The Silly, the Sad, & Future Hopes and Plans

This is about my reemergence into the aquarist hobby. My silly bit is an air stone holder shaped… well, take a look.

On the sorry side, I’ve continued suffering losses. I didn’t recall that kuhli loaches have a tendency to leap from their enclosures and I found one of the cute little guys dried up on the carpet this morning. I have my fingers crossed that my current tank coverage is sufficient and that they’ll survive my planned move to the (tightly covered) 29 gallon long tank.

This image is a serious close-up and does
not do their cute factor real justice...

I am preparing a new 20 gallon long tank. Following our Halloween related excursion to Foy’s last week I left my husband in the car while I checked out Aquatics Galore. Bless his heart, he acted unfazed when two shopkeepers emerged bearing two rather large boxes. What he doesn’t know now is that it’s going to be another ‘show’ tank, not the intended isolation/hospital space as I’d mentioned because it’s larger than necessary and will look so nice.

This boring image is me putting down
a waterproof shelf liner before I add
shelves glimpsed at bottom far left.

Next year sometime I’ll be taking over a section of our unfinished cellar space. Warning him didn’t go over so well because he hates change and some of his stuff will have to be moved. Storing his hobby supplies requires neither access to an anchoring wall nor a sink. In addition, he barely touches his stuff. He’ll recover…

Do you believe in that old adage that it’s better to beg forgiveness than ask permission? How often have you purchased nice looking furniture made from cheap materials and/or, as in the case of my aquarium stand, useless interior space?

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Random Silliness

My husband wanted to surprise me with some Halloween stuff. None of the items were what he’d hoped but no real surprise to me. The coffin shaped cookie jar arrived broken and I was secretly happy because the size and shape looked like an accident about to happen. Both night lights were unsuited/unsafe for a normal wall socket.

In hopes of making him feel better I rigged a support using a power strip, double sided tape attaching it to the baseboard, and a heavy flat paper weight for extra support. I do like these ghosts toasting marshmallows over a campfire.

I’ve continued learning aquarium keeping tips and tricks. Terrestrial plants like pothos supported above with their roots submerged help maintain good water quality. I decided to start small with bamboo stalks.

My photography skills are lacking...

As for furry critter care, I went a little overboard on cardboard scratcher ‘houses’. The Chewy website offered various items on a buy three, get one free sale. I could have acted sensibly but instead purchased four of the aforementioned items.

Only one had strong side walls and actual plastic connectors instead of flimsy paper tabs. I’ve spent (relaxing) hours fortifying two using heavy duty duct tape and hot glue attaching extra layers from the very houses’ packing boxes. With one more to construct, just last night I made the mistake of leaving its instructions on a couch cushion. A piece of packaging hid it from my sight but not from Dandelion’s fluffy butt and her enthusiastic nesting instincts.

This one is simpler than the barn,
so I should be okay...

Have you (like me ~slaps forehead~ and despite my self-perceived diplomatic nature) ever responded poorly to an unwanted gift? Is there a kind and gentle way to tell someone to stop buying you random things?

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A Walk in the Park

On the way to our nearby Crane’s Run nature trail I realized the small folding camp chair had been left behind. My time taken to go back would have been well spent because the riverside benches were surrounded by city workers mowing the grounds. I would have stayed for an hour or more enjoying the view from my favorite little spot above the river.

This little beach gets busy after dark...

My stroll was enjoyable, though. I like finding small sights most others probably pass unnoticed, or even crush by mistake. I make a point of looking up, down, and around instead of just onward and outward.

Lichen takes some amazing forms...

Fall colors are forming. Yay!

I love when tree roots look like homes for fairy folk...

Do you, as the old saying goes, ever just stop and smell the roses? In my case, I prefer carnations. Regardless, isn’t it a shame that I never see other grocery shoppers sniffing around the floral department on their way to the produce?

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A Sweet Surprise & Fish Keeping Update

I am determined to establish a natural aquarium environment as taught by Father Fish, henceforth abbreviated as FF. Once there are plants and aquatic life established, adding microfauna and some decaying plant matter helps complete the natural cycle. He teaches how to harvest from a local water source. My two attempts failed, and while I can identify my major mistakes, I purchased two bags from FF’s online store.

My box arrived days past the carrier’s initial estimate during extremely hot weather. Among three plastic bags, the smallest clearly began as a chilling ice pack turned to very warm water. The other two contained rather stinky, lifeless looking black sludge.

I considered filing a complaint with the giant nationwide service provider but all the hoops they wanted me to jump through dissuaded me. Instead I reached out to the FF family for advice.

The 86 year old patriarch himself reached out, advising me to put the mixture into jars and look for signs of life. He added that the tiny animals are quite resilient.

