Hapi's neck plucking continues. I am sickened by the patch on his neck. Bare. All the little new barbs have been pulled. I still will bring him up to the vet for bloodwork as soon as summer begins and there is time to do it, but in the mean time, I've given him extra toys, extra attention, a bird bath, watching the climate of the bird room closely, and watching him, too. It is awful to be powerless and watch a loved bird destroy their feathers. His beautiful feathers. I've started a detailed spreadsheet to monitor all aspects of his care to see if there is an observable pattern -- enrichment, diet, bedtime, vocalization, etc. I can understand the anguish parents go through when their kids have issues of anxiety or health -- this is my kid, and I can't get better for him. Ouchies. If only I could teach him to stitch to unload some of his anxiety. We could be quite the team.
Yesterday I was able to work on my tiny pieces a little while waiting for my flat tire to be looked at. While people around me sat staring at their phones, I couched gold thread onto a little quilted thing with turquoise thread, sitting on a bench in the sunshine. Very nice. These will become pins, I think. Very fun to work make! They will be stitched and beaded, then backed and edged. Lots of work for a tiny little thing, but worth it if they come out well. This is what they look like so far: