Living Things Update

!) The pea plants definitely need to be planted outside, although I do like the jungle effect of having lots of growing green things on my windowsills. I feel like I have been neglecting these little guys lately, though, and now the leaves are withering and the plants are sprawling out of control. (They are standing up nice and straight for the picture, though, because Diana had just told me that I should tie them to the stakes.)



@) The herbs appear to be doing well. They are even beginning to smell like their respective herb smells (chives, basil, parsley).

#) And now for something completely different . . . FISH! Yes, I now have actual pets, two betta fish (pictured left), thanks to Diana. If it is possible, I am even more excited about the fish than I am about gardening. Because I can watch them swim around. And I can talk to them and feel somewhat okay about it. And they have names. The red one on the left is Beta Bravo Fish. And the purpley one on the right (don't be confused by the orange fish picture on the bag of gravel behind the tank) is named Alpha Alfa Fish. I call them both by their middles names. Unless I'm really serious, like when I'm trying to coax Beta Bravo to not spit up his pellets, and then I use the first and middle name. You can just barely see the screen dividing the tank, which I like to call the beta blocker. This prevents them from fighting to the death. There is also a light on the top of the tank so I can illuminate the aquarium and lie in bed and stare at it.

$) So, yes, the aesthetic of my room has changed from the spartan clean and spacious (well, for a one-room studio) to the clutter of plants and animals and bikes and other assorted inanimate knickknacks. Generally it is a complete mess, as well, with clothes and bike parts and dishes stacked up on the floor and every available surface. I made a really good curry the other day. My grandfather always complained about cooking for one.