If You Build It, They Might Come
In our backyard, we have a small pond, approximately 8' x 10', man made, dug tediously into the rocky soil 5 years ago. To my delight, we have an occasional bullfrog visit for days at a time. We have nearly the same assortment of formerly 'feeder' goldfish that we bought to test the pond when it was first filled. The pond has been a playground for ducklings that were hatched here in an incubator.
Last night, I walked out to the deck which overlooks the pond, carrying my dinner. Thought I was hallucinating, but it sure LOOKED like a very large bird with long legs and neck was flying up thru the trees behind our yard.
This morning, at 7:15, as I lay half awake, heard the slightest little sound outside the opened 2nd floor window overlooking the pond. Crept over to the window, and even without my contact lenses in, I could see a very large bird, sitting on the 'island' in the pond, made of a large flat rock resting on a milk crate.
I motioned silently to my husband to come and look, because I doubted that anyone would believe me unless someone would vouch for my story. I ran to get my camera, tiptoed downstairs and tried to get a shot of it out the downstairs window. The wily bird, however, became air born as the shutter finally opened. 
This picture wasn't taken at our pond (duh) but it does look like the bird sitting on the island. I checked a little while ago to see if there were any fish left...they didn't come up to eat, which NEVER happens. The poor fish (including Herman, the 14" catfish from Illinois) were hovering as close to the bottom as possible, or inside the milk crate island support. An hour later, the food remains on the top of the water. These fish have obviously been severely traumatized...
The Fall and Rise of Azmodius, God of Fishes
Azmodius is a pacu, a South American peaceful (mostly) member of the piranha family, who came to live with us when (s)he was less than 2" long. Though I was warned that pacu grew to great size, I thought I 'knew' that a fish's size was limited by its tank.
Azmodius grew from a 20 gallon, to a 30 gallon, to a 55 gallon tank, housed in the smallest room of our house, with my son. We knew the 55 would have to go when he splashed water clear to the bed, a few feet away, when he was feeling frisky. 
As with the previous two tanks, a 110 gallon tank was procured, used, from someone who probably laughed with glee while holding our check and watching us back down the driveway. THIS tank, however, was not undertaken lightly. THIS tank was a life force in itself, much like its inhabitant. (on right: Az's chew bone)
After two years of getting by with partial water changes and filter cleanings, and facing the prospect of replacing the carpeting under the tank stand, it was determined that Azmodius needed a thorough tank-cleaning--and relocation. Cleaning a 6' long tank that weighs probably 100# when EMPTY is not something you undertake lightly.
Azmodius USED to have a tank-mate, a plecostomes (ugly) bottom feeder that was only seen about once a month. When the tank was drained (garden hose siphoned out the family room door) it became apparent that the pleco was long gone. With 4" of water remaining in the tank, Az was wrapped in a pillowcase and wrestled into this 20" long plastic tub. A naive thought of weighing him was quickly dismissed when I could barely even HOLD him.
Over the next 5 totally exhausting hours, the tank, gravel, filters, covers, et al were toted outside and cleaned, with my husband's help and navigational assistance. By the time his home was restored,
poor old Az was looking a bit peaked...
He was placed into his tank, tho it was still a bit cooler than the tub water, but continued to look like the grim fisherman might be coming at any time...
Such was still the case at midnite, when I gave up and went to bed, wondering if the frequent question, "What are we going to DO about Azmodius?" wouldn't soon be easier to answer.
The next morning, I crept into the basement, sure I'd see a 19" long fish, floating on the top of the nice, clean water. To my relief, and delight (I really do LIKE this fish) this phoenix of a fish was somehow upright and again folding in his tail to turn around in his tank...the LAST TANK WE WILL BUY for him (I hope he's listening...).
Another Fix for the Institution Junkie
Had a few extra minutes and my camera in my car the other day, so I stopped by the Spring Grove Hospital to look for an old favorite building. This place is a very old psychiatric hospital, dating back to the end of the 1700's, tho none of the buildings go back that far. This one is, of course, not open
seeing as it is filled to the gills with asbestos. But this cornerstone, dating from pre-psychotropic medication days, is very haunting..
It is an immense building, with grates over the windows, and I could almost see and hear the poor unfortunates who likely had to live out their days with no relief from the visions and voices that brought them there.
Met the chaplain while I was there--we talked "shop" for a while. The gulf between MI and MR is narrow in many places.
Had to take a picture of this cheery road sign when I finally found my way off the immense campus...somehow, I hope that no one has a mailing address on this street...
So glad that Azzy lived. For some reason, I, too, would be sad if he hadn't survived the cleaning of the tank.
Posted by: Mz. Smlph | August 28, 2005 at 11:25 AM