Alaska (Photo - Get Lost)

My friends thought that I was crazy for visiting Alaska in February. I lucked out. Apparently, 30-40 degrees F is a warm spell for Alaska. Since it was so warm, I decided to do some hiking at Eagle River Nature Center just outside of Anchorage. I was eager and excited. I set a course for straight ahead but a glance to my left stopped me dead in my tracks. I stared deep into a forest of trees that seemed to go on forever. I stood there mesmerized then snapped a photo of what looked to me like beautiful infinity. I continued hiking, but the trail I was on ended abruptly. Hiking alone and lost in Alaska didn’t seem like a good idea so I doubled back. The ice-covered earth caused me to slip and fall probably twenty-five times. Finally, I found the trail. My friends thought I was crazy for getting lost in Alaska too.

Breakin’ In or Breakin’ Out – A Fish Tail (Part 7)

Giovanni and Sushi guarded the tank and Bubbles was able to swim freely without worry. Harley remained inside the driftwood. Even when the big head sprinkled food into tank Harley remained where he was. A whole day went by without the sight of Harley and the others began to wonder about him.

“He must be starving,” Bubbles said to Sushi and Giovanni about Harley.

“Well, I hope he’s realizing that it isn’t okay to pick on other fish,” Giovanni said.

“I wonder what he’s doing down there,” Sushi said.

“It doesn’t matter as long as he leaves us alone,” Giovanni said.

“Do you think we should check on him?” Sushi asked.

“No, I think he’ll come out when he’s learned his lesson. Either that or he’ll come out when he’s desperate for food. Either way I’ll be ready for him,” Giovanni said.
Another day went by before Harley appeared from the driftwood. Harley slowly poked his head out of a hole in the wood. Giovanni saw him right away and was ready to pounce on him if necessary. As soon as Sushi saw Harley he went to protect Bubbles so she wouldn’t get mistreated again. Harley swam slowly out of the wood sculpture and traveled straight for Giovanni. Sushi and Bubbles watched with concern for what might play out. If Giovanni were to get into an altercation and needed Sushi, he would have to leave Bubbles in the corner by the heater and attack Harley from behind. Harley swam directly up to Giovanni and Giovanni glared at Harley. Bubbles and Sushi watched in suspense. Before Harley got to close, Giovanni gave a warning.

“We don’t want any trouble from you, Harley,” Giovanni demanded. Bubbles became so scared that she started to shake. Sushi was preparing for a fight. Harley continued to swim closer and Giovanni became defensive. “Listen, buddy. You had better not…”

Harley interrupted with a whisper, “I’m sorry.” Harley’s voice was so quiet that Giovanni didn’t even hear what he said.

“What did you say?” Giovanni was taken aback.

Harley hung his head down in shame, “I’m sorry Giovanni. I’m sorry for hurting you. I don’t know what got into me. I was out of control.”

Giovanni was flabbergasted. He fully expected an all out dual with Harley. Sushi and Bubbles couldn’t believe what they had just heard. Harley was apologizing. They began to drift out toward Harley and Giovanni. Giovanni responded to Harley, “Well, thank you, Harley, but I think there are some other fish you need to apologize to.”

Bubbles and Sushi appeared next to Giovanni. Harley turned and looked at Sushi, “Sushi, I’m sorry for being such a jerk. When we first got here, you and I were a team and I ruined it. I hope you can forgive me.” Sushi smiled. Harley turned and looked at Bubbles, “Bubbles, I’m so sorry for hurting you. I should have never treated you like that.” Harley was choked up and paused. “It’s just that when the first Bubbles passed away I thought it was the end for Sushi and me. I couldn’t believe the big heads added more fish after Bubbles died. I was so scared and so frightened that I didn’t want to let anyone new into the tank or my life. When you showed up it was like replacing our Bubbles. Just the thought of how Sushi and I could so easily be replaced scared me. I’m sorry for treating you so poorly, Bubbles.”

Bubbles smiled and there was a long pause before Giovanni spoke, “Thank you, Harley.”

Sushi and Bubbles chimed in, “Yeah, thanks Harley.”

Sushi continued, “I’m really glad you came around, Harley,” and Harley smiled.

“I’m so glad we can live in a peaceful tank now,” Bubbles said with a smile.

Harley gave a heartfelt response, “Me too, me, too.”

A sign of relief had enveloped the tank. It wasn’t long before things were running smoothly throughout the tank. Everyone was sharing food and everyone had their own spot in the tank where they could go to relax. The big heads took good care of the tank. They changed a good portion of the water regularly and made sure the items in the tank were arranged nicely. Soon after things were settled the big heads added some more fish to the fish tank. Five glowfish were added. The glowfish were these amazingly bright colored fish. Two of the glowfish were tangerine orange, two more were fluorescent green and there was one fish that was fire engine red. Once released from their bag, the red glowfish approached the others.

“Hey, how you fish, doin’? I’m Kool.” Kool had a big smile and spoke with groovy tone. Kool continued, “Those two green glowfish are Spike and Funky.” The two green glowfish nodded. Kool then pointed his fin to the two orange glowfish. “Those two fish over there are Charles and Khalis. Fish like to call us, Kool and the gang.”

