Never ending coolness

The reef with the corals always amazes me.  If you look closely there is always something that you find interesting.  Like the pulsing Xenia attached by only a thread of macro algae, or the serpent star that only emerges once in a while and always with such a secretive air about him.  I love feeding this tank because everyone is very polite unlike some of the tanks that have crazies that will try and get ALL of the food even if it means they are bursting themselves from having so much in their bellies! Case in point?  The marroon clown that I have to literally shoo away so the tomato clown can eat. 

Babies!

How fun!  Found some babies today in the balloon fish tank.  Not sure at this point but am  guessing they are mollies ~ a little hard to tell they are still mere specks.  I just love it when they are little like this.  They are so cute and their little personalities just shine through.  Some are scared and hide, some are brave and venture out of the comfort zone. 

Colonoscopy

Well THATS not a fish word, is it?  But I just have to pass on our experience from yesterday at Samaritan in Watertown.  David was having issues with his belly so he finally took enough time out to get the dreaded colonoscopy.  Now, everyone said the worst part is the preparation.  And they are right!  He was so hungry AND he was the last patient of the day so he hadn't eaten anything since 5 pm Wednesday and it was 3 pm Friday before he went in the procedure room!  Liquid diet Thursday then not even water on Friday.  Believe me, it is nerve-racking as all heck because you just always think, "what if"?
Had we known how fantastic the staff of Dr. Weinstein and the hospital staff on the floor was we would not have been half as scared.  They were so helpful in aleaving the stress its crazy!  Dr. Weinstein, the waiting room staff,  and the recovery room staff were great. They were helpful, kind, compassionate, gentle, patient with our questions and even humorous!  You could almost say they made it enjoyable ~ save for all that hunger! lol  You get put into a twilight state and the medicine you get makes you have amnesia (cool) so you don't remember ANYTHING.  There is no pain after just some really great tooting BUT they don't have odor so its not gross or anything.  And the best part?  You are all doopy and say some pretty funny things that the person who goes as your ride home gets to enjoy.
Please, if you are scared ~ don't be.  Knowing you are ok is so much better then wondering if you are ok.  The unpleasant day before is so trumped by the ease of the actual procedure, honestly.

A wonderful day!

What a charmed life we get to live in the 1000 Islands!  And being able to spend every day with our fish is just the icing on the cake.  Yesterday I had a blast feeding everyone ~ no matter how many times ~ which is daily ~ I still enjoy watching them.  During the summer when I am across the street at the Greens, David takes over the job and being so busy I don't miss it, but when I spend all these months in the off-season doing it I am reminded just how fun it is.

Back in the day we would feed the live eaters for $1.00/4 minnows so people could watch them eat. We also fed Big Al a white mouse for $3.00.  I'll never forget the two little girls with their dad who begged him to spend that $3.00 for a mouse.  He kept telling them he wasn't so sure they'd want to see it...but like all good dads he caved. 
I'll set the scene:  two little sweeties about age 6 or so directly in front of the exhibit
little noses practically pressing against it.  I throw the mouse in and it starts to swim directly at the glass where the little girls were situated.  Just when it got right in front of them Big Al lunged at it, snapping it up in his jaws RIGHT in front of them.  Blood squirted they screamed and the dad said "see? I told you,you may not like it!"  The dad and I laughed and I still chuckle when I think about it.

Holy Moly

Well, we didn't think it was possible but really nothing is impossible or so it seems.  The foot long Midas Cichlid that has been an ongoing problem with bad behavior was moved to the tank with the very large Redtail Cats.  Long story short?  For a few days everything seemed fine.  Then this morning Mr. Redtail had a very large belly.  Turns out it was Mr. Midas.  We feel bad for him after all, what a death ~ it had to take a bit for the Redtail to consume him because of his size but it happened overnight and we  only saw the aftermath.

Pretty cool....

 http://translate.google.com/
This is a pretty cool link!  I can't stop myself ~ so many phrases and words to try!