Gellatly Nut Farm Outing

We took a few Macramé Owls on their first autumn outing in the Okanagan. Fittingly, we went to a nut farm.

Pictured here (left to right) are myself (Annie Zed), Horatio, Gretchen, Horace, Betty Boo, Rosemary, and Albert.

Across the street, we spotted a building that had potential as a Macramé Owl Sanctuary.

Sadly, we can’t yet afford such luxurious accommodation, so we moved on to view the trees.

Our community helper pointed out some educational info about the site to Betty Boo.

We took time to pose as a group by the beautiful homestead.

Gretchen insisted on having her photo taken by the antique nut washer, still in use today.

We also took the opportunity for a photo with Jack Gellatly himself!

We had some fun with a wheelbarrow among autumn leaves.

We walked all the way to the lake.

We spent the rest of the time just hanging around the grounds.

One last photo – a close-up, just for fun!

Washed Up Macramé Owl Thaws on Shores of Okanagan Lake

A great mystery that appeared on the shores of Okanagan Lake has had the Macramé Owl Sanctuary team stumped.

Our transition of Macramé Owl Sanctuary headquarters to Canada has been fraught with delay and hardship. With lack of funding and suitable accommodation, the Macramé Owls have been living in cramped quarters, doing their best to maintain high spirits. While discussing housing issues, sanctuary volunteer, Darius Prince and I took a long walk along the beach of Okanagan Lake in the British Columbia Rocky Mountain interior.

Darius spotted a mysterious round parcel that had washed up onto the beach. What the heck was it?

Lo and behold, it was labelled “To the Macramé Owl Sanctuary, Canada”. What are the odds?!

There appeared to be a bit of a crack along the side of this chrysalis-like packaging. Coincidentally, we noticed nearby that somebody had left a blanket. Wanting to keep this sad package dry, we gently moved it over onto this blanket. We weren’t quite sure what to do next. As we pondered it, Darius noted a raft of ducks on the lake were slowly approaching us.

Then we noticed something really wierd was happening. Something began to emerge from the packaging!

Slowly slithering, something was creeping out!

On closer examination, Darius identified the tell-tale signs of jute and yarn, which is the typical plumage of the Macramé Owl.

Testing its vital signs, Darius is happy to report, it’s alive!

A strange, heartwrenching note affixed to its tail read: “Please love me, too.”

One of the mallards made it to shore, approaching with a concerned-sounding quack.

We decided we had to get this magnificent specimen away from the wet sand and cold snow to ensure its survival.

Looking a little shell-shocked, we encouraged the Macramé Owl to have a little rest upon a park bench.

A little compassion goes a long way with a Macramé Owl.

We decided he was too weak to remain homeless, so we brought him to the Macramé Owl Sanctuary for further rest and recuperation.

His origin remains a mystery, but our team is working with clues and will update you on his condition when we are able to piece together more information.

© March 2, 2014 | Annie Zalezsak

Confessions of a Chocowlholic

We all know that Macramé Owls love sweets, but chocowlholism is a specific addiction afflicting only a few. Macramé Owl Mike is one of them. Through years of chocolate abuse, Mike’s jute has turned a chocolate brown. While his chocolate intake is being monitored, every now again, he slips backward. Earlier today, I walked in on Mike and Alfonso partaking in a chocolate binge in my bedroom.

Alfonso was particularly startled, and was no doubt the instigator and enabler of this indulgence. Alfonso is particularly known for his mischief regarding sweets. (See also Alfonso’s Sweet Tooth.)

Rather than scolding or lecturing, sometimes it’s best to just leave a Macramé Owl to learn from his own experiences. When I went to check on them a few hours later, it was a sore, belly-aching sight: both Mike and Alfonso were on their backs, bellies distended, groaning with the discomfort of overdoing it on chocolate.

Let’s hope that this time, they learn their lesson!

Macramé Owl Desecration

This is perhaps the most astonishing Macramé Owl survival story we have heard of to date. Have tissues at the ready. This story will move you to tears.

A little over 2 weeks ago, far away in New Zealand, Colleen Millar innocently purchased a doormat. Concerned about the environment, Colleen was delighted when the shop keeper assured her that the mat was made of recycled materials. Rolled up tightly with cotton string, she took the doormat home.

When she unrolled it, some mysterious objects fell out.

She didn’t think much about it at the time. She simply laid the doormat out on her door step.

Colleen is an avid supporter of the Macramé Owl Sanctuary and a frequent visitor to our Facebook page. Upon reading our report about Macramé Owl poaching, she was mortified to learn that Macramé Owls are still be hunted for their jute. When she put two-and-two together, she became considerably alarmed. Were poached Macramé Owl bodies recycled for something as indignant as a doormat?! Desperate for advice, she sent us this picture of her doormat (see below) and expressed her distress at this inconceivable possibility.