Bubbles, Giovanni, Harley, and Sushi all looked at each other and knew that these fish would definitely bring some fun and excitement to the tank. They were happy to have the glowfish join their tank, even Harley. The group introduced themselves to the glowfish.

The tank couldn’t have been a better place to be. The tank was completely broken in. There was no worry of dirty water, getting sick or even burning eyes. Of course, the first Bubbles was missed but the new Bubbles fit in just nicely. The new Bubbles didn’t sing really annoying songs and Harley was happy about that. What was really cool was that Kool and the gang did sing songs and they sang some really good tunes. Even better was when the big head shut off the light, the glowfish glowed in the dark.

Breakin’ In or Breakin’ Out – A Fish Tail (Part 6)

After the incident with Harley and Giovanni, Sushi went looking for Giovanni. Sushi poked his head into each of the holes in the driftwood. When Sushi found Giovanni, he began to approach him. When Sushi did Giovanni backed up and became jumpy.

“What do you want!?” said an angry Giovanni. His voice was deep and he looked at Sushi with a fuming glare.

“Hey, I’m sorry about what happened with Harley. I’m not sure what’s going on with him. My name is Sushi.”

Giovanni was hesitant to respond, “I’m Giovanni. You can call me Big G if you want.”

Sushi put a smile on his face, “Well, welcome to the tank, Big G. It looks like you came in on the tail end of the breakin’ in period. Things were getting pretty bad before you got here. We lost a fish. Her name was Bubbles just like the fish you came in with. I actually thought the Bubbles you came in with was our Bubbles coming back. I guess I was wrong.”

“You mean to tell me there was another Bubbles that lived here with you?” Giovanni sounded baffled.

“Yeah, I was pretty confused at first.”

Giovanni thought for a moment, “Maybe all balloon mollies are named Bubbles.”

“Maybe,” Sushi replied.

“So what happened to Bubbles?”

“The water got real cloudy and we were swimming in food waste and poop. Our eyes burned, Bubbles and I got really sick. She obviously didn’t make it. Once the big head changed some of the water, things got a lot better.”

“Sorry to hear about your loss,” Giovanni said sincerely.

“Thanks,” replied Sushi.

Giovanni wanted to know more about Harley, “So has Harley always been a jerk?”

“Harley has always been a little rough around the edges. Things got a lot worse when Bubbles died.”

“Did he have a thing for her? I mean, did he like her?” Giovanni inquired.

“No. Harley desperately wanted to break out of here and I was going to go with him. We both didn’t want to have to go through the breakin’ in of the tank. When Bubbles died, Harley tried as hard as he could to jump out of the tank. He didn’t even come close. He’s been in a bad mood ever since.”

Giovanni had some insight, “Sounds to me like he had his heart set on getting out of here, now that he realizes he can’t, he’s going to take it out on everyone else.”

Sushi’s eyes lit up, “You know Giovanni, I think you’re right. I’ll be back,” and he darted off to find Harley.

Harley was picking off the last of the food that was left behind from this morning’s breakfast. Sushi approached slowly and spoke softly.

“Hey Harley,” Sushi said calmly.

Harley snapped his head around, “Don’t you listen. I told you to back off!”

Sushi needed Harley to listen and wasn’t backing down, “Listen, Harley. I know you’re mad that we didn’t make it out of here but the tank is broken in now. We’re going to be fine.”

Harley refused to hear a word Sushi said, “Mind your own business, buddy!” He pushed through Sushi and began to swim off.

Sushi yelled at him, “Why can’t you just talk to me. I don’t want everyone to live in misery here. I want everybody to get along.”

Harley turned to look at Sushi, “You’d better find yourself a new tank then,” and swam off.

Tensions were obviously high in the fish tank. Giovanni remained hidden away inside the driftwood. Every time he came out Harley would jab at him and Giovanni would swim back to the driftwood. This made living in the tank especially difficult for Giovanni because he was unable to eat without being bullied. In fact, during feeding time Harley would jab at Sushi too. Bubbles became nervous about all the jabbing and thought she might be next so she steered clear of Harley.

One morning, just like any other, the big head opened the hood and dropped in some food. Harley darted to the top to get his unfair share of food. He gobbled up almost everything in sight. Sushi and Giovanni were waiting a moment so Harley wouldn’t be too defensive when they went up for food. Bubbles didn’t hesitate. She stayed far away from Harley and he didn’t bother her. While eating though, she drifted into the outgoing flow of the filter. The stream of water moved her toward Harley and she actually bumped into him. Harley became furious and rammed her not once but twice. Bubbles scurried away as fast as she could.

Giovanni and Sushi both saw what happened and the both simultaneously darted at Harley who went back to eating. Giovanni and Sushi both reached Harley at the same time and rammed him at full speed. They both clobbered him from opposite directions and that made him spin around. He was stunned. He didn’t even realize what had happened until he saw Giovanni and Sushi glaring at him. Harley instantly became nervous so he darted off into the driftwood. Harley had finally crossed the line.

Giovanni and Sushi both looked at each other. Giovanni spoke first, “I’ll go check on Bubbles.”

“I’ll stand guard by the food,” Sushi said.

Giovanni found Bubbles in the corner by the heater. She was shaking. Giovanni approached her softly.

