I wanted a pet pigeon, so I got a plush pigeon.

"The Power of imagination makes us infinite." - John Muir

I have always had a very deep love for animals. My very first friend was a turtle named, Charlie. He taught me to be patient, which forced me to be more observant of my surroundings. I learned to listen and to feel things on a deeper level because you kind of have to when you hang out with an animal who doesn't have the ability to verbalize what they are thinking. 

A little over 40 years later, I am still here... being observant. I've loved many pets throughout my life, but I have a special appreciation for observing the local wildlife, too. I'm always wondering what goes through their minds and I'm consistently telling my loved ones what I believe they are thinking and feeling. Birds are my kryptonite... especially pigeons. 

I find comfort in the cooing sounds that they make and I adore their little gasoline suits. What is this 'gasoline suit' you speak of? Well, I am glad you asked (even though no one did). I like to imagine that birds wear a pantsuit made of feathers. In the case of pigeons, it's a gasoline suit because their feathers always remind me of an oil slick as it floats on the surface of a puddle, especially after a good rain. As an an added bonus, if pigeons were a subculture, they would be the 'punks' of the bird world. Little feathered non-conformists who force us to see all that is wrong in our society. 

Unfortunately, I am unable to adopt or foster an actual pigeon, as I do not have the space to properly do so, but it is a dream of mine to one day care for one and give them the best life. As a means to quell my sadness for the time being, I 'adopted' a lovely plush pigeon that I have named Pommes Frites (German=French fries). Once he came to live with me and my family, my imagination started to run wild. I started telling all kinds of stories about him and pigeons in general. My family kept telling me that I should start writing the stories that I tell... so I did. Pommes Frites became my little muse, but also... my mascot. 

I've been writing this story for a few years called, Pommes Frites: A Pigeon's Tale. I thought about trying to publish it as a book, but decided that zines are more my style. So I separated it into multiple volumes. I've held onto it for a while, but I'm working on getting it out there to share with other pigeon enthusiasts. Not gonna lie... I'm a little nervous.