Two weeks ago, my neighbor Missy dropped off her parrot JOJO at my house and raced off to visit her ailing father in Florida.
At the time, JoJo, an ancient Psittacine, prophesized that Missy’s dad would die.
JoJo was right. (Parrot Plot Points)
JoJo was right about a lot of things, including the fact that Missy would return in 10 days, but only to gather some clothes, check on her winged Wise One, and to promise she’d “make it up to me” for parrot sitting the irascible, irresistible, at times irritating colorful bird.
“Don’t believe everything JoJo says,” Missy warned as she sprinted back to the airport. “She’s a bit of a devil in disguise.”
My neighbor smiled to soften her words, but JoJo winked at me, fluffing her blue/yellow/orange feathers while squawking at Missy, “Nice knowin’ you.”
Unbeknownst to Missy, JoJo had told me most of her secrets by then. One evening, with the lights turned low, soft jazz music in the background, JoJo out of her cage and sitting on my shoulder, she murmured the truth of her origins.
“Missy claims I’m 36, failing to add the 100 years I lived in my land before I was captured.” JoJo’s parrot squawk became a captivating whisper.
“My people are the Manu aloha. My desire is to return to my ancestral place of origin.”
JoJo’s romantic stories of her family (“wise ones who hide in the depths of the palm trees, manifesting the rain, sun and rainbows for the island dwellers”) convinced me that I should help her escape and return to the world where she belonged.
“You’ll fall in love with my land,” JoJo promised. “The sun and the surf and the creatures of our kingdom will all become part of your family, too.”
I can’t tell you how I spirited JoJo onto the plane for the 10-hour trip. I’ll give a clue – JoJo the Amazing was able to minimize herself when the time warranted. Her abilities must remain secret, because otherwise her species would be hunted and used for nefarious reasons.
JoJo used no hyperbole in her stories to me. Within an hour of our arrival at her island, magnificent, winged beings of every color of the rainbow surrounded us. They spoke excitedly to JoJo in their language.
Then, they flew soft circles of thanks around me, my hair blowing in the breeze of their gratefulness.
My little cabin here is open to the ocean breezes, and I receive winged visitors daily. When they flutter their feathers, a gentle rain waters the Hibiscus in my garden, and minutes later, the sun beams her rays.
Me? I may never return. I don’t need to decide now. Thanks to JoJo, my novel is almost complete. Why would I leave a muse who not only changed my life, but also brought my fiction to new life?
For now, I’m off for a swim with the Honu, with JoJo flying closely above me.
Anyone care to join me?
Magical fun
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Magical fun keeps life interesting, doesn’t it? 😍
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Indeed
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I knew that Jojo would bring you happiness. xo
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She has shown me how we each have creative Paradises in our own minds! 🌴🦜
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Nice❤️
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Thanks!! 🦜
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Hurray for JoJo the muse!
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I almost hate to publicize her musedom. It would be nice if everyone thought I came up with these stories myself 😀💗
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It’ll be our little secret. Mum’s the word . . .
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What’s on JoJo’s itinerary for April? We have some room for her if she’d care to visit. 😉
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That is so nice of you! Maybe after JoJo settles in a bit she’ll fly to your land! 🌴💖
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Every writer needs a muse like JoJo who reflects reverberations of Hawaii, the magical land of lyrical inspiration. Good to have you back, Pam!
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Good to be back although I do miss JoJo. She’s in safe loving hands in the land of aloha. 🌴
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I knew JoJo would come through for you.❤️
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Perhaps you are a psychic like JoJo! 😁
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I could love a JoJo. What a magical muse! and this is such a fun read!
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I think we all deserve a JOJO. I’m asking her about siblings who would be willing to visit my blogging friends. 🙂 (Keep an eye out for a colorful talking bird…)
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I have a perch all ready!
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❤
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Enjoyed this immensely.
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A little fantasy does everyone a bit of good. 🙂 ❤
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Do you take visitors? There’s a flight I could catch…
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Fly on over, Jacqui. Go past CA, about1,000 miles over the Pacific Ocean, and look for a red/orange/turquoise/lavender island. I’ll wave you down. ❤
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Hehee
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Something magical about a swim with the hono, but a magnificent muse flying above is a mystery ready to begin!
