There Ain’t No Air and There Ain’t No Light
I shared a video of an amazing blackwater tank with Brian. Here’s the video, in case you’d like to find yourself a new hobby. We have similar tastes in a lot of things, so it wasn’t a surprise that he also loved the blackwater tank. It’s not necessarily a replica of a natural betta environment, but the dark water and the submerged branches, leaves, and other debris create a much more realistic glimpse into the natural world than a tank full of shimmering plastic castles and pink gravel. The tanks seem more like cutouts of a pond, one that happens to have fish (or not), than something focused on a…
You Can Lay Down When the Day Is Done
This is Esmeralda. She is a half-moon betta female, or so said her dinky cup. She was adopted a little over a week ago. We picked her because she was an interesting blue-green color, which she is actually not, as you can see. Also, she was lively. I know the male bettas are much more impressive, but I’ve never been drawn to the animals who get the most attention, which is why I avoid kittens at the animal shelter and children everywhere. Right now she is in a five gallon tank with some of the fake plants that were readily available at our Petsmart. We will be ordering some softer…
The Story of the Beast with Those Four Dirty Paws
We often leave our back door open during warmer weather so the dogs can run in and out freely. This has resulted in mud, leaves, wasps, cats, goats, and chickens coming inside. I don’t mind. They’re fun memory-making moments. We close the door at night, of course, because we also have raccoons, skunks, coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, bears, and bobcats. One day last June there was a kerfuffle from cats on the back porch. This usually means Jack (Nickajack) is hanging out, and another male cat has come around. Since Muggabee has been gone for well over a year, Pickwick moved away with the previous owner of the neighboring ranch,…
All the Long, Lazy Mornings in Pastures of Green
Last night we picked up Barnaby, the last of our three goats. Tesco and Silas have been here since June 17th. Silas and Barnaby were listed as “Nigerian dwarf” and Tesco was listed as a “mini Nubian.” None of that means anything to me since they’re not being used for milk or meat; that they’re not huge is all I really cared about. So far, having goats has been mostly pleasant. It’s quite a bit of work. More than you might think. My schedule is pretty solid. I’m up at 7:30 AM on weekdays and 8:30 AM on weekends. Except now. Now, in the back of my half-sleeping brain, I’m…
They’re Altogether Ooky
I need to tell you something before we get to the traumatic event of last night. I wear makeup when we go out on Saturdays. That’s the only time I will slather my face in paints. I have never worn a lot of makeup. My goal was always to look like a slightly improved version of myself. I had no interest in cat-eye liner and smokey eyes. Even with the minimal amount I used to wear, the thought of putting it on my face became more and more repulsive, especially foundation. For the last six or seven years, I didn’t wear any makeup at all. Ever. Then, sometime around the…
