in the mirrors! Apparently, he was ready to “tuck-in” for the night. Strange, but he usually lets me know when he's tired... He'll almost “whisper” a little “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” to remind me. Not tonight. But, as I say, he made no fuss. So, blinds and curtains closed (we're going down to -8°... not “bitter” but... I won't have a chill coming through... not to mention the intrusive, horrid street light which the electric company said they'd investigate and attend but... ), the back board went on and Yonah scuttled to his “night spot”. So the roof board went on and cuddles and kisses were exchanged. By 20.00... lights out... my Little Guy was tucked-in for the night.
As I say, the night won't be exactly “warm” out there, but Yonah's room will be most comfortable. Fresh food and water right there for him, no cause to be concerned about anything harmful moving about. My little Heart-and-Soul is safe and sound for another night of restful sleep. And that's just how his world should be and will be... as long as I take breath.

Wednesday 30 March:
The morning hadn't really even got a chance to fully break its light over the tree-tops this today, the house was still, and I hadn't gotten half through first coffee when, through the door and across the house came another soft “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”... I wasn't really even certain that I'd heard what I thought I'd heard, so I gave back an equally soft “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo”. Sure enough, the reply came right away. The clock read a mere 6.42 but obviously, it was time to get things together and get the day off to a start.
“Spring” might be struggling to get a firm hold on the world out-side, with the crisp nights and cool days, but Yonah's calendar is obviously reading the season's arrival, and his days are coming earlier with the passing of each one into the next. Me? I couldn't be happier. The earlier we start our time together, the longer we have in each-other's company. And THAT makes for a “perfect” day, “perfect” time, no matter the season.
And again, this morning, there was much chatting, back and forth, as I went about the business of “morning routine” and the “water relay”.
When I got to his house, to open his door, Yonah was already ever-so obviously awake and waiting to get on with a bit of “morning rounds”. Wings stretching and morning kisses, he was well-rested and anxious to get out and move about. What an absolute JOY to see him in good spirits, good health, and energetic. As I opened the curtains and blinds, he made his “visits” to the “mirror doves”, loft and front, each one getting a “greeting” of “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” and a few “Good morning” pecks. And then, Yonah was out and off and over to the futon to supervise as I scurried back and forth from his house to the kitchen with fresh water for his pool and drinking dish.
Ah... but THIS morning, there was more ground to be covered, more space to be investigated and checked and as I finished tidying his house and went back to the kitchen to settle things there, he was through the house and off to the living-room, to his little “tree” in the corner of the living-room and the decoys there. “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” to them as well! It's doing my heart SO much good to see him SO comfortable these days, with travelling round the place. Exercise and a change of the scenery of his room. And knowing that he's comfortable with it is a comfort to me too. All these months it's seemed that he would never come past the door to his own room. Sure, his house is there, with the fountain, pool, food, trees, moss, sand... And he did fly about the room, to the wall shelves and futon. But I was concerned because I didn't want him to ever “feel confined”. After all, I don't think of him as a “pet”, and I don't think of the rest of the house to be “off limits” to him. The space in this place is as much “his” as it is mine... In fact, from my own point of view, the space is MORE “his” than it is mine! But, as with all, everything is on Yonah's terms, in his time, by his choice. Just as it was with whether or not he would ever come to “tolerate” me, so too, with the rest of the house and our Life together. I'm just glad he's expanding his territory now.
And as the day moved along, I was in and out of his room but he was too. When I was in the kitchen, he was in the living-room. When I went into his room for a lie-down, he came over to the pillow for a bit and then headed out, through the kitchen, into the living-room where, just as I dozed, I hear him coo'ing. When I woke, as he does, he must have sensed it and came SOARING back into his room and to my leg where he toddled up, gave me a look (“Awake? About time.”) and was off to his house.
It was an other-wise, for the most part, a “quiet” sort of day today. I didn't have much on my own agenda so I did bits and stuff around the house and Yonah joined me for some of it... on my shoulder. We played for a while too, of course, now and then, when he was in the mood... with a wing-snap that said “FROLIC!” And he enjoyed his little “hide-away” at his orange tree. We had a sort of “Lazy Spring” day... but it was, we were... TOGETHER! And out-side, the sun shone brilliantly through the morning... though the temperature remained on the cooler side. The after-noon was a bit over-cast, ahead of the rains that are due later and tomorrow. It was “”cool out there”... It was warm and cozy in Yonah's room. A delight... but, of course, because of my Companion!
Oh but... as hours pass and pull, with them, the day, the hours were again, un-kind and before the time could be fully appreciated, “meal time” came round. The day was passing... into evening. But again, this evening, Yonah and I dined together. I'm getting quite accustomed to having my evening meal at the work table, with Yonah having his evening meal beside me, on his “shelf” where his food is always available to him. (I remember all the advice: keep doves on an eating “routine”, providing food only at particular times of the day. Well, I don't know about other doves, but Yonah's food has always been available to him through the day and night and he has his own schedule for meals and snacks, and apparently, he eats only what he feels is sufficient. He's certainly not “fat”, nor is he “lazy” or “lethargic”. And often, he'll “skip breakfast”, had a late “brunch”, perhaps a little something during the day and then his evening meal... and a quick bite before settling-down for the night. He goes to sleep with a comfy-full belly.) One thing I must say: dining with him is a great help to me because I now tend to eat slower, enjoying my meal, because I'm not rushing to eat and get back to being with him. We're together all the while. WONDERFUL!