“You okay, Bubbles.” She just nodded her head. “Don’t worry Bubbles, we took care of him.” She nodded her head again. “Come on lets get you some food.” She backed up even further into the corner, refusing to go. “It’s okay, Bubbles, Sushi is on guard. Harley’s not going to hurt you anymore. Harley’s not going to hurt any of us anymore. We’re going to make sure of it.”

Bubbles gathered up her courage and followed Giovanni up to the top where Sushi was. Sushi and Giovanni watched the tank while Bubbles ate. Once she was finished they alternated. One ate while the other kept watch. Giovanni and Sushi made a pact; Harley wouldn’t be controlling this tank any longer. It was about time that someone broke Harley of his attitude.

Will Harley change his ways? Can there be peace in the fish tank? Find out next week when the fish tail continues.

Breakin’ In or Breakin’ Out – A Fish Tail (Part 5)

After Bubbles left, the situations in the tank quickly improved. The big head removed a good portion of the water in the tank and replaced it with new fresh water. Sushi instantly felt better but still wasn’t 100%. Harley stayed inside the rock sculpture. The tank was quiet. There was a definite eerie feeling and the threat of death had presented itself. Harley and Sushi would have to hold out through the breaking in period or find another way to break out.

The big head turned on the light and opened the hood. Food came pouring in. Harley darted from inside the rock sculpture up to the surface. Sushi followed.

“Hey, Harley,” Sushi called out. “What’s going on?”

Harley was a bit standoffish, “Hey.”

Sushi tried again, “How you doin’?”

Harley was back to his old tough guy routine only now he was being a jerk to Sushi, “I’m fine. Now, leave me alone I’m trying to eat.”

Sushi was disappointed that Harley didn’t even notice that he was feeling a lot better, “Alright Harley, sorry.”

Harley didn’t say a word. He just ate the food. A few minutes later the big head stuck his hand into the tank. The big head started moving stuff around. Sushi backed up into a corner to get out of the way. First, the small rock sculpture was removed. Then a big tree log was added with lots of hiding places. Next, one of the plants was taken out and it was replaced with a taller plant.

Wow! Sushi thought. This is great! We’re getting a lot of awesome stuff added to the tank. Things are really shaping up. Sushi went to find Harley.

“Hey Harley, what do you think of the new joint? It’s really shaping up, huh?” Sushi said excitedly.

Harley didn’t even turn to look at him, “Yeah it’s alright.” Harley wiggled his tail fin and swam away. Sushi watched as Harley swam away. He couldn’t figure out what was up with Harley.

To Sushi’s surprise a bag was placed into the tank. He swam up to it and realized there were two fish in the bag. It’s Bubbles! Sushi thought. Sushi couldn’t believe that Bubbles was back. I thought she had died. Maybe she was just sick and now she is feeling better.

The other fish in the bag was really big. He was a gourami. The type of fish that is really tall and thin but from the side looks like a squashed pancake. The gourami looked as though he was painted by an artist. He had a bright orange rim around each eye. His body was brownish-gold and he had dark brown zebra stripes that ran down his body. His bottom fin had dark brown spots and he had these two long antenna looking things that extended down into the water. The newly changed water, new arrangement to the tank, Bubbles coming back along with a new fish meant that things were definitely getting better. We just might all make it through the breakin’ in period. Sushi thought.

The bag was soon untied and tipped over. Bubbles and the new fish were released. Sushi excitedly swam up to Bubbles.

“Hey Bubbles!” Sushi exclaimed.

“How do you know my name?” Bubbles responded.

Sushi froze for a minute. He was flabbergasted. Why doesn’t she remember me? Did she forget about me? Sushi replied, “You were here yesterday. We thought you were…”

Bubbles was confused, “I was here yesterday? But I just came from the pet store today.”

Sushi was trying to put the pieces together, “But your name is Bubbles?”

“Yep, and that’s Giovanni over there,” pointing to the gourami. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

Bubbles swam in the direction of Giovanni and Sushi followed. Harley poked his head out from the wood sculpture. He was looking right at Giovanni and didn’t see Bubbles or Sushi. Harley darted at Giovanni and hit him in his side. Harley backed up and rammed him again. Bubbles let out a big gasp.

“Oh my!” Bubbles yelled out. Sushi and Bubbles stopped in their tracks. They watched as Harley rammed Giovanni one last time. Giovanni swam off in the opposite direction and found a separate hiding place inside the driftwood. Harley turned and saw Bubbles and Sushi watching. Harley gave a dirty look and swam off. Bubbles was too frightened to even speak let alone move. Sushi chased after Harley.

“Hey! Hey, Harley!” Sushi shouted. Harley turned around and gave a dirty look to Sushi. “What are you doing? Why are you bothering Giovanni?”

Harley snapped at Sushi, “Back off,” and he gave Sushi a forceful nudge.

“Hey! What’s your problem,” Sushi shouted. Harley swam off. It looks like Bubbles, Sushi and Giovanni had more to worry about than just breaking in the tank.

…Tune in next week to find out what happens.

February Photo -Queen of the Snow Mound

Queen of the Snow Mound

February Photo - Circles

Circles

February Photo - Whatcha Watchin' Water World

Whatcha Watchin' Water World

Breakin’ In or Breakin’ Out – A Fish Tail (Part 4)

The next morning Harley’s eyes burned. The water had gotten even cloudier. Harley looked around for Sushi. Where’s Sushi? Harley thought. He swam around for a minute and found him by the heater in the top corner of the tank.

