I had a fun and interesting telephone conversation today with Craig Johnson of J-Birds in Mandeville, LA. He and his wife Debra weaned and fledged Lucy.

I was hoping that they might board Lucy while we're away. Craig says they'll get back to me. They have a house full of birds: baby birds, 7 breeding pairs, abused birds. They really don't need care of another one.

One of the interesting notes in our conversation goes back to an e-mail I received more than a year ago from a gentleman in New York. The Johnsons had given him my e-mail address so that I might act as a reference. I was happy to give the Johnsons the highest recommendation. The gentleman and I exchanged a few e-mails, then I never heard from him again.

Come to find out, the gentleman is a New York detective. "So, Craig, what kind of bird does a New York detective keep?" Well, he has the male counterpart to Lucy, and a young macaw. Let's hope he behaves better than Baretta.

Through e-mails the Johnsons and I exchanged at Christmas, Craig has become familiar with this blog. I am encouraging him to start one himself. Theirs is a busy, fascinating household, full of well-kept animals, a son, and a lovely daughter who just might be on the road to stage stardom.

Come on, Craig!