Holidays can be hard when loved ones have passed. Though Jamieween is a celebration of Jamie’s birthday and Halloween, for all of us (staff, volunteers, and supporters) it is the day of the great pumpkin heist. Where we watched Jody end up with the pumpkin whether she was sneaky about it or just plucked the pumpkin off the Hill and walked right in with it, obviously paying the Negra tax. It was a day we all looked forward to, Jody stealing the show, which is hard to do on a day all about Jamie :). Altogether the chimps still had an amazing Jamieween filled with so much good food, laughter, play, enrichment, and pumpkins, it wasn’t quite the same without Jody’s dinosaur groans and her carrying a pumpkin as big as her.
With change sometimes comes new traditions. Everyone in Negra’s group was much more modest with the pumpkins this year, including Negra having to get her own pumpkin. Yesterday, the day after Jamieween, I let Jamie’s group out onto Young’s Hill. Jamie seemed to be in a very happy mood and sprinted out wanting to go on a perimeter walk/run with me. While Jamie was walking, Annie, Missy, and Burrito went up to Jody’s pumpkin. Annie eventually took some of the pumpkin, still leaving a little behind. Annie also found other forage items that was missed yesterday. To our surprise Jamie did not get mad when Annie had a handful of mini peppers and a mouth full of pumpkin. Instead, Jamie seemed excited to go look for her own leftover forage items. To me it seems like Annie is the winner of the great pumpkin heist this year.
Jamie the day after Jamieween. Nesting with some of her new boots:
Jamie today nesting, still recovering from her party:
I think that Jody would be pleased that Annie took some of her pumpkin. She had a generous,, matronly, spirit.
Please delete the following if you don’t think that the following is appropriate:
On this All Souls Day, I think of Jody (and Loulou and Wilson)…perhaps it is my wishful thinking, but when I contemplate the young lives which have been taken due to this pogrom in Israel and the reaction to it, I hope that, somehow, the souls of those departed children can encounter the soul of our Jody embracing them. No, I can’t begin to know how that works, but I hope all the same. Our memory of Jody is a blessing.
Aw, I’m glad that the underdog got an extra treat! Tbh, I thought Bubba might drag that pumpkin in…kind of fitting thst it’s still out there with Farmer Jo.
Never hear the name Foxie anymore…..does she get out:unamused:
Yes Marie, I also have been thinking about Foxie and that we don’t hear from her or see her.
Request: a blog about Foxie please…..
Perhaps it is very fitting that Annie waited for today, Dia De Los Muertos, to attempt a Great Pumpkin Heist. I somehow feel Jody snickered in delight seeing Annie make off with the pumpkin from the alter set up in Jody’s memory. Clearly Jamie knew it was a fait accompli! And I still believe Jody was the winner of this years heist because the Great Pumpkin remained with her on Jamieween. (There’s something magical and wonderful that occurs in the sacred place between the newly planted small trees.)
Great video, thank you Kelsi. I always enjoy seeing your friendship with Jamie in action. So happy to see Jamie nesting with the magnificent thigh high boots Grace was wearing in the party prep event! Hysterical. And the red embroidered boots, too! I see today Jamie added a small table for nap time reading I presume?! Jamie is so funny, all those blanket wrapped just so, it looks so cozy and yet Jamie chooses to nest sitting up against the caging. Or why I love this chimpanzee woman.
pssst….Día de los Muertos was yesterday…although in México, it’ll go on for another few weeks
:wink::ghost::jack_o_lantern:
I know some places celebrate on both days. In the 70s-90’s, living in CA, the community celebrated on the 2nd (All Souls Day). Actually I like the idea of celebrating both days! With all the flowers, food, and incredible art (especially the art!), it’s one of my favorite festivals.
What a great Jamieween! Love those photos of her with her nests and boots. It’ll be interesting to see how her relationship to the new boots grows. Maybe we’ll even get some pics of her wearing them. I, too, think of Jody and her sweet presence in the group. Her presence is still there in her own way, of course, and especially on any day containing pumpkins.
A happy time had by all and Annie snagged a little pumpkin from Jody’s resting place! Jamie looked suitability replete the morning after the Halloween/ Jamieween celebrations. And just think another November celebration coming up with Thanksgiving! Never a dull moment at your beloved sanctuary. Bring it on!
I noticed there was a chimp don’t know who was sitting on top of a building shed like in the background and then climb down is that something new or practice for a great excape?
Not new, not oractice .:slight_smile:
My husband and I have been binge watching the Dallas cowboy cheerleader. Cheerleader show making the team. I wonder what Jody would think of the cheerleaders pretty white cowboy boots. Happy Jaime ween.