It was still a little dark when I arrived at the chimp house this first day of winter morning. I always like to greet the chimpanzees by quietly opening their doors and whispering “good morning” so they know it’s me. Just as one would in anyone’s home, we try our best to start the day quietly, leaving their lights off until they are up and active. Of course some days they’re already hooting and hollering before we even walk in the door, but that’s their business.
The construction folks start their day even earlier than we do and Mave, Willy B and Honey B are usually up by the time we arrive, their space lit softly from the workers’ lights next door. But when I poked my head in their door all was still and quiet, the only light, their Christmas tree. That’s when I spotted Honey B, right across from the tree, sound asleep in her nest with the blanket pulled up to her chest. I wish you could have seen her! By the time I pulled out the camera, she was up and ready to say hi. Solstice morning made, right there.
Much of the day was shrouded in fog and rain which kept us all indoors for the first part of the day:
As the chimpanzees shifted seamlessly throughout their home as the humans cleaned around them, I feel like every time I looked at them, they were busy. Jamie sitting in her nest looking at her books, Honey B engaging in her daily ritual of dragging all the warmest and heaviest blankets out into the chute where she builds a cozy nest and sits and watches whatever it is she watches, Burrito on an endless loop of chase with a steady stream of humans, Foxie playing with her dolls in between fiercely kicking the neighbors’ door and yelling chimp profanities at them, Jody wrestling with Burrito and Negra wrestling with Burrito and Foxie wrestling with Negra, everyone sitting together grooming, everyone curled up napping.
All the while, we humans wound our way through an ever-shrinking path that winds between ever-growing heaps and stacks of holiday gifts for the chimps (thank you!!!). Doing laundry, cleaning this and cleaning that, baking sweet potatoes and apples, serving meals, doing dishes, spending time with our chimp friends, Christmas trees aglow. I don’t know, all this to say the entire day felt so much like one big family, hanging out at home, weaving between one another, together and alone.
Willy B enjoying a movie:
Beloved Annie only has eyes for her best friend, Missy, and to be precise, Missy’s whereabouts. Once the rain stopped, Missy, along with Burrito and Jody, raced up the hill on a mission. Annie declined traipsing through the wet grass (can’t say as I blame her), but waited patiently in the greenhouse doorway, her eyes peeled for Missy’s reappearance:
After zooming around, Missy decided to take in the foggy sights, like the true Pacific Northwest chimpanzee she has become:
And Annie watched. And Annie waited:
Then there was Mave. When Mave is excited, be it playful, angry, greeting her chimpanzee friends, or otherwise, she becomes a spring. Quadrupedal, she literally springs straight up into the air (at least a foot or more off the ground) and she does this repeatedly. It’s impressive and unexpected all at once. It’s hard to capture because you just never know when she’s going to do it for sure. While we cleaned the mezzanine, she was enjoying some time to herself in the front rooms and whenever I walked by she’d suddenly be airborne in a bounce, then play bow and roll over laughing, and the next she would look like this, as if nothing had happened and I was making up the tallest of tales. She is a joy and a surprise every minute.
May you all find the rest, comfort, beauty and magic held in the special days and long nights that this solstice season holds. May you celebrate something every day, no matter how small. And may you know in your hearts how deeply we appreciate you being part of our chimpanzee (and bovine!) family.
thank you for the great post!
Just beautiful from start to finish, thanks Katelyn. Annie and Missy. Missy and Annie. “And Annie watched. And Annie waited.” Beautiful Annie, makes be love her all the more. Happy Winter Solstice. I bet Jamie is thrilled the days will be getting longer….soon, more daylight for patrols!
Happy Holidays to you, your colleagues and of course the chimps, Katelyn! Thank you for your wonderful blogs.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Melts my heart and puts a smile on my face!
Happy Holidays
This is a beautiful post Katelyn. I bet it was a lovely sight to see the Christmas tree on and Honey B sleeping nearby. I love how you greet the Chimps when you come in. I love all their beautiful faces and Mave! Oh so sweet. Happy Solstice.
Beautiful and poetic, Katelyn!
