@gailb Hello! I am sorry to hear about your wood finches. Forty years ago I had a cockatiel and a parakeet that brought much joy in my life. I didn't know a whole lot about them either but did with parakeets. The family grew up with them. I bought their food at the corner store not a pet shop. They both developed a beak disease from stale food and I had to put them both down. I think of them often and guilty for not looking after them better. I make sure now with Baby that his food is fresh. Nowadays we have expiry dates on food. We all make innocent mistakes and blame ourselves for a lifetime for them. I love cats. They make me laugh so much. They can cuddle also not like birds. Great companions and love the posse effect 🙂

I hope to have the left carotid artery done if the surgeon will agree. I live in Canada and the operation is free but not sure how far free is, if they do the left. It's 80% clogged and could have a stroke anytime so I hope he will. I could have a stroke tomorrow as well during the operation. What I am worried more about is if I do have one, there is really no one that could look after me. My brother is waiting for an operation to get a pacemaker and looking after his wife that is ill with COPD. I have it also. The only smokers in our family clan. My faith is with God and he knows best. I appreciate your thoughts for me tomorrow and best wishes. I also have plenty of plaque in the stomach also. It all started when my practitioner nurse decided to test both arteries for heart beats and from there I've never looked back with tests and more tests. We don't have many doctors here because they don't make the money like the U.S, so they all moved to the States. We have very little heart surgeons and the wait was 4 months to get this operation. Baby boomers in Canada beware!! They will die waiting to see the surgeon.
Ok done talking.. I am so stressed right now ... have been eating sweet and salty foods all day and smoking too much!! Will be glad it will be over tomorrow Gail. Take care of your self and will keep you posted when I get back.

Lorraine