I love birds. And so does my oldest stepson. He brought a legal red and green Macaw back from Panama when he was stationed in the military there. They allowed him to bring it since it had bonded to him. That bird, Gonzo, has traveled all over the world with him and they are closely bonded together. He's visited in our house twice and easily learns to say words. My stepson was here for a month at one time and I taught Gonzo to say Gonzo's a Pretty Boy. I did this when my stepson wasn't home during the day. Finally one evening, I walked by the room and Gonzo said "Gonzo's a Pretty Boy!" in his best Texas drawl/Mississippi southern accent. My stepson was reading and he said without looking up, "I'm almost thru Billye, is dinner ready?" Then Gonzo said it again. My stepson looked up and started laughing. He'd thought it was me.

He says he's leaving Gonzo to me in his will. Heaven help me if such a thing came to be. I've wanted birds for years. But dogs and cats came first with my children. Dogs we still have.

I think it's going to be a nice surprise for your husband. Be sure to take pictures for us.

Billye