a peek inside the fishbowl

Emma takes a basketball “skills and drills” class for girls at Fisher Park on Monday nights. She loves it.  In fact, this is her second semester. I had my doubts when she first started. I wasn’t sure if 60 minutes once a week was going to make a difference. I was afraid she might find it discouraging. But the price was right and I couldn’t say no. (It only cost $35 for 8 – or  was it ten? – weeks. Regardless, A GOOD DEAL.) 

Emma had a rough start but didn’t give up. She was one of the youngest in the group, but she persevered and by golly, she learned some moves, conquered her fear of the ball, and even started to sink a few baskets here and there. (On a regulation-height net!)

Did she improve? Oh yes, by LEAPS AND BOUNDS (no pun intended). The young woman who coaches the class is fantastic. I’m assuming she’s a local high school student. She’s fun, fit, patient, and energetic. You couldn’t ask for a better role model for young girls learning the game.

Sadly, Emma’s class is probably going to be cancelled this term because she is only one of TWO girls signed up. Apparently no one cares about girls basketball anymore. They won’t run a program with such low enrollment. 

Sad huh?

All we need is a few more girls to keep it going. But I’m tapped out and have run out of people to ask. Gah! I’m hoping for a miracle.

… and her (or his?) name is B.B – a sweet little budgie we bought from a Kanata-area breeder last night.

S/he is so young we can’t tell what gender it is yet. B.B. might stand for Billy Blue. Or Betty Boo. We won’t know until the bird gets a little older its cere changes colour (that’s the little spot right above the beak).

Choosing her him it could have been a bit challenging. There were three young birds to choose from. B.B. was the youngest of the three hatchlings, babies of a white bird and a blue bird.  The two siblings were darker blue, and reminded me of our first budgie (appropriately named Blue). The two fluttered energetically around the room while we were trying to decide. One (or both?) crash-landed a couple times. Ouch! B.B. made for the valance of a nearby curtain once, but ultimately charmed us by climbing up my scarf and hunkering down underneath my hair. The girls hooted with laughter when they saw it peeking out.

I guess I didn’t pick the budgie as much as it picked me.

B.B. is a softer, more bleached-out blue than her siblings. She definitely got a dose from the white parent. Her cheeks are periwinkle blue and she has adorable black button eyes. (There I go, calling her a she. She’s so cute she must be a girl bird! I’m secretly hoping for a male, but I won’t really mind either way.)

B.B. has been pretty quiet this morning. I got a pretty wing raise in greeting and B.B. let me give its head a little scratch. I’m off to buy some millet before I settle in to work for the day.  

Photos to come soon.

ETA: I got a nice chirp and B.B’s had a bit of fresh millet. Yay! I’m debating what the initials will eventually stand for. Bonnie Bird? Baby budgie? Binky Beak? Suggestions are welcome. (Thanks for yours Bob!)