Actually, I dipped out of the hermitage this afternoon and went to Arayat Market. I had to buy millet, mixed seeds, two water dispensers, and a basket-woven nest for the pet birds. So far I have a total of seven cages and 28 birds (2 + 8 = 10), and those are the numbers I'm settling for.

This is the second time I went to Arayat Market wearing only my house clothes and flip-flops. It is quite thrilling to blend with the market people. Most of the men there are also in tees and shorts.