Harley called out, “Sushi.” There wasn’t a response so Harley swam over. “Sushi? Hey, you okay?” Harley said with worry in his voice.

Sushi wiggling his fins ever so slightly to stay a float. “Hey Harley, I’m not feeling too good.”

“Hang in there. We’re going to get out of here just as soon as the big head comes over and opens the lid,” Harley reassured.

“I don’t think I can do it, Harley,” Sushi said weakly. “I feel pretty frail.” There was a pause. Harley didn’t know what to say so Sushi continued, “Hey, listen. You should check on Bubbles. I don’t think she is doing too well.”

For the first time Harley had dropped the tough guy act, “Where is she?”

There was another pause for Sushi to gain some strength. “She’s done there, on the rocks.”

Harley swam done to her. He stared at her. He checked her tail and fins. He looked at her gills and watched her eyes. There was no movement. Harley went in close and gave her a nudge. There was no denying it, Bubbles had died. Harley didn’t want to believe it. Harley nudged her again and again, still no movement. He nudged her again and again and again, still nothing. Sushi swam down to Harley and Bubbles.

“Harley,” Sushi said softly. “Let her go.” Harley nudged her again; it was obvious she was gone. “It’s alright, Harley. She’s in the big pond up there in heaven.”

Harley was quiet. The big head turned on the light. Harley looked up. He looked at Sushi. The hood swung open. Harley darted. He swam and swam as fast as he could. He was at top speed approaching the surface of the water. All he had to do was make it out through the opening in the hood, and then he would be free. He wouldn’t have to die like Bubbles did. He wouldn’t feel sick like Sushi. He wouldn’t be confined in a tiny tank with food and poop. He would be free.

The event played out in slow motion. He shot out at full speed, the cool air brushed past his mouth and dorsal fin. Soon he would be free. But something happened. He never felt that same air feeling on the rest of his body. His body arched and he headed back down into the water. His belly never even left the water. It was utter humiliation, a severe blow to his ego. He drove at full speed and didn’t even come close to the top of the tank. How would he ever be free now?

Sushi saw what happened and knew that Harley would be disappointed. He watched as Harley swam dejectedly into the rock sculpture. Sushi decided to let him be. Sushi had his own problems to deal with. Sushi was fighting but he felt death coming through the glass. Death had already taken Bubbles. Now, Bubbles was being taken away by the big head. Sushi and Harley wouldn’t be breaking out today.

…Tune in next week to find out what happens to Sushi and Harley.

Breakin’ In or Breakin’ Out – A Fish Tail (Part 3)

There was the sound that a clown makes when creating balloon animals. The big head was unraveling the rubber band that held the plastic bag closed. The bag crinkled and crunched as it was opened. Harley and Sushi looked up to see the big head peering into the bag. The big head then grasped the bottom of the bag and began to tip the opening down into the water. Bubbles was overjoyed and swimming in circles. Sushi kept glancing at Bubbles as if concerned and Harley looked at Sushi with devilish eyes.

“Get Ready, Sushi,” Harley said. “Don’t look back.”

Sushi played the part, “Yeah. I got it, Harley.”

The top of the bag came down into the water, Harley and Sushi darted at full speed to the back of the tank. Harley couldn’t think of anything except freedom, how he would be able to swim wherever he wanted, how he would be able to eat whatever he wanted. The thought of being free filled him with such drive. Harley and Sushi approached the back of the tank and Wham! Wham! Both Harley and Sushi slammed into the glass and bounced back.

“What the…” Harley shouted. He began to franticly look around for a way out. Sushi panicked and followed. Harley kept poking at the glass. “What’s going on!?” He shouted again. “There must be a way out.”

Harley and Sushi searched the entire tank looking for a break in the glass and found none. They quickly found that the glass wall was impenetrable. Bubbles wandered and bounced around the tank singing another song. “Under the sea. Everything is wetter down there it is better.” A big head approached the tank and opened up a small little flap in the hood. Bright colored flakes came pouring in. Harley and Sushi stopped their insistent search for a way out just for a few minutes in order to get some dinner. Bubbles continued swimming in circles singing, “We got no troubles, life is the bubbles. Under the sea.” Once the boys went up to the top she realized what was happening. “Since life is sweet… Oh, food!” Bubbles swam to the top to eat her feast of flakes.

The next few hours were pretty uneventful, Harley and Sushi continued scouring the tank for a way out, Bubbles continued singing her song, “The seaweed is greener in someone else’s lake. Down here all the fish is happy.” Soon it was time for the lights to go out. Sushi, Harley and Bubbles would rest for awhile.

Morning quickly came and the light in the hood was turned on. They could see that the water was already becoming cloudy. The water now had left over food particles and fish poop mixing in.

“Harley, my eyes are burning,” Sushi said.

“Mine too, Sushi,” Harley said.

They watched as Bubbles swam around in a daze through the haze. The big head opened the flap in the food. “Sushi,” Harley said abruptly. Sushi turned quickly and saw that Harley was looking up at the opening in the hood.

“What is it, Harley?” Sushi said wondering.

Harley responded, “I think I have an idea.” The big head began sprinkling multi-colored flakes into the tank. “Come on, Sushi.” Harley darted to the top of the tank and Sushi followed. First, they would chomp on some grub. Bubbles didn’t realize there was food so Sushi had to call out to her.