But once our evening meals are done, it isn't long before the sun-light of the day begins to dim... and it's time for the evening “water relay” and then... a little while longer to enjoy “together time” before... “tuck-in”.
Tonight, after we'd eaten, Yonah was in “Play mode” and DID WE EVER PLAY! “Catch me!” on his roof-top! Back and forth. He “attacked” my hand and fingers and I “chased” him, round and round. I KNOW he's not angry or afraid because he keeps coming back to my hand for “MORE!”... until he's had enough and at that point, he either goes to the opposite side of his little platform or... he heads off across the room. And tonight, after play on the roof-top, he headed over to his futon pillows where he turned and gave me the old “wing-snap”... an “invitation” to bring the play over there. So we had play, cuddles, some snuggles and LOTS of kisses and pecks. That last jolt of energy before settling-down for the night.
When we'd done with all that, we had the “water relay” which Yonah supervised from the futon and when done, he went up for his little “snack”. (I guess it was his “dessert”. But I'd put fresh food in his dish and it's almost guaranteed that when I do that, Yonah heads directly over to “taste-test”. it's always the same mix, but, he knows that I empty what was in his dish... and the Little Ones in the yard get that... and replace it. So... We have to make sure that it meets with approval. So far, it always has done... thankfully.)
Then? 19.00... the real “un-wind” when the desk lamp goes on, the musics go off... and this evening, by 19.30, Yonah was back in his house, on his perch... An “early” night! But then, a light rain falling out-side, the sky was darkened. All the “Yardies” were, no doubt, already “tucked-in” for their night so... We replaced the little roof platform with the roof board and got things settled for “tuck-in”. It didn't take much... a little snuggle, a few kisses... Yonah was at this night spot. OK. He was up early this morning too so... It's always the most difficult time of day for me, this “tuck-in”. I don't like not being close to him, and “night”? Well... that's the time when “things” tend to happen. I always think of that, and the next morning... That's why, hearing him call is such a pure DIVINE DELIGHT. But, tonight, the cold rains fall and Yonah's in his own house where it's warm and dry. There's fresh water to drink, fresh food to nibble. And no “predators” to be concerned with or about. All is good for a restful night's sleep. My Little Guy... my Heart-and-Soul is as safe and sound as could be. And that's all that matters... above all else.

Thursday 31 March:
Although I did start this morning a bit later than I usually do, I was just putting the kettle on for morning coffee when... as the clock read “6.33”... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” came floating across the kitchen. I wasn't making any more “noise” than usual, so I don't believe I woke Yonah any earlier than he was ready for. But, I do suppose he got an early “tuck-in” last night and must have slept quite well and restful to be up and about and calling so early. Then too, if days are going to begin earlier now, I'll have be sure to be up and about earlier too. (Looks like I'll be “tucking-in” shortly after Yonah very soon. Nothing wrong with that. After all... his is the “Natural” order of things... can't improve on that.)
Taken by surprise, my reply of “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo....” was much of much and Yonah was quick to “correct” me with his original call... SEVEN “hoo's”! So I got the kettle on and headed directly to Yonah's room to get HIS “morning routine” rolling... NOTHING takes “first place” in my day or Life over Yonah! Besides, it was obvious that he wanted to get on with the day already so...
As the kettle heated, I got right in and right into the “morning routine”... Yonah was certainly anxious this morning, to get curtains and blinds open, coo'ing all sorts of things as I went about my tasks. And when the kettle had boiled and I stepped out to the kitchen to make coffee, WELL! I hadn't quite finished in Yonah's room... we hadn't set-up for morning “water relay” and I was “called” on it... or so it seemed. So I poured the kettle into the coffee press, set that up and went right back to where I was “supposed” to be... getting things set for water and house-tidying. “woo-HOO!” Oh yes, I was being “told”. It was interesting and fun, bouncing back and forth this morning... combining the “morning routines”, such as they are. And Yonah? Well, he seemed to realise that I was juggling jobs and just stayed on his little corner “loft” platform... supervising and actually commenting to the little dove in the mirror there (or, it really seemed that that's what he was doing... so much to be said this morning, as he watched me running about).
OK! All done... caught-up... coffee time... We FINALLY got cuddles, snuggles and “Good morning” kisses in. Looked like my efforts were appreciated and received approval. Yonah headed for his futon pillows and I headed to the kitchen for an “earned” morning coffee. It wasn't yet 7.00 and we were ahead of our-selves this morning! AND... the sun was making a best effort at breaking through the early morning cloud cover. Things were getting brighter... slowly... but Nature was making an effort. The most important part though? MY LITTLE GUY WAS UP AND ABOUT... MY LITTLE HEART-AND-SOUL WAS READY TO TAKE-ON ANOTHER DAY... and because of him... I too, was ready for this new day... the last of the month of March. “WOOHOO” as the people say... “woo-HOO!” as my BESTIE COMPANION says!
