I was a fish geek when I was very young, that was a while ago, but I see that the fun of it remains stored inside of me. I got Maria a fish tank for her birthday some months ago, and we have had the usual ups and downs with acclimation, hard water and sensitive fish.

Things have settled down we have two charismatic and beautiful Calico gold fish. I’ve learned about Maria that she is always a visual person, she isn’t interested in the fish nearly as much as the color and style of the fish.

She loves to sit and watch the tank. I sometimes meditate next to it.

I’ve also had fund exploring the ways to have a natural and creative tank. I found this “Moss Monster” on Etsy, a site called AquaBonsai with some of the most original and creative aquarium designs.

These sculptures are covered i moss (good for any tank) and made out of non-toxic lava rock, a material that helps bring oxygen into the tank. Since Maria opened a shop on Etsy, I’ve done more of my shopping there, from desk organizers to a medic alert necklaces my doctors have been pestering me to get.

I also got Maria a beautiful Staurolite necklace there and she got me one in return. I have to be careful about Aqua Bonsai, it is not expensive, but there are too many things I’d like to buy. For that matter, I need to be careful about Etsy, they do bring creativity to life.

I remember about fish that they are soothing and one can be creative about how the tank is constructed. Ours is filled with natural plants and has become a beautiful and kind of restful place. I like the Moss Monster peering out of the leaves. And he is very good for the snails we have to eat the algae off the tank and keep it clean.

I’m remembering the old trucks.