Bird conversations, Jasper Amazon Parrot

Mimic vs Intelligence: Jasper

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My bird Jasper is a rather interesting bird. The fact he can talk to us and respond appropriately always amazes me. Some people can say he is just mimicking you, and yes on occasion he does. But here are some examples of Jasper knowing when to say the right thing.

For the record Jasper hates bugs. One day I saw he was still as can be. I followed his eyes and the direction and soon came across the object that had my bird captivated. It was a bug. Getting a paper towel I killed the bug and picked it up. Now we can’t just toss the bug out. Oh no no no. Jasper has to see the dead body or else he will still be looking at it. This particular day this was our conversation.

Me: “Look Jasper I got the bug for you.” I went to his rail to show him. He walked steadily toward me keeping his eye on the tissue.

Seeing the bug was dead he said, “Thank you.” Jasper then proceeded to go back to his ladder.

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If that does not convince you then how about this. I was going about my business talking to Jasper but not really paying attention to him. Finally it occurred to me he was not listening as he held perfectly still. He eyes locked with mine and then to his beak then to my eyes again. Leaning in close I saw Jasper had an ant on his beak.

On cue he said, “Mom.”

I replied, “Yes Jasper what?”

“Mom, help.”

Of course I did what any normal person would do. I started to laugh, my poor bird. He did not take kindly to that.

“Mom.”

“Yes Jas?”

“Help, now.”

Which I did after which I gave his head a pat which was his payment to me for helping him out. These little scenes occur often for my family and Jasper. Thanks to that he has given me so much material some of which was incorporated in my book, Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure.

He does mimic yes but there are so many times he responds at the right time with the right saying which just shows us how smart our Jasper is.

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My Badge of Honor: Trolls

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Trolls, gotta love them. My book came out the 7th of September of this year. On the 9th I got a one star rating attached to a rather mean review. I was confused for the book had just came out two days ago. Not wanting to start a war on my book page I left it alone. Every one told me it happens, it is no reflection on you, move on. My publisher felt that this was a person who was trying to help their friend out, who might be in the same genre, by lowering my book. She had seen this before I believe. I was wowed.

I can handle a one star review if you read the book but I truly did not think it was plausible they did. So I decided to dispute it. The comment complained about the pricing being to high however he/she placed the same review for my ebook and the one in print. I disputed first the ebook. I said this review does not match since they are complaining it is to high at 13.99 yet the book was listed at 5.99.

I then went to the print book to dispute that review. I mentioned how the book had only been out two days. Even if it was in print there was no way it would have been shipped out that fast for this person to have read and review. I did not think that was possible. Plus my publisher said no book had been sold via Amazon at that time. If they had purchased from her again they would not have gotten it that soon.

I placed both remarks to Amazon and moved on. I figured I did the best I could. This past Monday a friend texted me to say the reviews had been removed. I am not sure if my disputing the comments had any thing to do with it, I like to think so.

Writers alike this is a win for us. It is. I will not be able to get rid of every troll, it will happen, it is part of the game. But I am wearing this badge of honor for this time I got rid of one.

Art Council Grant, Literary, Writers

A Literary Grant

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Last month I heard of a grant being offered by the local art council. It included people in the literary field. The goal is to help artist get to the next level of their career and what they would need to obtain it. YAY!

The problem was the time frame was close at hand. I had two weeks to get the letter of intent to them. That was easy to do until I tried to fill in the application online, a pdf file. Nothing would save no matter how many times I filled it in. Files like this are tend to be read only yet I was told it could be done. What eventually happened was the printing of the form before closing it, scanning, converting to a pdf file and mailing it to the grant director. It was approved.

I now have a week to gather a/ the narrative b/resume or bio c/a letter of reference which is optional d/ a sample of my work, all in pdf format, and then upload to a site given to me.

I have all the components but the recommendation. While this is optional I have decided to include one in. My publisher will be writing one up for me.

I have had to research fast how to write-up this grant. It is my first attempt. I am not sure how long it will take to decide on who gets what. But it will be before the year is out due to the grant year being January 2014. I am going to give it a good try if nothing else. All they can say is no. If I don’t try I already know my answer.

 

 

 

The Musings of A New Englander