I have to say though... for the greater part of the morning, he was ALL OVER the house AND seemed VERY attentive to me... trying to stay with me no matter where I went as I worked at the table... Yonah on his “extended” perch over my shoulder... and following me to the kitchen. Absolutely MY HEART!
Came this after-noon and the “promised” rains began. The little bit of sun disappeared behind the clouds... and Yonah took to his little place at the base of his orange tree. (The orange tree, by the way, has sprouted new growth on the limb that grows across Yonah's roof-top and he's taken to enjoying lounging up there, in the foliage, as well! I have to say, he's probably the only “North Country”/”Adirondack” dove with his own actual “Florida orange tree” to lounge beneath.) I had telephone calls and the likes to make today so I was in and out of his room, at and away from the work table. But, for the most part, Yonah just relaxed... as is perfect for early Spring, rainy days.
That's not to say that he did “nothing” all day. OH! But quite to the contrary. When I was in the kitchen, whether preparing an after-noon tea, on the phone... Yonah was right there, some-where in the kitchen (mostly some-where on the floor... but I'm hoping to get him used to being up higher... so that I can see him better... even if it's on the kitchen table). And if not in the kitchen, he was toddling THROUGH, on his way to the living-room. It's an indescribable, absolute JOY to see him wandering about the house now! This is HIS territory... and he's becoming familiar with it, comfortable in it. And when we move from here to more suitable quarters (soon, please), at least he'll have become comfortable, knowing that where-ever WE are... it's HIS territory. (Yonah is my “priority concern” for a new place for us... his own space, room, and someplace safe, and hopefully, a place where he can get out of the house and into the open air and sun-shine... unlike where we are now.)
For the most part, the day was “calm” for both of us. Grey, drizzly... and nothing on my agenda... and, apparently, nothing on Yonah's either.
I took a bit of a nap this after-noon... when I was allowed... As I do, I set the pillows for “nap” with a cover over the one I lay my head on, grabbed a small, light blanket for my legs and feet and just as I was laying down, Yonah came flying over... for some “Luvins” and a bit of play-time! Hey! When Yonah wants “Luvins” there's nothing else in Creation that has more importance! So we did the “Luvin's”... snuggles, kisses AND we played a bit of “Catch Me!” too. And when Yonah got to “'enough”, off he went, to the “foot” of the futon... and I got to doze a little while. When I looked-up again... there he was, at the “crook” of my knee, all settled, comfy. We'd napped together.
And this evening... we dined together, again. And, as is usual now, Yonah saw me bring my plate of food in and he went to have his meal at that time. (Tell me again that birds just don't “know”. All you need to prove other-wise is quite documented in the pages of this Journal. And I wouldn't be surprised that, if he had the necessary “appendages”, Yonah would be typing his own entries.) After meals, we had a little “lie-down” together and then I got started on today's Journal for him... as the musics played softly, the desk lamp illuminated the room softly, and out-side, the day-light faded toward the darkness to come tonight.
OH... by 19.30... that hour... Yonah was on his roof-top when I moved his house round to get to closing the blinds and curtains, and I took the time then, to put up the back board as well... and Yonah just kept “watch” as I moved about. And when I moved his house back, it was a little bit of “play time”, but not much. Apparently this “early start” to this morning called for an “early settle-down” this evening. Well? by 20.00... the light went out. Tonight, Yonah wanted a bit more of the “cuddling”... being held. He was on his door perch and gave the old “wind-snap” of “Hello? I'm here.” So, as I do, I cupped him ever-so gently, between my hands, wrapping my fingers round him according to the contour of his little body, careful of his wings, and I leaned my head down beside him there, and he “snuggled” next to my face, as calmly as he could be. So I whispered that it was “seepie-nigh-night” time and that we'd had “quite the day together”. Tonight, we both needed to get some rest and tomorrow, we'll face, together, what-ever there is in store for us. When I lifted my head, he pecked at my hand... “more”. Of course, there's always “more”... there will never be “no more” where LOVE for him is concerned. But, as I say... I want to make sure that he has as much rest of a night as he needs so... as difficult as it was, I lifted my head, opened my hands... Yonah took off with a “hop”, up to his perch. Yes, our day had come to a close.
Rain tonight, but not as cold again. It was a relatively warm day so his room stayed quite comfortably warm through. And tonight, his radiator is on, beside his house, the warmth rising to him at his night spot on his perch. My Little Guy, my Heart-and-Soul is safe and dry and warm for another night.

And imagine, today we close the month of March! The first “quarter” of the “new year” already! We're WELL on our way into the first half of another year... and off to another “anniversary” together! Time... it goes by entirely too quickly when there's so much to LIVE for... and these days, un-like most through my life-time, I DO have SO MUCH MORE to LIVE for than I can explain or describe... My time is now dedicated to making sure that my little Heart-and-Soul is safe, healthy, content in every way I can humanly make possible, and I'll do that... so long as he takes his next breath... what-ever it takes.