“Hey, Bubbles. Food!” Sushi shouted.

“Ohhh, food.” Bubbles opened her mouth and took a big bite of something floating in front of her. She quickly spit it out. “Oops, that was poop.”

Harley looked at Sushi and rolled his eyes. He mumbled, “Moron,” and went back to eating. Bubbles swam to the top for some real food. After a quick bite, Harley revealed his plan to Sushi.

“Alright Sushi, here is the plan. See that flap up there in the hood.”

Sushi responded, “Yep.”

Harley continued, “Tomorrow morning we’re going to wait down there in corner of the fish tank. When the big head opens up the flap we’re going swim as fast as we can and jump out the top of the tank.”

“Really,” Sushi said. “You think it will work.”

Harley responded, “Of course it’s going to work.”

“What do we do when we get out of the tank?” Sushi wondered.

“We swim free, Sushi!” Harley exclaimed.

“Wait a minute, Harley. There’s water out there?”

“Yes, you dope! It’s all water out there.”

“Really?” If Sushi could have scratched his head with his fin he would have. “You mean the big heads are in water?”

“Yeeesss!” Harley said as if it was obvious.

Sushi was still confused. “Why aren’t they swimming?”

“Oh my god, Sushi. Don’t you know anything? They’re too fat to swim.”

Sushi was starting to believe him but it all still didn’t quite make sense. “Alright Harley, I’m in.”

“Alright then Sushi,” Harley said. “Tomorrow morning, we’re breakin’ out of here!”

…TO BE CONTINUED

Breakin’ In or Breakin’ Out - A Fish Tail (Part 2)

A big head carried the bag that the three of them were in out to a car. Harley kept swimming around the bag looking for a way out. He ran into the sides of the bag about a hundred times and couldn't find any cracks or breaks to get out from. He looked up. There was plenty of air above the surface of the water but the bag was tied at the top. Harley wasn’t sure what to do and that made him angry. Sushi could tell how angry he was so he left Harley alone. Bubbles had already forgotten the conversation about the poop infested tank so she swam happily around the bag so excited about getting a home. Bubbles being so happy made Harley even madder.

Sushi inspected all of the areas that Harley did and neither one of them had found a way out or had any idea of how to get out. There was obviously no use asking Bubbles for her input. The big heads drove their car for about ten minutes and reached what was presumed to be their home. The big heads picked up the bag and carried them into the house. Sushi was the first to see the fish tank.

“Harley, there it is!” Sushi shouted. Harley looked and his worst fear was realized, there weren’t any fish in the tank. Sushi’s voice started to shake. “There’s nobody in there. Harley, there’s nobody in there.”

Bubbles saw the tank. “Hey guys, look, our new home!”

Harley, too angry to talk, backed up to edge of the bag and went full force into the side of the bag. Harley bounced back. He tried again and again showing no signs of breaking through the bag. Sushi stood back and watched too scared to move. Bubbles swam in a circle and sang a song, “Bah bah baaaah bah bah bah baaaaah Lived a man who sailed to sea. Bah bah baaaah bah bah bah baaaah In our yellow submarine. We all live in a yellow submarine. A dut dah dut dah do.”

Harley looked like he was going to kill someone and that someone might just be Bubbles. The big heads lifted off the top to the fish tank and rested the bag in the water so that the water in the bag would adjust to the water temperature in the tank. They could see everything in the tank and one thing was for sure. There were no other fish inside that tank. There was an eerie feeling, a large tank with no other fish. It was dark. The light source had been removed so the bag could rest on the surface of the water. The only sound was the low hum of the brand new filter in the corner of the tank. There were stones at the bottom all different shades of brown. There weren’t even any plants or rock sculptures. Harley couldn’t help but think this was a dead tank.

Sushi spoke, “Harley!” Harley turned to see what Sushi wanted. “Look at that Harley.” Harley looked toward the back of the tank. “It’s wide open.” Harley began to smile.

“This is going to be easier than I thought.” Harley said. They both saw an area at the back of the tank with large rocks stacked next to each other. The rocks created a wall with all sorts of cracks in it. “Sushi, that is our way out.”

They heard a noise and turned around. It was just Bubbles singing her song, “As we live bah bah bah baaaaah. Everyone of us bah bah bah baaaaah. Blue and Green. In our yellow submarine.”

Harley looked at Sushi, “Can we leave her here?”

Sushi laughed akwardly.

“Alright, Sushi,” Harley began to explain. “Here is the plan. When the big heads open the bag we dart straight for the wall of rocks, find a crack and get out. You got it!”

“I got it, Harley.” Sushi said. “But what about…” and he motioned to Bubbles.

“She’s on her own, buddy.” Harley said without even thinking about her well being.

Sushi looked concerned. He turned and looked at Bubbles.

“We all live in a yellow submarine. A dut dah dut dah do,” Bubbles sang.

Sushi turned back to Harley. “Dude, she is not going to make it.”

Harley snapped back, “Listen Sushi, we would never even be able to convince her to come. She wants to be here. Let her go.”

Reluctantly Sushi said, “Alright.”