From most companies, any such well wishes would have concluded their response. Not these folk, who run things far different. Without further ado they replaced my full order at zero (!) charge. I would have been happy to receive one unit and pay for shipping.

Have you enjoyed (or suffered) any extreme customer service experience(s)? In the event of a positive response, do you do everything you can to promote them?

PS This afternoon I presented FF’s pamphlet to the owner of Pawesome Pet Supplies. When an employee flipped through, she looked at her boss and exclaimed, “This is totally you!”

I passed this tiny strip mall probably near a thousand
times before noticing the cool shop...

PPS You know I’ll be a repeat customer to both Pawesome and FF.

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Rising with the Tide (I Hope)

I kept tropical fish for many years before two waves of total die-off broke my heart. Several weeks ago a neighbor asked about my tanks. I’d shown him, his wife, and young daughter (now starting at university!) so long ago that I’d completely forgotten both that visit and the fact the man himself is an enthusiastic aquarist.

Saddened my two tanks sat dormant, he told me about a natural system touted by a quirky older gentleman calling himself Father Fish. This octogenarian helped establish the United State’s National Aquarium, which I hadn’t even known existed.

I’m learning a lot. The most important lesson is to dismiss much of what the giant pet industry wants us to believe. I won’t bore you with details. Suffice it to say that I no longer plan to rely on old techniques.

Sad to say, I’ve already lost several fish. Three honey gourami died mysteriously over time. More recently, the ever present ich parasite reared its ugly head. My tiny pygmy rasboras are succumbing one by one.

At the first sighting of those telltale white specks I should have acted immediately and purchased a water heater I knew capable of reaching 86 degrees Fahrenheit instead of messing with a vintage model. This warming method is reliable against the cold water loving parasite and far more gentle than caustic chemicals. That ‘scientific’ treatment actually sped the demise of many prized specimens in 2019.

At the advice of an independent pet store owner I added more air stones as these temperatures do reduce oxygen levels. I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll save the remaining rasboras and two seemingly healthy gourami.

That knowledgeable enthusiast advising me runs Pawesome Pet Supplies and Grooming. Besides offering great service, his place works with a small local cat adoption agency. Though I’d never seen any kitties on previous visits, this adorable gentleman made my acquaintance the other day.

Have you ever kept pet fish? Can you believe that my late, great freshwater clown loaches clicked in response to outside sounds?

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Not in the Mood (An Insect Introspection)

If even the tiniest spiders make your skin crawl, with all due respect I suggest skipping this post. I filmed the video at bottom in my garden. Should you watch, know that the two jumping spiders were so small I couldn’t guarantee they are the same species (like I would know, anyway), yet this seemed like a male attempting courtship.

With fingers crossed, I hope she spawns. You can probably guess that I’ve become extremely fond of jumping spiders. While the females choose their partner and when they mate, this dance struck me as nonlethal for the failed suitor, who could have become her next meal.

Preying mantids (another insect breed I favor) share this lethal characteristic along with their hunting expertise and precision eyesight. They are among the few tiny creatures who actively acknowledge a human presence. And if I’m not mistaken, the larger female spider noticed me (!) at my short clip’s end.

 

A few days ago my husband and I watched this scientific video featuring jumping spider vision. It’s over half an hour, so don’t feel compelled to watch. But if you’re a science geek I suggest spending the time.

Do you know some people keep these little critters as pets? Are you prone to notice tiny animal interactions surrounding you?

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Garden Innovations – & – an Urban Legend (My Mortal Kombat II Movie Review)

My vegetable gardening endeavors are going quite well. I’m continually learning and improvising. Let’s take a quick visual tour.

I hope this flipped trellis protects my pumpkin plants against deer;
I will have to keep track of it...

This contraption provides portable shade, which I concocted last
summer and started calling my Mobile Oasis. Our twenty-nine old neighbor thinks it is BADA$$. ~grin~ And he likes my idea of adding a cup holder, perhaps a small motor, and thinks I should market the altered hand truck.

My carefully cultivated soil for carrots got raided by raccoons overnight last week; the aforementioned kind neighbor
lent me wire cutters to create this barrier.

This morning my husband offered to see a horror movie called “Hokum” in theater. It’s been on my watch wish list so I got my butt into gear for a 10:15am show time. Weirdly, the next three days only offered late night viewings. But neither of us looked close enough at the Sunday listing; it should have been obvious the options wouldn’t be early one day and late the following.

So we had choices. The kind ticket seller mentioned another scary movie but we hadn’t heard of it and I suggested just leaving. On our way toward the exit my guy reminded me of our mutual interest in “Mortal Kombat II”. Lucky for us, our timing was perfect.

