We say it every year (or at least I do), but “Can you believe it’s a new year?! Can you believe it’s January?!” And this in turn leads my mind to January birthdays! You, our amazing supporters, have helped end an incredible year and begin another hopeful one having made so much possible in the chimpanzees and bovines lives. From our hearts, thank you for your support, in it’s myriad of forms. And to those of you celebrating January birthdays, Happy Birthday month to you from all of us here!
Prepare yourselves to take your celebrations to the next level if you want to keep up with January birthday guy, Burrito! We’ll be celebrating Burrito’s 39th birthday this Thursday, January 5th! Chad is making plans as I type. And if all goes as planned, “Pasta-cam” will be making an appearance! (Of course, remember, chimps have their own ideas about things. 😉 ).
Burrito is way too busy for photos as he is keeping a close eye on the neighbors:
And on January 29, beautiful Rayne turns 32! We are so excited to celebrate her first birthday here with us!
In other news, at this very moment, the chimpanzees are pure wild and the chimp house is rumbling in all directions. Unbelievably, Willy B ventured into the chilly outdoors of the chute and the seven erupted as if they’d never once in their lives seen this guy before. (Or for all I know, they might have been yelling at him to get back inside where it was warm!).
After stirring that pot, Willy B decided to venture back indoors where he could rile up his roommates, Mave and Honey B, who are less than pleased with him at the moment. As the seven decide to continue yelling from their side, in turn, the six are yelling at their loud neighbors on the other side. Normal chimpanzee politics? Cabin fever? One guy named Willy B looking to add some excitment to the afternoon? Only they know. It keeps things interesting for them and us, I suppose.
We remain wrapped in our arctic freeze, but to be honest, after awhile you don’t even think about it anymore until you catch yourself stepping outside to make snow snacks for the chimps, or chase Burrito around the outside of the greenhouse. Or in today’s case, in which we allegedly have a whopper of a snowstorm coming in overnight. But truth be told, I love winter. While the sometimes white-knuckle drives and extra work that comes with winter can be, well, a lot, it redeems itself in my heart again and again with the silence of falling snow, enchanting and ever-changing ice formations, clearest of cold meteor strewn night skies, and the saturated blues of dawn and dusk. I often think of the chimpanzees, gratefully tucked safe and warm into their nests, wondering if they are watching the same winter enchantments from their windows, new to some, familiar to others.
Well, it’s dinnertime and the chimp house is erupting for different reasons. Rest well, friends, and we’ll see you back here same place, same time tomorrow! May this year ahead hold countless moments of beauty, joy, comfort, ease, and magic for us all.
tom austin says
I have reason to believe the Willie B has a designed plan for all his antics….stirring up the general population seems to me to be a perfect plan…..
Linda C says
Just checking on his fan base….a rock star doing a quick “tour”
Tobin says
The look on Burrito’s face in that top photograph concerns me. I know that he seems to take (some degree of) pleasure from play-bites from his friends, but, I can’t help wondering if Annie’s dental appendages are imposing too much of a dent on the nerves in Burrito’s fingers? As a three-year-old who follows this blog recently told his grandmother, “You have to be very careful with chimpanzees and gorillas.” Heed well this caveat, Burrito.
Katelyn says
Hi Tobin,
Oh, trust us, that is a photo we all hold particularly dear to our hearts as Burrito was exhibiting a play face of complete and utter joy. It’s an older one, during a play date with Annie from his recovery days.
Linda C says
I’ve only ever thought of that pic as utter joy and laughter…it was the best capture!
Tobin says
I stand corrected, and much relieved. Burrito has a lovely play-face.
Linda C says
No lie, Tobin, that expression on his face is the same my great nephew had when he went for frozen yogurt after the first day of school! Pure joy!
Linda C says
Happy birthday to all of the January people@
And YAY! for pasta cam! Can’t wait!
Nancy D says
Katelyn, thank you for such a lovely, descriptive, blog. i know the skies are much clearer in Central WA than here in Seattle..so much easier to see celestial bodies. I love the picture today, its hysterical! I’m looking forward to the birthdays in January and hoping to see those happy feet of Rayne’s again. Everyone please be safe there with the new snowfall.
Marya says
What fun! I can just hear them all screaming and jumping and making themselves present to each other and their human companions. It’s great to know things are afoot for the birthday people. Rayne truly is beautiful, but so are Honey B and Jamie and Annie and Missy and, and, and…well, you get my point. And Jody when she’s looking at lilacs. And Willie B is one handsome hunk, as is Terry. Well, and all of those guys. Burrito often has a wide-eyed innocent look on his face like “Well, what’s next? And what can I do now?” They all just melt my heart. I can’t tell you all how much everyone of every species at the sanctuary means to me (well, maybe except the rattlesnakes) and how grateful I am for all species’ presence. Ok, I know it’s mushy. I’m happy to know so many others feel the same way! May 2022 be a very good year. Happy New Year to all!
Paulette says
Ditto Marya! You said everything I thought and felt and wanted to say. This place and all who fill it bring me so much joy, each and every day.
Happy birthday to all of you dear blogfriends with a January birthday. I truly wish you all the best and a really fun filled day.
Willy B! I love the ruckus he caused! LOL
Betsy says
I always appreciate the weather info you all give us, as I know that that same weather is probably heading my way in a few days. I often forget to check the local weather forecast, but I never forget to check your blog, and the weather report has been an unanticipated benefit – thank you! None of us love the white-knuckle drives in the morning and evening – and in the dark! – but I appreciate you doing that for the sake of the chimps who need your care.
Judy says
Beautiful post Katelyn.. Your feelings about winter echo my own – and only the chimpanzees know if they feel the same… I believe they appreciate the changes that the seasons bring as do many of us humans. Thank you as always to all… looking forward to the birthdays!
Kathleen says
No wonder Ryne’s tickely toes were dancing away yesterday! Rayne knows it’s her birthday month and a BIG celebration will soon be in the works! And speaking of BIG parites in the works….I can’t wait for Burrito’s pasta-cam-food-fest-foraging-fun-and-games celebration!! That top photo is hysterical! Burrito’s eyes are bugging out of his head he’s laughing so hard. Lovely seeing Annie and Burrito having so much fun together.
Katelyn, your post is part wonderful bedtime story with Willy B as the leading character (or should I say “leading man”), and part romanticist vision of the magical gifts winter offers (thanks for reminding me!). You hold such a deep appreciation for everything that fills the world around you. It’s a treat to hear your tales of the Cle Elum Chimphouse.
Tobin says
I stand corrected, and much relieved. Burrito has a lovely play-face.
Millie says
Driving by Cle Elum toward Ellensburg I mentioned your sanctuary to my adult son. He was astonished the sanctuary was in the area. we had a good discussion on primates. Keep up the good work.