Gail, I truly think Inger has really hit the truth here. You not only bought a parrot as a chick on impulse, but you did it when you were young, before you had gone through college, before you settled down, and you got a large conure species known for being loud and obnoxious. You did everything we tell everyone not to do because it almost always ends up with the bird on the curb.
But not with you and Sir Rickybird. For 35 years, you've stuck it out, even when time was tight and things were hard. Plus you've managed to put up with the RB for that long and that is something in itself.
Most amazing of all, and the mark of a true parront saint, you didn't get rid of or force the RB to change to make things work, you changed yourself and your expectations.
I raise a glass to you Gail, and my flock feasts on chili peppers and mayhem tonight!