Jamie
Wine tasting success!
Thanks to everyone who came out last night to the wine tasting event in Roslyn. It was a great success! And it was so wonderful to see and meet so many supporters from the local (and regional) community. The chimps are lucky to have such a devoted following!
To make sure the chimps got to enjoy some of the spoils, Pam (a.k.a. CSNW’s Martha Stewart) sent the AMAZING table decorations for the chimps to enjoy. She wrapped pieces of tubing with banana leaves, veggies, and rafia. We added some peanut butter and threw them up on the top of the outdoor area. It created a little bit of a challenge – Missy and Jamie both worked hard to squeeze the tubes through the bars of the enclosure. Annie loved the banana leaves!
Jamie (with head band around her neck!):
Missy working to get the tube through:
Annie loved the banana leaves:
Missy getting the peanut butter goodness:
More outside action shots
Today Missy had more adventures in the fresh air. Jamie, Foxie and Annie were all outside too, but no one was playing with Missy. She ran inside and came right back out with this blanket. Instantly she had a game of chase going! I love the second picture – Jamie got the blanket away from Missy, climbed up the fencing, and then leapt off from about 6 feet up! I snapped the picture as she was almost to the ground.
Lessons from chimpanzees
When I am feeling down, I think about the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees at CSNW and everything they have been through in their lives.
I am amazed and humbled that Jody, after decades of living in a small cage in a medical laboratory, after having seven babies taken from her, can still enjoy relaxing in the February sun, holding her feet:
and Foxie, who endured research protocols, five babies being taken from her, and periods of social isolation, can greet each day with the desire to play with her caregivers and her chimpanzee friends
and Missy and Annie, who spent years without each other, can decide to sleep in together, napping in the side-by-side nests they created in the playroom
When I think about my chimpanzee friends and their lives, I realize I have little to complain about. And, if I can remember to live for today as they do, each day should include relaxation, happiness, play and companionship.
Bubbles, glasses, and something suspicious
This morning we put out a large bucket of (non-toxic) soapy water, thinking the chimps might want to do some cleaning. Jody had other ideas:
The chimps were also very interested in the eyeglasses (with plastic lenses) that we put out:
Missy, of course, wore her sunglasses on the back of her neck:
Annie seemed content to sit quietly and watch everyone else have fun:
Later, Jamie decided to pull the Christmas tree out of the tire….
….which uncovered something interesting and a little bit scary. Maybe a bug they hadn’t seen before?
I could use a sunny day…
For our response to the tragic situation in Connecticut, click here.
It’s sunny in Cle Elum! For me, that’s reason enough to celebrate. Enjoy these pics of Jamie (with her emery board!), Foxie, and Jody and Annie!
Morning Yoga, Troll Games
You never know what you are going to find when you greet the chimps in the morning. For example, you might find Jamie upside down, acting as if its totally normal to begin the day upside down.
Today was a beautiful day for early February so we served lunch outside. Afterwards, Foxie climbed to the top of the enclosure to where she could throw her trolls down to us.
