Ah, Confetti Cake...

 still the favorite at fifteen. Happy Birthday to you,  Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Jaren...

New bike shorts, new pedals, new helmet.... hmm, no question what you'll be doing more of this spring. And just to break in those new shorts, Dad took him on the mountain loop ride close to our house for a short, but steep ride, to which Jaren replied upon his return,  “I smoked him!’’ 

Ahhh fifteen.

I must ask myself

How has a species so beautiful, so intelligent and social, and so close to us in emotion, been so hated for centuries? What makes people hate these magnificent creatures? Even hate coming from leadership- declaring that they will be first in line to kill one of these creatures- is that leadership? I can't understand that kind of leadership, and it seems that a vast number of people in charge have some pretty strong feelings against these animals.  It makes my heart ache, and sickens me to know the slaughter that is on its way, that we still have so far to go... our humanity still light years away it seems from respecting all of life? One does not have to be a lover of wildlife to honor and respect its presence.

 Myths aside, I cannot reconcile in my mind why the wolf has been so persecuted- except to understand it as fear. We fear what we don't know, and I think rather than really knowing or having the willingness to try and understand, people just  believe what they hear, or what they are told is truth, rather than using their own minds to investigate and decide. Anything a wolf has done I ask us to look within our own society, and ask ourselves have we not done the same.  We kill for many less justified reasons, yes? How is this different than they? Have you been to our jails, to our own slaughter houses? We take care of our families, protect and provide food, punish those that do not live within our rules, we love and play, and express affection much in the same ways. So who is the wolf here? 

If population control must happen, and I don't honestly know what is right here, then at least  let it be done in humane ways... let us act with reverence to these life forms- then leave them to be free.

Everything New

New homes, new fish, new names. While my friends are having babies, I'm having more fish. Something new to feed my nurturing side, but much easier than human babies. 

Our pond goldfish that came inside two years ago, due to over heating in the summer and sadly the only two that survived, have survived in a large vase on my kitchen counter since then. While Ignorance is bliss-I have succumbed to terrible guilt because of this fish ignorance.  I had no idea how much space these little guys actually require, if one wants to be a good and responsible pet owner that is. Many people keep goldfish in a bowl, but did you know that they require 10 gallons a piece ? I didn't know that until lately. I noticed they had really out grown their vase and decided they needed a real home, so I started to research about goldfish and was shocked to find out how badly I had housed them. Though I changed the water twice weekly to keep it as ammonia free as possible, they were grossly under housed, and quite the troopers to put up with their 3 gallon vase. Now they have a 29 gallon tank with nice river rocks, and plants, and a new spotted buddy, a Sarasa Comet; I couldn't resist his showy color. I'm in need of a new name for this one... I kind of just like Comet. Yes,  I think that is a good name, Comet. The goldies are too hard to tell apart so they are just little pesche doro's... Italian for goldfish.

My fondness of fish is growing. I've been eyeballing my wall in the front living room... it is big and empty and perfect for a large built in tank... but that is getting far ahead of myself. I do adore my fish though. 

 Every morning I'd sit and have breakfast in  my kitchen and watch my fish, a simple joy. They would beg at the top when I fed them, and  swim close to the edge of the glass when I put my face real close, curiously watching... and yes I talk to my fish like I talk to everything else. So moving my goldfish to the family room meant I could only see them at night when I was sitting in the family room, and I missed seeing them when I was working or eating in the kitchen. 

Needless to say the vase now has 5 new tenants, Gold Danios, and they stay small, small as in 1 to 1 1/2 inches, so I am happy again, happy in both rooms, though it is a little more maintenance. Mike thinks I would have a zoo if I could... I'm not sure he's too far off, but for now eight little fish,  two dogs, and a geriatric cat are plenty in the Bold household.

This was home to the Goldies for two years,

 and now home for the Danios.

These are the 5 Gold Danios 

Comet is in the middle. Isn't he so cute.

If you want to see some amazingly beautiful zen aquariums by Takashi Amano watch this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adDeLAdWnHM 

It's quite impressive with it's simplicity and beauty. Some of my next goals...