Both of us were hooked by actor Karl Urban portraying the flippant Johnny Cage. His film and cinema presence always delight. I did wonder if this Kiwi acting powerhouse would prove too old for the role of a former Black Belt fighter turned action star. I also questioned how this remake would fare against the nineties film we adore.

Happily, I cannot state enough how the character and plot adaptations surpassed all my expectations. Though this popcorn flick isn’t groundbreaking it had me utterly engaged and laughing at the many relevant cultural references.

Do you know that carrots need a particularly fine growing medium and appreciate a bone meal additive? Should I have been surprised that the bone meal attracted opportunistic raccoons?

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An Acrobat's Controlled Fall

 

Optical Illusions from We Rate Dogs

Click to Shop weratedogs.com

 

Fond Old Memories, a Precious New One, & Sad Yet Beautiful Decay

Before moving for more lucrative employment in a big city, my father worked at our small isolated town’s sole industrial plant and also did other jobs to provide for his wife and us four kids. The side gig I remember most was at the town cemetery.

As a groundskeeper, he sometimes brought us all along to help. On summer days I relished sweeping and dusting inside the mausoleum’s cool marble interior while my three older brothers toiled in the heat. To this day I find comfort and peace in cemeteries and decided to explore one where a friendly neighbor was buried over fifteen years (?!) ago.

My old friend’s plot is just over this bridge…

Cool find, no?

I did not expect any wooden crosses...

Sadly, I found the windows alone clean and undamaged...

I left untouched the various sweet mementos...

Frankly, most of these trinkets look in better shape than the dirty, decaying building. Cobwebs were everywhere, leaf debris littered the floor, and even some mud dauber wasp nests clung to a few chamber facings.

Interestingly, the range of interment dates inside and out on the grounds was staggering. I found abject decrepitude amid modern monoliths.

The one in the foreground was so illegible, making
an imprint would not recover anything...

To my astonishment, a bird flew in through the open door and all the way to the back before turning around. Unfortunately, the creature didn’t dive below the oddly placed archway. Hitting solid rock, it tumbled two stories to the concrete below. Smart phone already in hand, I took a quick disturbing video before offering aid. Feel free to scroll past to the clip I filmed moments before he or she flew off into the sunlit trees.

How I managed to get my phone and take footage is a mystery. The bird continued gripping my finger that entire time.

Should I offer to sweep and clean up a bit? Do you think doing so without permission would be considered trespassing?

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A Day at the Park

I took my camp chair down to the Great Miami River again this afternoon. A dog walker I saw the last time appeared again. His pooch was unmistakable, though I wouldn’t have been able to pick the man out of a lineup. lol Seeing them approach today I spoke up.

“What a beautiful dog. Is that an Irish Wolfhound?”

“Yes,” he answered, seeming delighted.

“Can I come say hello?”

Heartily encouraged by the man, we two had a lovely nose to nose meeting with me scratching behind those soft floppy ears. Unfortunately I forget the three year old pup’s name and also failed to ask if he’s a show dog. I hope we’ll meet again.

Don’t even the healthiest and well cared for dogs often receive too short a life span? Did you know commonly bred pet store ferrets suffer the same fate, often succumbing to cancer?

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Another First World Problem

I am overweight AKA fat and also morbidly obese in medical terminology. ~sigh~ I recall being thin and even dream about those days sometimes for whatever reason. It is what it is.

Thus when I buy a shirt online the garments are often too long, sometimes way, way too long. This happened when I supported a dog rescue website. The t-shirt I looked forward to wearing out and about hangs absurdly down to my knees.

I considered having it tailored. While this would have supported a small local business I decided to instead spend the money on an embroidered baseball cap. The super soft “Tell Your Dog I Said Hi” shirt is now loungewear and the phrase makes me smile.

I appreciate the worn look and chose this nice green color...

I like all sorts of hats. And this cap will get plenty of use.

The message here might stimulate conversation, as well... 

Have you ever been diagnosed with a terrible sounding medical condition? Wouldn’t it be nice if clinical terms excluded depressing words such as morbid and chronic?

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Repurposing with a very Specific Purpose

Sitting in my comfortably warm brick home electricity on and backup heating solutions in place this afternoon, I heard the most pitiable cat cries outside. I’m not aware of many strays around and our winters tend to be mild. But tonight’s forecast predicts icy wind chills as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit below zero.

I tracked the sound and stepped onto our back patio but the yowling had stopped. Regardless I called out, willing to let the poor creature into our basement and deal with any future consequences after this weather emergency. Shivering, I stepped back through the basement sliding door and wandered in search of sheltering possibilities.

