>> You can scratch him with fingers if you like; he's very warm and his feathers are soft and dense. <<

Thanks for the info. I think I'll take you up on that.

*puts needle away, starts skritching with fingers, being careful to respect the feathers' alignment*

My bird-fondling experience has primarily been with seed-eaters, who will often inadvertently take a chomp on whatever's skritching them. Best if it's not a finger when that happens. Plus, my experience is that keeping my distance makes whatever I'm doing feel less likely to be interpreted as an attack.

>> The color is beautiful on that. <<

Yes, it is. So are the colors I'm actually using: orange, cream, and a variegated brown.

I've got another nibling's family expecting a child in May. I'll be seeing them next month, and helping them select their project and colors.

>> /Thank you./ <<

You're welcome.

*heads over to pillow supply, taking a moment to squish a late arrival on the way*

*returns with a large handful of pillows, creates a comfortable spot on the floor, and pushes the rest your way*

I'd say, start slowly and softly, and find the knots of tension. I typically respond better to work that draws out and dissipates the tension, rather than breaks it up -- my body tends to fight back against intense treatment.

Thanks for asking!