I have a pair of Severe macaws, surgically sexed as male and female and no reason not to breed. EXCEPT they are obnoxious. they don't hurt each other but they are loud and mean to each other and me. I separated them to get some peace. I have been told that Macaw breeding pairs, large or small, are just grouchie and unpleasant. I hate to think that is true.

I have been using the Yahoo pet blog a little lately and found it interesting if not totally weird. My favorite message was from the person that wanted to breed her duck and a chicken to each other. BUT what I am looking for are BIRD PEOPLE. Breeders, owners, watchers and anyone that has a bird or would want one. I have a bird breeder friend that is a wealth of information. We share ideas. also I take in unwanted birds, handicapped, "rehomed" and down right mean. I also have some wonderful little birds I would like to give away but don't know anyone that would be interested.

Jim called yesterday from Ambergris Cay, an atoll off of Belize south of the Yucatan. His cold has kept him from diving but he has been able to do a lot of sight seeing. He said the village in Ambergris Cay is not very much to look at but the water is beautiful. Ocean front lots are $100,000 US and he is looking for a deal.

Jean and Jim are going back to Guam. The jury has come back after 13 months with a verdict in the Royal Palm trial and now begins the punitive phase.

Jim and Jean have returned from Pohnpei. Here are their pictures. Pohnpei (pronounced PON-UH-PAY) is located east of Guam on the way to Hawaii.

Where is Bali?

That is exactly what I wanted to know when I heard about Bali. Those of us in the USA are, generally, not well oriented to the rest of the world, especially Asia.

After 30 years with Southwester Bell, Jim has retired.

Jim's new truck showed up this weekend. Its big, 4x4, and black. He got a F-250 Diesel with and extended cab. He's been waiting over a month for it to come in. I took a couple of pictures so you could see the scale. Remember, Jim is over 6' tall.

The History of Christmas Celebrations

• December 25th - Christ is Born in Bethlehem.
  
• 280 (AD) Nicholas is born in Asia Minor
  
• 343 Nicholas dies on December 6th. Other than his reign as Bishop of Myra, nothing is verifiable about his life.
  
• 4th Century Catholic Church designates December 25th as the celebration of Jesus' birth: The Mass for Christ, or Christ's Mass. This was to supplant Roman feast of Saturnalia, a riotous holiday of wine and food.

Jean is in Guam from Nov. 3rd 1999 through Dec. 1999 for Christmas. She will be staying in Tumon Bay for the duration. She will be working as a (Contractor) Multimedia Litigation Consultant for Decision Quest.