Within a short while a big head came by added plants and a rock sculpture. The decorations were pretty flimsy by Harley’s standards but it didn’t matter much. They wouldn’t be here very much longer. When the plants and sculpture were settled into the stones at the bottom the big head reached for the bag.

“This is it!” Harley said to Sushi. “Get ready!”

Sushi waved his back tail ever so slightly ready to zip at the first possible moment. Suddenly Bubbles realized what was happening.

“Ohhh boy! It’s time. We’re getting released.” Bubbles was overjoyed.

Sushi turned back to Harley and gave a look of concern. Harley was determined. He wasn’t going to let anything get in the way. He was going to leave Bubbles behind and if he had to leave Sushi behind he would.

“Let her go, Sushi.” Harley was breaking out.

…TO BE CONTINUED

Breakin' In or Breakin' Out - A Fish Tail

Harley’s days consisted of swimming around and having these large heads stare at him through a window. Harley had grown strong and fast so whenever one of the big heads tried to scoop him up into a net he gave them hell. He darted from one side of the tank to the other. He swam behind the rocks and plants. Usually, the big head trying to scoop him up gave up and went for some other fish that was too stupid to realize they were being caught. Harley was the king of the tank. He swam wherever he wanted to. Anytime new fish were added they were told by others to swim clear of Harley. Harley was a Dalmatian Molly. It was as if he wore black and white camouflage. Harley looked tough and swam with confidence. His tail had a spike on the bottom which made the other fish steer clear of him.

Another day came where a big head pointed at Harley and he heard a noise through the glass, “I wand thah wun.” Harley knew what was coming. The big head with the net was coming after him. Harley wasn’t going to let that happen. The net came in and Harley darted to the opposite side of the tank. The net followed so Harley went down and darted past a plant. The net went back up. ‘Ha,’ Harley thought, “This is going to be easy.” But the net came again and this time Harley went for the rock sculpture. He swam through to the other side. Harley knew that the net couldn’t follow him. A lot of the other fish never realized that. They just swam around and eventually got caught. Harley was smart he knew the best places to go in the tank. Eventually the big head would give up.

The net went for him again and he darted again to the other side of the tank. The net followed and Harley darted back through the rock sculpture and up the filter. When he got there he figured they had given up so he turned around and all he saw next was green netting swallowing him up. Whoooosh! The net got a hold of Harley. Harley fought with all his might to free himself but his efforts were useless. He found himself getting tipped upside down and he fell into a small container of water. He was flabbergasted and he began to panic. He swam around trying to find a way out, a way back to his tank. He quickly realized there was no way out.

Without much time he was joined by a Balloon Molly named Bubbles. Bubble was golden yellow with a big white belly. Bubbles eyes had a glaze over them and Harley could tell right off the bat that Bubbles had nothing but bubbles inside her tiny head.

“Hi. I’m Bubbles. What’s your name?” Bubbles said with a big smile.

“Shut up, you idiot. Don’t you realize what’s going on?” Harley said sternly.

Bubbles with excitement, “We’ve been picked!” We get to go to a special place.”

“Ohhh, you idiot. You don’t get it. They’re going to try and kill us.”

“Ohh no,” Bubbles said unbelieving. “We’re going to have a special home.”

“That’s what the other Balloon Mollies told you, wasn’t it?” Harley said.

“Yeah,” said a very chipper Bubbles. At this point another fish named Sushi was dropped into the container. Sushi is a Marble Molly with similar designs as Harley but he was much smaller and didn’t have a spiked tail. Before Harley could say a word Bubbles approached Sushi. “Hi. My name is Bubbles. What’s yours?”

Sushi rolled his eyes and swam to Harley. Bubbles swam after Sushi, “Hey. Where are you going?”

“Hey man,” Sushi said to Harley.

Harley replied, “Hey.”

“You got a plan?” Sushi said.

“Not yet,” Harley responded.

“A plan for what?” Bubbles said with her glazed over eyes.

Harley and Sushi rolled their eyes and just then the container they were in was flipped over. The three of them went tumbling down into a plastic bag.

Harley forced himself upright and said, “Damn!”

“This is bad,” Sushi said.

“What are you guys talking about? This is great. We’re the special ones,” Bubbles said.

“You’re special all right.” Harley said.

Bubbles became excited, “Geee, thanks!”

Sushi and Harley rolled their eyes. “Listen,” Sushi began to talk to Bubbles. “Chances are likely that we’ll be breaking in a new fish tank and very few fish every live through the breaking in period of a fish tank. If anything we want to be the fish that come in after the break in period.”

Bubbles eyes got big, “No. That’s not what the others told me. They said it was wonderful and great. We going to have our very own tank and we’ll be taken care of.”

“Listen, Bubbles,” Sushi tried to explain. “Mollies are fish used to break in a fish tank and breakin’ in a fish tank ain’t pretty. Not many fish make it through the whole process.”

Bubbles looked puzzled, well even more so than normal. “What is this breakin’ in process?”

Sushi explained, “Well, when a fish tank is first setup the water is beautiful and clear. After fish get put into the new tank the water gets real cloudy. The tank stays dirty for a few days during that time not many fish live through it. It’s like living in your own poop.”

Bubbles eyes got even bigger than they normal are. “Like living in your own poop!?”

Harley swam over and spoke abruptly to both of them, “Yeah, and that’s why we’re breakin’ out of this joint!’