Kaitlyn…I always love your blogs & your ability of bringing to life the stories you so beautifully share…(endearing the Chimps, Bovines & you dear caretakers, even more…)
What a wonderful blog. I feel so much closer to the chimps with your perfect descriptions of their morning routines along with their daily activities. Thank you so much for sharing.
there is a poem somewhere in that prose…….
Even the way you wrote it felt cozy…
thank you. ?
…there shouldn’t be an “?” there. Oops!
You are a wonderful writer Katelyn; such lovely Christmas story…
When I look at that photo of Willy B. all that is missing is a cup of hot coco and a snack….
And Mave; I could see her bouncing like a frog when I read your words, just like in that video when she tells Willy B. to stop being such a tuff guy to his own mirror image. I love that girl, look at that face……
Talk about devotion to your Bestie; Annie looking and waiting, showing respect for Missy who wants to be by herself, but longing for the time they are together again.
What a family.
Thanks so much, Marianne! Yes! Willy B elicits Mave’s bouncing, for a variety of reasons, more than anyone else I think. 🙂
Katelyn: What a well-written post; you are such a creative writer. Love that last sweet photo of Mave
Thank you, Elaine, that’s very kind. Mave is a wonder, isn’t she? 🙂
Another for that book, Katelyn!
I know it’s kind of a dark thought, but I pray that when their times come, dear sweet Annie goes before Missy. I don’t know how she’d do without Missy.
On the other hand, “chimpanzee profanities ” made me chuckle. L’il Foxie…a mouth like a sailor! Yeah, sounds about right!
Does The Boss prefer her apples baked or raw? Or does she not care, as long as they’re whole?
“Chimpanzee profanities” totally cracked me up! My mind was racing with visuals and sounds!! Hysterical, especially coming from little Foxie. Gives new meaning to some of those displays we are witness to. ; )
Linda,
Baked apples are a treat for all, but I suspect no form elicits as much excitement in Jamie as whole apples. 🙂 We’ve not yet served baked whole apples as they’d have to passed through a chute and a riot named Jamie might ensue. 😉
Pity, that….they’ll have to be saved for a forage, then? I bet they’d love cinnamon baked apples with nuts and raisins inside!
Katlyn, thank you for your posts. They are so wonderful. I feel like I’m actually there.
Thank you for following the chimps and all our ramblings, Colleen! We’re so glad you enjoy them.
What a great post, again, I just love reading each and every post. So much love comes through all of them. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season.
Thank you, Mary, for being a long time chimp friend. Wishing you a beautiful, magical holiday and winter season as well!
Katelyn, what a gift for my long day yesterday and for starting my day today as I reread your wonderful words and see the pics you’ve chosen. It’s heartwarming and delightful and such a reflection of love and devotion to the chimpanzees and the work of all of you at the sanctuary. All of you are such great writers! (Including Jamie, me thinks!) This one is so visual and such a reflection of mood and really does give me a sense of being there. Thank you!! And happy solstice season!!
Thank you, Marya! I know we all hope and intend the chimpanzees and their lives bring some magic to all who find them and we so appreciate you being here. Wishing you a beautiful solstice season as well!
Thanks, Katelyn. It’s not only the chimps and their profound “beingnesses” that I’m so grateful for. It’s also my profound gratitude for all of the humans who are caregivers, volunteers of the past & future, the board, and this amazing community of caring people who are connected to the sanctuary. Talk about blessed! It’s the combined energies of all of us that makes a difference in the Universe overall, even if we each think that our contributions are small. Even our intentions make a difference! (Sorry, didn’t mean to get preachy here…but it’s how I experience it.)
Omg this is hilarious!
“Foxie playing with her dolls in between fiercely kicking the neighbors’ door and yelling chimp profanities at them,:
Whether it’s about silliness, sentiment or fragile beauty, you are a fabulous writer, Katelyn.
Thank you, Francoise, that’s very kind! Foxie…she has a bit of arthritis in her hip these days (only aggravated by battle-ramming that door with her tiny feet!), but it sure doesn’t slow her down from saying what she needs to say. 🙂