Finding Direction: The Wind Vane Chronicles

Here it is guys!  The exclusive interview you’ve been waiting for. 

Today’s interview is with Scooby the Wonder Parrot, Patrick Mead’s (also of Tentpegs and with an online novel that’s fascinating, Tribes) beloved bird.  I dare not call Scooby Patrick’s pet, because she is rather a dear member of Patrick’s family, as you will see clearly from her interview below. 

Patrick, of course, if you remember from his recent interview (here) is the pulpit minister for the Rochester church of Christ in Rochester, Michigan. 

I think you’ll find Scooby’s interview to be both delightful and insightful.  And be sure to leave a comment because Scooby is a very sociable bird whose delicate feelings will be hurt if you don’t talk with her!  So comment to Scooby!!  But first here’s Scooby’s picture with some pictures of cousins to follow!!

 
Part 1 – Basic Interview Questions

 1.    What’s your favorite Scripture?

Hosea 2:18 – God will make a covenant with the birds. Yes! About time, too, if you ask me.

2.    Vital Statistics:

I’m a Quaker parrot. We’re called Quakers because we shake a lot when we’re kids. We aren’t pacifists like those other Quakers so keep your fingers on your side of the cage, if you know what’s good for you.

Quakers are from Argentina but I was born in Michigan in March of 2002. I’ll be five soon! I am about ten inches from head to tail, light green on top with a gray underside and royal blue second feathers. I have a golden caramel colored beak unlike humans whose faces only end with a couple wrinkled lines on the sweet end of 30 feet of intestines.

3.    Names of Spouses, Children.

I’m single, no kids. I’m very happy with my daddy – Patrick Mead – and occasional hugs and playtime with Duncan or Kami.

4.    What brought you to the location where you are now?

My boy, Duncan, picked me out of a group of Quaker parrots and took me home with him. Yea, Duncan!

5.    Where have you lived all your life?

Michigan, of course! I was born in Waterford but I was adopted and my family took me to Lake Orion.

6.    What kind of work do you do?

I shred paper for my daddy – mostly credit card offers and hate mail. I also check Duncan and daddy over carefully every day to see if they need preening.

7.    What do you love most about your work?

I get to go with my daddy to his office sometimes. He lets me run back and forth on the steering wheel (that makes me laugh) or I’ll ride on his shoulder and talk to the people in other cars. When the light turns red I say “Uh-oh” and when it turns green I tell everybody “Bye-Bye!” At the office everybody comes by to say hello to me. They think I’m pretty.

8.    What do you like least about your work?

My daddy quit taking me to work when he has counseling that day because I kept making inappropriate comments. Sometimes I’d stare at the people, lower my head, nod, and then say in a real sarcastic voice “Really?” or “What?” Sometimes I’d laugh at the wrong times, too, so we agreed I should stay home and watch cartoons on Sprout TV sometimes.

9.    Who has been the most influential person in your life?

At first it was Duncan but as he got involved in school, Marines, and his girlfriend I switched over to my daddy. He teaches me words, songs and tricks. We eat breakfast together out of the same bowl while we watch the news. In the afternoon we sing and play games for awhile and share a cookie. We also like to blow raspberries on each other’s tummies.

10.    Any hidden talents?

I don’t hide them! Still, sometimes I surprise my family with new words and sounds. When my mommy has a phone conversation, so do I. If I get finished first I follow her around the house saying “bye-bye” real loud until she hangs up. Last week I surprised everybody by laughing like the Count on Sesame Street. They didn’t know I watch that when they are gone.

11.    A little known fact about me.

I’m a girl! I got the name Scooby because when the Meads first got me I thought I was a dog. I barked at everybody and at cats in the backyard. I still bark at the UPS man. Daddy thinks its funny. Since I’m a girl parrot I don’t talk as much as the boys. I have a joke, though. You know how to make a cat sound like a dog? Throw gasoline and a match on it and it will go “WHOOF!”

 

 Part 2 – Favorite things:

1.    Favorite Book:

Goodnight Moon, I Will Always Love You Forever, and anything by the Audubon Society. Those guys can write!

2.    Favorite Movie:

“The Birds” by Hitchcock, of course. When I watch it, my mommy pulls a frozen chicken out of the freezer to show me that two can play at that game!

“Paulie” is one of my favorites because it shows that parrots are smart, funny, and we never quit loving!

“The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill” That’s really a documentary but it is way cool.

3.    Favorite Food:

I eat seed and pellets but my favorite foods are mommy’s mashed potatoes, noodles, Duncan’s peanut butter cookies, and my daddy’s cereal.

4.    Favorite Kind of Music:

I like Christmas songs and the new Watershed CD. Daddy sometimes leaves on the oldies station on radio when he thinks I’ve had enough TV.

Since I’m a Quaker, I can’t sing… but I sure want to! Daddy taught me a song he made up that goes “I’m a bird, bird, bird…” like that so that I’ll remember I’m not a dog. I like to sing that one and just kind of croon along with the others.

5.    Favorite Musical Group:

Chris Lindsey and Watershed, of course! I also really, really like Bar12, that new group at Rochester. And I love it when my daddy plays his guitars (every day).

6.    Favorite Song:

“I’m a Bird!” I also like “Rockin’ Robin”, “Danny Boy”, and Jim Croce’s “Roller Derby Queen.”

7.    Favorite Junk Food

It isn’t junk! I would turn down anything for a chance at mommy’s mashed potatoes.

8.    Favorite Childhood Memory:

I take showers with Duncan. From the time I was little he gets me all soaked and then wraps me up in a towel so that only my
face and beak are showing. He holds me upside down on his lap as I dry. THAT is living!

 

Part 3 – Thought Questions:

1.    What is the best meal you have ever eaten?

Mashed potatoes, noodles, and dried peppers! I ate so many peppers that when I kissed my family their eyes burned!

2.    Where would you like to visit that you have never been to before?

I want to go to church with my family but they are pretty sure I can’t behave for that long. I’d also like to go to Washington, DC because there are some politicians I’d like to poop on.

3.    What is your proudest moment?

My daddy takes in other birds who need a home for awhile. He gets them well and happy and they go away… but I get to stay right here! As they leave – and I don’t – I am very proud. I am also proud when I see the outside birds having to look for food and I’ve got it piled high in my bowl. I call out to them to make sure they know I’m special.

4.    What do you most regret?

That humans have to leave the house so much and that churches want my daddy to fly away from Michigan to talk to them. None of them even think about asking me to join him! Of course, there are seven States where Quaker parrots aren’t allowed and that stinks, too.

5.    If money, health, etc. were no concern, what would you do with your time.

Ride on daddy’s shoulder as he writes books, go with him to the mall and bank, watch TV… hey! Wait a minute! That’s what I’m already doing!

6.    What’s your favorite book in the Bible and why?

Ezekiel, because every time my daddy tries to read it he gets frustrated, puts it down, and plays with me instead. When he reads Romans or John I know he’ll NEVER stop, but that Ezekiel – he’s terrific!