Washoe Pan satyrus

"It was Washoe who taught me that human is only an adjective that describes being... The essence of who I am is not my humanness, but my beingness" Roger Fouts, Next of Kin


Washoe Pan satyrus passed away two years ago tonight. I never had the opportunity to know her as a friend but reading her story, Next of Kin, helped me find passion for this world. I will always be grateful to her for that.

Thank you Washoe

TEA? COFFEE?

I was in the kitchen toasting sunflower seeds and I saw Dar watching me from the door to the East playroom. I walked up to him and asked DO? with raised eyebrows. Dar signed DRINK. I replied DRINK WHICH and offered TEA as a suggestion. Dar signed TEA quickly followed by COFFEE as if he had changed his mind. There was no coffee brewed so when I returned to the kitchen I prepared chai tea. When I served the tea to Dar he signed COFFEE with a questioning face.

Negra Dancing

Microwave Ready Potatoes!

This has to been the most useless use of plastic.

Onion Grass

At CHCI we have garden for the chimpanzees around the perimeter of the outdoor enclosure. It is one of the best forms of enrichment because the chimpanzees can watch as their tasty snacks grow. Chives are a favorite and small patches have started to sprout. I was outside on berm and Tatu signed "HURRY GO" pointing to the other end of the garden. When I got to where she was Tatu signed "THAT" pointing at the chives.
Rosie: "WHAT THAT?"
TATU: "PLANT"
ROSIE: "THAT BABY NEED GROW"
TATU: "BABY"

She quickly turned away and ran inside. Later she came back outside and again signed "HURRY GO" pointing to a different spot in the garden. I followed her again and came upon a large patch of chives. They were taller than the patch of baby chives.
Tatu: "THAT" (pointing at the chives)
Rosie: "WHAT THAT"
Tatu: "ONION GRASS"
Rosie: "YES ONION GRASS, NEED GROW"
Tatu: "THAT BLACK, BLACK BLACK" (again pointing at the chives)

oh Frodo.

Friends

Today I asked Dar "YOU MY FRIEND?" Dar replied "FRIEND".

Whistle

I was playing chase with Loulis and Tatu came over and pushed a wooden train whistle though the caging. I picked it up and started to blow on it when I was stomping back and fourth. She was watching me carefully to see what I was doing with it. I took the whistle and put it up to her lips so she could try. I said "You put it to your lips and blow, like this" and then I blew as hard as I could into my fist. Loulis signed "CHASE" so I took off after him. Tatu joined us and tried to use the whistle. She was blowing into it but it would only make a quiet noise. She kept trying for a few minutes and then passed it back out to Lisa so she could use it when they were playing.

Plastic Free Fake Chicken!

When I cut plastic out of my life I understood the sacrifices that would come with that decision, but the idea of never having a delicious fake chicken sandwhich again broke my heart (or at least my tastebuds hearts). I usually buy Morning Star products but they are wrapped up in plastic. No more Morning Star. No more fake chicken... Until I remembered Quorn! My lovely friend Leslie loves Quorn and got some when she was visiting me. I didn't remember any plastic. I wasn't positive but I decided to take the chance and but some cutlets. I got home, opened the box and there they were! Just in the box! I love it when things are simple.

Chimpanzee Mask

It was in the morning and I was cleaning one of the drains next the east indoor enclosure. I saw Tatu walk up to a new chimpanzee mask that had been put out as enrichment, she pointed at it and signed “THAT BLACK”. We think that black is Tatu’s favorite color; she also seems to use it to describe things she likes, much like we would use the word “cool”. She picked up the mask, rolled it up, and shoved it though the door that I was next to. When I took the mask from her she looked at me and signed “CHASE”. I put on the mask and stomped through the rooms. I ended up in the human cage. Tatu signed “NUT?” I told her “CAN’T NOW MAYBE LATER”. Tatu got a piece of garden hose (we put hoses in their room every day- they use them as tools, straws, etc…) and shoved it through the caging toward me. I lifted the mask and put my end of the hose up to my mouth, blew into it as hard as I could and signed “SMELL”. Tatu smelled my hose breath and signed “THAT” pointing to the chimpanzee mask. I pulled the mask back over my face (it gets hot in there!) and started a game of tug-o-war. She had a huge play face and was not going easy on me. Loulis walked up and Tatu gave him a play bite on his shoulder. Loulis joined in on tug-o-war so it was me against two chimpanzees! I didn’t stand a chance. Loulis had both of his hands and one foot on the hose. Tatu peeled back his toes so she could get a better grip. They beat me. Tatu signed “NUT?”. I went and got everyone a walnut.

Orange Cups!

Apparently Foxie enjoyed the orange cups I made for Burrito's birthday party!

There are more videos and pictures on their blog:
http://www.chimpsanctuarynw.org/blog/

Portrait of an Artist

I finally was able to go back to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest to volunteer. When I was there J.B. said, "I swear we don't make the chimps dress up for pictures" and then showed me these two of Jamie. I thought they were fantastic and wanted to share.




More information on the Cle Elum Seven...
http://www.chimpsanctuarynw.org/

I have to carpool over the winter to get out to CSNW. The drive is scary and there is a very steep icy driveway that my Volvo would hate. I'll be going out there every other Friday. Tuesday is Burrito's birthday; his first birthday in sanctuary! I made orange cups for his party. I made them for the chimpanzees at CHCI and they loved them. I cut oranges in half, gutted the inside, blended the pulp with bananas and poured them back into the skins. I threw some grapes on top for garnish. When they were finished we put them in the enrichment shed to freeze (yes, it is that cold...). Basically like a frozen smoothie in a fancy container. I hope they like them!

Living Plastic Free

While walking on the beach in Long Beach, CA Ryan and I were shocked at the amount of pollution. The entire beach was littered with thousands of straws, bottles, plastic forks, Styrofoam containers, and yes, we even saw a syringe. Ryan was terribly disturbed and has not used a straw since that day.

Every piece of plastic ever manufactured still exists. About 1,000 miles west of California and 1,000 miles north of the Hawaiian Islands there is a huge floating landfill that is estimated to weigh 3 million tons and cover an area twice the size of Texas. There is too much plastic and the ocean is too vast to simply remove the particles. You have to stop putting them in.

Synthetic Sea
Plastic in The Open Ocean


It has been a few years since we took our trip to Long Beach and we have made the choice to no longer use new plastic. We are only buying 100% recycled plastic or second hand plastic. This is much harder than it sounds. Right now we are doing the best we can while we search for alternatives to things. A few things we have stopped using are fancy shampoo and conditioner, kitchen soap, laundry detergent, paper towels, and toilet paper. It has actually been fun trying to think of new ways to do things without plastic.



This turtle has had this plastic ring around its shell since it was a yearling (approximately 15 years).

More information on plastic...
http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/plastic.htm

Christmas

Chloe is a...ummmm...actually, I can't tell you. Secret. We got her a magnifying glass so she can keep an eye on things...




Riley and Chloe thought the box was cooler than the present.

Siena!


Kieran on his new scooter...

Riley taking a turn on the scooter!

Baby Alex!

Baby Alex with her entire fist in her mouth!

Home-made Christmas Presents Part II

This time I went back to fabric for the dolls skin. I think she turned out much cuter :) I put wavy sequins around her face so it would look like finger curls.

I was up until 4:30am knitting her dress.

Yeah, she is definitely cuter...

Chloe liked her doll. I gave Riley the fancy sea monster in drag but she thought it was crazy.

These are the dolls my great grandmother made for me and my brother when we were kids.