The Macramé Owl Sanctuary Team hears many tragic stories of Macramé Owl neglect. But this story truly hit home. Sadly, we had to inform Colleen that she may have unknowingly been involved in an immoral transaction with this purchase. We advised her to check the mat carefully for any remnants of ceramic eye or beak. Colleen reports:

“It occured to me that I had noticed a feather or two in the house. I just thought they had been blown in by the wind. But suddenly, it just hit me like a ton of bricks. I ran to the door, and Bob, our cat, had already made the gruesome discovery. Bob had somehow flipped the mat over, and was investigating random pieces of Macramé Owl parts!

“I nearly heaved. It was a disgusting sight! Nonetheless, I knew I had to photo-document this so that other innocent shoppers are not deceived; that they will be alerted about what to look for; and that no Macramé Owl is victimized by this insane, inhumane criminality ever again.”

While we may never know what horrors this Macramé Owl has been through, or what he looked like in his former incarnation, there is a happy ending to this atrocity. This doormat landed in the hands of Colleen, a caring Macramé Owl advocate, who just so happens to work as a Sterilization Technician in a medical environment. Colleen explains:

“There are some fine surgeons on our team, so I asked for their advice, and pulled in a few favours,” said Colleen. “It was touch-and-go at times, and I really wasn’t sure Frankie would pull through reconstructive surgery following such a traumatic ordeal. It just goes to show you what immense survival spirit the Macramé Owl species has. We’ll save them from extinction yet!”

Pictured below, a relieved Colleen keeps Frankie warm as he recuperates from surgery at home. How did he get the name Frankie? Colleen reveals:

“Well, obviously, we didn’t know what variety of Macramé Owl he was. Or even if he was a he or a she! So we named ‘him’ Frankie, after Frankenstein. We felt it was appropriate since we rebuilt him from random Macramé Owl parts and gave him life. I admit, he is a bit odd looking, and has a tendency to stare at nothing in particular, but that is typical of most Macramé Owls… isn’t it?”

Out of all tragedy comes some good. Colleen has since volunteered to campaign for Macramé Owl Anti-Poaching laws to be introduced into New Zealand. She truly exemplifies our motto: WITTOSOMO! (Whatever It Takes To Save Our Macramé Owls!)

Alfonso’s American Debut

After surviving a long night of hunting in the kitchen area of the Macramé Owl Sanctuary for all things sweet, scrumptious and caffeinated, Alfonso was slightly exhausted this morning.

Yesterday was such an exciting day for Alfonso. After being woken up from his usual daytime sleep-a-thon at the unearthly hour of 2pm (UK time), Alfonso was asked to dress up in his most luxurious and colourful Owloween bow tie. He was to appear along with his contemporaries on “Good Day Sacramento” for their Halloween Weekend Special with Cody Stark and Amy Carraba.

Rosemary, Alfonso and Sherman nervously wait in the ‘green room’ prior to going live on air via Skype.

Unfortunately, Alfonso was also to appear with the three, slightly weird sanctuary workers, Annie, Zoë and Viv.

In Alfonso’s words “those three cookie gals get in on everything and ride on the back of my up and coming fame”. With this, Alfonso stuck his beak in the air and stayed that way for the remainder of the afternoon.

It has been noticed that he is developing a real attitude of late with all the fame, photographs and celebrity status that is a-knocking at his door! Alfonso was not impressed that jaundiced Skippy muscled in on the action. But that’s life, and Alfonso has to concede that poor Skippy has been through the mill and back since his rescue. Skippy really looks up to Alfonso as well. So eventually, Alfonso forgave Skippy’s impromptu entrance onto the silver screen.

Alfonso went straight back to his perch after his American television debut. He was absolutely exhausted and decided that a feed of delicious fruity jam preserves, a beakful of cookies, and a steaming cappuccino was the order of the day.

Following his feast, Alfonso settled down for a long, deep sleep and hoped he would dream about the most exciting night to follow – “Owloween” – the night when Macramé Owls gather and feast on amazing fare and reminisce about days gone by, cheese fondues, and cool Kaftans – Owlsome!

As the trio prepare to go out trick-or-treating, Skippy hams it up by playing dead zombie in the Halloween treat bowl!