My eyes landed upon a tall litter box that our girls left untouched. I covered the unused litter with two outdoor seat cushions, overlapping them at the bottom while tucking the rest up each wider side. Scrounging two soft foam packing pieces from amidst old computer boxes, I wedged them into each narrow end.

Once complete, top latched into place, this makeshift shelter got placed near the freshest prints. I’m crossing my fingers that this might do some good. I need to plan ahead for potential future emergencies.

Those poor, cold toes...

I’d appreciate any feedback from all those heroic folks helping animals year round that might read this humble post. Please be honest if my efforts today are misguided.

Can you imagine how wild critters survive such extreme weather anomalies? Are you surprised that I wouldn’t last long trapped in an unforgiving wilderness?

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Raising a funny swamphen

The Water Bear

I adore tardigrades (aka water bears and/or moss pigs). The extreme tiny survivor endlessly fascinates me. This newly discovered article taught me lots I didn’t know. If you’re interested and have time, it’s an informative and often entertaining read.

I named my plush friend Snuffles...

Do you know how many types and levels of hibernation exist? Don’t you wish you could extend your life by sleeping through hard times or inclement conditions?

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Change of Blogging Plans – A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush

I’ve been having technical issues uploading videos these days. Planning to share my experience tasting a Japanese drink known as marble soda, instead I have an old video of a bird in my yard.

I no longer spend money on commercial bird seed because my perennial garden keeps many species fed while entertaining me. Purple coneflower provides a popular feast.

Have you ever fed local birds? Are you familiar with safflower seed and its many useful properties?

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This One’s for Dog Lovers

There’s something satisfying about watching pet grooming on YouTube. One professional, Vanessa, closed her public salon to focus on charity work. So her channels ‘Girl with the Dogs’ and ‘Girl with the Dogs 2’ hold a special place in my heart. The satisfying results, soothing white noise of her equipment, and Vanessa’s gentle sense of humor keep me coming back.

In exchange for charitable donations, she takes on extreme cases. Some of these animals have been turned away by other salons. My most recent watch features a Newfoundland dog named Abby. Abby doesn’t like standing or getting onto tables, so for-profit salons find the time commitment impractical.

Her pancake pose is adorable...

Vanessa’s title says it all: The Funniest Newfoundland Dog Groom You’ll Ever See. She reported that Abby’s humans received a price estimate of $400 (USD).

Can you imagine trying to move a 180 pound ragdoll of a dog? As for soothing sounds, are you familiar with the term ASMR?

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The Good, the Not Too Bad, and the Chilly

This morning I mowed the lawn while wearing an old winter coat (!) because it’s that cold, and the dampness doesn’t help. I’m crossing my fingers that all my vegetable plants survive.

Tomato and pepper plants hate cold;
some crops do well, at least,
such as carrots, lettuces,
cabbage, & broccoli...

I made sure to have plenty of sugar water out for our ruby throated hummingbirds. Perhaps they are in torpor due to the cold but it’s available either way.

Since they are so territorial I decided to purchase more feeders from Amazon; they’re just plastic yet very affordable. One broke several years ago after decades of service.

Unfortunately, two out of four arrived broken. Amazon customer service gave me a refund without even requesting the photo I took. A similar situation happened when I received a hand held extension cord caddy. The all important hand grip was missing. I accepted another refund and plan to shop locally.

It’s no big deal. Oh, and I solved a different niggling little nuisance regarding hummingbird feeders. It’s easy to lose track of when they were refilled, resulting in mildew. Ugh… This spring it occurred to me that filling each with a small amount forces me to change out the solution virtually every day.

Not only is cleaning less a chore, it also reduces wasted sugar. I call that a win/win. Now I only hope consistent high winds relent and temperatures rise a bit.

Are you experiencing unseasonable weather? If so, what type?

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Anticipation

Our nearby aquarium is a place I’ve wanted to revisit for many, many years. A trip was my birthday wish and I was willing to wait for a new exhibit. It’s scheduled to open later this next month.

I forgot my chosen date falls in late April. ~sigh~ However, I had picked the least busy weekday and earliest time slot to avoid both crowds while also saving some money. Loads of children are painfully noisy and also heat up the space unbearably.

My dear husband not only came through with this gift, earning my silly happy dance that morning, he also recalled the proper date. Fingers crossed, traffic through Cincinnati won’t be terrible that day.

This is a cool place...

Do you enjoy watching aquatic life? Have you ever walked through such a tunnel?

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This Woman Groomed the Tiniest Poodle in the World

This video is not short but I couldn’t resist sharing. Feel free to just enjoy the opening.

Do you tend to notice that men often walk the tiniest pooches while women often have more massive pets? Do you think it’s a security issue for a lone female out walking?

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