Somehow we woke up this morning to find ourselves in February AND at the half-way point between winter and spring. The first of the Red-Winged Blackbirds returned to the sanctuary ponds a few days ago, their early morning trills swirling through the icy air always a very welcomed surprise. They seem weeks early this year, but they are also the truest of true signs that spring is on the way (even if winter has more to come still in mind).
Today’s birdsong and lengthening light felt like a tapping on my shoulder, giving me an appreciated pause to look up and around. Personally, at this point of the year I tend to exist in a bit of a bubble outside of time as we work to finish everything for last year, while also turning toward planning out the year ahead. Rather fitting for this liminal time between times.
Regarding sanctuary birthday celebrations, we have just one this month. February 10th is Nutmeg Steer‘s birthday and he would have been 11 years old. He’s been gone (following a sudden health crisis) for almost two years, which of course, still feels like yesterday. We miss his giant self and curly, red topknot. We miss looking out and seeing him enjoying his days with his family. But none more so, I suspect, than his mama, Betsy. Just like our beloved Jody, Nutmeg will always remain part of our family, hearts, and days here at the sanctuary.
Nutmeg (l) and his mom, Betsy:
If you’ve signed up to receive our occasional e-newsletter, (or you’d like to), you’ll know that we will be highlighting our Valentine’s Day love for the chimpanzees and bovines this month with daily blog posts, sharing a little about each of their unique and wondrous selves, and how you can become a Chimpanzee Pal and/or Bovine Buddy, (or renew your current membership). The first of these posts will officially kick off on February 10th, with sweet Nutmeg. And yes, for all of you who have been patiently waiting, George will soon be ready and waiting to be your Pal, too! 😉
In the meantime, let’s swoon over all 21 (two of whom are in memoriam) of the extraordinary individuals who call the sanctuary home, and remind our hearts of the extraordinary things this special community, each one of you, makes possible, helps sustain, and allows to grow and flourish, for each of them. Your love and support – past, present, or future – remains an invaluable part of their lives and well-being and we appreciate you more than we’ll ever be able to say.
Annie:
Betsy:
Burrito:
Cy:
Dora:
Foxie:
George (George’s Pal page isn’t up yet, but will be soon!):
Gordo:
Honey B:
Honey:
Jamie:
Jody, in memory:
Lucky:
Mave:
Meredith:
Missy:
Negra:
Nutmeg, in memory:
Rayne:
Terry:
Willy B:
Thank you for the wonderful compilation of pictures and heartfelt sentiments for all of our sanctuary residents.
Anyday is a good day to celebrate our CSNW friends. Loving them is the easy part.
In Georges photo is he pressing a candy up against the glass? What is that against his chin?
Great photos, thanks.
I think that’s a grape!
Thanks
It is a cherry, Georges favorite fruit!!
It’s a cherry. One of his favorite foods! 🙂
Ahhh, a smushed Cherry. George is a carachter! Thank you…
If my memory serves me correctly, it was a cherry…..one of his first favourites! Of course, he has since discovered all the dozens of other yummy things on the menu!
love reading all your blogs. George is my man?. he has a piece of my heart.
Thankyou, Katelyn, for this heartfelt post and the gorgeous collection of photos- especially of sweet Jody and Nutmeg who are always with us in spirit. Yes, it is “February Love” and let’s raise a glass to toast and cheer love and a wonderful life at the sanctuary they call home. I can hear those pant hoots of delight way across the miles:heart::heart::heart::cocktail:
Oh those sweet, charming faces! Each one filling my heart. Looking forward to celebrating each individual. Yay!
Thank you for always remembering beautiful Nutmeg Steer. I am grateful that he was able to live out his entire life with his mother. And thank you always for remembering Our Lady of Lilacs, our beloved Jody.
Jody was before my time. Why was she known for Lilacs?
Bc they didn’t know her bday, so they celebrated it in spring, near Mother’s Day, and lilacs are always in bloom then. Jody, also known as “Farmer Jo” due to her appreciation of anything she foraged, was the troop’s “den mother”. She wouls sit at the raceway until everyone came in off the hill in the afternoon, watching. She was the most photogenic gal.
Also, Jody was quite fond of eating lilacs. She enjoyed them almost as much as pumpkins…there are videos in the CSNW’s archives of Jody emitting what we referred to as her “happy dinosaur groans” when she savored the taste of a pumpkin. For further details, Watch — and listen to — the blogpost video from Thanksgiving Day, 11.22.2018.
Sheesh, Im such a dumbo. I see she has them in her mouth. NM my question. ugh…
Someone can correct me if I’m wrong in assuming but, I believe Jody is also our lovely queen of the lilacs due to the fact that her given birthday is Mother’s Day. Lilacs bloom around her birthday and staff would always bring in armfuls of branches for Jody’s birthday party. Negra loves lilacs too. Actually, I believe all of the original seven are big fans.
Kathleen, you’re right, Jody’s whole group enjoys lilacs now. It took Foxie and Jamie a while to appreciate them. But guess who I’d say is the biggest fan?! Missy!! She’s WILD for them! Actually Jamie is as well. Willy B and Cy’s groups haven’t quite come into their full lilac appreciation yet, but they of course receive them, so you never know. They tend to look at us like we’re trying to poison them with “new” things. 😉
The abundance of spring https://share.google/dh7ZYM0no0sJBjPos
Katelyn, the pictures are wonderful. I was struck once again with how handsome Willy B is and it’s always nice to see Jody and Nutmeg included. They are gone but never forgotten.
Yes, I am sure their spirits are close by, always watching over their families.
Willy B is a handsome guy, Nancy. 🙂
I missed Barn Kitty…..
Thank you, Katelyn, for a reminder that spring is coming, as here, yesterday and today’s rays of sun and cold temps aren’t enough to melt away last week’s snow and ice.
You can also listen for great horned owls, the giants with the quintessential hoots. They find mates and nest earlier than other birds of prey, so that their babies will be born first (around March), and have a leg up on other predators with regard to food availability. That’s if they’re calling to each other.
Since it’s February, I wish you and all of the staff and volunteers lots of smuch faces of appreciation!
Linda, It’s rather wild that east and south (!) seem to be getting our winter this year (so far). I loooove hearing the Great Horned Owls and seeing their fluffanutter babies! We appreciate you as well – Jamie is queen of smuch faces, so sending that along, haha. 🙂