♥ ♥ ♥

Click here to watch Macrame Owl’s interview on Goodday Sacramento. If you’re in the USA and would like to donate Macrame Owls to the Sanctuary, you can send them to the station care of:

“Cody Stark, Keeper of the Macramé Owls”
2713 Kovr Drive
West Sacramento, CA 95605

♥ ♥ ♥

This guest blog post is
written by Vivienne Foley,
Macramé Owl Rehabilitation Expert (MORE)

Clever Macramé Owl Rescue

From an upstairs window of her home, Loraine Gliser of Holts Summit, Missouri in the USA, spotted two rather large Albino Macramé Owls taking refuge in a tree in her back garden. With a mixture of alarm and excitement, she carefully ventured near and attempted to coax them down. But they must have been through quite an ordeal as they seemed to be paralyzed by fear and would not budge. She tried to subliminally mesmerize them, yet they remained motionless.

They stayed in the tree for quite some time.

After several phone calls to husband Mike Gliser, he was able to rush home to aid Loraine in the rescue. Fortunately, Mike had read up on Macramé handling techniques in the past. Now was his chance to put this knowledge into practice. However, his first attempt received some resistance.

It was then that the couple realized this pair would need greater persuasion. But what would entice them? Knowing that some species are drawn to shiny objects, Loraine had an idea. Fetching a gleaming green ribbon bow, she flashed it in the direction of the Macramé Owls. Then, holding it behind her back, she pretended to walk away, nonchalantly. Just look how the one on the left is relentlessly staring after her!

Well, this worked! Soon, the pair were making themselves very comfortable indoors!

Sanctuary Anniversary Celebration

This month, the Macramé Owl Sanctuary celebrates its third year of operation. To mark the occasion, the MOST (Macramé Owl Sanctuary Team) and some of our Macramé Owl Residents had a delicious lunch extravaganza at Nando’s in Merthyr Tydfil. The food was awesome!

Macramé Owlpreneurs

Supported and encouraged by Zoë Jones and Annie Zed, Macramé Owls Madeleine and Alfonso have teamed forces with entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm. They are doing their part to support the sustainability of their home at the Macramé Owl Sanctuary. We’re pleased to announce they have just opened a shop on Cafe Press and have chosen a few items to model on. Madeleine appears on a large blanket so that you can cuddle up with her of a night time!

You can also buy pajamas with her picture on the front. They are so pretty and feminine, just like Madeleine herself.

Alfonso, with his cheeky spirit, is a bit more adventurous. He’s appearing on this cheerful yellow messenger bag.

You can also wear Alfonso stating his identity “I’m a Whimsical Macramé Owl” on a yellow t-shirt!

Other Macramé Owls are hoping to join the scheme, but they may need some encouragement. If you have a favourite Macramé Owl among our residents, let us know what Cafe Press product you’d like to see them on, or any ideas you have for Madeleine and Alfonso’s successful Owlpreneurship.

Macramé Owling

By now, you’ve probably heard of ‘owling’. It’s that craze where people crouch in kind of an owl pose, and stare off into middle-distance with a blank expression. There are subtle variations to the pose.

When our Macramé Owl residents heard about this trend, they wanted to do their part. So they invented Macramé Owling.

What is Macramé Owling?

Macramé Owling is owling with Macramé Owls. The pose often tends to be somewhat more extended (to resemble a Macramé Owl), which is great for people who aren’t very flexible or supple. In other words, those who grew up with Macramé Owls in the 60’s and 70’s are more likely to have the fitness level required for Macramé Owling (rather than just plain owling).

Here’s a picture of Greg, our Macramé Owl Welfare Rescue Operations Nurse (MOWRON) doing some Macramé Owling at our Macramé Owl Sanctuary.

Below is Ciaran, our Apprentice MOWRON, practicing his Macramé Owling, too.

You don’t have to be a MOWRON to do Macramé Owling (though it helps!). If you have MOJO, like our Macramé Owl Jolly Organizer (MOJO) Zoë, you may be able to do Macramé Owling, too!

We’ll bring you more Macramé Owling stories and pictures soon.

Barney’s Back!

What with the lovely weather we had in Wales yesterday, Barney decided to head out for a stroll to enjoy the sun. It’s rare for a Macramé Owl to go out on his own, but Barney’s quite responsible, so we didn’t think much about it at the time. We all just went about our normal business here at the Macramé Owl Sanctuary office.

Suddenly, Ciaran spotted Barney at the window!

This was a real shock, as the Sanctuary is on the first floor of the building. I was very concerned for Barney’s safety and called for MORE help. (Viv is our “MORE”: Macramé Owl Rehabilitation Expert.)

Viv manages to safely coax Barney into a nest. Phew! When we asked Barney whatever possessed him to climb up to the first floor window, the silly sausage admitted he’d forgotten his keys!

 All in a day’s work at the Macramé Owl Sanctuary!