…TO BE CONTINUED

Waiting for Stephen

Amber hurriedly entered the main entrance to the Bristol Public Library and found her friends sitting at a table in the back corner.

“Hey guys, sorry I’m late. I had to wait for my mom to get home from work so I could take the car,” Amber said almost out of breath.

“It’s cool, Amber. We’re still waiting for Stephen,” replied Eric without expression.

“He’s not here yet?” Amber said with a combination of surprise and disappointment.

“No.” Cindy replied with a slight somber tone.

Amber let out a simple sigh. “Did anyone talk to him today?”

“I called him this morning but he didn’t answer,” Will shrugged off the answer.

Amber questioned the group, “He did know that we were meeting today, right?”

“We told him a thousand times, Amber,” Will spoke in a slightly sarcastic tone while almost rolling his eyes.

Amber’s faced dropped with disappointment.

Eric interjected, “Alright guys. We really need to get to work.” He then spoke softly to Amber, “Amber, have a seat. I’m sure Stephen will be here soon.”

Will looked down at his science textbook and notes and made a smug face. Everyone saw including Amber. Amber glared at him but he never looked up from his notes. Amber took a seat next Cindy. Eric led the discussion.

“Cindy, what are the four branches of Earth Science?’ Eric said.

Cindy replied, “Oh that’s easy. Astronomy, Oceanography, Meteorology, and Geology.” She paused for a moment and then turned to Amber. “Amber, which branch of Earth Science is the study of atmospheric phenomenon and weather?”

Amber replies, all of a sudden chipper, “Oh another easy one. It’s meteorology. Will, which system of measurement is commonly used in the field of science?”

“The metric system,” Will said without enthusiasm. Amber looked at him, annoyed at the fact he was being difficult. Will continued, “Eric, How do you find the volume for an irregular shaped object?”

Eric answered without hesitation, “Place the object into a known volume of water and subtract the volumes.”

Cindy was impressed, “Nice job, Eric!”

“Oh, thanks,” Eric responded modestly and continued, “Amber, which variable is the one that causes the change in the experiment?”

“Oh, I always get these two mixed up. Is it the dependent?”

“Judges?” Eric said to the rest of the group.

Cindy and Will both put their thumbs down and made the sound, “Annnnnt.”

“Oh darn.” Amber was disappointed with herself. “I can’t seem to get those straight.”

“Here is the way I look at it,” Eric said. “The independent is what the experimenter changes. They want to see what happens as a result of changing the independent variable. The dependent variable is what happens or the results.”

Amber thought about it. “Hmmmm. That does make sense. Alright Cindy, what is the name given to the variables in an experiment that should remain the same for all levels of the independent variable?”

Cindy thought for a moment, “Constants.”

“Yep, you got it!” Amber said excitedly and clapped her hands to together. Will rolled his eyes and Amber saw. Amber glared at him, “What is your problem, Will?”

“No problem here,” he said dejectedly.

“Stop being such a jerk, Will!” Amber said angrily. “Just because you're mad at Stephen doesn’t mean you have to take it out on me.”

“I’m not mad at Stephen. I’m mad that you won’t shut up about him,” Will barked back.

Amber became tearful, “Well, I’m sorry that I care about him. I miss him. He’s never around anymore.”

Will went on, “Well, talking about him isn’t going to make him come around.”

Eric interjected, “Alright guys, that’s enough. I think we all feel the same. We all miss Stephen. We all know what Stephen has been through. We have to give him credit for doing as well as he is.”

Amber jumped in, “He never talks to us anymore. How can we be there for him if he won’t even talk to us?” Tears rolled down her face.

Eric responded, “Amber, everyone grieves differently. The only thing we can do is be there for him when he does need us.” Amber slumped in her chair. She had nothing to say that hadn’t been said already. Eric got up from his seat and walked over to Amber. He put his hand on her shoulder and then crouched down next to her so he could look into her eyes. “Listen, I know it’s hard but you have to know that Stephen still cares about us, especially you, his girlfriend. What you’re feeling now can’t even be close to what Stephen felt when he found out his parents had been killed in the car accident.” Amber put her hands up to her face and began to sob. Tears began to fall from Cindy’s cheeks. Will’s lip began to quiver and he scrunched his eyes trying to hold back the tears. A single tear drop fell onto to Will’s cheek.

Amber choked back her tears and tried to speak. “I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

Poised and steadfast Eric continued, “I suggest we just keep waiting for Stephen. Eventually, he’s going to come around and when he does we’ll accept him into our lives and help him in any way we can.”

Amber didn’t like the answer, “So I just have to sit here and wait for him.”

Eric continued, “I think the only thing we can do is to keep waiting for Stephen.”

January Photo - La Tour Eiffel

La Tour Eiffel

January Photo - Arches

Arches

January Photo - Celtic Graveyard

Celtic Graveyard

Who is God?

Who is God? Maybe a better question is ‘what is God?’ If you’ve never asked yourself a question like one of these it is something you may want to look in to. These aren’t easy question to ask yourself but it is important to see what answers you come up with. It’s quite possible that everyone would have a different answer but there would most likely be some common themes. The better question to ask is ‘who or what is God to you?’