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Hi Jeanette. A magical mystical muse is my dream come true. 🙂
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I still want to parrot-sit JoJo, but it looks as if she’s already home among her fellow birds and has “adopted” her writer already! Another good tale, Pam 🙂
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JoJo appreciates all the offers she received to visit (turns out most of us bloggers are ready for a talking colorful parrot-muse) but now that she’s home, she says she’s settling in for a while. 🙂
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Oh yes–those fabulous family reunions! 🙂
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A warmly beautiful ending to this story, Pam. Hugs on the wing.
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Thanks, Teagan. You and I believe in wonderful fantastical endings. ❤
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Magical all around, Pam! A beautiful conclusion. 💙
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Thanks, Merril. I kind of got caught up in the “spirited tale,” so to speak. 🙂
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You’re welcome! 🙂
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This is delightful and magical and I could go on and on… JoJo has been a most wonderful muse! Love this! 💞
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JoJo came up out of the otherworld. A parrot? Really? But she teaches us that our muse may be nearer than we think, if we just think outside the box (or in her case, outside the cage). 🙂
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This is so true, as you have demonstrated beautifully.
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❤
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💞
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The magic of Jojo is incredible! Looking forward to reading the novel inspired by Jojo. 🤗
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Ohhh, Balroop. My fantasy of JoJo and my “almost finished” novel is still flying with JoJo in her mystical island. But I’m hoping/believing that just by conjuring her up, my novel will start flowing faster. ❤
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Yes I would love to join you 😁
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See if you can convince Jacqui Murray (comment above a bit) to take a seat next to her on the magical mystery plane to JoJo’s island. 🙂
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That would be an honor. Of course that means I would have to wear shoes. (not sure they fit anymore.)
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Flip flops will do. 🙂
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Okay. I’m in.
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JoJo is such an interesting character…and a fabulous muse!
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JoJo is an enigma and a mystery for sure. How she found me, and decided to trust me with her species’ secrets, I’ll never know. But I do feel very lucky!! 🙂 (Thanks for enjoying my fantasy.) ❤
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Thanks for the magical and heartfelt musings Pam! I’m a little jealous and very overdue for a tropical vacation. It’s been over 15 years since I’ve been to a beach! 😥
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Well, I must admit that JoJo and her kind stay clear of the beach. The monk seals aren’t fans of theirs, and the surf spray weighs down their feathers. They prefer inland with the palm trees. 🙂
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Either way, I’m ready for a tropical getaway!
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I’ll come along as a visitor with Jacqui.
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John Howell will be a passenger in your plane with Jacqui as well. Do you want a window or aisle seat? 🙂 xo
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Doesn’t matter, so long as I’m allowed to read.
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You may the conclusion of the story so inviting. I will now be dreaming of mumu’s, sandals and birdsong.
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I think a dream that includes mumu’s, sandals and birdsong is a pretty darn great dream! SO glad you liked the conclusion to JoJo’s tail (which is long, colorful, and beautiful. Oh, yes, glad you liked her tale as well. 🙂
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What a delightful story! Would you call it Magical Realism? Are you a fan of Gabriel Garcia Marquez? I love his short stories and novels.
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Yes, I really enjoy reading books under the genre of magical realism. In the best ones, there’s more reality than magic, but the magic that is interspersed amongst the setting and plot makes the characters glow. I don’t read a lot of Marquez; I enjoy the books of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen, good examples of magical realism.
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Sometimes I can’t tell if your stories are fact or fiction, Pam. Lol. Maybe a little of both here. A delightful post and so glad to hear that your novel is almost complete. Thank goodness for muses in whatever form they take. ❤ ❤
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LOTS of reality in JoJo’s tale here, sure, Diana. However, part of the fantasy is that my novel is anywhere near completed. ;-0 🙂
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Oh no. I thought if anything was true, that novel nearing completion was it! You’re turning into a fantasy writer, Pam, with all that believable world-building. Lol. Happy Writing. ❤ Hugs
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I will join you and JoJo! A hui hou…
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You were only a skip, hop, and jump away from JoJo’s land, Amy! 🙂 Mahalo.
