We have prevailed  4-27-12


 The long battle appears to be over. The seemingly unbeatable foe has been vanquished. The algae that has plagued both the front and back fish tanks has been destroyed by science. I purchased a UV sterilizer for the front tank over the internet. A UV sterilizer sucks in small amounts of water and allows it to flow around an ultraviolet light bulb. Any living organisms that linger in front of the bulb for more than a few seconds are extinguished. Then the water and the dead organisms flow back out to the main tank. I found a larger, more powerful sterilizer at PetSmart and it seemed to be priced far lower that I had expected. They were asking $80 for a model that was selling for $220 on Ebay. After checking with the salesman, I snatched it back and made a mad dash for the register before the half-wit could check his price sheets. The cashier rang it up as marked and ten minutes later it was humming away in the 125 gallon tank. The tank looked clearer the next morning, but after months of battling this insidious pea soup, I was reluctant to declare victory. Two days later, however, the despised green water had given way to a liquid of such clarity that one after another of you could only stare in delight. See below. 

There now, is that
clear enough for you?

Rich's Wedding 4-11-12

Normally, I cannot get too close to an engagement or wedding ring. If I do, I have found that I can no longer see through walls or leap tall buildings with a single bound, and I become much slower than a speeding bullet. Thus it was with some trepidation that I accepted an invitation to the wedding of our client Rich (the massage therapist). It turned out I was very glad that I did. The ceremony was held outside at Palma Sola Botannical Park in Bradenton. The setting was idyllic, to say the least. A superb sound system guaranteed every word of the ceremony could be heard, but I thought I would miss seeing the actual exchange of rings when a large woman in a pink floral dress sat down in front of me. Some last minute seat shifting allowed me to see the participants, but I was repeatedly distracted by the large woman. Her dress was sleeveless and one could not help but notice that her arms were considerably larger than mine. Envy rears its ugly head when you least expect it.   To be continued.

Thunder and Lightning 4-5-12

No, the title of this one is not what I call my left and right fists. It refers to the natural events.
I did not think I was scared of thunderstorms, but apparently I am. I used to find the blowing winds and lightning and havoc outside rather soothing actually, until I was informed about five years ago that I do not. For the past five years, Sasha the sled dog has insisted on seeking me out during these storms. If I am sleeping, she finds the part of me nearest to the edge of the bed and pokes at it with her nose until I wake up. Then she points out the bright flashes and the loud noises that would have awakened me at any moment. After this she searches for my hand and soothes me by insisting that I pat her head and play with her ears until I begin to find some comfort in doing so. You must understand that she has no fear of these events herself. She has told me this many times. Sasha has become so adept at consoling me soon after these events begin that I no longer "dread" them. Last night just such an event occured. It would have been very scary except for my brave companion. I hope I can get over this fear before my furry aged guardian finally goes to that big storm in the sky.