7th Street ABCD Collective

Frost Moon Activity Report

2012-01-22T20:48:00.000-08:00

This is our first Moon cycle Activity Report from Willis Avenue posted during the present Frost or Biter Moon, covering events happening during the previous Moon. But as the Collective is behind in reporting, I'm putting in everything important from the last time Lord Sun paused in his pacing before falling back to that dark den in which all dogs begin to feel life.

We have been very busy entertaining human visitors. Usually the cats provide amusements, but Birdo and Varna have developed a repertoire of clever but noisy bird tricks. I provide protection from neighborhood pigeons for our visitors' cars while performing my routine patrol duties. Yotur Cat points out, that although our efforts have made visits enjoyable for these humans, our collective's request for treat gratuities has been ignored. A large sign should be posted on our street door informing would-be visitors of Collective Policy #23: At least one treat per human (or other animal) for a bird or cat or dog is required as an entry fee to our Collective. There's been some discussion about this proposal. Presently, it's on the Collective Manager's agenda.

Whiskers and Yotur are continuing to patrol our front yard on leashes. As junior members of the Willis Avenue Protection Agency (formerly the Caballero P.A.) they aren't permitted to evict or pursue trespassers. This is my job, although if the mailman brought a dog treat I might make an exception for him. Yotur recently slipped off his leash to disappear, he says, in pursuit of a criminal possum. But as no witnesses have come forward to collaborate his version of the event, we think that being a nosey kit, he got a possum nip and fled to hide. Well, cowardice has had it's reward in a vet visit, pills, and extremely unpleasant wound treatment. Think again, Yotur, before investigating possums.

Rain has finally arrived to freshen the air and revive our parched noses. The back garden is being pruned of leftover growth. This gets dumped out on the street and eaten by a large truck. Since the days have been warmed by sun, many pruned plants have put out buds and baby leaves. As you might expect, plant plans for spring got frosted by this new Biter Moon which bit off growth. Chilly paws are no problem for me; being an American Eskimo dog I have snow booties. The apple trees also look pleased with the nippy weather. More apples for our famous Collective Applesauce. Dogs pick, cats wash, and birds crunch up the crop to make our special recipe. Write us if you'd like a copy. At the moment I'm keeping an eye on our brocholi and cauliflower bed. There's a rumor of rats. Birdo suggests I sharpen my teeth just as he sharpens his beak. He'll have more to say about good animal habits in his next broadcast. Listen up, Willis Avenue.

Report successfully submitted by Uli Var

Wake Up Willis Avenue the ABCD Collective Has Arrived!

2012-01-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

The ABCD Collective is at last ready to open its gate to the birds, cats and dogs of Willis Avenue. If you are flying over from City Hall as our falcon friends do, just wing past the little meadow with the silent metal animals, dart under the road bridge, up past the fire truck home, and turn left into Willis. There's a cherry tree waiting perch in our front yard and public bird bath. Give a squawk to let us know you've arrived. Cats, you can take neighborhood fence paths to reach our back door. Yotur will take down your name and issue you a garden pass. Dogs, you are expected to bark at our front gate. Uli Var will then come out to check your license. She will issue a reprimand and you won't be admitted if it isn't current.

Please note that Humans are also welcome provided they observe Bird Law and behave in accordance with traditional cat and dog etiquette. Treats are not obligatory for admittance to Collective grounds, but Humans are encouraged to make this donation.

Birdo gives his morning news broadcast a short while after our neighbor rooster perform his Sun Crow Up. If you would like to submit a news item for broadcast, please turn it in to one of our Collective members before moon rise. If you'd like you can request it be added to our weekly blog post. Remember, Humans also read this blog, so don't submit anything you wouldn't want them to read about.

We are very excited about this new year. Lord Sun's birthday was celebrated with a delicious meal (yes, we know you Cats attend Moon rituals). The sun hours are growing longer and our garden's life is stirring beneath its damp coverlet of earth. It's time to chew off old growth, paw up soil to get it ready for Lady Moon to loose her hair in showers. We smell wonderful promises soon to bud. Fix your feathers, Birdo. Let's get ready for a soaring Spring.

Two Orphans Looking for Employment and Lodgings

2007-09-24T23:12:00.000-07:00

There's always an extra bowl out by our shed for the needy stranger limping in on weary paws. Long warm summer days bring a procession of homeless creatures hopeful they will find employment and lodging before winter can soak their fur. Here are our latest hopefuls. If you, our reader, have heard of any situation that would suit them, please contact the Collective with this information.

Spring is dancing up 7th Street

2007-03-11T21:28:00.000-07:00

It's prancing on kitten feet, waving a breezy tail. Unbudded branches wave back in anticipation. Birdo has begun ritual preparations for the all too few parrot babies that will be hatching far away where the wind's breath is warm and moist. Ragni is reminiscing to her daughter Uli about those parental chores she happily performed once upon a time. Strolling into the unoccupied dogroom, Douglasina Prickle Puss returns to nap in a wicker basket where she once slept curled close to her foster mother, Zeidai Patitas.
Welcome, tender buds wakening into blossoms. Welcome most of all, our garden's renewed pledge to produce sweet grape and berry, apple and plum, citrus and fig.

Hello, 7th Street and the world

2007-02-06T18:15:00.000-08:00

You have heard my morning and evening broadcast (in parrot, of course) for many years. But with this new technology I can publish my observations, opinions, advice as well as pertinent collective news to a far wider audience. - Birdo Macaw