Is God the man behind the clouds that controls all the blissful and horrible occurrences in life? Is he a man that looks down on us and cries when we cause harm toward each other and smiles at us with every polite thing we do for one another. Is God a woman? Or is God not of any gender? Maybe God just is…or isn’t.

There is only one way to find the answers to these questions and that is to listen. You might be surprised at first how the answers don’t come easily. Take a moment to listen for the answers. I mean, right now, actually take a moment and listen for the answers to our questions.

How many of you thought about what you were doing later today, perhaps the laundry list of things that you need to accomplish today? How many of you played out a conversation you had yesterday with a coworker or spouse, how about playing out a conversation that you intend to have? How many of you heard nothing at all?

For a lot of us, God’s voice is clouded by life. We often can’t hear God’s voice because our minds take control. Sometimes our minds have more power than God. To hear God’s voice we must quiet the thoughts from our brain, which may not be an easy task to do.

We have all heard God before, most of us without even realizing. Sometimes it comes as a spark of compassion for someone that we encounter one day. It comes as a difficult decision somehow made easy. God’s voice comes when we least expect it and often when we expect it, it doesn’t come. So how can we hear God’s voice more often or better yet, how can we hear God’s voice all of the time?

God’s voice comes from within each of us. More often than not it is so soft we can barely hear it, except for those times when the voice is loud enough to stop us in our tracks or awake us from a dead sleep. Usually God’s voice is drowned out by our overbearing thoughts of the mind. To hear God we must quiet our minds. The answers to our questions may not come right away. The answers only come when the time is right, only when we are ready for them.

God gives us guidance. The voice tells us how to live our lives in bliss. The root of living a blissful life stems from compassion for others. How many of us saw a parking space and quickly tried to beat another car to the spot? God’s voice was there but not heard. How many of us walked through a doorway without looking to see if anyone was there to hold the door for? God’s voice was there but not heard. How many of us have seen a neighbor struggling to shovel snow but continued to watch television? God’s voice was there but not heard.

God’s voice is there and we need to learn how to listen to it. We must quiet our minds in order to hear. When our minds our quieted important questions can be asked like ‘who or what is God?’ Let us take another moment. We’ll quiet our minds and ask the necessary questions of life. You’ll be surprised when you hear the answers. The answers were there all the time. When you finally hear them you’ll open your eyes…and you’ll be smiling. Go ahead, take a moment to ask those important questions…and really do it this time.

Europe - Interlaken, Switzerland

Once in Speiz, I took a short train ride to Interlaken. From there I had to take a bus to Iserltwald. Both towns were surrounded by lakes and mountains. This was by far the most beautiful place in Europe that I had seen. Then it began to rain.

I throw on my rain jacket and walked around the town for a little while. I saw ferry boats crossing the lake and there was a beautiful mansion on a peninsula. I stopped at a local store for some bread and fruit. I couldn't believe how beautiful this place was. And the rain got worse.

I ate my loaf of bread with honey on the balcony of the hostel where I was staying. It was delicious, homemade bread. I met my roommates and we went to the bar downstairs with some people from across the hall. After a few drinks and conversation I went back upstairs to hit the sack. The thunder cracked and light flashed.

The most beautiful place in Europe blanketed with dark clouds and drenched in rain.

Coal Mine

It's just another day at the coal mine.

Hustle Bustle

I’m finding now that this adult life can be annoying, frustrating and maddening. I keep waiting for life to slow down and just when I think it will, I find that I am in an even higher gear than before. Especially at this time of year, I force myself to stop for a few moments, take a deep breath, and spend time with family.

Home Repair Rehab

Hello, my name is T. Roy and I am addicted to home repairs. I started doing home repairs about a year ago. It was my fiancée, now wife, which got me started. We bought a house and a first I wanted nothing to do with home repairs. My wife became pushy. Do this home repair; do that home repair. I didn’t know a lot about home repairs at first. It was her father that showed me the way. Her father and I installed new ceiling drywall, refinished floors, and moved a wall. My head was spinning and I felt sick to my stomach. They both pushed me to do more even though I knew I was in over my head. I couldn’t handle the fast pace of home repair life and I told my wife. Many an argument ensued. Against my best efforts, the home repairs continued. Sanding, painting, and ceiling fans, my health spiraled downward.

Finally, when it was all over, I was mad and sick of all the home repairs that I had done. Then something against all my imagination happened. I missed the home repairs. I didn’t know what to do without the home repairs. I started secretively working on home repairs behind my wife’s back. I sanded and painted the walls and replaced the fixtures in the bathroom. I was spending an exorbitant amount of money. I kept going. I went on to bigger and better home repairs. I built an entire shed by myself. A year earlier I could barely hang a shelf. I was using a nail gun and a table saw like they were kitchen utensils.

It wasn’t until I was finished with the shed before I realized I had a problem. I couldn’t stop building. Now, that I realize that I have an addiction, I need to find something else to do with my time and money. I owe my home repair dealer, Home Depot, a lot of money. It’s going to take me a lot of time before I can pay them off. I’d say the hardest part for me about a home repair addiction is Saturday morning. I used to get up early and work on a project, sometimes two or three, that I had going on. By five o’clock I would collapse from exhaustion. I think back to the good time before home repairs. I would go for a hike, kayak, or go for a run. I have to make these things my top priority now. It’s going to be an adjustment but I’m looking forward to living my life again.