felicula | (no subject)

Whatever I thought I would be coming home with last night, My cousin's bridal shower was this Sunday, so

mechanchaos, Aidan, and I packed up the car and invaded my Mom's house for the weekend. I knew I'd be picking up some things that were my Dad's: his old coffee grinder (which I am more likely to use for herbs) and a bicycle. Yep, I now have a bicycle, for which I still need a helmet.

Then, my Mom pulled out a few of her old pairs of pants and asked me if I wanted to try them on. I did. They fit. Later on, my Mom told me that they were sizes 16 and even a pair that was size 14. I danced! At my highest weight, I think I was a size 28. Maybe bigger.

I ended up wearing a pair of them to my cousin's bridal shower. Just about everyone who knew me complemented me on my weight loss. Another cousin asked, "Where's the rest of you!?!" My ego grew something like 5 sizes for every size I'd lost.

The centerpieces at the shower fascinated me. They were 11" vases, with decorative glass marbles in the bottom, ribbon around the necks, and what looked like hydroponically growing plants on top. It took me some time to notice, but the water in each vase sported a betta fish. The effect was beautiful and unique.

Each place was set with a candy bar with a wrapper with the bridal shower information on it, a number penciled on the back. Mine was 6. There came a time when we were asked to check the numbers. Those with the number called would get to take home one of the centerpieces. My cousin called the number 6.

Of all the things I thought I'd be going home with, a new pet was not one of them. Yet, of all the guests at the party, I think I was one of the very few satisfied with what she received.

Back at home, I changed out the glass for surf-polished stones I already had. I changed the thin, poorly-matched, pastel-striped ribbon for a double layer of black and green ribbons. I got betta fish food, and prayed that the cats wouldn't destroy the plant to try to dip a paw in. For all my Mom and one of her sisters were joking about fish as if they were the cheap kiddo prizes in fairground games, I think this is one of the more beautiful arrangements I have seen.

I may not have thought I'd have a pet fish anytime soon. I'm enjoying it anyhow.

Now to come up with a name. :)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Make sure it can get to the top of the water Bettas breath air and need to come to the surface. Also you will need some water conditioner to decholorinate the water and to do frequent water changes. I am sure it is beautiful, I'm just not sure it is good for the fish.

I raise betta fish. I now only have seven, but I used to have 11 of them. They are pretty and delightful pets.

Yep, the water is about 2.5 inches below the bottom of the plant save where the roots trail in, there's a lot of top of the water space for him. I never intend to fill it higher than that, since that would be bad for the plant too. To much water for it will rot its roots. So far, it still has the water it came in, but I plan on getting water conditioner when I go to the pet store for cat litter this evening. I got food for him last night, though I think the little pinch I gave him last night was more than he should have had. (He ate maybe half of what I gave him.)

How much food would you recommend per feeding? After last night, I was thinking 3-4 pellets might do the trick per feeding. The food container says to feed several times per day, but I wonder if that's similar to cat food in that they say to put in more in hopes you'll spend more money on it. How many feedings do you do per day? I appreciate any advice about bettas, since I'd like to be a good caretaker for it.

I feed once every other day as much as they will eat in 2-3 minutes. I feed pellets and occasionally bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Thanks. :)