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Such a fun read, Pam and to have JoJo fill in plot holes. Good luck with your novel. xxx
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JoJo is getting distracted by the flowers and her bird friends. I need to cajole her to getting back on track as my muse!! 🙂 Many thanks, Carol.
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I’d be delighted to join in! What a whimsical piece. 🙂
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Whimsy is a great place for escapism, Layla. In fact, wouldn’t it be fun if there was a land called “Whimsy”? ❤
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I would join you in a skinny minute if I could. Loved the story… and I wish it were true and a place like that existed. It is akin to what I believe heaven might be like. Maybe someday we will know.
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The (weird/scary/fascinating) thing is that in a way, I create my own kind of paradise in my writing and stories. And somehow, I think they come from a real place. Here’s hoping. And thanks SO much for your comments and “being here.”
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I just knew Jojo was psychic and had lots of secrets. So happy she was whisked back to her home as it should be. I probably wouldn’t leave either with fresh fruit growing everywhere. Yum. I feel so peaceful just reading this.
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Peace is in the mind of the beholder, Marlene. And in the mind of the writer and the reader. So thanks for the sweet compliment. To peace within as well as without. (And may JoJo swing by to visit us both from time to time.) ❤
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I need a JoJo! What a delightful story, Pam. Wishing you the best with your novel!
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Thanks, Marie. I conjured up JoJo for this tale (tail?) but I think I need JoJo x 4 to get my novel completed. 🙂
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I won’t go for a swim, but I’ll definitely volunteer to hold your towel on that lovely, pristine beach. Just wait a sec while I get my hat. 🙂
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Another way we’re similar – I LOVE looking at the water. But even though I was a competive swimmer from ages of 7 through college, I’d rather stay dry now and watch the whales cavort far away. We’ll both sit on the beach towel wearing our large sun hats. 🙂
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You were? Wow. I blush to say I was never a water baby.
I’ll bring some SP50 suntan lotion and a nice bowl of chilled grapes. 😀
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Magical and delightful story, Pam, and so happy to hear your novel is nearing the end. 💞
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The fantasy part, Lauren, is not JoJo and her island, but the idea that my novel is near completion. Sigh. But we can dream, can’t we? 🙂 xo
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Before moving to Florida, I took a flight of fancy and fantasy at my writing desk one late November day . . . flying to Florida in my mind, conjuring up palm trees and sea breezes and pristine sand. Returning to reality a few hours later reminded me that if we Conceive it and Believe it, we can Achieve it.
One month later, we flew to Florida for a 2 week stay that has turned into a 13 year stay.
Follow your dreams!
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How I LOVE your “reality” story, Nancy. I totally believe in the power of manifesting your dreams into reality. I’m going to keep working on that! Thanks for the inspiration.
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HI Pam, this is a most entertaining story and I’m glad Jo-Jo got home. I like your new gravatar.
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JOJO took my photo for the gravatar. I passed on your praise. THANKS. 🙂
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Pam, you do know JoJo’s agent is going to be in touch with you soon enough, arranging for an upfront cut and future royalties consideration regarding her active participation in this new venture. 🦜
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I’m a bit worried about this Bruce. But as long as I keep providing JoJo with Oreo cookies (her favorite treat) she’s promised me to not contact her agent. Crossing fingers…. 🙂
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This is wonderful, Pam! You and JoJo rock! 🦜
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And of course, JoJo’s favorite music is rocknroll. 🙂
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🙂
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I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind reading a novel about a gossipy, psychic, mystical parrot.
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Could be a good one, huh? 🙂
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I think so!
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The day that JoJo entered your life was an excellent day indeed. Keep JoJo close!
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So true!! JOJO loves her freedom, so I’m giving her treats (her favorite – Oreo cookies) and hoping she sticks around. 🙂
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Oh, yes! Pam, JoJo is the best (but of course you already know that.)
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Thanks for your comment, Jennie. I’m discovering that the happier JoJo is, the more her feathers turn soft colors of lavender and turquoise. Isn’t that neat? I wish our bodies showed our emotional colors. Then again, moss green for aggravation wouldn’t look so great. Right now, though, I’m light blue. How about you? 🙂
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That is so cool! Yes, if we could be like JoJo and change colors to show how we feel…sigh! I like light blue. 😀
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